JP2023143346A - Program, method, and system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a system configured to perform efficient routing of a cable, using columns or beams of a facility that supports piping or a device.SOLUTION: A program is executed by a computer equipped with a processor. The program is for designing a plant, and causing the processor to execute: receiving an operation for arranging, in a virtual space, a first object indicating a device having a start point, a second object indicating a device having an end point, and a third object indicating a structure that supports a cable; receiving an operation for routing with the cable between the first object and the second object; and performing routing of the cable between the start point and the end point along beams or columns of the structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to programs, methods, and systems.

In order to construct a large-scale facility such as a chemical plant, various equipment must be properly arranged, equipment must be placed, and cables that supply power to each equipment must be routed. Cable routing, which is performed at the plant design stage, takes into account various factors such as requirements based on the positional relationship of each device that makes up the plant, cable size conditions selected based on the power supplied to each device, and maintainability. It requires consideration and a huge amount of work. To support such work, design tools such as CAD are used to perform various designs such as arrangement of various devices and cable routing.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for a piping route creation device used in the design stage of a plant. In order to improve the efficiency of the process of automatically determining pipe routes, this technology uses an alignment guide that is the target position of the pipes to adjust the position of the pipe routes, aligns multiple pipe routes, and avoids interference between pipes. This avoids this problem and keeps the piping spacing constant.

JP2019-106141A

By the way, when designing a plant, it is necessary to route cables such as power lines and signal lines that connect to various devices, and a system that performs efficient cable routing using piping and equipment that supports the devices is required. was.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that can perform efficient cable routing using pillars and beams of equipment that supports piping and equipment.

A program of the present disclosure is a program that is executed by a computer including a processor, the program is for designing a plant, and has a first object indicating a device having a starting point and an ending point in a virtual space. Acceptance of an operation for arranging a second object representing a device and a third object representing a structure supporting a cable; Acceptance of an operation for routing a cable between the first object and the second object; A program that executes routing between start and end points along the beams or columns of a structure.

According to the present disclosure, efficient cable routing can be performed using equipment that supports piping and equipment.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal device that constitutes a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a server that constitutes a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an equipment database stored in a server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a design space database stored in a server. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a cable database stored in a server. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing types of devices handled by a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an equipment location database stored in a server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a cable definition database stored in a server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of a node database, a link database, and a routing route database stored in a server. 1 is a flowchart illustrating overall processing by a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing specific steps of cable routing processing by the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a temporary route is set in a first example of cable routing of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a part of the provisional route is changed to a modified route in the first example of cable routing of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a temporary route is set in a second example of cable routing of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a part of the provisional route is changed to a modified route in the first example of cable routing of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

<Summary>
Hereinafter, an overview of cable routing in plant design and a cable routing system 1 (hereinafter referred to as system 1) according to the present disclosure will be described. This system 1 is used to supply power to facilities that manufacture chemical products through various production processes using chemical reactions, such as LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) plants and petrochemical plants. This is a system for designing cables for communication, as well as cables for various communications.

Taking an LNG plant as an example, the equipment installed in a plant includes acid gas removal equipment that removes acid gases (H2S, CO2, organic sulfur, etc.) contained in the raw material gas that is the target of liquefaction treatment; These facilities include sulfur recovery equipment that recovers elemental sulfur from acidic gas, water removal equipment that removes water contained in raw gas, and compression equipment for refrigerants (mixed refrigerants, propane refrigerants, etc.) used to cool and liquefy raw gas. included. Here, plant equipment refers to a group of devices and equipment installed according to the purpose of the plant.

In order to design such a plant, the following steps are included, for example. First, determine the layout of each piece of equipment in the plant, various equipment such as pumps and heat exchangers, the arrangement of the frame (piping rack) for passing various piping, and the routes of the main piping, design the plant layout, and make a plot plan. Create a layout diagram called . Next, based on the functional requirements of the entire plant, we formulate in detail the process units (series of manufacturing steps) used in the plant from receiving raw materials to product shipment, and calculate material/heat balance for each process. Create a process flow called a process flow diagram (PFD). Furthermore, based on the PFD, simulations are repeated to correct process calculations, equipment to be measured and controlled is determined, and a P&ID (Piping and Instrument Diagram), which is a detailed piping and instrumentation diagram, is created. In each of these processes, the system 1 according to the present disclosure performs a layout design of equipment, cables, etc. in the entire plant and each equipment, performs a cable layout design, and supports integrated design with piping layout, etc. It is a 3D CAD system.

<Embodiment>
System 1 will be explained below. In the following description, for example, when the terminal device 10 accesses the server 20, the server 20 responds with information for generating a screen on the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 generates and displays a screen based on the information received from the server 20.

<1. Overall configuration of system 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices (in FIG. 1, a terminal device 10A and a terminal device 10B are shown, hereinafter collectively referred to as "terminal devices 10") and a server 20. include. The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are connected via a network 80 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 80 is configured by a wired or wireless network.

