Integrated and automated management of an industrial building including an automated warehouse

Abstract

An integrated system for managing a building (1) comprising at least one automated warehouse (2), including: a BMS (Building Management System) device (10) for collecting initial primary data (15) from sensors (12) relating to said building; a warehouse control device (20) for collecting secondary primary data (25) from logistics equipment; and a communication interface (30) between the BMS device and the warehouse control device (20), enabling the BMS device to actuate elements based on data (31) provided by the warehouse control device (20), and enabling the latter to control (26) at least one piece of logistics equipment in the warehouse (2) based on data (32) provided by said BMS device (10). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Integrated and automated management of an industrial building comprising an automated warehouse. Technical field

[0001] This description relates to the automated management of an industrial building comprising at least one automated warehouse.

[0002] Buildings, particularly industrial buildings, can be equipped with building management system (BMS) software. These BMS systems collect data from sensors and can control building elements such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security, or any other electrical equipment that can be controlled by command signals.

[0003] At the building level, automated reaction mechanisms can be implemented, i.e., the automatic activation of certain elements based on collected data. The building manager (owner or lessor) can thus optimize its operation.

[0004] However, this management (and optimization) only concerns the building as such, regardless of the use that may be made of it.

[0005] Furthermore, logistics warehouses may include a set of automated logistics equipment such as conveyors, fixed or mobile robots, automated cabinets, etc. Warehouse control systems, or WCS (for “Warehouse Control System”), may be provided to collect data from this equipment and control it, in particular according to commands generated by software modules for managing customer orders, stocks, etc., for example within an ERP (“Enterprise Resource Planning”) software or a warehouse management software (WMS).

[0006] Such software integrates various processes essential to the life of a company such as supply chain management, manufacturing and customer relationship management, and can therefore control warehouse control devices to respond to customer orders or to manage stocks.

[0007] Here again, management (and optimization) only concerns the operation of the warehouse as such, independently of the premises in which it is located.

[0008] This is essentially related to the fact that the manager of a logistics warehouse and the manager of the building that houses it are two separate entities. Therefore, it is generally not considered, and in practice not possible, that the two devices so that they can communicate. Indeed, each device falls under the specific responsibility of the corresponding manager.

[0009] Therefore, there is no integrated system enabling bidirectional communication between a building management system (BMS) and at least one warehouse control system (WCS). In particular, there is no integrated system enabling each of the two systems to make decisions based on data from both systems.

[0010] The state of the art thus does not provide satisfactory solutions to the problem of managing a building incorporating at least one automated warehouse.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] The presence of this description is therefore intended to improve upon current proposals of the state of the art.

[0013] To this end, according to a first aspect, an integrated system is proposed for the management of a building comprising at least one automated warehouse, said system comprising: - a building management system, BMS associated with the building and adapted to collect initial primary data from sensors, relating to the building; - a warehouse control system associated with said warehouse and adapted to collect secondary primary data from a set of logistics equipment in said warehouse, and, - a communication interface between said building management system and said warehouse control system, enabling said building management system to operate elements of said building by means of actuators according to data provided by said warehouse control system, and said warehouse control system to control at least one logistics equipment of said warehouse according to data provided by said building management system.

[0014] Thus, the two devices can exchange data so that each can make decisions based on data from both devices, i.e., data from the building and logistics sectors. These decisions may include the activation of building elements and / or the control of warehouse logistics equipment.

[0015] Taking into account data from both worlds allows for a holistic decision, taking into account the different aspects, taken together, of a warehouse integrated into a building.

