JP2021071910A - Design support device, design support method, and design support program - Google Patents

Abstract

To design products that satisfy performances as well as manufacturability and maintainability, suppress design rework, and bring the products to market at appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A design support device supports the design of products that satisfy both performances and manufacturability/maintainability, by an integrated analysis unit configured to use an analysis model constructed using results of analyzing an operation state of a product based on operating data of the product, and a part shape check tool unit configured to utilize design rules created based on manufacturing data and maintenance data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a product design support device, a design support method, and a design support program that support product design.

In the manufacturing industry, further performance improvement and cost reduction are required to meet customer demands for developed products. Furthermore, with the decentralization of manufacturing / maintenance bases and the diversification of operating environments, it is required to consider the manufacturability / maintainability according to each manufacturing / maintenance base and to design with high reliability in consideration of the actual operating environment. There is.

A product life cycle generally consists of design, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance processes. If there is a problem with manufacturability / maintainability in the manufacturing / maintenance process, or if there is a problem in operation in a production environment, depending on the problem, it may be necessary to go back to the design stage and deal with it. It becomes a factor of rework. When such a rework occurs, the product design period becomes long and the cost increases.

In order to deal with such problems, it is essential to have a design environment that can efficiently consider performance, cost, manufacturability, and maintainability in consideration of the actual operating environment at the design stage. For the purpose of supporting these designs, design support devices using analysis and past performance data have been developed so far.

Patent Document 1 discloses an integrated analysis device that simultaneously predicts the performance and cost of a mechanical structure to be analyzed for the purpose of improving analysis accuracy and shortening analysis time. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a device for creating a test automobile and running it in an actual environment to obtain operating data from a sensor attached to the automobile and reflect it in a design.

International Publication No. 2018/030030 U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,371

In Patent Document 1, analysis is performed using a template of analysis work registered in advance, the cost of a similar product in the past is searched from the product specifications, and a predicted value of the cost is calculated. However, in this method, the analysis model does not consider uncertain factors such as dimensional variation and difference in product usage environment, and it is difficult to perform highly accurate analysis reflecting the actual environment. In addition, manufacturability and maintainability are not taken into consideration, and there is a large risk of reworking the design at the manufacturing and maintenance stages.

In Patent Document 2, a test vehicle is used to acquire operation data in a real environment to improve the design. However, the items that should be considered in the design, such as manufacturability and maintainability, are not considered, and there is a possibility that design rework may occur at these confirmation stages.

In order to solve the above problems, the design support device according to the present invention is characterized by including an integrated analysis unit that performs integrated analysis related to product performance prediction and a shape check unit that performs shape check of the product. ..

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to design a product that satisfies performance, manufacturability, and maintainability, suppresses design rework, and enables the product to be put on the market at an appropriate timing.

It is a block diagram of the design support apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. This is a build-to-order product design process. It is a figure which shows the flow at the time of using the design support apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. This is an example of an input screen of the design support device according to the first embodiment. This is an example of modifying the three-dimensional shape by the design support device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow at the time of using the design support apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of the design support apparatus which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow at the time of using the design support apparatus which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process flow of the design support apparatus in the schematic design. It is a figure which shows the execution of a design support program by a computer.

