PROCEDURE FOR OPERATING A FUNDING ORDER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a conveyor arrangement.

[0002] EP 1 361 182 B1 discloses a conveyor device with a plurality of rollers for conveying an article and a motor for driving the rollers. The conveyor device is divided into a plurality of conveyor segments (referred to as "module 2" in EP 1 361 182 B1). The operation of the motor is controlled by a controller. The rotation state of a roller of the conveyor segment is determined for each conveyor segment. By comparing it with a standard value, the current status of a conveyed article can be determined for that conveyor segment.

[0003] The procedure described in EP 1 361 182 B1 enables the detection of specific situations in isolation on a conveyor segment based on predefined standard values.

[0004] WO 2019 / 115456 A1 describes a method for condition monitoring in a conveyor system with multiple conveyor segments. The method comprises: checking for the presence of a reference operating state; if the reference operating state is present, determining a current of the motor roller; and comparing the determined current of the motor roller with a reference value for the reference operating state. This allows error states in the conveyor system hardware to be detected, such as a blockage of the motor roller and / or a bearing and / or other elements of a conveyor segment, as well as gear damage or defective transmission elements. The determined current of another motor roller in the same conveyor segment can be used as reference values ​​for the comparison.

[0005] US 2018 / 0284741 A1 discloses a system for collecting data in an industrial production environment. The system includes a data acquisition circuit for evaluating a plurality of acquisition values; a data analysis circuit for analyzing a subset of the plurality of acquisition values ​​to determine a sensor performance value of at least one of the plurality of input sensors; and an analysis response circuit that adjusts a sensor scaling value or a sensor sampling frequency value in response to the sensor performance value.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to make the operation of a conveyor system more efficient and effective. The object underlying the invention is achieved by a method according to claim 1; refinements are the subject of the subclaims and the description.

[0007] The invention provides for the defined collection and evaluation of the conveyor segment data generated during operation of the conveyor segments. A multitude of insights can be derived from these evaluations, which are advantageous for further operation. One aspect of this relates to the identification of data patterns from the conveyor segment data. This identification takes advantage of the fact that a large number of materials are conveyed via a large number of conveyor segments in the conveyor arrangement. In this application of big data analysis, a large treasure trove of data can be evaluated, which is characterized in particular by a high degree of comparability due to identical framework conditions. The data patterns identified here therefore have a particularly high degree of informative value.

[0008] Fundamentally, within the scope of this invention, an immense amount of data is generated, which is then analyzed using, for example, a self-learning system, such as neural networks. The results of such studies are initially uncertain, but they promise to provide clues to economically / technically useful insights.

[0009] The procedure explicitly distinguishes between conveyed goods-specific and conveyed segment-specific data patterns.

[0010] A conveyed-material-specific data pattern can indicate a specific property of the conveyed material, particularly in relation to one or more other conveyed materials. This property can, for example, make the respective conveyed material physically different from another. If two identical conveyed materials are conveyed consecutively on the same or an identical conveyor segment, the data recorded during the conveying process cannot be distinguished from one another by an associated conveyed-material-specific pattern.

[0011] The data patterns are identified based on a continuity criterion during normal operation. This continuity criterion takes into account the inevitable fact that a conveyed item is always initially present at an upstream conveyor segment and subsequently at a downstream conveyor segment. However, a loss of a conveyed item can also be immediately detected if, contrary to expectations, a conveyed item-specific data pattern does not appear in the conveyor segment data generated at that conveyor segment.

[0012] A conveyor segment-specific data pattern can occur whenever a particular conveyor segment exhibits a specific property, possibly in relation to one or more other conveyor segments. Such a conveyor segment-specific data pattern is of particular interest when it occurs in relation to the conveyor segment data of at least one other conveyor segment that is identical to the respective conveyor segment.

[0013] This allows conclusions to be drawn about a property of the respective conveyor segment that distinguishes it from the other conveyor segments. If the conveyor segments are identical, the property may be associated with a defect, which can then be detected using the identified data patterns.

[0014] In the above-mentioned manner, the resulting conveyor segment data can be used to detect anomalies in conveyed goods and conveyor segments.

[0015] A special feature is the identification of data patterns and their use during ongoing operation. The generation of specific data patterns does not require any prior training; rather, the data patterns are generated continuously during ongoing operation. The method thus continuously develops itself. While the prior art often uses predefined values ​​as a reference for error detection (e.g. EP 1 361 182 B1), the present invention does not require such predefinition. Put simply: the method is able to create its own virtual reference objects based on observations. In this respect, the analysis capability is characterized by a high level of dynamism, which is not achievable using predefined standard values ​​- as in the prior art.

[0016] Due to the large number of materials being conveyed and the large number of conveyor segments, an enormous treasure trove of data can be generated during normal operation after a short period of operation, which can then be examined for data patterns and thus for abnormalities.

[0017] In a specification step, the data patterns are assigned to a pattern specification. The assignment can occur immediately upon identification and does not need to be performed later. In the specification step, a decision is made as to whether a data pattern is either conveyor segment-specific or conveyor item-specific.

[0018] The zone control can be formed by a control unit that controls multiple conveyor segments. The zone control can be designed separately or arranged within a conveyor roller (see, for example, WO 2020 / 127686 A1).

[0019] In one embodiment, each conveyor segment has a presence detection device, in particular a presence sensor, configured to detect the presence of a conveyed item on the conveyor segment.

[0020] An explicit presence sensor does not necessarily have to be provided for presence detection; presence detection based on the evaluation of isolated motor data may be sufficient (see, for example, EP 1 361 182 B1 and WO 2020 / 127687 A1).

[0021] A conveyor segment drive is particularly designed to provide a drive force isolated for the associated conveyor segment. Each conveyor segment has, in particular, a separate conveyor segment drive. In particular, adjacent conveyor segments are distinguished from one another by the fact that they can be driven separately.

[0022] In particular, the funding arrangements of a funding network do not interact with each other in such a way that a common funding purpose is pursued within the funding network. In particular, there is no exchange of funding items within the funding network. Rather, the funding network serves to provide data, particularly for the mutual optimization of procedural processes.

