Operation method and management system for physical distribution facility

Abstract

To provide an operation method and a management system for a physical distribution facility whereby an electrical current value output from a common power supply device is kept less than an allowable electrical current value by finely and easily adjusting the operation timings of a large number of cranes.SOLUTION: An operation method for a physical distribution facility 1 in which each of a plurality of cranes 5 that load and unload a load 3 includes a control device 7 and an electric motor 8 that uses power supplied from a common power supply device 9, comprises repeating, for each predetermined period T: a permission step S200 in which an operation of each of the plurality of cranes 5 is permitted by an arithmetic device 11; and an operation start step S300 in which the control device 7 causes a target crane 5 to start the operation permitted in the permission step S200 by the arithmetic device 11. In the permission step S200, the number of operations allowed at the same time is limited to a predetermined number Na or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a management system for operating a logistics facility, and more particularly to a method and a management system for operating a logistics facility that maintains the current value output from a common power supply device that supplies power to the electric motors of multiple cranes below an allowable current value. [Background technology]

[0002] The numerous cranes that handle goods at logistics facilities such as container terminals are powered by electric motors that use power supplied from a common power supply system (e.g., a substation) to perform operations such as container handling and their own travel. The allowable current value of the power supply system is set on the assumption that all of the equipment and devices in the logistics facility (including the electric motors of each of the numerous cranes) are driven by their rated current. In other words, as long as each of the electric motors of each of the numerous cranes is driven by its rated current, the current value output from the power supply system will not exceed the allowable current value.

[0003] However, each of the multiple cranes operates independently, and there are cases where the timing of inrush currents (starting currents) overlaps immediately after the start of power drive of each of the multiple cranes' electric motors. The peak current value of the inrush current is greater than the rated current value, and if the number of overlapping timings of inrush currents becomes excessive, the current value output from the power supply device temporarily exceeds the allowable current value, causing the power supply device to shut down. As a result, cargo handling operations throughout the logistics facility come to a halt.

[0004] Various systems and methods have been proposed for adjusting the operation timing of multiple cranes so that the amount of power from a common power supply device does not exceed a threshold (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 rearrange the operation schedules of multiple cranes based on the amount of power consumed and the amount of power generated for each cargo handling operation, such as hoisting cargo, lowering cargo, and horizontally moving cargo.

[0005] The inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 aim to reduce the total power consumption of multiple cranes and minimize the capacity of power generation equipment, but do not address the temporary excessive current values ​​of power supply devices caused by overlapping inrush current timing. Specifically, the power consumption and power generation amounts used in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are the power consumption and power generation amounts from the start to the end of a specific operation, and do not take into account the situation where the number of overlapping inrush current timings occurs immediately after the start of an actual operation. Therefore, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 require measures to address the temporary excessive current values ​​caused by overlapping inrush current timing. Furthermore, the method of rearranging the schedule of each operation based on the power consumption and power generation amount for each operation, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, is complex, and the rearrangement of operations reduces responsiveness, lengthens delays in actual operations, and reduces loading and unloading efficiency. Therefore, there is room for improvement in more precisely and simply adjusting the operation timing of multiple cranes to maintain the current value output from a common power supply device below the allowable current limit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-038285 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-137523 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an operation method and management system for a logistics facility that allows for more precise and simple adjustment of the operation timing of multiple cranes, thereby maintaining the current value output from a common power supply device below the allowable current limit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The method of operating a logistics facility of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is a method of operating a logistics facility in which each of a number of cranes that handles cargo has a control device and an electric motor that uses power supplied from a common power supply device, and is characterized in that it repeats at predetermined intervals a permission step in which a calculation device permits the operation of each of the number of cranes, and an operation initiation step in which each of the control devices initiates the operation permitted by the calculation device in the permission step on a target crane among the number of cranes, and in the permission step, the number of operations permitted simultaneously is limited to a predetermined number or less.

