JP2023148440A - Design support device and design support method - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily determine panel division positions that satisfy performance while suppressing the overall weight of components when dividing a panel-shaped parent component into a plurality of child components.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes an analysis unit that performs calculation processing for performance analysis using design information of a parent component W and an analysis condition. The analysis unit 30 performs the processing of: dividing the parent component for each distance dimension of a preset point pitch of spot welding and forming a plurality of divided panels wi; determining a plate thickness that satisfies required performance for each of the plurality of divided panels; connecting a value of the plate thickness determined for each of the plurality of divided panels on coordinates to form a plate thickness distribution curve C, in the shape of the parent component made of the plurality of divided panels; setting, as a panel wrap area R, an area on a thick plate side between inflection points Cp, from among the plate thickness distribution curve; and determining division positions of child components based on the panel wrap area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a design support device and a design support method, and more particularly, to a design support device and a design support method for determining optimal dividing positions in vehicle component parts.

In each of the plurality of parts constituting a vehicle, there are predetermined restrictions on where to divide the part shape from the viewpoint of performance, and the regions that can be divided are naturally determined. At present, the specific position at which the product is to be divided within this determined divisible area is determined based on the designer's experience.

Patent Document 1 describes how to determine the optimal dividing position in a parent part in a product (called a parent part) formed by connecting a plurality of panel parts (called child parts) formed by press-molding thin plates. A method for determining this is disclosed.
The optimal division position determination method disclosed in Patent Document 1 sets a plurality of division position candidates within a divisible area of CAD information of a parent part, and determines the position of each child part when the parent part is divided at one of the division position candidates. Calculate the unfolded shape.

Next, calculate the margin developed shape that provides the necessary margin for the developed shape, calculate the minimum plate dimensions that include each margin developed shape, and calculate the total material cost of the entire part from the plate dimensions, etc. .
Further, the total material costs are similarly calculated for other division position candidates, and the division position candidate that minimizes the material cost is determined as the optimal division position.
According to such a method, it is possible to determine the optimal dividing position that can reduce costs, and it is possible to manufacture products at lower cost.

JP2013-25543A

However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the cost of the entire part can be surely suppressed, the performance such as rigidity and resonance frequency, weight, and overlap between parts in the divided child parts can be reduced. This method does not take into account areas (wrapped areas), etc. at all.
Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult for a product (parent part) based on the division position determined by this method to meet performance requirements.

When considering performance such as stiffness and resonant frequency, weight, and overlap between parts as described above, it is conventional to use a program that allows a computer to perform structural analysis using the finite element method, or a design support equipment (CAE) that implements the program. is widely used.

However, when checking the stress and deformation state using CAE and determining the splitting position, the optimal splitting position is determined by adjusting the splitting position and plate thickness of the part based on the operator's experience each time the program is executed. Until then, CAE had to be repeated, which required a long time and effort.

The present invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned points, and when dividing a panel-shaped parent part into a plurality of child parts, it is possible to easily determine the panel division position that satisfies the performance while suppressing the overall weight of the parts. The purpose is to provide a design support method that allows decisions to be made.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a design support device according to the present invention provides, in a panel-shaped parent part that is divided into a plurality of panel-shaped child parts, the dividing position at which the child parts are divided and the board of each child part. The design support device includes an analysis section that performs arithmetic processing for performance analysis using the design information and analysis conditions of the parent part, and the analysis section calculates the distance of the spot welding dot pitch set in advance. A process of dividing the parent part according to dimensions to form a plurality of divided panels, a process of determining a plate thickness that satisfies the required performance for each of the plurality of divided panels, and a process of dividing the parent part consisting of the plurality of divided panels. In the shape, the plate thickness values determined for each of the plurality of divided panels are connected on coordinates to form a plate thickness distribution curve, and the area on the thick plate side between the inflection points of the plate thickness distribution curve is The present invention is characterized in that it performs a process of setting a panel wrap area as a panel wrap area, and a process of determining division positions of child parts based on the panel wrap area.