[0023] The invention is applicable to conveying arrangements which are operated in such a way that in each conveying segment (in normal operation) a maximum of one conveying material is always conveyed, and that the conveying material is conveyed from an upstream conveying segment to a downstream conveying segment.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a conveyor segment for a conveyor arrangement in perspective view; Fig. 2 shows a conveyor arrangement with a plurality of conveyor segments according to Figure 1in perspective view; Fig. 3 a selection of conveyor segment data of a first data set of a first conveyor segment of the conveyor arrangement according to Figure 2 which are generated during operation; Fig. 4 a selection of conveyor segment data of a second data set of a second conveyor segment of the conveyor arrangement according to Figure 2 according to the selection Figure 3 ; Fig. 5 a data collection with a large number of data sets comprising the data sets from the Figures 3 and 4 and the data sets of other funding segments; Fig. 6 a data collection analogous Figure 5 with a conveyed material-related data pattern; Fig. 7 a selection of conveyor segment data of the first data set of the first conveyor segment of the conveyor arrangement according to Figure 2 which are generated during operation; Fig. 8 a selection of conveyor segment data of the second data set of the second conveyor segment of the conveyor arrangement according to Figure 2 according to the selection Figure 7; Fig. 9a data collection with a large number of data sets comprising the data sets from Figures 7 and 8 and the data sets of further conveyor segments; Fig 10. a conveyor network with a plurality of conveyor arrangements according to Figure 2 in schematic representation; Fig. 11 a conveyor arrangement of the conveyor network from Figure 2 in schematic representation; Fig. 12 shows a detail of a modification of the conveyor arrangement according to Figure 11 ; Fig. 13 a conveyor arrangement with connected display device in a first display state; Fig. 14 a conveyor arrangement with connected display device in a second display state; Fig. 15 a) the display device from Figure 14 with colored conveyor segments with associated conveyor segment data, b) a selection of conveyor segment data, the basis for the display according to Figure 15a are; Fig. 16 graphic color assignments from the display according to Figure 15in individual representation in different states; Fig. 17Value distributions as a basis for an automatic determination of a color assignment; Fig. 18A schematic view of a special conveyed material.

[0025] The Figures 1 and 2 are described together below. Figure 2 shows a conveyor arrangement 1 comprising several conveyor segments 2a..2e. Such conveyor segments are shown in detail in Figure 1 shown.

[0026] A conveyor segment 2 comprises several conveyor rollers 3 that are jointly driven. For this purpose, one of the conveyor rollers 3 is designed as a motor-driven conveyor roller 3M. The motor-driven conveyor roller 3M is driven, in particular, by a three-phase motor arranged in the conveyor roller 3M. The conveyor rollers 3 of a conveyor segment 2 are connected to one another via one or more drive connectors 4, e.g., a drive belt, and are jointly driven by the motor-driven conveyor roller 3M.

[0027] Using a presence sensor 5, the presence of a conveyed item arranged on the conveyor segment can be determined. The presence sensor 5 does not have to detect the entire conveyor segment 2; it is sufficient if the presence of a conveyed item 9 within a partial area of ​​the conveyor segment 2 is detected by the presence sensor 5. The presence sensor 5 generates a sensor signal S5, which is connected to a zone controller 11 presented below via a signal line (not shown). Presence detection can also occur without an explicit sensor and be derived from other raw data. There are already approaches to deriving the presence of a conveyed item on the conveyor segment from other data, e.g., from the current strength curve in a conveyor segment.

[0028] The conveyor rollers 3 and the presence sensor 5 are attached to a common support frame 8. The conveyor rollers 3 of several conveyor segments 2 can be attached to a common support frame 8.

[0029] The conveyor segments 2 are arranged one behind the other in the conveyor arrangement 1 along a conveying direction F. The conveyed goods 9a..9c are conveyed by the conveyor arrangement 1 from a conveyor segment 2a..2d to the (downstream) conveyor segment 2b..2e arranged behind it in the conveying direction.

[0030] The motor-driven conveyor rollers are each controlled by a zone controller 11. A zone controller 11 can control the motor-driven conveyor rollers of multiple conveyor segments 2. Several such zone controllers 11 are arranged in the conveyor arrangement 1 and communicate with each other via a bus connection 13.

[0031] The zone controllers 11 control the motor-driven conveyor rollers 3M in such a way that the successively conveyed items 9 do not collide with each other. The control is carried out in such a way that essentially only one item 9 is present per conveyor segment 2. However, minor overlaps are permitted. For example, an upstream item 9b can already enter a conveyor segment 2d even though the downstream item 9a has not yet completely left this conveyor segment 2d. The sensor signals S5 of the presence sensors 5 serve as input variables, among others, whereby it is ensured that the two items do not touch each other and thus cannot damage each other.

[0032] In one embodiment, the zone controls 11 are connected to a common higher-level system control 12, in particular via the bus connection 13, with which the zone controls 11 are also connected to one another.

[0033] During the operation of a conveyor segment 2, a large number of conveyor segment data are generated and recorded. A data set 20a of a first conveyor segment 2a is shown in detail in the Figure 3 The production segment data are plotted over time t.

[0034] First, the different data types will be explained. For the purposes of this description, a distinction is made between the following data types: Raw data R, derived data A, data pattern M.

[0035] The raw data is directly identifiable data, which is recorded, for example, by the sensors or provided by the controllers on the bus connection.

[0036] Derived data A refers to data that cannot be directly recorded, but can be derived from the directly recorded raw data of a conveyor segment using information technology. For example, the angular velocity of the phase angle of the three-phase current can be used to calculate the conveying speed of a conveyor roller.

[0037] The raw data and the derived data are collectively referred to as production segment data because they describe a property or condition that currently occurs in a production segment.

[0038] The data type "Data Pattern" is explained in more detail below.

