JP2009301410A - Design support system and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a design support system and a computer program, which enable efficient designing. <P>SOLUTION: When the form of a design object is changed, change processing for changing each parameter determined according to a series of design processes in the order reverse to the determination procedure in designing is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support system and a computer program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a design support system that performs design processing according to a series of preset processes in order to design a design target is known.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a procedure for specifying a design object, a procedure for opening a specification value input window specific to the specified design object, and each definition point specific to the design object on the specification value input window. A design support method is disclosed that includes a procedure for inputting specification values and a procedure for generating a simulation model based on the specification values of each definition point.
JP 2001-282866 A

  By the way, the design target once designed may need to be changed to a form such as a part shape or a layout. When the numerical value of one part is changed, when the numerical value of the other part is changed, various changes are forced due to the one change. For this reason, according to the conventional method, there exists a problem that it cannot design efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to perform an efficient design.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention, when changing the form of the design object, change processing for changing each parameter determined according to a series of design processes according to the reverse order of the determination procedure at the time of design I do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the influence on the performance of a design target, and efficient design is possible.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This design support system is composed of a user terminal 10 and a server 20, and designs a form such as the shape and layout of a design target (in this embodiment, a steering column) or changes the designed form. System. The computer 11 and the server 20 constitute a mutually coupled network such as a LAN, and are connected to be communicable with each other. Various user terminals connected to the network function as the user terminals 10 that construct the design support system shown in the present embodiment in cooperation with the server 20 as long as a computer program to be described later is executed.

  The user terminal 10 is mainly configured by a computer (processing means) 11, an input device (input means) 12 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device (display means) 13 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The computer 11 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output interface. The computer 11 operates in accordance with a control program (computer program) stored in the ROM, thereby executing a series of design processes, designing the form of the steering column that is the design object, and the design of the designed steering column. The form can be changed. The computer 11 can refer to various data stored in the server 20 as necessary. An operator who is a designer can design and change the steering column by operating the input device 12 and inputting necessary information while referring to information displayed on the display device 13 by the computer 11. .

  The server (storage means) 20 stores design data for designing the design target form. The server 20 has a parts database 21, a performance database 22, and a specification database 23.

  The parts database 21 centrally manages information on various parts constituting the vehicle. The component database 21 is a set of component records provided corresponding to individual components. In each component record, a component ID, a component name, and the like are described in association with each other. The component ID is an identifier for identifying the component, and a unique component ID is assigned to each component. The part name is the name of the part.

  The performance database 22 centrally manages information related to the performance requirements of each component.

  The specification database 23 centrally manages information on main dimensions of the vehicle and each component.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of design processes (design processing) executed by the design system according to the present embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is executed by the computer 11 constituting the user terminal 10.

  First, the computer 11 causes the display device 13 to display a predetermined initial screen including an input / output screen menu and a change menu described later. When the computer 11 recognizes that the input / output screen menu has been selected through the operation of the input device 12 by the operator, the computer 11 displays the input / output screen by controlling the display device 13. A design process composed of a series of design processes is started.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input / output screen. Here, the input / output screen is composed of input information and output information. The input information is an area including various items input by an operator through an operation through the input device 12. On the other hand, the output information is an area including output information determined based on the input information, that is, items for outputting (displaying) a plurality of parameters each defining the design target form.

  Input information includes hip point, heel point, A point height, offset amount from A point to hip point (A point-hip point offset amount), plane angle of steering wheel (STRG WHEEL P / V angle), steering wheel Side angle (STRG WHEEL S / V angle), upper shaft, pinion shaft, steering wheel diameter (STRG WHEEL diameter), and position of D point.

  The output information includes the height of point A, the offset amount from point A to the hip point, the plane angle of the steering wheel, the side angle of the steering wheel, the position of points A to C, the lengths L1 to L3, and the side angle θ1. ˜θ3 included.

