Industrial equipment operation support system

Abstract

Supports cost control over the equipment lifecycle. [Solution] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 includes an information processing device 6 which comprises an information storage platform 51 that stores acquired environmental information and operational information, a maintenance planning engine 32 that plans the timing of maintenance service provision based on the stored environmental information and operational information, an operational performance information storage engine 33 that sequentially generates operational performance information of industrial equipment using the stored environmental information and operational information and stores the generated operational performance information in the information storage platform 51, an acquired profit evaluation engine 34 that evaluates the profits acquired by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services based on the degree of improvement of the operational performance information, and a UI provision engine 35 that displays the profits acquired by equipment users on the user terminal 40.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to an industrial equipment operation support system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the technical field related to industrial equipment, maintenance and management methods such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 are known. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-298270 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The equipment lifecycle is the total cycle from the introduction of equipment to its disposal. In industrial equipment, cost control over the equipment lifecycle is required. Cost control mainly involves reducing running costs by eliminating waste such as opportunity costs, energy losses, and disposal costs in relation to various costs at the production site.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein provides an industrial equipment operation support system that can assist in cost control over the equipment lifecycle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification provides an industrial equipment operation support system. The industrial equipment operation support system comprises a plurality of environmental sensors placed on the industrial equipment, a plurality of controllers equipped on the industrial equipment, and a plurality of information processing devices configured to acquire and store environmental information detected by the environmental sensors and operational information generated by the controllers, and having a hierarchical structure for transmitting the environmental information and operational information from downstream to upstream. The plurality of information processing devices each have, in one or more layers, an information storage platform for storing acquired environmental information and operational information, a maintenance planning engine for planning the timing of providing maintenance services to the industrial equipment based on the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform, an operational performance information storage engine for sequentially generating operational performance information of the industrial equipment using the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform and storing the generated operational performance information in the information storage platform, an acquired profit evaluation engine for evaluating the profits acquired by the equipment user through the provision of maintenance services based on the degree of improvement of the operational performance information, and a UI providing engine for providing a user interface for displaying the profits acquired by the equipment user on a user terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technologies disclosed herein can help support cost control over the equipment lifecycle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an industrial equipment operation support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing industrial equipment and demand equipment according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of an information storage platform according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a database according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a business activity management application according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for visualizing the service value of an industrial equipment operation support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the optimization of the equipment lifecycle of an industrial equipment operation support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the visualization of equipment lifecycle costs in an industrial equipment operation support system according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [1] Industrial equipment operation support system Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an industrial equipment operation support system 1 according to an embodiment. The industrial equipment operation support system 1 acquires and stores environmental information and operational information of industrial equipment 2 to support the operation of industrial equipment 2. The industrial equipment operation support system 1 generates useful information that contributes to equipment operation using the environmental information and operational information of industrial equipment 2. The industrial equipment operation support system 1 supports the operation of industrial equipment 2 by providing the user of industrial equipment 2 with useful information that contributes to equipment operation.

[0010] The user of the industrial equipment 2 refers to a person who owns or leases the industrial equipment 2. The maintenance contractor of the industrial equipment 2 provides the user with comprehensive equipment operation support services through the industrial equipment operation support system 1 based on the contract concluded with the user of the industrial equipment 2. The comprehensive equipment operation support services aim to create an environment in which the user can concentrate on the core business (the main business related to the production of goods or the provision of services) by having the maintenance contractor undertake various construction works for equipment maintenance and substitute for equipment operation, and further maximize the performance of equipment operation. Note that equipment maintenance (Productive Maintenance) is a general term for various activities such as daily, regular or situation-based planning, inspection, examination, adjustment, repair, replacement, etc., which are responsible for functions such as preventing equipment deterioration, measuring deterioration and restoring deterioration in order to maintain equipment performance.

[0011] The comprehensive equipment operation support services may include, for example, the following services. (1) Provision of hardware and software for connecting the industrial equipment 2 and the maintenance contractor with information and communication technology (ICT: Information and Communication Technology). (2) Provision of a user interface (UI: User Interface) for connecting the user and the maintenance contractor with ICT. (3) Provision of visualization content of the operation performance information (operation performance by the maintenance contractor) of the industrial equipment 2. (4) Provision of visualization content of the condition information (current status / history) of the industrial equipment 2. (5) Provision of before maintenance (condition-based maintenance / time-based maintenance) and after maintenance for the industrial equipment 2. (6) Provision of notifications regarding the daily management of the industrial equipment 2. (7) Professional proposals regarding the smart operation (labor reduction / autonomization) and added value improvement (low carbonization / SDGs) of the industrial equipment 2. (8) Aggregation and provision of visualization content of the equipment life cycle cost.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing industrial equipment 2 and demand equipment 8 according to an embodiment. Equipment refers to machinery installed in buildings such as factories, or in vehicles, ships, etc. Machinery is a general term for machinery, instruments, and equipment. Industrial equipment 2 refers to machinery and equipment used for the production of goods or the provision of services. Industrial equipment 2 includes utility conversion machinery and equipment that converts primary utilities into secondary utilities usable by demand equipment 8, a utility transmission and distribution network that transmits and distributes secondary utilities, and demand-end machinery and equipment that utilize primary or secondary utilities. Demand equipment 8, consisting of demand-end machinery and equipment, is one embodiment of industrial equipment 2.

[0013] A utility refers to an energy source or fluid necessary for industrial activities. Examples of primary utilities input to utility conversion machinery include fuel (gas, oil), electricity, and raw water. Examples of secondary utilities output from industrial equipment include heat transfer fluids (steam, heat transfer oil, hot water, chilled water), compressed air, electricity, and treated water.

[0014] Demand equipment 8 utilizes secondary utilities output from industrial equipment 2. Demand equipment 8 uses heat transfer fluid as a heat source for various production processes or air conditioning. Demand equipment 8 uses compressed air as a power source for pneumatic equipment or pneumatic tools. Demand equipment 8 uses electricity as a power source for electric equipment, power tools, or lighting. Demand equipment 8 uses treated water as process water for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or semiconductor manufacturing.

[0015] Examples of utility conversion machinery and equipment include thermal equipment, air compressors, generators, and water treatment equipment. Examples of thermal equipment include combustion steam boilers, electric heater steam boilers, heat recovery steam boilers, combustion heat transfer boilers, combustion hot water boilers, electric heater hot water boilers, heat recovery hot water boilers, electric heat pumps, electric chillers, electric heat pump chillers, and flash steam generators. Examples of air compressors include electric air compressors, heat recovery electric air compressors, and steam-driven air compressors. Examples of generators include monogenerators and cogeneration generators. Examples of water treatment equipment include reverse osmosis membrane systems, hard water softeners, deoxygenation systems, and various filtration systems.

[0016] Industrial equipment 2 converts primary utilities into secondary utilities usable by demand equipment 8. Primary utilities are supplied to industrial equipment 2 via supply route 21. Secondary utilities discharged from industrial equipment 2 are delivered to demand equipment 8 via transport route 22. Secondary utilities that have passed through demand equipment 8 are discharged via discharge route 23. Transport route 22 may be formed as a transport piping network. Auxiliary equipment for medium storage (such as steam headers, hot water tanks, and chilled water tanks) may also be provided along transport route 22.

[0017] Furthermore, industrial equipment 2 may also include medical machinery and equipment used in a series of processes from receiving to discharging items to be washed and sterilized, laundry machinery and equipment used in a series of processes from collecting to shipping laundry, food and beverage manufacturing machinery and equipment used in a series of processes from receiving raw materials to storing products, vehicles for unmanned transport of goods between multiple points set up within the business premises, navigation machinery and equipment and cargo handling machinery and equipment installed on ships such as cargo ships.

[0018] Examples of medical equipment include washers and sterilizers. Examples of washers include vacuum boiling washers and ultrasonic washers. Examples of sterilizers include steam sterilizers and gas sterilizers. Medical equipment is installed in the central sterile supply department of a medical institution.

[0019] Examples of laundry machinery include washing machines, dryers, and finishing machines. Examples of washing machines include continuous washing machines, water washing machines, and dry cleaning machines. Examples of dryers include gas dryers and steam dryers. Examples of finishing machines include gas roll ironers and steam roll ironers. Laundry machinery is installed in laundry factories.

[0020] Examples of machinery and equipment for food and beverage manufacturing include thawers, cooking machines, coolers, and sterilizers. Examples of thawers include vacuum steam thawers, microwave thawers, high-frequency thawers, and running water thawers. Examples of cooking machines include steam kneaders, steam kettles, and saturated steam cookers. Examples of coolers include vacuum coolers, chilled water coolers, and cold air coolers. Examples of sterilizers include retort sterilizers and pasteurizers. Machinery and equipment for food and beverage manufacturing are installed in food and beverage factories.

[0021] Examples of autonomously operating unmanned transport vehicles (AGVs) include trolley-type vehicles, forklift-type vehicles, and towed vehicles. AGVs are used in various manufacturing plants.

[0022] Examples of navigational machinery include main engines (single-fuel / dual-fuel diesel engines), turbochargers (auxiliary equipment), exhaust gas economizers (steam generators), shaft generators, steam turbine generators, binary generators, desalination plants, boilers for BOG combustion, and exhaust gas cleaning equipment. Examples of cargo handling machinery include diesel generators, cranes, derricks, ballast water pumps, and ballast water treatment equipment.

[0023] Returning to Figure 1, Establishment 3 refers to an individual place where the production of goods or the provision of services is carried out as a business. Industrial equipment 2 is installed in Establishment 3. Factory 4 is provided in Establishment 3 where goods are produced, etc. Examples of factory 4 include food factories, beverage factories, metal product factories, plastic product factories, textile factories, and laundry factories. Industrial equipment 2 is installed in factory 4.

[0024] Furthermore, a factory 4 is not required to be provided at the business establishment 3 that provides the service. The business conducted at business establishment 3 may include public health services. Examples of public health services include hospitals, clinics, and health centers. Business establishment 3 may also include a catering center. Instead of business establishment 3, industrial equipment 2 may be installed on a vessel used for maritime transport services.

[0025] In the example shown in Figure 1, a certain business operator has three business establishments 3. Business establishments 3 include the first business establishment 3A, the second business establishment 3B, and the third business establishment 3C. A factory 4 is located in the second business establishment 3B. The factory 4 located in the second business establishment 3B includes the first factory 4A and the second factory 4B. Alternatively, a factory 4 may be located in either the first business establishment 3A or the third business establishment 3C, or both.

