Design System

Abstract

To provide a design system that can appropriately design a facility that combines facility devices including a transport device such as a carrier.SOLUTION: A power consumption database of a storage device 3 stores power consumption information set in advance for each type of facility devices. A calculation device 2 includes: a device selection processing unit configured to accept a selection regarding the facility devices; a placement processing unit configured to place each facility device in a virtual space; and a power calculation unit configured to calculate a predicted power consumption which is a predicted value of power consumption of a virtual facility 9 including the plurality of facility devices arranged in the virtual space, based on conveyance amount designation information and the power consumption database. An output device 5 outputs the virtual facility 9 together with the predicted power consumption calculated by the power calculation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a design system for designing equipment that combines multiple types of equipment devices including a transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-75785 discloses a technology for managing the charging of each power storage device in a transport system equipped with multiple transport vehicles that transport items unmanned using power from a power storage device as a driving force source. A controller of the transport vehicle, which autonomously controls the transport vehicle based on a transport command, calculates the remaining amount of power (remaining storage capacity) in the power storage device after executing the transport command and determines whether charging of the power storage device is necessary. If charging is necessary, the transport vehicle moves to a charging point and charges the power storage device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-67747 discloses an unmanned transport system for transporting goods using a plurality of transport vehicles equipped with power receiving devices that receive power contactlessly from power supply lines installed along the transport route. A power supply unit is configured with a power supply line and a power supply device that supplies power to the power supply line, and a contactless power supply system is constructed that cooperates with the power receiving device equipped on each transport vehicle. As the scale of the transport system increases, a single power supply unit may experience a decrease in transmission efficiency due to an increase in impedance caused by a longer power supply line, or may require more power and be unable to supply power to the entire transport system. For this reason, contactless power supply systems are often constructed with multiple power supply units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-75785 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-67747 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of a transport vehicle equipped with a power storage device, the efficiency of transporting goods decreases as the charging frequency of the power storage device increases. Increasing the capacity of the power storage device reduces the charging frequency and suppresses the decrease in transport efficiency, but the increase in the weight of the power storage device may decrease energy efficiency and increase the cost of the power storage device. Furthermore, in the case of a transport system equipped with a contactless power supply system, an increase in the number of power supply unit systems may require the installation of a circuit to synchronize AC between the systems or may increase the number of power supply line transfer points, making the wiring more complex. For this reason, it is desirable to appropriately set the number of transport vehicles, power supply specifications, etc., taking various trade-offs into consideration.

[0006] In recent years, with the rise in environmental awareness, logistics systems are also being called upon to enhance SDGs (sustainability). Importance is being placed on so-called LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), which covers not only the use of products but also the mining, manufacturing, transportation, disposal, and recycling of materials. In the case of transport systems, systems must be designed with consideration not only for transport efficiency but also for the environmental impact.

[0007] In recent years, so-called model-based development and model-based design, which involve developing and designing equipment through computer simulations rather than relying solely on actual measurements at the equipment installation site or experiments using simulated equipment, has become popular. For example, once equipment has been designed using CAD (Computer Aided Design) by combining equipment including transport devices such as guided vehicles, it is desirable to appropriately design the system, including the number of guided vehicles and power supply specifications.

[0008] In view of the above background, it is desirable to provide a design system that can appropriately design equipment that combines equipment devices including transport devices such as transport vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A design system in consideration of the above-mentioned problems is a design system for designing equipment that combines multiple types of equipment equipment including a conveying device, and includes: a calculation device that performs calculation processing; a storage device that stores a program for the calculation processing and data used in the calculation processing; an input device that accepts input to the calculation device; and an output device that outputs the calculation results by the calculation device, wherein the storage device has a power consumption database that stores power consumption information that is set in advance for each type of equipment equipment, and the power consumption information specifies the relationship between specification setting values ​​that are set values ​​within a changeable range for each changeable specification item that is a changeable specification item for each type of equipment equipment, and the power consumption, and the relationship between unit conveyance amount that is the conveyance amount per unit time for each type of equipment equipment, and The apparatus comprises an arithmetic processing unit that performs the arithmetic processing in response to input from the input device, and includes an equipment selection processing unit that displays a list of selectable types of equipment on the output device and accepts selection of the equipment from the input device; an arrangement processing unit that accepts designation of the arrangement and specification setting values ​​of the equipment equipment selected by the equipment selection processing unit and arranges the equipment in a virtual space in accordance with the designation; and a power calculation unit that accepts input of transport amount designation information, which is information for determining the transport amount per unit time, and calculates predicted power consumption, which is a predicted value of power consumption of virtual equipment including a plurality of the equipment equipment arranged in the virtual space, based on the transport amount designation information and the power consumption database, and the output device outputs the virtual equipment together with the predicted power consumption calculated by the power calculation unit.

[0010] This configuration allows the layout of equipment to be freely designed in virtual space. Once the transport volume of each equipment device is determined, the predicted power consumption of equipment with any layout can be appropriately calculated. Therefore, it becomes easy to design equipment that takes into account not only transport efficiency and space utilization efficiency, but also power consumption. In other words, this configuration provides a design system that can appropriately design equipment that combines equipment devices, including transport vehicles and other transport devices.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the design system will become apparent from the following description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments which are illustrated with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing a schematic example of the design system configuration [Figure 2] Conceptual diagram showing a schematic example of the design system configuration [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a first article transport facility; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of an article transport vehicle of a first article transport facility; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of an article transport vehicle of the first article transport facility. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a first storage facility equipped with a stacker crane having a first transfer device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a second storage facility equipped with a second transfer device. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a second article transport facility equipped with an interfloor transport device. [Figure 9] Horizontal cross section of interfloor transport device [Figure 10] A transparent perspective view showing an example of an automated guided vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of a design system for designing equipment that combines multiple types of equipment, including conveying equipment, will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the equipment will be referred to as the target equipment. As will be described in detail later, the design system 1 includes a calculation device 2, a storage device 3, an input device 4, and an output device 5, as shown in FIG. 1. The calculation device 2 includes an equipment selection processing unit 2a, a placement processing unit 2b, and a power calculation unit 2c as processing units that perform calculations. The storage device 3 stores programs for the calculations. The storage device 3 also stores data used in the calculations. Therefore, the storage device 3 includes a power consumption database 3d that stores power consumption information preset for each type of equipment. The input device 4 accepts input to the calculation device 2, and the output device 5 outputs the results of calculations performed by the calculation device 2.

