Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of suppressing an increase in utility while minimizing the delay time of an entire process.SOLUTION: The control device is provided with: a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a delay in a plurality of processes to be executed in succession or in parallel, based on a schedule for determining the order, required time, and utility to be used; a critical path calculation unit for calculating a critical path having the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with constraints on the execution order; and a schedule generation unit for generating a schedule for transferring the utility from a source process, which is a process not included in a new critical path, to a destination process, which is a process included in the new critical path, when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Manufacturing apparatuses such as those for beverages are provided with cleaning apparatuses (CIP (Cleaning In Place) apparatuses), sterilization apparatuses (SIP (Sterilization in Place) apparatuses), etc., and sanitation such as cleaning and sterilization of the inside of the manufacturing apparatus is performed before and after product manufacturing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The manufacturing apparatus has a plurality of facilities for storing products, filling containers, etc. Sanitation of the manufacturing apparatus is carried out based on a schedule that combines in a complex manner each process such as cleaning and sterilization performed on each facility according to parameters such as a preset cleaning flow rate, cleaning temperature, chemical concentration, cleaning time, sterilization temperature, sterilization time, and cooling time.

[0005] In addition, there are limitations in the supply capacity of utilities (such as water, steam, chemicals, etc. used in the process), the drainage capacity of the drainage system, and the treatment capacity of chemical treatment (neutralization, etc.). Therefore, when cleaning and sterilizing multiple facilities in parallel, for processes that use the same utility (such as the chemical cleaning process), a schedule with staggered implementation timings for each facility is created so as not to exceed these limitations. At this time, for example, if a delay occurs in the chemical cleaning process of a certain facility, it may overlap with the implementation timing of the chemical cleaning process for the next facility. In this case, in the conventional technology, in order not to exceed the above-mentioned limitations, the chemical cleaning process for the next facility is put on standby until the delayed chemical cleaning process is completed. Then, a delay in one process may propagate to other processes, making it difficult to complete the entire sanitation process by the next manufacturing start. When sanitation is delayed, the manufacturing time is reduced and the machine efficiency decreases accordingly.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device, a control method, and a program that can suppress an increase in utilities while minimizing the delay time of the entire process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a control device includes: a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a delay in the process based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes that are performed continuously or in parallel; a critical path calculation unit that calculates a critical path, which is a path connecting processes with constraints in the implementation order and having the longest total required time; and a schedule creation unit that creates a schedule for lending the utilities from a lending source process, which is a process not included in the new critical path, to a borrowing destination process, which is a process included in the new critical path, when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control method includes: detecting whether there is a delay in the process based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes that are performed continuously or in parallel; calculating a critical path having the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with restrictions on the execution order; and creating a schedule for lending the utility from a lending source process that is not included in the new critical path to a borrowing destination process that is included in the new critical path when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the program causes a control device to execute: detecting whether there is a delay in the process based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes that are performed continuously or in parallel; calculating a critical path having the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with restrictions on the execution order; and creating a schedule for lending the utility from a lending source process that is not included in the new critical path to a borrowing destination process that is included in the new critical path when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress an increase in utilities while minimizing the delay time of the entire process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Overall Configuration of Sanitation System) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the sanitation system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitation system 100 includes a manufacturing system 10, a sanitation device 20, and a control device 30.