[0026] Industrial equipment 2 is installed in both the first factory 4A and the second factory 4B. Data collection terminals 7 are installed in both the first factory 4A and the second factory 4B. Data collection terminals 7 is a general term for devices used for data collection at the business establishment 3.

[0027] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 comprises a plurality of environmental sensors 5 placed on the industrial equipment 2, a plurality of controllers 61 equipped on the industrial equipment 2, and a plurality of information processing devices 6 configured to acquire and store environmental information detected by the environmental sensors 5 and operational information generated by the controllers 61.

[0028] The Environmental Sensor 5 detects environmental information of the industrial equipment 2. Environmental information of the industrial equipment 2 refers to the environmental state or conditions of the space in which the industrial equipment 2 operates. This includes environmental information of the business establishment 3 (factory 4) where the industrial equipment 2 is installed. The environmental information includes physical parameters of the industrial equipment 2 and its surroundings. Some of the detection data from the Environmental Sensor 5 is used for the operation or control of the industrial equipment 2. Examples of Environmental Sensor 5 include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, water level sensors, flow rate sensors, electrical conductivity sensors (EC sensors), power sensors, distance sensors, image sensors, and force sensors.

[0029] The environmental sensor 5 is connected to the controller 61 of the industrial equipment 2 and the controller 61 of the data acquisition terminal 7, respectively.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the environmental sensor 5 is installed in the supply path 21 (primary utility side). The environmental sensor 5 is installed in the transport path 22 (secondary utility side). The environmental sensor 5 may be positioned closer to the industrial equipment 2 or closer to the demand equipment 8 in the transport path 22. The environmental sensor 5 may also be positioned in the discharge path 23 (downstream of the demand equipment 8).

[0031] In this embodiment, the environmental information of the industrial equipment 2 detected by the environmental sensor 5 includes input energy information and output energy information of the industrial equipment 2. The input energy information includes the input amount of the primary utility. The output energy information includes the output amount of the secondary utility. The environmental information includes information on the actual quality level of the medium or goods produced by the industrial equipment 2.

[0032] Returning to Figure 1, the controller 61 has the function of controlling the operation of the industrial equipment 2 and controlling data collection. The controller 61 is mainly used for controlling the operation of machinery and equipment (heat equipment, water treatment equipment, water quality measuring equipment, etc.). The controller 61 is connected to environmental sensors 5 attached to the machinery and equipment. The controller 61 may also be configured as part of a data collection terminal 7 that specializes in collecting information from environmental sensors 5 that are not attached to the machinery and equipment (environmental sensors that are retrofitted to the machinery and equipment or retrofitted to piping networks, etc.).

[0033] The controller 61 is incorporated into the industrial equipment 2 and the data acquisition terminal 7. Examples of the controller 61 incorporated into the industrial equipment 2 include a microcomputer 61A and a programmable logic controller 61B (PLC). In this embodiment, the industrial equipment 2 includes a first industrial equipment 2A where the microcomputer 61A is located and a second industrial equipment 2B where the programmable logic controller 61B is located. An example of the controller 61 incorporated into the data acquisition terminal 7 is the microcomputer 61A.

[0034] The controller 61 of the industrial equipment 2 uses environmental information collected from the environmental sensor 5 to control the operation of the industrial equipment 2 and records it for operational management. The controller 61 of the industrial equipment 2 may also receive environmental information collected by controllers 61 incorporated in other industrial equipment 2 or data collection terminals 7 and use it to control its own operation.

[0035] The controller 61 of the data collection terminal 7 is connected to each of the multiple environmental sensors 5 scattered throughout the business premises 3. The controller 61 of the data collection terminal 7 is connected to multiple environmental sensors 5 of different types.

[0036] The controller 61 generates operational information for the industrial equipment 2. The controller 61 may generate operational information for the industrial equipment 2 based on detection data from the environmental sensor 5. In this embodiment, the operational information for the industrial equipment 2 generated by the controller 61 includes the operating time of the industrial equipment 2 and whether or not there is an abnormality in the industrial equipment 2. The operational information includes actual operating time information linked to the normal state of the industrial equipment 2 and non-operating time information linked to the abnormal state. The operational information includes whether the condition of the industrial equipment 2 is good or bad. The operational information includes an abnormality notification signal transmitted by the controller 61 when a malfunction occurs in the industrial equipment 2.

[0037] The condition of the industrial equipment 2 is detected by the environmental sensor 5. For example, when the condition of the industrial equipment 2 deteriorates, the value detected by the environmental sensor 5 will often be a value that deviates from the value detected by the environmental sensor 5 when the condition of the industrial equipment 2 is normal. Therefore, multiple thresholds are set according to the level of deviation of the value detected by the environmental sensor 5 from the normal value, and the controller 61 is instructed to detect if there is a sign of an abnormality when the deviation level reaches the lower first threshold, and if an abnormality has occurred when the deviation level reaches the higher second threshold.

[0038] If industrial equipment 2 is a steam boiler, the operational information related to its condition includes scale buildup information based on water tube temperature and feedwater pump performance information based on boiler water level control. If industrial equipment 2 is a heat pump or chiller, the operational information related to its condition includes refrigerant leak detection information and differential pressure information for the condenser and evaporator. If industrial equipment 2 is an air compressor, the operational information related to its condition includes lubricant degradation detection information and differential pressure information for filters. If industrial equipment 2 is an RO membrane system, the operational information related to its condition includes permeate flux information for the membrane element and water quality information for the permeate.

[0039] [2] Information processing device The industrial equipment operation support system 1 has multiple information processing devices 6. The information processing devices 6 include a controller 61, an edge computer 62, a gateway 63, a guest computer 64, and a host computer 65.

[0040] Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an information processing device 6 according to an embodiment. The information processing device 6 includes a computer 10. The controller 61, edge computer 62, gateway 63, guest computer 64, and host computer 65 each include the computer 10. The computer 10 has a processor 11, a storage device 12, a communication interface 13, and an input / output interface 14. The information processing device 6 also has a power supply (not shown).

[0041] The processor 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 11 may also include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The storage device 12 includes a recording medium on which computer programs and data are recorded in a readable format by the processor 11. The storage device 12 includes onboard system memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), high-capacity flash memory such as an SD card or USB memory, and high-capacity storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0042] The communication interface 13 communicates via a communication network. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and commercial networks such as the Internet. A local area network may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. A wide area network may include mobile lines or satellite communication lines. Computer 10 transmits data to an external computer via the communication network. Computer 10 receives data from an external computer via the communication network. Computer 10 connects to an external device via the input / output interface 14.

[0043] The storage device 12 stores various software programs (engines and applications, described later). The processor 11 reads the software programs from the storage device 12, loads them into system memory, and executes processing according to the software programs. In other words, the processor 11 can be considered to have multiple functional units, such as engines. The functions of the engines and other components of the processor 11 are realized by software programs. The software programs may be distributed to the computer 10 via a communication network.

[0044] A software program that implements a specific function on a computer is called an engine, and the functional units of an engine are called modules. An engine may be installed on a computer as a single software package containing all its functions, but it is preferable to install it on a computer as individual software modules, each representing a functional unit of the engine. Modularizing the functional units of an engine makes it easier to update when functional modifications are made. Software programs prepared for end users (mainly customers who use equipment) to perform specific tasks on a computer are called applications, and they can be distinguished from engines in terms of their purpose.

[0045] The environmental sensor 5 is connected to the input / output interface 14 of the controller 61. Multiple environmental sensors 5 are connected to one controller 61. The controller 61 collects environmental information from the environmental sensors 5 in real time. The communication interface 13 of the controller 61 transmits real-time environmental information and real-time operational information to the edge computer 62 via the communication network (LAN).

[0046] Returning to Figure 1, the edge computer 62 is installed in factory 4. One or more edge computers 62 are installed in each factory 4. The communication interface 13 of the edge computer 62 communicates with each of the multiple controllers 61 belonging to factory 4 where the edge computer 62 is located, via a communication network (LAN). The edge computer 62 receives environmental information and operational information from the controllers 61 via the communication network.

[0047] The edge computer 62 has approximately 5GB of onboard memory as storage device 12 so that it can store a sufficient amount of information. The edge computer 62 may also have an AI engine (neural network processing unit: NPU) so that it can perform the learning and inference phases in machine learning.

[0048] Gateway 63 constitutes a connection node between the local area network and the internet, and has performance and specifications equivalent to that of the edge computer 62. Gateway 63 is installed at business establishment 3. One or more gateways 63 are installed at a single business establishment 3. The communication interface 13 of gateway 63 communicates with each of the multiple edge computers 62 belonging to business establishment 3 where gateway 63 is located, via the communication network (LAN). Gateway 63 receives environmental information and operational information from the edge computers 62 via the communication network. If the factory 4 located at business establishment 3 is a single building, the edge computer 62 and gateway 63 may be integrated and configured as a single computer.

[0049] The guest computer 64 is located outside of the business premises 3. For example, the guest computer 64 is installed at a regional base of a service provider that undertakes tasks such as monitoring the status of industrial equipment 2 installed at business premises 3 and performing maintenance inspections. One guest computer 64 is installed at each management base. The guest computer 64 includes a local server. The communication interface 13 of the guest computer 64 communicates with the gateway 63 belonging to business premises 3 via a communication network (Internet). The guest computer 64 receives environmental information and operational information from the gateway 63 via the communication network. If a guest computer 64 is not installed, the gateway 63 and the host computer 65 (described later) will be connected via the communication network.

[0050] The host computer 65 is located outside of the business premises 3. For example, the host computer 65 is installed at the central hub of a service provider. The host computer 65 includes a cloud server. The communication interface 13 of the host computer 65 communicates with each of the multiple guest computers 64 via a communication network (the Internet). The host computer 65 receives environmental information and operational information from the guest computers 64 via the communication network.

[0051] [3] Hierarchical structure Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device 6 according to an embodiment. The multiple information processing devices 6 have a hierarchical structure that transmits environmental information detected by the environmental sensor 5 and operational information generated by the controller 61 from the downstream side to the upstream side. Of the multiple information processing devices 6, the controller 61 to which the environmental sensor 5 is connected is the most downstream (lower layer, lower level) information processing device 6, the edge computer 62 is the next downstream information processing device 6 after the controller 61, the gateway 63 is the next downstream information processing device 6 after the edge computer 62, the guest computer 64 is the next downstream information processing device 6 after the gateway 63, and the host computer 65 is the most upstream (upper layer, higher level) information processing device 6.