[0014] The power consumption information stored in the power consumption database 3d defines the relationship between power consumption and specification setting values, which are set values ​​within a changeable range for each changeable specification item, which is a specification item that can be changed for each type of facility equipment. For facility equipment that is a conveying device, the power consumption information defines the relationship between power consumption and unit conveyance distance, which is the conveyance distance per unit time for each type of facility equipment. Details of this power consumption information will be described later, providing specific examples of facility equipment, changeable specification items, changeable ranges, specification setting values, unit conveyance distances, etc.

[0015] As described above, the calculation device 2 includes the equipment selection processing unit 2a, the placement processing unit 2b, and the power calculation unit 2c, which are calculation processing units that perform calculations in response to input from the input device 4. While the detailed functions of each processing unit will be described later, the equipment selection processing unit 2a displays a list of selectable types of equipment on the output device 5 and accepts the selection of equipment from the input device 4. The placement processing unit 2b accepts specifications for the placement and specification settings of the equipment selected by the equipment selection processing unit 2a and places the equipment in a virtual space according to the specifications. Equipment including multiple equipment devices placed in a virtual space, i.e., equipment constructed in a virtual space, is referred to as virtual equipment. The power calculation unit 2c accepts input of transport amount specification information, which is information for determining the transport amount per unit time, and calculates predicted power consumption, which is a predicted value of the power consumption of the virtual equipment, based on the transport amount specification information and the power consumption database 3d. The output device 5 outputs the virtual equipment and the predicted power consumption calculated by the power calculation unit 2c together.

[0016] When designing equipment, designers may conduct studies while changing the layout of equipment and specification settings. Therefore, the layout processing unit 2b receives commands to move equipment and change specification settings, and changes the layout and specification settings of the equipment in the virtual space in accordance with the command. In this case, the power calculation unit 2c executes a process to calculate the predicted power consumption of the virtual equipment after the change each time at least one of the layout and specification settings of the equipment in the virtual space is changed. This configuration allows the layout of the equipment to be freely changed in the virtual space, while appropriately reflecting the changes in the predicted power consumption of the equipment due to the change.

[0017] However, the power calculation unit 2c does not need to calculate the predicted power consumption of the virtual equipment after each change in at least one of the layout and specification settings of the equipment in the virtual space. As described above, during the design process, the designer may change the layout and specification settings of the equipment while conducting research. In other words, the layout and specification settings of the equipment may change frequently. Sequentially calculating the predicted power consumption in this case may unnecessarily increase the computational load. Therefore, for example, the power calculation unit 2c may be configured to calculate the predicted power consumption only when the designer completes a full design (e.g., when the designer inputs "Complete" or when the virtual equipment is saved), or at regular intervals (every hour, when the number of changes exceeds a specified number), etc. In any case, even if the predicted power consumption changes due to a change in the layout of the equipment, it is possible to design an appropriate equipment that takes into account the changed power consumption.

[0018] In addition, although the embodiment in which the placement processing unit 2b receives the change command and changes the placement and specification setting values ​​of the facility equipment is exemplified here, a change processing unit, for example, may be provided separately from the placement processing unit 2b. That is, a change processing unit may be provided that receives a change command to move the facility equipment placed by the placement processing unit 2b and to change the placement and specification setting values ​​of the transport device in the virtual space in accordance with the change command.

[0019] In one preferred embodiment, the calculation device 2 is a computer such as a personal computer or workstation configured with hardware such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or graphics processor at its core. The storage device 3 is configured with storage media such as a hard disk drive, solid-state disk drive, or memory at its core. The device selection processing unit 2a, the placement processing unit 2b, and the power calculation unit 2c are realized by cooperation between the computer and software such as a program stored in the storage device 3. The input device 4 can be a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, jog stick, microphone, or the like. The output device 5 can be a display device, speaker, printer, or the like. A reader for a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, memory card, or portable memory can also be used as the input device 4. That is, a reader for a storage medium storing parameters indicating the placement information, specification settings, and the like of facility equipment can also be used as the input device 4. Similarly, a writer for a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, memory card, or portable memory can also be used as the output device 5.

[0020] 2 shows an example of a design system 1 configured using a computer system 8. A main unit 8a of the computer system 8 is configured with hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a graphics processor, and a storage medium as its core, and corresponds to the arithmetic unit 2 and the storage unit 3. A keyboard 8b and a mouse (not shown) correspond to the input device 4, and a display 8c corresponds to the output device 5. The computer system 8 calculates predicted power consumption, which is a predicted value of the power consumption of the virtual equipment 9, based on layout data of the target equipment constructed as virtual equipment 9, transport amount specification information, and power consumption information, and outputs the virtual equipment 9 and its predicted power consumption.

[0021] As will be explained below with specific examples, target facilities that combine multiple types of equipment devices, including conveying devices, include various forms. For example, the conveying devices as equipment devices can be article transport vehicles that travel along a specified travel path to transport articles, or transport carts for such article transport vehicles. Furthermore, the article transport vehicles can be stacker cranes, overhead transport vehicles, or floor-mounted transport vehicles. Furthermore, the article transport vehicles can be automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that travel on the floor without a track, regardless of whether a travel path is specified. Furthermore, conveying devices as equipment devices also include conveyors and elevators. Furthermore, the equipment devices can also include power supply devices installed at power receiving spots for charging power storage devices installed on the conveying devices, and contactless power supply equipment that contactlessly supplies power to the conveying devices via power supply lines installed along the travel path. In addition, equipment also includes processing equipment that processes items to be transported, such as a semiconductor processing equipment that processes semiconductors when the items are semiconductors, a filling equipment that fills containers such as beverages with liquid and then puts a lid on them, and a picking equipment that picks multiple types of items. The equipment and transport equipment described above are examples, and various other devices can also be considered equipment.