[0039] The funding segment data includes the following data ( Figure 3, 4 ):

[0040] The sensor value S5 of the presence censor 5:The value t ="1" indicates that a conveyed good 9 is detected by the presence censor 5 (for t2 <t<t3). Der Wert "0" zeigt an, dass ein Fördergut 9 durch den Präsenszensor 5 nicht erkannt wird (für t<t2 und t> t3). The presence sensor 5 does not necessarily cover the entire conveyor segment. Consequently, the material can be conveyed at the input side at t <t2 schon auf dem Fördersegment angeordnet sein, auch wenn dieses noch nicht durch den Sensorwert S5 angezeigt wird. Ebenso kann das Fördergut bei t> t3 must still be located on the conveyor segment on the output side, even if sensor value S5 already switches to the value "0" at t=t3. The sensor values ​​belong, in particular, to the data type "raw data" because they are provided directly by the sensor. The speed V3:

[0041] The value V3 specifies the speed of a roller in conveyor segment 2. This particularly applies to the speed of motor roller 3M. However, the value V3 is usually not necessarily available as an explicit speed value, which is determined, for example, by a speed sensor. Thus, the speed is an example of a derived data value, which is calculated from the angular velocity of the phase angle of the three-phase current driving the three-phase motor of the motor roller. This angular velocity itself is a data value of the raw data type and can usually be retrieved via the frequency converter of the three-phase motor.

[0042] The current I3:The value I3 indicates the current used to drive the motor-driven conveyor roller 3M. The current I3 is directly related to the power consumption of the motor-driven conveyor roller 3M. The current is provided directly by the frequency converter and therefore falls under the data type "raw data."

[0043] In one embodiment, a data set 20 comprises additional or different conveyor segment data. A data set 20x is always assigned to a specific conveyor segment 2x and always includes conveyor segment data that accrues, in particular is generated or recorded, during the operation of the associated conveyor segment.

[0044] Based on the Figure 3A typical conveying cycle of the conveying segment 2a is shown. In such an operating cycle, exactly one conveyed product 9 is conveyed. The conveying cycle is therefore repeated whenever another conveyed product is to be conveyed. At time t <t0 ist das Fördersegment im Stillstand und die Förderrollen 3 drehen sich nicht. Von der Zonensteuerung eines stromaufwärtigen Fördersegments (nicht dargestellt) wird die Übergabe des ersten Förderguts 9a angekündigt. Die Zonensteuerung 11 des vorliegenden Fördersegments startet zum Zeitpunkt t=t0 nun die Förderrollen des Fördersegments durch ein entsprechendes Steuersignal. Die Stromstärke I3 schnellt auf einen Maximalwert und beschleunigt die Förderrollen 3, die zum Zeitpunkt t=t1 ihre Arbeitsgeschwindigkeit erreichen.

[0045] At time t=t2, the material being conveyed on the conveyor segment is detected by the presence sensor.

[0046] Based on the sensor signal from presence sensor 5, at time t=t3, it is detected when a trailing edge of the conveyed material 9a has left the monitoring range of presence sensor 5. Based on roller speed V3, it can now be determined when the conveyed material 9a has left the conveyor segment 2a. Accordingly, at time t4, the drive power for motor roller 3M can be switched off. The conveyor rollers 3 decelerate and are at a standstill at time t=t5.

[0047] The aforementioned conveying cycle essentially repeats itself each time another, e.g., a second and third, conveyed item 9b, 9c, and so on, is conveyed on the same conveying segment 2a. The recorded conveying segment data can then be essentially similar. The above-mentioned times t0..t5 represent events within a conveying cycle that can recur in every conveying cycle. The times t0..t5 and the events they represent thus recur in every regular conveying cycle.

[0048] For illustration purposes, the development of the production segment data for the production of the second and third materials 9b and 9c are shown in Figure 2 in the diagram of the Figure 3 Deviations in the course of the conveying segment data may arise, in particular, due to the nature of the respective conveyed material 9.

[0049] For example, the second conveyed material 9b is significantly larger and heavier than the first conveyed material 9a (see Figure 2 ). The increased size of the second conveyed item 9b directly causes the second conveyed item 9b to remain in the monitoring area of ​​the presence sensor 5 for a longer period, which Figure 3 represented by the arrow P1 at the sensor value S5. Since the conveying segment data for the conveyance of the second conveyed material differs from those of the first and third conveyed materials 9a, 9c, these are referred to below as the first data pattern M1.

[0050] Accordingly, the conveyor rollers 3 of the first conveyor segment 2a are also operated for a correspondingly longer time in order to completely convey the second conveyed material 9b away from the first conveyor segment 2a. This is indicated by the arrows P2 at the values ​​for the motor current I3 and the speed V3.

[0051] The increased weight of the second conveyed material 9b also requires an increased power consumption of the motor-driven conveyor roller 3M. After the conveyor rollers have accelerated and the material has been taken over by the first conveyor segment 2a, the motor-driven conveyor roller 3M is therefore operated with increased power. This is indicated in the Figure 3 represented by the arrow P3 at the value for the motor current I3.

[0052] In an ideal situation, the conveyor segment data recorded in the first conveyor segment 2a are now also recorded in the second conveyor segment in the same way. Figure 4 shows analogous to Figure 3 the conveyor segment data recorded in the second conveyor segment 2b. Essentially, the data image is the same, although the conveyor segment data on an absolute time scale are naturally recorded later. However, the assignment of the conveyor segment data to the respective conveyor goods 9a-c remains.

[0053] Figure 5shows a data collection 200, comprising the data sets 20a..20e of the conveying segments 2a..e, which were recorded during the conveying of the conveyed goods 9a..c and other conveyed goods.

[0054] A data collection 200 thus generally comprises the data records 20a...n of several conveyor segments, in particular the data records of all conveyor segments 2 of the conveyor arrangement 1.

[0055] It can be seen that the specific data pattern M1, which appears in the data set 20a of the first conveyor segment 2a due to the conveyance of the conveyed material 9b, now also appears in the data sets 20b..e of all further conveyor segments 2b..2e.

[0056] Figure 6 shows a data collection 200, which largely corresponds to the data collection from Figure 5 The difference is that pattern M1 appears in data sets 20a..c of the first three conveyor segments 2a..c, but not in data sets 20d, 20e of the fourth and fifth conveyor segments 2.

