JP3522397B2 - Automatic design system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to automatic design of boards (switchboards, terminal boards, distribution boards, TV boards), and more particularly to a system for automatically designing a connection shape of wiring on the board. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Office buildings and various plants are equipped with boards necessary for power supply and distribution, such as a distribution board, a terminal board, a distribution board or a TV board for distributing a feeder line of a television to each room.

Such a board is designed as an arrangement of a group of circuit breakers and a group of circuit breaker supporting parts on a box and a connecting shape of each part, and the results are shown in an external view shown in FIG. 12 and a connection diagram shown in FIG. The control circuit diagram shown in FIG.

Conventionally, the design of this type of board is based on a customer specification called a blue diagram, the size of the box is determined, the connection partner of each component arranged in the box is determined, and the connection shape is determined. The layout positions of the respective parts are determined manually based on the experience of the engineer, and the various drawings are created manually or partially using a CAD system.

Such a design and drawing are disclosed in JP-A-63-30.
As described in 5467 as control panel design, CA
Part can be automated with the D system. That is, first, each unit is arranged and processed in a designated procedure in response to the structural specifications of the control panel, the input of the additional unit, and the input of the size change data of the additional unit. After that, a layout drawing of each unit after the above layout processing is created, and an empty unit can be additionally input to this layout drawing. When the additional input is made, the layout position is further arranged. Create the modified layout drawing. After this processing, the outline drawing and unit list creation processing is performed.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-274378 proposes a design / drawing apparatus having the following configuration. That is, first, a graphic database and an attribute definition database that respectively define graphic information and attribute information of parts that make up a product, and a knowledge database that defines an evaluation formula that selects a part that is made from product specifications as an objective function are provided. To do so.

When a product is designed by combining parts in this state, each parameter of the determined product specifications is set, and the optimum function is obtained by using the objective function based on the set parameter and the attribute information. The component configuration is determined, and if necessary, the graphic information of the relevant component is extracted from the component selection and component placement, and a design drawing is created and output.

[0008]

The above-mentioned manual design has an advantage that the know-how of the designer can be utilized, but has a drawback that the work takes time, and a plurality of designers can perform a series of board assembly. At the time of designing, it is necessary to match the technical capabilities of each designer.

In particular, the design of the connection shape for connecting two parts requires a lot of factors such as the dimensional relationship of the positions of the two parts, the orientation of the parts, and the like, which is very time-consuming and troublesome. It was a lot of work.

The contents disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-305467 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-274378 are methods intended for automatic design, but nothing about automatic design of connection shape is mentioned. The above inconvenience associated with the design of the connection shape has not been solved yet.

[0011]

The present invention employs the following means in order to achieve the above object. In the present invention, first, it is premised that the two parts P1 and P2 to be connected are provisionally arranged and their positions are known, and the mutual relation of the connection surfaces of the parts P1 and P2 ( It is a prerequisite that Table 1 (see row 1) is also known.

In this state, an empty space S that can be extended / shortened, can only be extended, or has a fixed size S
A plurality of n (n: an integer indicating the arrangement order of empty spaces) are spliced together to form a connection shape pattern for connecting components (see FIG. 5). When connecting the parts to each other, the connection shape pattern changes depending on the arrangement condition of the parts (see Table 1, the upper column row). Therefore, a plurality of connection shape patterns are formed according to the above-mentioned component arrangement conditions, and the plurality of connection shape patterns are stored in the pattern memory 11.

In this state, the pattern selecting means 10 displays
Check the component placement conditions listed in the row and select one of the connection shape patterns. The width SnW and the height SnH of the empty space selected in this way go from the empty space S ₀ on the side of the one component P1 whose position is fixed to the empty space Sk on the side of the other component P2 ( The maximum value of k: n) is sequentially determined. At this time, the positions (P1X, P1Y), (P2X, P2) of the two parts are determined.
Y), the width SnW and the height SnH of each empty space can be determined by the calculation means 20 calculating a calculation expression using the dimension conditions such as the widths P1W and P2W of the parts as parameters.

The empty space Sn sequentially formed in this way
And parts (parts P1, P2, or parts already placed)
If the interference occurs, the interference determination means 21 checks whether or not the interference occurs, and when the interference occurs, the extension rule is used to extend or shorten the predetermined empty space Sn, and as a result, the position of the other component P2 is determined. When it is necessary to change the position of the part P2. When it is confirmed by the interference determination means 21 that all the empty spaces Sn do not interfere with the components, the position determination processing means 40 determines the position of the component P2.