[0009] The management system for a logistics facility of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is a management system for a logistics facility in which each of a number of cranes that handles cargo has a control device and an electric motor that uses power supplied from a common power supply device, and is characterized in that it comprises a calculation device that carries out a permission process that permits operation of each of the number of cranes, and the permission process by the calculation device and an operation start process that causes each of the control devices to start the operation permitted by the permission process on a target crane among the number of cranes at a predetermined period are repeatedly carried out, and in the permission process carried out by the calculation device, the number of operations that are permitted simultaneously is limited to a predetermined number or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by adjusting the start of operations by multiple cranes at a logistics facility through a permission process by a computing device, a predetermined number of operations or less are started at each predetermined cycle. In other words, the number of overlapping inrush currents caused by powering the electric motors can be limited to a predetermined number or less. This prevents excessive current values ​​in the power supply system due to inrush currents. Furthermore, compared to methods that drastically change the operation schedules of multiple cranes, this method allows for more precise adjustment of operation timing, which is advantageous for preventing a decrease in cargo handling efficiency due to adjustment of operation timing. Thus, the present invention, while using a relatively simple configuration, can maintain the current value of a common power supply system below the allowable current value by taking measures against inrush currents while preventing a decrease in cargo handling efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a logistics facility. [Figure 2] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of fluctuations in current value over time in an electric motor driven in power running mode. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a management system for a logistics facility. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating cargo handling data. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data set in which a plurality of operation commands are accumulated. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of an embodiment of a method for operating a logistics facility. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the updating process and the loading and unloading start process of FIG. 6, which are performed by the control device. [Figure 8] 7 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of a part of the update process and an enabling process of FIG. 6, which are performed by a computing device. [Figure 9] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an authorization data set in which authorized operation commands are selected from the operation commands in the data set of FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, a method for operating and managing a logistics facility according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0013] The logistics facility 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a container terminal. The logistics facility 1 may be any of various known logistics facilities, such as a container terminal or warehouse facility that serves as a logistics hub. The logistics facility 1 also includes a manufacturing facility that produces and ships various types of steel plates. In the logistics facility 1, cargo 3 transported by multiple transport devices 2 is temporarily stored in a storage area 4, and the stored cargo 3 is then transported to the outside by the multiple transport devices 2. The transport devices 2 are various known vehicles that transport cargo 3. In a container terminal, examples of the cargo 3 include ships and vehicles that transport containers. The storage area 4 is an area where cargo 3 is temporarily stored. The storage area 4 in a container terminal corresponds to a storage lane where multiple containers are stored as cargo 3. The multiple cranes 5 may be any of various known cranes that handle cargo 3 at the logistics facility 1. The multiple cranes 5 in a container terminal include gantry cranes and transfer cranes (yard cranes). In addition to the multiple cranes 5, a container terminal also includes a yard chassis 6 for transporting containers as loading and unloading equipment.

[0014] Each of the multiple cranes 5 has a control device 7 and an electric motor 8. The control device 7 can be any of various known computers. The control device 7 is not limited to a single computer, and can also be configured with multiple computers (for example, a combination of a personal computer and a programmable logic controller (PLC)). The electric motor 8 can be any of various known motors that use power supplied from a common power supply device 9. The multiple cranes 5 have multiple electric motors 8, and each electric motor 8 is driven by the control device 7 to perform the operations of hoisting and lowering the load 3, moving the load 3 horizontally, and traveling. Note that it is not necessary for all of the power consumed by the multiple electric motors 8 of the crane 5 to be supplied by power supplied from the power supply device 9; the crane 5 may have a generator that uses fuel such as hydrogen fuel, and some of the power consumed by the multiple electric motors 8 may be supplied by power generated by the generator.

[0015] The operations of the multiple cranes 5 are classified into automatic operations controlled by the control device 7 based on commands generated by the control device 7, and manual operations controlled by the control device 7 based on commands generated by the driver's operation. All of the operations of the multiple cranes 5 may be automatic operations, all of them may be manual operations, or some of the operations may be automatic operations and the remaining operations may be manual operations. Note that the operation of a single crane 5 may be a mixture of automatic operations and manual operations. In one example, some of the operations of crane 5a are manual operations and the remaining operations are automatic operations, and all of the operations of crane 5b are manual operations.

[0016] The power supply device 9 supplies power to each of the electric motors 8 of the multiple cranes 5 and is a common device for the multiple cranes 5. A known private power plant or extra-high voltage substation may be used as the power supply device 9. In one example of the logistics facility 1, an extra-high voltage substation is used as the power supply device 9. The power supply device 9 can supply power to each of the electric motors 8 of the multiple cranes 5 using various known power feeding devices indicated by dashed dotted lines in the figure. Examples of power feeding devices include a combination of a contact wire or bus bar and a current collector, and a combination of a cable reel and a power cable.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an example of current fluctuations over time during an operating period ΔT from the start to the end of a predetermined operation in which a predetermined electric motor 8 is powered. Immediately after powering begins, an inrush current greater than the rated current occurs in the electric motor 8, increasing to a peak current value Ip and then reaching a substantially constant rated current value Ir. The period ΔTp during which the inrush current occurs occurs at the beginning of the operating period ΔT. The rated current value Ir, the peak current value Ip, and the period ΔTp are each determined in advance based on the specifications of the electric motor 8 and the inverter (not shown). The peak current value Ip is, for example, approximately 1.7 to 2.2 times the rated current value Ir. The period ΔTp is, for example, approximately 1.5 to 2.5 seconds.

