How to design a conveyor configuration

Abstract

A method for designing a conveyor apparatus (1), the conveyor apparatus (1) being configured to selectively convey articles (9) from at least one feed-in station (F1, F2) to a destination selected from a plurality of destinations (D1 to D16), the conveyor apparatus (1) comprising a plurality of conveyor zones (2), each of which is configured to convey articles (9) from an entrance (I) of the conveyor zone (2) to an exit (O) of the conveyor zone (2), and a plurality of controllers (11) , 12), the controller is configured to control the operation of the conveyor zones (2), the conveyor zones (2) are arranged in particular to be able to transfer articles (9) from an exit (O) of an immediately upper upstream conveyor zone (2) to an entrance (I) of a subsequent conveyor zone (2), at least one of the conveyor zones (2) is a junction zone (2i to 2s9) having at least two exits (O1, O2, O3), and the junction controller (12) is configured to control the operation of the junction zones (2). The method is configured to control the junction zones (2i-2s9) in such a way as to selectively convey articles (9) through selected exits (O) among a plurality of exits (O1, O2, O3) of the junction zones (2i-2s9), the method comprising the steps of: using an IT design tool (8) by a user; arranging, using the IT design tool (8), representations (83) of a plurality of conveyor zones (2) such that an entrance (I) of a downstream conveyor zone (2) is connected to an exit (O) of an upstream conveyor zone (2); defining a plurality of destinations (D1-D16) within the IT design tool (8); performing an automatic analysis of the arranged representations (83); and automatically generating, based on the performed automatic analysis, a destination lookup table (17), in particular a plurality of individual destination lookup tables (17), which lists zones (2) and / or destinations located downstream of each exit (O) of each junction zone (2i-2s9).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for designing a conveyor configuration, in particular an intralogistics conveyor configuration. [Background technology]

[0002] European Patent Application No. 22180381.0, published after the filing date of the present application, discloses a method for controlling a conveying apparatus. The conveying apparatus has a plurality of conveying sections. A particular feature of the disclosed control method is a look-up table (see Figure 4 of EP22180381.0) that represents the adjacency relationships between adjacent conveying sections. Lacking in this application is any concept of how these look-up tables are created. Summary of the Invention

[0003] EP3222564B1 discloses a conveyor that transports articles from a start position to a destination position. The conveyor is divided into multiple zones, and articles are transported between each zone. Each zone includes a straight-line transport zone that transports articles in a straight line, a transport direction change zone that selects the transport direction of the article and sends the article in the selected transport direction, a destination storage unit that temporarily stores destination information, an information receiving unit that receives destination information from an upstream zone, and an information transmitting unit that transmits destination information to a downstream zone. The conveyor transmits destination information from the upstream zone to the downstream zone as the article moves between zones.

[0004] DE102019135620A1 discloses a method for configuring a control system for a conveyor system. The conveyor system comprises a plurality of conveyor segments. Each conveyor segment comprises a conveyor drive for transporting articles through the respective conveyor segment. A controller controls the conveyor drives of the plurality of conveyor segments by the following steps: a) placing a component object on one of the conveyor segments, the component object preferably having a marking; b) driving the conveyor drive, which transports the component object through the conveyor segment to an adjacent conveyor segment; c) detecting the component object's movement resulting from the transport of the component object by a camera having a field of view through which the component object is transported; d) creating an area within the field of view of an image capture device that spans the path traveled by the component object within the conveyor segment as seen by the image capture device; e) associating the conveyor drive, which is driven during the component object's movement, with a zone within the field of view of the image capture device; and f) saving this assignment in a database.

[0005] WO2021 / 048042A1 discloses a virtual layout tool that allows a transport apparatus to be created in a virtual world using 3D data of individual transport modules. The 3D data of the transport apparatus are arranged in a spatial relationship with each other that matches the possible relationship of related modular apparatus in the real world. The transport apparatus created in the virtual world can be used in a simulation mode to predict efficient use of the transport apparatus and set sufficient capacity.

