JP2002236706A - Method and device for supporting product development - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently develop a high quality product by appropriately selecting check items in the case of a design deliberation in a design state. SOLUTION: Design deliberation items in the design stage are made into a database by a preparing means 2. A producing means 3 makes a list of check items from a function classification DB 10 and a check item DB 11 on the basis of product functions so as to be an appropriate check list in each product. A narrowing means 4 narrows down a check item by a keyword corresponding to a design place and registers the check item in a check list DB 14. Each department in charge refers to the check list by using a deliberation means 5 and inputs deliberated results. The individual results by the deliberation means 5 are totalized by a totalization means 6 and subjected to situation management.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assisting a designer in designing various products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various products, especially products mass-produced in factories, are transferred from design to trial production to mass production, and are put on the market after quality inspection in a manufacturing process. It is common practice to do trial production instead of mass production immediately after the design is completed, because the final quality and productivity of the product will be affected unless the function and structure of the product are actually manufactured and confirmed. This is because it is difficult to detect a certain defect.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-114601 discloses a prior art relating to analysis when a defect occurs in a manufacturing process. When a defect occurs in the manufacturing process, there may be a cause in the manufacturing process itself, but also in a design of a product itself to be manufactured. In general, when designing and mass-producing a product, a screening based on technology is performed at the design stage, a prototype is made after passing the screening, and a prototype is also reviewed, and finally mass production is started. Technical standards at the design stage also reflect past experience, such as defects in the manufacturing process.

[0004] In general product development that shifts from design to trial production to mass production, it is important to detect defects and take countermeasures as early as possible. However,
In the case of industrial products, especially products related to electricity and machinery, it is necessary to design many parts, such as electrical parts, mechanical parts, and software parts. We are judging. Alternatively, the department in charge of product development creates a checklist for the overall design review, distributes it to each department, and determines in each department whether the person in charge is the required review item. And conducts screening for items that are deemed necessary.

[0005]

When a plurality of departments are in charge of designing and each department independently performs a design review, it is easy for the product to be over- or under-examined. If the examinations become excessive due to duplication of examination items, the design burden increases due to the extra examinations, and the examination is delayed. If the examination items are missing due to lack of examination items, defects may be discovered after trial production, mass production, or shipment of the product to the market, resulting in a large loss.

[0006] The method of distributing the checklist by the supervisory department has the following problems. Since the check items are fixed, it is necessary for the designer in charge to select whether the items are necessary or unnecessary at the time of the examination. For this reason, it takes a lot of man-hours, and if the selection criteria are ambiguous, the problem of excessive or insufficient screening occurs. Because it is difficult to find items that need to be checked for each design scene, it is not a design process, but a post-design review.If a defect is found, the design must be redone and the design work has to be reworked. appear. At the time of design review, it is difficult to search for technical standards in which criteria to be determined are described, so it takes a lot of man-hours to search, and if not found, the determination becomes ambiguous. Since the checklist is written on paper, it is difficult to total the results of the examination,
It is difficult to grasp the situation in real time.

Further, since the conventional checklist is made of paper, there are the following problems. Even when performing the work in the design process, it is necessary to confirm with the person in charge at the time of the check once again, and data and the like must be collected. Even if various business processing systems are used or a program in them is used, it is necessary to confirm with the person in charge at the time of the check again, and data and the like must be collected. Since each person performs the check while managing the paper management, it is very difficult for multiple persons to check at the same time. Checks are constantly overwritten, so no history is left. Since it is necessary to manually follow the items that have failed in the examination, there are many omissions and mistakes, and it is not possible to reliably stop.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a product development support method and apparatus capable of appropriately selecting check items at the time of design review in a design stage and efficiently developing a high quality product. It is.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method for supporting product development through a plurality of design prototype steps and sharing between a plurality of departments in charge. A preparation stage in which a database is associated with design prototype steps and product components; a creation stage in which, for each product, check items are listed from the database according to the components to create a checklist; For each department in charge, narrow down the checklist according to the steps of the target design prototype and product components, and for each department in charge,
Product development support that includes a review stage where product development is reviewed according to a narrowed checklist, and a review stage where the review results of each department in charge are totaled and the status of the review is shared between the departments in charge. Is the way.