[0057] This is an indication of an abnormality. The cause can be complex. One possible cause may be that the conveyed material that was detected in the fourth and fifth conveyor segments is not the second conveyed material 9b that was detected in the first three conveyor segments. For example, unauthorized manual intervention in the conveying process took place in which the conveyed material 9 was replaced. The abnormality thus relates to the conveyed material (conveyed material-related abnormality).

[0058] The Figures 7 and 8 show analogous to the Figures 3 and 4 the data sets collected during the conveyance of the materials 9a..c along the first two conveyor segments 2a, 2b. Here, it would be expected that the data sets would be very similar, since identical materials are conveyed and collected by similar hardware.

[0059] For example, the values ​​for the motor current I3 in data set 2b of the second conveyor segment 2b differ significantly from the values ​​in the first data set 20a of the first conveyor segment 2a. The current I3 in the second conveyor segment 2b is greater for all conveyor cycles of all conveyed goods 9a..9c than in the corresponding conveyor cycles of the first data set 20a of the first conveyor segment 2a. This deviation is shown in the Figure 8 represented by the arrows P4. The corresponding conveyor segment data are subsequently characterized by a second data pattern M2.

[0060] Figure 9 shows the data collection 200 analogous to Figure 6Here, the second data pattern M2 appears only in the second data set 20b of the second conveyor segment 2b. Since the remaining data sets 20a, 20c, etc., do not contain this second data pattern M2, this indicates structural abnormalities in the second conveyor segment 2b. A possible cause could be a defect in one of the conveyor rollers 3 of the second conveyor segment 2b. For example, an object may have become jammed between the conveyor roller 3 and the support frame 8, exerting a braking effect on the rollers. The motor-driven conveyor roller must therefore apply more power. The abnormality thus relates to a single conveyor segment (conveyor segment-related abnormality).

[0061] To generate data patterns, several conveyor segments can be transferred to a data pattern generation mode in a time-coordinated manner. In this mode, the conveyor segments perform actions that make no sense from a conveyor technology perspective. For example, a short-term acceleration of a motor-driven conveyor roller can provoke a response from the conveyed material, from which a data pattern can be derived. The time coordination must be carried out in such a way that the action is always carried out when an identical conveyed material is present at the respective conveyor segment in order to, for example, generate a conveyed-material-specific data pattern. The same procedure can be useful for generating conveyor-segment-specific data patterns because, due to the identical conveyed material across several conveyor segments, identical conditions exist for data generation.

[0062] The identification of data patterns based on the conveyor segment data is carried out in one embodiment by taking device-specific metadata into account. The device-specific metadata includes static parameters of the underlying devices. For example, the motor-driven conveyor rollers can have different power levels, so that the motor-driven conveyor rollers differ in their response behavior, even if the conveying situation is otherwise identical. This can be taken into account, for example, as follows: In one option, the different device parameters are mathematically compensated, whereby the differing conveyor segment data of the differing devices are made comparable. The conveyor segment data itself or data patterns generated from it can be used for this compensation, particularly in the form of compensation patterns.

[0063] In another possibility, data patterns are generated only based on conveyor segment data generated on the basis of similar hardware.

[0064] Figure 10 shows a conveyor network 100. The conveyor network 100 comprises a plurality of conveyor arrangements 1a..d, as in Figure 2 shown. The conveyor arrangements 1a..d are specifically planned for distant locations, meaning they do not belong to a common production facility. The locations of the conveyor arrangements 1a..d are thus at least 5 km, and in particular at least 10 km, apart from each other.

[0065] The system controllers 12 of the respective conveyor assemblies 1a..d are connected to each other via a remote data connection 18. Due to their remote locations, the remote data connection 18 is internet-based, whereby the data exchange can be carried out via a secure internet connection, in particular via a VPN. The locations of the conveyor assemblies 1a..d are not connected to each other via a local area network (LAN).

[0066] The data S5, I3, V3 (hereinafter also raw data R) of the data sets 20a..e generated in the conveyor segments 2a..e or the data sets 20a..e themselves are collected in a local or internal evaluation unit 14. The local or internal evaluation unit 14 can be the system control 12 itself. The raw data R also includes control data C, which is output by the internal controls 11, 12 to the components of the conveyor segments. The control data C can be used in addition to the representations of the Figures 3 to 9 also be part of the data sets or data collection.

[0067] The data sets 20 comprise the raw data R and encompass very large data volumes. The data sets are therefore distributed and stored in their entirety only in a local area L, where a company-owned data network can manage large data volumes. The raw data is then processed by the evaluation unit 14. The internal evaluation unit 14 can thus recognize the data patterns M1, M2 from the raw data R, which were presented in the previous figures. Such data patterns M1, M2 can now be transmitted with comparatively little data via the remote data connection 18 to a central evaluation unit 19.

[0068] The terms local and internal can be understood synonymously.

[0069] The terms internal and external refer to the affiliation (internal) or non-affiliation (external) to one of the funding arrangements 1a..e.

[0070] Pattern identification can alternatively or additionally take place on the zone controller 11. In particular, the generation of derived data A, which is generated from the raw data, takes place in the zone controller 11.

[0071] The central evaluation unit 19 is in particular an external evaluation unit.

[0072] The central evaluation unit 19 can now use the data patterns M1, M2 for predictive maintenance purposes and, if necessary, initiate customer service measures. When transmitting a recognized data pattern to the central evaluation unit 19, a specific hardware component of the conveyor system can be linked, allowing the maintenance measure to be carried out in a targeted manner.

[0073] However, the present invention is not limited to predictive maintenance, which, in the abstract sense, is already applied in other technological fields (e.g., elevators, automobiles, aircraft). Rather, the insights gained from the collected data can be directly utilized in ongoing conveyor operations.

