JP2007233585A - Design support method and its system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a design support system, in which design can be concurrently progressed in function part units even for one part, and the progress of the design can be confirmed by shape information. <P>SOLUTION: The design support method and system 1 comprise a design shape portion division means 3 dividing a design shape part that is a shape editing object from shape data of a three-dimensional model of one part while assigning division reference information such that it enables connection of the design shape part after shape-editing; a design function attribute information retention means 4 retaining attribute information of a design function corresponding to the divided design shape part; and a design shape part connection means 5 performing connecting processing using the division reference information with a design shape part that becomes a connecting object after shape editing of the design shape part, and storing shape data as a shape model of one part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support method and system for machine products and the like, and a design support method and system for improving applicability to product shape data and effectively utilizing design results.

Conventional CAD (Computer Aided) to assist designers who design mechanical products
In the Design system, shape data representing the geometric shape of the product can be expressed in 2D drawings and 3D models, and designers of other related parts, analysts who perform various analyses, and manufacturers The product shape can be transmitted to the person in charge and the person in charge of the inspection.

  [Patent Document 1] In product design, except for newly developed products, in many cases, a shape design obtained by improving a product that has been designed and manufactured in the past based on customer specifications, that is, a so-called diversion design is often performed. This is because the production cost can be reduced by improving the product with a proven record and omitting the shape design and manufacturing verification of the diverted part to some extent. The designer can focus on designing the shape part to be newly designed in consideration of connection with the shape part to be diverted, and can concentrate on and work on the design work more efficiently.

  [Patent Document 1] In the conventional CAD system, when the above-mentioned diversion design is performed, the shape based on the parametric design history designed in the past is used within the range of the diversion shape design of each part or in the shape design of one part. In order to design a similar part outside the constraint range of deformation, it is necessary to recreate the part shape data from scratch, or divide the design shape into design work units in some way There was a need.

  For example, in [Patent Document 1], in the mold design work, a three-dimensional model of a molded product is divided into an arbitrary number of positions and an arbitrary number of child models are created, and each is designed in parallel, A technique characterized by assembly and unification is shown.

  [Patent Document 2] recognizes the shape of a three-dimensional model, divides the model into processing units (R, rib, embossing, etc.) based on the recognition result, and performs optimal processing from the processing process database for each divided element. Techniques for determining requirements are shown.

JP 2001-101246 A JP 2003-99482 A

  In the technique of [Patent Document 1], there is a restriction that the shape cannot be edited with respect to the common shape between the divided child models, and the design can be changed only within a range in which the common shape is not changed. If the common shape is edited, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to merge the divided shapes after designing the divided shapes separately. In addition, the technique of [Patent Document 1] presupposes division at a shape part that becomes a unit of molding by division for a molded product mold, and an arbitrary product function unit, analysis unit, or cutting unit. Since it is difficult to divide into two, it is possible to divert the shape design to an arbitrary product function unit or analysis unit in the planned design or detailed design of the product, or shape design multiple functional units or analysis units separately and simultaneously There is a problem that work cannot be proceeded. Further, the technique of [Patent Document 1] has a problem that the design progress state of each part cannot be confirmed by the shape data because the divided shape part units can be combined together only in the completed state.

  In the technology of [Patent Document 2], the units that can be divided are limited to processing units such as R (rounded corners) and ribs, and cannot be divided into arbitrary product function units or analysis units. There is a problem that it is difficult to divert the shape design to an arbitrary product function unit or analysis unit or to design a plurality of function units or analysis units separately and simultaneously.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems, arbitrarily divide the product shape model into arbitrary functional units, analysis units, and manufacturing units, and perform diversion design for each unit, and proceed with shape design separately. Another object of the present invention is to provide a design support method and system capable of confirming the progress of design even during the design.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the design support method, the present invention provides division reference information that allows connection of a design shape part to be shape edited from shape data of a three-dimensional model of one part after shape editing. , Dividing the design shape part between the design shape part to be connected after the design shape part has been edited. A connection process is performed using reference information, and shape data is stored as a shape model of one part.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a design support system in which division reference information that allows connection of a design shape part to be shape edited from shape data of a three-dimensional model of one part after shape editing is performed. Design shape part dividing means for dividing the design shape part, design function attribute information holding means for holding attribute information of the design function corresponding to the divided design shape part, and a connection target after the design shape part is edited in shape And a design shape part connection means for performing connection processing using the division reference information and storing shape data as a one-part shape model.

