JP2020052473A - Design assistance device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a design assistance device and the like capable of reducing influence imparted to teaching information used when an assembly and the like using components are assembled, by design change of the components.SOLUTION: A design assistance device comprises: a reception unit which receives information on shape change of an object component of design change; a determination unit which determines influence imparted to teaching information used when an assembly using the object component as a constituting component is assembled, by the shape change received by the reception unit; and a display unit which displays the influence determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support device and a program.

There has been proposed a method capable of easily generating a robot control program for manufacturing an assembly from a plurality of parts.
For example, in the method described in Patent Document 1, a data extraction step of extracting data for creating a robot control program from data of an animation program indicating an assembly procedure when manufacturing an assembly, and a method of creating an extracted robot control program A data adding step of adding predetermined robot control data to the application data, and creating a program for creating a robot control program for assembling an assembly using the robot control program creation data and the predetermined robot control data And a step.

JP 2016-31724 A

If a part used in many assemblies is changed in design (this part may be an assembly), it is necessary to change teaching information (assembly data) used when assembling each assembly. Further, depending on the degree of design change, it may be necessary to change the assembling robot itself or change to manual operation without being able to cope with the change in the teaching information. For this reason, there is a possibility that the overall cost increases as the design of a part using a large number of types of assemblies is changed. Therefore, there is a demand for an apparatus that changes the design of a part so as to reduce the influence on the teaching information used when assembling an assembly using the part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a design support apparatus or the like which can reduce the influence of a design change of a part on teaching information used when assembling an assembly or the like using the part.

The invention according to claim 1 is a receiving unit that receives information on a shape change of a target component of a design change, and the shape change received by the receiving unit is used when assembling an assembly that uses the target component as a component. A design support apparatus comprising: a determining unit that determines an effect on teaching information to be used; and a display unit that displays the effect determined by the determining unit.
The invention according to claim 2 further includes a storage unit that stores the part and the teaching information of the assembly that uses the part as a component in association with each other, and the determination unit stores the reception information in the storage unit. 2. The design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the influence is determined when the target component whose shape has been changed and the teaching information associated with the target component is stored. 3.
The invention according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the target component after the shape change can be assembled using the teaching information stored in the storage unit. Is a design support device.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that there is no influence, the display unit displays that the teaching information is not affected even if the design change of the target component is performed. A design support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the display unit cannot assemble an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component if the determination unit retains the teaching information stored in the storage unit. 4. The design support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the design information of the target component is changed, the fact that the teaching information is affected is displayed.
The invention according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit is capable of automatically correcting the teaching information for assembling an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component. 6. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein when the determination unit determines that the teaching information can be automatically corrected, the display unit displays that the teaching information can be automatically corrected. Is a design support device.
In the invention according to claim 7, when the determining unit determines that the teaching information can be automatically corrected, the determining unit corrects the teaching information, and the storage unit determines that the determining unit determines that the teaching information can be automatically corrected. 7. The design support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the corrected teaching information is stored in association with a part used by the assembly.
The invention according to claim 8, wherein the determination unit is capable of automatically correcting the teaching information for assembling an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component. 6. The display unit displays, when the determination unit determines that the teaching information cannot be automatically corrected, that the teaching information cannot be automatically corrected. It is a design support apparatus described in 1.
In the invention according to claim 9, when the storage unit stops using a part of the component used by the assembly, the storage unit uses the teaching information of the assembly as the component that is no longer used. The design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is not stored in association with the design support.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function of accepting information on a shape change of a target part of a design change to a computer, and a teaching that the received shape change is used when assembling an assembly that uses the target part as a component part. A program for executing a function of determining an effect on information and a function of displaying the effect.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the influence of a design change of a part on teaching information used when assembling an assembly or the like using the part.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if there are many types of assemblies that use the target part of the design change as a component, it is possible to accurately determine the influence on the teaching information used when assembling all the assemblies. it can.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a designer from being unable to assemble an assembly that uses a target component of a design change as a component.
According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to make the designer change the design of the target part with ease.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify the designer in advance that the design change of the target component affects the teaching information.
According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to cause the designer to change the design of the target component with ease.
According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to store the latest teaching information, and it is possible to greatly reduce the effort of changing the teaching information in the subsequent formal teaching stage of the assembly.
According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to prevent the designer from being unable to assemble an assembly that uses the target component as a component.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible for the storage unit to store the latest state of the relationship between the part and the teaching information of the assembly. It is possible to determine with high accuracy the effect of the assembly used as a part on the teaching information.
According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to reduce the influence of a design change of a part on teaching information used when assembling an assembly or the like using the part.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a design support system according to an embodiment; It is a figure showing the example of composition of a design support device. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly stored in a DB and a TP used to assemble the assembly. (B) is a diagram showing an example of association between an assembly and a higher-level assembly of this assembly. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the design support device. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of component use which a teaching assistance part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of component deletion which a teaching assistance part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of change which a teaching assistance part performs. It is an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit when a design change using a sub-assy D is newly performed in an assembly A. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly stored in a DB and a TP used for assembling the assembly after a design change is performed. (B) is a diagram showing an example of association between an assembly and a higher-level assembly of this assembly. It is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit when the design of the sub-assembly D is changed. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly stored in a DB and a TP used for assembling the assembly after a design change is performed. (B) is a diagram showing an example of association between an assembly and a higher-level assembly of this assembly. It is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit when the design of the sub-assembly C is changed.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a design support system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a design support system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a design support device 100 that executes two-dimensional and three-dimensional CAD applications, and a two-dimensional and three-dimensional CAD application created by the CAD application of the design support device 100. A server 200 for storing three-dimensional CAD data. Further, the design support system 1 includes a database (DB) 300 that stores items related to the assembly edited by the design support device 100.