[0006] US2005 / 0065642A1 discloses a fully installed and operational airport baggage transport system for transporting baggage to a destination along a predetermined transport route. The system has multiple branch points and includes components including a master controller that sets a destination and a transport route associated with each destination for each bag to be transported, and a slave controller that receives a routing instruction at each branch point from the master controller for each destination. The slave controller identifies an identification number for each bag to be transported and transmits the identification number to the master controller. The master controller provides the slave controller with the destination associated with the identification number. The slave controller routes the baggage based on the routing instruction stored in the slave controller without consulting the master controller. US2005 / 0065642A1 particularly emphasizes the feature that "the master controller sets a destination and a transport route associated with each destination for each bag to be transported." First, the terms "route" and "destination" have different meanings and are not synonymous. Furthermore, the master controller individually sets the route and destination for each transport object, and these routes and destinations are received by the slave controller, which actually sets the transport route in the transport hardware. Therefore, the switch table is set during operation of the transport system, not when the transport system is designed. The details of the design of such a transport system are not disclosed.

[0007] US2018 / 0162652A1 discloses a control system for a conveyor system, the system comprising a data store holding configuration data describing the configuration of the conveyor system, and a design component configured to enable a user to design the layout and configuration of the conveyor system, the configuration data including one or more devices and relationships between the one or more devices. US2018 / 0162652A1 describes the use of a relational database (

[0019] ) in this regard, but does not provide details regarding the contents of the relational database.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for setting up a conveyor system, particularly for configuring controls.

[0009] The invention comprises a method according to the main claim, and embodiments are the inventions described in the dependent claims and the description.

[0010] The present invention is directed, inter alia, to a design of a conveyor system configured to selectively convey articles from at least one feed-in station to selected ones of a plurality of destinations. The conveyor system includes a plurality of conveyor zones, each configured to convey articles from an entrance of the conveyor zone to an exit of the conveyor zone. A plurality of controllers are configured to control the operation of the conveyor zones. The conveyor zones are arranged such that articles are transferred from the exit of a previous conveyor zone to the entrance of a subsequent conveyor zone. At least one of the conveyor zones is a junction zone having at least two exits. A junction controller is configured to control the junction zone to selectively convey articles through selected ones of the junction zone's exits.

[0011] The design method includes the steps of: a user using an IT design tool (also referred to in this specification as a "layouter"); using the IT design tool to arrange representations of multiple conveyor zones so that the entrances of downstream conveyor zones are connected to the exits of upstream conveyor zones; defining multiple destinations within the design tool; performing an automatic analysis of the arranged representations; and automatically generating a destination lookup table indicating a list of zones and / or destinations located downstream of each exit of each junction zone based on the performed analysis.

[0012] In one embodiment, the destination lookup table includes a list of destinations linked to each exit, indicating that an item conveyed through the linked exit can be conveyed to the linked destination. In particular, the destination lookup table provides a database supporting local navigation at each junction zone. Thus, the destination lookup table at each junction can be used to query directions to a desired destination at that particular junction. In one embodiment, multiple destination lookup tables are provided, each linked to other junction zones. In one embodiment, the destination lookup table is configured at a very early stage, in particular before the operation and / or installation of the conveyor apparatus. As a result, the destination lookup table is independent of the operation of the conveyor apparatus and remains constant during operation. In particular, the same destination lookup table is valid for all items conveyed at the associated junction. This is a significant difference from the operation of US 2005 / 0065642 A1, in which the switch table is tailored to specific items. Providing a destination lookup table based on design data eliminates the need for individual programming of routes in the PLC and simplifies initial start-up of conveyor configurations.

[0013] In particular, the present invention is applicable to conveyor arrangements (and designs of such conveyor arrangements) in which there are at least two junction zones in the path between a feed-in station and a destination, and destination lookup tables are generated for both junction zones, where the destination lookup table associated with an upstream junction zone indicates a route to a downstream junction zone that is on the route to the destination listed in the destination lookup table associated with the first junction zone.