In addition, it is preferable that the analysis unit performs a process of determining, for each child component, the largest thickness among the thicknesses of the plurality of divided panels excluding the panel wrap area as the thickness of the child component.

According to such a configuration, the optimum plate thickness for each of a plurality of divided panels obtained by dividing a panel-shaped parent part at the minimum dot pitch of spot welding is determined by, for example, CAE. Then, an inflection point is determined from the plate thickness distribution approximate curve when the divided panels are connected to the parent part shape, and the range of the child part is determined by overlapping the panels in the area on the thick plate side between the inflection points. Thereby, in the parent part, it is possible to determine division positions that satisfy performance such as rigidity while suppressing the weight of the entire part and taking into consideration the lap positions of the child parts.
In addition, by determining the optimal plate thickness for each of multiple split panels, the range of small parts (split positions) is determined, so there is no need to repeat CAE evaluations until the optimal split positions are determined, as in the past. , labor and time can be significantly reduced.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a design support method according to the present invention provides a design support method that includes a computer and a storage device in which a program executable by the computer is stored. A design support method for determining dividing positions for dividing a panel-shaped parent part into a plurality of child parts and the plate thickness of each child part by executing a program stored in a storage device, the computer By executing a program stored in a storage device, the computer divides the parent part into a plurality of divided panels according to a distance dimension of a spot welding dot pitch set in advance; The step of determining the plate thickness that satisfies the required performance for each divided panel, and the step of connecting the plate thickness values determined for each of the plurality of divided panels on coordinates in the shape of the parent part consisting of the plurality of divided panels. forming a thickness distribution curve; setting a region of the plate thickness distribution curve on the thick plate side between inflection points as a panel wrap area; and determining division positions of child parts based on the panel wrap area. The method is characterized by performing the steps of:

After the step of determining the dividing position of the child component based on the panel wrap area, the computer selects the largest board among the plate thicknesses of the plurality of divided panels excluding the panel wrap area in each of the child parts. It is desirable to perform the step of determining the thickness to be the plate thickness of the child component.

According to such a method, the optimum plate thickness for each of a plurality of divided panels obtained by dividing a panel-shaped parent part at the minimum dot pitch of spot welding is determined by, for example, CAE. Then, an inflection point is determined from the plate thickness distribution approximate curve when the divided panels are connected to the parent part shape, and the range of the child part is determined by overlapping the panels in the area on the thick plate side between the inflection points. Thereby, in the parent part, it is possible to determine division positions that satisfy performance such as rigidity while suppressing the weight of the entire part and taking into consideration the lap positions of the child parts.
In addition, by determining the optimal plate thickness for each of multiple split panels, the range of small parts (split positions) is determined, so there is no need to repeat CAE evaluations until the optimal split positions are determined, as in the past. , labor and time can be significantly reduced.

According to the present invention, when dividing a panel-shaped parent part into a plurality of child parts, there is provided a design support method that can easily determine panel division positions that satisfy performance while suppressing the overall weight of the parts. can do.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a design support apparatus that executes the design support method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating the dividing position of a parent part and the thickness of divided child parts according to the design support method of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of the parent component in this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the positions of divided panels obtained by dividing the parent part at the minimum dot pitch. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the positions of dividing lines forming divided panels. FIG. 7 is a graph for explaining a method of forming child parts from divided panels, and is a graph showing a plate thickness distribution approximate curve. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the range of child parts (division positions of parent parts). FIG. 9 is a flowchart following the flowchart of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a design support device and a design support method according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In this embodiment, in each of the plurality of parts (hereinafter referred to as parent parts) that constitute the vehicle, there is a position where the panel-shaped parent part is divided into a plurality of parts (hereinafter referred to as child parts). , and the thickness of each child component to be divided.