[0022] 3 and 4 illustrate a first article conveying facility 101 as an example of the target facility 100. The first article conveying facility 101 includes an article conveying vehicle 30 as an example of a conveying device and a traveling rail 20 arranged along a traveling path 10, which is the travel path of the article conveying vehicle 30. The article conveying vehicle 30 is guided by the traveling rail 20 and travels along the traveling path 10. Articles to be conveyed by the article conveying vehicle 30 include, for example, front-opening unified pods (FOUPs) that store semiconductor substrates and glass substrates used as display materials. The first article conveying facility 101 also includes a storage facility (not shown) that stores semiconductor substrates and an article processing unit P that performs various processes to form circuits, etc. on the semiconductor substrates. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the traveling path 10 includes a single circular main path 10a, a circular sub-path 10b that passes through multiple article processing units P, and a connecting path 10c that connects the main path 10a and the sub-path 10b.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, article transport vehicle 30 is a so-called ceiling transport vehicle. Article transport vehicle 30 includes a traveling section 12 that travels along traveling path 10 while being guided by a pair of traveling rails 20 that are arranged and suspended from the ceiling along traveling path 10, a main body 13 that is positioned below traveling rails 20 and suspended from traveling section 12, and a power receiving device 40 that receives driving power in a non-contact manner from a power supply line 25 that is arranged along traveling path 10. Although detailed description will be omitted, as shown in Fig. 5, main body 13 includes an article support section 18 that is provided on main body 13 so as to be movable up and down and that supports article W in a suspended state. Article support section 18 includes a gripper 19. For example, the article transport vehicle 30 uses the gripping section 19 to grip and lift an article W placed on an article loading platform Ps of an article processing unit P, then travels with the article W suspended and supported, transporting the article W, and placing the article W on an article loading platform Ps of another article processing unit P. The travel path 10 corresponds to the transport path along which the transport device as a facility device transports articles, and the travel section 12 corresponds to the transport vehicle that transports articles. Note that the entire article transport vehicle 30 can also be considered to correspond to the transport vehicle.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 , the traveling section 12 is provided with a pair of traveling wheels 15 that are driven to rotate by an electric drive motor 14. The traveling wheels 15 roll on the traveling surfaces formed by the upper surfaces of the traveling rails 20. The traveling section 12 also has a pair of guide wheels 16 that freely rotate around an axis (around a vertical axis) along the vertical direction V, in contact with the inner surfaces of the pair of traveling rails 20. The traveling section 12 is also configured with a driving motor 14 for traveling and its drive circuit, etc., and causes the article transport vehicle 30 to travel along the traveling rails 20. The main body 13 is provided with an actuator that raises and lowers the article support section 18, an actuator that drives the gripping section 19 that grips the article W, etc., and their drive circuits, etc. (none of which are shown). The driving motor 14, actuator, drive circuit, etc. are electrical loads on the article transport vehicle 30. Although the description will be omitted below as appropriate, the same applies to other target facilities 100, and facility devices (particularly transport devices) have various electrical loads.

[0025] Power for these drive motors 14, various actuators, and drive circuits for driving them is supplied contactlessly from a power supply line 25 to a power receiving device 40. As described above, the power supply line 25, which supplies drive power to the article transport vehicle 30 via the power receiving device 40, is arranged along the travel route 10. The first article transport facility 101 is equipped with a contactless power supply facility using a wireless power supply technology known as HID (High Efficiency Inductive Power Distribution Technology), which supplies drive power to the electrical load of the article transport vehicle 30. The contactless power supply facility includes the power supply line 25 and a power supply device (not shown) connected to the power supply line 25 and supplying AC current to the power supply line 25. In a relatively large facility, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a power supply system including the power supply line 25 and the power supply device is provided in multiple systems, rather than just one system, to prevent a decrease in power transmission efficiency and a complete shutdown of the facility in the event of a malfunction. The contactless power supply facility is constructed using multiple power supply systems. For example, the entire contactless power supply facility or one power supply system is applied as the facility device.

[0026] When the type of facility equipment is a transport vehicle (traveling section 12, article transport vehicle 30) that transports an article W along a transport path, such as the first article transport facility 101, the changeable specification items preferably include the number of transport vehicles (traveling section 12, article transport vehicle 30), the length of the transport path (length of traveling path 10), the shape of the transport path, and the configuration of the power source that supplies power to the transport vehicle. The configuration of the power source includes the electrical specifications of the contactless power supply equipment, the configuration, electrical specifications, and number of systems of a single power supply system. Furthermore, the article support unit 18 that is provided on the article transport vehicle 30 and that rises and falls can also be considered a lifting device, which is one type of facility equipment. Therefore, when the target facility is the first article transport facility 101, the changeable specification items may include the lift height of the article support unit 18 and the number of items that can be transported simultaneously.

[0027] 6 illustrates a first item storage facility 102 as an example of the target facility 100. The first item storage facility 102 includes a storage shelf 202 for storing items W, a stacker crane 203 as an example of a conveying device, an entry section 204, and an exit section 205.

[0028] The storage shelf 202 has a plurality of storage sections 230 that store items W. In this embodiment, the first item storage facility 102 has a pair of storage shelves 202 arranged opposite each other with a stacker crane 203 sandwiched therebetween. Each of the pair of storage shelves 202 has a plurality of pillar members 221 erected from the floor at a predetermined interval and a plurality of support members 222 fixed to the pillar members 221 at a predetermined interval. The space above a pair of support members 222 fixed at the same height to adjacent pillar members 221 forms a storage section 230 that stores items W. Each of the pair of storage shelves 202 has a plurality of storage sections 230 arranged in multiple rows and columns. The respective storage sections 230 are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the travel path 10 of the stacker crane 203.

[0029] An entry section 204 for storing items W into the storage shelf 202 and an outgoing section 205 for retrieving items W from the storage shelf 202 are provided at one end of the pair of storage shelves 202. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the entry section 204 is provided adjacent to one storage shelf 202 and the outgoing section 205 is provided adjacent to the other storage shelf 202. However, the functions of the entry section 204 and the outgoing section 205 do not have to be fixed. Each section may function as the entry section 204 or the outgoing section 205 as appropriate. Furthermore, for example, it is not precluded that when a large number of items W are stored in the storage shelf 202, both sections function as entry sections 204, and when a large number of items W are retrieving from the storage shelf 202, both sections function as outgoing sections 205.

[0030] A stacker crane 203 installed between a pair of storage shelves 202 arranged opposite each other moves along a travel path 10 set along the front of the storage shelf 202, and transports items W between the receiving section 204 and the storage shelf 202, between different storage sections 230 on the same storage shelf 202, between one storage shelf 202 and the other storage shelf 202, and between the storage shelf 202 and the unloading section 205.