[0018] The allowable current value Ia of the power supply device 9 is set based on the overall power consumption of the logistics facility 1. For example, in a container terminal, in addition to the numerous cranes 5 and computing devices 11, a wide variety of devices and equipment consume power, such as lighting equipment, power supplies for reefer containers in the storage area 4, and gate devices. The allowable current value Ia of the power supply device 9 is set assuming that all of these devices and equipment are driven at rated current. The allowable current value Ia is also set assuming that the electric motors 8 of the numerous cranes 5 are powered at rated current value Ir. Specifically, the allowable current value Ia is set to a value greater than the current value output from the current supply device 9 assuming that all of the devices and equipment in the logistics facility 1 are driven at rated current.

[0019] As mentioned above, the peak current value Ip due to inrush current is greater than the rated current value Ir. Therefore, as a countermeasure against inrush current, it is possible to set the allowable current value Ia of the power supply device 9 based on the peak current value Ip, but this would increase the cost required for the power supply device 9. Therefore, in order to operate the logistics facility 1 stably while reducing the cost required for the power supply device 9, a countermeasure against inrush current is necessary.

[0020] An operation method for a logistics facility 1 is implemented using an embodiment of the management system 10 illustrated in Fig. 3. This operation method is a method for dealing with overlapping occurrence timing of inrush currents, which is a cause of excessive current values ​​in the power supply device 9. This operation method is a method in which an authorization step (authorization step S200, described later) in which the computing device 11 authorizes the operation of each of the multiple cranes 5, and an operation initiation step (operation initiation step S300, described later) in which each control device 7 causes the multiple cranes 5 to start the operation authorized in the authorization step S200, are repeated at predetermined intervals T.

[0021] The management system 10 includes a plurality of arithmetic units 11a and 11b. The management system 10 may be configured with a single arithmetic unit, but by configuring the management system 10 with a plurality of arithmetic units 11a and 11b, it becomes possible to distribute data processing, thereby further reducing the load of data processing and improving efficiency.

[0022] Each of the arithmetic units 11a and 11b receives and stores various data and performs data processing using the data. Each of the arithmetic units 11a and 11b may be implemented by various known computers. Each of the arithmetic units 11a and 11b has a central processing unit (CPU) 12, a main storage unit (memory) 13, an auxiliary storage unit (e.g., HDD) 14, and an input / output unit (keyboard, mouse, display, printer, communication device) 15.

[0023] The arithmetic devices 11a and 11b may be communicably connected to each other. Furthermore, the arithmetic devices 11a and 11b are communicably connected to the respective control devices 7 of the multiple cranes 5. The arithmetic devices 11a and 11b and the respective control devices 7 may be connected to each other via the same network (LAN), may be connected to each other via a wide area network (WAN) in which multiple networks are connected to each other via an internet router, or may be connected to each other via the internet.

[0024] One of the arithmetic devices 11a manages the cargo 3 at the logistics facility 1 and instructs the numerous cranes 5 to handle the cargo 3. Specifically, the one of the arithmetic devices 11a creates cargo handling data 20 indicating data on the cargo 3 to be handled by the cranes 5 based on the scheduled arrival and departure dates of the transportation equipment 2 and the number of cargo 3 entering and leaving the storage area 4, and transmits each piece of cargo handling data 20 to each of the control devices 7 to instruct the numerous cranes 5 to handle the cargo. In the container terminal, the one of the arithmetic devices 11a has multiple programs, such as a program for managing the handling of cargo 3 onto the ship of the transportation equipment 2, a program for managing the cargo 3 in the storage area 4, and a program for transmitting the cargo handling data 20 as work instructions to the numerous cranes 5 and on-site chassis 6. The one of the arithmetic devices 11a is not limited to a single computer, and may be configured with multiple computers, each dedicated to a different program.

[0025] The other arithmetic device 11b performs the permission step S200. Specifically, the other arithmetic device 11b transmits each operation command 30 to each control device 7 of each target crane 5, thereby permitting the operation indicated by each operation command 30.

[0026] The numerous cargo handling data 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 are created by the calculation device 11a. The numerous cargo handling data 20 are a collection of data on cargo 3 to be handled by each of the numerous cranes 5. Each cargo handling data 20 includes the cargo number, cargo handling origin, and cargo handling destination of the cargo 3 for each crane number (A1, A2, ..., Ai, B1, ..., Bj) in the leftmost column of the table. The crane numbers (A1 to Ai) indicate the numbers of the crane 5a, and the crane numbers (B1 to Bj) indicate the numbers of the crane 5b. The cargo number indicates a number assigned to each cargo 3, and indicates the container number at the container terminal. The cargo handling origin and destination indicate the loading position of the cargo 3, and indicate the specified location of the transportation equipment 2 or storage area 4 in question.