The terminal device 10 is a device operated by each user. Here, the user refers to a person who uses the terminal device 10 to perform plant design, which is a function of the system 1. The terminal device 10 is realized by a stationary PC (Personal Computer), a laptop PC, or the like. In addition, the terminal device 10 may be, for example, a tablet compatible with a mobile communication system or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

The terminal device 10 is communicably connected to the server 20 via the network 80. The terminal device 10 has a wireless base station 81 that is compatible with communication standards such as 5G and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) that is compatible with wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11. It is connected to the network 80 by communicating with a communication device such as a wireless LAN router 82 . As shown as a terminal device 10B in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 includes a communication IF (Interface) 12, an input device 13, an output device 14, a memory 15, a storage section 16, and a processor 19.

The communication IF 12 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the terminal device 10 communicates with an external device.
The input device 13 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a touch pad, a pointing device such as a mouse, etc.) for receiving input operations from a user.

The output device 14 is an output device (display, speaker, etc.) for presenting information to the user.
The memory 15 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, and is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The storage unit 16 is a storage device for storing data, and is, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive).
The processor 19 is hardware for executing a set of instructions written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, and the like.

The server 20 is a device that manages information about each user, information about various devices and cables, and information about designed virtual spaces (including those that are still in the process of being designed).
The server 20 receives input from the user, such as the type and position of equipment to be placed in a virtual space for plant design, instructions for cable routing, and the like.

Specifically, for example, a viewpoint (virtual camera) in a virtual space for plant design is set, and various equipment placed and routed cables are rendered based on the settings of the virtual camera according to the user's instructions. It is displayed on the terminal device 10.
The server 20 places the various devices in the virtual space based on the input types and placement positions, determines the cable route based on instructions from the user who performs cable routing, and performs the routing in the virtual space. , to be displayed on the user's terminal.

Server 20 is a computer connected to network 80. The server 20 includes a communication IF 22 , an input/output IF 23 , a memory 25 , a storage 26 , and a processor 29 .

The communication IF 22 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the server 20 communicates with external devices.
The input/output IF 23 functions as an interface with an input device for accepting input operations from a user and an output device for presenting information to the user.

The memory 25 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, and is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).
The storage 26 is a storage device for storing data, and is, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive).
The processor 29 is hardware for executing a set of instructions written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, and the like.

<2. Configuration of terminal device 10>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 10 that constitutes the system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes an antenna 111, a wireless communication section 121 corresponding to the antenna 111, an operation reception section 130 (including a keyboard 131 and a display 132), a storage section 160, and a control section 170. including. Each block included in the terminal device 10 is electrically connected by a bus or the like.

The antenna 111 radiates a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave.
The wireless communication unit 121 performs modulation and demodulation processing for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 111 so that the terminal device 10 communicates with other wireless devices.

The operation reception unit 130 has a mechanism for accepting user input operations. Specifically, operation reception unit 130 includes a keyboard 131 and a display 132. Note that the operation reception unit 130 may be configured as a touch screen that detects the position of the user's touch on the touch panel by using, for example, a capacitive touch panel.

The keyboard 131 receives input operations from the user of the terminal device 10 . The keyboard 131 is a device for inputting characters, and outputs input character information to the control unit 170 as an input signal.

The display 132 displays data such as images, videos, and text under the control of the control unit 170. The display 132 is realized by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

The storage unit 160 is configured with, for example, a flash memory, and stores data and programs used by the terminal device 10. In one aspect, storage unit 160 stores user information 161.

The user information 161 is information about a user who uses the terminal device 10 to perform plant design, which is a function of the system 1. The user information includes information for identifying the user (user ID), the user's name, organizational information such as the company to which the user belongs, and the like.

The control unit 170 controls the operation of the terminal device 10 by reading a program stored in the storage unit 160 and executing instructions included in the program. The control unit 170 is, for example, an application program installed in the terminal device 10 in advance. The control unit 170 functions as an input operation reception unit 171, a transmission/reception unit 172, a data processing unit 173, and a display processing unit 174 by operating according to a program.

The input operation reception unit 171 performs a process of accepting a user's input operation on an input device such as the keyboard 131.

The transmitting/receiving unit 172 performs processing for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive data with an external device such as the server 20 according to a communication protocol.

The data processing unit 173 performs calculations on the data input by the terminal device 10 according to a program, and outputs the calculation results to a memory or the like.

The display processing unit 174 performs a process of presenting information to the user. The display processing unit 174 performs processes such as displaying a display image on the display 132, outputting audio to the speaker 142, and generating vibrations in the camera 150.

<3. Configuration of server 20>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20 that constitutes the system 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 functions as a communication section 201, a storage section 202, and a control section 203.

The communication unit 201 performs processing for the server 20 to communicate with external devices.

Storage unit 202 stores data and programs used by server 20. The storage unit 202 stores an equipment database (DB: Date Base) 2021, a design space database 2022, a cable database 2023, an equipment location database 2026, a cable definition database 2027, a node database 2028, a link database 2029, and a routing path database 2030. are doing.

The equipment database 2021 is a database for holding information regarding three-dimensional models (BIM models) of objects corresponding to various equipment arranged in a virtual space presented for plant design in the system 1. Various types of equipment in system 1 include the following.
・Structure with a hierarchical structure, where equipment and cables are mainly placed. ・Rack with a hierarchical structure, where mainly piping and cables are laid. ・Various types of equipment handled in system 1 (see Figure 7)

Note that in this description, the term "structure" refers to equipment for supporting at least one of equipment, piping, and cables, and in this embodiment, this includes structures and racks.
Furthermore, the equipment includes various instrumentation items used when connecting various cables such as signal lines and power lines to various devices. Specific examples of the instrumentation include transmitters, instrument valves, junction boxes, and the like. The functions of each of these instruments are as follows.
- Transmitter: A transmitter or switch-type instrument that measures process conditions (pressure, liquid level, flow rate, temperature, component analysis, etc.) and sends out signals.
・Instrument valve: Automatic valve that serves as the operating end (control valve, on/off valve, etc.).
・Junction box: A connection terminal box for relaying instrumentation signal cables or instrumentation power cables.
Note that the instrumentation is not limited to the above, and includes other equipment used when connecting various cables to equipment.