[0031] The stacker crane 203 includes a traveling carriage 232, a mast 233, a lifting platform 234, and a first transfer device 235. The traveling carriage 232 travels on a traveling rail 20 installed on the floor surface along a travel path 10. The mast 233 is erected from the traveling carriage 232. In this embodiment, a pair of masts 233 are provided on either side of the traveling path 10 of the traveling carriage 232. The upper ends of the masts 233 are guided by guide rails 236 installed on the ceiling. The lifting platform 234 rises and falls in the vertical direction V along the pair of masts 233. The first transfer device 235 is fixed to the lifting platform 234, and moves to a position facing a predetermined storage unit 230 as the lifting platform 234 rises and falls, and transfers an article W between the storage unit 230 and the stacker crane 203. Although not shown in the figures, similar to the above-mentioned item transport vehicle 30, the first item storage facility 102 is also preferably equipped with a non-contact power supply facility, and the stacker crane 203 is preferably supplied with power from the non-contact power supply facility.

[0032] The receiving section 204 holds the item W to be handed over to the stacker crane 203. The receiving section 204 receives the item W from an external conveying device (not shown) or a worker, holds the received item W, and hands over the item W to the stacker crane 203. The receiving section 204 is equipped with an receiving conveyor 241 constituted by, for example, a roller conveyor, a slat conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like.

[0033] The unloading section 205 holds the article W to be handed over to an external conveying device (not shown) or a worker. The unloading section 205 receives the article W from the stacker crane 203, holds the received article W, and hands over the article W to the external conveying device. Similar to the receiving section 204, the unloading section 205 is equipped with an unloading conveyor 251 constituted by, for example, a roller conveyor, a slat conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like.

[0034] In the first item storage facility 102, the traveling carriage 232 of the stacker crane 203 corresponds to the transport carriage that transports the item W. It should be noted that the entire stacker crane 203 can also be considered to correspond to the transport carriage. The travel path 10 corresponds to the transport path along which the stacker crane 203, as an equipment device and a transport device, transports the item W. The inbound conveyor 241 and the outbound conveyor 251 correspond to conveyors as an equipment device and a transport device. The lifting platform 234 of the stacker crane 203 can also be considered to be a transport device that transports the item W, or can also be called a lifting device. Therefore, the lifting range of the lifting platform 234 can also be called a transport path.

[0035] When the type of facility equipment is a stacker crane 203, as in the first item storage facility 102, the changeable specification items preferably include the length of the travel path 10 of the stacker crane 203 and the lifting height of the stacker crane 203. The type of facility equipment in the first item storage facility 102 can also be referred to as a transport vehicle (traveling vehicle 232, stacker crane 203) that transports the item W along the transport path. In this case, the changeable specification items preferably include the number of transport vehicles (traveling vehicle 232, stacker crane 203), the length of the transport path (length of the travel path 10), the shape of the transport path, and the configuration of the power source that supplies power to the transport vehicle. The configuration of the power source includes the electrical specifications of the wireless power supply equipment, the configuration, electrical specifications, and number of systems of a single power supply system. In addition, the lifting platform 234 that is provided on the stacker crane 203 and that lifts and lowers can also be referred to as a lifting device, which is one type of facility equipment. Therefore, when the target equipment is the first item storage equipment 102, the changeable specification items may include the lifting height of the lifting platform 234 and the number of items that can be transported simultaneously. Furthermore, the inbound conveyor 241 and the outbound conveyor 251 can naturally be considered to be conveyors, which are a type of equipment. Therefore, when the first item storage equipment 102 is the target equipment 100, the changeable specification items may include the length of the transport path along which the inbound conveyor 241 and the outbound conveyor 251 extend.

[0036] 7 illustrates a second item storage facility 103 as an example of the target facility 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the second item storage facility 103 is provided with an item transport vehicle 30 equipped with a second transfer device 301, and an item storage shelf 302 equipped with a plurality of storage sections 230.

[0037] The article transport vehicle 30 is configured to transport the article W in a specific direction in a horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the article transport vehicle 30 is configured to transport the article W along the front surface of the article storage shelf 302. The article storage shelf 302 has a multi-tier structure with multiple shelves 314 in the vertical direction V, and the article transport vehicle 30 is disposed on each tier of the article storage shelf 302. Note that, of the multiple article transport vehicles 30, only the article transport vehicle 30 disposed on the topmost tier of the article storage shelf 302 is shown in Figure 7.

[0038] The article storage shelf 302 has a plurality of storage sections 230 arranged in the up-down direction V and along the extension direction of the travel path of the article transport vehicle 30. As described above, the article storage shelf 302 has a plurality of shelf boards 314 arranged in the up-down direction V so as to be aligned along the shelf depth direction and the extension direction of the travel path of the article transport vehicle 30, and each shelf board 314 constitutes a storage section 230. An article W is stored in a storage section 230 by being placed on the shelf board 314. Here, a pair of article storage shelves 302 are arranged so as to face each other in the shelf depth direction, with the travel path of the article transport vehicle 30 between them. Note that in this embodiment, the shelf depth direction is a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the travel path of the article transport vehicle 30 when viewed from the up-down direction V.

[0039] The second item storage facility 103 is provided with various equipment devices for storing items W onto the item storage shelf 302. Specifically, the second item storage facility 103 is provided with an input conveyor 241, an input lift 304, and an input relay conveyor 303. The input conveyor 241 transports items W from the outside to be stored onto the item storage shelf 302. The input lift 304 receives items W from the input conveyor 241 and raises and lowers the items W to deliver them to the input relay conveyor 303. The input relay conveyor 303 receives items W from the input lift 304 and delivers them to the item transport vehicle 30. Here, the input relay conveyor 303 is provided on each tier of the item storage shelf 302. The input lift 304 can deliver items W to the input relay conveyor 303 on each tier by raising and lowering in the vertical direction V.

[0040] The second item storage facility 103 is also provided with various equipment devices for retrieving items W from the item storage shelves 302. Specifically, the second item storage facility 103 is provided with an outgoing conveyor 251, an outgoing lift 307, and an outgoing relay conveyor 308. The outgoing relay conveyor 308 receives items W from the item transport vehicle 30 and delivers the items W to the outgoing lift 307. Here, the outgoing relay conveyor 308 is provided on each tier of the item storage shelves 302. The outgoing lift 307 can receive items W from the outgoing relay conveyor 308 on each tier by rising and lowering in the vertical direction V, and delivers the items W to the outgoing conveyor 251. The outgoing conveyor 251 receives items W from the outgoing lift 307 and transports the items W to the outside.