[0016] According to preferred embodiments, this integrated system comprises one or more of the following features which can be used separately or in partial or total combination: - said communication interface is implemented using one of the following technologies: ODBC, SQL Net, JDBC, FTP, or any other existing or future technologies. - the said data provided by the said warehouse control device contains information relating to logistical actions within the said warehouse, the said building management system, BMS being intended to use the said information to control elements of the said building in order to adapt the energy consumption of the said elements according to an energy consumption associated with the said logistical actions. - said building management system, BMS, is designed to control said elements according to a forecast of energy needs estimated from said information. - said building technical management system is designed to control said elements in order to anticipate a significant need for energy, taking advantage of the thermal inertia of said building. - the said data provided by the said building management system includes information relating to a local situation within the said building, the said warehouse control system being adapted to control elements of the said warehouse based on the said information, - the said data provided by the said building management system includes information on energy availability, the said warehouse control system being adapted to control the elements of the said warehouse based on this information

[0017] Another aspect relates to a building comprising at least one automated warehouse, and an integrated system as previously described.

[0018] Another aspect relates to a method for managing a building comprising at least one automated warehouse, the method comprising the steps of: - collection of initial primary data relating to the said building from sensors by a building management system, BMS, associated with the said building; - collection of secondary primary data from a set of logistics equipment in said warehouse by a warehouse control device associated with said warehouse, - actuation of elements of said building by means of actuators based on data provided by said warehouse control device through a communication interface linking said warehouse control device to said building management system, and / or - control of at least one logistics equipment of said warehouse based on data provided by said building management system through said communication interface.

[0019] Another aspect relates to a computer program capable of being implemented on a computer, comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, carry out the steps of the process as previously defined.

[0020] Another aspect relates to a data carrier on which at least one series of program code instructions for the execution of a process as previously defined has been stored.

[0021] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, given by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic architecture of an integrated building management system comprising at least one automated warehouse according to a particular embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates an illustrative flowchart of a process for managing a building comprising at least one automated warehouse, according to one embodiment.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The proposed system and method relate to an integrated management of a building of the industrial building type, comprising at least one automated warehouse.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a functional and schematic representation of a building 1 and an automated warehouse 2.

[0027] A building management system, BMS, 10, is associated with building 1 and a warehouse control system 20 is associated with the automated warehouse 2.

[0028] Building management systems (BMS) are systems that manage and optimize the functionality and performance of a building, particularly an industrial one. They encompass all the technical tools and automated systems implemented for this purpose.

[0029] The building management system 10 is adapted to collect initial primary data 15 from sensors 12 relating to the building. This collection of primary data 15 corresponds to step SI of the illustrative flowchart shown in [Fig. 2]. This step is implemented by the building management system 10.

[0030] These sensors 12 can be placed in different locations within the building, preferably in a sufficiently distributed manner to allow for an overview. The location of the sensors is adapted to the type of measurements for which they are adapted to. These sensors can be integrated into certain building elements or be independent of these elements.

[0031] The sensors 12 play a fundamental role in the BMS by collecting primary data 15 on various building parameters such as temperature, humidity, brightness, human presence, air quality, etc.

[0032] The first primary data, or measurements, 15 are transmitted by the sensors 12 via a network 13 to a supervisor 11, or SCADA (real-time data acquisition and control system). The transmission of the primary data to the supervisor 11 can be done via concentrators.

[0033] The supervisor can be centralized or distributed into several components (automated systems, controllers...).

[0034] The supervisor 11 is designed to enable the monitoring, control, and analysis of the various elements present in a building: for example, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security systems, and other electrical equipment. It is responsible for automating actions based on data 15 collected by sensors 12. The supervisor 11 interprets the data, makes decisions, and sends commands 16 to operate building elements.

[0035] Functionally, a technical building management system can be subdivided into 3 levels.

[0036] Level 1 corresponds to a monitoring function. It is considered the basic level of the BMS, enabling centralized management of basic equipment. It includes all essential building management systems such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), electricity, water, and safety devices like fire alarms or smoke detectors.

[0037] Level 2 adds a supervisory function. This intermediate level allows for the programming of equipment through more advanced control and management systems. Level 2 BMS thus integrates sensors, PLCs, actuators, and management software capable of automating HVAC, alarm, electrical, and security systems.

[0038] The third and most advanced level of the BMS allows for the addition of smarter building operation to monitoring and supervision through precise tracking of site performance and consumption (energy and water). It uses integrated and automated management systems responsible for monitoring and controlling all of the building's technical installations.