[0074] For example, an action instruction EH can be generated by the central evaluation unit 19 for a conveyor arrangement 1a, which is then implemented by the respective conveyor arrangement 1a. Such an action instruction, which is issued by the central evaluation unit 19 as a result of a current data transmission, is referred to below as an external action instruction EH. Such an action instruction can be output depending on one or more recognized data patterns M1, M2. Such an external action instruction EH, which originates from the central evaluation unit 19, is preferably assigned in a defined manner to a conveyor segment 1a and / or a specific hardware component in this conveyor segment, e.g., a conveyor roller 3M in the conveyor segment 2c.In particular, the evaluation unit 19 does not directly access the corresponding hardware component and / or the raw data; rather, based on the external action instruction EH, the associated zone control 11 and / or the system control 12 can be instructed to control the hardware component in a manner defined by the action instruction.

[0075] In contrast, there are internal instructions IH, which are based on the Figure 11 Internal action instructions IH are issued by an internal control 11, 12, which is part of a conveyor arrangement 1. The internal action instruction IH is issued on an ad hoc basis, in particular after recognition of a specific data pattern M1, M2.

[0076] The action instructions IH, EH are in particular special control commands C or can be converted into control commands by the internal controls.

[0077] The internal control of a conveyor system is understood to be a control that is a local component of the conveyor system 1, i.e., one that is not connected to the conveyor system 1 via a remote data connection 18. An internal control is, in particular, the zone control 11 or the system control 12. The central evaluation unit 19 is, in particular, not an internal control.

[0078] The internal control system, in this example the system control system 12, has access to an assignment table Z. The assignment table Z contains assignment rules that specify which action instruction IH1, IH2 is linked to the occurrence of which data pattern M1, M2. If the occurrence of a data pattern M2 is detected in the raw data R, the action instruction IH2 is output based on the assignment rule, for example, for conveyor segment 2e.

[0079] The allocation rules are not limited to individual conveyor segments. For example, an allocation rule can be formulated such that, upon detection of a data pattern based on raw data at the upstream conveyor segments, an action instruction is issued that is intended for a fifth downstream conveyor segment. This can, in particular, enable active intervention in the current conveying process, which is particularly relevant when determining material-specific data patterns. Therefore, if a material-specific data pattern M2 is detected at several upstream conveyor segments, a downstream conveyor segment at which the material in question has not yet arrived or at least has not been completely conveyed can be provided with an action instruction IH that takes the specific characteristics of the material in question into account.

[0080] The evaluation unit 14 can be designed integrally with the system control 12, as Figure 11 shows. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 14 can be designed separately from the system controller 12, as shown in Figure 12a (the conveyor segments are not shown here). The evaluation unit is designed, in particular, as a so-called "sniffer" and listens ("sniffs") in the communication between the zone controller 11 and the system controller 12 without influencing this communication. It is important here that the local or internal evaluation unit 14 has access to the raw data R generated in several conveyor segments 2a...e, in particular the raw data R of all conveyor segments in a conveyor arrangement, as well as optionally access to control data C, which is sent by the system controller 12 and / or the zone controller 11 to the actuators of the conveyor segments 2.

[0081] Between the system control 12 and the evaluation unit 14 on the one hand and the

[0082] On the other hand, a gateway 15 can be provided for the remote data connection 18. The gateway is, in particular, a component of the conveyor assembly 1, which also includes the system control unit 12 and the evaluation unit 14. The gateway can be designed integrally with the system control unit and the evaluation unit 14.

[0083] The system control system 12 has access to a conveyed goods database 17. The conveyed goods database contains individual conveyed goods data records 17S for each of the goods to be conveyed. A conveyed goods data record 17S specifies the conveyed goods in terms of their identification (e.g., shipment number of a postal service provider), weight, external dimensions (length, width, height), and destination of the goods. For example, the destination information is an important component of the system control system, as the path of the goods at sorting stations is set based on this information.

[0084] A conveyance dataset is usually provided externally, for example, by a postal service provider, and contains, among other things, data that cannot be generated from the raw data of a conveyance segment. In particular, the raw data may not be suitable for determining the destination of the conveyance.

[0085] The conveyed item data set 17S can now be supplemented using the raw data R, the derived data A, or the data patterns M. If, for example, the data can be interpreted in such a way that the conveyed item has a certain length, this can be written into the conveyed item data set 17S or incorrect information present there can be replaced.

[0086] As previously explained, the current length of the conveyed material in the conveying direction can be deduced based on a conveyor-specific data pattern. However, conveyed material is generally not square or spherical; most conveyed materials have an irregular cuboid shape. By knowing the extent of the conveyed material in the conveying direction, the rotational position of the conveyed material can be deduced from the respective conveyed material data set. Such a rotational position can, in turn, be written into the conveyed material data set, so that this information can also be used for other conveyor segments in the same conveyor arrangement.

[0087] Figure 18shows an example of a special type of material to be conveyed. An elongated package has a length I that is many times greater than its height h and width b. Furthermore, its center of gravity S is positioned highly eccentrically. Such a material can exhibit significantly different tipping behavior than most other materials, which can prove disadvantageous in some sorting devices. Proper conveying can be ensured by an advantageous rotational position, e.g., with the center of gravity forward.

[0088] The central evaluation unit 19 can manage a catalogue K of internal instructions IH as well as of such allocation rules Z ( Figure 10). This catalog K with internal instructions can now be made available by the central evaluation unit 19 to the conveyor arrangements 1a...1e. The central evaluation unit 19 can continuously expand the catalog, since the central evaluation unit 19 can, via the data patterns, at least indirectly access the conveyor segment data from the conveyor segments of a large number of conveyor arrangements.

[0089] This makes it possible to generate new action instructions and corresponding assignment rules through continuous analysis of the data or data patterns, thus expanding the catalog. These extensions are made available to the funding orders, so that the internal controls 11, 12 have access to the corresponding IH action instructions and such assignment rules.

[0090] In one embodiment, the processing of the raw data R and patterns M in the network is distributed among at least three units 11, 14, 19. The zone controllers 11 process the raw data R and can generate patterns from it or implement action instructions based on patterns. The zone controllers are designed to execute processing within a first response time.