[0041] The receiving conveyor 241, the outgoing conveyor 251, the receiving relay conveyor 303, and the outgoing relay conveyor 308 are configured, for example, by roller conveyors, slat conveyors, or belt conveyors. Similar to the first item storage facility 102 described above, the receiving conveyor 241, the receiving lift 304, and the receiving relay conveyor 303 do not necessarily have to be fixed for receiving, and the outgoing conveyor 251, the outgoing lift 307, and the outgoing relay conveyor 308 do not necessarily have to be fixed for outgoing. Each may function as a receiving conveyor or an outgoing conveyor, as appropriate. Furthermore, for example, it is not precluded that both conveyors function as receiving conveyors when there are many items W being received into the item storage shelf 302, and both convey as outgoing conveyors when there are many items W being unloaded from the item storage shelf 302.

[0042] The article transport vehicle 30 includes a running body 312 equipped with a travel motor (not shown), and a second transfer device 301 equipped with a support body 321 on which an article W is placed and supported. The second transfer device 301 is supported by the running body 312. With the article W supported by the support body 321, the second transfer device 301 performs a transfer operation to move the article W along the transfer direction between the article transport vehicle 30 and the transfer target location. The above-mentioned storage section 230, incoming relay conveyor 303, and outgoing relay conveyor 308 correspond to the transfer target location. Like the article transport vehicles 30 of the above-mentioned first article transport facility 101, the second article storage facility 103 may also include a wireless power supply facility, and the article transport vehicles 30 of the second article storage facility 103 may be configured to receive power from the wireless power supply facility. Furthermore, the goods transport vehicle 30 may be configured in a manner such that a power storage device 508 is mounted on the goods transport vehicle 30 and power is supplied from the power storage device 508, as in the case of an automatic guided vehicle 509 (AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle)) described later with reference to Figure 10.

[0043] In the second item storage facility 103, the running body 312 of the item transport vehicle 30 corresponds to a transport platform that transports the item W. The entire item transport vehicle 30 can also be considered to correspond to a transport platform. The route along which the item transport vehicle 30 travels as an equipment device and a transport device corresponds to a transport route for transporting the item W. The inbound conveyor 241, the outbound conveyor 251, the inbound relay conveyor 303, the outbound relay conveyor 308, the inbound lift 304, and the outbound lift 307 also correspond to transport devices that transport the item W. Therefore, the routes along which the conveyors extend in the inbound conveyor 241, the outbound conveyor 251, the inbound relay conveyor 303, and the outbound relay conveyor 308 and transport the item W can also be considered transport routes. The routes along which the inbound lift 304 and the outbound lift 307 ascend and descend can also be considered transport routes. In addition, the storage lift 304 and the storage lift 307 can also be called lifting devices.

[0044] When the type of facility equipment is a transport vehicle (traveling body 312, article transport vehicle 30) that transports the item W along a transport route, such as the second item storage facility 103, the changeable specification items preferably include the number of transport vehicles (traveling body 312, article transport vehicle 30), the length of the transport route (length of travel route 10), the shape of the transport route, and the configuration of the power source that supplies power to the transport vehicle. The configuration of the power source includes the electrical specifications of the contactless power supply equipment, the configuration, electrical specifications, and number of systems of a single power supply system. Furthermore, the storage lift 304 and the delivery lift 307 can also be considered as lifting devices, which are one type of facility equipment. Therefore, when the target facility is the second item storage facility 103, the changeable specification items may include the lifting height of the storage lift 304 and the delivery lift 307 and the number of items that can be transported simultaneously. Furthermore, the inbound conveyor 241, the outbound conveyor 251, the inbound relay conveyor 303, and the outbound relay conveyor 308 can naturally be considered to be conveyors, which are one type of facility equipment. Therefore, when the second item storage facility 103 is the target facility 100, the changeable specification items may include the length of the transport path along which the inbound conveyor 241, the outbound conveyor 251, the inbound relay conveyor 303, and the outbound relay conveyor 308 extend.

[0045] 8 and 9 illustrate a second article conveying facility 104 as an example of the target facility 100. As shown in Fig. 8, the second article conveying facility 104 includes an interfloor conveying device 401 that conveys articles W between multiple floors, a ceiling conveying device 406 that travels near the ceiling on each floor to convey the articles W, a floor conveying device 407 that travels on the floor surface of each floor to convey the articles W, and an input / output conveying device 408 that is installed on the floor surface of each floor to convey the articles W to the interfloor conveying device 401 or to convey the articles W from the interfloor conveying device 401. The ceiling conveying device 406 has a configuration similar to that of the article conveying vehicle 30 in the first article conveying facility 101.

[0046] The interfloor conveying device 401 is provided inside a cylindrical partition 409 that is provided across multiple floors, penetrating the floor surface of each floor in the vertical direction V. The ceiling conveying device 406 and the floor conveying device 407 are arranged outside the partition 409. As shown in FIG. 9 , the input / output conveying device 408 is provided across the inside and outside of the partition 409, penetrating the partition 409 horizontally. The input / output conveying device 408 conveys an article W between an external end 481, which is the end located outside the partition 409, and an internal end 482, which is the end located inside the partition 409. The input / output conveying device 408 is a conveyor, and is configured using a conveyor such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. The input / output conveying device 408 also corresponds to a conveying device.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 9 , a plurality of holding sections 490 for holding articles W are provided inside the partition 409. When an article W is placed on the outer end 481 of the entry / exit conveying device 408 by the ceiling conveying device 406, the floor conveying device 407, or an operator, the article W is transported by the entry / exit conveying device 408 to the inner end 482 inside the partition 409. The article W is then transported from the inner end 482 by the interfloor conveying device 401 to a holding section 490 on the same floor or another floor, and held in the holding section 490. The article W held in the holding section 490 is also transported by the interfloor conveying device 401 from the holding section 490 to the inner end 482 of the entry / exit conveying device 408 on the same floor or another floor, and then transported to the outer end 481 by the entry / exit conveying device 408. The item W transported to the exterior end 481 is transported from the exterior end 481 to another location by the ceiling conveying device 406, the floor conveying device 407, or a worker. In addition, the interfloor conveying device 401 may transport the item W from the interior end 482 to the interior end 482 of another entry / exit conveying device 408, or may transport the item W from a holding section 490 to another holding section 490. Note that the interior end 482 of the entry / exit conveying device 408 holds the item W in that position when it is not transporting the item W, and therefore also functions as a holding section 490.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the interfloor conveying device 401 includes a guide rail 410 installed along the vertical direction V, a lifting unit 420 that moves up and down along the guide rail 410, and a third transfer device 430 that is supported by the lifting unit 420 and transfers an item W between multiple holding units 490 that are arranged horizontally spaced apart from the guide rail 410. The interfloor conveying device 401 transports the item W between the holding units 490, including the inner end 482 of the entry / exit conveying device 408. The general holding units 490, excluding the inner end 482 of the entry / exit conveying device 408, include a support member 491 that supports the item W from below, and are configured to hold the item W while the support member 491 supports the item W from below. The guide rail 410 is arranged across multiple floors along the vertical direction V. The lifting unit 420 that supports the third transfer device 430 can move up and down along the guide rail 410. This allows the interfloor conveying device 401 to convey the article W across multiple floors.

