JP2004341585A - Design support apparatus and design support method for assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a design support apparatus for assembly for reflecting design specification information applied to each component on assembly design. <P>SOLUTION: The design support apparatus supports the design work of an assembly by using a computer, and is provided with a preparing part 101 for preparing a design work template to define design work knowledge necessary for designing the assembly, and for preparing a design work template to define design work knowledge necessary for designing components constituting the assembly, a relation setting part 102 for linking the design work template to the assembly, and for linking the design work template to the components constituting the assembly, an information calling part 104 for extracting the design work template linked to the assembly object and the design work template linked to the components constituting the assembly and a display part 105 for displaying the information of the design work template linked to the assembly and the information of the design work template linked to the components constituting the assembly together. Thus, it is possible to provide the design support apparatus and method for the assembly reflecting the design specification information applied to each component on the assembly design, and for supporting quick and omission-free assembly design. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a design support apparatus and a support method for smoothly performing a design operation of an assembly composed of a large number of components.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Normally, when designing an assembly such as a mechanical structure, the components that make up the assembly are designed first, and then the designed components are combined and designed to function as the entire assembly. At this time, in the design for each component, the component design is performed so as to satisfy the design specification given to the component alone, and then the assembly design is performed so as to satisfy the design specification as the assembly. However, although the individual parts satisfy the given design specification, when the assembly is assembled, there is a case where the given design specification as the assembly is not satisfied. For this reason, the designer of the assembly has redesigned so as to satisfy the design specification of the assembly while changing the specifications such as the shape of each part.
[0003]
Conventionally, an apparatus and a method for supporting the design of an assembly are disclosed in JP-A-7-121603 (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, in order to quickly perform an operation of optimizing the specification values of each component of a product including a plurality of components so as to satisfy the performance as a component and also to satisfy the performance as a product. , Determine whether each of the plurality of parts satisfies the target performance as a part by the part performance determining means of the part suitability examination means. If not, the part optimizing means determines the initial input specification value. Is optimized by taking into account the knowledge accumulated in the parts knowledge database group, and then examine product suitability to determine whether the product that integrates the parts with the optimized specification values satisfies the target performance as a product It is described by the product performance determination means of the means, and if not satisfied, it is described that the product optimization means satisfactorily optimizes by taking into account the knowledge accumulated in the product knowledge database. And .
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-121603
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional general design support technology, individual component designers use CAD (Computer Aided Design), CAE (Computer Aided Engineering), or the like to design components so as to satisfy component design specifications. However, in the design of an assembly, the design specifications of the assembly do not always cover all design specifications such as design constraint conditions given in individual component designs. That is, in the design of the assembly, the design specifications given to the parts were not sufficiently transmitted to the assembly designer in order to satisfy the design specifications of the assembly. There is a problem that the design specifications may not be satisfied.
[0006]
Also in Patent Document 1, optimization is performed so as to satisfy the target performance given for each part, and then optimization is performed so as to satisfy the target performance as an assembly. Therefore, there has been a similar problem because the point of reflection in the assembly design has not been sufficiently considered.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly design support apparatus and a support method capable of reflecting design specification information given for each part in an assembly design and supporting quick and complete assembly design. Is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a design support apparatus that supports a design work of an assembly using a computer, and a design work template that defines design work knowledge necessary for designing an assembly. A template creating means for creating a design work template for defining design work knowledge necessary for designing the parts constituting the assembly, and linking the design work template with the assembly, Association setting means for associating the template with the components constituting the assembly, information calling means for extracting the design business template associated with the components constituting the assembly together with the design business template associated with the assembly, Business templates tied to In that the arrangement and display means for displaying the information of the design work template tied to components of the assembly together with the information.
[0009]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a design support method for supporting a design operation of an assembly using a computer, wherein the design work knowledge required for designing the assembly is provided by a template creation unit. A design business template that defines the design business knowledge necessary for designing the components that constitute the assembly, and a design business template that defines the design business template and the assembly And linking the design business template with the components making up the assembly, and linking the design business template linked to the components making up the assembly with the design business template linked to the assembly by the information calling means. Take it out and tie it to the assembly by display means Together with information Tagged design work template lies in the information design work template tied to components constituting the assembly to be displayed together.