[0091] The local or internal evaluation units 14 can also process raw data R and generate patterns or implement action instructions based on patterns. These evaluation units 14 are designed to execute processing within a second response time. After processing the raw data into data patterns, the raw data can also be deleted.

[0092] The central evaluation unit 19 can process data patterns and generate action instructions based on these patterns. The central evaluation unit 19 is designed to execute processing within a third response time.

[0093] The first reaction time is shorter than the second reaction time and the second reaction time is shorter than the third reaction time.

[0094] In contrast to the decreasing response rate the farther the units are from the conveying process, the data capacity increases the farther the computing unit is from the process. Thus, the central evaluation unit 19 has the largest data storage capacity, while the zone controller 11 has the smallest data storage capacity.

[0095] The Figures 13 and 14show the conveyor arrangement 1 according to the previous figures. Additional conveyor segments are also shown. In addition to the linear conveyor segments from the previous figures, other types of conveyor segments 2 are now also shown, such as transfer points and curves. The paths along which a material is conveyed are indicated by the arrows. However, the type of conveyor segment is not important for the purposes of the following description. Only a few conveyor segments are designated with the reference symbol 2, representing all conveyor segments.

[0096] The communication on the bus connection 13 is monitored and evaluated via the evaluation unit 14. The evaluation results are then displayed graphically on a display device 16 in the form of a screen. For this purpose, an image 1B of the conveyor arrangement 1 is shown on the display device 16. The image 1B of the conveyor arrangement comprises images 2B of the conveyor segments 2 of the conveyor arrangement 1. The conveyor segments designated by the reference symbol in the conveyor arrangement 1 are each represented in the image 1B by images with the reference symbol 2B.

[0097] The images 2B of the conveyor segments preferably show the conveyor segments 2 in a top view.

[0098] The images 2B of the conveyor segments 2 are arranged in the image 1B in the same way as the actual conveyor segments are arranged. If, in the actual conveyor arrangement, an inlet of a second conveyor segment borders the outlet of a first conveyor segment, this relationship is also present in the image 1B.

[0099] Figure 1B can be created using a planning tool. Such a planning tool is, for example, a software application that can be used to compile a conveyor layout from the data models of individual components, similar to configuring a new car on the manufacturer's website. Figure 1B, used here, can be generated from a data model created during the initial planning of the conveyor layout.

[0100] Here, a plant manager (representing any other person interested in the status of the conveyor system) can obtain information about the function and status of conveyor system 1. The raw data is displayed in a formatted form so that the plant manager can obtain essential information from the conveyor system through visual impressions.

[0101] First, the operations manager can use a zoom function to adjust the display to a specific scale. Figure 13 shows in the display device 14 an image 1B of the conveyor arrangement on a smaller scale; Figure 14 shows in the display device 14 an image 1B of the conveyor arrangement on a larger scale.

[0102] The level of detail of the image varies depending on the scale. For example, a larger scale allows more details to be displayed per conveyor segment than a smaller scale.

[0103] To provide the operations manager with intuitive information about the condition of the conveyor system, the raw data can be presented graphically. This allows the individual conveyor segments to be colored according to the raw data.

[0104] Examples of this are shown in the following figures, with the colorings being illustrated accordingly in text, since colors cannot be used in patent drawings.

[0105] Figure 15a Visualizes a condition that frequently occurs in a conveyor system. The converging arrows represent a transfer point where two conveyor paths meet and merge. This can lead to increased congestion if more material is being conveyed to the transfer point than is being discharged.

[0106] The color coding indicates a traffic jam situation, similar to the representation of traffic jams on a digital road map. Such a traffic jam of goods cannot be directly identified from the isolated raw data R. Rather, the raw data requires analysis by the evaluation unit, particularly using pattern recognition.

[0107] A jam of conveyed goods can be detected in particular by a special pattern of the raw data comprising the signal S5 of the presence sensor 5 and the speed V3 of a conveyor roller 3, which in Figure 15bis illustrated. At time t0, the conveyor roller rotates (V3>0) and a first item of goods 9a is conveyed from a preceding conveyor segment (S5="1"). At time t1, the first item of goods 9a is detected by the presence sensor 5. At time t2, the conveyor speed V3 is zero, although the first item of goods a is still present on the conveyor segment and wants to be conveyed further. This can be interpreted as a clear indication of a jam situation, since the item of goods is now not being conveyed to the downstream conveyor segment. Only after a waiting time at time t3 does the conveyor segment start up again, and the first item of goods 9a leaves the detection range of the presence sensor 5 at time t4. The corresponding data pattern M3 is also repeated for the subsequent items of goods 9b, 9c. The third data pattern M3 is therefore specified in the "Specify" process step as a conveyor segment-specific data pattern.

[0108] The coloring can be performed using the following algorithms. As previously explained, the third data pattern M3 is characterized by the fact that, despite the detection of material on the conveyor segment, the conveyor speed is zero for a significant period of time.

[0109] A first duration T1 is the sum of the periods in which a conveyed item is in the detection range of the presence sensor 5 and the conveying speed V3 is not equal to 0. In this example, the first duration T1 consists of the periods t1< t < t2 and t3 <t<t4 zusammen, aufsummiert über mehrere Förderphasen von mehreren Fördergütern 9a..c.

[0110] A second duration T2 is the sum of the periods during which a conveyed item is within the detection range of the presence sensor, but the conveying speed V3 is 0. Consequently, a conveyed item is present that should be conveyed, but it is not conveyed. The second duration T2 is composed of the periods t2 < t < t3, summed over several conveying phases of several conveyed items 9a..c.

[0111] The larger the proportion of the second duration T2 compared to the first duration T1, the lower the effective conveying capacity of the goods to be conveyed. The quotient Q of T2 / T1 thus represents a measure of the congestion level at the conveyor segment. This quotient Q is now referred to as the congestion value. Each conveyor segment can now be assigned a conveyor segment-specific congestion value Q.

[0112] Based on a stored color assignment ZF ( Figure 16) the accumulation value Q can be assigned a color with which the image 2B of the corresponding conveyor segment can be displayed according to Figure 15 is provided, e.g. with the stipulation: "The higher the congestion value, the redder!"