[0049] Similar to the article transport vehicle 30 of the first article transport facility 101 described above, the second article transport facility 104 is also preferably equipped with a non-contact power supply facility, and the ceiling transport device 406 is preferably configured to receive power from the non-contact power supply facility. The inter-floor transport device 401 may similarly receive power from the non-contact power supply facility, or may receive power via a wired connection. The floor transport device 407 is a so-called automated guided vehicle 509 (AGV), and is preferably supplied with power from a power storage device (not shown) mounted on the floor transport device 407. The automated guided vehicle 509 equipped with the power storage device 508 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10.

[0050] In the second article conveying facility 104, the ceiling conveying device 406, the floor conveying device 407, the interfloor conveying device 401, and the entrance / exit conveying device 408 correspond to conveying devices. The travel path of the ceiling conveying device 406, the path along the guide rails 410 along which the lifting unit 420 of the interfloor conveying device 401 moves, and the path along which the conveyor in the entrance / exit conveying device 408 extends to convey articles W correspond to conveying paths. In addition, the path along which the floor conveying device 407, which is a trackless AGV, moves also corresponds to a conveying path. The lifting unit 420 of the interfloor conveying device 401 moves up and down along the guide rails 410, and therefore can also be called a lifting device.

[0051] When the type of facility equipment is a lifting device, such as the interfloor transport device 401 of the second article transport equipment 104, the changeable specification items preferably include the lifting height and the number of items that can be transported simultaneously. Also, when the type of facility equipment is a transport cart (ceiling transport device 406) that transports article W along a transport route, the changeable specification items preferably include the number of transport carts (ceiling transport device 406), the length of the transport route, the shape of the transport route, and the configuration of the power source that supplies power to the transport cart. Also, when the type of facility equipment is a conveyor, such as the entry / exit transport device 408, the changeable specification items preferably include the length of the transport route along which the conveyor extends.

[0052] The see-through perspective view in Fig. 10 schematically shows an automated guided vehicle 509 as an example of an AGV corresponding to a transport device. The automated guided vehicle 509 includes a power storage device 508, a non-contact power receiving device 520 as a power source that supplies power for charging the power storage device 508, a charging circuit 510 that charges the power storage device 508 using power supplied from the non-contact power receiving device 520, a motor 591 that drives wheels 596, and a motor control device 592 that drives and controls the motor 591. The motor 591 and the motor control device 592 are electrical loads that operate using power from the power storage device 508. The non-contact power receiving device 520 includes a power receiving coil 521 that is disposed opposite a power feeding coil 527 at a charging spot described below and is supplied with power from the power feeding coil 527.

[0053] The power storage device 508 is a secondary battery such as a lithium battery. The power storage device 508, the non-contact power receiving device 520, the charging circuit 510, the motor 591, and the motor control device 592 are housed inside a carriage unit 595 of the automatic guided vehicle 509. For example, an article W is placed on the upper surface of the carriage unit 595, and the article W is transported. Although not shown in the figures, a transfer machine or the like for transferring the article W may be installed on the upper part of the carriage unit 595.

[0054] When the automated guided vehicle 509 has a defined travel route even if it is trackless, charging spots for charging the power storage device 508 are provided along the travel route of the automated guided vehicle 509 or at positions off to the side of the travel route. When the travel route is not defined, charging spots are provided in defined locations. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the automated guided vehicle 509 stops so that a power feeding coil 527 of the charging spot faces a power receiving coil 521 of the automated guided vehicle 509, and power is supplied from the power feeding coil 527 to the power receiving coil 521 by electromagnetic induction. The power feeding circuit 528 is fixedly installed, and power is supplied to the power feeding circuit 528 from a commercial power source via a wired connection. Naturally, the power feeding method is not limited to this contactless power feeding method, and a configuration in which power is supplied to the power storage device 508 at the charging spot via a wired connection is also possible.

[0055] When such a charging spot is provided, the charging spot is also an example of an equipment. Furthermore, the travel route of the automated guided vehicle 509 corresponds to the transport route along which the article W is transported, whether it is a specified route or a free route.

[0056] While various examples of target equipment 100, equipment devices, and conveying devices in the target equipment 100 have been given above, these are merely examples and do not exclude other equipment, equipment devices, or conveying devices. For example, a picking facility that is primarily composed of a conveyor and collects and ships items according to an order from multiple types of items is also a target equipment. The conveyor that conveys items in the target equipment corresponds to the equipment and conveying device. The changeable specification items include the length of the conveying path along which such a conveyor extends.

[0057] Furthermore, if the target facility 100 is a semiconductor storage facility, storage facility, transport facility, or the like, and is equipped with a purge device that uses a rare gas, the purge device is also included in the facility equipment. Furthermore, if the target facility 100 is constructed in a so-called clean room for semiconductors, liquid crystal panels, or the like, ventilation devices, air purifiers, fans, and the like are also included in the facility equipment.

[0058] The table below shows an example of the relationship between power consumption and specification setting values, which are setting values ​​within the changeable range for each changeable specification item, which is a changeable specification item for each type of facility device.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] For example, if the facility equipment is an article transport vehicle 30 of the first article transport facility 101, examples of changeable specification items include the number of vehicles to be deployed within the facility, the length (total length) of the transport route (travel route 10 in the first article transport facility 101), the number of branch points from the main route 10a to the connecting route 10c in the first article transport facility 101, and the number of junction points from the connecting route 10c to the main route 10a. Examples of selectable specification setting values ​​include 1 to 1,000 vehicles for the number of vehicles, 100 meters to 50 kilometers for the length of the transport route, and 0 to 1,000 for the number of branch points and junction points. Examples of power consumption include the power consumption per article transport vehicle, the power consumption per meter of the transport route, and the power consumption per branch point and junction point. Other examples are as shown in the table, and therefore will not be described in detail. The relationship between the specification setting values, which are set values ​​within the changeable range for each of the changeable specification items, and the power consumption is stored as power consumption information in the power consumption database 3d.

