JP2005196495A - Vehicle design support tool retrieval device and vehicle design support tool retrieval program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle design support tool retrieval device and a vehicle design support tool retrieval program for retrieving a desired design support tool interactively under, so called, GUI(Graphical User Interface) environments. <P>SOLUTION: A vehicle design support tool retrieval device is configured to retrieve an interactive design support tool(capsule) by using a cursor 52 on a screen 50 of a display. A screen 50 of the display includes three buttons 60 for specifying development stage names, two buttons 70 for specifying design object names, an appearance drawing 80 showing the appearance of each site configuring the surrounding of a door in this example and a list table 90 showing a capsule list. When a user successively specifies a retrieval key by using a cursor 52 just like one of the three buttons 60, one of the two buttons 70 and one of the sites in the appearance drawing, a plurality of capsules are narrowed down according to the specified retrieval keys, and the circumstances are displayed in the list table 90. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle design support tool search device, and more particularly to a vehicle design support tool search device that searches for a desired design support tool from among a large number of design support tools that support the design of a vehicle or a product that is a part of a vehicle. About.

  A vehicle is composed of an extremely large number of components, and an extremely large number of design support tools, that is, design support software are used for the design. The plurality of design support tools are sometimes called capsules, and the capsules are stored in a storage device. When designing a certain part, a corresponding capsule is designated and called from the capsule storage device, and an automatic operation diagram, automatic arrangement, etc. are performed by the capsule design support function. Calling a desired capsule can be performed by specifying a capsule name or a target part name.

  However, the number of capsules used in vehicle design is extremely large, and there are many similar capsules, and it takes time to select a desired capsule. For example, even in the case of a capsule around the door (door trim), since nearly 100 capsules are prepared, it is difficult to memorize the capsule name one by one, and the design point of view is different even if the same target part is designed. And it is necessary to select a capsule according to it.

  For example, for the design of the same target part, a capsule suitable for design support of a structure plan performed at an early stage of development differs from a capsule suitable for design support for generating a mass production drawing. In addition to the mechanism shape design that comes from the arrangement on the mechanism, the vehicle design also takes into account design design, ergonomic design that considers user operability, etc., and regulations for ensuring user safety Design from various viewpoints such as regulatory design is performed, and capsules suitable for each design support are used.

  As described above, the number of design support tools for a product having a plurality of design viewpoints and a vehicle or a part of the vehicle having a plurality of design target parts is extremely large. In order to select a capsule suitable for the above, it is necessary to search while looking at the list. Therefore, it is inconvenient for the designer and takes time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle design support tool search device and a vehicle design support tool search program that can solve the problems of the prior art and can more easily search for a desired design support tool. is there. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle design support tool search apparatus and a vehicle design support tool search program capable of interactively searching for a desired design support tool under a so-called GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment. Is to provide.

  A vehicle design support tool search device according to the present invention is a storage device that stores a plurality of design support tools that support the design of a vehicle or a product that is a part of the vehicle, and includes a vehicle or product development stage name, A storage device for storing each design support tool in association with the search key using at least one of the design purpose name and the design requirement name and the design target part name as a search key, and the design target part name Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of search keys including, and a search means for appropriately selecting a search key from a plurality of search keys acquired by the acquisition means, re-searching the storage device, and narrowing down a corresponding design support tool, Linked with the narrowing-down means, it comprises output means for displaying the position of the design target part in the vehicle or product and the narrowing-down status of the design support tool on a display.

  Further, the development stage name preferably includes a plurality of development stage names corresponding to development stages from planning of the structure of the vehicle or product to creation of a mass production drawing.

  The design purpose name preferably includes a design check purpose for checking the design of the vehicle or product and a shape generation purpose for generating the shape of each part constituting the vehicle or product.

  In addition, the design requirement name preferably includes any one of ergonomic requirements related to operability or boarding / exiting properties of the vehicle or product, and legal requirements related to the legal safety of the vehicle or product.

  The storage device preferably further stores each design support tool using the specification name of the vehicle or product as a search key.

  Moreover, it is preferable that an acquisition means acquires the several search key specified sequentially by the button for search key specification displayed on a display.

