JP3426718B2 - Design rule check system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a design rule check system which is activated in accordance with the flow of design work in a product design and starts a check function according to the progress of the design work.

[0002] In recent years, the use of CAD has been generalized in product development, and efficient product design using three-dimensional CAD has progressed. However, regarding the design content, the quality is improved by simply using a design tool. Not necessarily. In order to use CAD more effectively, it is indispensable to devise its use so as to improve the design quality.

The field to which the present invention is applied covers all departments that develop products, and it is considered to be more effective in the environment where CAD can be used.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art A design error that occurs in a product development design site has a greater effect as the discovery is closer to the post-process or after the post-process, and the waste of time and costs caused by the change increases. To do. However, it is extremely difficult to reduce the design error to zero as long as humans design it.

In order to prevent design mistakes, technical rules for design have been conventionally created, but the rules are mainly managed as a manual. Also, when trying to use the rules, the fact is that the contents are obsolete and lack the latest technical response, and even if there are rules, they are not easily utilized at the design site.

[0006]

Although the design rules should be originally obeyed in the design work, when the product development period becomes short, the design rules tend to be neglected. In addition, the design rules are obsolete, there are often no penalties for not complying with the design rules, and conversely, the rules are not evaluated for their importance, so their importance is often neglected. there were.

[0007] As a result, it can be said that the unnecessary design mistakes are repeated, the number of unnecessary man-hours is increased, the development period is extended and the useless cost (damage cost) is generated due to the design change occurring in the subsequent process. There are several reasons why the rules cannot be observed, but the main ones are summarized as follows.

1. The content is difficult to understand. 2. The contents are old and unusable. 3. I don't even know the rules (not educated). 4. I don't have time to work according to the rules (cut-out). 5. It is not evaluated whether it is protected or not protected.

The present invention pays particular attention to the design rules, thoroughly analyzes and revises the above-mentioned causes that were not conventionally observed, and can always keep the design rules up to date in an easy-to-understand manner. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

According to the invention, the above mentioned objects are achieved by means of the patent claims.

That is, the invention of claim 1 is activated in accordance with the flow of design work in product design, and manages to what stage the design work progresses in cooperation with the designer, and While promoting compliance with the design rules, the check function is started according to the progress of the design work, and the violation of the rules and the matters to be noted as the design contents are interactively displayed on the screen, and the answer is designed as necessary. A means for selecting a desired design process from a plurality of design processes according to various design contents such as part design, assembly design, mold part design, etc. in a design rule check system having an interactive function such as input by a person And the election
Check the library that matches the selected design process.
Means for managing record management as
Noh is the result of design and analysis results during the design process.
And check the quality of the result and go to the check stage
The monitoring result of which design rule was violated
Not only should it be recorded, but
The monitoring results are also recorded individually so that they can be recorded at any time or at the end.
It is a design rule check system, which is characterized by outputting a general evaluation result .

Further, the invention of claim 2 is a design rule check system provided with a means for recording a design rule in a library form and a means for extracting a design rule in a library form.

[0013]

Further, the invention of claim 3, check result or violates the design rule, if not satisfied check requirements, claims comprising means for notifying the designer returns the design process to a predetermined step It is a design rule check system according to item 1 .

[0015]

The invention according to claim 4 further comprises means for displaying the flow itself of the design process on the operation screen and expressing the progress of the current design process using the flow . It is a design rule check system.

Further, the invention of claim 5, as well as provided with editing means of the process flow, <br/> design rule checking of claim 4 having two methods described type and graphic formula editing method System.

Further, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, in the case where the problem solution is temporarily suspended and the work is to be advanced to the next stage at the check stage in the design process, whether the problem solution is suspended is permitted. The design rule check system according to claim 1 , further comprising means for activating an approval function for determining whether or not to approve whether or not the hold is possible.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7 , in the case of a new case in which the selected design process is different from other design rules or check methods, means for declaring that in advance before the start of design and existing similar rules or The design rule check system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a unit for creating a simplified flow based on the process flow; and a unit for managing the check result and the evaluation result in separate frames.