[0039] Furthermore, a warehouse control device 20 is associated with warehouse 2. It is adapted to collect secondary primary data 25 from a set of logistics equipment in warehouse 2. This collection of secondary primary data 25 corresponds to step S2 illustrated in [Fig.2]. This step is implemented by the warehouse control device 20.

[0040] According to embodiments, this warehouse control device 20 can comprise several distinct systems, 21, 22, 23 which interact.

[0041] The Warehouse Control System 21 (WCS) is software that controls and manages all the automated equipment in a logistics facility. It plays a crucial role in Logistics 4.0.

[0042] The WCS 21 manages and coordinates product flows in an automated warehouse, organizing the movements of automated equipment. It sends instructions to the system that controls each handling device (PLC or industrial PC) to execute any movement. The WCS is responsible for coordinating the movement of goods through automated equipment such as conveyors, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), or pallet stacker cranes.

[0043] To operate and control these automatic handling equipment, the WCS 21 is connected with the warehouse management system 22 (WMS for “Warehouse Management System” in English) and the enterprise management software 23 (ERP for “Enterprise Resource Planning”).

[0044] The ERP 23 communicates the orders to be prepared to the WMS 22, and immediately afterwards, the WMS notifies the WCS 21 of the products to be retrieved from each location. The integration between the two programs enables maximum warehouse performance, as the management software sends instructions to the WCS so that it can control the logistics equipment of the automated warehouse 2.

[0045] In other words, according to this embodiment, in a warehouse, different software programs are integrated and communicate with each other to ensure the proper execution of workflows. The WCS 21 controls the automated handling equipment in coordination with a WMS 22, a higher-level software program that acts as the conductor of all the processes in warehouse 2.

[0046] Obviously, other arrangements are possible to provide such a warehouse control device 20.

[0047] The proposed integrated system also includes a communication interface 30 between the technical management device 10 and the warehouse control device 20.

[0048] According to some embodiments, this communication interface 30 can be implemented using a technology such as ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), SQLNet, JDBC (Java Database Connectivity), FTP, etc. Any mechanism allowing the exchange of information can be considered, whether in the form of messages exchanged between the devices, or in the form of a database, structured or unstructured, shared between the two devices.

[0049] In this way, the warehouse control device 20 can provide data 31 to the building management system 10. Conversely, the latter can provide data 32 to the warehouse control device 20.

[0050] Thus, each device can operate by benefiting from data from both the building world, based on the first primary data 15 from the sensors 12, and from the logistics world, based on the second primary data 25 from the logistics equipment of the warehouse 2.

[0051] In other words, the communication interface 30 allows - to the building management system 10 to actuate building elements by means of actuators 14 according to data 31 provided by the warehouse control system (20), and - to the warehouse control device 20 to control at least one logistics equipment of the warehouse (2) according to data 32 provided by said building technical management device 10.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the communication interface 30 is designed for real-time exchanges. Thus, the data generated on one of the two devices 10, 20 can be immediately available on the other, so that it can take it into account according to its own processing rate.

[0053] Thus, devices 10 and 20 can dynamically adjust themselves according to the data exchanged, in order to optimize logistics operations and building management in a synergistic manner, preferably (but not necessarily) in real time.

[0054] Referring to [Fig.2], the building technical management device 10 can thus implement a step S3 of actuation of building elements by means of actuators 14 according to data 31 provided by the warehouse control device 20 through the communication interface 30.

[0055] The warehouse control device 20 can implement an S4 control step of at least one logistics equipment of the warehouse 2 based on data 32 provided by the building technical management device 10 through the communication interface 30.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the data 31 provided by the warehouse control device 20 contain information relating to logistical actions within the warehouse. These actions include, in particular, the movements and displacements of the warehouse's logistical equipment (conveyors, etc.).

[0057] Thus, the building technical management system 10 can use this information to control elements of building 1.

[0058] It can thus, for example, adapt the energy consumption of these elements according to the energy consumption associated with logistical actions.