  The design support apparatus 100, the server 200, and the DB 300 can communicate with each other via the network 500. The network 500 is not particularly limited as long as it is a communication network used for data communication between each system and device, and may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. it can. A communication line used for data communication may be used in combination regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. Further, a relay device such as a gateway device or a router may be used to connect the devices via a plurality of networks or communication lines.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the design support apparatus 100.
The design support apparatus 100 includes a control unit 11 for controlling the entire apparatus, a storage unit 12 used for storing data and the like, a display unit 13 used for displaying an operation reception screen and an image, and receiving an input operation by a user. An operation unit 14 and a communication unit 15 used for communication with an external device are provided.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c. The ROM 11b stores a basic program (operation system) executed by the CPU 11a, various settings, and the like. The CPU 11a uses the RAM 11c as a work area, and executes the application program read from the ROM 11b or the storage unit 12. Each part of the design support apparatus 100 is controlled by the CPU 11a executing the program.

The storage unit 12 can be exemplified as a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
The display unit 13 is a display device that displays a still image, a moving image, and the like. The display unit 13 can be exemplified as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.
The operation unit 14 is an input device that receives an operation from a user. The operation unit 14 can be exemplified as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a switch, and the like.
The communication unit 15 can be exemplified as a communication interface.

  The design support apparatus 100 configured as described above can be exemplified as a terminal dedicated to CAD. Further, the design support device 100 may be a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or the like.

The server 200 and the DB 300 each include a control unit (not shown) and a storage unit (not shown), like the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the display unit 13, the operation unit 14, and the communication unit 15 included in the design support apparatus 100. ), A display unit (not shown), an operation unit (not shown), and a communication unit (not shown).
The server 200 and the DB 300 may be integrated.