In order to satisfy multiple indicators such as performance, manufacturability, assemblability, maintainability, and cost at the design stage, a design support device that combines analysis and data analysis tools corresponding to each indicator is effective. Therefore, a tool is used for integrated analysis that predicts performance using an analysis model constructed based on actual operation data, and a shape check tool that checks three-dimensional shapes based on design standards for manufacturability and maintainability and design rules created from defect information. Provide a design support device that designs products that satisfy multiple indicators in cooperation with the control unit.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to common parts, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows the design support device according to the first embodiment. The design support device includes a design condition input unit 101, a design result output unit 102, a tool control unit 103, an integrated analysis tool 104, an analysis model 105, an operating state analysis unit 106, operating data 107, a shape check tool 108, and a design rule 109. It has a rule digitization unit 110, manufacturing data 111, standard / standard data 112, defect data 113, and maintenance data 116. The integrated analysis tool 104, the analysis model 105, the operating state analysis unit 106, and the operating data 107 are referred to as the integrated analysis unit 114. Further, the shape check tool 108, the design rule 109, the rule digitization unit 110, the manufacturing data 111, the standard / standard data 112, the defect data 113, and the maintenance data 116 are used as the shape check unit 115. Further, the manufacturing data 111, the standard / standard data 112, the defect data 113, and the maintenance data 116 are used as the design data 117. The functions called tools and parts are computer programs and are stored in a storage medium. It is called from the storage medium by the user's operation or another program and executed on the computer.

Further, when the design support device is divided into layers, it becomes a user utilization unit, a control unit, a tool unit, a knowledge database, a data knowledge processing unit, and a site database. Specifically, the design condition input unit 101 and the design result output unit 102 are used as the user utilization unit, the integrated analysis tool 104 and the shape check tool 108 are used as the tool unit, and the analysis model 105 and the design rule 109 are used as the knowledge database. The state analysis unit 106 and the rule digitization unit 110 are used as the data knowledge processing unit, and the operation data 107, the manufacturing data 111, the standard / standard data 112, the maintenance data 116, and the defect data 113 are used as the on-site database.

The design condition input unit 101 inputs a rough design plan of the product, three-dimensional shape data of parts and assemblies, analysis conditions, and design rules to be checked, or selects from a database. When it is automatically determined whether the outline design proposal and the three-dimensional shape data satisfy the required specifications such as performance and cost, the customer's required specifications and product standards are input. The tool control unit 103 calls the integrated analysis tool or the shape check tool, and executes the analysis or the shape check using the data input to the design condition input unit 101. The design result output unit 102 outputs the result of the analysis or shape check executed by the tool control unit 103.

The configuration of the integrated analysis unit 114 will be described. The operation data 107 is a database that collects data such as temperature, vibration, and stress of the equipment constituting the product collected from the product during operation as operation data. The operating state analysis unit 106 performs statistical processing on the operating data and processing using the governing equation of the physical phenomenon, and generates a mathematical model that approximates the phenomenon. The analysis model 105 is an analysis model database configured by using the mathematical model generated by the operating state analysis unit 106. The integrated analysis tool 104 is an analysis solver that executes analysis such as stress analysis, structural analysis, and thermo-fluid analysis.

The configuration of the shape check unit 115 will be described. The manufacturing data 111, maintenance data 116, standard / standard data 112, and defect data 113 are data in past products and data of standards and standards defined by the design department. The design rule is created based on these data, but the target data is not limited to the data described here. The rule digitization unit 110 uses these data to generate design rules to be checked at the design stage. Further, the rule digitization unit 110 digitizes and programs the design rule so that it can be implemented in the shape check tool. The design rule 109 is a database in which the rules created by the rule digitization unit 110 are stored. The shape check tool 108 checks whether the three-dimensional shape data conforms to the design rule.

The tool control unit 103 will be described in detail. The tool control unit 103 transfers the three-dimensional shape of the part or assembly input by the design condition input unit 101 and the design rule to be checked with the input or selected analysis condition to the integrated analysis tool and the shape check tool, respectively. In addition, when the integrated analysis and shape check are executed multiple times, the analysis conditions and design rules used at the beginning are reused and the tool is automatically executed.

As described above, the design support device according to the first embodiment has a three-dimensional shape based on integrated analysis using a high-precision analysis model based on operation data at the design stage and design rules created from manufacturing and maintenance data. By performing the check, it is possible to analyze the performance in consideration of the dimensional variation of the product and the change in the usage environment, and to design in consideration of manufacturing and maintenance, and it is possible to minimize the rework of the design.