[0113] The color assignment F provides each congestion value Q with a corresponding color. After the assignment according to Figure 16a For example, the conveyor segment is colored red if the accumulation value is greater than 2. After the assignment according to Figure 16a For example, the conveyor segment is colored green if the accumulation value Q is less than 0.5.

[0114] The color assignment then applies to all displayed conveyor segments, so that any congestion hotspots can be easily identified based on the color assignment.

[0115] The user now has the option to adjust the color assignment. For example, they can adjust the color assignment ZF based on a user input N. The user input is illustrated as a slider, which can be used to shift the limits between the individual colors. Figures 16 b and 16 c then show color assignments that have been changed based on user input. The colors of the conveyor segments can change immediately with the user input, allowing the user to easily set a suitable color contrast. The more general term "setting" encompasses both the initial setting of the color assignment and the subsequent changing of the color assignment.

[0116] Based on the Figure 17aAn example illustrates how a color assignment ZF can be changed automatically. The value n denotes the number of conveyor segments assigned a certain congestion value. It can be seen that most conveyor segments have a congestion value Q < 0.25, and only a small number have a congestion value of Q - 1.5. Congestion values ​​Q > 2 do not occur.

[0117] The color assignment is now selected so that the maximum values ​​automatically fall into the red area and are thus visually highlighted.

[0118] In the case of Figure 17b There is an even distribution in the range between 0 and 4. In the range above 4, the number increases sharply. The maximum congestion values ​​of Q=8 are also placed in the red range. To generate a color contrast, the boundaries are evenly distributed across the entire range of occurring congestion values ​​using the additional colors yellow and orange.

[0119] The logarithmic representation and the associated distribution are only examples here; a linear representation with a corresponding distribution is also possible.

[0120] In one embodiment, the color assignment is initially determined automatically based on the underlying data. The user is then given the opportunity to change the color assignment based on user input.

[0121] Another application for color coding is to indicate the operating time of individual components. Conveyor rollers, in particular, have a nominal service life. This allows the total operating time of a motor-driven conveyor roller to be derived from the raw data. The coloring can then be adjusted based on the derived total operating time.

[0122] This allows the user to visualize the distribution of running times within the conveyor system and, if necessary, replace individual conveyor rollers early. Alternatively, the conveyor rollers can be easily swapped. For example, a conveyor roller colored green in the image can be swapped positions with one colored red in the image. A previously heavily used conveyor roller is thus moved to a position in the conveyor system that requires less load. The entire conveyor system can thus be used more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of wear-related failures.

[0123] Another application for color coding is the representation of electrical power data. For example, the total electrical power generated in a conveyor segment can be displayed (either the current power or the average power over a certain period of time). Potential risks of overloads in the power supply units that ensure the supply of electrical energy can be visually represented.

[0124] The enormous amounts of data generated require defined management. In particular, data must be deleted according to a predefined method. For example, conveyed-material-specific data patterns are deleted internally from the internal evaluation unit 14 of the respective conveyor arrangement at least after a predefined time, after the conveyed material leaves the conveyor arrangement. Conveyor-segment-specific patterns are deleted from the internal evaluation unit 14 of the respective conveyor arrangement after a predefined time, after the cause of the conveyor-segment-specific pattern has been remedied, for example, after a defective motor-driven conveyor roller has been replaced.

[0125] Deletion is handled at different levels: Even after the causes (special conveyed material, defective hardware) of the data patterns are no longer present in the corresponding conveying arrangements, the data patterns can be available for further use by the central evaluation unit, in particular in a central database. List of reference symbols

[0126] 1 Conveyor arrangement 1B Image of the conveyor arrangement 2a...e Conveyor segment 3 Conveyor roller 3M Motor roller 4 Connector 5 Presence sensor 8 Support frame 9 Conveyed material 100 Conveyor network 11 Zone control 12 System control 13 Bus connection 14 Local / internal evaluation unit 15 Local gateway 16 Display device 17 Conveyed material database 17 S Conveyed material data record 18 Remote data connection 19 Central evaluation unit 20a...e Data record of a conveyor segment 200 Data collection of data records of several conveyor segments F Conveying direction R Raw data: S5 Signal of a presence sensor I3 Motor current of the motor-driven conveyor roller C Control signals

[0127] Derived data: V3Speed ​​of the motor-driven conveyor roller LLength of a conveyed item MData pattern M1, M2..first, second, .. Data pattern T1, T2first, second Duration LLocal area ZFColor assignment