According to the present invention, the product development includes a preparation stage, a preparation stage, a narrowing stage, a screening stage, and a counting stage when the product is developed through a plurality of design trial production steps and a plurality of divisions in charge. Provide support. In the preparation stage, check items to be examined are compiled in a database in association with design prototype steps and product components. In the creation stage, for each product, items to be checked are listed up from the database according to the constituent elements to create a checklist. In the narrowing-down stage, the created checklist is narrowed down according to the target design prototyping steps and product components. At the review stage, product development is reviewed according to the narrowed checklist for each department in charge. At the tabulation stage, the examination results for each department in charge are tabulated and the status of examination is shared between the departments in charge. A checklist is created by listing items to be checked from the database according to components for each product based on a database created in advance, so that check item selection criteria can be clarified, and check items can be clarified. Can be prevented from leaking. The created checklist is narrowed down according to the target design prototyping steps and product components, and product development is reviewed for each department in charge. Appropriate reviews can be conducted by the appropriate department. The examination results for each department in charge are tabulated and the status of examination is shared between the departments in charge, so that the overall progress of the design prototype can be easily grasped.

In the preparation step of the present invention, a database is created by associating the function of the product as the constituent element with the check item, and in the creation step, the check item is determined in accordance with the function given to the product. Are listed.

According to the present invention, check items are associated with product functions in the database, and check items are listed according to functions assigned to the product. Therefore, an appropriate examination is performed for each product function. be able to.

In the preparatory stage of the present invention, a keyword including a design trial production step and a product part is assigned to the check item, and in the narrowing down stage, the keyword is narrowed down by a keyword corresponding to the design trial production charge. It is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, at the stage of preparing the database, a keyword including a design prototype step and a product part is added to the check item, so that the check list is narrowed down by a keyword corresponding to the person in charge of the design prototype. Appropriate examination can be performed so as not to bring back design.

[0015] Further, in the creating step of the present invention, different checklists are created for one product corresponding to the development and trial production steps.

According to the present invention, different checklists are created for one product in accordance with the steps of the development prototype, so that a checklist is created according to the progress of the development trial, and a checklist is created according to the progress of the design trial. Items can be listed.

Further, in the creating step of the present invention, a related case including at least a phenomenon or a countermeasure is stored in a database for each of the check items so that the related case can be referred to in the examination step.

According to the present invention, a database is prepared for each check item at the examination stage so that at least related cases including verification or countermeasures can be referred to. It can be folded into the design for reference.

Further, in the creating step of the present invention, a technical standard rule is associated with the database for each of the check items so that it can be referred to in the examination step.

According to the present invention, the technical standard rules are associated with the database for each check item so that the technical standard rules can be referred to at the examination stage, so that the technical standard rules can be easily referred to at the examination stage. Required man-hours can be reduced.

Further, in the examination step of the present invention, the data on which the examination judgment is based can be registered in the examination result of each department in charge.

According to the present invention, the basis of the examination judgment can be registered in the examination result of each department in charge, so that when the examination result is confirmed or re-examined, the reliability of the examination judgment can be improved. it can.

Further, in the tabulation step of the present invention, the tabulation of the examination results among the departments in charge is stratified into categories including product components, departments in charge, and design prototype steps, and whether the examination results are appropriate or not. It is characterized by displaying a graph by the number of check items of examination.

According to the present invention, the total of the examination results among the departments in charge is divided into layers including the product component, the department in charge, and the design prototype step, and the number of check items that are appropriate or non-examined for the examination results. Since it is displayed as a graph, it is possible to grasp the overall examination status in real time.

According to the present invention, in the preparation of the database in the preparation stage, at least some of the check items are examined in the design process if the work in the design process is performed. By performing the work in the design process associated with the check item at the time of product development, the check item associated with the work is also examined in the examination step. It is performed, and the examination result is stored.

According to the present invention, check items are associated with work that is usually performed in the design process, and when the work is performed, the check items associated with the check items are also examined. Variations in the guarantee items due to the skills of the person in charge of the work can be reduced, and the check items can be listed up and examined reliably.

Further, according to the present invention, in the preparation of the database at the preparation stage, at least some of the check items are present in a business processing system used in any of the departments in charge or in the business processing system. If the business processing system and the program are used, the business processing system and the program are linked so that examination is performed, and the business processing system and the program associated with the check item are used at the time of product development. The check item is characterized in that the examination in the examination step is also performed, and the examination result is stored.

