METHOD FOR DESIGNING PACKAGING PLANTS

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for designing a packaging plant, wherein a measuring vehicle is moved within an area in which the production plant is to be erected or modified, and a position of the measuring vehicle relative to the area is detected. The measuring vehicle is positioned at a plurality of positions within this area and at this position records respective images and/or data of the area with a first image capturing device, wherein at least one geometric property of the area and/or the packaging plant is detected.

Claims

1: A method for designing a packaging plant, wherein a measuring vehicle is moved within an area in which the production plant is to be erected or modified, and wherein a position of the measuring vehicle relative to the area is detected, wherein the measuring vehicle is positioned at a plurality of positions within this area and at this position records respective images and/or data of the area with a first image capturing device, wherein at least one geometric property of the area and/or the packaging plant is detected.

2: The method according to claim 1, wherein a three-dimensional model of the area is created on the basis of the data and/or images recorded by the first image capturing device.

3: The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring vehicle is a remote-controlled vehicle and in particular a land vehicle or an aircraft.

4: The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring vehicle determines area dimensions.

5: The method according to claim 1, wherein the position detection takes place by a navigation method and in particular by a triangulation.

6: The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one three-dimensional scan is recorded.

7: The method according to claim 1, wherein first of all the measuring vehicle is moved in a first operation between a plurality of positions within the area, in order to determine position points, and on the basis of these position points a three-dimensional model is created.

8: The method according to claim 7, wherein in the context of a further operation the measuring vehicle is moved between a plurality of positions in order to increase the precision of the three-dimensional model.

9: A device for designing a packaging plant with a measuring vehicle, which is movable within an area in which the packaging plant is to be erected or modified, with a control device configured to control the movement of this measuring vehicle and with a position detecting device configured to detect a position of the measuring vehicle relative to the area, wherein the measuring vehicle has a first image capturing device which is configured to record images and/or data of the area, wherein at least one geometric property of the area can be detected.

10: The device according to claim 9, wherein the measuring vehicle has a further image capturing device which is controllable independently of the first image capturing device and which is configured for recording images of the area.

11: The device according to claim 9, wherein the measuring vehicle has a 3D scanner.

12: The device according to claim 10, wherein the second image capturing device serves for navigation of the measuring vehicle.

13: The device according to claim 9, wherein the position detecting device has at last one signal transmission device arranged on a stationary manner.

14: The device according to claim 9, wherein at least one image capturing device is movable and is configured to be in particular pivotable, inclinable and/or rotatable relative to the measuring vehicle.

15: The device according to claim 10, wherein the measuring vehicle has a 3D scanner.

16: The device according to claim 15, wherein the second image capturing device is configured for navigation of the measuring vehicle.

17: The device according to claim 10, wherein the position detecting device has at last one signal transmission device arranged on a stationary manner.

18: The device according to claim 17, wherein at least one image capturing device is movable and is configured to be in particular pivotable, inclinable and/or rotatable relative to the measuring vehicle.

19: The device according to claim 11, wherein the position detecting device has at last one signal transmission device arranged on a stationary manner.

20: The device according to claim 19, wherein at least one image capturing device is movable and is configured to be in particular pivotable, inclinable and/or rotatable relative to the measuring vehicle.

Description

[0059] In the drawings:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a representation of a plant to be designed;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a further representation of an area for designing of a plant;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a representation of a measuring vehicle;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a further representation of a measuring vehicle;

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a further illustration of a plant design.

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation for illustration of the designing of a plant 1. In this case the rectangle R shown by dash-dot lines designates an area within which the plant 1 is to be erected or to be modified, for example to be extended.

[0066] The references 12, 14, 16 and 18 here designate detection devices or signal generator devices, which are arranged stationary and are suitable and intended for positioning a measuring vehicle 2, 4 or detecting the position thereof. These detection devices 12, 14, 16 or 18 here are preferably arranged in the corners of the area 10. The measuring vehicle 2, 4, which may be either a land vehicle or an aircraft, can preferably move within the area 10. In this case it would also be possible to provide fewer or more than the position detection units 12, 14, 16, 18 shown.