[0061] Furthermore, for facility equipment that is a conveying device, the power consumption database 3d also stores, as power consumption information, the relationship between the unit conveyance amount, which is the conveyance amount per unit time for each type of facility equipment, and the power consumption. For example, if the facility equipment is an article transport vehicle 30 of the first article transport facility 101, the unit conveyance amount is the number of articles W conveyed per hour, the total weight of the articles W conveyed per hour, or, if the articles W are liquid, the total volume of the articles W conveyed per hour. The power consumption required to transport the unit conveyance amount of articles W is associated with each unit conveyance amount and stored in the power consumption database 3d. Since the power consumption may vary depending on the number of article transport vehicles 30, it is preferable that the power consumption required to transport the unit conveyance amount of articles W be stored in the power consumption database 3d in accordance with the above-mentioned changeable specification items. The same applies when the facility equipment (conveying device) is another device, so detailed explanations such as examples will be omitted.

[0062] The power consumption of the facility devices in the various target facilities 100 described above can be known in advance based on the specifications of each facility. Therefore, the power consumption database 3d can store power consumption information as theoretical values ​​based on those specifications.

[0063] However, theoretical values ​​may differ from the values ​​of the actual equipment. Therefore, when constructing the power consumption database 3d, power consumption information may be stored based on theoretical values ​​as described above, but it is preferable to update the power consumption information based on measurement information from the actual equipment. For example, the design system 1 can store measurement information, which is the result of measuring the specification setting values ​​and the power consumption per unit conveyance amount of actual equipment, in the storage device 3, and update the power consumption database 3d based on the stored measurement information. In this way, updating the power consumption database 3d based on the measurement information from the actual equipment makes it easier to improve the accuracy of the power consumption information calculated by the power calculation unit 2c.

[0064] It is desirable that the power consumption database 3d stores power consumption information for all facility devices that can be selected by the device selection processing unit 2a in a manner that corresponds to all changeable specification items. The power calculation unit 2c can calculate the predicted power consumption of the target facility 100 with high accuracy.

[0065] However, facility devices may be customized for each facility. In such cases, it may not be possible to store power consumption information for all facility devices in the power consumption database 3d. In such cases, it is preferable for the power calculation unit 2c to acquire from the storage device 3 the power consumption information of the facility device selected by the device selection processing unit 2a and placed in the virtual space by the placement processing unit 2b, which has the closest changeable specification items, specification set values, and unit transport volume, and use the acquired power consumption information as the power consumption value of the facility device. Even if the power calculation unit 2c does not completely match the parameters such as the changeable specification items, specification set values, and unit transport volume, by acquiring the power consumption information of the facility device with the closest changeable specification items, specification set values, and unit transport volume, and using the acquired power consumption information as the power consumption value of the facility device, the power calculation unit 2c can calculate the predicted power consumption through simple processing without complex calculations such as performing separate calculations to adapt the parameters.

[0066] The following describes an example in which a target facility 100 is designed and a virtual facility 9 and its predicted power consumption are output. The equipment selection processing unit 2a receives the layout and specification setting values ​​of the selected facility equipment specified by the designer via the input device 4, and the layout processing unit 2b constructs the virtual facility 9 in the virtual space according to the specifications. At this point, the facility equipment, changeable specification items, and specification setting values ​​are set in the virtual facility 9. The power calculation unit 2c receives transport distance specification information provided by the designer via the input device 4, for example. The transport distance specification information may be, for example, the total transport distance per day, the total transport distance per year, or the maximum transport distance at any instant. The transport distance specification information may be the transport distance for a single facility equipment (transport device), such as a single article transport vehicle 30, or the transport distance for the entire facility. The power calculation unit 2c determines the transport distance per unit time based on the transport distance information. The power consumption required to transport a unit transport distance of goods W is stored in the power consumption database 3d, as described above. Therefore, the power calculation unit 2c can calculate the predicted power consumption, which is the predicted value of the power consumption of the virtual equipment 9 including multiple equipment devices arranged in the virtual space, based on the transport amount designation information and the power consumption database 3d.

[0067] In this way, the design system 1 according to this embodiment allows the layout of the target facility 100 to be freely designed in a virtual space. Then, once the transport amount of each facility device is determined, the predicted power consumption of the target facility 100 with any layout can be appropriately calculated. Therefore, it becomes easy to design a facility that takes into consideration not only transport efficiency and space utilization efficiency, but also power consumption.

[0068] [Overview of the embodiment] The design system described above will now be briefly outlined.

[0069] In one aspect, a design system for designing equipment that combines multiple types of equipment devices including a conveying device comprises: a calculation device that performs calculation processing; a storage device that stores a program for the calculation processing and data used in the calculation processing; an input device that accepts input to the calculation device; and an output device that outputs calculation results by the calculation device; the storage device comprises a power consumption database that stores power consumption information that is set in advance for each type of equipment device; the power consumption information specifies a relationship between power consumption and specification setting values ​​that are set values ​​within a changeable range for each changeable specification item that is a changeable specification item for each type of equipment device; and a relationship between power consumption and a unit conveyance amount that is a conveyance amount per unit time for each type of equipment device; and the calculation device controls the calculation device to execute the above-mentioned The arithmetic processing unit that performs the arithmetic processing in response to input from the input device includes an equipment selection processing unit that displays a list of selectable types of equipment on the output device and accepts selection of the equipment from the input device; an arrangement processing unit that accepts designation of the arrangement and the specification setting values ​​of the equipment equipment selected by the equipment selection processing unit and arranges the equipment in a virtual space in accordance with the designation; and a power calculation unit that accepts input of transport amount designation information, which is information for determining the transport amount per unit time, and calculates predicted power consumption, which is a predicted value of power consumption of virtual equipment including a plurality of the equipment equipment arranged in the virtual space, based on the transport amount designation information and the power consumption database, and the output device outputs the virtual equipment together with the predicted power consumption calculated by the power calculation unit.

[0070] This configuration allows the layout of equipment to be freely designed in virtual space. Once the transport volume of each equipment device is determined, the predicted power consumption of equipment with any layout can be appropriately calculated. Therefore, it becomes easy to design equipment that takes into account not only transport efficiency and space utilization efficiency, but also power consumption. In other words, this configuration provides a design system that can appropriately design equipment that combines equipment devices, including transport vehicles and other transport devices.