The design space database 2022 is a database for holding information on a virtual space designed by a user (hereinafter simply referred to as virtual space).

The cable database 2023 is a database that stores the types of cables used in plant design and the types of cable trays that accommodate the cables, which are determined according to the types of cables.

The equipment location database 2026 is a database for mainly holding information regarding the positions in the virtual space of objects corresponding to various types of equipment arranged in the virtual space. In the system 1, an object refers to model data indicating an object placed in a virtual space.
The various equipment includes:
・Structure with a hierarchical structure, where equipment is mainly placed. ・Rack with a hierarchical structure, where mainly piping and cables are laid. ・Various types of equipment handled in system 1 (see Figure 6)
It also includes information on starting points and ending points for various types of equipment.

The cable definition database 2027 is a database for holding information regarding the specifications of cables to be routed defined by the user in order to perform cable routing.

The node database 2028 is a database that manages coordinates in virtual space of nodes that constitute a routing route, which is a route along which a cable is laid.

The link database 2029 is a database that manages the positions in virtual space of the start and end points of links that constitute a routing route.

The routing path database 2030 is a database that manages routing paths in the virtual space of cables. Details of the data structure of the equipment database 2021 to the routing path database 2030 will be described later.

The control unit 203 has various modules such as a reception control module 2031, a transmission control module 2032, a device input reception module 2033, a device placement module 2034, and an editing module by the processor of the server 20 performing processing according to the program stored in the storage unit 202. It functions as an input reception module 2035, an editing display module 2037, and a routing module 2038.

The reception control module 2031 controls the process by which the server 20 receives signals from an external device according to a communication protocol.

The transmission control module 2032 controls the process by which the server 20 transmits a signal to an external device according to a communication protocol.

The equipment input reception module 2033 performs a process of accepting input operations from the user regarding the types of various equipment to be placed in a virtual space for performing plant design using the system 1, and the position at which the equipment is placed in the virtual space. control.
When a user designs a plant using the terminal device 10, the display 132 of the terminal device 10 displays a virtual space existing on a plane that imitates the actual site where the plant design is performed. Thereafter, the user inputs the type of various devices to be placed in the virtual space and the placement position in the virtual space by performing a predetermined operation on the screen of the display 132, and the device input reception module 2033 It accepts information on the types of various devices installed and their locations in the virtual space.

The predetermined operation on the screen of the display 132 accepted by the device input reception module 2033 is, for example, by clicking on an object indicating a desired type of device from a list of multiple patterns of various devices displayed on the screen. This is an operation of selecting the location of the object by clicking on a desired location in the virtual space displayed on the screen. Another example of a prescribed operation is to select and drag a desired image from a list of images showing the appearance of various devices displayed on the screen, and drag it to a desired location in the virtual space displayed on the screen. This is an operation for selecting a placement position by moving. Note that inputs to various devices are not limited to such input operations.

The device placement module 2034 controls the process of arranging and displaying the various devices in the virtual space based on the types of devices received by the device input receiving module 2033 and the information on the placement positions in the virtual space. By the user's predetermined operation on the terminal device 10, information on the types of various devices to be placed in the virtual space and their placement positions in the virtual space is received, and the information is displayed on the display 132 of the terminal device 10 based on such information. The various devices are placed at the input positions in the virtual space, and displayed on the display 132 of the terminal device 10.
Here, an object indicating a device placed in the virtual space includes a starting point and an ending point to which a cable is connected. The object contains starting point and ending point information.

The editing input reception module 2035 controls processing for accepting input operations from the user to edit objects representing various devices. When the user inputs editing information for making various adjustments to the various devices displayed on the display 132 of the terminal device 10, the editing input reception module 2035 receives the input editing information for the various devices. Editing of various devices is, for example, editing corresponding to one or more of the type, shape, size, and quantity of the device.

Input operations performed by the user to edit various devices in the editing input reception module 2035 are, for example, input operations to edit parameters set in the various devices. Another example of the input operation by the user is an input operation in which the size, length, etc. of various devices displayed on the display 132 are edited by dragging them, and numerical values corresponding to the size and length are used as parameters. accept.

The editing display module 2037 controls the process of changing the display mode of various devices and displaying them in the virtual space based on the editing information of the various devices received by the editing input reception module 2035. By the user's predetermined operation on the terminal device 10, information for editing various devices arranged in the virtual space, such as editing the length of piping and the connection angle with the device, is received. Based on that information, the terminal device 10 In the virtual space displayed on the display 132 of the device 10, the display mode of the various devices is changed, for example, the appearance is changed according to the accepted length of attached piping and the connection angle with the device, and the display of the terminal device 10 is changed. 132.