  Further, in the design support method and system, design shape multi-site simultaneous display means for simultaneously displaying shape data of a plurality of design shape parts to be connected that are in the middle of design in a single three-dimensional model is displayed. It is characterized by providing.

  The design support method and system further comprise means for determining and displaying whether there is a geometrically discontinuous portion between the design shape portion to be pre-connected.

  The design support method and system further include means for continuously connecting a geometrically discontinuous portion generated between the design shape portion to be pre-connected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to divide and design a diverted part and a newly designed part by setting division reference information for an arbitrary shape part in a three-dimensional model of a proven product. By eliminating design and manufacturing verification to some extent, it is possible to reduce production costs, and the designer focuses more on the design of the shape part to be newly designed after considering the connection with the diverted shape part and concentrates more on it. And can be engaged in design work efficiently.

  In addition, connection between shape parts after shape editing in diversion design is performed based on the division criterion information, and fillet (surface rounding) connection processing between surfaces and surface fitting (surface matching) processing are performed. By doing so, even in diversion design, relatively free shape editing can be performed by following the division reference information.

  In addition, since the design part in the middle of the design can be displayed at the same time, the progress of the design can be confirmed with the shape data.

  In addition, since the shape can be divided into arbitrary functional units, analysis units, and manufacturing units and designed separately, functional and manufacturing studies can be performed from the part where the shape design was completed, and analysis and manufacturing studies can be performed concurrently. This can shorten the overall production period.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the design support system of the present invention.

  A design support system 1 stores a design information storage device 2 for storing all design information to be handled, a design shape part dividing means for dividing a design shape part to be shape edited from shape data of a one-part drawing or one-part three-dimensional model. 3. Design function attribute information holding means 4 for holding attribute information of the design function corresponding to the divided design shape part; after the design shape part is shape-edited, the geometric shape between the design shape part to be connected From design shape part connection means 5 connected to each other with a certain consistency to make a product one-part shape model, an input device such as a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 for inputting each data, and an output device such as a display 8 for outputting the design shape Composed.