[0014] In the past, layouters have often been used to design conveyor layouts. Traditionally, the purpose of such layouters was simply to generate a materials list and establish the overall space demands of the designed layout. In accordance with the present invention, the layouter is used to generate tables that are subsequently used by junction controllers to control the operation of the junction zones. The final topography of the layout provided in the layouter is then used to generate destination lookup tables that can be used to control the operation of the junction controllers, according to European Patent Application No. 22180381.0 (these junction controllers are referred to as "sorting controllers" in European Patent Application No. 22180381.0).

[0015] The method for manufacturing the conveyor system uses the design method described above, whereby a plurality of junction controllers are provided, each junction controller storing a respective destination lookup table. In particular, the stored destination lookup table includes a list of destinations linked to one of the exits, indicating that an article conveyed via the linked exit can be conveyed to the linked destination. The junction controller is configured to control operation of an associated junction zone based on the stored destination lookup table.

[0016] In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of linking a plurality of local controllers, in particular junction controllers, to positioned representations of conveyor zones, in particular junction zones, in particular each positioned representation of a conveyor zone being linked to at least one of the local controllers.

[0017] In one embodiment, the analyzing step establishes a zone table based on the arranged representation, the zone table including adjacency relationships of the conveyors.

[0018] The adjacency relationship comprises a data set including, inter alia, a first identification of the first conveyor zone, a second identification of the first conveyor zone, and information indicating whether the second conveyor zone is located directly downstream or directly upstream of the first conveyor zone.

[0019] In one embodiment, the analyzing step establishes a junction table based on the arranged representation. The junction table includes junction relationships of the junction zones. For example, the junction relationships include a data set including, in particular, junction identification information of the junction zones, in particular, a first identification information of a first conveyor zone located downstream of a first exit of the junction zone, a second identification information of a second conveyor zone located downstream of a second exit of the junction zone, and optionally, a third identification information of a third conveyor zone located downstream of a third exit of the junction zone. The junction relationships further include information indicating that the first conveyor zone is located downstream of the first exit, information indicating that the second conveyor zone is located downstream of the second exit, and optionally, information indicating that the third conveyor zone is located downstream of the third exit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the destination lookup table is generated based on information provided in the junction table, optionally supplemented with information contained in the zone table.

[0021] In one embodiment, the display includes a graphical representation of the conveyor zone.

[0022] Unless otherwise stated, each step can be performed by user input using the IT design tool or automatically by the IT design tool. The "and" option allows, for example, the IT design tool to provide a suggestion in the first step and the user to have the option to modify the suggestion by user input.

[0023] The present invention is particularly applicable to conveying apparatus that operate such that each conveying segment (in normal operation) conveys a maximum of one item, and that items are conveyed from an upstream conveying segment to a downstream conveying segment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor zone. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the basic conveyor arrangement. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the various conveyor zones. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the transport arrangement. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a personal computer on which the layouter is running in the initial design step. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the personal computer of FIG. 5 at a subsequent design step. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the personal computer of FIG. 6 at a subsequent design step. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the personal computer of FIG. 7 at a subsequent design step. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the construction area in the layouter for subsequent design steps. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the construction area in the layouter for subsequent design steps. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a destination lookup table showing inter-zone destinations in the design layout of FIG. 10 summarized in a) a zone table and b) a junction table. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows the relationship between the zones in the design layout according to FIG. 10 summarized in a) the destination lookup table for junction 2r1 and b) the destination lookup table for junction 2i. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] 1 shows an example of a conveyor zone 2 in which several conveyor rollers 3 are driven together. For this purpose, one of the conveyor rollers 3 is designed as a motor-driven conveyor roller 3M, in particular a motor-driven roller 3M. The motor-driven conveyor roller 3M is driven in particular by a three-phase motor arranged in the conveyor roller 3M. The conveyor rollers 3 of the conveyor zone 2 are drivingly connected to one another via one or more drive connectors 4 (e.g. drive belts) and are jointly driven by the motor-driven conveyor roller 3M. Articles 9 are conveyed in a straight line from an inlet I to an outlet O along a conveying direction d.