[0014] The manufacturing system 10 manufactures product liquids such as beverages, foods (such as liquid foods), seasonings, and medical liquid medicines. In this embodiment, an aspect in which the manufacturing system 10 manufactures beverages will be described as an example. The manufacturing system 10 includes a blending / extraction device 11, a product liquid sterilization device 12, a product surge tank 13, and a filling machine 14. The blending / extraction device 11 has a plurality of liquid treatment systems according to the type of beverage. In the example of FIG. 1, the blending / extraction device 11 has a first liquid treatment system 11A that performs extraction and blending of tea, coffee, etc., and a second liquid treatment system 11B that performs blending of syrups such as juice. The product liquid sterilization device 12 is connected to the blending / extraction device 11 via a valve block VB2. The product liquid sterilization device 12 sterilizes the product liquid extracted and blended by the blending / extraction device 11. The manufacturing system 10 can switch, by means of the valve block VB2, which of the first liquid treatment system 11A and the second liquid treatment system 11B is used for manufacturing. FIG. 1 shows an example of manufacturing a product liquid using the first liquid treatment system 11A. The product surge tank 13 is connected to the product liquid sterilization device 12 via a valve block VB3. The product surge tank 13 stores the product liquid sterilized by the product liquid sterilization device 12. The filling machine 14 is connected to the product surge tank 13 via a valve block VB4. The filling machine 14 fills the product liquid into containers.

[0015] The sanitation device 20 has a cleaning device (CIP device) 21 and a sterilization device (SIP device) 22.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example during the CIP operation of the sanitation system according to the first embodiment. The CIP device 21 performs in-place cleaning (CIP) of each device of the manufacturing system 10. The sanitation device 20 may have individual CIP devices 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D for each device of the manufacturing system 10 as in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. The CIP device 21 is composed of, for example, a water tank 211, a chemical solution tank 212, a pump 213, etc., like the CIP devices 21B and 21C. The CIP device 21 cleans the device to be cleaned using cleaning water and chemicals at a set temperature according to the schedule created by the control device 30. In the example of FIG. 2, the CIP device 21A is connected to the formulation / extraction device 11 via valve blocks VB1 and VB2. The CIP device 21A can clean the first liquid treatment system 11A or the second liquid treatment system 11B by switching the flow path with the valve blocks VB1 and VB2. The CIP device 21B is connected to the product surge tank 13 via valve blocks VB3 and VB4. The CIP device 21C is connected to the filling machine 14 via valve blocks VB4 and VB5. Also, the CIP device 21 may be composed of the water tank and pump of the product liquid sterilization device 12, which is the device to be cleaned, and the chemical solution tank 212, like the CIP device 21D of the product liquid sterilization device 12. The CIP devices 21B, 21C, 21D clean the device to be cleaned by switching the valve blocks VB2, VB3, VB4, VB5 as shown in FIG. 2. Note that in other embodiments, the number of CIP devices 21 may be reduced so that one CIP device 21 cleans a plurality of devices of the manufacturing system 10.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example during the SIP operation of the sanitation system according to the first embodiment. The SIP device 22 performs in-place sterilization (SIP; Sterilization in Place) of each device of the manufacturing system 10. The sanitation device 20 may have individual SIP devices 22A, 22B, and 22C for each device of the manufacturing system 10 as in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 3. The SIP device 22 supplies steam to the product surge tank 13 and the filling machine 14, which are devices to be sterilized, for example, like the SIP devices 22A and 22B, to sterilize the inside of the devices. Also, the steam used for sterilizing the inside of the devices is discharged out of the system from the valve blocks VB3, VB4, and VB5 connected to each device. Further, the SIP device 22 may be composed of a water tank and a pump of the product liquid sterilization device 12, which is a device to be sterilized, like the SIP device 22C of the product liquid sterilization device 12. The SIP device 22C sterilizes the inside of the device by circulating hot water using the water tank and pump of the product liquid sterilization device 12.

[0018] The control device 30 creates a sanitation schedule for the sanitation device 20. Further, the control device 30 monitors whether the sanitation device 20 is performing sanitation according to the schedule, and if a delay is detected, it recreates a schedule to minimize the delay in the entire sanitation process.

[0019] (Functional Configuration of Control Device) Figure 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 30 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a communication interface 34, and a display device 35.

[0020] The processor 31 operates according to a predetermined program to cause the control device 30 to exhibit various functions. The functions of the processor 31 will be described later.

[0021] The memory 32 has a memory area necessary for the operation of the processor 31.

[0022] Storage 33 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Data such as data acquired, generated, and referenced by each part of the processor 31 during processing is stored in the storage 33.