[0027] A data set 40, which includes a collection of multiple operation commands 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5, is updated by the arithmetic device 11b at predetermined intervals T. The update of the data set 40 is performed at predetermined intervals T and includes adding each operation command 30 received by the arithmetic device 11b and deleting each operation command 30 permitted in the permission step S200. The data set 40 is arranged in the order of the periods (T(n-1), Tn) in which the multiple operation commands 30 were received. In one example, the previous period is designated as T(n-1) and the current period is designated as Tn. In the data set 40, the operation commands 30 permitted in the permission step S200 in the previous period T(n-1) are deleted, the operation commands 30 not permitted in the permission step S200 remain, and the operation commands 30 received in the current period Tn are added. Note that it is possible that all operation commands 30 received in the previous period T(n-1) were permitted in the previous period T(n-1) but do not remain in the current period Tn. If the update of the dataset 40 is only the addition of each received operation command 30, the amount of data in the dataset 40 increases at each predetermined period T. Therefore, by including the deletion of each operation command 30 permitted in the permission step S200 in the update of the dataset 40, it is advantageous to suppress the expansion of the amount of data in the dataset 40 and reduce the proportion of the auxiliary storage unit 14 of the arithmetic device 11b that is monopolized.

[0028] The operation command 30 indicates the next operation to be executed for each crane number (A1 to Aj, B1 to Bj). The operations are classified into an operation for hoisting the load 3, an operation for lowering the load 3, an operation for horizontally moving the load 3, and a traveling operation. The hoisting operation, horizontal movement operation, and traveling operation are powered operations that are initiated by the electric motor 8 being powered. The lowering operation is a regenerative operation that is initiated by the electric motor 8 being regeneratively driven. In other words, the hoisting operation, horizontal movement operation, and traveling operation are operations in which an inrush current is generated in the electric motor 8 immediately after the start of each operation. Note that for the horizontal movement operation and traveling operation, a regenerative operation is performed after a powered operation, and the electric motor 8 is powered at the start of the operation, and there are also cases in which the electric motor 8 is powered halfway through the operation; however, since the electric motor 8 is powered at the start of the operation, these are considered powered operations.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows an example of the procedure of an embodiment of the method for operating the logistics facility 1. In this procedure, an update process S100 (S110 to S150), a permission process S200 (S210, S220), and an operation initiation process S300 (S310, S320) are performed at predetermined intervals T. In the update process S100, the data set 40 is updated. In the permission process S200, an operation command 30 selected from the operation commands 30 present in the data set 40 is permitted. In the operation initiation process S300, the operation indicated by the operation command 30 permitted in the permission process S200 is started by the target crane 5. Note that the operation initiation process S300 refers to the process up to the start of the operation, and does not include the process up to the completion of the operation.

[0030] The predetermined period T can be set arbitrarily. The predetermined period T serves as a reference for the start timing of the crane 5's operation. Therefore, the predetermined period T may be set to a value that allows for a shift between the start timing of the crane 5's operation in the previous operation step S300 and the start timing of the crane 5's operation in the current operation step S300. By shifting these timings, it becomes possible to shift the timing at which the current value of the electric motor 8 reaches the peak current value Ip due to an inrush current immediately after the start of the powering operation of the electric motor 8 in each operation step S300. The predetermined period T can also be set to a period longer than the generation period ΔTp during which the inrush current is generated. In this way, setting the predetermined period T based on the generation period ΔTp in advance is advantageous for avoiding overlapping of the generation periods ΔTp in each operation step S300 and for more reliably shifting the timing at which the current value of the electric motor 8 reaches the peak current value Ip. However, because the length of the predetermined period T is directly related to the responsiveness of the crane 5's operation, it is preferable to set the predetermined period T to a shorter period. Therefore, it is desirable that the predetermined period T is a period that is longer than the generation period ΔTp and that is closer to the generation period ΔTp. In one example, since the generation period ΔTp is 1.5 seconds, the predetermined period T is set to 2.0 seconds.

[0031] Each process (S100, S200, S300) will be described in detail below, dividing it into steps (S110 to S130, S310, S320) performed by the control device 7 and steps (S140, S150, S210, S220) performed by the arithmetic device 11b.

[0032] 7 shows an example of the procedure (S110-S130, S310, S320) performed by each control device 7. In this procedure, some steps (S110-S130) of the update process S100 are performed first, and then some steps (S310, S320) of the operation start process S300 are performed. Some of the steps (S120, S130, S310, S320) are repeated in a loop process (loop 1) until the cargo 3 targeted by the cargo handling data 20 is unloaded from the unloading source to the unloading destination and the unloading is completed. Each step (S110-S130, S310, S320) will be described in detail below.

[0033] In the step (S110) of receiving the cargo handling data 20, data processing is executed in which the control device 7 receives the cargo handling data 20 created and transmitted by the calculation device 11a. Note that the number of cargo handling data 20 received by each control device 7 is not limited to one, and multiple cargo handling data 20 may be received at one time.