[0026] The presence sensor 5 can be used to determine the presence of an object 9 placed on the conveyor zone 2. The presence sensor 5 does not necessarily need to cover the entire conveyor zone 2; it is sufficient if the presence sensor 5 detects the presence of the object 9 in a partial area of ​​the conveyor zone 2. The presence sensor 5 then generates a sensor signal S5, which is connected to the local zone controller 11, which will be described later, via a signal line (not shown). Presence detection can also be performed without an explicit sensor and can be derived from other raw data. For example, methods already exist for deriving the presence of an object on the conveyor zone 2 from other data, such as the progression of the current intensity in the conveyor zone 2.

[0027] The conveyor rollers 3 and presence sensors 5 are mounted on a common support frame 6. The conveyor rollers 3 of several conveyor zones 2 can be mounted on a common support frame 6.

[0028] Each motor-driven conveyor roller 3M is controlled by at least one or more local zone controllers 11. One zone controller 11 can control motor-driven conveyor rollers 3M of multiple conveyor zones 2. Multiple zone controllers 11 are arranged in the conveyor system 1 (FIG. 2), and communicate with each other via a bus connection 13.

[0029] 2 shows a basic conveyor system 1 in which the aforementioned conveyor zones 2 are used. A plurality of zone controllers 11 control the operation of the conveyor zones 2. A PLC 14 (Programmable Logic Controller) may be provided to control the operation of the entire conveyor system 1.

[0030] Scanners (not shown) are positioned along the zones and provide identification data for article objects 9a-c that pass through the scanners within the zone. These identification data are transmitted over a bus connection 13 to a PLC 14. The PLC 14 accesses an article database (not shown) and provides destination data based on the identification of the article 9. Based on the obtained data, the PLC 14 provides operational instructions to the local zone controller 11 regarding how to handle the article 9, i.e., to which exit O the article 9 should be transported.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment described in European Patent Application No. 22180381.0, equipment such as a PLC is not required. Instead of a PLC, the zone controllers are connected to a common, higher-level item data broker, in particular via a bus connection. This bus connection is the connection between the zone controllers. The data broker provides destination data related to identified items, and the zone controllers are configured to control the operation of the zone based on the provided destination data. A PLC is not required for this purpose of the present invention.

[0032] In particular, the zone controller 11 controls the motor-driven conveyor rollers 3M to prevent successively approaching conveyed objects 9 from colliding with each other. This is commonly referred to as "zero pressure buildup." This control is performed so that essentially only one conveyed object 9 exists per conveyor zone 2. However, slight overlaps may occur. For example, an upstream conveyed object 9b in the upstream conveyor zone 2c may already be in the downstream conveyor zone 2d while a downstream conveyed object 9a has not yet fully exited the downstream conveyor zone 2d. Here, the sensor signal S5 of the presence sensor 5 is used as an input variable, among other things, to prevent two conveyed objects 9 from coming into contact and damaging each other.

[0033] In the following description of the invention, conveyor zones will be described using the schematic diagram of a conveyor zone shown in Figure 3. Figure 3a shows a schematic representation of the conveyor zone 2 of Figure 1, which has one first inlet I1 and one first outlet O1. No other inlets or outlets are provided. The conveyor zone 2 may also have a curved or other shape.

[0034] Figure 3b shows another conveyor zone 2 with an expanded operating range. Here, in addition to the conveyor zone 2 of Figure 3a, the conveyor zone 2 is provided with an additional second outlet O2. Articles 9 can be selectively transported from the first inlet I1 to either the first outlet O1 or the second outlet O2. Optionally, the conveyor zone 2 is provided with an additional third outlet O3. With this option, articles 9 can be selectively transported from the first inlet I1 to either the first, second, or third outlet O1, O2, O3.

[0035] For example, the conveyor zone 2 of Figure 3b can be formed by the conveyor zone 2 shown in Figure 1, which conveyor zone 2 is further provided with a transport device as described with reference to Figure 5 of EP 3 222 564 B1 (in this document and figures, the transport device is designated by the reference number 20).

[0036] Figure 3c shows a conveyor zone 2 with an expanded operating range. In addition to the conveyor zone 2 of Figure 3a, a second inlet I2 has been added to the conveyor zone 2. Articles 9 are transported from either the first or second inlet I1, I2 to the first outlet O1.