  The DB 300 stores an assembly and the components used by the assembly in association with each other. In addition, the DB 300 stores an assembly and a higher-level assembly that is a higher-level assembly that uses the assembly as a part in association with each other. Further, the DB 300 stores an assembly and a teaching program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “TP”) used for assembling the assembly in association with each other.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly and a TP used for assembling the assembly, which is stored in the DB 300. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, Assy A which is an assembly, TP data A1 which is a TP used for assembling Assy A, and that TP data A1 is version 1 of TP of Assy A Is associated with. Also, Assy B, TP data B1, which is a TP for Assy B, and that the TP data B1 is version 1 of the TP of Assy B are associated with each other. Also, the sub-assembly D, the TP data D1 that is the TP for the sub-assembly D, and the fact that the TP data D1 is version 1 of the TP of the sub-assembly D are associated with each other.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly and a higher-level assembly of the assembly. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the sub-assembly C, which is an assembly, is associated with the fact that the upper assembly of the sub-assembly C is the assembly A. The sub-assembly D, which is an assembly, is associated with the upper assembly of the sub-assembly D being the assembly B. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the assembly A uses the sub-assembly C as a component, and the assembly B uses the sub-assy D as a component.
According to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the DB 300 includes a component (for example, a sub-assembly C) (this component may be an assembly) and an assembly that uses the component as a component (for example, a sub-assembly C). It is an example of a storage unit that stores in association with TP as an example of teaching information of Assy A).

<About the diversion study support function of the design support device 100>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the design support apparatus 100.
The design support apparatus 100 includes a design support unit 110 and a teaching support unit 120.
The design support unit 110 has an editing unit 111 that creates and edits CAD data by executing two-dimensional and three-dimensional CAD applications. Further, the design support unit 110 has an input / output unit 112 for storing the CAD data created or edited by the editing unit 111 in the server 200 and reading out the CAD data stored in the server 200.

  The teaching support unit 120 includes a detection unit 121 that detects that a new component is used for the assembly or that the component is no longer used from the assembly. In addition, the teaching support unit 120 includes a management unit 122 that manages the association between the TP used to assemble the assembly and the components used in the assembly. In addition, the teaching support unit 120 includes a search unit 123 that searches the DB 300 for a TP of a higher-level assembly that uses the assembly as a component. In addition, the teaching support unit 120 includes a well-known virtual assembly unit 124 that automatically corrects the TP assembly simulation and the TP. In addition, the teaching support unit 120 includes a display control unit 125 that causes the display unit 13 to display the results of the TP assembly simulation and the TP automatic correction performed by the virtual assembly unit 124. The teaching support unit 120 includes a management unit 122, a search unit 123, a virtual assembly unit 124, and a virtual assembly control unit 126 that controls the display control unit 125.

  The detecting unit 121 detects that a new component, which is a new component, is used in the target assembly to be edited when the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110 edits the assembly. I do. In addition, when the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110 edits the assembly, the detection unit 121 detects that the component is no longer used from the target assembly to be edited. For example, when the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110 edits the target assembly, the detection unit 121 may add a new part or delete a part from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional CAD data of the target assembly. Detecting when performed can be illustrated.

When the detecting unit 121 detects that the new part is used for the target assembly, the management unit 122 stores the target assembly and the new part in the DB 300 in association with each other, and stores the new part and the target The TP of the assembly is stored in the DB 300 in association with the TP.
When the detecting unit 121 detects that the component is no longer used (deleted) from the target assembly, the management unit 122 deletes the association between the target assembly and the deleted component from the DB 300. At the same time, the association between the deleted part and the TP of the target assembly is deleted from the DB 300.
Further, when the virtual assembling unit 124 automatically corrects the TP, the management unit 122 stores the corrected TP as the latest version.

  The search unit 123, when editing the assembly performed by the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110, based on the instruction from the virtual assembly control unit 126, stores the target assembly stored in the DB 300, The latest TP of a higher-level assembly that uses the target assembly as a part (hereinafter, may be referred to as “target assembly-related TP”) is searched.

  The virtual assembling unit 124 performs an assembling simulation of the TP based on an instruction from the virtual assembling control unit 126. Then, as a result of the assembly simulation, the virtual assembling unit 124 determines whether the editing (design change) of the target assembly is affected. When it is not possible to assemble the target assembly with the current TP as it is, the virtual assembly unit 124 can exemplify determining that there is an influence. Then, when it is determined that there is an influence, the virtual assembling unit 124 outputs the effect to the virtual assembling control unit 126, and when it is determined that there is no effect, the virtual assembling control unit 126 indicates that there is no effect. Output to the unit 126.