[0023] The communication interface 34 is an interface for transmitting and receiving various data, control signals, etc. between the sanitization device 20.

[0024] The display device 35 displays notifications of process delays to the operator, schedules created by the schedule creation unit 313, etc.

[0025] Next, the functions of the processor 31 will be described. The processor 31 functions as a detection unit 311, a critical path calculation unit 312, a schedule creation unit 313, and a control unit 314 by operating according to a pre-prepared program.

[0026] The detection unit 311 detects the presence or absence of delays in each process of sanitization based on the sanitization schedule. The schedule defines the order, required time, and utilities used, etc. of a plurality of processes to be carried out continuously or in parallel. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule according to the first embodiment. The sanitization schedule defines the implementation order, implementation timing, required time, set temperature, utilities used and their usage amounts, etc. of the processes to be carried out for each sanitization target device. In the schedule of FIG. 5, for example, the target devices 1 to 3 are the product liquid sterilization device 12, the product surge tank 13, and the filling machine 14. Also, in FIG. 5, only the usage amount of utility A (for example, steam) for each target device (each process) is shown as an example, but actually the usage amounts of other utilities (water, chemicals, etc.) are also set.

[0027] The critical path calculation unit 312 calculates the critical path with the longest total required time among the paths connecting the processes with restrictions on the execution order (processes that cannot start until the previous process is completed). Fig. 6 shows an example in which a part of the critical path of the schedule in Fig. 5 is excerpted. As in the example of Fig. 6, the critical path calculation unit 312 creates a PERT diagram to obtain the critical path.

[0028] The schedule creation unit 313 creates a sanitation schedule for the manufacturing system 10. In addition, when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting a delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay, the schedule creation unit 313 creates a schedule for lending utilities from the source process, which is a process not included in the new critical path, to the destination process, which is a process included in the new critical path.

[0029] The control unit 314 controls the CIP device 21 and the SIP device 22, which are the execution devices for each of the plurality of processes, based on the schedule created by the schedule creation unit 313.

[0030] (Processing example of the control device) Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the control device according to the first embodiment. Here, the details of the recovery process when a delay occurs in a process with sanitation will be described with reference to Fig. 7. It is assumed that the initial schedule for sanitation has been manually created by the operator or automatically created by the schedule creation unit 313 of the control device 30 according to parameters such as the preset cleaning flow rate, cleaning temperature, chemical concentration, cleaning time, sterilization temperature, sterilization time, and cooling time.

[0031] First, the detection unit 311 determines whether there is a delay in the process based on the sanitation schedule (Fig. 5) and the information (such as sensor measurement values) acquired from each target device, the CIP device 21, and the SIP device 22 (step S01). For example, if the detection unit 311 has not reached the set temperature at the upper limit time of the scheduled completion of process 2-5 (heating process) (90 minutes after the start of sanitation in the example of Fig. 5), since it is necessary to extend or re-execute this process 2-5, it determines that there is a delay (step S01; YES). At this time, the detection unit 311 displays process delay information including information such as the process in which the delay has occurred, the set temperature, and the current temperature on the display device 35. Also, the detection unit 311 may constantly monitor the temperature from the start of process 2-5 and determine that there is a delay if the temperature has not risen as set in advance. On the other hand, if no delay is detected in each process up to the present (step S01; NO), the detection unit 311 temporarily ends the process. In other embodiments, the CIP device 21 and the SIP device 22 may determine whether there is a delay in the process being executed, and the detection unit 311 may detect the process delay based on the determination results acquired from the CIP device 21 and the SIP device 22.