[0037] The transfer device described with reference to Figure 3b is also suitable for providing said additional second inlet I2.

[0038] Figure 3d shows a conveyor zone 2 with an extended operating range, where in addition to the conveyor zone 2 of Figure 1, the conveyor zone is provided with an additional second inlet I2 and an additional second outlet O2, resulting in an example that combines the embodiments of Figures 3b and 3c.

[0039] All conveyor zones 2 are controlled by a zone controller 11 as shown in Figure 1 or 2. In particular, one zone controller 11 may be configured to control the operation of multiple zones 2.

[0040] Starting with FIG. 4, the design of the transport device 1 is carried out by a person referred to herein as a designer.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a primary sketch of how the exemplary transport device 1 will ultimately look.

[0042] The illustrated exemplary conveyor system 1 has two feed-in stations F where users can input items 9 for transport. From the feed-in stations F, the items 9 are transported by multiple conveyors C to multiple destinations D. Multiple branch points J are provided to selectively transfer the items 9 to one of multiple paths along the conveyors C. Such a schematic diagram is only available at the head of the planner.

[0043] See Figure 5. To draft a detailed design, the designer uses an IT tool 8, which is an application program that runs on a personal computer 7, which may also be a tablet PC or similar device. Here, the IT tool 8 is also referred to as a "layout tool."

[0044] The layouter 8 provides a construction area 81 where the designer can create a digital representation of the transport device 1. The layouter 8 provides a selection area 82 where components are provided for the designer to select. Through the user interaction UI, the user selects a graphical representation 83 of a particular component and moves it into the construction area 81 via drag and drop.

[0045] After several iterations, a small transport device 1 including a straight line of roller conveyors C has already been created in the construction area 81 .

[0046] 6 shows a diagram of a further developed conveyor system 1 in a construction area 81. In addition to the situation in FIG. 5, the conveyor system 1 includes a junction J and multiple junctions M branching off at the junction J.

[0047] Figure 7 shows a diagram of a further developed conveyor arrangement 1 in a construction area 81. In addition to the situation in Figure 6, the conveyor arrangement 1 includes an additional conveyor C downstream of the junction M. Also provided are a feed-in station F and a connecting conveyor C, which are connected to the previous conveyor C, in particular via a junction.

[0048] Figure 8 shows a representation of a further developed conveyor arrangement 1 in a construction area 81. In addition to the situation in Figure 7, conveyor arrangement 1 now comprises a destination D branching off from conveyor C downstream of junction M. Where destination D branches off from conveyor C, an additional junction J is provided.

[0049] As can be seen by comparing Figure 8 with Figure 7, the focus and line of sight of the construction area can be changed by the designer.

[0050] Junction J can be realized in various embodiments, in a typical embodiment it is constituted by a roller conveyor equipped with a transfer device as shown for example in Figure 5 of EP 3222564 B1.

[0051] Now, according to FIG. 8, there is shown a diagram of the main components of the conveyor apparatus 1 in the build-up area 81 which perform the conveying and sorting operations during intended use.

[0052] Subsequently, additional tasks are performed using the layouter 8. In Fig. 9, for better visibility, the focus is set on a small area of ​​the representation of the conveyor apparatus 1, and only the construction area 81 is shown. However, the following steps are also performed for other areas of the conveyor apparatus 1.

[0053] When conveyor C is selected as described above, the positions of the individual conveyor zones 2 and the zone boundaries B between the conveyor zones 2 are already defined. Figure 9 shows the selection of the individual conveyor zones 2a to 2s9 and their respective zone boundaries B (only some of the boundaries are shown here). These are also displayed to the designer 9 in the construction area 81, for example, as dotted lines. The designer also specifies the destinations D1 to D16 through user interaction.

[0054] The visualization of zone 2 provides a good starting point for designing a control system for controlling conveyor arrangement 1. From a selection area (not shown in FIG. 9), the designer can select a local zone controller 11. The local zone controller 11 is then associated with hardware shown in construction area 81.