  When it is determined that the editing of the target assembly is affected, the virtual assembly unit 124 determines whether the TP can be automatically corrected so that the target assembly can be assembled. Then, when the TP can be automatically corrected, the virtual assembling section 124 automatically corrects the TP and outputs the corrected TP to the virtual assembling control section 126. On the other hand, when the TP cannot be automatically corrected, the virtual assembling unit 124 outputs to the virtual assembling control unit 126 that the TP cannot be automatically corrected.

The virtual assembly control unit 126 detects that the assembly has been edited (design changed) by the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110. For example, the virtual assembly control unit 126 may add a new part or delete a part from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional CAD data of the assembly when editing the assembly performed by the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110. It is possible to exemplify that the detection is performed when the operation is performed or when the shape of the assembly is edited (design change).
If the virtual assembly control unit 126 detects the editing (design change) of the assembly, it causes the search unit 123 to search for the target assembly related TP stored in the DB 300, and extracts the target assembly related TP extracted as a result of the search. Get TP. Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to execute an assembly simulation of the acquired target assembly-related TP. Thereafter, the virtual assembly control unit 126 outputs an assembly simulation of whether or not the target assembly-related TP output from the virtual assembly unit 124 is affected, and if so, whether or not automatic correction is possible. Get the result. Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 outputs these assembly simulation results to the display control unit 125.

  When the above-described assembly simulation result is obtained from the virtual assembly control unit 126, the display control unit 125 determines that the result is that there is no influence, that there is an influence but that it can be automatically corrected, that there is an influence, and that the automatic One of the facts that the correction is impossible is displayed on the display unit 13.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a part use process performed by the teaching support unit 120. The teaching support unit 120 repeatedly executes the part use process at regular intervals (for example, 1 millisecond) set in advance.
The teaching support unit 120 detects whether or not the target assembly uses a new part during the editing of the target assembly to be edited performed by the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110. Is determined (S501). This is a process performed by the detection unit 121.
If it is detected (Yes in S501), the teaching support unit 120 determines whether or not a part to be newly used is used for the first time in the target assembly (S502). This is a process determined by the detection unit 121.
Then, when it is used for the first time (Yes in S502), the teaching support unit 120 stores a part to be newly used (new part) in association with the TP of the target assembly (S503). This is a process performed by the management unit 122 that has acquired information from the detection unit 121.
After that, the teaching support unit 120 performs a later-described change process that is performed when the design of the target assembly is changed (S504). This is a process performed by the virtual assembly control unit 126.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part deletion process performed by the teaching support unit 120. The teaching support unit 120 repeatedly executes the part deletion process at predetermined intervals (for example, 1 millisecond).
The teaching support unit 120 determines whether or not a design change that deletes a part from the target assembly is detected when the target assembly is edited by the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110 ( S601). This is a process performed by the detection unit 121.
If it is detected (Yes in S601), it is determined whether any of the deleted components is not used in the target assembly (S602). This is a process determined by the detection unit 121.
If none is used (Yes in S602), the teaching support unit 120 deletes the stored association between the deleted part and the TP of the target assembly (S603). This is a process performed by the management unit 122 that has acquired information from the detection unit 121.
Thereafter, the teaching support unit 120 performs a later-described change process that is performed when the design of the target assembly is changed (S604). This is a process performed by the virtual assembly control unit 126.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process at the time of change performed by the teaching support unit 120. The teaching support unit 120 repeatedly executes the process at the time of change at regular intervals (for example, 1 millisecond) set in advance.
The virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the search unit 123 to acquire, from the DB 300, the target assembly and the latest TP of the higher-level assembly that uses the target assembly as a component (S701).

Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 sets the order i of the N TPs acquired in S701 to 1 (S702).
Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 determines whether or not the i-th TP is a TP of a higher-level assembly (S703). If it is the TP of the upper assembly (Yes in S703), the virtual assembly control unit 126 replaces the part used in the TP of the upper assembly with the latest state currently being edited (S704). For example, in the case of a design change using a new part in the target assembly, the TP of a higher-level assembly that uses the target assembly as a part is replaced with a state in which the target assembly uses a new part.

Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to execute the simulation of the TP (S705). If the virtual assembly control unit 126 is not the TP of the higher-level assembly (No in S703), the virtual assembly unit 124 performs a simulation of the TP (S705).
The virtual assembling unit 124 determines whether or not there is an influence as a result of the simulation (S706). When there is an influence (Yes in S706), the virtual assembly unit 124 determines whether the TP can be automatically corrected (S707).
If the TP can be automatically corrected (Yes in S707), the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the management unit 122 to store the automatically corrected TP in the DB 300 as the latest TP (S708). . Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the display control unit 125 to display on the display unit 13 that the automatic correction is possible (S709).

On the other hand, if it is not possible to automatically correct (No in S707), the virtual assembly control unit 126 displays on the display control unit 125 that the automatic correction is impossible on the display unit 13. (S710).
When it is determined that there is no influence in S706 (No in S706), the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the display control unit 125 to display on the display unit 13 that there is no influence (S711).

After S709, S710, or S711, the virtual assembly control unit 126 determines whether the order i of the TP has reached the number N acquired in S701 (S712). When the order i has not reached the acquisition number N (No in S712), the virtual assembly control unit 126 sets the order i to a value obtained by adding 1 to the current order i (i ← i + 1) (S713). . Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 performs the processing after S703. In this way, the processes of S703 to S713 are repeated until the order i of the TPs reaches the number of acquisitions N, and the influence on the acquired N TPs is displayed on the display unit 13.
Note that the order i in which the processes of S703 to S713 among the obtained N items are repeated is not particularly limited. It is possible to exemplify performing in a predetermined order such as the order of assembly numbers.

  An example of the processing performed by the design support apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. Assume that the current state of Assy A, Assy B, Sub Assy C, and Sub Assy D is the state shown in FIG.

(1) When a Design Change Using New Sub-Assembly D is Performed in Assy A FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 13 when a design change is performed using new sub-assembly D in Assy A. It is an example of a display screen.
FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example of an association between an assembly and a TP used for assembling the assembly stored in the DB 300 after the design change is performed. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly and a higher-level assembly of the assembly.
It is assumed that the designer changes the design of Assy A in the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110 and newly uses the sub-assy D. It is also assumed that the addition of sub-assembly D did not affect TP of assembly A.
In such a case, in the component use process described with reference to FIG. 5, the detection unit 121 determines that the target assembly (Assembly A) has detected a design change that uses a new component (sub-assy D). Then (Yes in S501), the detection unit 121 determines that the component (sub-assembly D) to be newly used is used for the first time in the target assembly (Assembly A) (Yes in S502). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the management unit 122 acquires information from the detection unit 121, and stores the new part (sub-assy D) and the TP of the target assembly (assy A) in association with each other (S503).

Thereafter, the virtual assembly control unit 126 performs the process at the time of change described with reference to FIG. 7 (S504).
In the process at the time of change, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the search unit 123 to acquire the latest TP of the target assembly (Assy A) from the DB 300 (S701). (There is no higher-level assembly that uses the target assembly (Assy A) as a part.)
The virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to simulate the TP because the TP acquired in S701 is one and the TP is not the TP of the upper assembly (No in S703) (No in S703). S705). As a result of the simulation, it is determined that there is no influence, so the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the display control unit 125 to display on the display unit 13 that there is no influence (S711). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, “Assy A / TP data A1: no effect” is displayed on the display unit 13.