[0032] When a project delay is detected (step S01; YES), the critical path calculation unit 312 recalculates the critical path (CP) (step S02). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the critical path after recalculation according to the first embodiment. Assume that process 2-5 (heating process) has failed and needs to be redone. The required time for process 2-5 is 20 minutes, and a 20-minute delay occurs due to the rework. Based on this delay in process 2-5, the critical path calculation unit 312 creates a PERT diagram as shown in FIG. 8 and obtains a new critical path (new CP). In the schedule before the delay occurs (FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 6, the path connecting processes 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 2-9, and 3-11 is the critical path, and the total required time was 165 minutes. On the other hand, due to the delay in process 2-5, delays also occur in each process to be performed after process 2-5. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the new critical path becomes processes 2-5, 3-7, 3-8, 3-9, 3-10, and 3-11, and the total required time becomes 185 minutes. When process 2-5 fails, instead of redoing the entire process, the execution time of process 2-5 may be extended by a maximum of x minutes. For example, the maximum extension time (x minutes to 20 minutes) is preset according to the difference between the set temperature and the current temperature, and the critical path calculation unit 312 identifies the delay time of process 2-5 based on this set value and calculates a new critical path. Also, in other embodiments, the operator may specify the delay time of process 2-5 based on the process delay information displayed on the display device 35. In this case, the critical path calculation unit 312 calculates a new critical path based on the specified delay time.

[0033] Next, the schedule creation unit 313 determines whether the new critical path (new CP) has become longer than the critical path before the delay occurred (previous CP) (step S03). For example, if the delayed process is a process that does not affect subsequent processes or if the delay time is small, the critical path does not change (step S03; NO). In this case, the schedule creation unit 313 determines that it is not necessary to recreate the schedule due to the process delay and once ends the process. On the other hand, when the new critical path has become longer than the critical path before the delay occurred (step S03; YES), the lending destination, lending source, and lending details of the utility are determined so that the total required time of the critical path can be shortened (step S04).

[0034] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining the content of utility transfer according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the schedule creation unit 313 selects, as the utility transfer destination process, a process included in the new critical path that can reduce the required time due to an increase in utility. Further, the schedule creation unit 313 selects, as the utility transfer source process, a process that is executed in parallel with the utility transfer destination process and uses the same utility as the utility transfer destination process. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, assume that the schedule creation unit 313 selects process 3-7 (heating-up process) as the utility transfer destination process. In this utility transfer destination process 3-7, steam is used as the utility. Also, the schedule creation unit 313 selects process 1-5 (temperature / flow rate transition process) from among the processes that use the same utility (steam) in the same time period as the utility transfer destination process 3-7. Next, the schedule creation unit 313 determines the content of utility transfer (transfer period, transfer amount) from the utility transfer source process to the utility transfer destination process. For example, the schedule creation unit 313 determines at least a partial period of the period during which the utility transfer source process 1-5 and the utility transfer destination process 3-7 are executed simultaneously as the utility transfer period. Also, the schedule creation unit 313 determines, as the transfer amount, α% of the steam usage amount of the utility transfer source process 1-5 during the transfer period to be transferred to the utility transfer destination process 3-7. By reducing the steam in the utility transfer source process 1-5, the required time of the utility transfer source process 1-5 becomes longer than the time defined in the schedule. Therefore, the schedule creation unit 313 determines the value of the transfer amount α% so that the delay time of the utility transfer source process 1-5 due to the reduction (transfer) of the steam usage amount does not exceed the time difference n minutes (in the example of FIG. 8, n = 20 minutes) between the new critical path and the previous critical path, so that the critical path is not further prolonged by the utility transfer. The relationship between the utility usage amount and the required time of each process is defined in advance by a function, a table, or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, by transferring α% of the steam usage amount of the utility transfer source process 1-5 to the utility transfer destination process 3-7, although a 10-minute delay occurs in the non-critical path (utility transfer source process 1-5), the critical path (utility transfer destination process 3-7) can be shortened by 5 minutes.When utility accommodation is performed in this way, the delay time of the entire process can be reduced by 5 minutes compared to the case where utility accommodation is not performed (Figure 8).

