EP2050029A1

EP2050029A1 - Three-dimensional graphical modeling method

Info

Publication number: EP2050029A1
Application number: EP07823646A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc Pierre Stefano; Stéphane CADET; Jacques Luigi; David Rodriguez; Jérôme MORTAIN; Bruno Casimir
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
Current assignee: PSA Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2006-08-04
Filing date: 2007-07-26
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Also published as: FR2904714A1; WO2008015359A1; FR2904714B1

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of three-dimensional graphical modeling methods. It concerns a method for the three-dimensional graphical modeling of an interface area (j2, i4) between at least two mechanical parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), comprising a step for sending (cp), to a target software resource (10) under the control of a user, alarm information related to the modification of a part in the interface area, performed in another software resource under the control of another user; a step for displaying, in the target software resource, a three-dimensional graphical modeling of the interface area incorporating said modification, while activating in the target software resource a graphical alarm element (11) representing the alarm information.

Description

METHOD OF TRIDY MENTIONAL GRAPHIC MODELING

The invention relates to the field of three-dimensional graphical modeling methods, and more particularly to three-dimensional graphical modeling methods of an interface zone between two mechanical parts. Usually in the field of designing mechanical parts, each piece is designed by a draftsman. Thus, the interface areas between mechanical parts are areas where several designers can intervene.

In order for the mechanical assembly formed by the mechanical parts to be correctly designed within a reasonable time, close coordination between the parts designers is necessary at the interface area between the parts. This is why, whenever the designer of a room modifies his room at the interface with another room, he will have to discuss with the designer of the other room the feasibility of the modification envisaged, most often at the next team meeting, which may need to wait a longer or shorter time.

Meanwhile, the designer of the other room does not know anything about the planned change, and will often only find out about it at the next team meeting. The designer of the part to be modified could try to reach his colleague to explain to him the modification which he envisages, but he can have difficulties to join it, or even forget to do it. To solve this drawback, the invention proposes a method in which, even when the designer of a piece forgets to report to the designer of another room, or to anyone interested in the evolution of the interface zone between the parts, of a modification envisaged to its part precisely at the level of the interface zone between parts, the designer of the other room or any other interested person may be automatically notified of the proposed change, which allows him to read it before the next team meeting. According to the invention, there is provided a method for three-dimensional graphical modeling of an interface zone between at least two mechanical parts, comprising: a step of sending, to a target software resource under the control of a user, d an alerting information relating to the modification of a piece in the interface area made at the level of another software resource under the control of another user; a step of displaying, at the level of the target software resource, a three-dimensional graphical modeling of the interface zone incorporating said modification, during the activation, at the level of the target software resource, of a graphic element of alert representing the alert information.

This fluidity of information flow between the members of the same design team, made possible by the method of the invention, when one of the members is considering a modification of his piece at the interface area with one or more other parts, an automatic warning of the other interested members, allows for a predetermined project development time to significantly improve the robustness of the interface area considered, avoiding or at least greatly reducing the risk, a delayed challenge of different parameters of the interface area, which can then result in significant additional costs. The possibility of visualizing in real time the state of an interface, and in particular the modification proposal (s) envisaged by one or more room designers at the level of an interface zone and not yet accepted by all the speakers at this interface area, allows a interface zone animation, and especially by an interface facilitator, which is more efficient and faster. In addition, this possibility is accompanied by the possibility of being able to exchange directly and in real time information relating to the interface zone to the extent that any counterproposal to the proposed modification will be reported in the same way to the author who created the modification. considered. The graphic warning element is any graphic element that will be able to symbolize for a user an alert indicating that a modification of a part at the interface area considered is requested by the designer of the part to be modified. This graphic element can be an element added to the existing one or a modification of the existing one or a combination of both. In a preferred embodiment, the graphic warning element is an icon in addition to the existing information. In another embodiment, the graphic element is a modification of the formatting of existing information. Preferably, the display of the warning graphic element is representative of the modified part. Indeed, it is interesting not only to be alerted to a modification proposal, but to be able to immediately visualize at the level of the situation of the graphic element of alert, which part of the interface zone is concerned by the proposed modification. Advantageously, the display of the graphic warning element is representative of the software resource at which the modification was made or of the user controlling said software resource. Indeed, in large or complex projects, where more than one designer can work on a part, it is also interesting to know which of the designers working on the part concerned proposes the modification of the part.