(2) When the Design of Sub-Assembly D is Changed FIG. 10 is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 13 when the design of sub-assembly D is changed.
FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of an association between an assembly and a TP used for assembling the assembly, which is stored in the DB 300 after the design change is performed. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an example of association between an assembly and a higher-level assembly of the assembly.
It is assumed that the designer has changed the design of sub-assembly D (hereinafter referred to as “configuration change-1”) in the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110. It is also assumed that the design change of the sub-assembly D does not affect the TP of the sub-assembly D and the TP of the assembly B. On the other hand, it is assumed that although Assy A had an effect on the TP, automatic correction was possible.

In the process at the time of change described with reference to FIG. 7, the virtual assembly control unit 126 stores the TP data D1 which is the TP of the sub-assembly D which is the target assembly, the assembly A which is the upper assembly, and the assembly B in the search unit 123. TP data A1 and TP data B1, which are TPs, are acquired from the DB 300 (S701).
Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 sets the order i of the three TPs acquired in S701 to 1 (S702), and sets the TP data A1 of the first TP, Assy A, to the TP of the upper assembly. It is determined whether or not (S703). Since the TP data A1 is the TP of the upper assembly (Yes in S703), the virtual assembly control unit 126 replaces the component (sub-assembly D) used in the TP data A1 with the latest state currently being edited (S704). Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to execute the simulation of the TP data A1 (S705). In the case of this embodiment, the virtual assembling unit 124 determines that there is an influence as a result of the simulation (Yes in S706), and determines whether or not the virtual assembling unit 124 can automatically correct the TP data A1. Is determined (S707). In the case of this embodiment, since it is possible to automatically correct (Yes in S707), the virtual assembly control unit 126 instructs the management unit 122 to use the automatically corrected TP as the latest TP in the DB 300. (S708). Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the display control unit 125 to display on the display unit 13 that the TP data A1 can be automatically corrected (S709). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, “Assy A / TP data A1: Influenced / Automatic correction possible (TP data A2)” is displayed on the display unit 13.

Since the order i of the TP has not reached the number N (3 in this embodiment) acquired in S701 (No in S712), the virtual assembly control unit 126 sets the order i Is set to 2 which is a value obtained by adding 1 to the order 1 (S713).
Thereafter, the virtual assembly control unit 126 determines whether the TP data B1 of the second TP, Assy B, is a TP of a higher-level assembly (S703). Since the TP data B1 is the TP of the upper assembly (Yes in S703), the virtual assembly control unit 126 replaces the component (sub-assembly D) used in the TP data B1 with the latest state currently being edited (S704). Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to execute a simulation of the TP data B1 (S705). In the case of this embodiment, the virtual assembling unit 124 determines that there is no influence as a result of the simulation (No in S706). Is displayed (S711). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, “Assy B / TP data B1: no effect” is displayed on the display unit 13.

Since the order i of the TP has not reached the number N (3 in this embodiment) acquired in S701 (No in S712), the virtual assembly control unit 126 sets the order i Is set to 3, which is a value obtained by adding 1 to the order 2 (S713).
Thereafter, the virtual assembly control unit 126 determines whether the TP data D1 of the sub-assembly D that is the third TP is a TP of a higher-level assembly (S703). Since the TP data D1 is not the TP of the upper assembly (Yes in S703), the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to execute the simulation of the TP data D1 (S705). In the case of this embodiment, the virtual assembling unit 124 determines that there is no influence as a result of the simulation (No in S706). Is displayed (S711). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, "sub-assembly D / TP data D1: no effect" is displayed on display unit 13.

(3) When Design Change of Sub-Assembly C FIG. 12 is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 13 when design change of the sub-assembly C is performed.
It is assumed that the designer has changed the design of the sub-assembly C in the editing unit 111 of the design support unit 110 (designation 2). It is also assumed that the design change of the sub-assembly C has an effect on the TP of the assembly A, and automatic modification is impossible. Since the TP of the sub-assembly C does not exist, the design change of the sub-assembly C does not affect assembling the sub-assembly C itself.