[0035] In other embodiments, the schedule creation unit 313 may delay the start time of the source process 1-5 by n minutes, which is the time difference between the new critical path and the previous critical path. That is, the schedule creation unit 313 sets the n minutes during which the start time of the source process 1-5 is delayed as the accommodation period, and determines 100% of the steam usage amount of the source process 1-5 as the accommodation amount. Whether to accommodate a part of the utility usage amount of the source process or delay the start time to accommodate all of the utility usage amount may be preset, for example, by the operator for each process or for each combination of the destination process and the source process. Also, Figure 9 shows an example where the source process is only one of processes 1-5, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the schedule creation unit 313 may accommodate utilities from a plurality of source processes (for example, processes 1-5 and processes 2-6) to the destination process 3-7 respectively. The accommodation period and accommodation amount of each source process may be the same or different. In yet other embodiments, a plurality of destination processes may be selected and utility accommodation may be performed multiple times.

[0036] Next, the schedule creation unit 313 creates a new schedule based on the determined accommodation details, etc. (step S05). The created new schedule is displayed on the display device 35.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a new schedule according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a proportional comparison with the new schedule according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a second diagram showing a proportional comparison with the new schedule according to the first embodiment. The schedule creation unit 313 creates a new schedule shown in FIG. 10 based on the lending destination process, lending source process, and lending content determined in step S04. Also, FIGS. 11 to 12 are proportional comparisons. The required time for each process generally results in a trade-off with the amount of utility used. For example, by increasing the amount of utility used, the required time for the process can be shortened. Also, by increasing the number of cleaning devices and sterilization devices, cleaning and sterilization of multiple facilities can be performed in parallel. However, an increase in the amount of utility used and the number of devices leads to an increase in cost and installation area, so it may not be easily achievable. Therefore, in the sanitation device 20, it is common for a limit value to be set for the amount of use of each utility. As shown in FIG. 11, simply redoing the failed process 2-5 without considering constraints such as the order of implementation will cause the total value of the utility usage of process 2-5 and other processes to exceed the limit value. Therefore, it is necessary to create a new schedule while satisfying the constraints of the order of implementation so as not to exceed the limit of the utility usage. For this reason, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 12, a schedule was created in which the subsequent process 3-7 was put on standby while redoing the failed process 2-5. In the prior art, due to the influence of redoing (delaying) process 2-5, the total required time becomes 15 minutes longer. That is, a delay of 15 minutes occurs from the original schedule. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, by lending utility from the lending source process 1-5 to the lending destination process 3-7, the delay from the original schedule can be suppressed to 10 minutes. Also, in all the processes of sanitation, it is possible to suppress the situation where the amount of utility used increases beyond the limit value.

[0038] Next, the control unit 314 controls the sanitization device 20 (CIP device 21, SIP device 22) based on the newly created schedule (step S06). Note that the control unit 314 may control the sanitization device 20 according to the new schedule when the operator checks the new schedule displayed on the display device 35 and performs an approval operation.

[0039] During the execution of sanitization, the control device 30 repeatedly executes the process of monitoring the delay shown in FIG. 7 and, if necessary, recreating the schedule.

[0040] (Function, effect) As described above, the control device 30 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 311 that detects the presence or absence of a process delay based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes that are performed continuously or in parallel, a critical path calculation unit 312 that calculates a critical path having the longest total required time among the paths connecting processes with restrictions on the execution order, and a schedule creation unit 313 that creates a schedule for lending utilities from a lending source process, which is a process not included in the new critical path, to a lending destination process, which is a process included in the new critical path, when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

[0041] By doing so, when a delay occurs in a certain process, the control device 30 can suppress an increase in utilities while minimizing the delay time of the entire process.

[0042] In addition, the schedule creation unit 313 selects, as the lending destination process, a process included in the new critical path whose required time can be shortened by lending utilities, and selects, as the lending source process, a process that is at least partially executed in parallel with the lending destination process and uses the same utility as the lending destination process among the processes not included in the new critical path.