[0010]
The other means of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in the embodiments, but allows modifications based on known techniques.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment of an assembly design support apparatus according to the present invention. The assembly design support apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a design business template creating unit 101, a model-template related setting unit 102, a design business template execution unit 103, a template information calling unit 104, a model-template information display unit 105, a database 106 and a computer 107.
[0013]
The design work template creation unit 101 defines design work knowledge necessary for performing a design work. Here, the design business knowledge is design specification information such as design specifications, design know-how, and information to be referred to, including business procedures, model data, and design constraints. Further, since the design work template is design work knowledge necessary for business execution, CAE work procedures, input / output files of programs necessary for CAE, know-how information for CAE use, and the like are also defined. The data defined here is called a design business template.
[0014]
The model-template association setting unit 102 associates the design job template created by the design job template creation unit 101 with the parts and assemblies that are the targets of the design job knowledge described in the template. In other words, a component is associated with a design job template (component design job template) necessary for designing the component. Also, a design business template (design business template for an assembly) required to design the assembly is associated with the assembly obtained by combining the components. Therefore, the assembly design business template is associated with the component design business template through the components constituting the assembly.
[0015]
Note that an assembly design often has a plurality of layers. Taking car design as an example, there is a layer of parts design such as pistons and cranks, and there is a hierarchy of design of an assembly as an engine that combines them, and as a higher hierarchy, as an engine, body and other assemblies There are layers of the entire car design. As described above, there are a plurality of layers in the assembly design. Here, the upper layer means the assembly-level layer as an assembly, and the lower layer means the layer close to the part layer as the assembly. means. Further, the design work template has a relationship with not only parts but also assemblies for a plurality of layers of the assembly design.
[0016]
The design job template execution unit 103 inputs the created design job template, registers it in the database 106, and stores information described in the design job template for the parts and assemblies associated by the model-template association setting unit 102. Design based on
[0017]
In the model-template information calling unit 104, in the design work using the design work template execution unit 103, the design work associated with the components constituting the assembly and the assembly in the lower hierarchy by the model-template association setting unit 102. Obtain a template from the database 106.
[0018]
The template information display unit 105 displays the design work knowledge described in the design work template of the component or the assembly obtained by the model-template information calling unit 104.
[0019]
The database 106 registers and manages design business templates and design business knowledge.
[0020]
The computer 107 controls the database 106 from the design work template creating unit 101 constituting the present apparatus.
[0021]
The processing procedure of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a use procedure in the assembly design support apparatus shown in FIG. The use procedure of the present invention is roughly divided into two phases. The first is the part design phase, and the second is the assembly design phase.
[0023]
In the first part design phase, a design work template necessary for designing parts is created. First, a design procedure template for a part is created by defining a design procedure, a tool to be used, design specifications to be referenced, design constraints, and the like (step S1). Next, a component to be designed is input to the design business template, the design business template is associated with the design target component (step S2), and the input design business template is registered in the database 106 (step S3). Next, a target part is designed according to the design work template, and design work knowledge newly obtained by this design is input (step S4). This is the first phase. Since the assembly is composed of a plurality of parts, this phase exists a plurality of times depending on the number of parts.
[0024]
In the second assembly design phase, a design work template necessary for designing as an assembly is created. First, design specification information such as a design procedure, a tool to be used, a design specification to be referred to, and design constraint conditions is also defined to create a design work template for an assembly (step S5). Next, the assembly to be the target of the design business template is input to associate the design business template with the design target assembly (step S6), and the input design business template is registered in the database 106 (step S7). Next, the target assembly is designed according to the design work template (step S8). At this time, the design is performed with reference to the design work knowledge added to the design work template, but the design work template linked to the parts constituting the assembly is called from the database, and the design work knowledge added to the parts is also displayed. (Step S9). The designer designs with reference to design work knowledge linked to the target assembly or part. This is the second phase.