Hereinafter, the processing method of the design support device according to the first embodiment will be specifically shown with reference to the design process shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the design process of a made-to-order product. For make-to-order products, bids are made after inquiries from customers to decide whether or not to accept orders, but as a result of analyzing market trends, the basic process is the same even when planned production is performed, except that there are no bids. Examples of products include railroad vehicles and generators in the case of build-to-order manufacturing, and home appliances in the case of planned production.

For made-to-order products such as railroad cars and generators, a rough design is made after an inquiry from a customer (step 201), a bid is made (step 203), a detailed design is made when an order is decided (step 202), and then manufacturing move on.

The schematic design will be described. In the rough configuration design, a rough design plan of the product is created based on the specifications required by the customer. For example, in the case of a railroad vehicle, the design specifications of the vehicle and electrical equipment are examined in consideration of specifications such as speed and number of passengers and standards such as vibration, noise, and collision safety (step 203). Next, the integrated analysis unit 114 performs basic performance analysis and confirms whether or not the required specifications are satisfied (step 204). At this stage, three-dimensional shapes are often not created yet, and equations using simple physical models and design formulas created based on past products are used for analysis. Then, the approximate cost is estimated with reference to the cost of the past product (step 205). When the order is decided, detailed design is performed based on the design specifications created in the schematic configuration design.

The detailed design will be described. Based on the specifications of the schematic configuration design, a three-dimensional detailed shape design is performed (step 206). Next, the shape check unit 115 analyzes the performance by detailed analysis using the three-dimensional shape data, and confirms whether or not the customer's required specifications are satisfied (step 207). Here, a detailed analysis such as the finite element method or an analysis model obtained by reducing the result obtained by the finite element method is used. Then, a detailed cost estimate considering the three-dimensional shape is performed (step 208). For example, the detailed cost is estimated by multiplying the shape and dimension of the part by the material unit price and adding the processing cost. When these processes are completed, manufacturing proceeds. The present invention mainly targets the detailed design process after receiving an order for handling a three-dimensional shape, but by adding the cost prediction described later, it becomes effective even at the stage before receiving an order when the shape is not decided.

FIG. 3 shows a user usage procedure and a processing flow of the design support device of the present invention. In the detailed design, the user creates a part shape by using three-dimensional CAD or the like, and creates an assembly by combining them (step 301). Next, the integrated analysis unit 114 executes the analysis using the analysis conditions input to the design condition input unit 101 (step 302). If the required specifications are not satisfied from the analysis result (step 303; No), a shape is created so as to be satisfied (step 301), and the analysis is executed again (step 302). If the required specifications are satisfied and the shape modification is no longer necessary (step 303; Yes), the shape check unit 115 checks whether the shape of the three-dimensional CAD for which analysis has been completed conforms to the design rules (step 305). ). Here, if there is a violation of the design rule and the shape needs to be corrected (step 306; Yes), and the correction is irrelevant to the performance (step 307; Yes), the shape is corrected (step 308), and the process ends. In the case of a correction related to performance (step 307; No), the process returns to the part shape creation (step 301). If the shape modification is unnecessary (step 306; No), the process ends as it is. In this embodiment, the flow when the analysis is executed first and the shape check is performed next is described, but the shape check may be executed first by changing the order.

FIG. 4 is an example of an input screen of the design support device according to the first embodiment. The user operates the shape creation / tool execution IF shown in FIG. This is a case where the design support device of the present invention is implemented as an add-in in the three-dimensional CAD. In this case, shape creation, analysis, and shape check can be executed from the same screen. The screen of the shape creation / tool execution IF401 has an add-in selection button 402, a function execution unit 403, a file operation execution unit 404, and a three-dimensional CAD display unit 405. The user opens the shape creation / tool execution IF by pressing the add-in selection button 402. The file operation execution unit 404 operates the shape read button 406 to read the shape data created separately. By pressing the analysis execution button 407 or the shape check button 408 of the function execution unit 403, each function is executed. In the case of the analysis execution button, the analysis conditions input to the design condition input unit are automatically set and the analysis is executed. Further, in the case of the shape check button, the design rule input to the design condition input unit is automatically set and the shape check is executed. By pressing the result output button 409, the analysis result or the shape check result is output. Note that FIG. 4 shows a case where the design support device is implemented as an add-in in the three-dimensional CAD, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.