[0020]

[Action] In the present invention of claim 1, design rule checking system part design and assembly design, from the plurality of design processes such as mold part design, Ri Na so as to select a desired design process, and check out In which setting
Record monitoring results as to whether or not the total rules were violated, and at any time
Or the final evaluation result will be output. In the invention of claim 2, the design rule check system manages and uses the design rules as a library.

[0021] In the invention of 請 Motomeko 3, design rule checking system, check the results or not violate the design rules, in case that does not meet the check requirements, notification to the designer to return the design process to a predetermined step Come to do.

[0022] In the invention of 請 Motomeko 4 displays a flow itself of the design process on the operation screen, comprising the progress of the current design process as expressed using the flow.

In the invention of claim 5 , the process flow can be edited by the design rule check system. Further, in the invention of claim 6 , it becomes possible to activate the approval function for deciding whether or not to permit the suspension of problem solving. According to the invention of claim 7 , the simplified flow can be created based on the existing similar rule or process flow.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION CAD is an important position in implementing the present invention. Hereinafter, the CAD according to the present embodiment will be basically described as having the following functions.

1) Model creation should be based on solids. (Wires and surfaces can be created if necessary) 2) Individual parts can be created and assembled. 3) Cross-sectional views should be obtained freely. 4) Interference between a plurality of assembled parts and clearance check can be automatically performed. 5) Obtaining manufacturing information such as weight, center of gravity, and volume in parts and assembly models. 6) Obtain each view model (corresponding to a three-dimensional view) linked with the three-dimensional model. 7) Two-dimensional drawing can be made using the view model. 8) Must have an interface for compatibility with other CAD.

In this embodiment, CAD having the above functions
Is used, and this CAD is combined with a check system described later. Then, a dialogue with the designer is carried out in accordance with each work stage from upstream to downstream of the design. Then, the necessary checks and the confirmation of the results in accordance with the progress of the design contents, the necessary feedback processing, the approval processing, etc. are carried out step by step, and the design work is completed in accordance with the predetermined design rules. Of course, at the design completion stage, it is also possible to output a history of design improvements that have occurred in the process up to that point as a report.

In particular, in order to make the design rules more accessible to the designer, the rules themselves are updated and managed and computerized. Then, it will be possible to refer to it at any time on the workstation used as a design tool, and to be able to process issues and check items according to the design process according to the design process in parallel with the design work on the screen. .
In addition, in order to avoid design mistakes caused by rule neglect and careless mistakes by the designer, the system will be highly conversational.

Furthermore, systematically manages from the design start-up stage to drawing drawing, and interactively realizes the designer's self-declaration and the result display and feedback monitoring at the drawing check stage. The number of design changes will be reduced by providing a means to do so and following the overall design with four types of systems: rule system, check system, feedback system and evaluation system.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a process management unit 1 other than the CAD system 15
0, rule library 11, check library 1
2. The regression processing / library 13 and the evaluation management database 14 are the means for realizing the present invention. In FIG.
The process management unit 10 checks the progress level step by step in a conversational manner with the designer while proceeding with the work according to the standard design flow, and refers to the rule library 11 as necessary to find no rule violation. Find out if

When a process requiring a check is entered, the check library 12 refers to the check item suitable for the process. If there is a problem as a result of the check, the content thereof is recorded in the evaluation management database 14, the regression processing (feedback) library 13 is referred to, and the process returns to an appropriate process stage.

When the regression processing is to be performed, the process management unit 10 side displays a display indicating the check result and the problem portion on the screen during the conversation processing, and prompts the designer to make improvements. Perform processing. When the final stage of the process flow is reached, the series of design work ends. The results can be displayed or printed from the evaluation management database 14 upon request.

A general product design process has a flow as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, generally, a detailed design 21 is performed after the schematic design 20, and then a component design / assembly design 22 is performed. Then, manufacturing department 27
A parts drawing drawing 23, an assembly drawing drawing 24, and various manual preparations 25 are carried out for. The various analyzes 26 analyze the output results of the detailed examination 21 and the component design / assembly design 22.