  In the design support system 1, shape information of a drawing or a three-dimensional model and attribute information of a design function are input by an input device of a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 and stored in a design information storage device 2.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the design object. FIG. 2A shows a three-dimensional model representing a part to be machined by one-piece machining. This part is mainly composed of a shape part having two functions. The shape part having the first function is a pipe connection part 201 having a horizontal hole and a vertical hole for connecting pipes. The shape part having the second function is an attachment part 202 for attaching the pipe connection part to another part with a bolt. FIG. 2B shows a three-dimensional model in which the pipe connection part 201 of the component in FIG. 2A has the same shape, but the shape is edited to change the attachment part from the bolt attachment to the weld attachment part 203. Here, when the design shape information of the component shown in (b) is created, it can be created more efficiently by diverting the shape information of the pipe connection part 201. In the present invention, the shape information of one part is divided into shape design diversion units corresponding to design function units, and the shape design is performed efficiently.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of dividing and displaying the shape information of one component in the present embodiment. In the split display, shape information representing a functional unit of a part is included and displayed in a boundary box (boundary rectangular parallelepiped). FIG. 3A shows an example in which components are divided and displayed in a boundary box. A boundary box 301 including the pipe connection part 201 and a boundary box 302 including the attachment part are displayed. FIG. 3B shows an example in which the divided shape parts are displayed. When dividing, a division origin 303 and a division coordinate system 304 serving as division reference information are set, a division reference plane 305 and a division direction 306 are defined along these divisions, and stored in association with both of the shape parts to be divided. This is a constraint condition when registering and reconnecting the divided shape parts. The division origin 307 to be stored and registered in association with the divided shape part is the same point as the division origin 303 in the three-dimensional absolute coordinate system. A divided coordinate system 308 registered in association with the divided shape parts and a division reference plane 309 stored and registered in association with the divided shape parts are shown.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of reconnecting a shape part whose shape has been edited after division in this embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a boundary box after division, and can be used as a reference for shape editing together with division reference information 401 (a division origin, a division coordinate system, and a division reference plane). A shape portion 403 shown in FIG. 4B is a shape portion obtained by editing the shape using the division reference information 402 (the division origin and the division coordinate axes) as a reference and using each surface of the boundary box as a reference surface. Shape editing can be freely performed using the shape editing function of CAD within a range in which the division reference plane and the division direction are constrained along the division origin and division coordinate axes. At this time, each surface constituting the boundary box is merely a reference surface, and it is not necessary to store the edited shape in the boundary box. FIG. 4C is an example in which the divided reference planes 404 are connected to each other after the shape editing. FIG. 4 (d) shows an example in which the attachment site has been significantly changed from a plate-like shape to a cylindrical shape that fits into the hole of the part to be attached, and the connection boundary is changed from the original shape. . In the present embodiment, even when the connection boundary is changed from the original shape in this way, the diverted portion is effectively utilized by connecting based on the division criterion information set to 405 in FIG. 4D. Shape design can be performed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the mixed display of the outline and detailed shape in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, even if the shape part of the three-dimensional model to be diverted is being designed, a plurality of shape parts can be displayed simultaneously. FIG. 5A shows the pipe connection part 201 shown in FIG. 1A as a detailed shape and the attachment part 202 shown in FIG. 1 as a schematic shape. FIG. 5B shows the pipe connection part 201 as a schematic shape and the attachment part 202 as a detailed shape. Each of the schematic shapes can be displayed in a semi-transparent box display or in a display color that is distinct from the detailed shape, or in a display that distinguishes the color, line type, or line thickness of the wire frame ridge line.

  Hereinafter, a specific processing flow of each processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 6 shows a processing flow of the design shape part dividing means in the present embodiment. In the design support system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a designer uses a display 8 for shape information to be shape-designated and input in an input device such as a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. First, division criterion information is given (S601) by inputting necessary information while confirming the shape displayed on the output device. Subsequently, the shape set target surface set is specified (S602), and the boundary box of the divided part is determined (S603). Finally, the shape part is divided by the boundary box (S604).

  FIG. 7 shows a processing flow in which the processing flow for adding division criterion information (S601) is further detailed. The designer confirms the shape displayed on the output device such as the display 8 with respect to the shape information to be subjected to the shape design, which is input by the input device such as the mouse 6 and the keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. However, by inputting necessary information, in the design information adding process, first, the division origin is input (S701), and the division coordinate system is set (S702). The division coordinate system is set by a method such as designating two axes of the division origin and the coordinate system. Subsequently, the division reference plane is set (S703). As the division reference plane, a method of setting an arbitrary infinite plane by specifying the division origin and a three-point position specifying a plane in the division coordinate system, or a method of setting and specifying an arbitrary plane belonging to the target shape is used. . In addition to the division origin and the division coordinate system, by setting the division reference plane as an arbitrary infinite plane or an arbitrary plane belonging to the target shape, the target shape can be divided into arbitrary shape portions. Further, the division direction is set (S704). In setting the dividing direction, a method of setting by specifying the coordinate axis of the divided coordinate system is used. The set division origin, division coordinate system, division reference plane, and division direction are stored and registered in the design information storage device 2 in association with the shape data of both of the divided shape parts.

  FIG. 8 shows a processing flow in which the processing flow for specifying the shape editing target (surface set) (S602) is further detailed. The designer confirms the shape displayed on the output device such as the display 8 with respect to the shape information to be subjected to the shape design, which is input by the input device such as the mouse 6 and the keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. However, by inputting necessary information, in the shape editing target (surface set) specifying process, first, the surface set of the shape editing target part is set (S801). The designer is inquired about the excess or deficiency of the set face set (S802), and if there is an excess or deficiency, the designer is prompted to correct the face set (S803). Thereafter, the designer is inquired of whether the surface set is excessive or insufficient (S804), and the process of correcting the surface set is repeated until the surface set is no longer excessive or insufficient. If there is no excess or deficiency of the face set, the shape edit target part face set is determined (S805).