[0052] The information processing devices 6 are connected to each other via a communication network. Within buildings and ships, a local area network is used as the communication network, while outside buildings and ships, commercial wide-area networks such as the internet and mobile networks are used. Satellite communication is used for communication between ships and land.

[0053] Environmental information is detected by the environmental sensor 5. The controller 61, which is a lower-level information processing device in the hierarchical structure, acquires real-time environmental information from the environmental sensor 5. The real-time environmental information detected by the environmental sensor 5 and collected by the controller 61 is transmitted from the controller 61 to the edge computer 62 via the communication network. Real-time operational information generated by the controller 61 is also transmitted from the controller 61 to the edge computer 62 via the communication network. The environmental information and operational information transmitted to the edge computer 62 are then transmitted from the edge computer 62 to the gateway 63 via the communication network. The environmental information and operational information transmitted to the gateway 63 are then transmitted from the gateway 63 to the guest computer 64 via the communication network. The environmental information and operational information transmitted to the guest computer 64 are then transmitted from the guest computer 64 to the host computer 65 via the communication network.

[0054] The controller 61 is a lower-level information processing unit in the hierarchical structure. The edge computer 62, gateway 63, and guest computer 64 are intermediate information processing units in the hierarchical structure. The host computer 65 is a higher-level information processing unit in the hierarchical structure.

[0055] The lower-level information processing unit functions as an IoT device to which the environmental sensor 5 is connected. The lower-level information processing unit can transmit various environmental and operational information to the intermediate information processing unit. The intermediate information processing unit functions as a relay between the lower-level information processing unit and the upper-level information processing unit. The intermediate information processing unit can receive various environmental and operational information from the lower-level information processing unit and transmit various environmental and operational information to the upper-level information processing unit. The upper-level information processing unit can receive various environmental and operational information from the intermediate information processing unit. The upper-level information processing unit has an information storage platform. The information storage platform is, for example, an open IoT operating system based on cloud computing, and is capable of systematic storage of information aggregates, etc., as described later. Some or all of the functions realized by the information storage platform may be incorporated into the intermediate information processing unit.

[0056] [4] Functions of information processing equipment As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 6 includes a computer 10 having a processor 11. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing the information processing device 6 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the information processing device 6 includes an information processing engine 31, a maintenance planning engine 32, an operational performance information storage engine 33, a profit acquisition evaluation engine 34, a UI provision engine 35, a target determination engine 36, an information storage platform 51, a database 52, a business activity management application 53, and a cost aggregation application 54. The information processing device 6 implements each engine and each application by executing a program. The database 52 may be a group of databases that handle a wide variety of information, or it may be a component of the information storage platform 51.

[0057] The information processing device 6 is connected to the user terminal 40 in a communicative manner. Examples of the user terminal 40 include a personal computer, a tablet device, and a smartphone. The user terminal 40 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0058] The multiple information processing devices 6 (61, 62, 63, 64, 65) each have, at one or more layers, an information processing engine 31, a maintenance planning engine 32, an operational performance information storage engine 33, a profit evaluation engine 34, a UI provision engine 35, a target determination engine 36, an information storage platform 51, a database 52, a business activity management application 53, and a cost aggregation application 54. In other words, each of the information processing engine 31, maintenance planning engine 32, operational performance information storage engine 33, profit evaluation engine 34, UI provision engine 35, a target determination engine 36, an information storage platform 51, a database 52, a business activity management application 53, and a cost aggregation application 54 can be a functional unit at one or more layers of the multiple information processing devices 6 (61, 62, 63, 64, 65).

[0059] Furthermore, it is preferable that the information processing engine 31 be a functional unit of the edge computer 62 or gateway 63, while the maintenance planning engine 32, operational performance information storage engine 33, profit acquisition evaluation engine 34, UI provision engine 35, target determination engine 36, information storage platform 51, database 52, business activity management application 53, and cost aggregation application 54 are functional units of the host computer 65.

[0060] <4-1> Information Processing Engine The information processing engine 31 performs predefined information processing on acquired environmental information and operational information. The information processing performed by the information processing engine 31 includes batch processing to adjust time-series environmental information and operational information to the required time granularity. The information processing performed by the information processing engine 31 also includes grouping processing to integrate multiple environmental information and operational information of different types into an information set linked to the hierarchical level of industrial activity.

[0061] (4-1-1) Generation process of real-time environmental information and real-time operational information The generation process for real-time environmental information and real-time operation information is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the lower-level information processing device. Alternatively, the generation process for real-time environmental information and real-time operation information may be performed in the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device or the information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device.

[0062] The information processing engine 31 acquires and stores real-time environmental information from the environmental sensor 5 at predetermined sampling intervals. The information processing engine 31 has functions such as A / D conversion to convert analog signals from the environmental sensor 5 into digital signals, substitution of A / D values ​​with measured sample values, selection of measured sample values, moving average function of measured sample values, and period or frequency measurement function of pulse signals, and uses these functions to calculate confirmed measured values ​​in real time.

[0063] If the environmental sensor 5 is a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, or water level sensor, the information processing engine 31 reads the analog signal from the environmental sensor 5 at a predetermined sampling interval (approximately 10-25 ms), quantizes it, and converts it into a digital signal to calculate an A / D value. The information processing engine 31 processes the results of the most recent N samplings at each sampling timing, and takes the average of the A / D values ​​for M (=N-4) samples, excluding the first and second largest values ​​and the first and second smallest values, as the final A / D value. The information processing engine 31 generates temperature, pressure, or water level as real-time environmental information from the final A / D value by referring to a judgment table or using a calculation formula. The information processing engine 31 also determines whether the environmental sensor 5 is normal or abnormal according to the final A / D value.

[0064] If the environmental sensor 5 is a flow sensor, the information processing engine 31 measures the pulse width as the interval from one falling edge to the next falling edge of a pulse signal obtained by converting a sine wave signal to a square wave signal. The pulse width is counted with the period time of the count clock as 1 unit. The information processing engine 31 updates the pulse width at predetermined sampling intervals (approximately 100 ms) and calculates a sample value of the instantaneous flow rate by dividing the pulse constant (L / P: liters per pulse) by the pulse width. At each sampling timing, the information processing engine 31 processes the results of the most recent N samplings and generates the latest instantaneous flow rate as real-time environmental information from the average value of M (=N-2) samples excluding the maximum and minimum values. The information processing engine 31 detects the number of times the falling edge of the pulse signal is detected every second as the pulse count (P / s). At the pulse count update timing, the information processing engine 31 adds the flow rate obtained by multiplying the pulse count by the pulse constant to the previous cumulative flow rate to generate the latest cumulative flow rate as real-time environmental information.

[0065] If the environmental sensor 5 is an EC sensor, the information processing engine 31 calculates a confirmed A / D value using the same processing as for the temperature sensor, and calculates the electrical conductivity value by applying a predetermined calculation formula according to the range of the confirmed A / D value. Furthermore, the information processing engine 31 applies a correction coefficient to compensate for variations in individual sensor differences and temperature data measured by the temperature sensor to generate electrical conductivity converted to 25°C as real-time environmental information.

[0066] If the environmental sensor 5 is a power sensor (power monitor), the information processing engine 31 acquires instantaneous power sample values ​​from the power sensor at a predetermined sampling period (approximately 80-100 ms), adds up (sums up) all the sample values ​​for each sampling interval Δt for one period, and averages them over that period T to obtain real-time environmental information of instantaneous power [W]. When the instantaneous power for each sampling period is accumulated, it becomes real-time environmental information of the accumulated power. If one period is 1 second, the unit of the accumulated value is [W·s], and if this is multiplied by 3600, the unit becomes [W·h].

[0067] The information processing engine 31 acquires and stores real-time operation information from the controller 61 at predetermined sampling intervals. For example, the controller 61 transmits an "operating" signal when the industrial equipment 2 is operating normally and transmits an "abnormal stop" signal when it has stopped due to an abnormality. The information processing engine 31 uses the "operating" signal received via the input / output interface 14 to measure the uptime (actual operating time information) of the industrial equipment 2 in real time. The information processing engine 31 also uses the abnormal stop signal received via the input / output interface 14 to measure the downtime (non-operating time information) of the industrial equipment 2 in real time.

[0068] The time granularity of real-time environmental information and real-time operational information depends on the sampling interval or recording interval, and is generally quite fine (for example, the latest values ​​are updated at intervals of 10ms to 1s). When multiple types of real-time environmental information are used to calculate other information (real-time values ​​such as boiler efficiency, differential pressure, and permeate flux) at the time of updating the real-time environmental information, the information processing engine 31 also treats the other information as real-time environmental information. The information processing engine 31 transmits the real-time environmental information to the higher-level information processing device 6 along with an identification number (measurement item ID, device ID, location ID, etc.) and the update time.

[0069] (4-1-2) Batch Processing Real-time environmental information and real-time operational information are time-series data that are generated sequentially over time by the information processing engine 31. Batch processing refers to the process of adjusting the time-series real-time environmental information and real-time operational information to the required time granularity. Time granularity is an indicator that represents the degree of fineness of time, and can be selected from, for example, seconds, minutes, hours, or days. In the following explanation, the environmental information and operational information that have undergone batch processing may be referred to as "batch environmental information" and "batch operational information."

[0070] When batch processing is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the lower-level information processing device, the controller 61 includes a microcomputer 61A and a programmable logic controller 61B, so it is preferable to perform batch processing that takes into account the difference in processing capabilities. For example, the microcomputer 61A has high processing capabilities, which makes it possible to make the time granularity of real-time environmental information and real-time operational information finer than that of the programmable logic controller 61B. Therefore, it is preferable for the microcomputer 61A to perform batch processing in accordance with the programmable logic controller 61B, which has coarser time granularity.

[0071] When batch processing is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device, the edge computer 62 acquires real-time environmental information from the controller 61 at predetermined intervals, stores it for a predetermined period, performs batch processing, and processes it into batch environmental information with adjusted time granularity. The intermediate information processing device continuously collects and accumulates real-time environmental information, for example, at 1-second intervals. If the real-time environmental information is temperature, pressure, or instantaneous flow rate, the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device calculates an average value by dividing the accumulated value of the real-time environmental information by the number of accumulations when a predetermined period is reached, and uses the calculated average value as the batch environmental information. If the real-time environmental information is the accumulated flow rate or power consumption per unit time period, the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device uses the accumulated value of the real-time environmental information as the batch environmental information. When the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device processes the accumulated real-time environmental information into batch environmental information, it also treats other information (COP, specific energy, etc.) calculated using multiple types of batch environmental information as batch environmental information.