First, the functional configuration of a design support apparatus that executes the design support method according to the present invention will be explained based on FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a design support apparatus that executes the design support method of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the design support device 100 includes an information processing device 1 that determines the dividing position in a panel-shaped parent part and the thickness of the divided child parts, an input device 2 that receives various requests from a designer, The information processing device 1 includes an output device 3 that outputs the analysis results performed by the information processing device 1. Further, the information processing device 1 is connected to a CAD device 4 via a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

Here, the input device 2 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and receives various requests from the designer, analysis conditions (physical property value information, restraint conditions, load conditions, volume density, etc.), etc., and outputs them to the information processing device 1. .
The output device 3 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays image information output by the information processing device 1.
Further, the CAD device 4 stores CAD information of a structure to be subjected to structural analysis (for example, design information of a component of an automobile). Then, the CAD device 4 outputs CAD information to the information processing device 1 in accordance with a request from the information processing device 1. Note that the CAD device 4 of this embodiment is realized by a known technique, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

The information processing device 1 also includes a control section 10, a data acquisition section 20, an analysis section 30, and an output section 40.
The control unit 10 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 1 . Further, the control unit 10 receives various requests input by the designer via the input device 2. Then, the control section 10 controls the data acquisition section 20, the analysis section 30, and the output section 40 in accordance with the received request, and performs various processes according to the request from the designer.

The data acquisition unit 20 also communicates with an external device (for example, the CAD device 4) connected to the network NW, and exchanges data with the external device. For example, the data acquisition unit 20 accesses the CAD device 4 via the network NW and acquires design information (CAD information) stored in the CAD device 4.
Further, the data acquisition unit 20 receives, via the input device 2, an input of analysis conditions of a structure to be analyzed, which is input by a designer.

The analysis unit 30 executes each processing step shown in FIG. 3 using the "design information" and "analysis conditions" of the structure (parent part) obtained from the CAD device 4, and satisfies performance such as torsional rigidity. The dividing position of the parent part and the thickness of the divided child part, which can be made lighter and lighter, are calculated.
Further, the output unit 40 acquires the analysis result from the analysis unit 30, generates image information etc. indicating the analysis result, and outputs the generated image information etc. to the output device 3.

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 will be explained.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the information processing device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50, a main storage device 51 including a RAM (Random Access Memory), an I/O interface 52, and an SSD (Solid State Drive). The network interface 54 has an auxiliary storage device 53 configured with the like, and a network interface 54 that controls data exchange between devices connected to the network NW.
Further, the auxiliary storage device 53 stores a program (design support program 55) for realizing the functions of each of the above-mentioned units (control unit 10, data acquisition unit 20, analysis unit 30, and output unit 40). .

The functions of each section (control section 10, data acquisition section 20, analysis section 30, and output section 40) of the information processing device 1 are such that the CPU 50 (computer) stores the program stored in the auxiliary storage device 53 in the main memory. This is realized by loading it into the device 51 and executing it.

Next, a process performed by the design support apparatus 100 for determining the dividing position in a panel-shaped parent part and the plate thickness of the child part to be divided will be explained based on the flow of FIG. 3.
Here, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process procedure for calculating the dividing position of a parent part and the thickness of divided child parts (component parts) according to the design support method of the present invention.

In the following description, a case where the structure (parent part) to be analyzed is a back door opening panel 250 of an automobile 200 as shown in FIG. 4 is taken as an example. Further, since the CAE processing (for example, rigid CAE) performed in the following processing steps is similar to well-known processing, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, the data acquisition unit 20 of the information processing device 1 reads data to be analyzed (step S1 in FIG. 3).
Specifically, the data acquisition unit 20 accesses the CAD device 4 via the network NW, acquires the design information (CAD information) of the parent part W stored in the CAD device 4, and uses the information processing device 1 The acquired design information of the back door opening panel 250 is stored in the memory (main storage device 51 or auxiliary storage device 53).
Further, the data acquisition unit 20 accepts (receives) the "analysis conditions of the parent part W" inputted by the designer via the input device 2, and stores the Store analysis conditions. Here, the analysis conditions are conditions such as the material and plate thickness of the parent part W.