The modeling process may provide that only certain modifications deemed important enough to have an impact on other stakeholders at the interface area level will be published, ie sent to the resource software from another user. However, to avoid drift, it is best to report any room change at the interface area, in any order. Thus, preferably, any modification of a part in the interface area causes at least one alerting information to be sent to a target software resource.

Preferably, at least one room change in the interface area, or even any room change in the interface area, causes the sending of alert information to a plurality of target software resources. Indeed, in a concrete project, many stakeholders at the interface zone level may be interested in knowing as early as possible a proposal to modify a room at the level of the zone. interface. These are for example the designers of the other parts of which at least part is located at the interface area. It will also be for example an interface facilitator responsible for monitoring and harmonizing the evolution of an interface area. Preferably, the graphic warning elements corresponding to several interface areas can be displayed simultaneously. This feature is interesting especially for the interface animator, but it can also be interesting for a designer whose room has several interface areas with the room of another designer.

To avoid alerting other responders at an interface zone in an untimely manner, ie to avoid sending alert information to propose a modification and then to send another information of an alert proposing a counter-modification aimed at either returning to the initial state or making the proposed change evolve further since the last stabilized version, preferably, a modification proposal will be signaled to the other parties only if it appears sufficiently mature and advanced at least to its own author. Thus, preferably, the alert information is sent as soon as the modification is validated by its author. Preferably, one or more graphical elements references respectively corresponding to one or more stabilized versions of the interface zone associated with the graphic element alert can be displayed simultaneously with the warning graphic element, the activation of a reference graphic element displaying the three-dimensional graphical modeling of the corresponding stabilized version of the interface zone. Thus, the possible direct comparison between the most recent stabilized version and the modification proposal makes it easier to estimate the impact of said modification. This advantageous feature keeping the history of the evolution of an interface zone also allows a clearer view of the evolution of the interface zone as well as a more easy backtracking if it has resulted in deadlock. It allows you to find the state of the interface areas at any time at any milestone in the design process. Preferably, the three-dimensional graphical modeling is accompanied by a textual commentary. This feature is particularly interesting for modifications that are not seen immediately graphically or that are not seen imperfectly graphically, the textual commentary may have a role of precision and / or explanation, or even justification by conveying the reason for the proposed amendment. Preferably, the display of a warning graphic element is accompanied by the display of a warning graphic element when the modification of the piece at the origin of the graphic warning element transgresses one or more programmable rules in the three-dimensional graphical modeling process. This immediately makes it possible to realize the more or less difficult and / or dangerous nature of the actual implementation of the proposed modification. Thus, for example, the interface zone facilitator can quickly reject as inadmissible a modification proposal significantly violating an imperative rule, thus avoiding another designer to waste time on an adaptation test to a modification that does not change. has no chance of being retained in the end. This crazy guard imposes the respect of a minimum of business rules at all stages of the design or at least signaling the drifts makes it possible to improve or at least to evaluate the robustness of the zone of interface. These business rules, advantageously programmable at the user's discretion, can be example of design rules or rules of manufacture, or a mix of both.

Preferably, the interface zone corresponds to a connection between mechanical parts. Indeed, this type of interface area requires a particularly strong coordination between the designers of the various parts involved in said interface area. Advantageously, the connection is a point of attachment. Again, for a better strength of the point of attachment, and therefore the total of the overall structure, good coordination between designers is necessary. Preferably, the mechanical parts are automotive mechanical parts. Indeed, a vehicle project requires the processing of several hundred interfaces. This is why a tool such as the modeling method according to the invention is particularly beneficial and interesting in the automotive field. Preferably, a graphic warning element is displayed at the level of a catpart or catproduct file of a software of the catia family. This software is advantageously catia v 5 or a later version.

The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of the following figures, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, in which:

- Figure 1 shows schematically an example of several views of interface areas between several mechanical parts of several designers; FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents an example of automatic transmission according to the invention of modifications envisaged for certain parts in the interface areas associated with an interface zone animation space as well as the display at said space of animation.