  The vehicle design support tool search program according to the present invention is executed on a design support device that supports the design of a vehicle or a product that is a part of the vehicle, and the vehicle or product development stage name and its design purpose name. And a search for searching for any design support tool from a storage device storing a plurality of design support tools in association with the search key, using at least one of the design requirement names and the design target part name as a search key An acquisition process procedure for acquiring a plurality of search keys including a design target part name, and re-searching the storage device by appropriately selecting a search key from the plurality of search keys acquired by the acquisition process procedure, The narrowing-down process procedure for narrowing down the relevant design support tool, and the location of the design target part in the vehicle or product and the narrowing-down status of the design support tool are linked with the narrow-down process procedure. And executes the output processing procedure for displaying the play, the.

  With at least one of the above-described configurations, at least one of a development stage name, a design purpose name, and a design requirement name is included as a design support tool search key together with a design target part name. Therefore, it is possible to more easily search the design target part from the viewpoint of design such as the development stage, the design purpose, and the design element. In conjunction with narrowing down the design support tool using the search key, the status is displayed on the display. Therefore, it is possible to search interactively under a so-called GUI environment.

  Further, due to at least one of the above-described configurations, the development stage name includes a plurality of development stage names such as a structure planning stage corresponding to the development stage. Therefore, it is possible to more easily search for a desired design support tool corresponding to the development progress stage.

  Further, according to at least one of the above-described configurations, the design purpose name includes a design check purpose in addition to the shape generation purpose. Therefore, it is possible to more easily search for a desired design support tool corresponding to each design purpose of shape generation purpose and design check purpose.

  In addition, according to at least one of the above configurations, the design requirement name includes any one of ergonomic requirements and legal requirements. Therefore, it is possible to more easily search for a desired design support tool corresponding to each design requirement such as operability and safety for a product such as a vehicle or a part of the vehicle such as an engine or a door.

  Further, the specification name of the vehicle or product is used as a search key by at least one of the above-described configurations. A vehicle or a product may be classified as a high-grade specification or a special specification. With the above configuration, a desired design support tool corresponding to the specification can be searched more easily.

  In addition, with at least one of the above-described configurations, search keys are sequentially specified and acquired by a search key specifying button on the display. That is, the user can sequentially specify a desired search key while interacting with the search device using the display on the display. Therefore, it is possible to search interactively under a so-called GUI environment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the area around the door of the automobile (door trim) will be described as a design support object, but it may be a design object other than around the door, such as an engine or a body, or may be a vehicle other than an automobile. Further, although the design support search device will be described as an independent device, it may be configured integrally with the design support device itself such as a three-dimensional CAD device, or connected to a plurality of design support devices via a network or the like. May be.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle design support tool search apparatus 10. The vehicle design support tool search device 10 includes a CPU 12, an input unit 14 such as a keyboard, an output unit 16 such as a display, and a storage device 18 that stores a capsule that is a design support tool. Connected to each other. The vehicle design support tool search device 10 having such a configuration can be obtained by a general computer. The input unit 14 and the output unit 16 may be combined to provide an interactive input / output function in which a user performs input using a cursor or the like on the display.

  The CPU 12 includes a search key acquisition unit 22 that acquires a search key from the input unit 14 and the like, a narrowing unit 24 that narrows down and selects a desired capsule from a plurality of capsules according to the search key, and displays the status in conjunction with the narrowing down. And an interlocking display unit 26 to be displayed. Such a function can be realized by software, and specifically by executing a corresponding search program. A part of the function or processing may be realized by hardware.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the hierarchical structure of a plurality of capsules stored in the storage device 18. A plurality of design support tools for a vehicle are stored in a hierarchy of elements constituting a vehicle from an upper level of the entire vehicle to a middle level such as a subassembly and a lower level such as each part constituting the subassembly. Specifically, when attention is paid to the periphery of the door (door trim), the door trim is included in the interior trim of the upper hierarchy, and is divided into capsules for each portion constituting the door trim in the lower hierarchy. For identification of the hierarchy up to the door trim, for example, a conventionally used part code or the like may be used, or it may be identified by a standardized name.

  The level below the door trim is divided into products and checks. The check is divided into a design support tool for generating the shape of the part and a design support tool for checking the design related to the part. This hierarchy is divided according to design purposes. The design support tool identified by the design purpose is divided into specific capsules, that is, design support tools (software) at a lower level. Each capsule can be identified by a capsule number and a capsule name. Therefore, each capsule can be searched using the design purpose name as a search key.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of further search keys for each capsule classified by the design purpose name. FIG. 3 shows a hierarchy of search keys for the door trim design support capsule. Each capsule can be searched using a development stage name and a design requirement name as a search key in addition to the design purpose name. The design requirement name further includes the hierarchy of the name of requirement 1, the name of requirement 2, the part name, and the specification name.