The routing module 2038 accepts instructions from the user to route cables to be placed in a plant designed using System 1 in association with various devices placed in the virtual space, and controls the routing process. do. Cables placed in a plant include power cables that supply power to various devices, cables for instrumentation and control signals, and communication cables used for communication between various devices.

For example, on the screen displayed on the display 132 of the terminal device 10, the user selects a predetermined location of various devices arranged in the virtual space, for example, the end point of a cable connection of the device, as the start or end point of routing. and perform an operation (for example, pressing a predetermined button on the screen) to instruct the route. Routing module 2038 accepts routing instructions from the user and performs cable routing.

Note that the routing module 2038 may perform cable routing (so-called manual) based on detailed input information performed by the user in the virtual space, or may perform automatic routing based on the user specifying the start and end points. At this time, the cable routing direction is determined according to predetermined conditions, and automatic routing is performed using an algorithm that avoids existing various equipment and piping. Details of automatic routing will be described later with reference to a flowchart. Further, the routing module 2038 may perform routing for a cable specified by parameters input by the user or parameters set in advance.

In this embodiment, as described above, the server 20 receives inputs for the types and placement positions of various devices and instructs the terminal device 10 to display them, and receives editing inputs for various devices and instructs the terminal device 10 to display them. , the cable routing instruction is received, the cable routing is performed, and the cable routing is displayed on the terminal device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure.
For example, a configuration may be adopted in which some or all of the above functions are received by the terminal device 10, processed within the terminal device 10, and displayed on the display 132 of the terminal device 10. In order to have such a configuration, the user may access the server 20 via the terminal device 10, install a program provided by the server 20 into the terminal device 10, and perform processing within the terminal device 10. . In this case, some or all of the device input reception module 2033, device placement module 2034, edit input reception module 2035, edit display module 2037, or routing module 2038 may not be provided as functions of the server 20.

<4. Data structure>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the equipment database 2021 stored by the server 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, each record of the equipment database 2021 includes an item "equipment ID", an item "equipment name", an item "BIM model data", and the like.

The item “device ID” is information that identifies the types of various devices that can be placed in the virtual space in the system 1.

The item "equipment name" is a name indicating the type of each individual device, and stores information on names indicating the type, such as, for example, pumps, heat exchangers, filters, valves, and racks. In the case of pumps and heat exchangers, information indicating the type of pump such as end-top type and the type of heat exchanger such as multi-tube type is also stored. Note that the name indicating the device may be a symbol specified by a predetermined standard or the like, or a model number or the like specified by the manufacturer.

The item "BIM model data" is information indicating the data name (file name) of model data placed in the virtual space in the system 1, and is model data used in the 3D CAD system provided by the server 20. The 3D CAD system provided by the server 20 constructs a three-dimensional virtual space and performs modeling to express the shape of equipment on the three-dimensional virtual space. Further, a specific coordinate position in the virtual space is set as a viewpoint, a virtual camera having a field of view in a specific direction from this viewpoint is set, and rendering is performed based on the settings of this virtual camera. The model data stored in the item "BIM model data" is model data for rendering the actual equipment from the viewpoint of a predetermined virtual camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the design space database 2022.
Each record of the design space database 2022 includes an item "space ID", an item "user ID", an item "intraspace piping information", and the like.

The item “space ID” is information that identifies the virtual space designed by the user in the system 1.

The item “user ID” is information that identifies each user who uses the system 1. Note that the item "User ID" may store information for identifying multiple users, as shown as an example where the item "Space ID" is "#0302". This is to enable one virtual space to be designed and shared by multiple users, and even if the information in the item "space design information" described later is stored in association with each user. good.

The item "in-space piping information" is information about block patterns, individual devices, and pipes that have been routed that the user has placed in the virtual space specified by the "space ID" in the system 1. Specifically, the item It includes "reference coordinates", the item "arranged objects", the item "detailed information (parameters)", etc.

The item "reference coordinates" is information indicating the relative position in the virtual space of a device or cable arranged in the virtual space, and stores, for example, coordinate data of three-dimensional coordinates in the virtual space. The reference coordinates are, for example, the reference coordinates of the reference position of the device (e.g., the center position, the end point in any of the six directions) when the virtual space is expressed in XYZ coordinates, but it is not limited to this method. .

The item “arranged object” is information indicating equipment placed in the virtual space, and corresponds to the item “equipment ID” of the equipment database 2021.

The item "detailed information (parameters)" is editing information when editing equipment placed in the virtual space and information about cables that have been routed, and stores editing parameters for equipment, for example. Edit parameters of a device are information regarding quantity and size.

The device input reception module 2033 of the server 20 adds and updates records to the design space database 2022 as it receives device placement information from each user. The editing input reception module 2035 adds and updates records to the design space database 2022 as it receives equipment editing parameter information from each user. Routing module 2038 adds and updates records to design space database 2022 as it performs cable routing processing.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the cable database 2023 stored in the server 20.
As shown in FIG. 6, the cable database 2023 includes the item "cable type", the item "tray type", and the like.

The item cable type is information indicating the type of cable. Among these, "MV" indicates a medium voltage cable. "LV" indicates low voltage cable. "Control" indicates a control cable. "Telecom" refers to a telecommunications cable. "InstPower" indicates a low voltage cable for instrumentation. "FO" is information indicating an optical fiber cable. "Signal IS" and "Signal NonIS" indicate the classification of the instrumentation cable with respect to the intrinsically safe specifications.