As described above, when the positions of all the parts are determined, it is finally determined whether the partner to which the partner determining means 60 is connected is proper. If it is not proper, the temporary placement processing by the temporary placement processing unit 9 is performed again.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 11 shows an outline of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied, which is developed for the purpose of automating the board design. First, the input processing unit 110 writes a plurality of basic component types required for a board to be designed into a predetermined file by an input format in an input format in which the dependency relations between the component types are known from the input unit 160, and the file is written. Is stored in the file memory 100.

Data such as various parts used for board design, their sizes, and positions of connection surfaces are input to the database memory 200. Then, the preprocessing unit 120 selects a specific component and a necessary component accompanying it based on the data obtained from the predetermined file formed by the input processing unit 110 and the contents of the database memory 200. , And the placement characteristics of each selected component,
For example, if it is a main part or branch part, and if it is a branch part, it is determined whether it is a primary branch or a secondary branch (see FIGS. 12 and 13), and the result is the attribute memory 400 as an attribute of each part.
(See FIG. 11).

In the placement processing means 130 in the next stage, the parts to be placed in close proximity are first grouped with reference to the above-mentioned placement characteristics of the parts and the types of parts. A detailed description of this grouping is omitted here.

Next, a temporary connection partner is provisionally determined on a component-by-component basis and on a pole-by-pole basis based on the characteristics of the component type or arrangement. When the connection partner and the connection pole are tentatively determined, first, the arrangement positions of the components that make up the group are determined, and the connection shape (connection path, connection pattern) between the components is determined, and then the group unit The arrangement position is determined, and the connection shape between components belonging to different groups is determined.

The connection partner once determined in this way is reexamined and the final partner is determined. Further, in the overall evaluation means 150, when the number of bases (a box in which a predetermined number of boards are stored) is plural, and the number of parts (parts area) arranged on each base is unbalanced, the predetermined condition is satisfied. Work is done to balance the number of components placed on each base to match.

The design data created in this manner is passed to the drawing processing means 140, and the drawing processing means 140 produces an outline drawing, connection diagram, and control circuit diagram based on the data obtained by the arrangement processing means 130. Created.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the present invention. The present invention relates to a system for automating the step of forming the connection shape in the arrangement processing means 130 described above. As a premise for this, the partner parts (parts within the same group, parts belonging to different groups) that are mutually connected are provisionally determined by the provisional counterpart determination means 8 of the placement processing means 130, and the provisional placement processing means 9 also determines each component. Is assumed to be in a state of being temporarily arranged at a predetermined position on the board.

First, FIG. 5 shows an example of a connection shape pattern for connecting the parts P1 and P2 temporarily arranged as described above. Empty space Sn (S ₀ ~ S
₁₁ ) by joining together the connecting surface F of the component P1.
A connection shape pattern from 1 to the connection surface F2 of the component P2 is formed.

In this case, the position of the part P1 is fixed, and the position of the part P2 and the connection shape from the part P1 to the part P2 are fixed by the following work. In the above connection shape pattern, it is necessary to change the length and width of each empty space Sn forming the connection shape depending on the distance between the two parts P1 and P2 and the size of the part P1 (or P2) as described below. There is. Therefore, the connection shape pattern can be an empty space that can be extended (space type A in Table 2), an empty space that can be extended or shortened (space type B), and an empty space with a fixed size (empty spaces that are mainly located at corners). It is made up of three types (space), and can meet the above requirements (see Table 2, space type column). In addition, whether the space can be extended in the width direction W, can be extended / shortened, or can be extended in the height direction H, and can be extended / shortened is described in the extension direction column of Table 2. In addition, when the connection shape is traced from the component P1 to the component P2, the direction (D: downward direction, U: upward direction, R: rightward direction, L: leftward direction) in which each empty space Sn should advance is shown in the direction column of Table 2. I am filling in.

Next, when connecting parts to each other, the connection shape pattern changes depending on the arrangement conditions of the two parts.
Therefore, in the pattern memory 11, 2
A plurality of connection shape patterns to be formed are stored according to a combination of arrangement conditions of one component. In this state, the selection means 10 obtains the positions of the parts P1 and P2, the direction of the connecting surface, etc. from the temporary placement means 9 and extracts the applicable conditions from the respective placement conditions shown in the rows of Table 1, Depending on the combination of the extracted conditions, one or more connection shape (route) candidates will be selected (see Table 1, Conclusion column).
(FIG. 3, step # 1).

Here, in Table 1, areas H1, H2, H3,
For areas V1, V2 and V3, see FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). Further, in Table 1, the arrow indicates a positive condition, and the mark of the line inclined to the ellipse indicates a negative condition. The expression "other" means the component P2.