[0072] Furthermore, when batch processing is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device instead of the intermediate information processing device, real-time environmental information transmitted from the information processing engine 31 of the lower-level information processing device to the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device is acquired at predetermined intervals, stored for a predetermined period, and then batch processed to create batch environmental information with adjusted time granularity. The content of the batch processing can be the same as when it is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device.

[0073] Batch operation information is, for example, real-time operation information that has been thresholded at the required time granularity. For example, this could involve thresholding the combustion stage of a steam boiler at predetermined intervals, or thresholding the rotational load rate of an air compressor at predetermined intervals.

[0074] The time granularity of batch environment information and batch operation information should preferably be at a level that can be used at least for calculating or evaluating operational performance values, as described later, in the information utilization process associated with providing services to customers. For example, it can be selected from 0.5 hours, 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours. Batch environment information and batch operation information with this level of time granularity can also be used for optimization diagnostic simulations of industrial machinery or production equipment (such as reviewing control setpoints and control patterns, and predicting the effects of equipment modifications). In addition, the calculation or evaluation of environmental impacts (such as carbon dioxide emissions and hazardous substance emissions) may be included in the calculation or evaluation of energy performance values.

[0075] (4-1-3) Grouping process Grouping refers to the process of integrating multiple types of environmental and operational information (real-time environmental information, batch environmental information, real-time operational information, batch operational information) into an information set linked to the hierarchical level of industrial activity.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4, the hierarchical levels of industrial activity include one or more levels from among the following: individual machine level, machine group level, cell level, line level, building level, and establishment level.

[0077] The individual machine level refers to a level where operational performance values ​​are managed, for example, for individual industrial equipment such as steam boilers, heat pumps, and air compressors.

[0078] The machine group level is a level that manages operational performance values, for example, when multiple industrial equipment units such as steam boilers, heat pumps, and air compressors are installed.

[0079] The cell level is the level used to manage the operational performance of distributed industrial equipment 2 attached to one or more cells in a site employing a cell production system.

[0080] The line level is the level used to manage the operational performance of distributed industrial equipment 2 attached to one or more lines (such as a container molding line or beverage filling and sterilization line in a beverage manufacturing plant) in a workplace employing a line production system.

[0081] The building level is the level at which the operational performance values ​​of industrial equipment 2 are managed, targeting the individual building units (units of Factory 1 4A and Factory 2 4B) dispersed within the site of Business Establishment 3.

[0082] The establishment level is the level at which operational performance values ​​of industrial equipment 2 are managed, covering the entire site of establishment 3 (both Factory 1A and Factory 2B).

[0083] When grouping processing is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device (host computer 65), the information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device picks up multiple batch environment information and batch operation information necessary for calculating or evaluating operational performance values ​​from the diverse batch environment information and batch operation information generated by the edge computer 62 and performs grouping processing. The information set that has undergone this grouping processing is stored in the information storage platform for the period necessary for history management (for example, the past 12 months). Alternatively, the information set may be one which has been picked up and grouped the multiple batch environment information and batch operation information necessary for demand management of utilities (hot water, steam, compressed air, treated water) of the demand equipment 8.

[0084] When grouping processing is performed in the information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device (edge ​​computer 62), the information processing engine 31 of the edge computer 62 can perform the grouping processing while simultaneously performing the batch processing described above. The content of the grouping processing can be the same as that performed in the information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device.

[0085] The time granularity of the batch environment information and batch operation information that constitute the information set is basically consistent, and each information set is accompanied by information on the storage period of the real-time environment information that is based on the batch environment information and the real-time operation information that is based on the batch operation information.

[0086] The following describes an example of grouping processing. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device performs batch environmental information grouping processing for the purpose of energy management of the heat recovery air compressor, demand management of the heat recovery air compressor, energy management of the heat pump, demand management of the heat pump, energy management of the steam boiler, and demand management of the steam boiler. The batch environmental information that has undergone grouping processing is stored in the information storage platform 51. The time granularity of the batch environmental information subject to grouping processing is, for example, in units of 30 minutes or 1 hour.

[0087] (4-1-3-1) Energy management of heat recovery type air compressors A heat recovery air compressor is equipped with a heat recovery heat exchanger that recovers the heat of compression contained in compressed air and lubricating oil to generate hot water from the cooling water. The information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device acquires real-time environmental information corresponding to each sensor from a lower-level information processing device to which temperature sensors, flow sensors, and power sensors are connected, and generates batch environmental information. The batch environmental information includes the discharge air volume [m³ 3 [kWh], power consumption [kWh], average inlet water temperature [°C], average outlet water temperature [°C], and cumulative hot water volume [m³] 3 This includes [ ]. The higher-level information processing device generates an information set by grouping these multiple types of batch environment information. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device uses the batch environment information integrated into the information set to process the specific energy [kW / m 3 Calculate the energy recovery rate [%].

[0088] (4-1-3-2) Demand management of heat recovery air compressors The information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device acquires real-time environmental information corresponding to the sensors, etc., from the lower-level information processing device to which the flow sensor and the contact signal output of the air supply valve are connected, and generates batch environmental information. The batch environmental information includes the discharge air volume [m³ 3 [h], air consumption [m³] 3 This includes the [h] batch environment information and the cumulative open time [h] of the air supply valve. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device generates an information set by grouping these multiple types of batch environment information. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device calculates the operating rate [%] of the demand equipment using the batch environment information integrated into the information set. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device also diagnoses whether there is any leak loss in the air transport piping network by comparing the discharge air amount and consumption air amount integrated into the information set. The air supply valve is installed at the end of the air transport piping and is opened when compressed air is used by the load equipment.

[0089] (4-1-3-3) Energy management of heat pumps The machinery and equipment subject to management include air-source heat pumps and water-source heat pumps. The information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device acquires real-time environmental information corresponding to each sensor from lower-level information processing devices to which temperature sensors, flow sensors, and power sensors are connected, and generates batch environmental information. The batch environmental information includes the average inlet water temperature [°C], the average outlet water temperature [°C], and the cumulative amount of hot water [m³]. 3 This includes [various types of batch environment information], power consumption [kWh], and average heat source temperature [°C]. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device generates an information set by grouping these multiple types of batch environment information. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device calculates the coefficient of performance (COP) and heat supply amount [W] using the batch environment information integrated into the information set.

[0090] (4-1-3-4) Demand management of heat pumps When using the hot water generated by a heat pump in a demand facility, there are two modes: sequentially supplying hot water to the demand facility and circulating hot water in the demand facility. In the former mode, the hot water itself is consumed and waste hot water is generated. In the latter mode, only the thermal energy of the hot water is consumed and the hot water after heat utilization is refluxed. The information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device acquires real-time environmental information corresponding to each sensor from the lower-level information processing device to which a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, etc. are connected, and generates batch environmental information. In the mode of consuming hot water in the demand facility, the batch environmental information includes the average forward temperature [°C], the average drainage temperature [°C], and the average hot water supply flow rate [m 3 / h], etc. In the mode of consuming hot water in the demand facility, the average forward temperature [°C], the average return temperature [°C], and the average circulation flow rate [m 3 / h], etc. are included. The information processing engine 31 of the upper-level information processing device generates an information aggregate obtained by grouping these multiple types of batch environmental information. The information processing engine 31 of the upper-level information processing device calculates the heat consumption [W] using the batch environmental information integrated in the information aggregate.

[0091] (4-1-3-5) Energy Management of Steam Boilers The information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device acquires real-time environmental information corresponding to each sensor from the lower-level information processing device to which a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, etc. are connected, and generates batch environmental information. The batch environmental information includes the average header air supply pressure [MPa], the average feed water temperature [°C], the integrated steam supply amount [m 3 , the integrated fuel consumption amount [m 3This includes the average boiler efficiency [%] and the average blowdown rate [%]. Boiler efficiency and blowdown rate are calculated based on multiple types of real-time environmental information. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device generates an information set by grouping these multiple types of batch environmental information. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device calculates the heat supply amount [W] and energy efficiency [%] using the batch environmental information integrated into the information set. Note that the heat gain of boiler feedwater due to drain recovery and heat pump heating, and the heat loss due to concentrated blowdown affect fuel consumption and change the apparent boiler efficiency, so boiler efficiency and blowdown rate are integrated into the information set as relevant batch environmental information.

[0092] (4-1-3-6) Demand management of steam boilers The information processing engine 31 of the intermediate information processing device acquires real-time environmental information corresponding to each sensor from lower-level information processing devices to which temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and flow rate sensors are connected, and generates batch environmental information. The batch environmental information includes the average terminal feed steam pressure [MPa], the average terminal exhaust steam pressure [MPa], and the cumulative steam amount [m³]. 3 This includes [various elements]. The information processing engine 31 of the higher-level information processing device calculates the heat consumption [W] and heat arrival [W] using the batch environment information integrated into the information set. If the batch environment information related to the heat supply, heat consumption, and heat delivery is integrated prior to the calculation of each, the heat dissipation loss can be evaluated by calculating the difference between the heat supply and heat delivery.

[0093] <4-2> Information Storage Platform The information storage platform 51 stores various types of information, such as numerical data, images, and documents, in the storage device 12, and also provides an environment that serves as the foundation for operating software (engines, applications) and hardware. The information storage platform 51 is composed of, for example, an operating system and a database, and centrally manages a wide variety of big data, enabling smooth processing and utilization of information. The information storage platform 51 has a function to convert different data formats at each hierarchical level into a unified format.

[0094] The information storage platform 51 stores environmental information and operational information in the storage device 12 so that the environmental sensor 5, industrial equipment 2, detection date and time, etc. can be identified. The information storage platform 51 stores environmental information and operational information that have undergone prescribed information processing by the information processing engine 31, as well as various registration information registered via the input device, in the storage device 12. The information storage platform 37 may also be configured to reproduce the operating state and operating environment of the industrial equipment 2 that exists in physical space as a digital twin in virtual space using the stored environmental information and operational information.