In the process at the time of change described with reference to FIG. 7, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the search unit 123 to acquire the TP related to the sub-assembly C that is the target assembly (S701). Since the TP of the sub-assembly C does not exist, the search unit 123 obtains, from the DB 300, the TP data A2 that is the TP of the assembly A that is a higher-order assembly of the sub-assembly C.
Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 determines that the number of TPs acquired in S701 is one and the TP is the TP data A2 of the upper assembly (Assembly A) (Yes in S703). Then, the part (sub-assembly C) used in the TP data A2 is replaced with the latest state currently being edited (S704). Then, the virtual assembly control unit 126 causes the virtual assembly unit 124 to execute a simulation of the TP data A2 (S705). In the case of this embodiment, the virtual assembling unit 124 determines that there is an influence as a result of the simulation (Yes in S706), and whether or not the virtual assembling unit 124 can automatically correct the TP data A2. Is determined (S707). In the case of this embodiment, since it is impossible to automatically correct (No in S707), the virtual assembly control unit 126 does not allow the display control unit 125 to automatically correct the TP data A2. Is displayed on the display unit 13 (S710). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, "Assy A / TP data A2: Influenced / Automatic correction impossible" is displayed on the display unit 13.

  In the above-described embodiment, when there is no TP of the assembly subject to the design change, the items related to the TP are not displayed on the display unit 13. However, it is not particularly limited to such an embodiment. For example, when the TP of the assembly subject to the design change does not exist, the fact that there is no influence may be displayed on the display unit 13 because the TP does not exist. More specifically, when the above (3) design change of the sub-assembly C is performed, as shown in FIG. 12, the display unit 13 displays "No sub-assembly C / TP: no influence". Is also good.

As described above, the design support apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a virtual assembly control unit 126 as an example of a receiving unit that receives information on a shape change of a target component (for example, a sub-assembly C) of a design change; Virtual as an example of a determination unit that determines the influence of the shape change received by the control unit 126 on the TP as an example of teaching information used when assembling an assembly (for example, Assy A) that uses the target component as a component. It includes an assembling section 124 and a display section 13 for displaying the influence determined by the virtual assembling section 124.
According to the design support apparatus 100, the display unit 13 displays the influence of the shape change of the target part of the design change on the TP of the assembly that uses the target part as a component. Therefore, the designer can change the design so that the influence is small.

The design support apparatus 100 further includes a DB 300 as an example of a storage unit that stores a part (for example, a sub-assembly D) and a TP of an assembly (for example, Assy A) that uses this part as a component in association with each other. The virtual assembling unit 124 determines whether the DB 300 stores the target component (for example, the sub-assembly D) whose shape has been changed and which has been accepted by the virtual assembling control unit 126, and the TP associated with the target component. Determine the impact. As a result, even when there are many types of assemblies that use the target component of the design change as a component, it is possible to accurately determine the influence on the TP of all the assemblies.
The virtual assembling unit 124 determines whether or not the target component after the shape change can be assembled using the TP stored in the DB 300. As a result, the designer can prevent the robot from assembling an assembly using the target component as a component beforehand.

Further, in the design support apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the virtual assembling unit 124 determines that there is no influence, the display unit 13 informs that the design change of the target part does not affect the TP. It is displayed (for example, see FIG. 12). As a result, the designer can change the design of the target component with ease.
If the display unit 13 determines that it is not possible to assemble an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component while the virtual assembly unit 124 keeps the TP stored in the DB 300, When the design change is made, the fact that the TP is affected is displayed (for example, see FIG. 12). This enables the designer to know in advance that the design change of the target component affects the TP.

Further, in the design support apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the virtual assembling unit 124 can automatically correct the TP for assembling an assembly using the target component after the shape change as a component. When the display unit 13 determines that the virtual assembly unit 124 can automatically correct the TP, the display unit 13 displays that the TP can be automatically corrected (for example, FIG. 10). As a result, the designer can change the design of the target component with ease.
If the virtual assembly unit 124 determines that the TP can be automatically corrected, the virtual assembly unit 124 corrects the TP, and the DB 300 uses the TP corrected by the virtual assembly unit 124 for the assembly. It is good to memorize it in connection with a part. Thus, the DB 300 can store the latest TP. Further, since the TP is automatically corrected, the labor for changing the TP in the subsequent formal teaching stage of the upper assembly is greatly reduced.