Here, for selecting the connection shape pattern for connecting the two parts P1 and P2 (only the parts P1 and P2 of FIG. 5 are extracted) in the arrangement state shown in FIG. Among the conditions in the row, the following conditions ~ are examined and necessary conditions are input.

The connecting surface of the part P2 is rotated by 180 ° with respect to the connecting surface of the part P1. The centers of both parts P1 and P2 do not match. It is not a left-right or one-sided part.

The connecting surface of the part P1 is the area H of the part P2.
It fits in 2. The part P1 is not contained in the area V1 of the part P2. As a result, RT10 (when the type of wire used is Cu (copper bar)), RT14 (when the line IV is used) and RT08 are shown in Table 1.
(In the case of Cu and IV lines) is selected. Since the line type used is IV here, the connection shape pattern R141 shown in FIG. 5 is first selected. The corresponding pattern R1 in Table 1
41 is not specified, but R1 is specified in the table
4 is a prototype (R141), its 90 ° rotation type (eg R
142), a plurality of types such as an upside down type (for example, R143) and the like, and a connection shape pattern that meets the above conditions 1 to 4 is selected. If components cannot be connected by R141, RT08 is selected next. Then, even if the RT08 cannot be connected, the processing is performed in the shape of connecting to the garter.

Next, the mounting surface F of the parts P1 and P2
1, P2 coordinates P1X, P1Y, P2X, P2Y and width P
1W and P2W (see FIG. 6) are obtained by the mounting surface calculation means 12.

When the connecting wire is attached to the component, a connecting tool (LUG) is used when the wire is thick, or when the wire directly connected to the component is thin (when the wire is IV), the crimp terminal P1t. , P2t to the parts. Connector (LU
Since the coordinate position of the mounting surface is different depending on whether G) is mounted or the crimp terminals P1t and P2t are mounted, the coordinate calculating means 12 first determines which of the above cases (FIG. 2, step # 2 → #). 3a or # 3b).

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the crimp terminals P1t, P2
Since the wire type (IV: thin wire) for mounting t is to be used, considering the heights of the crimp terminals P1t and P2t,
Coordinates P1X, P1Y, P2X, P2Y of mounting surface, width P1
Find W and P2W. As shown in FIG. 6 (a) - (d), the position of the mounting surface F ₁₁ to F ₁₄ (an upper surface, a lower surface, left surface, right surface) in response to, P ₁₁ point of interest coordinates of the mounting surface - P ₁₄
(Upper left edge, lower left edge, left upper edge, right upper edge)
In this case, the mounting surface F ₁ of the component P1 is the mounting surface F ₁₂ of FIG. 6 (b).
Corresponding to, the mounting surface F ₂ of the part P2 is the mounting surface F ₂ of FIG. 6 (a).
Corresponds to ₁₁ .

Next, it is necessary to determine the width W and the height H of each of the empty spaces S _{0 to} S ₁₁ forming the connection shape pattern. The width W and the height H of each of the empty spaces S _{0 to} S ₁₁ are calculated by the calculating means 20 sequentially from the empty space S ₀ close to the part P1 according to the width calculation formula and the height calculation formula of Table 2 (FIG. 2, FIG. Step # 4). Here, the definitions of the expressions and symbols used in Table 2 are as defined in the margin of Table 2.

As a result, when the width W and the height H are sequentially obtained from the first empty space S _{0, the} connection shape as shown in FIG. 4B is obtained. Where each empty space S
Every time the width W and the height H of n are obtained, the result is judged by the interference judging means 21 whether or not the connection shape interferes with the parts P1 and P2 or other parts, and the empty space S ₀₆ is obtained. It can be seen that it overlaps with P1 (Fig. 2, Step #
5).

The extension rule processing means 30 stores the extension rules shown in Table 3 in the extension rule memory 31, and when the interference determination means 21 determines that there is interference, further,
Among the conditions of the extension rule (the upper column of Table 3), it is determined which condition is satisfied (FIG. 3, step # 6). In Table 3, the left arrow is a necessary condition, and the blank arrow is a unnecessary condition. According to this Table 3, in the above case, the empty space S ₀₆ interferes with the parts in the upward and leftward directions, and is therefore the “extension direction for each path”. In this case, for each route (in this case R1
Since the rule of the extension direction for 41) is displayed in the direction column of the rule of Table 2, referring to the direction column of the rule of Table 2, if shortened to the right direction (R), interference between the component and the connection shape Will be avoided.

As described above, the size of the empty space Sn is sequentially calculated, and it is confirmed that the obtained connection shape pattern does not interfere with the parts.
Officially determines the connection shape and the positions of the parts P1 and P2.