In accordance with such a flow of product design, the process management unit is programmed in advance, and at the same time when the design is started, which process is to be performed for each product or designer is set in advance. Keep it.

In this case, it is necessary to determine in advance whether it is a product unit or a designer unit. However, when one product is developed by a plurality of designers, the process of the entire product and the process of each designer are performed. And will be set. Then, every time the designer accesses the system after starting the process management, the relationship with the entire process is automatically displayed, and the progress status of the designer can be recognized together.

In the present system, the operability and the display function are devised with a focus on the conversation function. This system is premised to operate on the same workstation as the CAD system, but if the workstation on the network has process management information and approval processing via the LAN, the system can share data. .

The rule library is continually reviewed and updated, and a mechanism for maintaining and managing the expression in an easy-to-understand manner is provided. Fig. 3 shows the concept of the rule library, which is constructed by common rules and rules that are individualized according to product characteristics. These rules are individually constructed by specialists who configure networks with designers as necessary. Updated and maintained.

The contents of the rule library 30 are as follows.
It is also a function that allows the designer to check the original factors that eventually become the check items at the check stage of the process flow at any time during the work. For example, when a designer selects a mold part item from the rule library during design of a mold part, the rule for designing the mold part is displayed on the screen.

[0038] As contents, information such as the presence or absence of a draft or an undercut portion, a desirable rule as a design condition of a molding die, or a problem due to the occurrence of a weld line and prompting an inspection by a resin flow analysis are displayed. It

When the check library reaches a predetermined stage of process management, the check library displays check requirements for prompting the designer and requests input of check results for required items.
It has a function of judging whether the contents are accurate or not.

In this check library, necessary check items are registered corresponding to the individual rules shown in FIG. Looking at individual design processes, even when the same rules apply, the check requirements may differ,
Sometimes they are common. Which one of them is presented to the designer is automatically determined by the process and the rule selected first, but this content will be reviewed as needed like the rule library to eliminate irrationality.

FIG. 4 shows an example of returning to a work level which is a flow in process management when the check result is bad, and where to return is determined by the process selected first. Although process management is the main function of this system, there are cases where the process itself changes depending on the product characteristics and development system. Therefore, it is a conversational simple description expression so that the process can be recombined and edited relatively easily. Alternatively, it has a function that can be executed by a menu selection method.

FIG. 5 shows an example of editing the process flow.
In FIG. 5, the process flow is changed from (a) to (b). If the method of change is a descriptive method, it will be as shown on the upper side of the figure, and if it is a graphic method, it will be as shown on the lower side of the figure.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the procedure for editing the process flow itself on the screen. When the process flow editing function is activated, various symbols for flow editing are displayed on the screen. When the corresponding symbol is selected and a predetermined position is designated, the selected symbol is copied to that position.

In FIG. 6, (i) is a flow before editing, but when it is desired to finally change to (ii), unnecessary lines are first erased in (ro). Next, as described above, when a determination symbol (CK2 in this example) to be newly added is selected from the symbols and the position is designated, it is displayed as ().

An element to be connected between the displayed determination symbol and the original flow is selected and a pseudo connection line is displayed. If it is correct, edit execution processing is performed. Then, it will be in the form of a clear copy as in (ni). The outline of each library and the regression function centering on the process management function has been described above.

By the way, particularly important in the design process is the evaluation part. For example, the reason why we are busy and do not have time to keep the rules is that the process itself is unreasonable from the beginning, there is waste in the way the work is done, or the design rules are ignored and the man-hours are returned and pressured. Since it is possible that there are various cases, it is necessary to evaluate properly by taking into consideration various factors.

In the conventional design work and development process flow, the design department sends the manufacturing drawing (or C) to the manufacturing department.
At the time when the AD data) was released, it tended to seem to have fulfilled the major responsibility of the design. However, simply complying with the delivery date of the drawing and the quality of the design content are different dimensions, and in the flow of the entire product development process, the degree of design change at the manufacturing stage after the drawing is evaluated. This is the biggest issue that affects us.