[0034] In the step (S120) of generating the operation command 30, the control device 7 generates the operation command 30 (30a, 30b) based on the cargo handling data 20 received. The operation command 30 includes an automatic operation command 30a indicating an automatic operation and a manual operation command 30b indicating a manual operation. The automatic operation command 30a is generated by the control device 7, and the manual operation command 30b is generated by the driver's operation. When generating the automatic operation command 30a, the control device 7 executes data processing to generate the automatic operation command 30a based on the received cargo handling data 20. When generating the manual operation command 30b, the control device 7 presents the received cargo handling data 20 to the driver, and the control device 7 executes data processing to convert the driver's operation based on the presented cargo handling data 20 into a manual operation command 30b. The operation command 30 generated in this step (S120) differs for each iteration of the loop processing. Examples of operation commands 30 in the loop processing, in the order in which they are generated, include a running operation to the loading source, a hoisting operation using only the hoisting equipment to lift the cargo 3, a horizontal movement operation, a hoisting operation, a hoisting operation using only the hoisting equipment, a horizontal movement operation, a hoisting operation using only the hoisting equipment.

[0035] In the step (S130) of transmitting the operation command 30, data processing is executed to transmit the operation command 30 generated by the control device 7 to the arithmetic device 11b. In this step (S130), it is preferable to transmit the operation command 30 generated just before the crane 5 is caused to perform the operation indicated in the operation command 30, that is, after preparations for the operation have been completed. For example, in a container terminal, the operation of hoisting a container, which is cargo 3, involves connecting the hoisting device to the cargo 3, and the operation command 30 for the hoisting operation is transmitted after the connection operation is completed and preparations for the hoisting operation have been completed. In this way, by transmitting the operation command 30 after preparations for the operation have been completed, it becomes possible to immediately start the operation indicated by the operation command 30 once the operation command 30 is permitted in the permission step S200, which is advantageous for adjusting the timing of the start of the operation. In addition, if the preparation for the operation includes checking the safety of the operation, if the situation around the crane 5 changes after the operation command 30 is permitted in the permission process S200 and a safety check is required, the operation command 30 can be sent again to the calculation device 11b after the safety check is performed.

[0036] In step (S310) of receiving the operation command 30, the control device 7 executes data processing to receive the operation command 30 permitted by the computing device 11b in the permission step S200. There may be a waiting time between step (S130) and step (S310) during which the operation command 30 is waited for to be received. During this waiting time, the crane 5 is kept stopped without operating. The waiting time is an integral multiple of a predetermined period T.

[0037] In step (S320) of starting the operation, data processing is executed to drive the electric motor 8 based on the operation command 30 received by the control device 7, and cause the crane 5 to start the operation indicated by the operation command 30. Step (S320) is executed immediately after step (S310) is executed. In other words, upon receiving an authorized operation command 30, the control device 7 immediately causes the crane 5 to start the operation indicated by the operation command 30. Once the crane 6 has started the operation indicated by the operation command 30, the process returns to step (S120). Note that after the start of the operation, the control device 7 controls the operation of the crane 5 using a different control flow.

[0038] 8 shows an example of a procedure (S140, S150, S210, S220) performed by the calculation device 11b. In this procedure, some steps (S140, S150) of the update process S100 are performed first, and then the steps (S210, S220) of the permission process S200 are performed. Each step (S140, S150, S210, S220) will be described in detail below.

[0039] In the step (S140) of receiving the operation command 30, data processing is executed in which the arithmetic device 11b receives the operation command 30 transmitted by the control device 7. Depending on the timing at which step (S140) is executed, there may be cases where the operation command 30 is not transmitted from the control device 7 and the arithmetic device 11b does not receive the operation command 30.

[0040] In step (S150) of updating the dataset 40, the arithmetic device 11b executes data processing for updating the dataset 40. Specifically, the arithmetic device 11b deletes the operation command 30 permitted in the previous permission step S200, and adds the newly received multiple operation commands 30 in the order of the predetermined period T in which they were received, thereby updating the dataset 40. Note that this step (S150) can be omitted if, in step (S140), the operation commands 30 received in the order of the predetermined period T are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 14 of the arithmetic device 11b as shown in the dataset 40, and the transmitted operation commands 30 are deleted in step (S220), which will be described later.

[0041] In the step (S210) of selecting the permitted operation commands 30, the arithmetic device 11b executes data processing to select the permitted operation commands 30 from the respective operation commands 30 in the data set 40. Specifically, the arithmetic device 11b selects the permitted operation commands 30 based on preset selection conditions C1 to C4. In the selection in this step, only the selection condition C1 is required, and the other selection conditions C2 to C4 do not have to be adopted. However, it is desirable to use other selection conditions in addition to the selection condition C1 for selection.