Next, the analysis unit 30 analyzes the obtained shape data of the parent part W into a plurality of panels wi (i=1 to n (n is a positive integer)) at the minimum dot pitch in the surface direction, as shown in FIG. (steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 3). Here, the minimum dot pitch is a distance dimension that is substantially the shortest pitch when joining a plurality of sub-components by spot welding, and is, for example, 20 mm. Further, the dividing direction is determined by calculating the length of each dividing line at the minimum dot pitch as shown in FIG. 6, and setting the direction in which the total length thereof is the shortest, and determining the dividing line L. This makes it possible to further reduce the division length in the final shape and suppress a decrease in strength.

Next, the analysis unit 30 sequentially sets the initial thickness value (for example, the maximum thickness value within the settable range) for each divided panel wi (steps S4, S5, and S6 in FIG. 3), and calculates the necessary thickness. Performance evaluation, such as rigidity CAE (rigidity analysis), is performed to calculate, for example, the "deflection amount" of each divided panel wi (step S7 in FIG. 3).
Specifically, the analysis unit 30 executes rigidity CAE using the finite element method using the design information and analysis conditions of the divided panels wi whose thicknesses have been set, and determines the amount of deflection of each divided panel wi.

The analysis unit 30 determines whether the stiffness CAE result satisfies the required performance for each divided panel wi (step S8 in FIG. 3), and if it satisfies the required performance, sets the plate thickness setting value to a smaller value, Repeat stiffness CAE. If the rigidity does not meet the required performance (step S8 in FIG. 3), the previous thickness setting value is adopted as the final thickness value, and the thickness value of each divided panel wi is determined. (Step S9 in FIG. 3).

When the thicknesses of all the divided panels wi are determined (step S10 in FIG. 3), the analysis unit 30 calculates a two-dimensional thickness distribution approximate curve C when the divided panels wi are connected as shown in the graph of FIG. It is formed on the coordinates (step S11 in FIG. 3).
Note that the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 7 is the plate thickness (mm), and the horizontal axis is the position (mm) in the panel width (line length of the ridgeline) direction. Further, the graph in FIG. 7 shows a part (i=1 to 26) of the n divided panels wi, and shows an example where, for example, three child parts SW are formed in that range. It is something.
The analysis unit 30 determines the inflection point Cp of the plate thickness distribution approximate curve C, and sets the thick plate side (direction where the plate thickness is thicker) between adjacent inflection points Cp as the panel wrap region R (overlap region). (Step S12 in FIG. 3). The thickness of the lap region R is the sum of the thicknesses of the two overlapping child parts SW. Note that the actual vertical positional relationship between the two small parts SW in the panel wrap area R is determined by the manufacturing process.

Then, by setting the panel wrap area R, as shown in FIG. 7, a configuration in which two adjacent panel-shaped child parts SW overlap in the panel wrap area R is specified, and the division positions of the child parts SW are determined. (Step S13 in FIG. 3). In this way, a plurality of child parts SW are determined, as shown in FIG. 8, for example. In the example of FIG. 8, it is divided into child parts SW1 to SW7. As shown in an example in FIG. 7, the thickness of each child component SW1 to SW7 is set by adopting the maximum thickness value of each divided panel wi constituting the child component SW, excluding the panel wrap area R. . Thereby, the performance of the entire child component SW can be satisfied.
According to the child component SW and its plate thickness value determined in this way, it is possible to suppress the weight of the entire parent component W while satisfying performance such as rigidity.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optimum plate thickness is determined by CAE for each of the plurality of divided panels wi obtained by dividing the panel-shaped parent part W at the minimum dot pitch of spot welding. Then, the inflection point Cp is determined from the plate thickness distribution approximate curve C when the divided panel wi is connected to the parent part W shape, and the panels are overlapped in the region R on the thick plate side between the inflection points Cp, and the child part Determine the SW range. Thereby, in the parent part W, it is possible to determine the dividing position while suppressing the weight of the entire part, satisfying performance such as rigidity, and taking into consideration the overlap position of the child parts SW.
In addition, since the range (split position) of the small parts SW is determined by finding the optimal plate thickness for each of the multiple split panels wi, it is necessary to repeat CAE and evaluate until the optimal split position is found, as in the past. This can significantly reduce labor and time.