[0059] This energy consumption can be provided from the data 31, or estimated by the building technical management system based on information relating to the logistical actions transmitted.

[0060] The GTB 10 device can transmit commands 16 to actuators 14 in order to operate elements of the building: it can thus (in a conventional way) control heating, ventilation, automated blinds, etc. systems.

[0061] Thus, the GTB 10 device can compensate for variations in consumption related to the operation of the warehouse: a variation in consumption by the warehouse can be compensated by an inverse variation in the consumption of building 1 (by appropriate control of the elements of this building), so that the overall energy consumption is kept substantially constant or optimized.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the building management system 10 is designed to control the building's elements based on a forecast of energy needs estimated from information relating to logistical actions. These actions are derived from the commands provided by the ERP-WMS-WCS chain. They correspond to a future time relative to the control commands 26 transmitted to the logistical equipment and then to their actions: between the moment a command is received, several minutes may elapse before the various pieces of equipment (conveyors, etc.) are set in motion to retrieve the object(s) corresponding to the command.

[0063] Therefore, future energy consumption can be anticipated, and the building management system 10 can take this (estimated) future energy consumption into account in order to control the building's components. This provides greater flexibility in the compensation it can implement. This compensation can be of higher quality, and an excessively abrupt effect on the building can be avoided by allowing for a phased approach over time.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a significant energy need can thus be anticipated by taking advantage of the thermal inertia of said building.

[0065] In other words, according to this embodiment, information is retrieved from the WCS and transmitted to the BMS so that it can be taken into account in the building's operation. The WCS will transmit the portfolio of tasks with their sequencing and also a calculation of the energy requirements for each movement.

[0066] The GTB 10 can then decide: - to lower the lighting level in the warehouse, - to allow (if permitted) the temperature in the warehouse to vary in order to reduce electrical needs other than those required for moving products. - to implement load shedding with a notch system based on the instantaneous needs of WCS 21

[0067] More specifically, in summer, the BMS can compensate for a planned or actual increase in the warehouse's energy consumption by temporarily slowing down or stopping the air conditioning and lowering the blinds. Predefined or learned rules can determine acceptable behaviors (for example, in this case, that the building be temporarily darkened to avoid a greenhouse effect not offset by the air conditioning).

[0068] By forecasting energy needs, it will be possible to proactively lower the temperature during periods of energy availability, thereby reducing the demand for refrigeration at other times and prioritizing mechanized processes. The building's thermal inertia can be factored into the calculations to optimize energy consumption stability without significantly impacting the temperature, thus ensuring a sufficient level of comfort for personnel and / or stored products.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the data 32 provided by the building technical management device 10 include information relating to a local situation within said building.

[0070] The warehouse control device 20 can then control elements of the warehouse based on this information, in order to deal with this local situation.

[0071] For example, it can prevent any movement of objects to this location, and / or trigger the movement of objects stored in this location to another location.

[0072] One application case is if the warehouse is temperature-controlled and if a temperature rise is detected via the BMS 10 in certain areas of the automated warehouse, movements can be automatically triggered to stop the stock in that area, move objects...

[0073] It is therefore no longer necessary for the BMS to raise an alert on a specific control screen before an operator can trigger dedicated tasks in the inventory management tool. The response is faster because it is automatic. It can be triggered in real time, or after a delay to confirm a real and persistent problem at a specific location within the warehouse. Even if the problem can only be resolved by human intervention, the mechanisms implemented by the proposed integrated system minimize the risks to the stored items. in the warehouse and to avoid aggravating the potential problem by reducing activities in that location.

[0074] The data 32 provided by the building technical management device 10 may also include information on energy availability.

[0075] This availability can be instantaneous and / or projected over a future period.

[0076] It can be calculated based on an objective established for the entire building (including the automated warehouse) and on actual or estimated consumption calculated by the building's technical management system 10, based on the building's energy-consuming elements but also on external conditions (current and / or forecast weather, building life cycle, etc.).

[0077] Also, energy production can be taken into account when the building has its own energy sources (photovoltaic panels, etc.).