  The development stage name is a name of a step corresponding to the stage of development. In the example of FIG. 3, three names of STEP1, STEP2, and STEP3 are search keys. For example, STEP 1 is a structural planning stage that determines the structure of a vehicle or a product that is a part of a vehicle, STEP 2 is a technical examination stage that examines problems in production technology, and STEP 3 is a mass production drawing stage that creates a mass production drawing. Can do. Of course, STEP1-3 may be defined in other ways, and classifications other than three steps may be performed.

  The design requirement name can have a hierarchical structure of requirement 1 that is divided into ergonomic requirements, shape check, and legal requirements, and requirement 2 that further subdivides the requirements. The ergonomic requirement is a requirement from the viewpoint of the user's ease of use with respect to a vehicle or the like, and can be further subdivided into a requirement 2 for operation system and boarding / exiting ability. The shape check is a requirement from the viewpoint of the shape of the part viewed from the design target. Legal requirements are requirements from the viewpoint of the laws and regulations established for user protection against vehicles, etc., for example, requirements for ensuring the safety of users by defining the size of the edge, and rounding toward the inside. It can be classified into the required internal collision R requirements. In FIG. 3, the operating system part of the ergonomic requirements is shown.

  Each part is divided under requirements 1 and 2. Each part is a part name to be designed, and in the example of FIG. 3, a handle, a switch, and an armrest are shown as each part to be designed constituting the door trim. Some parts are further subdivided according to specifications. In the example of FIG. 3, the switches are distinguished by the presence or absence of AG (assist grip described later), and each is a separate capsule.

  A capsule search procedure in such a configuration will be described. First, a search program is started, and then the user inputs a search key for a desired capsule from the input unit 14 and acquires this by the function of the search key acquisition unit 22 of the CPU 12. In the example of FIG. 3, in order to search for the capsule of the capsule number 11 “switch arrangement with assist grip”, of course, if the capsule number or the capsule name is remembered, a necessary search key can be acquired by inputting these. Using the capsule hierarchical search key, “design purpose name = design check”, “development stage name = STEP 1”, “design requirement name requirement 1 = ergonomics”, “design requirement name requirement 2 = operation system” ”,“ Part name = switch ”, and“ specification name = AG present ”are sequentially input to obtain a necessary search key. Further, a plurality of search keys may be connected by AND, for example, “(design check) AND (STEP 1) AND (ergonomics) AND (operation system) AND (switch) AND (with AG)” is input. The necessary search key can be acquired.

  Next, the storage device 18 is searched using the acquired search key, and the corresponding capsule is narrowed down from a large number of capsules. Specifically, the storage device 18 is searched by the function of the narrowing-down unit 24. In the example of the obtained search key, capsules of “assist grip with switch arrangement” are narrowed down. The narrowed capsule is displayed on the display of the output unit 16 and waits for confirmation by the user, and is specified. For example, when the search device and the design support device are integrated, the specified capsule is started and “assist grip” Design support for “with switch” is provided. The narrowing down can also be performed by selecting the appropriate search key from the plurality of acquired search keys and re-searching the storage device 18.

  Next, a search procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9 for an embodiment in which an input unit and an output unit are merged and capsule search is performed interactively on a display. First, the search program is activated (activation process). For example, a capsule search program related to “door trim” is launched. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen 50 when the door trim search program is launched. The screen 50 includes three buttons 60 for specifying a development stage name as a search key, two buttons 70 for specifying a design purpose name, and an external view 80 showing the external appearance of each part constituting the door trim. And a list 90 indicating a capsule list. In the example of FIG. 4, the capsule list is not yet displayed on the initial screen 50 that has started up. However, when the number of capsules in the door trim is, for example, about 100, it cannot be displayed in the list.

  Next, the user specifies one of the three development stage names and acquires the specified development stage name (development stage name acquisition process). Specifically, by using the cursor 52 shown in FIG. 4 and moving the cursor 52 to any one of the STEP1, STEP2, and STEP3 buttons, the name of the development stage where the click was made is specified and searched. Obtained as a key. This process is performed by the function of the search key acquisition unit 22 of the CPU 12.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which STEP1 (61) is clicked and the button is lifted to display that. Here, among the capsules related to the door trim, the capsules related to STEP 1 are narrowed down (development stage narrowing step). This process is performed by the function of the narrowing-down unit 24 of the CPU 12. In conjunction with the narrowing down, the capsule narrowing status is displayed in the capsule list (development stage display step). That is, a capsule list 91 for the door trim-related STEP 1 is displayed in the capsule list. If the number of capsules involved is large and cannot be displayed in the list space, they can be displayed sequentially by scrolling or the like. In the example of FIG. 5, the capsule number 4-9 is displayed as a part of the capsule name with the capsule number. This process is performed by the function of the interlocking display unit 26 of the CPU 12.