According to the present invention, check items are associated with a business processing system used by one of the departments in charge of product development and a program existing in the business processing system, and the business processing system If a program is used, the related check items will also be reviewed, so the variance of the assurance items due to the skills of the personnel who work in the responsible department will be reduced, and the check items will be listed and reviewed. Can be reliably performed.

According to the present invention, the examination result in the examination step can be examined by multiple persons at the same time for individual check items, the execution status of the examination is reflected in real time, and the history of examination can be managed. It is characterized by being made into a database as possible.

According to the present invention, a plurality of persons can proceed with the examination at the design stage or the like at the same time, and the execution state of the examination is reflected in real time. It is possible to reduce the rework that requires returning to the design stage after the step has progressed and taking measures.

Also, according to the present invention, after the completion of the examination step, check items judged to be defective in the examination or check items judged to have a problem are extracted from the database of the examination result, and follow-up until the measures are completed or the problem is solved. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably stop a check item determined to be defective or problematic in the examination until a measure or problem is solved.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the product development support methods described above.

According to the present invention, any one of the above-described method for supporting product development can be executed by a computer.
Automatically create the checklist needed for a proper review,
It is also possible to automate the totalization of the examination results, thereby reducing the number of check item work steps and the total work step.

Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the above-described product development support methods is recorded.

According to the present invention, a program for any one of the above-described product development support methods can be read and executed by a computer, so that the program can be appropriately executed in accordance with the design and prototype steps required for product development. A checklist necessary for a proper examination can be created automatically, and the totalization of examination results can be automated, so that the number of steps for check items and the number of steps for totaling can be reduced.

Further, the present invention is an apparatus for supporting a product development performed through a plurality of design prototyping steps and shared among a plurality of departments in charge.
Preparing means for preparing a database in advance in association with design prototype steps and product components, and preparing means for listing check items corresponding to components from the database for each product to create a checklist And a narrowing-down means for narrowing down the created checklist in accordance with the steps of the target design prototype and the components of the product, and the narrowed-down checklist provided for each of the plurality of departments in charge is distributed. A product characterized by including a screening means for inputting a screening result of product development according to a list, and a counting means for counting the screening results input to the plurality of screening means, and enabling the counting result to be referred to from each screening means. It is a development support device.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for supporting product development through a plurality of design prototyping steps and sharing among a plurality of departments in charge includes a preparation unit, a creation unit, a narrowing unit, a screening unit, and a counting unit. Including. The preparatory means creates a database in advance by associating the check items to be examined with the steps of the design prototype and the components of the product. The creating means creates a checklist by listing check items corresponding to the components from the database for each product. The narrowing-down means narrows down the created checklist in accordance with the steps of the target design prototype and the components of the product. The examination means is provided for each of a plurality of departments in charge, a narrowed checklist is distributed, and an examination result of product development according to the checklist is input. The counting means totalizes the examination results input to the plurality of examination means, and makes the summation results accessible from each examination means. The creation unit automatically extracts appropriate check items according to the components of the product from the database prepared by the preparation unit, thereby reducing the number of steps for selecting check items and clarifying the selection criteria. . Since the narrowing-down means automatically narrows down necessary check items for each department in charge of each step of the design prototype, it is possible to reduce the number of man-hours for selecting the items when performing the examination.
In addition, since the check can be performed at an appropriate timing, rework of the design can be reduced. The examination result is input to the examination means and automatically counted by the counting means, so that the number of man-hours for counting can be reduced. The counting means shares the examination result of each examination section and makes it possible to refer to by the examination means, so that the progress of the design prototype can be easily grasped in all the sections.

In the present invention, the preparatory means may perform an examination on at least some of the check items if the work in the design process is performed, or As the examination is performed using the business processing system used by any of the departments in charge and the program in the business processing system,
The database is created in association therewith, and the examination means performs the work or the business processing by using the work in the design process or the business processing system and program associated with the check item at the time of product development. The examination of the check items associated with the system and the program is also performed, and the counting means reflects the examination result of each examination means on a real-time basis of the execution status of the examination so that the history of the examination can be managed. The database is stored in a database.