[0055] In the design step, each zone is associated with at least one zone controller 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 112, 11f, 11g, 11h, and 11i. For example, one zone controller 11 can be assigned to multiple zones 2. This assignment can be done in the user interaction UI, for example, by drawing a connection line L between the zone controller 11a and the conveyor zone 2a3. The above steps are repeated for all other conveyor zones 2 and zone controllers 11. In Figure 9, for clarity, such a connection line is shown only for the zone controller 11a. The positions of the controllers shown in the construction area 81 may differ from their positions in the actual conveyor arrangement 1. Alternatively, the assignment can be done automatically by an IT design tool.

[0056] The table in Figure 9 shows the allocation of zones to one controller. It also shows the upstream and downstream neighboring partners (specific zones) of the assigned zone. Here, in the upstream direction, feed-in station F1 is located upstream of the upstream assigned zone 2a0, and zone 2e is located downstream of the downstream assigned zone 2a3.

[0057] The overall result of this assignment for the entire conveyor system 1 can be seen in the zone table 16a shown in Figure 11a. The zone table 16a provides information about all zone controllers 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 112, 11f, 11g, 11h, 11i, and 11j. The first column lists the individual zone controllers 11a-11j. The second column defines all conveyor zones 2 controlled by the individual zone controller 11 listed in the first column of the same row. According to the first row, individual controller 11a controls conveyor zones 2a0 (first position in the conveying direction), 2a1 (second position), 2a2 (third position), and 2a3 (fourth position).

[0058] Within the zone table, information is also provided regarding the order of conveyor zones in the conveying direction d that are assigned to one common zone controller. For example, the conveyor zones are listed according to their position along the conveying direction, with the most upstream conveyor zone listed in the first position and the most downstream conveyor zone listed in the last position.

[0059] The third column stores the identification of the zone upstream of the most upstream conveyor zone 2a0. In this case, the feed-in position F1 is upstream. The fourth column stores the identification of the zone downstream of the most downstream conveyor zone 2a3. In this case, the conveyor zone 2e is downstream. Information similar to that shown in FIG. 11a is provided for all other zone controllers and zones in individual zone tables 16a. It is clear that this information does not have to be provided in exactly the table shown here. Various embodiments are possible regarding how this information is stored. Any suitable database containing the relevant information will suffice and is considered a zone table within the meaning of the present invention.

[0060] Thus, the zone table shows multiple adjacency relationships. As an example, zone 2a0 (first zone) and zone 2a1 (second zone, both controlled by the same zone controller 11a) are located in such a way that second zone 2a1 is located immediately downstream of first zone 2a0. As another example, zone 2a3 (first zone) and zone 2e (second zone, both controlled by different zone controllers, here zone controllers 11a and 11c) are located in such a way that second zone 2e is located immediately downstream of first zone 2a3 (see the underlined part in Figure 11a).

[0061] In another design step, each junction J is associated with at least one junction controller 12i, 12n, 12r1, ∼12s9, only a few of which are shown in Figure 10. The assignment can be performed by a user interaction UI, for example, by drawing a line L between the junction controller 12i and the conveyor zone junction of zone 2i. The above steps are repeated for all other junction zones and junction controllers 12. For clarity, such a link line L is shown only for junction controller 12i in Figure 10. The positions of the controllers shown in the construction area 81 may differ from their positions in the actual conveyor arrangement 1. Alternatively, the assignment can be performed automatically by an IT design tool.

[0062] The results of this allocation are summarized in the junction table 16b shown in FIG. 11b. Here, relevant information about all junction controllers 12i, 12n, 12r1, and 12s9 is provided. The first column identifies each individual junction controller 12i, 12n, 12r1, and 12s9. The second column defines the junction zones 2i, 2n, 2r1, and 2s9 controlled by the individual junction controller listed in the first column of the same row. According to the first row, each individual junction controller 12i controls a junction within zone 2i. For ease of understanding, in this example, the reference designators for each individual junction controller 12 are given the same index as the reference designators for the individual assigned zones (also called junction zones) in which the junctions controlled by the junction controllers are located.