Figure 1 shows schematically an example of several views of interface areas between several mechanical parts of several designers. Several partial views of the same mechanical assembly are used to not to overload a single complete view that would have become too readable. At the level of the bodywork of an automobile, a roof lining arc 1 is secured to a rear wing liner 4 and a bayonet lining 5. On all of these liners will be fixed an electric harness 3 which will itself be covered by a lining 2. In this example, the electrical harness 3 has five interface zones 11 to 15 with all the liners, while the lining has two interface zones. j1 and j2 with all the liners. We will focus more particularly on the one hand on the interface area j2 between the part 1 which is designed under the responsibility of a designer C1 and the piece 2 which is designed under the responsibility of a designer C2 and d on the other hand to the interface zone i4 between the piece 1 and the piece 3 which is designed under the responsibility of a designer C3. FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents an example of automatic transmission according to the invention of modifications envisaged for certain parts in the interface areas associated with an interface zone animation space as well as the display at said space of space. animation . The parts of Figure 2 already described in Figure 1 will not be described again. A 10 interface zone file is manipulated by an interface zone animator who is responsible for a number of interface areas at a set of automotive mechanical parts. The interface facilitator can be an external speaker at the design offices involved in the interface areas, or one of the designers working directly on the interface areas. For the sake of simplicity, in this file 10, only two interface areas, j2 and i4, have been represented but the file 10 may contain many more. The interface zone host software resource that hosts and displays file 10 is a software resource target. This type of file, in a version containing generally less interface zones, or even only one, can also be found on the software resource of a part designer whose part presents one or more interface zones with another part or with several other pieces. The file 10 is advantageously structured in the following manner when it is displayed. The interface area j2 comprises two subdirectories, VS and P. The VS subdirectory includes stabilized versions of the interface area, that is to say versions that at a given moment have been accepted by all members of the team intervening in this interface area or imposed by the interface facilitator or more generally have been stabilized by a manager because all objections had been overcome or all modifications taken into account. Figure 2 shows two earlier versions, an older VN version and a newer VN + 1 version. This history of the stabilized versions of the interface zone makes it possible to follow the revolution of the interface zone over time.

The subdirectory P includes possible modification proposals from different designers. The interface zone j2 is an interface zone between the parts 1 and 2. Therefore, it is the designers of the parts 1 and 2, namely respectively the designers C1 and C2, who will be able to propose modifications, respectively to the parts 1 and 2. In FIG. 2, only the designer C1 has proposed a modification which is indicated by the graphic warning element 11 which is here a triangular icon adding to the mention C1 while being displayed in the vicinity of the mention C1; it could be the statement C1 itself displayed in another color. No graphic element of alert is displayed at the level of the mention C2, the designer C2 thus did not propose modification. By elsewhere, the change proposed by the designer C1 violates a programmable rule, for example a design or manufacturing rule associated with the part 1, which is automatically indicated by the display of a warning graphic element 12, here in the form of a red light. An activation of the graphic element of alert 11 makes it possible to display, at the level of the software resource displaying the file 10, a three-dimensional modeling of the interface area j2 which integrates the modification proposed by the designer C1 at the level of the software resource displaying the file 10. from room 1. Thus, by simple activation of the graphic element 11, for example by simple click or double click on it, the animator of the interface zone j2 and / or the designer C2 of the part 2 can immediately realize a visual representation of the modification proposed by the designer C1 at the level of the part 1, which modification can of course cause a need for modification at the level of the part 2.

An activation of the warning graphic element 12 makes it possible to display, at the level of the target software resource displaying the file 10, the programmable rule that would be violated by the proposed modification, or even information explaining why this modification constitutes a violation and / or what constitutes that breach. The interface zone i4 comprises the same two sub-directories, VS and P. The sub-directory VS is identical to that of the interface zone j2. Depending on the status of the design project, however, it may include fewer or more stabilized versions. The subdirectory P, similarly, includes possible modification proposals from different designers. The interface zone i4 is an interface zone between the parts 1 and 3. Therefore, it is the designers of the parts 1 and 3, namely respectively the designers C1 and C3, which will be able to propose modifications, respectively to parts 1 and 3. In Figure 2, only the designer C3 proposed a modification which is indicated by the graphic element alert 11. No graphical element of alert is displayed at the level of the mention C1, the designer C1 did not propose any modification. Moreover, the modification proposed by the designer C3 does not violate any programmable rule, whether of design or manufacturing associated with the part 3, this can be noticed by the absence of display of a graphic element of warning 12.