According to the present invention, at least some of the check items are stored in a database in association with the work processing system in the design process or the business processing system of the department in charge and its program. It is possible to conduct the above-mentioned work or to conduct the examination at the same time simply by using the business processing system or program. The burden on the person in charge is reduced, and there is no excess or deficiency of check items depending on the skill of each person in charge, and highly reliable checks can be performed. Since the history of the examination can be left, even if the examination of the check items is divided into a plurality of times by a plurality of persons, the history management of when, who, and what has been done can be performed.

Further, the present invention further comprises follow-up means for extracting a check item determined to be defective or a check item determined to have a problem in the examination by the examination means and prompting attention until the problem is solved or the measures are completed. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the follower means
Check items that are judged to be defective in the examination or check items that are judged to have a problem are extracted and attention is drawn until the problem is solved or countermeasures are completed, so after examination of the check items, defects and problems are automatically extracted, It is possible to follow up to the completion of measures and problem solving without fail.

[0043]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a product development support device 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The product development support device 1 includes a preparing unit 2, a creating unit 3, a narrowing unit 4, a screening unit 5, and a totaling unit 6. The creating unit 3 includes a product structure creating unit 7 and a function providing unit 8. The preparation unit 2 prepares and prepares a database (hereinafter abbreviated as “DB”) 10 for function classification and a check item DB 11 in advance. Creation means 3
The component provided in the target product is input to the product structure creation means 7, and a product structure 12 is created. One or a plurality of functions are provided to each component of the product structure 12 by the function providing means 8. The function providing means 8 is a function classification DB
10, a part number-function DB 13 is created, and check items corresponding to the functions are extracted from the check item DB 11. The narrowing down unit 4 edits and narrows down the check items extracted from the check item DB 11 by the function imparting unit 8 to generate a check list DB 14.

In connection with the check item DB 11, the evaluation criteria / case data 15 can be prepared as related information. The evaluation criteria / case data 15 can be displayed together with the checklist by the examination means 5, and each department in charge can reduce the man-hour for searching the evaluation criteria / case data,
The examination can be performed by clarifying the judgment criteria of the examination. In addition, a plurality of persons can simultaneously perform an examination on individual check items, and by sharing the execution, the state of the examination can be reflected in real time. The examination result of each department is checked by the counting means 6 in the check result DB1.
6 and combined with product structure 12,
The calculation results are shared and can be referred to by the examination means 5 of each section. The examination result can be grasped as an evaluation status in real time. Also, even if the operation is performed by a plurality of persons and a plurality of times, it is possible to manage the history of who performed what, when, and what.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the function classification DB 10 created by the preparation means 2 of FIG. The “article name” indicates a main part or the like constituting the product. “Function 1” indicates a main function of “Product name”. “Function 2” indicates a more subdivided function provided in “Function 1”.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the check item DB 11 of FIG. The check item DB 11 is associated with each item of “function 2” of the function classification DB 10 shown in FIG. 2 as a unit. "Category" and "Function 1" are "Function 2"
Are shown. The “design stage” of the lower order items is a keyword indicating a design prototype step to be examined for the check item. “Content” is a keyword indicating the content of a part to be checked or the like. “Countermeasure” indicates a criterion for determination. In the “related information”, the “design standard” indicates that it is specified in the design standard.
“Past tiger” refers to “past trouble”, and information such as a case of a defect that has occurred in the past can be referred to.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the evaluation criteria / case data 15. The evaluation criterion / case data 15 is associated with the “related information” of the check item DB shown in FIG. 3, and as a result of the cause analysis of the defect that occurred in the past, phenomena such as the mechanism of the defect occurrence and countermeasures thereof are shown in the table. The format is summarized. The evaluation criterion / case data 15 can be referred to when the department in charge performs the examination by the examination means 5, and the meaning of the examination can be easily understood.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the product structure 12 created by the product structure creating means 7 of the creating means 3. The product structure 12 mainly uses a product number to represent a connection between a product and main components constituting the product.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the function is given to the main parts combined with the product structure 7 by the function giving means 8. "Function 1" and "Function 2" in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 for each component constituting the product structure 12.
The function is given by the combination of the product structure 12 and is associated with each component of the product structure 12 to form the product number-function DB 13.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of the checklist DB 14 of FIG. The checklist DB 14 is a content of a checklist of check items created by listing up, edited by the narrowing-down means 4 for each department in charge in accordance with the steps of the design prototype. As shown in FIG. 7, an item of “judgment” is further added to the content extracted from the check item DB 11. The examination result is given by the examination means 5 to this item of “judgment”. Until the result of the examination is given, it has not been examined. FIG.
2 shows a state in which the examination result is input to the examination means 5 of FIG. In the item of “judgment”, the propriety is indicated by や or ×.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the result of counting by the counting means 6 of FIG. For each product, the progress status is indicated by "Total" of the check items, "OK" which is a good judgment result among them, "NG" which is an inappropriate judgment result, and "Not yet" which indicates non-examination. ing. "Evaluation status (%)"
The percentage of “OK”, “NG” or “not” is shown in a graph. Since the evaluation status is displayed corresponding to each product, it is possible to grasp the progress status of a plurality of departments developing a plurality of products.