[0095] Figure 6 shows an example of an information storage platform 51 according to an embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 6, the information storage platform 51 stores environmental information and operational information that have undergone specified information processing by the information processing engine 31, linking them together. The information storage platform 51 stores multiple types of environmental information and operational information (real-time environmental information, batch environmental information, real-time operational information, batch operational information) linked to the hierarchical levels of industrial activity. The hierarchical levels of industrial activity include the machine level, machine group level, cell level, line level, building level, office level, etc.

[0096] <4-3> Maintenance Planning Engine Returning to Figure 5, the maintenance planning engine 32 plans the timing of maintenance service provision for the industrial equipment 2 based on environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51. Maintenance includes before maintenance and after maintenance. Before maintenance refers to maintenance performed before an abnormality occurs in the industrial equipment 2. After maintenance refers to maintenance performed after an abnormality occurs in the industrial equipment 2. Before maintenance includes condition-based maintenance (CBM) and time-based maintenance (TBM). Condition-based maintenance is the most preferred maintenance method because it reduces unnecessary work compared to time-based maintenance. In this embodiment, the maintenance planning engine 32 sets the timing of condition-based maintenance provision mainly by judging signs of abnormality from changes in environmental information. The maintenance planning engine 32 sets the timing of time-based maintenance provision mainly based on operational information (for example, when the cumulative operating time since the last inspection reaches a specified time).

[0097] <4-4> Operational Performance Information Storage Engine The operational performance information storage engine 33 sequentially generates operational performance information for the industrial equipment 2 using environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51, and stores the generated operational performance information in the information storage platform 51. The operational performance information storage engine 33 sequentially generates operational performance information such as operational performance values, energy performance values, and quality performance values ​​using the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51. For example, the operational performance information storage engine 33 generates operational performance information every hour and stores the generated operational performance information in the information storage platform 51.

[0098] The operational performance information storage engine 33 includes an operational performance value calculation module 33A, an energy performance value calculation module 33B, and a quality performance value calculation module 33C.

[0099] (4-4-1) Operational Performance Value Calculation Module The operational information stored in the information storage platform 51 includes actual operating time information linked to the normal state of the industrial equipment 2 and non-operating time information linked to the abnormal state.

[0100] The operational performance calculation module 33A calculates operational performance values ​​as operational performance information based on actual operating time information and non-operating time information. Operational performance values ​​are indicator values ​​that show the operational performance of industrial equipment 2. The higher the operational performance value, the less frequently the equipment is stopped due to abnormalities, and the more positively it has impacted the user's main business (production of goods, provision of services) (increased production efficiency, increased service provision efficiency).

[0101] The operational performance value is determined by the ratio of actual operating time (the sum of operating time and standby time (output standby, warm-up time, etc.)) associated with the normal state of industrial equipment 2 (machinery and equipment) during the operating hours of factory 4, and non-operating time (the sum of abnormal stop time and recovery time) associated with abnormal conditions (downtime). If multiple units of the same type of machine or equipment are installed, there are cases where the operational performance value is calculated for each unit, and cases where the operational performance value is calculated for the entire group. In the latter case, if at least one unit is running, it is considered to be in operation, and the operational performance value is calculated accordingly. The operational performance value is calculated based on the following (Equation 1). The denominator, the sum of actual operating time and non-operating time, is also called load time. Operating performance [%] = Actual operating time / (Actual operating time + Non-operating time) × 100 …(Equation 1)

[0102] (4-4-2) Energy Performance Calculation Module The environmental information stored in the information storage platform 51 includes input energy information and output energy information for the industrial equipment.

[0103] The energy performance calculation module 33B calculates energy performance values ​​as operational performance information based on input energy information and output energy information. Energy performance values ​​are indicator values ​​that show the energy performance of industrial equipment 2. The higher the energy performance value, the less energy is wasted, and the more positively it has impacted the user's main business (production of goods, provision of services) (reduction of energy costs, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions).

[0104] Energy performance values ​​are indicators showing the operational performance of industrial equipment 2 (utility conversion machinery and equipment), and, with some exceptions, are basically expressed as a ratio in which the input amount of the primary utility is the denominator and the output amount of the secondary utility is the numerator. Energy performance values ​​include energy conversion efficiency [%], energy recovery efficiency [%], and media generation efficiency [m 3 Examples include [J] and energy transport efficiency [%].

[0105] (4-4-3) Quality Performance Value Calculation Module The environmental information stored in the information storage platform 51 includes information on the actual quality level of media or goods produced by the industrial equipment 2.

[0106] The Quality Performance Value Calculation Module 33C calculates the quality performance value as operational performance information based on actual quality level information and user-required quality level information. The quality performance value is an index value that indicates the quality performance of the industrial equipment 2. The higher the quality performance value, the better the quality, and the more positively it impacts the user's main business (production of goods, provision of services) (continuity of business activities through the production of high-quality products, sterilized items, and cleaned items).

[0107] Examples of quality performance values ​​include the quality performance values ​​for steam supply pressure, hot or chilled water supply temperature, and compressed air supply pressure. The quality performance value [%] for steam supply pressure is calculated as A / (A+B)×100, where A is the boiler operating time when the supply pressure is greater than or equal to the required pressure, and B is the boiler operating time when the supply pressure is less than the required pressure, during the predetermined operating period of the steam boiler. The quality performance value [%] for hot water supply temperature is calculated as A / (A+B)×100, where A is the heat pump operating time when the supply temperature is greater than or equal to the required temperature, and B is the heat pump operating time when the supply temperature is less than the required temperature, during the predetermined operating period of the heat pump. The quality performance value [%] for chilled water supply temperature is calculated as A / (A+B)×100, where A is the chiller operating time when the supply temperature is less than or equal to the required temperature, and B is the chiller operating time when the supply temperature is greater than the required temperature, during the predetermined operating period of the chiller. The quality performance value [%] of the compressed air supply pressure is calculated as A / (A+B)×100, where A is the time the air compressor is operating when the supply pressure is greater than or equal to the required pressure, and B is the time the air compressor is operating when the supply pressure is less than the required pressure, during the air compressor's predetermined operating period.

[0108] <4-5> Profit Earning Evaluation Engine The profit evaluation engine 34 evaluates the profits earned by the equipment user through the provision of maintenance services based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information. Furthermore, the profit evaluation engine 34 evaluates the profits earned by the equipment user through the provision of maintenance services and value-added services based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information.

[0109] Profit earned is the monetary benefit that the customer (equipment user) was able to obtain through the use of maintenance services and / or value-added services, and serves as a cost indicator that shows the value of the service group. For example, the profit earned evaluation engine 34 evaluates profit earned using operational performance information at the target time (for example, the end of each month after the service provision month) and operational performance information at a reference time prior to the target time (for example, the time when signs of a malfunction (abnormal stop, inefficiency deterioration, quality defect) were detected). If the operational performance information improves between the reference time and the target time, the profit earned will be positive, and conversely, if it declines, the profit earned will be negative. Therefore, the profit earned evaluation engine 34 evaluates positive profit earned based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information. Profit earned is the result of reducing opportunity losses, power losses, and waste losses and converting them into profit. For this reason, the reference time is the time when a high-risk state is reached where losses will begin to increase if left unattended.

[0110] Ideally, the profits earned should exceed the service usage fee (service fee), and the maintenance provider is expected to increase their revenue by either reflecting a portion of the excess profits in the service usage fee beforehand or receiving it retrospectively as a service fee. The profit evaluation engine 34 visualizes the value of the service group by graphically displaying the magnitude of the profits earned on a designated screen of the user portal accessible from the user terminal via the UI provision engine 35 described later, or by including the estimated amount of profits earned in the monthly report provided through the user portal. The function to graphically display the magnitude of profits earned is provided, for example, through an operational performance management application. It should be noted that showing customers a lump sum of profits earned over a certain period has a greater impact on the magnitude of the value (amount), so it may be better to evaluate monthly profits, for example.

[0111] (4-5-1) Evaluation of first profits earned based on first operational performance information (operating performance values) The profit valuation engine 34 converts the downtime reduction time of production equipment into a cost. For example, the lost profit due to missed manufacturing opportunities during downtime (which naturally reduces production efficiency) can be called opportunity cost (quantity of products that could not be produced × expected sales profit per product). Since opportunity cost is caused by equipment operation, lost profit is added to running costs, reducing the depreciation rate of the equipment. Reducing opportunity cost through the use of maintenance services and value-added services helps to suppress equipment lifecycle costs. Downtime reduction time for the current month [h] = Virtual downtime for the current month [h] - Actual downtime for the current month [h] = Load time for the current month [h] × ((1 - Operating performance value before service provision [%]) - (1 - Operating performance value at the end of the current month [%])) Monthly first profit [¥] = Monthly downtime reduction time [h] × Planned quantity of manufactured goods per hour [units / h] × Expected sales profit per manufactured item [¥ / unit]

[0112] Load time refers to the time throughout a month during which equipment must be operational, excluding downtime scheduled for production and maintenance. Load time is the sum of uptime and downtime.

[0113] (4-5-2) Evaluation of Second Earnings Based on Second Operational Performance Information (Energy Performance Values) The profit valuation engine 34 converts the amount of energy loss reduced by improving the efficiency of production equipment into a cost. The profit lost due to energy loss can be called power loss. Since power loss occurs due to equipment operation, the lost profit is added to running costs, reducing the depreciation rate of the equipment. Reducing power loss through the use of maintenance services and value-added services reduces the equipment lifecycle cost. Energy loss reduction amount for the current month [J] = Virtual energy loss for the current month [J] - Actual energy loss for the current month [J] =Target energy consumption for the current month [J] × (1 - Energy performance value before service provision [%]) - (1 - Energy performance value at the end of the current month [%])) Secondary profit for the current month [¥] = Amount of energy loss reduction for the current month [J] × Energy cost per unit [¥ / J] • City gas energy unit price [¥ / J] = purchase unit price [¥ / m] 3 ]÷Lower Heating Value [J / m 3 ] • Energy price per unit of kerosene and heavy oil [¥ / J] = Purchase price per unit [¥ / kg] ÷ Lower heating value [J / kg] • Electricity energy cost per unit [¥ / J] = Purchase price per unit [¥ / Wh] ÷ 3600 [J / Wh]

[0114] For fuel and electricity usage ratios, for example, they can be determined from last month's actual figures, and the second-stage profit gained from reducing energy loss in fuel and the second-stage profit gained from reducing energy loss in electricity can be calculated separately and then summed up.