[0042] More specifically, the selection condition C1 is a condition that limits the number of operation commands 30 that are permitted simultaneously to a predetermined number Na or less. The predetermined number Na is set in advance based on the allowable current value Ia of the power supply device 9. Specifically, the predetermined number Na is set based on the difference between the allowable current value Ia and the current value output from the power supply device 9 when each device and equipment (including the multiple cranes 5) in the logistics facility 1 is assumed to be driven at its rated current, divided by the peak current value Ia. In other words, the predetermined number Na indicates the number of times that inrush currents generated by power driving can overlap. When the peak current values ​​Ia due to inrush currents in the electric motors 8 of the multiple cranes 5 are different, it is advisable to use the largest peak current value Ia to set the predetermined number Na. The predetermined number Na can be set according to the magnitude of the allowable current value Ia and is set to a positive integer (including 1). By selecting the operation commands 30 to be permitted using the selection condition C1, even if all of the operations indicated by the operation commands 30 to be permitted simultaneously are power driving and the timing of the occurrence of inrush currents due to all of the power driving overlaps, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the current value output from the power supply device 9 exceeds the allowable current value Ia.

[0043] Selection condition C2 is a condition in which the number of operation commands 30 limited to the predetermined number Na in selection condition C1 does not include the number of operation commands 30 indicating regenerative operation, but only includes the number of operation commands 30 indicating powering operation. In regenerative operation, electric power is generated by the electric motor 8. Therefore, even if multiple regenerative operations are started simultaneously, the current value output from the power supply device 9 does not become excessive. Therefore, there is no need to limit the selection of operation commands 30 indicating regenerative operation. By selecting the operation commands 30 to be permitted using selection condition C2 in addition to selection condition C1, powering operation and regenerative operation are started simultaneously. As a result, the increase in the current value output from the power supply device 9, which increases due to overlapping inrush currents caused by powering operation, can be narrowed by the generation of electric power through regenerative operation.

[0044] In selection condition C2, the greater the number of operation commands 30 indicating simultaneously permitted regenerative operations, the more advantageous it is for narrowing the range of increase in current value. However, starting multiple regenerative operations at once results in greater fluctuations in the current value output from the power supply device 9. Therefore, selection condition C2 desirably determines the number of operation commands 30 indicating simultaneously permitted regenerative operations based on the number of operation commands 30 indicating simultaneously permitted powering operations. More desirably, selection condition C2 desirably determines the number of operation commands 30 indicating simultaneously permitted regenerative operations equal to the number of operation commands 30 indicating simultaneously permitted powering operations. Furthermore, selection condition C2 desirably selects operation commands 30 indicating simultaneously permitted regenerative operations so as to minimize the difference between the amount of power generated by simultaneously performed regenerative operations and the amount of power consumed by simultaneously performed powering operations. This leveling out the difference between the amount of power consumed and the amount of power generated for simultaneously performed powering operations and regenerative operations, thereby achieving a balanced relationship between the amount of power consumed and the amount of power generated, which is advantageous for minimizing the overall power consumption of the logistics facility 1.

[0045] Selection condition C3 is a condition that permits the manual operation command 30b before the automatic operation command 30a. Using selection condition C3 in addition to selection condition C1, or selecting an operation command 30 that permits operation using all of selection conditions C1 to C3, is advantageous in suppressing delays in the operation of the crane 5b based on the manual operation command 30b. In this way, prioritizing permission for the manual operation command 30b and minimizing discomfort to the driver is advantageous in suppressing operational errors and deterioration of drivability caused by discomfort.

[0046] Selection condition C4 is a condition that allows operation commands 30 received at a faster cycle first. When selection condition C3 and selection condition C4 are used together, it is recommended that the priority of selection condition C3 be set higher than the priority of selection condition C4 so that selection based on selection condition C4 is performed first.

[0047] In this step (S210), selection conditions other than the selection conditions C1 to C4 exemplified above can also be used. For example, a condition for selecting an operation command 30 to be permitted based on the priority of the source or destination of the cargo handling performed by the operation indicated by the operation command 30 may be used as a selection condition. Specifically, by giving a higher priority to the transport equipment 2 than to the storage area 4, or giving a higher priority to a ship among the transport equipment 2 than to a vehicle, it becomes possible to carry out cargo handling that should be prioritized at the logistics facility 1 first. In addition, selection conditions can be added according to the cargo handling status at the logistics facility 1 and the operating status of the numerous cranes 5.

[0048] Fig. 9 shows an example of an authorization data set 50 in which the authorized operation commands 30 are selected using selection conditions C1 to C4 for each of the operation commands 30 in the data set 40 illustrated in Fig. 5. In this example, the predetermined number Na of selection condition C1 is set to "3".

[0049] First, an automatic operation command 30a indicating a hoisting operation for crane number A3, a manual operation command 30b indicating a hoisting operation for crane number B1, and a manual operation command 30b indicating a traveling operation for crane number B3 are selected based on selection condition C1, selection condition C3, and selection condition 4. Next, an automatic operation command 30a indicating a lowering operation for crane number A10, an automatic operation command 30a indicating a lowering operation for crane number A9, and an automatic operation command 30a indicating a lowering operation for crane number A2 are selected based on selection condition C2. In general, three operation commands 30 indicating powering operations and three operation commands 30 indicating regenerative operations are selected.