[0025]
Note that an assembly may have a plurality of layers, and in that case, an assembly design phase exists a plurality of times according to the layers. In the upper assembly design hierarchy, a design business template created and associated with an assembly in a lower assembly design hierarchy can be called, and design can be performed with reference to the design business knowledge. ing. Further, even in the higher hierarchy, it is possible to refer to the design business template of any hierarchy and the design business template associated with the component. In this case, the lower assembly design corresponds to the part design with respect to the upper assembly design.
[0026]
Next, execution of a design operation using the apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a design operation of the machine 1 having the piston crank mechanism shown in FIG. Here, the machine 1 is composed of four parts, part 1 to part 4. The parts 1 to 4 are shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, respectively. The parts 1 to 4 are individually designed, and the machine 1 is designed as an assembly.
[0027]
First, execution of the design work in the phase related to component design will be described.
[0028]
First, a design job template for designing the component 1 shown in FIG. 4 is created (step S1 in FIG. 2). FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen for creating a design job template for component 1. Here, as a design procedure of the part 1, “material examination” is performed. "Examination of heat measures"? "Shape consideration" is defined. In addition, the "heat study measures" include a "pre-process" as a study procedure. "Perform analysis"? "Post process"? "Heat distribution evaluation" is defined. Furthermore, “temperature distribution output” is defined as a procedure of “post-process”. Here, a “heat study” defining the design procedure is called a unit process. That is, the design procedure can be regarded as a set of ordered unit processes. The design procedure is displayed in a tree structure.
[0029]
In this step S1, a design specification including design constraints required for design, design know-how, and information to be referred to are also defined. In the "heat countermeasure study", "Preprocessor" for pre-process, "Solver" for analysis execution, "Postprocessor" for post-process, and "Exam_tool" for heat distribution evaluation are defined as necessary tools, bore 100mm, pin diameter 30mm, wall thickness 5mm or less, maximum temperature 400? Design specifications such as the following design constraints are also defined. Reference information such as “design memo.txt” is also attached. Here, the name of the created design task template is “component 1 design”.
[0030]
A design job template for designing the component 2 shown in FIG. 5, the component 3 shown in FIG. 6, and the component 4 shown in FIG. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show examples of screens for creating the respective design task templates. In addition, the names of the design work templates are “component 2 design”, “component 3 design”, and “component 4 design”, respectively.
[0031]
Next, the parts to be designed are linked to the design work template created in step S1 (step S2 in FIG. 2). Since the part 1 corresponds to the design work template “part 1 design”, they are linked. FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen for associating a design work template with its components. FIG. 12 is for associating the design work template “design of component 1” with the component 1. In FIG. 12, “part 1 design” is displayed as a design work template, and a model list of component names and assembly names is displayed. A component to be associated is selected from these. In FIG. 12, the component 1 is selected as the component to be associated. In addition to the selection from the component list, it is also possible to directly input the model name using a keyboard or the like. In addition, the step S2 is normally associated by being activated from the design business template creation screen.
[0032]
The parts are also associated with the design work templates of other parts. Here, the part 2 is associated with the design work template “part 2 design”, the part 3 is associated with “part 3 design”, and the part 4 is associated with “part 4 design”.
[0033]
Next, the design work template input in steps S1 and S2 is registered in the database 106 (step S3 in FIG. 2). FIG. 13 shows an example of the data structure of the design work template. The design work template describes design procedure information, unit process names, tools used there, reference data, design specifications, attached information, and the like. Also, a component name associated with the design work template is described.
[0034]
Next, component design work is performed according to the design work template registered in step S3 (step S4 in FIG. 2). FIG. 14 shows an example of implementation of the design work on the part 1. By inputting the design work template “part 1 design” defined in step S1, the design procedure is displayed, so that information to be referred to and design work using a tool can be performed. FIG. 14 is an example showing the operation of “pre-process”, and the tool “Preprocess” is activated to perform the operation. Information to be referred to, such as design specifications and design constraints, is also displayed. In addition, know-how items such as points noticed during the design work can be input, and a reference file can be input. Here, an example is shown in which, as “know-how”, a knowledge that “if the skirt portion has a thickness of 3 mm satisfies the constraint but the heat distribution is unnatural” is input. The parts 2, 3 and 4 can also be designed in accordance with the design work templates "design of part 2", "design of part 3", and "design of part 4".