Depending on the content and the number of design changes, the development process is delayed, the damage cost is increased and the manufacturing cost is suppressed. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a system that can objectively evaluate the design rules that have been drawn out. Therefore, at the same time, in order to reduce the load for observing the design rules as much as possible, devise an easy-to-use conversation system for designers in process management.

However, by categorizing design methods into rules, developing a check system for designed products, thoroughly evaluating the check results, and controlling the feedback to the design itself, it is classified as a simple error among design errors. It is possible to prevent dimensional errors, interference, omission of arrangement, etc.

In the overall flow, the results at each check stage are sequentially recorded for each designer or product, and the results are accumulated or the results derived by the evaluation method described later are displayed at any time. The evaluation management function unit has a function of printing as a material.

This evaluation function is an important element that also affects the design quality. At a glance, it is possible to check whether the design based on the rules has been executed reliably, and whether or not measures against the check items at the check stage have been taken. I understand it.

FIG. 7 shows a process flow when designing a part. In the figure, the design contents are inspected and analyzed by the check items set in advance for each process flow selected in each check (CKn). Then, if there is a problem in the result, the process is returned to a predetermined process and re-executed.

In Check 1 (CK1) of FIG. 7, strength analysis, resin flow analysis, thermal analysis, impact analysis, etc. are performed.
When the result is "NG", the process goes back to the detailed design step and the analysis model creation step. Check 2 (CK
In 2), shape optimality, function satisfaction, weight optimality, material optimality, structural adequacy, analysis result safety factor, etc. are checked, and if "NG", edit design step or detailed design Go back to step.

FIG. 8 shows a process flow in the assembly design. In the figure, the design contents are inspected and analyzed by the check items set in advance for each process flow selected in each check (CKn). Then, if there is a problem in the result, the process is returned to a predetermined process and re-executed.

In Check 2 (CK3) of FIG. 8, strength analysis, thermal analysis, shock analysis, radio wave analysis, interference analysis, gap analysis, etc. are performed, and when "NG" is reached, detailed placement steps and analysis are performed. Go back to the model creation step. In Check 3 (CK4), shape optimization, function satisfaction, analysis result safety factor, weight optimization, material optimization, structural adequacy, center of gravity adequacy, etc. are checked, and if "NG" is found, edit Go back to the design and detailed placement steps.

Depending on the content, the check may include some essential items, and some items may be left to the discretion of the designer. However, the designer leaves on the system the fact that there is no problem for all items. When a problem is discovered and feedback is given, the details of the problem and the resolution of the problem are recorded in the evaluation management section including the period.

FIG. 9 shows a functional block diagram of the system of the present invention. In the figure, the inside of the dotted line is the check system of the present invention, and the process management unit 901, the process editing unit 902, the rule library 903, the rule editing unit 904, the check library 905, the check item editing unit 906,
A regression processing unit editing unit 907, an evaluation management unit 908, and a display / print control unit 909 are provided.

The main control unit 910 having a processor has a main memory 911 and an auxiliary memory 912, and controls the CAD system 920 and the analysis tool 921. Also, a display 931, a printer 932, a keyboard 933, a coordinate input device 934 such as a mouse, a CD driver 935, an auxiliary storage medium such as a CMT 936 are connected via the input / output control unit 930.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show an operation example of the system of the present invention. When the system is started at a certain stage after starting the design, the progress of processing up to the previous processing and the phase to be processed next are shown. Is displayed in the main window portion of the screen in a flow format (FIG. 10 (a)).

When the next processing element is selected, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, check items related to analysis are displayed, and when the item of interference analysis is selected, detailed items to be input are displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (c). The designer cannot proceed to the next process without inputting all the analysis results for each item.

Of course, the check can be avoided or interrupted at this stage, but the mechanism is such that advancing the process flow to the next step is not permitted without approval.

FIG. 11D shows an example in which the process flow advances to the next stage when all the check items are cleared, and FIG. 12E shows that the regression processing unit has the check result because it does not satisfy the rule. FIG. 12 (f) shows an example in which the phase that has regressed and has been redone is displayed on the screen.

Among the check items at the check stage, particularly essential items cannot be moved to the next step unless they have been resolved, but if it is desired to hold the process and proceed to the next step, the approval process is performed as described above. It will be possible after going through.