[0115] The target energy usage is the planned amount of energy to be used throughout the month based on the production plan. For example, the profit-earning engine 34 estimates this from the amount of electricity consumed and fuel consumed, assuming that the equipment operates under load conditions while maintaining its initial performance.

[0116] (4-5-3) Evaluation of Profits Earned Based on Third-Part Operational Performance Information (Quality Performance Values) The profit valuation engine 34 converts the amount of waste reduced due to improved production equipment quality into a cost. Lost profits resulting from the disposal of products that do not meet standards and specifications due to poor equipment quality (reduced productivity) can be called waste losses (quantity of products to be discarded × selling price per product: selling price is the sum of manufacturing cost and expected profit). Since waste losses are caused by equipment operation, lost profits are added to running costs, reducing the depreciation rate of the equipment. Reducing waste losses through the use of maintenance services and value-added services reduces the equipment lifecycle cost. Quantity of waste reduction for the current month [pieces] = Virtual waste quantity for the current month [units] - Actual waste quantity for the current month [units] =Target production quantity for the current month [units] × ((1 - Quality performance value at the time of service provision [%]) - (1 - Quality performance value at the end of the current month [%])) Monthly profit earned [¥] = Quantity of waste reduced this month [units] × Selling price per unit [¥ / unit] The target production quantity is the amount of manufactured goods that must be produced throughout the month based on the production plan. The target production quantity can also be called the planned production quantity.

[0117] <4-6> UI provision engine The UI provisioning engine 35 provides a user interface (UI) for displaying the profits earned by the equipment user on the user terminal 40. The UI provisioning engine 35 provides a user interface for displaying the first, second, and third profits earned, which have been evaluated by the profit evaluation engine 34, on the user terminal 40. The UI provisioning engine 35 is a means for equipment users (customers) to connect with maintenance providers via ICT. The UI provisioning engine 35 provides a customer portal (UI screen) to the user terminal 40. From the user terminal 41, users can access the portal site created and distributed by the UI provisioning engine 35 and use various applications displayed on the portal page.

[0118] The applications provided through the customer portal consist of a set of basic applications available to all facility users and a set of additional applications available to facility users who request them. When a facility user accesses the portal site, a portal page with a screen configuration corresponding to the logged-in facility user is generated. The portal page offers multiple customizable layout forms, for example, depending on the industry.

[0119] <4-7> Database Figure 7 shows an example of a database 52 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the database 52 includes a payment history database 521 and a cost history database 522.

[0120] (4-7-1) Payment History Database The payment history database 521 records the history of service fees paid by equipment users to receive at least maintenance services. The payment history database 521 records the history of service fees paid by equipment users to the principal maintenance company responsible for equipment maintenance activities and the sub-maintenance companies that assist in equipment maintenance activities when they receive maintenance services and value-added services. Service fees include, for example, labor fees, technical fees, consulting fees, etc. The payment history database 521 is used by the target determination engine to aggregate service fees over a period (for example, service fees per month).

[0121] (4-7-2) Cost History Database The cost history database 522 records the history of various costs (equipment lifecycle costs) incurred during the lifecycle of the industrial equipment 2. The cost history database 522 is accessed by the business activity management application 53 and the cost aggregation application 54, which will be described later. The cost history database 522 records several types of cost information, such as initial costs, running costs, renewal costs, and maintenance costs. Since maintenance costs include service fees, the service fee history database 521 may be integrated into the cost history database 522.

[0122] (4-7-2-1) Initial Cost Initial costs are the costs incurred for introducing and installing (newly installed or expanded) industrial equipment 2. Initial costs include, for example, the price of the machinery and equipment itself, accessories, pipe fittings, construction materials, labor costs, technical fees, and other compensation (remuneration).

[0123] (4-7-2-2) Running costs Running costs are the costs incurred for the operation and management of industrial equipment 2. Running costs include, for example, energy costs for procuring fuel, electricity, etc., water costs for procuring raw water and wastewater (fees for public water, industrial water, and sewage), and management costs for maintaining and repairing transport pipelines and power transmission lines.

[0124] (4-7-2-3) Renewal Costs Renewal costs are the costs incurred for updating (replacing) industrial equipment 2. Similar to initial costs, renewal costs include, for example, the price of the machinery and equipment itself, accessories, pipe fittings, construction materials, labor costs, technical fees, and other compensation (remuneration). Renewal costs may also include the cost and compensation for the dismantling and disposal of the old equipment.

[0125] (4-7-2-4) Maintenance costs Maintenance costs include the service fees paid when receiving maintenance services or value-added services from the principal maintenance company responsible for equipment maintenance activities and the sub-maintenance companies that assist in equipment maintenance activities, as well as the cost of items required for maintenance work. Service fees include, for example, labor fees, technical fees, consulting fees, etc.

[0126] <4-8> Target Determination Engine Returning to Figure 5, the target determination engine 36 determines priority targets for improving operational performance information based on a comparison of service fees and profits earned. Service fees are the expenses incurred to receive maintenance services and / or value-added services. Based on service fees and profits earned during the same period, the target determination engine 36 determines priority targets from among the operational performance values, energy performance values, and quality performance values ​​that constitute the operational performance information, where improvements in performance values ​​are expected to increase the profits earned (customer's recovery amount) relative to service fees (customer's investment). Specifically, the target determination engine 36 calculates the period service fees, first profits earned, second profits earned, and third profits earned for the period from the base date (e.g., the end of last month) to the target date (e.g., the end of this month), calculates the ratio of each profit earned to the period service fees as the first recovery rate, second recovery rate, and third recovery rate, respectively, and selects the smallest one as the minimum recovery rate. Then, the target determination engine 36 determines the operational performance information corresponding to the minimum recovery rate as the priority target. Priority targets are reported, for example, through maintenance service providers' maintenance support portal sites and action plan management applications built for their service technicians. Meanwhile, maintenance service providers can aim to maximize their profits by providing maintenance services or proposing value-added services to these priority targets.

[0127] The first, second, and third recovery rates are calculated as follows: First recovery rate [%] = First profit earned [¥] ÷ Service fee for the period [¥] × 100 Second recovery rate [%] = Second profit earned [¥] ÷ Service fee for the period [¥] × 100 Third recovery rate [%] = Third profit earned [¥] ÷ Service fee for the period [¥] × 100

[0128] <4-9> Business Activity Management Application The business activity management application 53 is an application available to businesses that conduct at least one of the following businesses: sales, leases, installations, operations, and maintenance of industrial equipment 2. Businesses that conduct at least one of the following businesses: sales, leases, installations, operations, and maintenance of industrial equipment 2 include, for example, cases where sales, leases, and maintenance are performed by the same business, or where these tasks are divided among different businesses. Maintenance also includes cases where the work is divided between a principal maintenance company and auxiliary maintenance companies.

[0129] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a business activity management application 53 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, when cost information 700 of the required business activities performed on the industrial equipment 2 is input to the business activity management application 53, the cost information 700 is classified and then recorded in the cost history database 522. The cost information 700 may include, for example, information such as the name of the business operator that performed the business activity and the name of the person in charge.

[0130] The business activity management application 53 sequentially executes reception processing 531, classification processing 532, and recording processing 533. Reception processing 531 receives input of date information 710 for the required business activities (sale, lease, installation, operation, and maintenance) performed on the industrial equipment 2, as well as cost information 700 consisting of the price, consideration, and account title received from the equipment user. Classification processing 532 classifies the received cost information 700 into one of the following categories according to the account title: initial cost, running cost, renewal cost, and maintenance cost. Recording processing 533 records the four classified types of cost information 700 together with the date information 710 in the cost history database 522.

[0131] <4-10> Cost aggregation application The cost aggregation application 54 extracts classified cost information 700 for one or more specified periods from the cost history database 522, calculates the total cost for each specified period, and then displays it on the user portal screen provided by the UI provisioning engine.

[0132] The cost aggregation application 54, for example, displays running cost summaries and maintenance cost summaries by switching between them using tabs. On each screen, the cost aggregation application 54 displays monthly and annual summaries for the past year from the date of use in a table format, and also allows printing. The cost aggregation application 54 may also include a button function to create and display a trend graph from the table. The specified period may be a calendar year or fiscal year instead of the date of use as the base date. The base month may also be specified using a calendar or similar.

[0133] The total cost summary for each specified period refers to, for example, the equipment lifecycle cost for each year, and running costs, renewal costs, and maintenance costs are aggregated and displayed chronologically for each calendar year or fiscal year. It is preferable to provide a dedicated screen for managing the trend of equipment lifecycle costs.

[0134] [5] Visualization of service value in equipment lifecycle costs The Industrial Equipment Operation Support System 1 enables the visualization of service value in equipment lifecycle costs. Minimizing opportunity losses, energy losses, and waste losses resulting from the provision of maintenance services and / or value-added services leads to a reduction in running costs; therefore, the visualization of service value is important for cost control of equipment lifecycle costs. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for visualizing service value using the Industrial Equipment Operation Support System 1 according to the embodiment.

[0135] As shown in Figure 9, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses an information processing engine 31 to perform predefined information processing on environmental information and operational information (step S11). The information storage platform 51 stores the environmental information and operational information that has undergone the prescribed information processing by the information processing engine 31. In other words, the information storage platform 51 stores multiple types of environmental information and operational information (real-time environmental information, batch environmental information, real-time operational information, batch operational information) linked to the hierarchical level of industrial activity.

[0136] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses a maintenance planning engine 32 to plan the timing of maintenance service provision for the industrial equipment 2 based on environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51 (step S12). For example, the maintenance planning engine 32 sets the timing of condition-based maintenance provision by determining signs of abnormalities from changes in environmental information. For example, the maintenance planning engine 32 sets the timing of time-based maintenance provision based on operational information.

[0137] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses the operation performance information storage engine 33 to sequentially generate operation performance information for the industrial equipment 2 using environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51, and stores the generated operation performance information in the information storage platform 51 (step S13). More specifically, the operation performance information storage engine 33 executes the operation performance value calculation module 33A to calculate the operation performance value as operation performance information based on actual operating time information and non-operating time information, and stores the operation performance value in the information storage platform 51. The operation performance information storage engine 33 also executes the energy performance value calculation module 33B to calculate the energy performance value as operation performance information based on input energy information and output energy information, and stores the energy performance value in the information storage platform 51. Furthermore, the operation performance information storage engine 33 executes the quality performance value calculation module 33C to calculate the quality performance value as operation performance information based on actual quality level information and user-requested quality level information, and stores the quality performance value in the information storage platform 51.