  FIG. 9 shows a process flow in which the process flow of the division part boundary box determination (S603) is further detailed. The designer confirms the shape displayed on the output device such as the display 8 with respect to the shape information to be subjected to the shape design, which is input by the input device such as the mouse 6 and the keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. However, by inputting necessary information, in the determination process of the divided part boundary box, first, the shape data of the surface set determined in the process of specifying the shape editing target (S602) is added to the division reference information. Projecting is performed on the divided coordinate system determined in (S601) (S901), and the maximum value and the minimum value of each coordinate axis component in the divided coordinate system are obtained (S902). A boundary box is determined as a rectangular parallelepiped with the vertex determined by the maximum value of each coordinate axis component and the vertex determined by the minimum value as diagonal lines (S903).

  FIG. 10 shows a processing flow in which the processing flow of dividing the shape portion by the boundary box (S604) is further detailed. The designer confirms the shape displayed on the output device such as the display 8 with respect to the shape information to be subjected to the shape design, which is input by the input device such as the mouse 6 and the keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. However, by inputting the necessary information, in the dividing process of the shape part by the boundary box, first, the divided area set by the setting of the dividing plane (S703) and the divided area surrounded by the boundary box are specified ( S1001). A divided area is an area that is divided by a plane that forms a boundary plane and a boundary box, and is considered as a solid that fills the area. This is defined as a divided area solid. Subsequently, a copy shape solid of the component shape is created (S1002). A standing volume calculation is performed on the created copy shape solid and the divided region solid (S1003). Then, the division part is specified (S1004). When the shape other than the shape design target part is taken into the divided area solid by the standing volume calculation of the copy shape solid and the divided area solid, the divided part is specified to the shape design target part surface set from among them. Only the matching shape design target part is specified. Finally, the specified divided shape portion is stored and registered in the design information storage device 2 (S1005). At this time, information on the surfaces constituting the boundary box used for the division and the information on the division surfaces is stored and registered in association with each other.

  FIG. 11 shows a processing flow of the design function attribute information holding means 4 in the present embodiment. In the design support system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a designer uses a display 8 for shape information to be shape-designated and inputted in an input device such as a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. By inputting necessary information while confirming the shape displayed on the output device, first, the shape part to which the design function attribute information is added is specified (S1101). Subsequently, an attribute name is set for the shape part (S1102). As the attribute name, for example, a name that becomes an index of attribute information of “function name”, “analysis type” relating to analysis, or “process type” relating to manufacturing may be set. Subsequently, an attribute content corresponding to the attribute name is set (S1103). As the attribute content, if the attribute name is, for example, “function name”, content representing a function such as “pipe connection part” or “attachment part” is set. An arbitrary number of attribute names and attribute contents are set. The attribute information set last is stored and registered in the design information storage device 2 (S1104).

  FIG. 12 shows a processing flow of the inter-design shape part connecting means 5 in this embodiment. In the design support system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a designer uses a display 8 for shape information to be shape-designated and inputted in an input device such as a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 and stored in the design information storage device 2. By confirming the shape displayed on the output device and inputting necessary information, first, a connection target part is specified (S1201). The part to be connected is specified by designating the boundary box part displayed for the shape information of the connection source by the designer. Subsequently, the connection target part is read (S1202). The shape information of the connection target part corresponding to the instructed boundary box is arranged and read in a positional relationship along the divided origin and the divided coordinate system. Subsequently, connection between connection target parts (S1203) is performed. The shape editing of the connection target part is not completed, and the shape information of the connection target part is read into the positional relationship along the divided origin and the divided coordinate system and displayed simultaneously in the same space even at an intermediate stage. In the middle of shape editing, the designer sets the design progress completion flag to ON / OFF for the part to be connected. If the design completion flag is ON, only the part shape of the connection target part is displayed. A solid set calculation of the shape information of the connection source and the connection target part is performed. When the design completion flag is OFF, it is displayed on the display 8 together with the boundary box corresponding to the part shape of the connection target part. As a result, the designer can visually check the progress of the design. Subsequently, the continuity between the connection target parts is determined (S1204). Here, it is determined whether or not the surfaces between the connection target shape parts obtained by performing the three-dimensional set operation on the connection source shape information are continuous. Continuity is considered to be discontinuous when the normal vector is shifted by looking at the same directionality of the normal vector direction on the boundary of the boundary surface between the connection source interface and the connection target shape part. Determination is made (S1205). When it is determined as discontinuous, the discontinuous surface is notified to the designer and fitting between discontinuous surfaces is performed (S1206). In fitting between discontinuous surfaces, a facet is pasted between the surfaces, or the surface is offset so that one surface matches the other surface. The last connected shape information is stored and registered in the design information storage device 2 (S1207).