An example of analysis and shape check processing is shown using the three-dimensional shape models 501 and 502 of FIG. The three-dimensional shape model 501 is a frame in which a plurality of beams are combined, and a part of the frame is fixed by welding 503. For similar products in the past, we will create an analysis model that corrects the boundary conditions and material constants from the data of the external force and ambient temperature applied to the frame measured in the actual operation state, and perform strength analysis. As a result, a beam 504 is provided as reinforcement. Here, as a design rule in consideration of manufacturability, it is checked whether or not a sufficient space 505 for inserting the welding apparatus is secured. As a result, it was found that it interfered with the reinforcing beam 504, and it was necessary to change the position of the beam. The three-dimensional shape model 502 is a frame after shape modification. As a result of removing the beam 504 and performing the analysis again, the thickness of the beam 506 was changed and the beam 507 for reinforcement was newly installed to obtain a shape that ensured the required strength and welding workability. Can be created.

Up to this point, the case where the user corrects the shape has been described, but a large number of shapes of a certain part may be created in advance, and analysis and shape check may be performed on all the shapes. FIG. 6 shows a processing flow. First, a plurality of possible component shapes for one component are created (step 601). Here, a method in which the designer selects a plurality of parts from the past parts or a plurality of part shapes may be automatically created by topology optimization. Then, analysis execution by the integrated analysis tool 104 (step 602) and shape check execution by the shape check tool 108 (step 603) are performed for all the component shapes, and a shape that satisfies both the performance and the design rule is extracted (step 603). Step 604). As a result, if there is no shape that satisfies both (step 605; No), the process returns to step 601 and if there is a shape that satisfies both (step 605; Yes), the process ends. By creating a large number of shapes in advance in this way, the repetitive work of analysis and shape check is eliminated, and the design efficiency is improved.

The technical implications of cooperation between integrated analysis and shape check tools will be described. When the integrated analysis and the shape check tool are linked, the shape check becomes a constraint condition when searching for a shape that satisfies the performance in the analysis. A similar technique is shape optimization tools. In this method, for example, a dimension having a three-dimensional shape is limited to a specific range, and a shape that satisfies the performance is examined. Here, the dimensions recognized by the designer are limited. On the other hand, in the present invention, by setting the design rule as a constraint condition, it is possible to consider the positional relationship of shapes and parts that the designer has not fully grasped. Therefore, it is possible to perform optimization on a large number of elements as compared with the conventional optimization tool.

The methods shown so far are examples of design procedures using integrated analysis and shape check tools, and the present invention is not limited to these procedures.

FIG. 7 shows the design support device according to the second embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. The design support device shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a performance-cost trade-off analysis unit 706. The performance / cost trade-off analysis unit 706 has a performance / cost trade-off analysis tool 701, a cost model 702, a required specification / cost relationship learning unit 703, an actual product required specification 704, and an actual product manufacturing cost 705.

The actual product requirement specification 704 is a database in which the requirement specifications of past products are accumulated. The required specifications are the customer's required specifications and the standards and standards related to the product. The actual product manufacturing cost 705 is a database that accumulates the costs of past products. The requirement specification / cost relationship learning unit 703 learns the relationship between the requirement specification and cost of each product. Learning methods include formulation by regression analysis and creation of approximate models using machine learning such as neural networks. The cost model 702 is a database accumulating cost models created by the requirement specification / cost relationship learning unit. The performance / cost trade-off analysis tool 701 analyzes the trade-off between cost and performance using a cost model.