[0050] In the step (S220) of transmitting the selected operation command 30, the calculation device 11b executes data processing to transmit the selected operation command 30 to each control device 7 of the target crane 5. By transmitting the selected operation command 30 from the calculation device 11b to each control device 7, the execution of the operation indicated by the operation command 30 is permitted.

[0051] The operation indicated by the operation command 30 permitted by the permission step S200 by the computing device 11b is initiated by the target crane 5 in the above-described operation initiation step S300. Specifically, three powering operations, namely, the hoisting operation of crane number B1, the traveling operation of crane number B3, and the hoisting operation of crane number A3, are initiated substantially simultaneously, causing the timing of inrush currents generated by each powering operation to overlap. Even when the timing of the inrush currents overlap, the current value output by the power supply device 9 is maintained below the allowable current value Ia. Furthermore, three regenerative operations, namely, the lowering operation of crane number A10, the lowering operation of crane number A9, and the lowering operation of crane number A2, are initiated substantially simultaneously. Therefore, the increase in the current value output by the power supply device 9 due to the overlapping inrush currents is narrowed by the power generation by each regenerative operation. This more reliably prevents the current value output by the power supply device 9 from exceeding the allowable current value Ia. Furthermore, the balance between the amount of power consumed and the amount of power generated is balanced, minimizing the power consumption of the entire logistics facility 1.

[0052] Similarly, in the next cycle T(n+1), the operation indicated by the operation command 30 permitted in the permission step S200 by the computing device 11b is initiated by the target crane 5 in the above-described operation initiation step S300. There is an interval of a predetermined cycle T between the start timing of each operation in the current cycle Tn and the start timing of each operation in the next cycle T(n+1). In other words, the timing at which the current value output from the power supply device 9 increases due to the inrush current in the current cycle Tn and the timing at which the current value output from the power supply device 9 increases due to the inrush current in the next cycle T(n+1) are shifted without overlapping.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, the start of operations by the multiple cranes 5 at the logistics facility 1 is adjusted by the permission step S200 by the computing device 11b, so that a predetermined number Na or less of operations are started at each predetermined cycle T. In other words, the number of overlapping inrush currents caused by the powering of the electric motors 8 can be limited to the predetermined number Na or less. This is advantageous for preventing excessive current values ​​in the power supply device 9 due to inrush currents. Furthermore, compared to a method that significantly changes the operation schedules of the multiple cranes 5, this method allows for more precise adjustment of operation timing, which is advantageous for preventing a decrease in cargo handling efficiency due to adjustment of operation timing. As such, this embodiment is configured using a relatively simple method, yet can maintain the current value of the common power supply device 9 below the allowable current value by taking measures against inrush currents while preventing a decrease in cargo handling efficiency.

[0054] An operation command 30 that is not permitted in the permission step S200 by the calculation device 11b in the current cycle Tn will be permitted in the next cycle T(n+1), the cycle after that T(n+2), etc. If the cycle T is set to a time that approximates the occurrence period ΔTp, the delay time from when the operation command 30 is transmitted from the control device 7 to the calculation device 11b until the operation indicated by the operation command 30 actually starts will be only the time required for multiple occurrence periods ΔTp to pass. As such, this embodiment is extremely advantageous in suppressing a decrease in cargo handling efficiency at the logistics facility 1 due to measures against inrush current.

[0055] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the logistics facility operation method and management system of the present invention are not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0056] The respective operation commands 30 are not limited to those transmitted from the respective control devices 7 to the arithmetic device 11b. For example, the respective operation commands 30 may be generated by the arithmetic device 11a, and the generated respective operation commands 30 may be transmitted to the arithmetic device 11b.

[0057] Specifically, first, the respective cargo handling data 20 created by the calculation device 11a in the embodiment described above and data used in the creation process (such as the scheduled departure and arrival dates of the transportation equipment 2 and the number of cargoes 3 entering and leaving the storage area 4) and the respective operation commands 30 generated by the respective control devices 7 and data used in the creation process (such as data indicating completion of operation preparation) are stored. Next, a prediction model is generated using various known machine learning methods using the large amount of stored data as learning data. Next, the respective operation commands 30 can be generated using the data used in the creation process of the respective cargo handling data 20, the data used in the generation process of the operation commands, and the generated prediction model. In this way, in the permission step S200 by the calculation device 11b, the respective operation commands 30 generated by the calculation device 11a can also be permitted.