[0067] The measuring vehicle 2, 4 can be moved within the area 10 and in this case for example can pass the individual reference points 62, 64, 86, 68, 72, 74, 76 and 78. In this case the frequency and density of these points depends, for example, on the respective plant or the complexity thereof or also the possibility of observing this in each case. It is also possible that by means of the individual detection or reference points 62-78 different plant parts of the entire plant 1 can be observed or measured. Therefore the reference points 62-78, which can be individually approached by land or air with the aid of the navigation, are preferably spaced apart or discrete from one another.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a further problem underlying the invention. Here again an area 10 is illustrated, within which a plant is to be constructed. In this case, for example, markings M1 can be provided, which should show a future travel path or a path which is accessible for the user. The measuring vehicle may also be suitable and intended for producing markings (for instance on the floor of the area). The fact that the said travel path or path which is accessible for the future user can be kept free of plant parts can then be taken into account for designing of the plant.

[0069] The reference 15 designates an object present within the area which, where applicable, must be taken into account in the designing of the plant. A marking M2 can designate a future machine position. Also in this case the measuring vehicle could again be moved within the area, in order to detect the corresponding criteria or conditions and accordingly design a plant in a further step.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a first representation of a measuring vehicle, which is designed here as a ground-based measuring vehicle. This measuring vehicle here has wheels 22 for travelling on the ground. In this case these wheels can also be fixed, in order to fix the position of the measuring vehicle 1. In addition a drive 24 is provided in order to drive the wheels. Distance measuring devices can also be provided in order to determine a route to be travelled. The reference 24 designates a corresponding drive motor.

[0071] The reference 26 designates a mounting device for suspending a camera 11, so that this is in particular arranged rotatably and/or pivotably. The reference 13 designates a second camera which, for example, can have a 3D scanner or can be designed as a 3D scanner.

[0072] The reference 28 designates a sensor which can serve, for example, for detecting the position or also for navigation. In addition the measuring vehicle 2 could have a stand (not shown), for example also an extendable stand, by means of which the camera devices 11 and 13 could be extended. In this way a scanner position can also be moved vertically.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows a further example for a measuring vehicle 4, in this case in the form of a drone. This drone has a plurality of propellers, for example four propellers 48. Here too a position detecting device 50 is again provided, which serves in order to detect the position of the drone. The reference 44 again designates a movable mounting for a first image capturing device 11 as well as a second image capturing device 13. These can again be mounted pivotably and/or rotatably. The reference 42 designates a chassis of the drone or of the measuring vehicle 4. In this way in this case the drone could also be fixed at specific positions for example on the ground or also on equipment.

[0074] The reference 51 designates a further sensor device, such as for instance a distance sensor device.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a representation for illustrating the designing of the plant. This again shows the area 10 according to FIG. 1. Furthermore, areas which are detected by the image capturing devices at the respective positions, for instance the position 66 or the position 62, are in each case shown by circular lines K1, K2, K3. It will be recognised that almost the entire plant can be detected with these areas. In addition there are overlap areas 31, 32, 33 and 34, which can be observed simultaneously from a plurality of positions. Additional image capturing devices for detecting the area and/or plant parts can also be provided at the positions of the position sensor devices 12, 14, 16, 18.

[0076] In particular, therefore, the number of possible recording positions can be drastically restricted by the recording of all-round images, and in this way overall with comparatively few recordings an entire image of the plant can be created and this in turn can form the basis for designing the plant.

[0077] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention in so far as they are individually or in combination novel over the prior art. Furthermore it is pointed out that features which may be advantageous per se have also been described in the individual drawings. The person skilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific feature described in a drawing may also be advantageous without the incorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual drawings or in different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0078] 1 plant [0079] 2 measuring vehicle [0080] 4 measuring vehicle [0081] 10 area [0082] 11 camera/image capturing device [0083] 12, 14, 16, 18 stationary detection unit [0084] 13 second camera/image capturing device [0085] 15 object present [0086] 22 wheels [0087] 24 drive (motor) [0088] 26 mounting device [0089] 28 sensor [0090] 31-34 overlap area [0091] 42 chassis of the drone [0092] 44 movable mounting [0093] 48 propeller [0094] 50 position detecting device [0095] 51 further sensor device [0096] 62, 64, 66, 68 reference point [0097] 72, 74, 76, 78 reference point [0098] K1-K3 circles [0099] M1 marking of a future route [0100] M2 future machine positions [0101] R rectangle