When it takes a long time to solve a problem in the design work, it may be necessary to proceed with the temporary hold. When suspending the solution by the approval process, first select the process suspension menu from the main menu. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the holding process. . The part surrounded by the dotted line is the flow corresponding to the hold processing.

As shown in the figure, when the process suspension is selected, the process suspension subject name, contents, suspension reason, countermeasure plan, etc. are input and recorded in the evaluation management section. Then, if the hold approval request indicates that the hold is permitted, the process can proceed to the next step. If the hold is not permitted, the process returns to the original step.

[0066]

As described above, in the present system, the designer follows the latest design rule and uses the CA, which is a design tool.
While managing the progress of work interactively on the same workstation as the D machine, and the necessary check items are automatically presented from the system at the necessary stage, you can inadvertently make mistakes in the normal flow of design. It can be avoided.
Moreover, since the evaluation of the contents of the design is also accumulated, it is possible to perform self-check every time the number of times is repeated, which can be used as an objective evaluation of the quality of the design.

In the past, there were many drawbacks in various respects, such as the fact that design rules could not be obeyed, the penalty could not be obeyed, and the contents were difficult to understand. However, since these drawbacks can be prevented by the system of the present invention, the present invention greatly contributes to the improvement of design quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a product design process.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a rule library.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing example when a check result is defective.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of editing a process flow.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an editing procedure of a process flow.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process flow of component design.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a process flow of assembly design.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example of the check system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example of the check system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation example of the check system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a holding process.

[Explanation of sign]

10,901 Process management unit 11,30,903 rule library 12,905 Check Library 13 Regression processing / library 14 Evaluation management database 15,920 CAD system 20 Schematic design 21 Detailed examination 22 Parts design and assembly design 23 Parts drawing drawing 24 Assembly drawing drawing 25 Creating various manuals 26 Various analyzes 27 Manufacturing Division 902 Process editor 904 Rule / Editor 906 Check item editor 907 Regression processing section Editing section 908 Evaluation Management Department 909 Display / print control unit 910 Main control unit 911 main memory 912 Auxiliary memory 921 Analysis Tool 930 I / O controller 931 display 932 printer 933 keyboard 934 coordinate input device 935 CD driver 936 CMT

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 17/00 JISST file (JOIS)

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. When designing a product, it is started in accordance with the flow of the design work, and the level of the design work is managed in cooperation with the designer, and the designer is required to comply with the design rules. While urging, the check function is started according to the progress of the design work, dialogs such as rule violations and things to be noted as design contents are displayed on the screen interactively, and the designer can input the answer as necessary. In a design rule / check system with functions, a means for selecting a desired design process from a plurality of design processes according to various design contents such as part design, assembly design, and mold part design, and the selected design process. Check items that match
Means for managing record management as a library, and the check function is designed during the design process.
Check the contents and analysis results, judge the quality of the results, and determine which design rule was violated at the check stage.
The monitoring result is recorded and the designer and product development
The monitoring results of the entire group are also recorded individually, and at any time
A design rule check system characterized by outputting the final evaluation result of or . 2. The design rule checking system according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit for recording the design rules in a library and a unit for extracting the design rules in the library. Or wherein check result violates the design rule, if not satisfied check requirements, design rule according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the designer returns the design process to a predetermined step Check system. 4. The design rule check system according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a flow itself of the design process on an operation screen and expressing the progress of the current design process by using the flow. 5. The design rule check system according to claim 4 , further comprising edit means for the process flow, and having two methods of description and graphic as editing methods. 6. At the check stage in the design process,
When a problem is temporarily suspended and work is to be advanced to the next stage, a means to activate the approval function that decides whether to permit the suspension of the problem and approve whether the suspension is possible is provided. The design rule check system according to claim 1 . 7. When the selected design process is a new case that is different from other design rules or check methods, a means for declaring that in advance before the start of design and a simplified form based on existing similar rules and process flows Means to create flows,
Design rule checking system according to claim 1 and a means for managing at separate frame check results and evaluation results.