Incidentally, in the embodiment described above, a method for reducing the weight of the parent part W formed of one specific material while satisfying the performance has been described. The material of W can also be determined.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart that can be implemented following the flowchart of FIG.
When implementing the flowchart of FIG. 9, the initial value of the material in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is set to the material with the lowest rank, that is, the material with the largest weight.
Subsequently, in step S13 of FIG. 3, after determining the dividing position in the parent part W, it is determined whether the weight of the entire part (parent part W) is less than the target weight (step S14 of FIG. 9).

Here, if the weight of the parent part W is larger than the target weight, the material rank is increased by one level (step S15 in FIG. 9), and the processes from step S4 to step S13 in FIG. 3 are performed again. It is determined whether the weight of the parent part W is less than the target weight (step S14 in FIG. 9).
This process is repeated until the weight of the parent part W falls below the target weight, and the material is determined when the weight falls below the target weight (step S16 in FIG. 9).

Furthermore, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the entire parent part W is made of one type of material, but the material may be changed for each child part SW.
In that case, change the materials of some of the child parts SW and perform steps S4 to S13 in FIG. combination) may be used.

In addition, in the above embodiment, performance evaluation was explained using only stiffness evaluation of deflection as an example, but performance evaluation is not limited to stiffness evaluation only, but may also include resonance frequency, weight, heat resistance characteristics, etc. good.

1 Information processing device 2 Input device 3 Output device 4 CAD device 10 Control section 20 Data acquisition section 30 Analysis section 40 Output section 50 CPU (computer)
51 Main storage device 51
52 I/O interface 53 Auxiliary storage device 100 Design support device C Plate thickness distribution approximate curve Cp Inflection point W Parent part SW Child part w Divided panel R Wrap area

Claims (4)

In a panel-shaped parent part that is divided into a plurality of panel-shaped child parts, a design support device that calculates the dividing position of dividing into the child parts and the plate thickness of each child part, comprising:
an analysis unit that performs arithmetic processing for performance analysis using the design information and analysis conditions of the parent component;
The analysis section includes:
A process of dividing the parent part for each distance dimension of a preset spot welding dot pitch to form a plurality of divided panels;
a process of determining a plate thickness that satisfies the required performance for each of the plurality of divided panels;
In the shape of the parent part made up of the plurality of divided panels, a process of connecting the plate thickness values determined for each of the plurality of divided panels on coordinates to form a plate thickness distribution curve;
A process in which a region on the thick plate side between inflection points of the plate thickness distribution curve is a panel wrap area;
A design support device characterized by performing a process of determining division positions of child parts based on the panel wrap area. The analysis section includes:
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in each child component, a process is performed to determine the largest thickness among the thicknesses of a plurality of divided panels excluding the panel wrap area as the thickness of the child component. Design support equipment. In a design support apparatus equipped with a computer and a storage device storing a program executable by the computer, the computer executes the program stored in the storage device to create a plurality of panel-shaped parent parts. A design support method for determining division positions for dividing into child parts and plate thickness of each child part, the method comprising:
By the computer executing the program stored in the storage device, the computer can:
dividing the parent part according to a distance dimension of a spot welding dot pitch set in advance to form a plurality of divided panels;
determining a plate thickness that satisfies the required performance for each of the plurality of divided panels;
In the shape of the parent part made up of the plurality of divided panels, connecting the plate thickness values determined for each of the plurality of divided panels on coordinates to form a plate thickness distribution curve;
Of the plate thickness distribution curve, a region on the thick plate side between the inflection points is set as a panel wrap region;
A design support method, comprising: determining a division position of child parts based on the panel wrap area. After the step of determining division positions of child parts based on the panel wrap area,
The computer includes:
4. The step of determining, in each child component, the largest thickness among the thicknesses of a plurality of divided panels excluding the panel wrap area as the thickness of the child component. design support method.

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