The item "tray type" is information indicating the type of cable tray determined according to the type of cable. Tray types classify groups of cable trays that can be placed on the same layer. Among the cable types, "InstPower" and "FO" are classified into the same tray group.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the types of devices handled by the system 1.
As shown in FIG. 7, the system 1 uses various devices such as pumps, compressors, substations, and junction boxes. These are placed in installation sections determined depending on the type of equipment. Note that the system 1 is not limited to the equipment shown in FIG. 6, and may handle any equipment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the equipment location database 2026 stored by the server 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the equipment location DB includes the following items: "equipment ID", "equipment type", "location coordinates", "starting point coordinates", and "end point coordinates". .

The item "equipment ID" is an ID that identifies the equipment. Facilities include equipment and structures. That is, when the equipment is a device, the equipment ID corresponds to the equipment ID, and when the equipment is a structure, the equipment ID corresponds to the structure ID.

The item "type of equipment" is information indicating the type of equipment indicated by the object corresponding to the equipment ID.

The item "position coordinates" is a reference coordinate when an object corresponding to the equipment ID is placed in the virtual space.

The item "starting point coordinates" is information indicating the coordinates of the starting point when the cable is routed when the object corresponding to the equipment ID is a device. If the object corresponding to the equipment ID is a structure, the field will be blank.

The item "end point coordinates" is information indicating the coordinates of the end point at which the cable is routed when the object corresponding to the equipment ID is a device. If the object corresponding to the equipment ID is a structure, the field will be blank.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the cable definition database 2027 stored in the server 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the cable DB includes the item "ID", the item "From", the item "To", the item "Type", the item "Redundant", the item "Width", and the item "Core". ” and the item “Power”.

The item "cable ID" is information for identifying a cable.

The item "From" is information indicating the starting point of the cable corresponding to the cable ID. The information indicating the starting point is, for example, information on the device ID of the device serving as the starting point. Here, the object selected as the starting point becomes the first object of the present invention.

The item "To" is information indicating the end point of the cable corresponding to the cable ID. The information indicating the end point is, for example, information on the device ID of the device serving as the end point. Here, the object selected as the end point becomes the second object of the present invention. Note that each object representing a device has a starting point and an ending point as a pair. Whether the object representing each device corresponds to the first object or the second object is determined relatively for each routing.

The item "Type" is information indicating the type of cable corresponding to the cable ID.

The item "Redundant" is information regarding redundancy. For example, cable redundancy can be ensured by dividing cables of the same type into multiple groups and routing different routes for each group. In such a case, a code (for example, A, B, . . . ) indicating a different group is assigned to the item "Redundant."

The item "Width" is information indicating the width dimension of the cable corresponding to the cable ID.

The item "Core" is information regarding the cross-sectional structure of the cable corresponding to the cable ID.

The item "Power" is information regarding the power of the cable corresponding to the cable ID.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the node database 2028. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the link database 2029. FIG. 10C is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the routing path DB 2030.

In the system 1, the routing path from the start point to the end point of the cable is composed of links and nodes. A link refers to a straight path placed along a beam or column that is part of a structure. A node refers to a node that constitutes both ends of a link (one end node and the other end node) and connects the links. In other words, a node refers to an intersection between links. A link is specified by one end node and the other end node, and a cable routing path is constituted by a plurality of links.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the node database 2028 includes an item "node ID" and an item "node coordinates."

The item "node ID" is an ID for identifying a node.
The item "node coordinates" is the coordinate on the virtual space of the node corresponding to the node coordinate.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the link database 2029 includes the item "link ID", the item "one end node ID", and the item "other end node ID".
The item "link ID" is an ID for identifying a link.

The item "one end node ID" is the ID of the one end node that is one end of the link.
The item "other end node ID" is the ID of the other end node that is the other end of the link.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the routing route database 2030 includes an item "cable ID" and an item "link ID."

The item "cable ID" stores a cable ID that specifies a cable whose routing path is managed.

The item "link ID" stores link IDs that constitute the cable routing route corresponding to the cable ID. That is, by specifying all the link IDs included in the cable ID, the routing path from the start point to the end point of the cable is specified.

<5. Operation and screen examples>
Hereinafter, cable routing processing by the system 1 in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the overall processing by the system 1.
The process is started when the user accesses the server 20 via the web browser of the terminal device 10 and instructs to receive the plant design service provided by the server 20. At this time, a predetermined authentication may be performed on the user.

As shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 10 first receives a designation from the user of the position of a first object indicating the device that is the starting point of the cable (step S101).
In step S101, the control unit 203 of the server 20 displays the space in the initial state in order to receive input of the type of equipment indicated by the first object to be placed in the virtual space for plant design and the placement position in the virtual space. The instruction is transmitted to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 201.

In step S101, the transmitting/receiving unit 172 of the terminal device 10 receives instruction information sent from the server 20 to display the space in the initial state. The display processing unit 174 causes the display 132 to display the space in the initial state. The information on the space in the initial state may be transmitted by the control unit 203 of the server 20 to the terminal device 10, or may be stored in advance by the terminal device 10.