  Here, the hip point is a hip position of the driver in the vehicle, and is indicated by coordinates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The heel point is a driver's heel position in the vehicle, and is indicated by coordinates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). A point height is a coordinate of the up-down direction (Z direction) among the three-dimensional coordinates regarding A point. This point A is a connection position between the steering wheel and the upper shaft, and is indicated by coordinates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The plane angle of the steering wheel is the angle of the steering wheel in plan (XY plane) view, and the side angle of the steering wheel is the angle of the steering wheel in side view (XZ plane). Point D is the end of the pinion shaft, and is indicated by coordinates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

  Point B is a connection position between the upper shaft and the intermediate shaft, and is indicated by coordinates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Point C is a connection position between the intermediate shaft and the pinion shaft, and is indicated by coordinates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The length L1 is the length of the pinion shaft, and the length L2 is the length of the intermediate shaft. The length L3 is the length of the upper shaft. The side surface angle θ1 is an angle formed by the pinion shaft and the horizontal plane (XY plane), and the side surface angle θ2 is an angle formed by the intermediate shaft and the horizontal plane (XY plane). The side surface angle θ3 is an angle formed by the upper shaft and the horizontal plane (XY plane).

  First, the computer 11 prompts the operator to input a hip point and a heel point. For example, the computer 11 highlights items of hip points and heel points in the input information, or restricts input to items other than the items. The hip point and heel point are values determined from the occupant layout of the entire vehicle, and the operator inputs predetermined values through the input device 12. The computer 11 sets information input through the input device 12 as a hip point and a heel point.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of performance requirements. Next, the computer 11 prompts the operator to input the height of point A. As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, the computer 11 newly displays a reference screen for inputting the point A height. On this reference screen, candidates of values that can be selected as the height of the point A are displayed. In the figure, the solid line indicates the optimum value as the height of the point A, and the area indicated by hatching indicates the range of values that can be permitted as the height of the point A (allowable range). The computer 11 can uniquely identify the optimum value and the allowable range based on the information stored in the performance database 22. The operator inputs the height of point A from the input device 12 through this reference screen or with reference to the reference screen. The computer 11 sets the information input via the input device 12 as the point A height.

  Next, the computer 11 prompts the operator to input an offset amount (hereinafter simply referred to as “offset amount”) from the point A to the hip point and a plane angle of the steering wheel. As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the computer 11 newly displays a reference screen for inputting the offset amount and the plane angle of the steering wheel. On this reference screen, candidates for values that can be selected as the offset amount and the plane angle of the steering wheel are displayed. In the figure, the area indicated by hatching indicates a range of recommended values for the offset amount and the plane angle of the steering wheel. The computer 11 can uniquely identify the recommended range based on the information stored in the performance database 22. The operator inputs the offset amount and the plane angle of the steering wheel from the input device 12 through this reference screen or with reference to the reference screen. The computer 11 sets each piece of information input via the input device 12 as an offset amount and a plane angle of the steering wheel.

  Next, the computer 11 prompts the operator to input the side angle of the steering wheel. As shown in FIG. 4C, the computer 11 newly displays a reference screen for inputting the side angle of the steering wheel, for example. In this reference screen, candidates that can be selected as the side angle of the steering wheel are displayed. In the figure, the solid line indicates the optimum value as the side angle of the steering wheel, and the area indicated by hatching indicates the range (allowable range) allowed as the side angle of the steering wheel. The computer 11 can uniquely identify the optimum value and the allowable range based on the information stored in the performance database 22. The operator inputs the side angle of the steering wheel from the input device 12 through this reference screen or with reference to the reference screen. The computer 11 sets information input via the input device 12 as a side angle of the steering wheel.

  Based on these input information, the computer 11 determines the position (three-dimensional position) of point A (step 1 (S1)).

  Next, the computer 11 prompts input of the upper shaft and the pinion shaft. The computer 11 searches the parts database 21 based on the part type, extracts parts corresponding to the upper shaft and the pinion shaft, and causes the display device 13 to display the extracted parts group. The operator selects the upper shaft and the pinion shaft from the component group displayed on the display device 13 through the input device 12. The computer 11 sets information input via the input device 12 as an upper shaft and a pinion shaft, respectively.