  By using the present invention in a CAD method or CAD system that can handle shape editing of a three-dimensional model, the shape design of one part can be divided into functional units. Analytical studies or manufacturing studies can be performed to reduce the overall product production man-hours.

  This also makes it possible to confirm the progress of the design for each shape part of the functional unit in the shape design of one part.

The block diagram of the design support system in one Example of this invention. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the state before design change of a product three-dimensional model, (b) Explanatory drawing which shows the state after design change of a product three-dimensional model. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the example which displayed the product three-dimensional model for every functional part, (b) (c) Explanatory drawing which shows the example which divided | segmented the product three-dimensional model into the functional part. (A) Explanatory drawing showing the boundary box of the functional part, (b) Explanatory drawing showing the state after editing the functional part, (c) Explanatory drawing showing the state where the functional part after editing is connected, (d) After editing Explanatory drawing which shows the state from which the shape of the connection boundary of differs from the original. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the example of mixed display of detailed shape and approximate shape, (b) Explanatory drawing which shows the example of mixed display of detailed shape and approximate shape. The process flow figure of the design shape site | part division means by one Example. The processing flow figure of grant of division standard information by one example. The specific process flow figure of the shape edit object by one Example. The processing flow figure of division part boundary box determination by one example. The processing flow figure of the shape part division | segmentation by the boundary box by one Example. The processing flow figure of the design function attribute information holding means by one Example. The process flow figure of the connection means between design shape parts by one Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Design support system, 2 ... Design information storage device, 3 ... Design shape part division | segmentation means, 4 ... Design function attribute information holding means, 5 ... Design shape part connection means, 6 ... Mouse, 7 ... Keyboard, 8 ... Display .

Claims (8)

Dividing the design shape part to be shape edited from the shape data of the three-dimensional model of one part by giving division reference information that can be connected after the shape is edited,
Holding attribute information of the design function corresponding to the divided design shape part;
A design characterized in that the shape data is stored as a shape model of one part by performing a connection process using the division criterion information between the design shape part and the design shape part to be connected after the design shape part is edited. Support method. A design support method according to claim 1, comprising:
A design support method, wherein shape data of a plurality of design shape parts to be connected in a state of design is mixed and displayed in one 3D model at the same time. A design support method according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A design support method comprising: determining and displaying whether or not there is a geometrically discontinuous portion between a design shape portion to be connected in advance. A design support method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A design / manufacturing support method comprising means for continuously connecting geometrically discontinuous portions generated between a design shape portion to be pre-connected. A design shape part dividing means for providing and dividing a design shape part that is a shape editing target from shape data of a three-dimensional model of one part by giving division reference information that can be connected after shape editing;
Design function attribute information holding means for holding design function attribute information corresponding to the divided design shape parts;
Design shape inter-part connection means for performing connection processing using the division reference information between the design shape part to be connected after the design shape part is subjected to shape editing, and storing shape data as a one-piece shape model A design support system characterized by comprising: The design support system according to claim 5,
A design support system, comprising: a design shape multi-site simultaneous display means for simultaneously displaying shape data of a plurality of design shape parts to be connected in a mid-design state in one 3D model. A design support system according to claim 5 or claim 6,
A design support system comprising means for determining and displaying whether there is a geometrically discontinuous portion between a design shape portion to be connected in advance. A design support system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
A design support system comprising means for continuously connecting geometrically discontinuous portions generated between a design shape portion to be pre-connected.

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