When the result of the extension rule processing means 30 is other than the "extension direction for each route", the extension direction column and the direction column of Table 2 are referred to according to the consequence of Table 3 to extend the empty space Sn. Shortening is done.

Another example of interference between the above parts and empty space is shown in FIG.
(a) and (b) will be explained. FIG. 8A shows the parts P1 and P2.
In connection shape composed of empty space S ₂₁ to S ₂₅ that leads to, shows the case where the air space S ₂₃ overlaps (in the figure, the hatched portion) other components in the left and right direction of the upper and. Here, it is assumed that the space type of the empty space S ₂₃ is B, that is, the space can be extended / shortened, and the empty space S ₂₃ overlaps the above parts on the left and right sides.
From the extension rules in Table 3, confirm that "extension is downward."

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, by shortening the empty space S ₂₃ downward, interference with other components or wiring space can be avoided. 9 (a) is cause interference with other parts at the top left of the empty space S _23, and the space type is A, that defines when the corresponding empty space S ₂₃ can only extend only. In this case, as described above, by shortening the empty space S _23, it is not possible to avoid interference of the parts to be processed empty space S ₂₂ of the preceding stage. That is, when the space type of empty space S ₂₂ is A, extending the spatial space S ₂₂ to the right. As a result, interference with other components or wiring space is avoided as shown in FIG. 9 (b). In this way, when the component and the connection shape interfere with each other, the vacant space causing the interference may not be extended / shortened in the direction of eliminating the interference. At this time, not only the space Sn but also the width and height of the empty space whose width and height are determined before the empty space are changed.

In this way, the connection shape between the two parts P1 and P2 is determined by sequentially determining the size of the empty space. The above-described processing not only determines the connection shape between the respective parts within the group divided by the grouping means 7, but also determines the connection shape between the parts belonging to different groups. Therefore, after the position determination processing unit 40 determines the component position, the group arrangement processing unit 50 also performs the group arrangement process. As a result, when a certain group protrudes from the board to be designed, the grouping process by the grouping means 7 is performed again. A detailed description of the grouping reprocessing will be omitted here.

After the connection shapes and the parts positions among all the parts are determined as described above, the partner determining means 60 further determines whether or not the connection state is proper. This makes it possible to use shorter connecting lines,
In order to adopt the connection shape, the determination of the temporary partner is corrected, and the temporary placement processing unit 9 returns to the temporary placement processing.

That is, in the three connection shape patterns shown in FIG. 10, the pattern B has the shortest line length.
Therefore, when the connection shape other than the pattern B has been determined by the above processing, the shape evaluation means 50 instructs to select the connection shape of the pattern B. As a result, the connection partner component is different from the result of the above determination, and therefore the procedure returns to the temporary placement processing procedure by the temporary placement processing means 9 again.

[0043]

[Table 1]

[0044]

[Table 2]

[0045]

[Table 3]

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the connection shape pattern is composed of an assembly of a plurality of empty spaces, and the empty spaces are extended or shortened in accordance with necessary dimensional conditions such as distance between parts. Since the width and height of each empty space can be determined according to the above dimensional conditions, and the empty space can be extended and shortened, the resulting connection shape pattern is It is possible to correct even when it interferes with.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of empty space calculation of a connection shape according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a connection shape example used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing positions of connection surfaces.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the areas of Table 1.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for determining another connection shape according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another conceptual diagram for determining the connection shape of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of connection partner determination of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a device block diagram to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is an external view of a board design.

FIG. 13 is a connection diagram for board design.

FIG. 14 is a control circuit diagram in board design.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 pattern selection means 11 pattern memory 20 Calculation means 30 Extension rule processing means Sn empty space

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connection shape pattern in which a plurality of empty spaces in a path connecting parts to each other are spliced together and connected, and a pattern in which a plurality of kinds of connection shape patterns are accommodated according to arrangement conditions of parts to be connection partners. Pattern selection means for selecting one of the connection shape patterns based on the arrangement conditions of the memory and the parts to be connected to each other, and the width and height of each empty space from the side of one part according to a predetermined arithmetic expression. When the empty space obtained as a result of the above-mentioned calculation interferes with a component, the empty space or the empty space obtained earlier in the earlier order is extended or shortened. An automatic design system equipped with extension rule processing means. 2. The automatic design system according to claim 1, further comprising an interference determination means for determining whether or not the empty space whose width and height are determined as a result of the calculation interferes with a component. 3. The automatic design system according to claim 1, further comprising position determination processing means for determining the position of the other part after determining the widths and heights of all the empty spaces forming the connection shape pattern. 4. The automatic design system according to claim 1, further comprising a partner determination means for finally determining whether or not the connected partner is proper when the positions of all the parts are determined.