[0058] The predetermined number Na in the selection condition C1 may be varied depending on the amount of power consumption at the logistics facility 1. For example, in a container terminal, the amount of power consumption differs between at night when lighting equipment is used and during the day when lighting equipment is not used. Therefore, by varying the predetermined number Na in the selection condition C1 depending on the amount of power consumption at the logistics facility 1, it is possible to increase the number of operation commands 30 that are permitted simultaneously.

[0059] Furthermore, the predetermined number Na in selection condition C1 may be varied depending on whether selection condition C2 is adopted. By adopting selection condition C2, it becomes possible to cover the inrush current generated by power running operation with the power generated by regenerative operation. In other words, the increase in the current value output from the power supply device 9 due to the overlap of inrush currents is narrowed by the power generated by regenerative operation, and the predetermined number Na can be increased accordingly.

[0060] Selection condition C2 may not include some powering operations in the number of operation commands 30 limited to the predetermined number Na or less in selection condition C1. For example, if the peak current value Ip due to the inrush current in a horizontal movement operation or a traveling operation is lower than the peak current value Ip due to the inrush current in a hoisting operation, powering operation commands 30a indicating these horizontal movement operations or traveling operations may not be included in the number of operation commands 30 limited to the predetermined number Na or less in selection condition C1. Furthermore, the operations to be included in the number of operation commands 30 limited to the predetermined number Na or less in selection condition C1 may be set for each crane 5. For example, the traveling operation of crane 5a may not be included in that number, but the traveling operation of crane 5b may be included in that number. In this way, the operations to be included in the number of operation commands 30 permitted simultaneously in selection condition C1 can be set as appropriate.

[0061] The timing at which the control device 7 transmits the operation command 30 to the arithmetic device 30b is not limited to the timing at which preparations for the operation indicated by the operation command 30 are complete. For example, in a hoisting operation for the cargo 3, before the hoisting operation is performed, the hoisting device is lowered to land on the cargo floor, and the hoisting device and the cargo 3 are connected (e.g., twist-locked). The control device 7 detects the landing on the cargo floor and the connection. Therefore, the control device 7 may transmit the operation command 30 indicating the hoisting operation to the arithmetic device 11b at the timing at which the control device 7 detects the landing on the cargo floor or the connection. This method is limited to automatic operations that can control the time from the landing on the cargo floor or the connection to the start of the hoisting operation, but transmitting the operation command 30 to the arithmetic device 11b in advance is advantageous in shortening the waiting time before the operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Warehouse facilities 2 Transport equipment 3. Luggage 4. Storage Area 5 Crane 6. In-house chassis 7 Control Device 8. Drive source 9 Power supply device 10 Management System 11a, 11b Arithmetic unit 20 Cargo handling data 30 Cargo handling instructions 40 datasets 50 Permission Datasets

Claims

1. A method for operating a logistics facility, in which each of a number of cranes that handle cargo has a control device and an electric motor that uses power supplied from a common power supply device, a permission step of permitting the operation of each of the large number of cranes by a calculation device, and an operation initiation step of causing each of the control devices to start the operation permitted by the permission step by the calculation device on a target crane among the large number of cranes at predetermined intervals; The method for operating a logistics facility is characterized in that, in the permitting step, the number of operations permitted simultaneously is limited to a predetermined number or less.

2. 2. The method for operating a logistics facility according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is set in advance based on a period during which an inrush current occurs immediately after the start of power running of the electric motor.

3. 3. The method for operating a logistics facility according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is set in advance based on an allowable current value of the power supply device.

4. 2. The method for operating a logistics facility according to claim 1, wherein the number of operations limited to the predetermined number or less in the permission step does not include the number of regenerative operations that regeneratively drive the electric motor, but includes only the number of powering operations that power the electric motor, and the operations that are permitted simultaneously include the regenerative operations and the powering operations that are limited to the predetermined number or less.

5. The method for operating a logistics facility according to claim 4 , wherein in the permitting step, the number of regenerative operations included in the operations permitted simultaneously is based on the number of powering operations permitted simultaneously.

6. The method for operating a logistics facility described in claim 1, wherein the permission process permits operation of each of the multiple cranes by transmitting from the calculation device to the control device each operation command transmitted from the control device of each of the multiple cranes to the calculation device.

7. A method for operating a logistics facility as described in claim 6, wherein, in the permission process, among each of the operation commands, permission for a manual operation command generated by a driver's operation is given priority over permission for an automatic operation command generated by the control device.

8. In a management system for a logistics facility, each of a number of cranes that handle cargo has a control device and an electric motor that uses power supplied from a common power supply device, a computing device that performs an authorization step of authorizing the operation of each of the multiple cranes; the permission step by the arithmetic device and an operation initiation step of causing each of the control devices to start the operation permitted by the permission step on a target crane among the multiple cranes are repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle; A management system for a logistics facility, characterized in that in the permission step performed by the arithmetic device, the number of actions that are simultaneously permitted is limited to a predetermined number or less.

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