JP5143028B2 - Design support program, design support method, and design support apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support program, a design support method, and a design support apparatus. Specifically, in a device such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer, the behavior of the sheet-like member including paper, film, etc. when it is conveyed in the conveyance path is analyzed by computer simulation, and the conveyance path is optimized. The present invention relates to a technique suitable for use in designing.

  In designing transport paths in devices such as copiers and laser beam printers, examining the function of the design under various conditions before actually making the product can reduce the man-hours required for manufacturing and testing the prototype. This is preferable because the development period and cost can be reduced.

  As a technique for simulating the behavior of a recording medium (recording paper) such as recording paper or film in the conveyance path for such a purpose, a technique for simply expressing the recording medium by a mass and a spring is known (non-patent document). (Ref. 1).

  In finding the motion of the recording medium in the above method, first, an equation of motion of the recording medium expressed discretely by a mass-spring system is established. Then, the analysis target time is divided into time steps having a finite width, and this is achieved by numerical time integration in which acceleration, speed, and displacement, which are unknowns, are sequentially obtained from time 0 for each time step. Specifically, Newmark's β method, Wilson's θ method, Euler method, Kutta-merson method and the like are widely known.

  In addition, as a method for automatically evaluating a conveyance path, there is a method of evaluating a reaction force between a sheet-like object and a conveyance guide, which are important in designing a conveyance path, in a conveyance simulation of a sheet-like object (see Patent Document 1) ) In this case, when the reaction force exceeds a set threshold value, the user is notified of the simulation time, the conveyance guide position information in contact with the sheet-like object, and the like.

  In addition, as a method of correcting a defect that occurred during the calculation and continuing the calculation, the circuit operation simulation automatically recognizes the problem of an indefinite value and inputs a value that makes the simulation result the expected value. There is a method to continue (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-222454 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-46696 Katsuhito Sudoh, “Modeling a String from Observing the Real Object”, Proc of int Conf. On Virtual Systems and Multimedia (VSMM2000), pp. 500-553, (2000)

  If there is a problem with the design of the transport path in the recording medium transport simulation, it is impossible to continue transport such as the recording medium staying in the transport path or the recording medium entering the gap between the transport guides and deviating from the transport path. A possible defect (jam) occurs.

  Predicting a jam in the simulation is important in evaluating the conveyance path. However, when a jam occurs in the simulation, the conveyance is interrupted, so that it is impossible to perform a simulation downstream from the position, and the calculation time after the jam is wasted.

  Conventionally, whether or not a jam has occurred has been confirmed by visual inspection by a user after calculation of a simulation. If a jam occurs in the simulation, in order to evaluate the transport path downstream from the jam occurrence position, the user must newly define a recording medium downstream from the jam occurrence position and perform the calculation again. There wasn't. This has the problem that setting takes time and there is a possibility of causing omission of evaluation.

  In addition, when restarting from the middle of the transport path, the recording medium is stationary, so there is a time zone where the simulation results are unreliable, and the user can determine from which time the results are reliable. There was also a problem that had to be judged.

  In view of the actual situation, the present invention enables a simulation downstream of a position where a defect occurs when a defect that makes it impossible to continue the conveyance of the recording medium occurs in the simulation of the conveyance of the recording medium. The goal is to eliminate wasted time. It is another object of the present invention to enable a user to easily check a jam and recognize the reliability of a simulation result.