FIG. 8 shows a procedure for using the design support device of the present invention and a processing flow. The usage procedure in the detailed design (step 202) and the usage procedure in the schematic design (step 201) of FIG. 2 will be described. First, the usage procedure in the detailed design will be described. The same processing as in FIG. 3 is designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The cost prediction steps after the analysis and shape check processing will be explained. The performance / cost trade-off analysis tool 701 makes a cost prediction for a three-dimensional shape for which analysis and shape check have been completed (step 801). If the cost is not within the permissible range and shape modification is required (step 802; Yes), and the modification is unrelated to performance or design rules (step 803; Yes), shape modification is performed (step 804) and the process ends. It becomes. In the case of a modification related to the performance or the design rule (step 803; No), the process returns to the creation of the part shape (step 301). If the shape modification is unnecessary (step 802; No), the process ends as it is. The usage procedure in the schematic design is shown. In the schematic design (step 201) of FIG. 2, since the three-dimensional shape has not been created yet, the integrated analysis unit 114 and the performance-cost trade-off analysis unit 706 are used. In the integrated analysis, the design specifications examined in the schematic design are analyzed and the results are corrected. The shape is not checked, the cost is predicted, and the specifications required by the customer and the design specifications that satisfy the cost are extracted.

FIG. 9 shows a procedure and a processing flow for using the design support device of the present invention in the schematic design. In the schematic design, the user creates a schematic design plan using spreadsheet software or the like (step 901). Next, the integrated analysis unit 114 executes the analysis in order to evaluate whether the specifications are satisfied (step 902). If the required specifications are not satisfied from the analysis results (step 903; No), the design proposal is modified so as to be satisfied (step 903). If the required specifications are satisfied and the design proposal does not need to be modified (step 903; Yes), then the performance-cost trade-off analysis unit 706 makes a cost prediction of the design proposal for which the analysis has been completed (step). 904). If the cost does not meet the specifications, the design proposal needs to be modified (step 905; Yes), and the modification is unrelated to performance (step 906; Yes), the design proposal is modified (step 907), and the process ends. .. In the case of a modification related to performance (step 906; Yes), the process returns to the creation of a rough configuration design plan (step 901). If the cost satisfies the use and the modification of the design proposal is unnecessary (step 905; No), the process is terminated as it is. In this embodiment, the flow in the case where the analysis is executed first and then the cost is predicted has been described, but the order may be changed and the cost prediction may be performed first.

Also in this embodiment, a plurality of three-dimensional shapes and outline design proposals may be created, integrated analysis, shape check, and cost prediction may be performed at the same time, and a three-dimensional shape and outline design proposal satisfying all of them may be selected.

Next, the execution of the design support program by the computer will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing execution of a design support program by a computer. As shown in FIG. 10, a computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that functions as an arithmetic unit and a control device, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, an input device, and an output device. The auxiliary storage device is composed of an optical storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, or the like, and stores a design support program.

The CPU reads the design support program from the auxiliary storage device, deploys it to the main storage device, and executes calculations and controls according to the procedure specified in the design support program to input design conditions, control tools, and perform integrated analysis. Functions such as shape check and design result output can be realized, and the design support method can be executed in the same way as the design support device. The configuration shown in FIG. 10 may be connected via a predetermined network. For example, the auxiliary storage device may be connected via the network, or the input device and the output device may be connected via the network.

In the explanation so far, the configuration in which the tool control unit 103 supports the design by linking the integrated analysis and the shape check has been described, but as one modification, as a configuration in which the results of the integrated analysis and the shape check are output side by side. It is also possible to carry out. In this case, the design result output unit 102 displays and outputs the result of the integrated analysis and the result of the shape check for the same design at the same time or by switching. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether or not both the integrated analysis and the shape check satisfy the requirements, and the design can be performed efficiently.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. That is, other forms considered within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, it can be carried out in various forms as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, each configuration and each process exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be integrated or separated as appropriate according to the mounting form and processing efficiency.