Claims

1. A method for operating a conveyor system (1), in particular comprising the control and / or monitoring of the conveyor system, wherein the conveyor system (1) comprises a plurality of conveyor segments (2), wherein each conveyor segment (2) is set up to convey a conveyed material (9) along a conveying direction (F); wherein a conveyor segment (2) comprises several conveyor rolls (3), wherein one of the conveyor rolls (3) is designed as a motor-driven conveyor roll (3M), wherein the conveyor rolls (3) of a conveyor segment (2) are drive connected with each other via one or several drive connectors (4), and jointly driven by the motor-driven conveyor roll (3M), wherein the conveyor segments (2) are arranged one after the other in such a way that the conveyed material (9) is transferred from an upstream conveyor segment (2a..2d) to a downstream conveyor segment (2b..e), wherein each conveyor segment (2) has a conveyor segment drive (3M), which is set up to provide a driving force, in particular isolated to this conveyor segment, so as to convey the conveyed material (9) on this conveyor segment; wherein each conveyor segment (2) has a presence sensor (5), which is adapted detect the presence of the conveyed material (9) on the conveyor segment (2), wherein each conveyor segment (2) has allocated to it a zone controller (11) for controlling the conveyor segment drive (3M); wherein the conveyor system is operated in such a way that a maximum of one conveyed material is always conveyed in each conveyor segment during regular operation, with the method comprising the following procedural steps: acquiring conveyor segment data (R), specifically datasets of a respective conveyor segment, which are generated during operation of the conveyor segments (2), wherein the respective conveyor segment data comprise: - the sensor value of the presence sensor (5), - the speed of a roll in the conveyor segment (2), - the amperage of the current with which the motor-driven conveyor roll (3M) of a conveyor segment is driven; collecting the conveyor segment data (R) of the plurality of conveyor segments; and identifying, in particular in a pattern identification step, data patterns (M) from the data collection (200); specifying, in particular in a pattern identification step, the identified data patterns (M), wherein a pattern specification from a plurality of pattern specifications is allocated to a data pattern, wherein the plurality of pattern specifications comprise - conveyed material-specific data patterns (M1) and - conveyor segment-specific data patterns (M2), wherein the specification process involves deciding whether a data pattern is either conveyor segment-specific or conveyed material-specific, wherein the generated conveyor segment data (R) are used to detect anomalies in conveyed materials and conveyor segments, wherein a conveyed material-specific data pattern (M1) is a data pattern that appears in the dataset of a conveyor segment due to the conveyance of a conveyed material (9), wherein a conveyed material-specific data pattern is identified based on a continuity criterion during regular operation, which takes into account the fact that a conveyed material is always present initially on an upstream conveyor segment and subsequently on a downstream conveyor segment, wherein an arrival of a conveyed material is determined as soon as a conveyed material-specific data pattern on a conveyor segment unexpectedly does not arise in the conveyor segment data generated there, wherein a conveyor segment-specific data pattern (M2) comprises: values for the motor current of a conveyor segment given the sequential conveyance of several conveyed materials (9a, 9b, 9c), wherein structural characteristics in a conveyor segment are detected when a conveyor segment-specific data pattern (M2) appears in a dataset of a conveyor segment, and does not appear in the datasets of the remaining conveyor segments.

2. The method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the conveyor segment data comprise raw data (R) as well as derived data (A); wherein the raw data (R) comprise data that were acquired using a sensor (5) arranged in the conveyor segment (2) (13, S5) or generated as control data (C) for actuating the conveyor segment by a controller (11, 12); wherein the derived data (A) are generated mathematically isolated from raw data (R) of an individual conveyor segment.

3. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor segment data (R, A, 5S, V3, 13, C) generated during the operation of a plurality of conveyor segments (2a..e) are combined into a data collection (200); in particular wherein the conveyor segment data (R, A, 5S, V3, 13, C) generated during the operation of a conveyor segment are combined into a dataset (20) and / or that the datasets (20..e) of a plurality of conveyor segments (2a..e) are combined in the data collection (200).

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a superordinate system controller (12) is provided, so as to actuate the plurality of conveyor segments (2) and / or actuate the plurality of zone controllers (11).

5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that conveyor segment-individual data are considered during the identification of conveyed material-specific data patterns; in particular - wherein the conveyor segment-individual data comprise static metadata stored in a database; and / or, - in order to compensate for deviating hardware between the conveyor segments, a conveyor segment-specific data pattern to compensate for the deviation is considered.

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a conveyed material-individual conveyed material dataset (17S) is adjusted in a conveyed material database (17) based on a conveyed material-specific data pattern (M1), in particular wherein a conveyed material-individual conveyed material dataset (17S) has information about the identity of the conveyed material, the destination of the conveyed material and / or physical values of the conveyed material, and / or in particular wherein a system controller (12) of the conveyor system (1) has access to the conveyed material-individual conveyed material dataset (17S) of the conveyed material database (17) for purposes of controlling the conveyor system.

7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data patterns (M1, M2) are identified using a local evaluation unit (14), in particular wherein the identified patterns (M1, M2) are transmitted via a remote data connection (18) to an external, in particular central, evaluation unit (19).

8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a handling instruction (IH) is determined based on an identified pattern (M1, M2), and a control command (C) is output to an actuator (3M) inside of the conveyor system (1) based on the determined handling instruction (EH, IH).

9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a data pattern is identified based on conveyor segment data (R, A) from a number of first conveyor segments (2a..d; 2b..e); and that the determined handling instruction (IH, EH) is output to a second conveyor segment (2e; 2a), which is not a component of the number of first conveyor segments (2a..d; 2b..e) based upon which the pattern was detected; in particular that the second conveyor segment (2e) is arranged downstream from the number of first conveyor segments (2a..d) or that the second conveyor segment (2a) is arranged upstream from the number of first conveyor segments (2b..e).

10. The method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that a data pattern is identified based on conveyor segment data (R, A) of a first conveyor system (1a..d); and that the determined handling instruction (IH, EH) is output to a second conveyor system (1d), which deviates from the first conveyor system.

11. The method according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that a catalog (K) of predefined allocations (Z) is accessed while determining a handling instruction (EH, IH), wherein the catalog contains a plurality of allocations (Z) between identified data patterns (M1, M2, ..) and handling instructions (EH, IH).

12. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a recognition of a conveyed material in a conveyor segment is determined based on an identified, in particular conveyed material-specific, data pattern, and a nonidentity with an expected conveyed material is specifically determined based on a data pattern.

13. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identified data patterns are subjected to a deletion step in a defined manner, wherein the data patterns are deleted as a function of their storage location (14, 19) and their specification; in particular wherein conveyed material-specific data patterns from a local evaluation unit (14) are deleted if the conveyed material to which the data pattern refers has left the conveyor system of which the evaluation unit is part.

14. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor segments of the conveyor system are switched into a data pattern generating mode in a defined manner, in which an interaction takes place between the conveyor segment and a conveyed material arranged therein; wherein the conveyor segments are transferred into the data pattern generating mode in a time-coordinated manner, so that the interaction takes place between the different conveyor segments and a respectively identical conveyed material, in particular in order to specifically generate conveyor segment data to be used in generating a conveyor segment-specific data pattern for several conveyor segments.

15. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that images (2B) of several conveyor segments (2) of the conveyor system (1) are graphically illustrated on a display device (16), the spatial arrangement of images (2B) relative to each other corresponds to a spatial arrangement of the conveyor segments (2) depicted by the images (2B) relative to each other, in particular wherein the image (2B) comprises a graphic illustration of the conveyor segments as viewed from above.