[0035]
The above is the description of the execution of the design work in the phase related to the component design. Note that this phase can be performed in different independent places.
[0036]
Next, execution of the design work in the assembly design phase will be described.
[0037]
First, a design work template for designing the assembly of the machine 1 shown in FIG. 3 is created (Step S5 in FIG. 2). FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen for creating the design work template. In this example, a design job template of the machine 1 which is an assembly obtained by combining the part 1, the part 2, the part 3, and the part 4 is created. As a design procedure for Machine 1, "balance consideration"? "Clearance consideration"? "Vibration consideration"? "Strength study"? “Shape adjustment study” is defined, and “pre-process” as a procedure for “vibration study” and “strength study”? "Perform analysis"? "Post process"? "Vibration evaluation" is defined for vibration study, and "strength evaluation" is defined for strength study. In addition, as a “post-process” procedure, when examining vibration, “eigenvalue output”? "Vibration mode output" is defined, and in the case of strength study, "principal stress value output"? "Maximum displacement output" is defined. Further, tools such as “Preprocessor” and “Solver” are defined for each unit process. In the assembly design, design specifications, constraints, and a reference information file such as “Machine 1 Design Handbook.txt” are also defined. The design work template created here is referred to as “machine 1 design”.
[0038]
Next, the assembly to be designed is linked to the design work template created in step S5 (step S6 in FIG. 2). Since the machine 1 corresponds to the design business template “machine 1 design”, they are linked. Since the input screen is the same as that shown in FIG. 12, illustration is omitted. Here, “machine 1” is selected as a selection target. Regarding step S6 as well, it is normally started on the design business template creation screen, and an assembly to be linked to the design business template is selected.
[0039]
Next, the design work template input in step S6 is registered in the database 106 (step S7 in FIG. 2). The data structure of the design work template here is the same as that shown in FIG. 13 regarding the format, and the names and procedures of the unit processes, the defined data, and the like are different.
[0040]
Next, the design work of the machine 1 as an assembly is performed according to the design work template registered in step S7 (step S8 in FIG. 2). The design work in the machine 1 is performed by inputting the design work template “Machine 1 design” as in the case of the design work template of the component 1 shown in FIG.
[0041]
Next, the design work template linked to the components of the assembly is called from the database 106, and the information of the design work template is displayed (step S9). FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen for selecting a design work template to be referred to. In FIG. 16, the parts constituting the machine 1 currently being designed are displayed in the parts list. Here, a group of components constituting the machine 1 is displayed in a tree shape. The design work template “Machine 1 design” is linked to the machine 1, and the model list of FIG. 16 can be displayed by searching for the component parts of the machine 1 from the model data of the machine 1. In FIG. 16, component 3 is selected. By pressing "OK" in FIG. 16, the design work template associated with the component 3 is extracted from the database, and the information is displayed.
[0042]
It is possible to extract the corresponding design business template from the related component name in the data structure of the design business template shown in FIG. FIG. 17 shows an example of implementation of the design work of the machine 1 with reference to the information of the design work template of the associated part. The design is performed with reference to the design work template of the machine 1, and tools, design specifications, and the like defined in the machine 1 are displayed. Further, information of the design work template linked to the component 3 is displayed on the same screen, and design information such as design specifications for the component 3 is displayed.
[0043]
The device of the present invention is applicable even when the number of layers for designing parts and assemblies is plural. That is, as in the layer of the design of the assembly C in which the parts A and B are assembled, and the layer of the design of the assembly E in which the assembly C and the assembly D are combined, the level of the layer of the completeness of the assembly is It is possible to apply the device of the present invention accordingly. At this time, in the higher-level design layer, the reference of the information of the design business template associated with the assembly of the lower layer and the information of the design business template associated with the component describes the assembly or component to be referred to. The extracted design work template may be retrieved from the database.
[0044]
The device of the present invention can refer to not only the information of the design business template in the lower layer of the design but also the information of the design business template in the upper layer. This is because a designer searches for an assembly composed of parts or assemblies under design work during a design work, and searches for a design work template associated with the assemblies or parts constituting the assembly. Can refer to the design work template that the user wants to refer to.