FIG. 10 shows the general concept of the examination in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, when developing a plurality of products, a product structure 12 is created for each product, and check items are extracted from the check item DB 11 based on the function of each part of the product structure 12. For example, the product function is a "navigation integrated machine" that integrates an in-vehicle navigation device and an audio device. A "circuit S" having a "power" function and a "pack insertion / ejection mechanism"
In the case of including a "cassette deck A" having a "tape winding mechanism" and the like, check items are selected based on each function. Among the check items, "Clearing between mechanism and electrical parts" is a function of "Navi integrated unit".
The function is also listed as a "power supply" function, and cases of past trouble occurrences are associated as related information. The function of "power supply" lists "coil interval of D / D converter circuit" which means the interval of the coil of DC / DC converter circuit. For the function of the "pack insertion / ejection mechanism", check items of "strength / engagement amount of the gear" and "allowable stress of the spring" are listed. For the function of the "tape winding mechanism", The check items of "Allowable stress of resin" and "Durability of wear of resin cam" are listed. Check items of "allowable stress of spring" are listed corresponding to two functions of "pack insertion / ejection mechanism" and "tape winding mechanism".

Check items may be listed in duplicate for not only two functions but also many functions. When the department in charge of design is divided for each function, it is possible to list up the check items in each department without omission. In addition, in a department whose function is to be repeatedly examined, the check items that are duplicated by narrowing down the check items can be completed by one examination.

FIG. 11 shows an outline of status management by the tallying means 6 of FIG. With the product-specific statistics, the parameters of the check items can be grasped at the planning stage of creating a design prototype plan, and the evaluation progress status can be managed in real time for each product model name. By setting search conditions, the evaluation result can be displayed in detail based on the product structure.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of a computer network for realizing the product development support device 1 of FIG.
Each database is created and managed by a storage device 19 including a magnetic disk and an optical disk, and a computer serving as a database server 20. The processing required for development support is one or more application servers (AP) 2
This is executed at 1, 22, and 23. The processing results are compiled by a broker (BR) 29 and distributed to a plurality of Web clients 31,... Via a Web server 30.
The Web clients 31,... Are arranged in each department in charge as the examination means 5 of FIG. 1, and the examination results for the check items are also input. The examination results are provided from the broker 29 to the application servers 21, 22, and 23 and are counted. The broker 29 is connected to another client /
It is also connected to a server (C / S) 40. The product development support device 1 of the present invention can be realized by causing a general-purpose computer system as shown in FIG. 12 to execute a program. Such a program can be recorded and read on a large-capacity recording medium, or can be read by downloading through a communication network.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic configuration of a product development support device 41 as another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, portions corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The product development support device 41 can be realized by causing a general-purpose computer to execute a program, similarly to the product development and performance site 1 in FIG.

In the preparation means 42 of the present embodiment, at least some of the check items are stored in the check item DB 11 so that if the work 43 in the design process is performed, the check items are examined. It associates with. In addition, the business processing system 44 used by any of the departments in charge and the program 45 existing in the business processing system 44 include the business processing system 4.
If the program 4 and its program 45 are used, they are associated so that the check items are examined. The association with such check items is made by the work 42 in the design process, the business processing system 44 and the program 45.
May be performed for both, or may be performed for either one of them.

By performing the work 43 in the design process associated with the check item at the time of product development, the check item associated with the work 43
The examination as the examination means 5 is also performed, and the examination result is stored in the check result DB 16. If a check item is associated with an operation 43 that is usually performed in the design process, and the operation 43 is performed, the check on the associated check item is also performed.
It is possible to reduce the variation of the guarantee items due to the skill of the person in charge of the work, and to surely list and check the check items.