  Based on this input information, the computer 11 determines the length L3 (step 2 (S2)) and then determines the length L1 (step 3 (S3)). Further, the computer 11 determines the side surface angle θ1 (step 4 (S4)). The side surface angle θ1 can be determined as a set with standard parts of the pinion shaft. Further, the computer 11 determines the side surface angle θ3 in accordance with the above-described performance requirement (side angle of the steering wheel) (step 5 (S6)).

  The computer 11 prompts input regarding the diameter and the point D of the steering wheel. The steering wheel diameter and point D are input through an input device with values determined from the occupant layout of the entire vehicle. The computer 11 sets information input via the input device as the steering wheel diameter and point D.

  The computer 11 determines the positions of the point B and the point C based on the parameters determined as described above (the position of the point A, the lengths L3, L1, L2, and the side surface angles θ1, θ3). Then, the computer 11 determines the length L2 based on the positions of the points B and C.

  Thereby, all parameters corresponding to the output information are determined. Among the determined parameters, the input information directly corresponds to the height of the point A, the offset amount, the plane angle and the side surface angle of the steering wheel.

  In step 7 (S7), the computer 11 performs output processing. Specifically, the computer 11 updates the specification database 23 in the server 20. Further, the computer 11 checks whether or not the updated information in the specification database 23 satisfies the performance requirement. Then, the computer 11 displays the check result as a comparison with the output information shown in FIG. 3 or the performance requirement shown in FIG. 5 (for example, star display). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the computer 11 displays a steering column having a form defined by the setting parameter to the operator. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the steering column is schematically illustrated, but the steering column may be displayed using a part model that reproduces the shape of the part.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where a form change such as a change in part shape or a change in layout occurs in the steering column designed in this way. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the procedure of the change process.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the computer 11 recommends changing the length L2 and the side surface angle θ2 of the intermediate shaft and the side surface angle θ3 of the upper shaft as the first changing step. The operator operates the input device 12 to change these parameters θ3, L2, and θ2. This first changing step is related to the determination of the parameter θ3.

  If an appropriate change cannot be made even by the first change step, the computer 11 executes the second change step. As shown in FIG. 7B, the computer 11 recommends changing the length L2 and the side surface angle θ2 of the intermediate shaft and the side surface angle θ1 of the pinion shaft. The operator operates the input device 12 to change these parameters θ1, L2, and θ2. This second changing step is related to the determination of the parameter θ1.

  If an appropriate change cannot be made even by the second change step, the computer 11 executes the third change step. As shown in FIG. 7C, the computer 11 recommends changing the length L1 of the pinion shaft, the length L2 of the intermediate shaft, and the side surface angle θ2. The operator operates the input device 12 to change these parameters θ3, L2, and θ2. This third changing step is related to the determination of the parameter L1.

  If an appropriate change cannot be made even by the third change step, the computer 11 executes the fourth change step. As shown in FIG. 8A, the computer 11 recommends changing the length L2 and the side surface angle θ2 of the intermediate shaft and the length L3 of the upper shaft. The operator operates the input device 12 to change these parameters L3, L2, and θ2. This fourth changing step is related to the determination of the parameter L3.

  If an appropriate change cannot be made even by the fourth change step, the computer 11 executes the fifth change step. As shown in FIG. 8B, the computer 11 recommends changing the length L1 of the pinion shaft, the length L2 of the intermediate shaft, and the length L3 of the upper shaft. The operator operates the input device 12 to change these parameters L3, L2, and L1. This fifth changing step is related to the determination of the parameter L3.

  If an appropriate change cannot be made even by the fifth change step, the computer 11 executes the sixth change step. As shown in FIG. 8C, the computer 11 recommends changing the length L2 and the side surface angle θ2 of the intermediate shaft and the point A. The operator operates the input device 12 to change these parameter A points, L2, and θ2. This sixth changing step is related to the determination of the parameter A point.