[0043] By doing so, the control device 30 can appropriately select the combination of the recipient process and the donor process so that the total required time of the new critical path can be shortened.

[0044] In addition, the schedule creation unit 313 determines the amount of utility transferred from the donor process to the recipient process so that the delay time of the donor process due to the transfer of the utility does not exceed the time difference between the new critical path and the previous critical path.

[0045] By doing so, the control device 30 can suppress the situation where the path including the donor process becomes a new critical path due to the transfer of the utility, and the total required time of the entire process is instead prolonged. Further, the control device 30 can maximize the shortened time of the recipient process by searching for the maximum amount of transferable utility from the donor in this way. That is, the delay time of the entire process can be minimized.

[0046] In addition, the schedule creation unit 313 creates a schedule to secure the amount of utility transferred from the donor process to the recipient process by reducing a part of the utility usage amount during at least a part of the donor process, or by delaying the start time of the donor process to reduce all of the utility usage amount. When the schedule creation unit 313 delays the start time of the donor process, it adjusts the start time so that the path including the donor process does not become a new critical path due to the transfer.

[0047] By doing so, the control device 30 can appropriately set the amount of transfer according to the donor process, the combination of the recipient process and the donor process, and the like.

[0048] Based on the schedule created by the schedule creation unit 313, the control unit 314 that controls the sanitation device 20 that executes each of the plurality of processes is further provided.

[0049] By doing so, when a delay occurs in a certain process, the control device 30 can immediately switch to a new schedule and continue to perform sanitation. As a result, it is possible to suppress delays due to waiting times such as the recreation and operation of the schedule by the operator.

[0050] <Other Embodiments> As described above, one embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like are possible. That is, in other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be appropriately changed. Also, some processes may be executed in parallel.

[0051] <Supplementary Note> The control device, control method, and program described in the above embodiment are understood as follows, for example.

[0052] (1) According to the first aspect, the control device 30 includes a detection unit 311 that detects the presence or absence of a process delay based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes that are performed continuously or in parallel, a critical path calculation unit 312 that calculates a critical path in which the total required time is the longest among the paths connecting the processes with restrictions on the execution order, and a schedule creation unit 313 that creates a schedule for lending utilities from a lending source process that is not included in the new critical path to a lending destination process that is included in the new critical path when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

[0053] By doing so, when a delay occurs in a certain process, the control device 30 can suppress an increase in utilities while minimizing the delay time of the entire process.

[0054] (2) According to the second aspect, in the control device 30 according to the first aspect, the schedule creation unit 313 selects, as the lending destination process, a process among the processes included in the new critical path whose required time can be shortened by lending of utilities, and selects, as the lending source process, a process in which at least a partial period among the processes not included in the new critical path is executed in parallel with the lending destination process and which uses the same utility as the lending destination process.

[0055] By doing so, the control device 30 can appropriately select a combination of the lending destination process and the lending source process so as to be able to shorten the total required time of the new critical path.

[0056] (3) According to the third aspect, in the control device 30 according to the first or second aspect, the schedule creation unit 313 determines the amount of utility lent from the lending source process to the lending destination process so that the delay time of the lending source process due to the lending of utilities does not exceed the time difference between the new critical path and the previous critical path.

[0057] By doing so, the control device 30 can suppress the situation where the path including the lending source process becomes a new critical path due to the lending of utilities and the total required time of the entire process is instead extended. Further, the control device 30 can maximize the shortening time of the lending destination process by searching for the maximum amount of utility that can be lent from the lending source in this way. That is, the delay time of the entire process can be minimized.

[0058] (4) According to the fourth aspect, in the control device 30 according to any one of the first to third aspects, the schedule creation unit 313 creates a schedule that secures the amount of utility lent from the lending source process to the lending destination process by reducing a part of the utility usage amount during at least a partial period of the lending source process, or by delaying the start time of the lending source process to reduce all of the utility usage amount.

[0059] By doing so, the control device 30 can appropriately set the amount of transfer according to the transfer source process, the combination of the transfer destination process and the transfer source process, etc.