By using the business processing system 44 and the program 45 associated with the check items at the time of product development, the check items are also examined as examination means 5, and the examination result is checked. Stored in the DB 16. Business processing system 4 used by one of the divisions in charge of product development
Since the check items are associated with the program 4 and the program 45 existing in the business processing system 44, the use of the business processing system 44 and the program 45 enables examination of the check items associated therewith. Variations in the guarantee items due to the skill of the person in charge in the department in charge can be reduced, and the check items can be listed up and examined reliably.

In the present embodiment, the examination means 5 individually examines check items, and the examination status is graphically displayed so that the progress status can be easily grasped. The check means of "NG" which is determined to be inappropriate and defective or the check item which is determined to have a problem are provided by the follow-up means 46.
The system is equipped with a mechanism for automatically performing follow-up based on design rules (DR) and ensuring quality control for quality assurance.

FIG. 14 shows an outline of a product development process using this embodiment. In step s1, a plan is made based on marketing results such as market research on the product, and in step s2, a product concept based on the plan is made. In step s3, a design for realizing the concept is performed. In step s4, the design is examined based on a checklist. When the examination is completed, a drawing is issued in step s5, and an evaluation based on the drawing is performed in step s6. The checklist is prepared in advance in step s10
Is created in association with the keyword in the design process of step s4 based on the check item DB11 prepared in the preparation of the above. At least some of the check items are in step s
The work 42 in the design process 11 and the business processing system 44 and the program 45 in the work of the department in charge in step s12
Is used, the examination is automatically performed, and the examination result is stored in the check result DB 16 together with the examination result in step s4. The examination result for each check item stored in the check result DB 16 is determined by the follow-up means 46 in step s13.
Reverted to the design of 3 and put a halt on quality.

FIG. 15 shows an example of automating some of the check items as shown in FIG. 14 when developing an electronic device as a product. Design of step s4 in FIG. 14, step s
The steps corresponding to the examination 5 and the preparation of the step s10 are performed by the checklist system 50 separately for circuit design, board design, mechanism design, and the like. Each of these steps is performed by CAD (Co
mputer Aided Design) A business processing system 44 such as a business tool such as a system, and a program 45 therein.
And data in a predetermined format is output.
In particular, the work 43 of the design includes a routine work. The check items associated with the work 43 and the business processing system 44 are automatically examined by the examination design automation system 51, and the examination results are checked by the checklist 52 of the checklist system 50.
Is added to The checklist 52 and the examination result are automatically totaled as examination progress management 53.

In the examination progress management 53, for the check items that are NG, the DR
Following is performed by the follow system 54, and the NG state is reliably eliminated. In addition, management for preventing defects beforehand by automatically extracting priority items and preventing recurrence by promptly reflecting market complaints, in-process defects, etc., is also important as a hindrance to quality assurance.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the outlines of the circuit examination system and the board examination system included in the design examination automation system 51 of FIG. 15, respectively. In the circuit examination system shown in FIG. 16, for example, in order to prevent a failure due to a mistake in selecting parts constituting a circuit, for example, a use condition of parts in a circuit diagram created by CAD is compared with characteristics such as withstand voltage of the parts. An inspection is performed, and a determination is made according to the inspection result. In the board inspection system shown in FIG.
Inspection is performed based on a circuit diagram created by CAD, a board diagram created by CAD, and a database of know-how using design standards, and judgment is made according to the inspection result.

The software examination system and the mechanism examination system shown in FIG. 15 also perform an automatic examination of a part where a failure may occur based on past cases. Although these automatic examinations cannot always examine all check items, they can reliably leave examination results without relying on the skills of the person in charge.

In each of the embodiments described above, support is provided for developing an electronic device as a product.
The present invention can be similarly applied to a product that shifts to mass production after a prototype stage.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, when design prototyping is performed in a plurality of steps by a plurality of departments in charge, check items required for design examination are stored in a database, and the Create a checklist with no missing parts, conduct examinations according to the scenes of check prototypes, share the examination status among multiple departments, and perform checks without missing as a whole without unnecessary duplication it can.