[0063] Columns 3, 4, and 5 show the junction relationships, which identify the individual zones downstream of the junction zones identified in column 1 with their respective outlets O1, O2, and O3 (see Figure 3b). Column 3 defines zone 2j as being downstream of junction zone 2i's first outlet O1 (straight ahead). Column 4 defines zone 2r0 as being downstream of junction zone 2i's second outlet O2 (leftward). Column 5 defines zone 2r5 as being downstream of junction zone 2i's third outlet O3 (rightward).

[0064] From this information contained in the zone table 16a and junction table 16b of Figure 11, path information from each zone to all destinations can be calculated. An example for zone 2r1 / junction controller 12r1 (see position P0 in Figure 11b) is shown below.

[0065] Position P1 (Fig. 11b) shows that in zone 2r1, outlet O2 leads directly to destination D1. This information can be directly transferred to the destination lookup table 17 shown in the first row of Fig. 12a (see "y" (yes) in position Q1 in Fig. 12a). Unless otherwise stated, it is clear from this information that destination D1 cannot be reached via outlet O1. This information can also be added to the destination lookup table 17 shown in Fig. 12a (see "n" (no) in position Q2 in Fig. 12a).

[0066] Position P2 in Figure 11b indicates that outlet O1 in zone 2r1 connects to zone 2r2. This does not directly indicate the destinations that can be reached via outlet O1. However, it serves as the basis for other queries. In particular, position P3 in the junction table in Figure 11b indicates that destination D2 can be reached via zone 2r2. Therefore, destination D2 can be indirectly reached via outlet O1 in zone 2r1 and outlet O2 in zone 2r2. As a result, we can insert "y" into the destination in the lookup table in Figure 12 for zone 2r1 for destination D2 via outlet O1 (see position Q3 in Figure 12a). Additionally, we can generate destination lookup table 17 using information about downstream zones in the zone table in Figure 11a.

[0067] The above description only partially illustrates how the data contained in the zone table 16a and junction table 16b of Figure 11 can be analyzed and this information can be used to generate the destination lookup table of Figure 12. The procedure described results in a complete set of lookup tables, as shown in Figures 12a and 12b. Obviously, generating the lookup table of Figure 12b is more complex than the lookup table of Figure 12a because more junctions are placed in succession. However, the analysis method is essentially the same.

[0068] Although TA is shown in the lookup table in Figure 12b, it is not necessary to provide explicit information in the destination lookup table for all destinations. The "else" condition can provide the necessary information for the remaining destinations not explicitly listed.

[0069] The destination lookup table described above can be used as the lookup table shown in Figure 4 of EP22180381.0 and can be created for each junction / zone and junction controller. The destination lookup table is then transferred to the actual junction controller to support the sorting process at the respective junction controller. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Conveyor arrangement 2 Conveyor Zone 3 conveyor rollers 3M Motor Driven Conveyor Roller 4 Drive Connector 5 Presence Sensor 6 Support Frame 7 PC, personal computer 8 IT Tools / Layout 9. Transported objects 11 Local Zone Controller 12 Local Junction Controller 13 Bus Connections 14 PLC 16a Zone Table 16b Junction Table 17 Destination Lookup Table 81 Construction area 82 Selection Area 83 Graphical representation of components B Zone Boundary C Conveyor D. Destination F Feed-in Station I Entrance J Junction L Line M confluence O exit S5 Sensor signal (presence sensor) UI User Interaction d Conveying direction