The design support program of the present invention is a behavior in which a recording medium modeled by dividing a sheet-like recording medium by a plurality of elements having a mass and connecting each element with a spring is transported in a transport path. This is a design support program that supports design by simulating the above, and based on arbitrary coordinates specified by the user in the transport path, a curve connecting these coordinates is defined as an expected trajectory definition of the recording medium A sampling point defining step for defining one or more points selected by the user on the recording medium or one or more preset points as sampling points used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium; A failure determination step for determining whether a failure that cannot be continued based on the sampling point has occurred; and If the occurrence of a defect is determined in the condition determination step, the rear end of the recording medium in the state where the defect has occurred is moved to a point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the rear end, and the rear end after the movement is used as a reference. The simulation is started from the rearrangement step of rearranging the recording medium on the predicted trajectory toward the downstream of the conveyance path at the initial length of each element of the recording medium, and the state after the rearrangement step. And restarting the computer.
Also, the design support method of the present invention divides a sheet-like recording medium into a plurality of elements having mass, and the recording medium modeled by connecting each element with a spring is conveyed in the conveyance path. This is a design support method that supports the design by simulating the behavior that goes with the computer, based on the arbitrary coordinates specified by the user in the transport path, and the curve connecting those coordinates as the expected trajectory of the recording medium An expected trajectory defining step to be defined, and a sampling point defining step for defining one or more points selected by the user on the recording medium or one or more preset points as sampling points used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium And a failure determination step for determining whether or not a failure in which the conveyance cannot be continued has occurred based on the defined sampling. When the occurrence of a failure is determined in the failure determination step, the rear end of the recording medium in a state where the failure has occurred is moved to one point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the rear end, and the rear end after the movement From the rearrangement step of rearranging the recording medium on the predicted trajectory downstream of the transport path on the basis of the initial length of each element of the recording medium and the state after the placement in the rearrangement step, simulation is performed. And a restarting step to start.
Further, the design support apparatus of the present invention divides a sheet-like recording medium into a plurality of elements having a mass, and the recording medium modeled by connecting each element with a spring is conveyed in the conveyance path. This is a design support device that supports the design by simulating the moving behavior, and based on arbitrary coordinates specified by the user in the transport path, a curve connecting these coordinates is defined as the expected trajectory of the recording medium Trajectory defining means, sampling point defining means for defining one or more points selected by the user on the recording medium or one or more preset points as sampling points used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium, Based on the defined sampling points, the failure determination means for determining whether or not a failure that cannot be continued has occurred, and the failure determination means If the occurrence of a failure is determined, the trailing edge of the recording medium in a state where a failure has occurred is moved to a point on the expected locus that is the shortest distance from the trailing edge, and the recording medium is moved with reference to the trailing edge after the movement. Relocation means for rearranging the initial length of each element of the recording medium toward the downstream of the transport path on the expected trajectory, and restarting means for starting simulation from the state after placement by the rearrangement means, It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, even when a failure (jam) occurs due to the recording medium remaining in the transport path or deviating from the transport path during the simulation, the simulation calculation is performed for the transport path downstream from the part. It becomes possible to do. As a result, it is possible to evaluate the downstream transport path, and it is possible to reduce the calculation time after stopping or escaping, which was conventionally wasted.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
(First embodiment)
First, the hardware configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of hardware of a design support apparatus that is one of information processing apparatuses according to the present embodiment.

  The design support apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 11, a display unit 12, a storage unit 13, a ROM 14, a RAM 15, a keyboard 16, a pointing device 17, and the like.

  The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls the entire computer. The display unit 12 displays various input conditions and analysis results in control executed by the CPU 11. The storage unit 13 is a hard disk or the like that stores the analysis result or the like derived by the CPU 11. The ROM 14 stores a control program (including a design support program according to the present invention) executed by the CPU 11, various application programs, data, and the like. The RAM 15 is a work area used when the CPU 11 performs processing while controlling each unit based on the control program. The keyboard 16 is used for a user to input various input conditions. The pointing device 17 is composed of a mouse, a trackball, and the like.

  In the design support apparatus according to the present embodiment, a recording medium conveyance simulation (hereinafter simply referred to as simulation) can be executed. The simulation executed in the present embodiment is performed by defining a conveyance path and a recording medium, and performing motion calculation while the recording medium is conveyed in the conveyance path. In the following, a description will be given of the processing for the transport path, recording medium, transport condition definition, and motion calculation. Such processing is performed by the CPU 11 executing a control program.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration displayed on the display unit 12 by the CPU 11 when the simulation is executed. The screen shown in FIG. 2 mainly includes a menu bar 21 for switching procedures, a sub-configuration menu 22 for each procedure, a graphic screen 23 for displaying a defined transport route and results, output of a program message, and numerical input as required. The command field 24 for performing

  First, the definition of the conveyance path will be described. In the screen shown in FIG. 2, when the “transport route” button 21 </ b> A in the menu bar 21 is pressed by the user, the CPU 11 displays a sub-configuration menu 22 for defining the transport route as shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit 12. To do. The component definition buttons 22A to 22G are displayed on the sub-configuration menu 22 for defining the conveyance path.

  When the definition of each component (the shape of the roller or the conveyance path) is performed by the sub-configuration menu 22 according to the user's operation, the CPU 11 reflects the position shape on the graphic screen 23 and The shape is stored in the RAM 15. When the cross-sectional shape output from the CAD system, the analysis pre-post, or the like is read, the CPU 11 displays the cross-sectional shape corresponding to the graphic screen 23 as shown in FIG. To store.