Further, according to the present invention, an appropriate examination can be performed with a list of check items selected for each function of a product.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to narrow down the check items by a keyword corresponding to the person in charge of the design prototype, and to perform an appropriate examination for each scene of the design prototype.

According to the present invention, an appropriate check item can be selected according to the steps of design and trial production in the development process of one product, and the examination can be performed efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, if there is a case in which a problem has occurred in the past and a countermeasure has been taken, it can be inserted into the design trial production stage for reference.

Further, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to search for the technical standard rules at the examination stage, so that the number of steps required for the search can be reduced and the judgment criteria for the examination can be easily confirmed.

According to the present invention, since the examination result can be registered and left, the reliability of the examination result can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, all departments can easily grasp the progress of the design prototype in real time.

Further, according to the present invention, a list of check items necessary for a plurality of departments to carry out examinations at each step of the design and trial production is stored in a computer program.
By properly creating and narrowing down to the necessary range in each case, it is possible to appropriately check the check items according to the progress of the design prototype, and it is possible to avoid duplication of examinations and lack of examinations.

According to the present invention, check items are associated with the work in the design process, and when the work is performed, the check items associated with the check are examined. Variations can be reduced, and check items can be listed up and examined reliably.

Further, according to the present invention, when the department in charge of product development uses the business processing system and the program, examination of the associated check items is also performed, and the check item list and examination are performed. It can be done reliably.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of persons can proceed with the examination at the same time, and the execution status of the examination is reflected in real time. Therefore, sufficient check is performed at the design stage and the like, and rework of the examination is reduced. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, a check item determined to be defective or problematic in the examination can be reliably stopped until a countermeasure or problem solving is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, a computer is made to execute a program, and a checklist necessary for an appropriate examination is automatically created in accordance with a design prototype step required for product development, and the examination results are totalized. It is possible to reduce the number of check item work steps and the total work time by automation.

Further, according to the present invention, a program recorded on a recording medium is executed by a computer, and a checklist necessary for appropriate examination is automatically generated in accordance with a design prototype step required for product development. It is also possible to automatically create and summarize the examination results, thereby reducing the number of steps for the check items and the number of steps for the tabulation.

Further, according to the present invention, the department in charge of each step of the product design and trial manufacture performs the examination according to the list of check items given at an appropriate timing, and inputs the examination result to the examination means. It is possible to grasp in real time the progress of the overall design prototype that is calculated by the calculation. As long as each division conducts the screening with the narrowed check items, there is no excess or shortage of the screening,
The man-hour required for selecting the check item can be reduced, and the man-hour required for totaling can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, at least a part of the check items can be examined together by the person in charge performing the work in the design process or simply using the business processing system or the program. Therefore, there is no excess or deficiency of check items due to the skill of each person in charge, and highly reliable checks can be performed. Since the history of the examination can be left, even if the examination of the check items is divided into a plurality of times by a plurality of persons, the history management of when, who, and what has been done can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, a check item determined to be defective in the examination or a check item determined to have a problem is called for attention until the problem is solved or the countermeasure is completed, so that the follow-up can be performed without fail.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic logical configuration of a product development support device 1 as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a function classification DB 10 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a check item DB 11 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the evaluation criterion / case data 15 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a product structure 12 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a part number-function DB 13 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing an example of a checklist registered in the checklist DB 14 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a chart showing a state in which an examination is performed using the checklist of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of a counting result by the counting means 6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall concept of examination in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of status management by the tallying unit 6 of FIG. 1;

12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer network for realizing the product development support device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic logical configuration of a product development support device 41 as another embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a schematic process diagram showing a process of developing a product by the product development support device 41 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a part of check items are automatically examined when developing an electronic device with the product development support device 41 of FIG. 13;

16 is a diagram showing an example of the circuit examination system of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the board inspection system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,41 Product development support device 2,42 Preparing means 3 Creating means 4 Refining means 5 Examining means 6 Totaling means 7 Product structure creating means 8 Function assigning means 10 Function classification DB 11 Check item DB 12 Product structure 13 Product number-function DB 14 Checklist DB 15 Evaluation criteria / case data 16 Check result DB 19 Storage device 20 Database server 21, 22, 23 Application server 30 Web server 31 Web client 43 Work 44 Business processing system 45 Program 46 Follow-up means 50 Checklist system 51 Examination design Automation system 54 DR follow system