In step S101, the input operation reception unit 171 of the terminal device 10 receives input operations for the types of various devices and their arrangement positions in the virtual space from the user. The transmitter/receiver 172 transmits the received information on the types of various devices, their placement positions in the virtual space, and user information to the server 20 .

After step S101, the server 20 places a first object representing a device at a specified position in the virtual space (step S201). In step S<b>201 , the device input reception module 2033 of the server 20 receives, via the communication unit 201 , information about the type of device, its location in the virtual space, and user information transmitted from the terminal device 10 .

In step S201, the equipment placement module 2034 of the server 20 refers to the equipment database 2021 and places the first object in the virtual space based on the information about the type of equipment and the placement position in the virtual space received in step S101. instruction information to be displayed is transmitted to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 201. Further, the device placement module 2034 stores information on the type of the received device and its placement position in the virtual space in the design space database 2022.

In step S201, the transmitting/receiving unit 172 receives instruction information transmitted from the server 20 to arrange and display the first object in the virtual space. The display processing unit 174 arranges the transmitted first object in the virtual space and displays it on the display 132.

After step S201, the terminal device 10 receives from the user the designation of the position of the second object indicating the device that is the end point of the cable (step S102). Similarly to the first object, the position of the second object is specified by the user's operation in the virtual space.

After step S102, the server 20 places the second object at the specified position in the virtual space (step S202). By repeating the operations in step S201 and step S202, a plurality of devices necessary for the plant are arranged in the virtual space.

After step S202, the terminal device 10 receives the designation of the position of the third object representing the structure from the user (step S103). Regarding the third object, its size and position are specified by the user's operation in the virtual space.

After step S103, the server 20 places the third object at the specified position in the virtual space (step S203). By repeating the operations from step S201 to step S203, a plurality of necessary devices and structures are arranged in the virtual space. Note that the arrangement of equipment and the arrangement of structures can be changed.

After step S203, the terminal device 10 receives input of a routing instruction from the user (step S104). Specifically, a user selects a first object as an instrument (device) connected to one side of a cable and a first object connected to the opposite side of a plurality of instruments (devices) arranged in a virtual space. specify the second objects to be routed, and enter instructions to route them.

After step S104, the routing module 2038 of the server 20 performs cable routing (step S204). Here, the specific procedure when the routing module 2038 routes a cable will be described in detail.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of cable routing processing by the system 1.
As shown in FIG. 12, in cable routing, the routing module 2038 of the server 20 searches for the shortest route connecting the starting point of the first object and the ending point of the second object (step S2041). In the search for the shortest route, a route from the starting point to the ending point is searched for using a method such as Dijkstra's algorithm. The shortest route found becomes the provisional route. The routing module 2038 records the newly searched provisional route routing route in the node DB 2028, link DB 2029, and routing route DB 2030.

In the system 1, areas that can be selected as routes for cables connecting instrumentation devices are beams or columns in a structure. For this reason, in the cable routing between instrumentation components in System 1, the cable is routed to connect the starting point of the first object and the ending point of the second object along the beam or column of the structure. The route is set.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which instrumentation devices are routed using the shortest route in the first example of automatic routing. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a state in which routing is performed along the beams and columns of the structure. FIG. 13B is a diagram with the structure not shown in FIG. 13A.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, in System 1, cables are routed along the beams and columns of the structure. In the illustrated example, the following cables are routed to a junction box M1 located on the structure ST and three transmitters M2 to M4.
・Cable C1...Cable that connects junction box M1 (start point) and transmitter M2 (end point) ・Cable C2...Cable that connects junction box M1 (start point) and transmitter M3 (end point) ・Cable C3...Junction box M1 (start point) and transmitter M4 (end point). Each of these cables is laid on a temporary route that is the shortest route connecting each instrumentation.

Here, in the routing path of the cable C1, the junction box M1 having the starting point is the first object, and the transmitter M2 having the ending point is the second object.
Furthermore, in the routing path of the cable C2, the junction box M1 having the starting point is the first object, and the transmitter M3 having the ending point is the second object.
Further, in the routing path of the cable C3, the junction box M1 becomes the first object and the transmitter M4 becomes the second object.

Here, a cable route re-search function (hereinafter simply referred to as "re-search") function of the system 1 will be explained.
For example, when multiple cables are laid on a structure, if each cable is arranged so that it passes through the shortest route, the routes of the multiple cables laid throughout the structure will be different, and the overall Sometimes things get disorganized. In this case, although the total cable length as the sum of each cable length is the shortest, the number of cable routes increases and cable installation and maintenance work becomes complicated, which may actually reduce the efficiency of installation work and maintenance. There are concerns. In other words, even if each cable's routing route takes a detour rather than the shortest route, it is possible to consolidate the routing routes of multiple cables so that they pass through the same points (waypoints) as much as possible. It can be expected to improve the efficiency of work and maintenance. For this reason, System 1 has a re-search function to support the search for the overall optimal routing route for multiple cables laid throughout the structure, while setting the shortest route as a provisional route. . This re-search function will be explained below.

As shown in FIG. 12, after step S2041, the routing module 2038 calculates via points from the centroids of a plurality of nodes forming the provisional route as a pre-process of re-search (step S2042). The center of gravity in this description refers to the geometric center of a plurality of nodes (the average value of the coordinate values of each of the nodes to be evaluated, or a value similar to the average value). Further, in a structure, the coordinates of intersection points where beams and columns are connected are managed as node candidate points that can become nodes. First, the routing module 2038 calculates the center of gravity from the coordinates of a plurality of nodes that make up the provisional route.