[0071] Here, it is preferable that the placement processing unit receives commands to move the facility equipment and change the specification setting values, and changes the placement of the facility equipment in the virtual space and the specification setting values ​​in accordance with the change commands, and the power calculation unit executes a process to calculate the predicted power consumption of the virtual facility after the change each time at least one of the placement of the facility equipment in the virtual space and the specification setting values ​​is changed.

[0072] This configuration allows users to freely change the layout of the equipment in a virtual space, while appropriately reflecting changes in the equipment's predicted power consumption due to the changes. Therefore, even if changes in the equipment layout cause changes in predicted power consumption, it is possible to design the equipment appropriately, taking into account the power consumption after the changes.

[0073] In addition, it is preferable that the design system stores measurement information, which is the result of measuring the specification setting values ​​and the power consumption per unit conveying amount in the actual equipment equipment, in the storage device, and updates the power consumption database based on the stored measurement information.

[0074] According to this configuration, the power consumption database is updated based on the measurement information of the actual device, which makes it easier to improve the accuracy of the power consumption information.

[0075] Furthermore, it is preferable that the design system stores measurement information, which is the result of measuring the specification setting value and the power consumption per unit conveyance amount of the actual equipment, in the storage device, and that the power calculation unit acquires from the storage device power consumption information of the equipment selected by the equipment selection processing unit and placed in the virtual space by the placement processing unit that has the closest changeable specification item, specification setting value, and unit conveyance amount, and that the acquired power consumption information is used as the power consumption value of the equipment.

[0076] According to this configuration, even if the changeable specification items, specification setting values, and unit conveying amount do not match perfectly, the power consumption information of the closest items is obtained and used as the power consumption value of the facility equipment, so the predicted power consumption can be calculated through simple processing without complicating the calculations.

[0077] Furthermore, if the type of facility equipment is a transport cart that transports items along a transport path, it is preferable that the changeable specification items include the number of the transport carts, the length of the transport path, the shape of the transport path, and the configuration of the power source that supplies power to the transport cart.

[0078] According to this configuration, when the facility equipment includes a transport cart, the layout of the facility can be freely designed in virtual space, and the predicted power consumption of the facility with any layout can be appropriately calculated.

[0079] Furthermore, when the type of facility device is a stacker crane, it is preferable that the changeable specification items include the length of the travel path of the stacker crane and the lifting height of the stacker crane.

[0080] According to this configuration, when a stacker crane is included as equipment, the layout of the equipment can be freely designed in virtual space, and the predicted power consumption of equipment with any layout can be appropriately calculated.

[0081] Furthermore, when the type of facility device is a conveyor, it is preferable that the changeable specification items include the length of the transport path along which the conveyor extends.

[0082] According to this configuration, when a conveyor is included as an equipment device, the layout of the equipment can be freely designed in virtual space, and the predicted power consumption of equipment with any layout can be appropriately calculated.

[0083] Furthermore, when the type of facility device is a lifting device, it is preferable that the changeable specification items include a lifting height and the number of items that can be transported simultaneously.

[0084] According to this configuration, when the facility equipment includes an elevator, the layout of the facility can be freely designed in virtual space, and the predicted power consumption of the facility with any layout can be appropriately calculated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: Design System 2: Arithmetic device 2a: Device selection processing section 2b: Placement processing section 2c: Power calculation section 3: Storage device 3d: Power consumption database 4: Input device 5: Output device 9: Virtual equipment 10: Driving route 100: Target equipment (equipment) 203: Stacker crane W:Goods

Claims

1. A design system for designing equipment that combines multiple types of equipment devices including a conveying device, a computing device for performing computational processing; a storage device that stores a program for the arithmetic processing and data used in the arithmetic processing; an input device that accepts input to the arithmetic unit; an output device that outputs a calculation result by the calculation device, the storage device includes a power consumption database in which power consumption information preset for each type of facility device is stored; The power consumption information specifies a relationship between power consumption and specification setting values, which are setting values ​​within a changeable range for each changeable specification item, which is a changeable specification item for each type of facility device, and a relationship between power consumption and a unit conveyance amount, which is a conveyance amount per unit time for each type of facility device, The arithmetic unit performs the arithmetic processing in response to an input from the input device, a device selection processing unit that displays a list of selectable types of facility devices on the output device and receives selection of the facility device from the input device; a placement processing unit that receives designation of the placement of the facility equipment selected by the equipment selection processing unit and the specification setting values, and places the facility equipment in a virtual space in accordance with the designation; a power calculation unit that receives input of transport amount designation information, which is information for determining the transport amount per unit time, and calculates predicted power consumption, which is a predicted value of power consumption of virtual equipment including the plurality of facility devices arranged in the virtual space, based on the transport amount designation information and the power consumption database; The output device outputs the virtual equipment and the predicted power consumption calculated by the power calculation unit together.

2. the placement processing unit receives a command to move the facility equipment and to change the specification setting values, and changes the placement of the facility equipment in the virtual space and the specification setting values ​​in accordance with the change command; 2. The design system according to claim 1, wherein the power calculation unit executes a process of calculating the predicted power consumption of the virtual equipment after each change in at least one of the arrangement of the equipment devices in the virtual space and the specification setting values.

3. 3. The design system according to claim 1, wherein measurement information representing the results of measuring the specification setting values ​​and the power consumption per unit conveyance amount in the actual equipment is stored in the storage device, and the power consumption database is updated based on the stored measurement information.

4. storing measurement information, which is a result of measuring the specification setting values ​​and the power consumption per unit conveyance amount in the actual facility device, in the storage device; 3. The design system according to claim 1, wherein the power calculation unit acquires from the storage device information about the power consumption of the equipment selected by the equipment selection processing unit and placed in the virtual space by the placement processing unit that is closest to the changeable specification items, the specification setting values, and the unit transport amount, and sets the acquired power consumption information as the power consumption value of the equipment.

5. When the type of the facility device is a transport vehicle that transports an article along a transport path, 3. The design system according to claim 1, wherein the changeable specification items include the number of the transport vehicles, the length of the transport path, the shape of the transport path, and the configuration of a power source that supplies power to the transport vehicles.

6. If the type of facility device is a stacker crane, 3. The design system according to claim 1, wherein the changeable specification items include a length of a travel path of the stacker crane and a lifting height of the stacker crane.

7. When the type of the facility device is a conveyor, The design system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the changeable specification items include a length of a transport path along which the conveyor extends.

8. When the type of the facility device is a lifting device, 3. The design system according to claim 1, wherein the changeable specification items include a lift height and a number of items that can be transported simultaneously.

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