[0060] (5) According to the fifth aspect, the control device 30 according to any one of the first to fourth aspects further includes a control unit 314 that controls the execution devices of the respective plurality of processes based on the schedule created by the schedule creation unit 313.

[0061] By doing so, when a delay occurs in a certain process, the control device 30 can immediately switch to a new schedule and continue to perform sanitization. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the delay due to waiting time such as re - creation and operation of the schedule by the operator.

[0062] (6) According to the first aspect, the control method includes a step of detecting the presence or absence of a process delay based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and used utilities of a plurality of processes that are executed continuously or in parallel, a step of calculating a critical path in which the total required time is the longest among the paths connecting the processes with restrictions on the execution order, and a step of creating a schedule for transferring utilities from a transfer source process, which is a process not included in the new critical path, to a transfer destination process, which is a process included in the new critical path, when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay becomes longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

[0063] (7) According to the seventh aspect, the program causes the control device 30 to execute steps of detecting the presence or absence of a delay in a process based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes to be executed continuously or in parallel, calculating a critical path having the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with execution order constraints, and creating a schedule for lending utilities from a lending source process, which is a process not included in the new critical path, to a borrowing destination process, which is a process included in the new critical path, when the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay.

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 100 Sanitation System 10 Manufacturing System 11 Blending and Extraction Device 11A First Liquid Treatment System 11B Second Liquid Treatment System 12 Product Liquid Sterilizer 13 Product Surge Tank 14 Filling Machine 20 Sanitation Device 21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D Cleaning Device (CIP Device) 211 Water Tank 212 Chemical Solution Tank 213 Pump 22 Sterilization Device (SIP Device) 22, 22A, 22B, 22C SIP Device 30 Control Device 31 Processor 311 Detection Unit 312 Critical Path Calculation Unit 313 Schedule Creation Unit 314 Control Unit 32 Memory 33 Storage 34 Communication Interface 35 Display Device

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a delay in the process based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes performed continuously or in parallel; A critical path calculation unit that calculates a critical path with the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with constraints on the execution order; When the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay, from a source process that is not included in the new critical path, to a destination process that is included in the new critical path, a schedule creation unit that creates a schedule for lending the utility; A control device comprising:

2. The schedule creation unit selects, as the destination process, a process among the processes included in the new critical path whose required time can be shortened by lending the utility, and among the processes not included in the new critical path, a process that is performed in parallel with the destination process for at least a part of the period and uses the same utility as the destination process is selected as the source process; The control device according to claim 1.

3. The schedule creation unit determines the amount of utility to be lent from the source process to the destination process so that the delay time of the source process due to lending the utility does not exceed the time difference between the new critical path and the previous critical path. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The schedule creation unit creates a schedule to ensure the amount of utility lent from the source process to the destination process by reducing a part of the utility usage amount during at least a part of the period of the source process, or by delaying the start time of the source process to reduce all of the utility usage amount. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further comprising a control unit that controls the execution devices of each of the plurality of processes based on the schedule created by the schedule creation unit. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Based on a schedule that defines the order, required time, and utilities used in a plurality of processes performed continuously or in parallel, a step of detecting the presence or absence of a delay in the process; A step of calculating a critical path having the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with execution order constraints; When the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay, a step of creating a schedule for lending the utility from a lending source process that is not included in the new critical path to a lending destination process that is included in the new critical path; A control method having the above.

7. A step of detecting the presence or absence of a delay in the process based on a schedule defining the order, required time, and used utility of a plurality of processes executed continuously or in parallel; A step of calculating a critical path having the longest total required time among paths connecting processes with execution order constraints; When the required time of the new critical path calculated after detecting the delay is longer than the previous critical path calculated before detecting the delay, a step of creating a schedule for lending the utility from a lending source process that is not included in the new critical path to a lending destination process that is included in the new critical path; A program for causing a control device to execute the above.

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