In calculating the center of gravity, when calculating the average value of a plurality of nodes constituting the provisional route, the coordinates of the nodes may be weighted based on the number of links connected to each node.
The routing module 2038 refers to the node DB 2028, link DB 2029, and routing path DB 2030 to identify the positions of links and nodes, and the quantity of links connected to the nodes.

Here, a method for calculating the center of gravity position when weighting is not performed by the number of links connected to a node (1), and a method for calculating the center of gravity position when weighting is performed according to the number of links connected to a node (2) will be explained using the following three nodes' centroids as an example.
・Node 1 (coordinates: [x1, y1, z1], number of connected links: 2)
・Node 2 (coordinates: [x2, y2, z2], number of connected links: 3)
・Node 3 (coordinates: [x3, y3, z3], number of connected links: 4)

(1) Method for calculating the center of gravity when weighting is not performed When the coordinates of the center of gravity of nodes 1 to 3 are [xg, yg, zg], the center of gravity is calculated as follows.
xg=(x1+x2+x3)/3(number of nodes)
yg=(y1+y2+y3)/3(number of nodes)
zg=(z1+z2+z3)/3(number of nodes)
That is, when weighting is not performed, the average value of the coordinate values of each node becomes the coordinates of the center of gravity.

(2) Method for calculating center of gravity when weighting is performed When the coordinates of the center of gravity of nodes 1 to 3 are [xgw, ygw, zgw], the center of gravity is calculated as follows.
xgw=(x1×2+x2×3+x3×4)/3
ygw=(y1×2+y2×3+y3×4)/3
zgw=(z1×2+z2×3+z3×4)/3
That is, the average value of the values obtained by multiplying the coordinate values of each node by the number of links connected to each node becomes the coordinates of the center of gravity.

The routing module 2038 then sets the node candidate point closest to the calculated center of gravity as a via point. In the example of FIG. 13, a node indicated by symbol G is calculated as a waypoint.
At this time, the routing module 2038 refers to the design space DB 2022, the equipment position DB 2026, the node DB 2028, and the routing route DB 2030 to identify the node candidate point closest to the center of gravity.

After step S2042, the routing module 2038 searches for a changed route again (step S2043). Re-search is a process in which the routing module 2038 searches for a changed route. The changed route is a route that connects a starting point and an ending point, and is a route that has been changed from a provisional route so that it passes through a waypoint set near the center of gravity. The re-search is performed for each structure (for each structure) on the plurality of provisional routes that have been laid. Note that a search for a changed route may be performed at once for a plurality of provisional routes spanning a plurality of structures. The routing module 2038 records the changed route obtained through the re-search as a new record in the routing route DB.

After step S2043, the routing module 2038 compares the modified route and the provisional route (step S2044). Examples of the parameters that the routing module 2038 compares include the following conditions.
・Difference in the distance between the provisional route and the changed route ・Difference in the number of links that make up the provisional route and the changed route ・Difference in the number of nodes that make up the provisional route and the changed route

The routing module 2038 compares the changed route and the provisional route, and then selects a route that satisfies preset employment conditions. Specifically, if the distance difference between the provisional route and the changed route is set as a parameter to be compared, the adoption condition is set to a distance that allows for an increase in the distance of the changed route from the distance of the provisional route. ing.

The routing module 2038 then compares the difference in distance between the modified route and the provisional route with a preset threshold. Then, if the distance of the changed route is less than or equal to the sum of the distance of the provisional route and the threshold (No in step S2045), the routing module 2038 sets the route to connect the starting point of the first object and the ending point of the second object. The changed route is adopted (step S2046). The process of comparing the temporary route set as the shortest route with the changed route set as the route passing through the via points and changing to the changed route is called rerouting.

On the other hand, if the distance of the changed route is greater than the sum of the distance of the provisional route and the threshold (No in step S2045), the routing module 2038 creates a route that connects the starting point of the first object and the ending point of the second object. As such, the provisional route is adopted without adopting the changed route (step S2047). This is because there is no advantage to adopting the temporary route.
In addition, the adoption conditions may include an allowable increase in distance, an allowable increase in the number of links, an allowable increase in the number of nodes, etc. when changing a provisional route to a modified route.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a part of the provisional route is changed to a modified route in the first example of cable re-search. FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a state in which routing is performed along the beams and columns of the structure. FIG. 14B is a diagram with the structure not shown in FIG. 14A.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, among the three provisional routes in FIG. 13, C1 passes through way point G at the time of the provisional route, and thus has not been routed as a changed route.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, among the three provisional routes in FIG. 13, for C2, the changed route via way point G was re-searched, but the changed route and the provisional route in step S2044 shown in FIG. In the comparison, the provisional route is adopted (step S2047 in FIG. 12). In other words, this is a case where the distance of the changed route is longer than the threshold value due to a significant detour compared to the provisional route.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, among the three provisional routes in FIG. 13, a modified route C3r passing through way point G was re-searched for C3. In the comparison between the changed route and the provisional route in step S2044 shown in FIG. 12, the changed route is adopted (step S2046 in FIG. 12). That is, this is a case where the distance increase of the provisional route with respect to the changed route is less than or equal to the threshold value. Considering the structure ST as a whole, two of the three routes pass through point G, which reduces the number of cable route patterns and reduces the complexity of cable installation and maintenance work. .