[0138] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses a profit-earning evaluation engine 34 to evaluate the profits earned by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services and value-added services based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information (step S14). Specifically, the profit-earning evaluation engine 34 evaluates the profits earned using operational performance information at the target time and operational performance information at a reference time prior to the target time (for example, the time when signs of malfunction events (abnormal stoppage, efficiency deterioration, quality defects) were detected), and stores the evaluation results in a storage device 12, etc. That is, the profit-earning evaluation engine 34 evaluates the profits earned by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services and value-added services based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information during the period from the reference time to the target time, and stores the evaluation results in a storage device 12, etc. More specifically, the profit-earning evaluation engine 34 evaluates the first profits earned based on the first operational performance information (operational performance value) and stores the evaluation results in a storage device 12, etc. Furthermore, the profit-earning evaluation engine 34 evaluates the second profits earned based on the second operational performance information (energy performance value) and stores the evaluation results in a storage device 12, etc. Furthermore, the profit acquisition evaluation engine 34 evaluates the third profit acquisition based on the third operational performance information (quality performance value) and stores the evaluation result in the storage device 12, etc.

[0139] The industrial equipment operation support system 1, via the communication interface 13, displays the profits earned by the equipment user on the user terminal 40 using the UI provision engine 35 (step S15). For example, the UI provision engine 35 operates to provide a user portal to the user terminal 40 (i.e., create and distribute a portal site). By accessing the portal site from the user terminal 40, the profits earned are displayed on a predetermined portal page. This allows the industrial equipment operation support system 1 to visualize the value of services such as maintenance services received by the equipment user as profits earned. Steps S11 to S14 may be processed in a loop, and step S15 may be an interrupt process for the loop processing.

[0140] [6] Optimization of equipment life cycle costs Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the optimization of equipment lifecycle costs using the industrial equipment operation support system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0141] As shown in Figure 10, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses the operation performance information storage engine 33 to sequentially generate first operation performance information (operation performance value), second operation performance information (energy performance value), and third operation performance information (quality performance value) using the calculation functions of the operation performance value calculation module 33A, energy performance value calculation module 33B, and quality performance value calculation module 33C (see Figure 5), and stores the generated operation performance information in the information storage platform 51.

[0142] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 evaluates the first earned profit using the earned profit evaluation engine 34, with respect to the first operational performance information at the reference point (e.g., the end of last month) and the first operational performance information at the target point (e.g., the end of this month). Similarly, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 evaluates the second earned profit using the earned profit evaluation engine 34, with respect to the second operational performance information at the reference point and the second operational performance information at the target point, and evaluates the third earned profit using the third operational performance information at the reference point and the third operational performance information at the target point.

[0143] On the other hand, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 records the history of service fees paid by equipment users to receive maintenance services and value-added services using the fee history database 521.

[0144] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses the target determination engine 36 to extract service fees from the fee history database from the reference point to the target point, aggregates the service fees for the period, and calculates the ratio of the first profit obtained to the service fees for the period as the first recovery rate. Similarly, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 uses the target determination engine 36 to calculate the ratio of the second profit obtained to the service fees for the period as the second recovery rate, and the ratio of the third profit obtained to the service fees for the period as the third recovery rate.

[0145] Furthermore, the industrial equipment operation support system 1, using its target determination engine 36, selects the smallest of the first, second, and third recovery rates as the minimum recovery rate, and then determines the operation performance information corresponding to the minimum recovery rate from among the first, second, and third operation performance information as the priority target.

[0146] The industrial equipment operation support system 1, via the UI provision engine 35, reports key targets to service personnel through the communication interface 13, including a maintenance support portal site and an action plan management application. Meanwhile, maintenance providers can maximize their profits by providing maintenance services or proposing value-added services to the reported key targets. Since profits are in a trade-off relationship with running costs, maximizing profits can contribute to minimizing running costs. Furthermore, providing services to key targets in a timely manner can lead to minimizing subsequent equipment maintenance activities, thus contributing to minimizing maintenance costs.

[0147] [7] Visualization of equipment lifecycle costs Returning to Figure 8, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 stores cost information corresponding to the equipment lifecycle in the cost history database 522. The industrial equipment operation support system 1 extracts classified cost information for one or more specified periods from the cost history database 522 using the cost aggregation application 54 and calculates the aggregated cost value for each specified period. For example, the cost aggregation application 54 calculates the aggregated cost value for each specified period, categorized as initial cost, running cost, renewal cost, and maintenance cost. The cost aggregation application 54 then transmits the aggregated cost value to the user terminal 40 via the UI provision engine 35, and the user terminal 40 displays the received aggregated cost value to the equipment user.

[0148] Figure 11 shows an example of the visualization of equipment lifecycle costs in the industrial equipment operation support system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 generates aggregated value information 800, which is a pie chart of the aggregated running costs (A), aggregated maintenance costs (B), and aggregated renewal costs (C) for each specified period (e.g., a specified year), using the cost aggregation application 54. The industrial equipment operation support system 1 may also include the profits earned evaluated by the profits earned evaluation engine 34, i.e., the total profits earned for each specified period (e.g., a specified year) (D), in the aggregated value information 800 using the cost aggregation application 54. In the example pie chart created by the cost aggregation application 54, the equipment lifecycle cost (A+B+C) is displayed in the center. The virtual RC (A+D) included in the pie chart shows the running costs assuming that there were no profits earned from service provision. In other words, the aggregated value information 800 is designed so that the effect of reducing running costs through service provision can be visually understood by comparing the aggregated running costs (A) and the virtual RC (A+D).

[0149] The industrial equipment operation support system 1 transmits visualized aggregated information 800 to the user terminal 40 via the UI provision engine 35 using the cost aggregation application 54, thereby displaying the breakdown and total amount of equipment lifecycle costs to the equipment user. This allows the equipment user to confirm that the industrial equipment 2 is being operated in a state where equipment lifecycle costs are optimized, and to utilize the aggregated information 800 in formulating next year's budget plan and equipment replacement plan.

[0150] [8] Effects As described above, in this embodiment, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 comprises a plurality of environmental sensors 5 arranged on the industrial equipment 2, a plurality of controllers 61 equipped on the industrial equipment 2, and a plurality of information processing devices 6 configured to acquire and store environmental information detected by the environmental sensors 5 and operational information generated by the controllers 61, and having a hierarchical structure for transmitting the environmental information and operational information from the downstream side to the upstream side. The multiple information processing devices 6 each include, at one or more levels, an information storage platform 51 that stores acquired environmental information and operational information; a maintenance planning engine 32 that plans the timing of providing maintenance services to industrial equipment based on the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51; an operational performance information storage engine 33 that sequentially generates operational performance information of industrial equipment using the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform 51 and stores the generated operational performance information in the information storage platform 51; an acquired profit evaluation engine 34 that evaluates the profits acquired by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services based on the degree of improvement of the operational performance information; and a UI providing engine 35 that provides a user interface for displaying the profits acquired by equipment users on a user terminal 40.

[0151] According to one embodiment, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can evaluate and provide the benefits gained by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information stored in the information storage platform 51. This allows the industrial equipment operation support system 1 to visualize the value of maintenance services as benefits gained by equipment users, thereby supporting cost control over the equipment lifecycle, such as reducing running costs.

[0152] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, multiple information processing devices 6 are configured at one or more levels. The information storage platform 51 includes a knowledge information database 510 that stores knowledge information useful for equipment operation, and a proposal information generation engine 520 that generates customer proposal information for equipment users, which is information related to value-added services that benefit equipment users, based on operational performance information and knowledge information. The profit acquisition evaluation engine 34 evaluates the profits acquired by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services and value-added services based on the degree of improvement in operational performance information. As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can visualize the value of maintenance services and value-added services as profits acquired by equipment users, and support cost control over the equipment lifecycle, such as minimizing running costs.

[0153] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, the operation information includes actual operating time information linked to the normal state of the industrial equipment 2 and non-operating time information linked to the abnormal state. The operation performance information storage engine 33 has an operation performance value calculation module 33A that calculates operation performance values ​​as operation performance information based on the actual operating time information and non-operating time information. The profit acquisition evaluation engine 34 evaluates profits acquired using operation performance information at the target time and operation performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can visualize the effect of suppressing opportunity losses due to downtime of the industrial equipment 2 as profits acquired, and can support cost control over the equipment lifecycle, such as reducing running costs that increase when losses are compensated.

[0154] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, environmental information includes input energy information and output energy information of the industrial equipment 2. The operation performance information storage engine 33 has an energy performance value calculation module 33B that calculates energy performance values ​​as operation performance information based on the input energy information and output energy information. The profit acquisition evaluation engine 34 evaluates profit acquisition using operation performance information at the target time and operation performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can visualize the effect of suppressing energy loss due to the deterioration of efficiency of the industrial equipment 2 as profit acquisition, and can support cost control over the equipment lifecycle, such as reducing running costs that increase when losses are compensated.

[0155] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, environmental information includes actual quality level information of media or goods produced by the industrial equipment 2. The operation performance information storage engine 33 has a quality performance value calculation module 33C that calculates quality performance values ​​as operation performance information based on actual quality level information and user-requested quality level information. The profit acquisition evaluation engine 34 evaluates profit acquisition using operation performance information at the target time and operation performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can visualize the effect of suppressing waste losses due to poor quality of media or goods produced by the industrial equipment 2 as profit acquisition, and can support cost control over the equipment lifecycle, such as reducing running costs that increase when losses are compensated.