  Next, the user specifies one of the two design objective names and acquires the specified design objective name (design objective name acquisition step). Specifically, by using the cursor 52 shown in FIG. 4 and moving the cursor 52 to either the design check or shape generation button, the design purpose name at the clicked position is acquired as a search key. Is done. This process is also performed by the function of the search key acquisition unit 22 of the CPU 12. In FIG. 5, the cursor 52 is placed on the design check (71) and clicked. Here, when the design check (71) is clicked, the requirement 1 of the lower hierarchy is displayed as a next specifying button. In the example of FIG. 5, a state in which three buttons 72 for ergonomics, shape check, and legal requirement are displayed beside the design check (71) is shown.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the design check (71) is specified and the button is lifted and displayed. Further, since the design check has been narrowed down from STEP 1, the capsules related to the design check are further narrowed down correspondingly (design purpose narrowing step). The narrowing down status is displayed in the capsule list 92. That is, capsules that are no longer applicable in the capsule list 92 are shadowed and the state of narrowing down is displayed (design purpose display step). This process is also performed by the function of the narrowing-down unit 24 of the CPU 12. FIG. 6 shows that capsule numbers 4, 7, and 9 are no longer applicable. These processes are also performed by the functions of the narrowing-down unit 24 and the interlocking display unit 26.

  Next, the user specifies one of the three requirements 1 and acquires the specified requirement 1 (requirement 1 acquisition step). Specifically, by moving the cursor 52 to any one of the buttons of ergonomics, shape check, legal requirement design check, and shape generation and clicking, button 1 is acquired as a search key. This process is also performed by the function of the search key acquisition unit 22 of the CPU 12. FIG. 6 shows a state where the cursor 52 is placed on ergonomics (73) and clicked. When the ergonomics (73) is clicked here, the requirement 2 of the lower hierarchy is displayed as a next specifying button. In the example of FIG. 6, a state in which two buttons 74 for operating system and boarding / exiting properties are displayed beside the ergonomics (73) is shown. The capsules are further narrowed down for ergonomic capsules (requirement 1 narrowing step), and the narrowing status is displayed in the capsule list (requirement 1 display step).

  Next, the user also specifies requirement 2 using the cursor 52, and acquires the specified requirement 2 (requirement 2 acquisition step). Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation system 75 is specified, and a state in which the button is lifted and displayed is shown. Further, since the steps are narrowed down to STEP 1-design check-ergonomics-operation system, the capsules are further narrowed down correspondingly (requirement 2 narrowing step). The states of the narrowed-down capsules are shown in the capsule list 94 (requirement 2 display step).

  If the requirement 2 is narrowed down, it becomes the specific stage of the part next. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when any one of the operation system of requirement 2 and boarding / exiting characteristics is specified and acquired as a search key, the name of each part constituting the door trim is specified as the search key in the external view 80. Are displayed as buttons 81 for use. This process is performed by the function of the interlocking display unit 26. Therefore, the user uses the cursor 52 to click and specify a button for specifying the switch 82 that is a desired part, and the switch 82 is acquired as a search key (part acquisition step).

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the switch 82 is specified and the button is lifted to display the fact. Further, since STEP 1-design check-ergonomics-operation system-switch has been narrowed up to this point, in response to this, the capsule is further narrowed down (part narrowing step). The states of the narrowed down capsules are shown in a capsule list 95 (part display step). In FIG. 8, the situation narrowed down to the capsule numbers 10 and 11 is shown.

  By the way, since there is a difference depending on the specification of the switch, as shown in FIG. 8, when the switch 82 is specified, a button 83 for specifying the specification is displayed. Therefore, the specification is specified using the cursor 52, and the specified specification is acquired as a search key (specification acquisition step).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of the final screen 50 after narrowing down. Here, STEP1, design check, ergonomics, operation system, switch, and assist grip are lifted and displayed, and these search keys are acquired, indicating that the search has been performed according to these. In conjunction with this, the capsule list 96 indicates that the capsule number 11 has been narrowed down.