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a provisional route is set in a second example of cable routing by system 1. Of these, FIG. 15A is a diagram showing a state in which routing is performed along the beams and columns of the structure. FIG. 15B is a diagram with the structure not shown in FIG. 15A.

As shown in FIG. 15A, various devices such as a heat exchanger H, a tower T, and a substation SB are arranged in the structure ST. Instrumentation items such as a transmitter M and an instrument valve V are arranged around each device. In this state, provisional routes are set so that the plurality of cables C connecting the instrumentation devices each have the shortest route. The via point of the routing path that constitutes the plurality of cables C is G.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a part of the provisional route is changed to a modified route in the first example of cable routing by the system 1. Of these, FIG. 16A is a diagram showing a state in which routing is performed along the beams and columns of the structure. FIG. 16B is a diagram with the structure not shown in FIG. 16A.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, some of the provisional routes shown in FIG. 15 are rerouted to pass through point G. As a result, there are parts of the routing route for each cable that take a detour from the provisional route and thus have a longer distance. On the other hand, the multiple routing paths laid out throughout the structure are overall simple.

<6. Summary>
As explained above, according to the system 1 of the present embodiment, when an instruction is given to route a cable between the start point of a first object and the end point of a second object, Cables can be routed along pillars to connect start and end points. Therefore, efficient cable routing can be performed using the pillars and beams of the structure.

Furthermore, after searching for a provisional route, the center of gravity of a plurality of nodes forming the provisional route is calculated, and rerouting is performed to change the route to a modified route that passes through way points set near the center of gravity. Therefore, the routing paths of a plurality of cables attached to a structure can be simply organized.

In addition, in calculating the center of gravity, the coordinates of the nodes are weighted based on the number of connected links for each of the plurality of nodes, and then the center of gravity is calculated. Therefore, by giving a higher weight to nodes with a large number of connected links, it is possible to organize the nodes even more simply.

Further, the re-search for the cable route is performed at once for a plurality of provisional routes passing through one structure. Therefore, cables to be laid can be grouped together for each structure.

Further, after re-searching for the cable route, the changed route is compared with the provisional route, and if the changed route does not satisfy predetermined adoption conditions, the changed route is not adopted. Therefore, the number of cable route patterns can be reduced, and the complexity of cable installation and maintenance work can be reduced.

Further, the cable routing of the system 1 is performed in the connection of power cables, signal cables, and communication cables between devices (instruments) arranged in the plant and devices (instruments). That is, it is possible to set an efficient routing path in a cable for exchanging power or signals.

<7. Modified example>
A modification of system 1 will be explained.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which cables are routed to connect instrumentation devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. Cable routing by the system 1 may be performed at the connection of power lines or signal lines between the instrumentation and a power distribution board disposed in the plant instead of the instrumentation.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been described above, they can be implemented in various other forms, and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and changes. These embodiments and modifications, as well as omissions, substitutions, and changes, are included within the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents.

1 cable routing system 10 terminal device 20 server,
80 Network 130 Operation reception unit 161 User information 22 Communication IF
23 Input/output IF
25 memory 26 storage 29 processor 201 communication unit 202 storage unit 203 control unit

Claims (7)

A program that is executed by a computer equipped with a processor, the program is for designing a plant, and the program is configured to cause the processor to:
accepting an operation for arranging a first object indicating a device having a starting point, a second object indicating a device having an end point, and a third object indicating a structure supporting the cable in the virtual space;
accepting an operation for routing the cable between the first object and the second object;
A program that executes routing between the starting point and the ending point while making the cable run along a beam or column of the structure. The cable routing path is composed of links indicating a straight path and nodes that are intersections of the links,
In the cable routing,
searching for the shortest route connecting the starting point and the ending point as a provisional route;
Calculating a waypoint that is the node located closest to the center of gravity of the plurality of nodes among the plurality of nodes forming the provisional route;
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program executes a re-search for searching for a modified route that connects the starting point and the ending point and passes through the transit points. In calculating the above-mentioned transit points,
3. The program according to claim 2, wherein for each of the plurality of nodes, the node is weighted according to the number of the links connected, and then the via point is calculated. The re-search is
The program according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the program is executed for each of the structures that are spanned by a plurality of the temporary routes. After said re-search,
Comparing the changed route and the provisional route,
5. The program according to claim 2, wherein the changed route is not adopted if a preset employment condition is not met. A method for causing a computer including a processor to execute the method, wherein the method is for designing a plant, and the processor includes:
accepting an operation for arranging a first object indicating a device having a starting point, a second object indicating a device having an end point, and a third object indicating a structure supporting the cable in the virtual space;
accepting an operation for routing the cable between the first object and the second object;
Routing the cable between the starting point and the ending point while running the cable along a beam or column of the structure. A system that is executed by a computer including a processor, the system is for designing a plant, and the processor is
a module that receives an operation for arranging a first object indicating a device having a starting point, a second object indicating a device having an end point, and a third object indicating a structure supporting a cable in a virtual space;
a module that accepts an operation for routing the cable between the first object and the second object;
A system comprising: a module that routes the cable between the start point and the end point while making the cable follow a beam or column of the structure.