[0156] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, multiple information processing devices 6 each include a cost history database 521 that records the history of service fees paid by equipment users to receive at least maintenance services at one or more levels, and a target determination engine 36 that determines priority targets for improving operational performance information based on a comparison of service fees and profits earned. Operational information includes actual operating time information linked to the normal state of the industrial equipment 2 and non-operating time information linked to the abnormal state, and environmental information includes input energy information and output energy information for the industrial equipment 2, as well as actual quality level information of media or goods produced by the industrial equipment. The operational performance information storage engine 33 includes an operational performance value calculation module 33A that calculates operational performance values ​​as first operational performance information based on actual operating time information and non-operating time information, an energy performance value calculation module 33B that calculates energy performance values ​​as second operational performance information based on input energy information and output energy information, and a quality performance value calculation module 33C that calculates quality performance values ​​as third operational performance information based on actual quality level information and demand-side required quality level information. The profit-earning engine 34 evaluates the first profit using the first operational performance information at the target time and the first operational performance information at a reference time prior to the target time, evaluates the second profit using the second operational performance information at the target time and the second operational performance information at a reference time prior to the target time, and evaluates the third profit using the third operational performance information at the target time and the third operational performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. The target determination engine 36 extracts the service fees from the reference point to the target point from the fee history database 521, aggregates the service fees for the period, calculates the ratio of the first profit obtained to the service fees for the period as the first recovery rate, calculates the ratio of the second profit obtained to the service fees for the period as the second recovery rate, and calculates the ratio of the third profit obtained to the service fees for the period as the third recovery rate, selects the smallest of the first, second, and third recovery rates as the minimum recovery rate, and determines the operational performance information corresponding to the minimum recovery rate from the first, second, and third operational performance information as the priority target.As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 determines operational performance information corresponding to the minimum recovery rate as a priority target, and can support maintenance tasks that should be concentrated based on the priority targets. Furthermore, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can maximize the profits earned by the equipment user, i.e., minimize running costs, by having maintenance companies provide maintenance services or propose value-added services to the reported priority targets.

[0157] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, multiple information processing devices 6 each have, at one or more levels, a cost history database 522 that records the history of various costs incurred during the lifecycle of industrial equipment 2; a business activity management application 53 that can be used by businesses that conduct at least one of the following businesses: sales, leases, installations, operations, and maintenance of industrial equipment 2, and which, when cost information of required business activities performed on industrial equipment 2 is input, classifies the cost information and records it in the cost history database 522; and a cost aggregation application 54 that extracts classified cost information for one or more specified periods from the cost history database 522, calculates the aggregated cost value for each specified period, and then displays it. As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 provides an environment for maintenance businesses that perform equipment operation on behalf of others to manage equipment lifecycle costs, thereby freeing equipment users from cost management tasks.

[0158] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, the business activity management application 53 is configured to perform the following: reception processing 531, which accepts input of date information for the required business activities performed on the industrial equipment 2, as well as cost information consisting of the price, consideration, and account title received from the equipment user; classification processing 532, which classifies the accepted cost information into one of the following according to the account title: initial cost required for the introduction of industrial equipment 2, running cost required for the operation of industrial equipment 2, renewal cost required for the replacement of industrial equipment 2, or maintenance cost required for the upkeep of industrial equipment 2; and recording processing 533, which records the classified cost information along with the date information in the cost history database. The cost aggregation application 54 calculates and displays at least one of the running cost aggregate value and the maintenance cost aggregate value for each specified period. As a result, the industrial equipment operation support system 1 can visualize the breakdown of the main parts of the equipment lifecycle cost by calculating the running cost aggregate value and the maintenance cost aggregate value for each specified period.

[0159] In the industrial equipment operation support system 1, the cost aggregation application 54 calculates and displays the total cost for each specified period. This allows the industrial equipment operation support system 1 to visualize the total equipment lifecycle cost by displaying the total cost for each specified period.

[0160] [9] Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The industrial equipment operation support system disclosed herein can collect a wide range of environmental and operational information from industrial and demand-related equipment, which can be used for operational management, energy management, quality control, and other purposes. As a result, it can improve the energy efficiency and productivity of business establishments, including factories, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7, "Affordable and Clean Energy." In addition, by reducing carbon dioxide emissions in conjunction with improved energy efficiency, it can contribute to achieving Goal 13, "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0161] 1…Industrial equipment operation support system, 2…Industrial equipment, 2A…First industrial equipment, 2B…Second industrial equipment, 3…Business office, 3A…First business office, 3B…Second business office, 3C…Third business office, 4…Factory, 4A…First factory, 4B…Second factory, 5…Environmental sensor, 6…Information processing device, 7…Data collection terminal, 8…Demand equipment, 10…Computer, 11…Processor, 12…Storage device, 13…Communication interface, 14…Input / output interface, 21…Supply route, 22…Transportation route, 23…Discharge route, 31…Information processing engine, 32…Maintenance planning engine, 33…Operational performance information storage engine, 34…Profit acquisition evaluation engine, 35…UI provision engine, 36…Target determination Engine, 40...User terminal, 51...Information storage platform, 52...Database, 53...Business activity management application, 54...Cost aggregation application, 61...Controller, 61A...Microcomputer, 61B...Programmable logic controller, 62...Edge computer, 63...Gateway, 64...Guest computer, 65...Host computer, 510...Knowledge information database, 520...Proposal information generation engine, 521...Consideration history database, 522...Cost history database, 531...Reception processing, 532...Classification processing, 533...Record processing, 700...Cost information, 710...Date information, 800...Aggregated value information

Claims

1. Multiple environmental sensors placed in industrial equipment, Multiple controllers equipped in the aforementioned industrial equipment, The system comprises a plurality of information processing devices configured to acquire and store environmental information detected by the environmental sensor and operational information generated by the controller, and having a hierarchical structure for transmitting the environmental information and operational information from downstream to upstream. Multiple information processing devices, in any one of the layers, An information storage platform for storing the acquired environmental information and operational information, A maintenance planning engine that plans the timing of providing maintenance services to the industrial equipment based on the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform, An operational performance information storage engine that sequentially generates operational performance information of the industrial equipment using the environmental information and operational information stored in the information storage platform, and stores the generated operational performance information in the information storage platform. Based on the degree of improvement in the aforementioned operational performance information, a profit evaluation engine evaluates the profits gained by equipment users through the provision of maintenance services, The system includes a UI providing engine that provides a user interface for displaying the profits earned by the equipment user on the user terminal. Industrial equipment operation support system.

2. Multiple information processing devices, in any one of the layers, The aforementioned information storage platform includes a knowledge information database that stores knowledge information useful for equipment operation, Based on the aforementioned operational performance information and knowledge information, the system includes a proposal information generation engine that generates customer proposal information for the equipment user, relating to value-added services that benefit the equipment user. The profit-earning evaluation engine evaluates the profits earned by the equipment user through the provision of the maintenance services and value-added services, based on the degree of improvement in the operational performance information. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned operational information includes actual operating time information linked to the normal state of the industrial equipment and non-operating time information linked to the abnormal state. The aforementioned operational performance information storage engine includes an operational performance value calculation module that calculates operational performance values ​​as operational performance information based on the actual operating time information and the non-operating time information. The aforementioned profit evaluation engine evaluates the profits earned using the performance information at the target time and the performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned environmental information includes input energy information and output energy information for the industrial equipment. The aforementioned operational performance information storage engine includes an energy performance value calculation module that calculates energy performance values ​​as operational performance information based on the input energy information and the output energy information. The aforementioned profit evaluation engine evaluates the profits earned using the performance information at the target time and the performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The aforementioned environmental information includes information on the actual quality level of the media or articles produced by the industrial equipment. The aforementioned operational performance information storage engine includes a quality performance value calculation module that calculates quality performance values ​​as operational performance information based on the actual quality level information and the user's requested quality level information. The aforementioned profit evaluation engine evaluates the profits earned using the performance information at the target time and the performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. Multiple information processing devices, in any one of the layers, A fee history database that records the history of service fees paid by the equipment user to receive at least maintenance services, The system includes a target determination engine that determines key targets for improving the operational performance information based on a comparison of the service fees and the profits earned, The aforementioned operational information includes actual operating time information linked to the normal state of the industrial equipment and non-operating time information linked to the abnormal state. The aforementioned environmental information includes input energy information and output energy information for the industrial equipment, as well as actual quality level information of the media or articles produced by the industrial equipment. The aforementioned operational performance information storage engine is: An operational performance value calculation module that calculates operational performance values ​​as first operational performance information based on the aforementioned actual operating time information and the aforementioned non-operating time information, An energy performance value calculation module that calculates an energy performance value as second operational performance information based on the input energy information and the output energy information, It includes a quality performance value calculation module that calculates a quality performance value as third operational performance information based on the actual quality level information and the required quality level information of the demand end, The aforementioned profit-earning evaluation engine is: The first profit earned is evaluated using the first performance data at the target time and the first performance data at a reference time prior to the target time. The second profit earned is evaluated using the second performance information at the target time and the second performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. The profits earned are evaluated using the aforementioned third-party performance information at the target time and the aforementioned third-party performance information at a reference time prior to the target time. The aforementioned target determination engine is The service fees from the reference point to the target point are extracted from the aforementioned fee history database, and the service fees for that period are aggregated. The first recovery rate is calculated as the ratio of the first profit earned to the service fee for the period. The ratio of the second profit earned to the service fee for the period is calculated as the second recovery rate. The ratio of the third-party profit earned to the service fee for the period is calculated as the third-party recovery rate. Of the first recovery rate, the second recovery rate, and the third recovery rate, the smallest one is selected as the minimum recovery rate. Of the first, second, and third operational performance information, the operational performance information corresponding to the minimum recovery rate is determined as the priority target. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. Multiple information processing devices, in any one of the layers, A cost history database that records the history of various costs incurred during the lifecycle of the aforementioned industrial equipment, An application usable by a business operator that conducts at least one of the following businesses: sale, lease, installation, operation, and maintenance of the aforementioned industrial equipment, wherein when cost information of the required business activities performed on the aforementioned industrial equipment is input, the application classifies the cost information and then records it in the cost history database, The system includes a cost aggregation application that extracts classified cost information for one or more specified periods from the cost history database, calculates the total cost for each specified period, and then displays it. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. The aforementioned business activity management application is A receiving process that accepts input of date information for the necessary business activities carried out on the aforementioned industrial equipment, as well as cost information consisting of the price, consideration, and account title received from the equipment user. The received cost information is classified according to the account title into one of the following categories: initial costs incurred for introducing the industrial equipment, running costs incurred for operating the industrial equipment, renewal costs incurred for replacing the industrial equipment, and maintenance costs incurred for maintaining the industrial equipment. It is configured to perform a recording process that records classified cost information along with date information in the cost history database, The aforementioned cost aggregation application calculates and displays at least one of the running cost aggregate value and the maintenance cost aggregate value for each specified period. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned cost aggregation application calculates and displays the total cost for each specified period. The industrial equipment operation support system according to claim 8.

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