[0045]
The apparatus of the present invention is capable of calling, from a database, design work templates linked to all of the assemblies from the component configuration of the assemblies, and displaying a list of information such as their design specifications.
[0046]
The apparatus of the present invention separately creates a related information file describing a part name or an assembly name and a design work template name to be associated with the part name and the assembly work name in order to take out the design work template associated with the part and saves the related information file in a database. It is possible to retrieve a design work template through a file.
[0047]
In the device of the present invention, the design of each part and the design of each assembly can be performed not at one place but at a different place through communication means such as the Internet.
[0048]
The apparatus of the present invention can also be used for optimization calculation of an assembly or a part linked to the design business template by using design specifications and design constraints described in the design business template. At this time, a procedure for optimal calculation may be described in the design work template so that the procedure can be repeatedly executed.
[0049]
According to the present embodiment, since the parts and assemblies are linked to the design work template, the related design is performed through the assemblies being designed and the components constituting the assemblies in different design layers of the part design and the assembly design. It is possible to call up a business template and refer to design information other than those in charge of each designer. In addition, since the designer can also refer to design work templates that include findings obtained during design, design specifications and design constraints given to parts and assemblies, the designer can use Since detailed information such as design specification change information and design specifications not described in the assembly or part in charge can be referred to, a design without omission can be performed.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly design support apparatus and method capable of reflecting design specification information given for each part in an assembly design and supporting quick and complete assembly design. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an assembly design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for using the assembly design support apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an assembly which is an example of a design target of the assembly design support apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part 1 constituting the assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part 2 constituting the assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part 3 constituting the assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part 4 constituting the assembly of FIG. 3;
8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for creating a design job template for the component 1 in FIG. 4;
9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for creating a design task template for the component 2 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for creating a design job template for the component 3 in FIG. 4;
11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for creating a design job template for the component 1 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a component definition screen associated with a design business template.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a design work template.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the implementation of the design work of the component 1;
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for creating a design job template for the machine 1;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen of a design work template associated with a referenced component.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a design work referring to information of a design work template linked to a component.
[Explanation of symbols]
101: design work template creation unit, 102: model-template related setting unit, 103: design work template execution unit, 104: model-template information calling unit, 105: template information display unit, 106: database, 107: computer.

Claims (8)

A design support device that supports a design operation of an assembly using a computer,
A template for creating a design business template that defines design business knowledge required for designing an assembly, and a design business template for defining design business knowledge required for designing the components that constitute the assembly Creation means,
An association setting unit that associates the design operation template with the assembly, and associates the design operation template with a component configuring the assembly;
Information calling means for retrieving a design business template associated with a component constituting the assembly together with a design business template associated with the assembly;
An assembly design support apparatus comprising: display means for displaying together information of a design business template linked to an assembly together with information of a design business template linked to components constituting the assembly. The assembly body design support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a database that holds information on connection between the design work template, the assembly body, and components constituting the assembly body. 3. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising means for retrieving an assembly composed of parts and assemblies, wherein the information calling means retrieves a design work template associated with the retrieved assemblies and parts. Body design support device. The assembly design according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display means has a function of displaying components constituting the assembly in a tree shape with respect to the assembly and displaying a reference component to be selectable. Support device. The assembly design support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display means has a function of displaying the design procedure and design specifications of the assembly and the design procedure and design specifications of parts on a multi-screen. 2. The template creating means, the association setting means, the information calling means, and the display means, when designing an assembly of upper and lower layers, functioning by assembling a lower layer assembly as a component constituting an upper assembly. 6. The assembly design support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A design support method for supporting assembly design work using a computer,
The template creation means creates a design task template that defines design task knowledge necessary for designing an assembly, and a design task that defines design task knowledge necessary for designing components that constitute the assembly. Create a template,
By the association setting means, the design work template is linked to the assembly, and the design work template is linked to the parts constituting the assembly,
By taking out the design work template linked to the components constituting the assembly together with the design work template linked to the assembly by the information calling means,
An assembly design support method for displaying information of a design business template linked to a component constituting the assembly together with information of the design business template linked to the assembly by the display means. An assembly design support method that holds information linking the design business template and the assembly and also stores information linking the design business template and the components constituting the assembly in a database.

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