Claims

1. A method for designing a conveyor device (1), comprising the steps of: The conveyor device (1) is configured to selectively convey articles (9) from at least one feed-in station (F1, F2) to a destination selected from a plurality of destinations (D1 to D16), and the conveyor device (1) - a plurality of conveyor zones (2), each of which is configured to transport articles (9) from an inlet (I) of said conveyor zone (2) to an outlet (O) of said conveyor zone (2); - a plurality of controllers (11, 12) configured to control the operation of said conveyor zones (2); The conveyor zones (2) are arranged in particular to transfer articles (9) from the outlet (O) of the immediately preceding upstream conveyor zone (2) to the inlet (I) of the following conveyor zone (2), At least one of the conveyor zones (2) is a junction zone (2i-2s9) having at least two exits (O1, O2, O3), a junction controller (12) configured to control the junction zones (2i-2s9) in a manner to selectively convey an article (9) through a selected outlet (O) among a plurality of outlets (O1, O2, O3) of the junction zones (2i-2s9), and the design method includes: - using an IT design tool (8) by a user; - using said IT design tool (8) to arrange the representations (83) of a number of conveyor zones (2) so that the inlets (I) of the downstream conveyor zones (2) are connected to the outlets (O) of the upstream conveyor zones (2); - defining a number of destinations (D1 to D16) in said IT design tool (8); - carrying out an automatic analysis of said arranged representations (83); - automatically generating, based on the automatic analysis carried out, a destination lookup table (17), in particular a plurality of individual destination lookup tables (17), which list the zones (2) and / or destinations located downstream of each exit (O) of each junction zone (2i to 2s9); A method comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The method of claim 1, wherein the destination lookup table (17) includes a list of destinations, each of which is linked to one of the outlets and indicates that an item transported through the linked outlet can be transported to the linked destination.

3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the step of automatically generating a plurality of individual destination lookup tables (17), each individual destination lookup table being associated with a respective junction zone.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The method, wherein the automatic generation of the destination lookup table is performed prior to commissioning and / or installation of the transport device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A method characterized in that the same destination look-up table is valid for any article (9) conveyed at the associated junction.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, linking a plurality of local controllers (11, 12), in particular a junction controller (12), to arranged representations of said conveyor zones, in particular junction zones (2i to 2s9), In particular, the method is characterized in that each of the arranged displays (83) of said conveyor zones (2) is linked to at least one of said local controllers (11, 12).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, In the analyzing step, a zone table (16a) is established based on the arranged representation (83); The zone table (16a) includes proximity relationships of the conveyor zones (2), In particular, proximity a first identification of the first conveyor zone, - a second identification of the second conveyor zone, a data set including at least information indicating whether said second conveyor zone is located directly downstream or upstream of said first conveyor zone;

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, In an analysis step, a junction table (16b) is established based on the arranged representations (83), The junction table (16b) includes junction relationships of the junction zones (2i to 2s9), In particular, the junction relationship is in particular the junction identification (2i) of the junction zone, a first identification (2j) of a first conveyor zone located downstream of a first exit (O1) of said junction zone (2i), a second identification (2r0) of a second conveyor zone located downstream of a second exit (O2) of said junction zone (2i), optionally, a third identification (2r5) of a third conveyor zone located downstream of a third exit (O3) of said junction zone (2i), - information indicating that said first conveyor zone (2j) is located downstream of said first outlet (O1), - information indicating that said second conveyor zone (2r0) is located downstream of said second outlet (O2), optionally, information indicating that said third conveyor zone (2r5) is located downstream of said third outlet (O3); a data set including at least

9. 9. The method of claim 8, The method of claim 1, wherein the destination lookup table (17) is generated based on information provided in the junction table (16b).

10. 10. The method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the destination lookup table (17) is generated based on information provided in the junction table (16b) and is supplemented with information contained in the zone table (16a).

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the representation (83) comprises a graphic representation of the conveyor zone (2).

12. A method for manufacturing a conveyor device (1), characterized in that said method comprises a design method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for manufacturing a conveyor device (1) according to claim 12, comprising the steps of: Prior to operation of the conveyor device, transferring the generated individual destination lookup table (17) to an associated zone controller, in particular to an associated zone controller controlling each junction zone (2i-2s9) associated with said lookup table.

14. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a plurality of junction controllers (12) are provided, each junction controller (12i-12s9) storing a respective destination look-up table (17), in particular the stored destination look-up table (17) containing a list of destinations (D1-D16) linked to one of the exits (O1, O2, O3), indicating that an item (8) conveyed via the linked exit (O) can be conveyed to the linked destination (D).

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, The junction controller (12) is configured to control the operation of the associated junction zone (2) based on a destination lookup table (17) stored in association with the junction zone (2i-2s9).

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