[0078] Thus, energy availability can be transmitted to the warehouse control device 20. Depending on the priority of the tasks it has to perform, this device will readjust these tasks to remain on renewable energy sources or to avoid exceeding a consumption level agreed upon in the operating rules. For example, the warehouse control device can anticipate or delay tasks, send freight transport vehicles ahead of time to recharge because it knows it will have a need at a certain time, and thus avoid exceeding instantaneous demands on the site's network. It may prioritize swapping a vehicle's battery to one that has been charged in advance rather than sending a vehicle to recharge; similarly, it may force the recharging of batteries to their maximum capacity during ideal periods, even if the vehicle's battery level does not "normally" indicate that it should go to the charging station...

[0079] Based on this same principle, the warehouse control device 20 can wait for opportune periods to reorganize stocks, group items into batches...

[0080] All these resource optimization possibilities are only possible through data sharing between the building management system and the warehouse control system within the same integrated system.

[0081] This data sharing, 31, 32, allows new optimization possibilities previously inaccessible, and new algorithms or new rules allowing the optimization of the management of both the building and the automated warehouse.

[0082] This interface 30 between the two devices (GTB and WCS) combined with the additional intelligence in the rules of each of the tools can allow the site to operate better in a virtuous and economically efficient way.

[0083] Of course, the present proposal is not limited to the examples and embodiment described and illustrated, but is defined by the claims. In particular, it is susceptible to numerous variations accessible to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Integrated system for the management of a building (1) comprising at least one automated warehouse (2), said system comprising: - a technical building management device (10) associated with said building and adapted to collect first primary data (15) from sensors (12), and relating to said building;- a warehouse control device (20) associated with said warehouse and adapted to collect secondary primary data (25) from a set of logistics equipment in said warehouse (2), and, - a communication interface (30) between said building management system and said warehouse control device (20), enabling said building management system to actuate (16) elements of said building by means of actuators (14) according to data (31) provided by said warehouse control device (20), and said warehouse control device to control (26) at least one piece of logistics equipment in said warehouse (2) according to data (32) provided by said building management system (10).

2. Integrated system according to the preceding claim, wherein said communication interface allows an exchange of information in the form of messages exchanged between the building management system (10) and said warehouse control system (20).

3. An integrated system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said data (31) provided by said warehouse control device (20) contain information relating to logistical actions within said warehouse, said building management system (10) being intended to use said information to control elements of said building (1) in order to adapt the energy consumption of said elements according to energy consumption associated with said logistical actions.

4. Integrated system according to the preceding claim, wherein said building management system (10) is provided to control said elements according to a forecast of energy need estimated from said information.

5. Integrated system according to the preceding claim, wherein said building technical management device (10) is provided to control said elements to anticipate a significant energy need, benefiting from the thermal inertia of said building (1).

6. An integrated system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said data (32) provided by said building management system (10) include information relating to a local situation within said building, said warehouse control system (20) being adapted to control elements of said warehouse based on said information,

7. Integrated system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said data (32) provided by said building management system (10) include information on energy availability, said warehouse control system (20) being adapted to control the elements of said warehouse based on said information.

8. Building (1) comprising at least one automated warehouse (2), and an integrated system according to one of the preceding claims.

9. A method for managing a building (1) comprising at least one automated warehouse (2), comprising the steps of: - collecting (S1) first primary data (15) relating to said building from sensors (12) by a building management system (10) associated with said building; - collecting (S2) second primary data (25) from a set of logistics equipment of said warehouse (2) by a warehouse control system (20) associated with said warehouse; - actuating (S3) elements of said building by means of actuators (14) based on data (31) provided by said warehouse control system (20) through a communication interface (30) connecting said system

10. warehouse control (20) building management system audit (10) - and / or control (S4) of at least one logistics equipment of said warehouse (2) based on data (32) provided by said building technical management device (10) through said communication interface (30). Computer program capable of being implemented on a computer, comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, carries out the steps of the process defined in the preceding claim.