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Nishimura 1-2-2 Goshodori, Hyogo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo F-term in Fujitsu Ten Co., Ltd. 5B046 CA06 DA01 KA05

Claims (17)

[Claims] Claims 1. A method of supporting product development through a plurality of design prototype steps and sharing between a plurality of departments in charge, wherein check items to be examined include design prototype steps and product configurations. The preparation stage in which a database is linked to the elements, the creation stage in which check items are listed from the database according to the components for each product, and the checklist is created, For each department, a refinement stage for narrowing down according to the target design and prototype steps and product components, for each department in charge, a review stage for product development review according to the narrowed checklist, and for each department in charge A totaling step of totaling the results of the examinations and sharing the examination status among the departments in charge. 2. In the preparation step, a database is created by associating the function of the product as the component with a check item, and in the creation step, a list of check items is listed according to the function given to the product. 2. The product development support method according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. In the preparatory stage, a keyword including a design prototyping step and a part of a product is added to the check item, and in the narrowing down stage, a keyword is narrowed down according to a person in charge of the design prototyping. The product development support method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The product development support method according to claim 1, wherein in the creating step, different checklists are created for one product in accordance with a development trial production step. 5. The database according to claim 1, wherein in the creating step, a related case including at least a phenomenon or a measure is stored in a database for each of the check items so that the related case can be referred to in the examination step. Product development support method according to any of the above. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the creating step, a technical standard is associated with the database for each of the check items so that the standard can be referred to in the examination step. Product development support method described in Crab. 7. The product development according to claim 1, wherein, in the examination step, data used as a basis for the examination decision can be registered in the examination result of each department in charge. How to help. 8. In the tabulating step, tabulation of examination results among the departments in charge is divided into sections including product components, departments in charge, and design prototype steps to determine whether the examination results are appropriate or not. 8. The product development support method according to claim 1, wherein a graph is displayed by the number of check items. 9. In the preparation of the database at the preparation stage, at least some of the check items are associated so that if the work in the design process is performed, the check items are also examined. By performing the work in the design process associated with the check item at the time of the product development, for the check item associated with the work, examination as the examination stage is also performed, 9. The product development support method according to claim 1, wherein the examination result is stored. 10. In the preparation of the database in the preparation stage, at least some of the check items are included in a business processing system used in any of the departments in charge or a program existing in the business processing system. If the business processing system and the program are used, the check is performed by using the business processing system and the program associated with the check item during the product development. The product development support method according to claim 1, wherein the item is subjected to the examination as the examination step, and the examination result is stored. 11. The examination result in the examination step can be examined by a plurality of persons at the same time for individual check items, the execution status of the examination is reflected in real time, and the history of the examination can be managed. The product development support method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the database is stored in a database. 12. After the completion of the examination step, a check item determined to be defective in the examination or a check item determined to be problematic is extracted from the database of the examination results,
12. The product development support method according to claim 1, wherein follow-up is performed until a measure is completed or a problem is solved. 13. A program for causing a computer to execute the product development support method according to claim 1. 14. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the product development support method according to claim 1 is recorded. 15. An apparatus for supporting product development performed through a plurality of design prototyping steps and shared among a plurality of departments in charge, wherein check items to be examined are included in design prototyping steps and product components. Preparing means for creating a database in advance, creating means for listing check items corresponding to components from the database for each product, and creating checklists. Narrowing-down means for narrowing down according to the steps of the design prototype and the components of the product, and a checklist provided for each of the plurality of departments in charge, and the narrowed-down checklist is distributed, and a result of the examination of product development according to the checklist is input. The examination means and the examination results input to the plurality of examination means are totaled, and the tabulated results are collected by each examination means. Product development support apparatus characterized by comprising a means. 16. The preparatory means, if at least some of the check items are checked in the design process, a check on the check items is performed. The database is created in association with the business processing system used in any of them and the program in the business processing system is used to perform the examination, and the examination means associates the check item with the check item at the time of product development. By using the work in the design process, or the business processing system and the program, the examination of the check item associated with the work or the business processing system and the program is also performed. , The results of each audit are reflected in real time, Product development support apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the storing in a database to allow management. 17. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a follower for extracting a check item determined to be defective or a check item determined to have a problem in the examination by the examination means and prompting attention until the problem is solved or the measures are completed. 17. The product development support device according to claim 15, wherein