An activation of the graphical alert element 11 makes it possible to display, at the level of the software resource displaying the file 10, a three-dimensional modeling of the interface zone i4 which incorporates the modification proposed by the designer C3 at the level of the software resource displaying the file 10. of the part 3. Thus by simple activation, the animator of the interface zone i4 and / or the designer C1 of the part 1 can immediately realize in a visual way of the modification proposed by the designer C3 at the level of the piece 3, which modification can of course entail a need for modification at the level of the part 1.

In a symbolic manner, cp arrows signal the sending of alert information relating to a proposal for modifying the different designers to the interface zone file. These information feeds are established at the beginning of the project and are retained, although it is not impossible to modify them during the project. This is because it has been expected that a modification of the part 1 at the interface zone j2 from the designer C1 would generate the sending of an alert information to the file 10, which an alert graphic element 11 is displayed in the subdirectory P of the interface zone j2 in the vicinity of the indication C1, at the level of the display of the file 10. In the same way, it is because it was expected that any modification of the part 3 at the interface zone i4 from the designer C3 would generate the sending of an alert information to the user. 10, an alert graphic element 11 is displayed in the subdirectory P of the interface zone i4 in the vicinity of the C3 mention. In the same way also, in the event of a modification proposal from the designer C1 for the interface i4 or the designer C2 for the interface j2, graphic elements 11 would be displayed either in the subdirectory P of the interface zone i4 in the vicinity of the C1, in the sub-directory P of the interface zone j2 in the vicinity of the C2. Thus, anticipating a room change at an interface area allows real-time visualization of the evolution of an interface area and improves the efficiency of the next meeting. dedicated to the evolution of this interface area, each speaker having been able to automatically read the changes proposed by the others in advance of said meeting.

The file 10 is preferably a catproduct (registered trademark) file of the catia v5 (registered trademark) software, but the information can also be supported by a catpart (registered trademark) file.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S

1) Three-dimensional graphical modeling method of an interface zone (j2, i4) between at least two mechanical parts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), comprising:

a step of sending (cp), to a target software resource (10) under the control of a user, an alert information relating to the modification, of a piece in the interface zone, carried out at the level of another software resource under the control of another user; a step of displaying, at the level of the target software resource, a three-dimensional graphical modeling of the interface zone incorporating said modification, during the activation, at the level of the target software resource, of a graphic element; alert (11) representing the alert information.

2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the graphic warning element is an icon in addition to the existing information.

3) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the graphic element is a modification of the formatting of existing information.

4) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display of the warning graphic element is representative of the modified part.

5) Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the alert display is representative of the software resource at which the modification was made or of the user controlling said software resource. 6) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that any modification of a part in the interface area causes the sending of at least one alert information to a target software resource.

7) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one part change in the interface area causes the sending of alert information to several target software resources.

8) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alert information is sent as soon as the modification is validated by its author.

9) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the graphic warning elements corresponding to several interface areas can be displayed simultaneously.

10) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more graphical elements references

(VN, VN + 1) respectively corresponding to one or more stabilized versions of the interface zone associated with the graphic element of alert can be displayed simultaneously with the graphic element of alert, the activation of an element reference chart displaying the three-dimensional graphical modeling of the corresponding stabilized version of the interface area.

11) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the three-dimensional graphical modeling is accompanied by a textual comment.

12) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display of a warning graphic element is accompanied by the display of a warning graphic element (12). when the part change causing the warning graphic element transgresses one or more programmable rules in the three-dimensional graphical modeling process.

13) Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the programmable rules are design rules.

14) Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the programmable rules are manufacturing rules.

15) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface area corresponds to a connection between mechanical parts.

16) Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the connection is an attachment point.

17) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical parts are automotive mechanical parts.

18) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a graphic warning element is displayed at a catproduct file of a catia family software.

19) Method according to claim 18, characterized in that said software is catia v 5 or a later version.