  In such a change process, as shown in FIG. 9, the computer 11 illustrates a changeable range A that satisfies the performance requirements. Thereby, the operator can change the form while viewing the changeable range A on the screen.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the computer 11 includes a plurality of parameters each defining the form of the design target based on the input result input from the input device 12 and the design data stored in the server 20. A series of design processes (S1 to S7) for determining is performed. Specifically, in the design process, design parameters are determined in the order of point A position, length L3, length L1, side surface angle θ1, side surface angle θ3, and length L2. On the other hand, in the changing process, the design parameters are determined in the order of the length L2, the side surface angle θ3, the side surface angle θ1, the length L1, the length L3, and the position of the point A. In other words, when changing the form of the design object whose form is defined by a plurality of parameters, the computer 11 determines a plurality of parameters determined in a series of design processes in reverse order.

  In general, in the design process, the parameter that is determined first has a greater influence on the overall performance of the design target. For example, the determination of the parameter L3 has a greater influence on the overall performance than the determination of the parameter θ3. Therefore, the computer 11 changes the parameters in the changing process in the reverse order to the order of the parameters determined at the design time. Therefore, the influence on the performance can be minimized, and an efficient design is possible.

  According to the present embodiment, the computer 11 displays the design target form on the display device 13 and the range that can be changed as the design target form in the change process.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to change the form while viewing the changeable range on the screen. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the design target form.

  The design support system according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the design support system includes the user terminal 10 and the server 20 in a network environment. However, as long as the functions of the user terminal 10 and the server 20 are provided, the design support system may be realized by a stand-alone computer.

  In addition, a program executable by a computer that executes the design support method including the design process and the change process described in the above-described embodiment also functions as part of the present invention. That is, this computer program causes a computer to execute a design support method characterized by having a first step and a second step. Here, in the first step, a plurality of parameters each defining the form of the design object are sequentially determined according to a series of design processes. In the second step, when the form of the design object is changed, a change process is performed in which each parameter determined according to a series of design processes is changed in the reverse order to the determination procedure. When this computer program is executed by a computer, the same operations and effects as the above-described design support system are achieved.

  Of course, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded may be supplied to a system having the configuration as shown in FIG. In this case, the computer 11 in this system can achieve the object of the present invention by reading and executing the computer program stored in the recording medium. Since the computer program itself realizes the novel functions of the present invention, a recording medium on which the program is recorded also constitutes the present invention. Examples of the recording medium on which the computer program is recorded include a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a memory card, an optical disk, a DVD-ROM, and a DVD-RAM.

Configuration diagram schematically showing the design support system Flow chart showing a series of design processes executed by the design system Explanatory drawing showing an example of input / output screen Illustration of performance requirements Explanation of output results Explanation of output results Explanatory drawing which shows procedure of change processing Explanatory drawing which shows procedure of change processing Illustration of changeable range

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 User terminal 11 Computer 12 Input device 13 Display apparatus 20 Server 21 Parts database 22 Performance database 23 Specifications database

Claims (4)

In the design support system,
Input means operated by an operator;
Storage means for storing design data for designing the form of the design object;
A processing means for sequentially determining a plurality of parameters each defining a form to be designed based on an input result inputted from the input means and design data stored in the storage means according to a series of design processes. And
The processing unit is configured to change each parameter determined according to the series of design processes according to an order reverse to the determination procedure at the time of design when an operator requests to change the design target form. A design support system characterized by processing. Controlled by the processing means, further comprising display means for displaying the processing content,
2. The design according to claim 1, wherein, in the change process, the processing unit displays the design target form on the display unit and displays a changeable range as the design target form. Support system. In a computer program for causing a computer to execute a design support method for designing a form to be designed,
A first step of sequentially determining a plurality of parameters each defining a form to be designed according to a series of design processes;
A second step of performing a changing process for changing each parameter determined according to the series of design processes according to an order reverse to the determination procedure at the time of design when changing the design target form; A computer program for causing a computer to execute a design support method characterized by the above.   4. The design according to claim 3, wherein the second step includes a step of displaying the form of the design object on the display unit and displaying a range that can be changed as the form of the design object. 5. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the support method.

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