  In this way, the type of search key to be specified is displayed on the screen 50, and the search key is specified by the user selecting it using the cursor 52, and the specified search key is acquired. . The capsules are narrowed down in accordance with the acquired search key, and the narrowing state is displayed on the screen in conjunction with the narrowing down. When the search key is specified, the search key type to be specified next is displayed when a search key of a lower hierarchy is required. By repeating this process, it is possible to narrow down the capsules by specifying and acquiring the search key up to a necessary stage while viewing the narrowing status display. In this way, it is possible to narrow down by selecting a search key as appropriate from a plurality of search keys and sequentially re-searching capsules. Therefore, a desired capsule can be easily searched interactively under a so-called GUI environment guided by a visual screen instruction.

1 is a block diagram of a vehicle design support tool search device in an embodiment according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the part about the hierarchical structure of the capsule in embodiment which concerns on this invention. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows the mode of the further search key about each capsule classified by the design objective name. In embodiment based on this invention, it is a figure which shows the initial screen of a display when a door trim search program starts. It is a figure which shows a mode that identification and acquisition of a search key, the narrowing down of a capsule, and the display of the state of narrowing down are performed in embodiment which concerns on this invention. In an embodiment concerning the present invention, it is a figure showing an example in which specification and acquisition of a search key, narrowing down of a capsule, and a state of narrowing down are displayed. In an embodiment concerning the present invention, it is a figure showing an example in which specification and acquisition of a search key, narrowing down of a capsule, and a state of narrowing down are displayed. In an embodiment concerning the present invention, it is a figure showing an example in which specification and acquisition of a search key, narrowing down of a capsule, and a state of narrowing down are displayed. In an embodiment concerning the present invention, it is a figure showing a situation of a final screen after narrowing down.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle design support tool search device, 12 CPU, 14 input part, 16 output part, 18 memory | storage device, 22 search key acquisition part, 24 narrowing-down part, 26 interlocking | linkage display part, 50 screen, 52 cursor, 60, 70, 72 , 74, 81, 83 buttons, 61 STEP1, 71 Design check, 73 Ergonomics, 75 Operation system, 80 External view, 82 Switch, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96 Capsule list.

Claims (7)

A storage device that stores a plurality of design support tools for supporting the design of a vehicle or a product that is a part of the vehicle, and includes a development stage name, a design purpose name, and a design requirement name of the vehicle or product. A storage device that stores each design support tool in association with the search key, using at least one of
Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of search keys including a part name to be designed;
A narrowing means for re-searching the storage device by appropriately selecting a search key from a plurality of search keys acquired by the acquisition means and narrowing down the corresponding design support tool,
In conjunction with the narrowing-down means, output means for displaying the position of the design target part in the vehicle or product and the narrowing-down status of the design support tool on the display,
A vehicle design support tool search device comprising: The vehicle design support tool search device according to claim 1,
The vehicle design support tool search device characterized in that the development stage name includes a plurality of development stage names corresponding to development stages from planning of a vehicle or product structure to creation of a mass production drawing. The vehicle design support tool search device according to claim 1,
The design object name includes a design check purpose for checking a design of a vehicle or a product and a shape generation purpose for generating a shape of each part constituting the vehicle or product. The vehicle design support tool search device according to claim 1,
The design requirement name includes any one of an ergonomic requirement relating to operability or getting on / off of the vehicle or product and a legal requirement relating to legal safety of the vehicle or product. Tool search device. The vehicle design support tool search device according to claim 1,
The storage device further stores each design support tool using the specification name of the vehicle or product as a search key, and the vehicle design support tool search device. The vehicle design support tool search device according to claim 1,
An acquisition means acquires a plurality of search keys sequentially specified by a search key specifying button displayed on the display, and a vehicle design support tool search device. It is executed on a design support device that supports the design of a vehicle or a product that is a part of the vehicle, and at least one of a vehicle or product development stage name, a design purpose name, and a design requirement name, and a design A search program for searching an arbitrary design support tool from a storage device that stores a plurality of design support tools in association with the search key, using the target part name as a search key,
An acquisition process procedure for acquiring a plurality of search keys including a part name to be designed;
A narrowing process procedure for re-searching the storage device by appropriately selecting a search key from a plurality of search keys acquired by the acquisition process procedure and narrowing down the corresponding design support tool,
In conjunction with the refinement process procedure, an output process procedure for displaying the position of the design target part in the vehicle or product and the refinement status of the design support tool on the display;
A vehicle design support tool search program characterized by

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