101 ... Design condition input unit, 102 ... Design result output unit, 103 ... Tool control unit, 104 ... Integrated analysis tool, 105 ... Analysis model, 106 ... Operating state analysis unit, 107 ... Operation data, 108 ... Shape check tool, 109 ... Design rule, 110 ... Rule digitization unit, 111 ... Manufacturing data, 112 ... Standard / standard data, 113 ... Defect data, 114 ... Integrated analysis unit, 115 ... Shape check unit, 116 ... Maintenance data, 117 ... Design data, 401 ... Shape creation / tool execution IF, 402 ... Add-in selection button, 403 ... Function execution unit, 404 ... File operation execution unit, 405 ... Three-dimensional CAD display unit, 406 ... Shape reading button, 407 ... Analysis execution button, 408 ... Shape check button, 409 ... Result output button, 701 ... Performance / cost trade-off analysis tool, 702 ... Cost model, 703 ... Required specifications / cost relationship learning department, 704 ... Actual product required specifications, 705 ... Actual product manufacturing cost, 706 ... Performance and cost trade-off analysis unit

Claims (11)

In design support equipment that supports product design
An integrated analysis unit that performs integrated analysis related to prediction of the performance of the product based on the operation data of the product, and
A design support device including a shape check unit that checks the shape of the product based on past product design data. The design support device according to claim 1.
The design data and manufacturing cost of the past products,
A learning unit that learns the relationship between the design data for creating a cost model and the manufacturing cost,
A cost model database that accumulates the cost model and
A design support device including a trade-off analysis unit including a performance / cost trade-off analysis tool that analyzes a trade-off relationship between the performance of the product and the manufacturing cost based on the accumulated cost model. The design support device according to claim 1.
A tool control unit that links the integrated analysis unit and the shape check unit,
A design condition input unit for inputting the shape of the parts constituting the product, the analysis conditions for analyzing the performance of the product, and the check items for the shape of the parts.
A design support device including a design result output unit that outputs the results of the integrated analysis and the shape check. The design support device according to claim 2.
A tool control unit that links the integrated analysis unit, the shape check unit, and the trade-off analysis unit, and
A design condition input unit for inputting the shape of the parts constituting the product, the analysis conditions for analyzing the performance of the product, and the check items for the shape of the parts.
A design support device including a design result output unit that outputs the results of the integrated analysis, the shape check, and the cost prediction. The design support device according to claim 1.
A design support device further comprising a design result output unit that outputs the result of analysis by the integrated analysis unit for the same design and the result of shape check by the shape check unit side by side. The design support device according to claim 2.
A design result output unit that outputs the result of the integrated analysis by the integrated analysis unit for the same design, the result of the shape check by the shape check unit, and the result of the cost prediction by the trade-off analysis unit side by side is further provided. Design support device to be equipped. The integrated analysis unit includes the operation data, an operation state analysis unit that estimates the operation state of the product, an analysis model database constructed based on the analysis results of the operation state analysis unit, and an integrated analysis tool that is an analysis solver. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the design support device comprises. The shape check unit includes a rule digitization unit that analyzes the design data of the past product, creates and programs the design rule, a rule database that stores the created design rule, and a shape check tool. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the design support device has. The design data includes at least one of manufacturing data relating to the manufacture of the past product, maintenance data relating to the maintenance of the past product, and defect data relating to defects occurring in the past product. The design support device according to any one of ~ 5. In the design support method that supports product design,
An integrated analysis step in which a predetermined data processing device performs an integrated analysis related to prediction of the performance of the product based on the operation data of the product.
A design support method, wherein the data processing apparatus includes a shape check step for checking the shape of the product based on past product design data. In a design support program that supports product design
An integrated analysis procedure for performing an integrated analysis related to prediction of the performance of the product based on the operation data of the product, and an integrated analysis procedure.
A design support program characterized by having a computer execute a shape check procedure for checking the shape of the product based on past product design data.

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