  Further, in the design support apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the virtual assembling unit 124 can automatically correct the TP for assembling an assembly using the target component after the shape change as a component. If the virtual assembling unit 124 determines that it is impossible to automatically correct the TP, the display unit 13 displays that the TP cannot be automatically corrected ( For example, see FIG. As a result, the designer can prevent the robot from assembling an assembly using the target component as a component beforehand.

  Further, when a part of a component used by the assembly is no longer used, the DB 300 may not store the TP of the assembly in association with the component that is no longer used. Thereby, the DB 300 can store the latest state of the relationship between the part and the TP of the assembly, and when the shape change of the target part of the design change is performed, the change of the shape of the assembly using the target part as a component part is performed. The influence on the TP can be determined with high accuracy.

  The processing performed by the control unit 11 of the design support apparatus 100 described above can be realized by cooperation between software and hardware resources. In this case, the CPU of the control unit 11 executes a program for realizing each function of the control unit 11 and realizes each of these functions. For example, a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium storing the program is provided to the control unit 11, and the CPU reads the program stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program itself and the recording medium on which the program is recorded constitute the present invention. Examples of a recording medium for supplying such a program include a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM. Examples can be given. Further, the program may be downloaded to the design support apparatus 100 via the network 500.

  The program that constitutes the present invention has a function of receiving information on a shape change of a target component (for example, a sub-assembly C) of a design change, and an assembly that uses the target component as a component. This is a program for executing a function of determining an effect on TP as an example of teaching information used when assembling (for example, Assy A) and a function of displaying the effect.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Design support system, 13 ... Display part, 100 ... Design support apparatus, 110 ... Design support part, 120 ... Teaching support part, 200 ... Server, 300 ... DB, 500 ... Network

Claims (10)

A receiving unit for receiving information on a shape change of a target part of a design change;
A determination unit configured to determine an influence of the shape change received by the reception unit on teaching information used when assembling an assembly that uses the target component as a component;
A display unit for displaying the influence determined by the determination unit,
A design support device comprising: A storage unit that stores the part and the teaching information of the assembly using the part as a component in association with each other;
The determination unit determines the influence when the storage unit stores the target component whose shape has been changed received by the reception unit and the teaching information associated with the target component. The design support device according to claim 1. The design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the target component after the shape change can be assembled using the teaching information stored in the storage unit. The display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the determination unit determines that there is no influence, the change of the design of the target component does not affect the teaching information. A design support device according to the item. The display unit, when the determination unit determines that it is impossible to assemble an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component without changing the teaching information stored in the storage unit, The design support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the design change of the target part is performed, the fact that the teaching information is affected is displayed. The determination unit determines whether it is possible to automatically correct the teaching information for assembling an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component,
The design support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays that the teaching information can be automatically corrected when the determining unit determines that the teaching information can be automatically corrected. . The determining unit, when it is determined that the teaching information can be automatically corrected, corrects the teaching information,
The design support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage unit stores the teaching information corrected by the determination unit in association with a component used by the assembly. The determination unit determines whether it is possible to automatically correct the teaching information for assembling an assembly that uses the target component after the shape change as a component,
6. The design according to claim 5, wherein when the determination unit determines that the teaching information cannot be automatically corrected, the display unit displays that the teaching information cannot be automatically corrected. 7. Support equipment. The storage unit is configured not to store the teaching information of the assembly in association with the component that is no longer used when a part of the component used by the assembly is no longer used. Item 3. The design support device according to item 2. On the computer,
A function to receive information on the shape change of the target part of the design change,
A function of determining the effect of the received shape change on teaching information used when assembling an assembly using the target component as a component; and
A function for displaying the influence,
A program that executes