  Next, the definition of a recording medium such as a sheet-like recording paper will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when the CPU 11 defines a recording medium as an elastic body of a flexible medium. When a “recording medium (medium definition)” button 21B on the menu bar 21 is pressed, a sub-configuration menu 22 for defining a recording medium is displayed on the display unit 12. In the sub-configuration menu 22 for defining a recording medium, recording medium definition buttons 22H to 22M are displayed. When the recording medium is defined by the sub-configuration menu 22 according to the user's operation, the CPU 11 defines the recording medium in the same manner as the transport path.

  This will be described in more detail. First, when the recording medium is arranged, the CPU 11 discretizes the flexible medium into a plurality of spring-mass systems, that is, divides the flexible medium by a plurality of elements, and connects each element with a spring for modeling. The division number n, the coordinates of each mass point, and the like are stored in the RAM 15. The arrangement of the recording medium can be adjusted by the user using the keyboard 16 or the pointing device 17.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, “Linear (22I)” is selected from the shape selection field of the recording medium definition button 22H of the sub-configuration menu 22, a flexible medium is defined, and a division method selection field of the recording medium definition button 22K is selected. An example in which “equal division” is selected and the number of divisions is 10 is shown.

  Next, the medium type is selected from the medium selection field of the recording medium definition button 22J. When the medium type (recycled paper, plain paper, etc.) is selected, the CPU 11 calls a database built in the storage unit 13 and stores the Young's modulus E, thickness t, and density ρ of the physical properties of the recording medium in the RAM 15. Store.

  Next, the CPU 11 calculates a rotation spring constant kr and a translation spring constant ks when the flexible medium is regarded as an elastic body, and stores it in the RAM 15. The rotational spring constant kr and the translational spring constant ks can be derived from the theory of elasticity using the Young's modulus E, the width w, the thickness t, the coordinates x and y of the mass points, and the distance ΔL between the mass points. Specifically, it is calculated by the following equations (1-1) and (1-2). In the example shown in FIG. 4, 51 denotes a mass point, and the rotation spring 52 and the translation spring 53 are modeled to regard the recording medium as an elastic body of a flexible medium.

  Next, the CPU 11 calculates the mass m of the mass point by the following equation (2) using the length L, width w, thickness t, density ρ, and division number n of the flexible medium, and stores it in the RAM 15.

  Subsequently, setting of the conveyance conditions will be described. In the process of setting the conveyance conditions, the CPU 11 defines the driving conditions of the conveyance rollers, and the friction coefficient when the conveyance guide and the conveyance rollers are in contact with the flexible medium, and stores them in the RAM 15. The transport conditions can be set by operating the “transport condition” button 21 </ b> C in the menu bar 21.

  Next, processing related to execution of motion calculation will be described. In this behavior simulation, the CPU 11 first calculates the real time (calculation end time) T for calculating the motion of the flexible medium, and the time step Δt (second) of the numerical time integration used when calculating the solution of the motion equation numerically. Set. Then, the CPU 11 performs the motion calculation of the recording medium every time step Δt from the initial time to the calculation end time T, and stores the calculation result in the RAM 15. In the present embodiment, the calculation results are stored in the RAM 15, but may be stored in the storage unit 13.

  Here, the motion calculation of the recording medium at each time step will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S51, the CPU 11 sets an initial acceleration, an initial speed, and an initial displacement that are necessary when performing calculation after Δt seconds. As these values, the calculation result (that is, the calculation value of the previous cycle is set as the initial value) is input every time one cycle ends.

  Next, in step S52, the CPU 11 defines the force that acts on each mass point that constitutes the flexible medium. Here, the force used for the calculation includes a rotational moment, a restoring force represented by a tensile force, a contact force, a friction force, gravity, an air resistance force, and a Coulomb force. Then, the CPU 11 calculates a force acting on each mass point, and then defines the resultant force as a force that finally acts on the flexible medium.

  Next, in step S53, the CPU 11 divides the total force acting on the mass point obtained in step S52 by the mass of the mass point, and adds the initial acceleration to the result of this division, thereby obtaining the acceleration of the mass point after Δt seconds.

  Next, in step S54, the CPU 11 multiplies the acceleration obtained in step S53 by Δt, and adds the initial speed to the result of this multiplication, thereby obtaining the speed of the mass point after Δt seconds.

  Next, in step S55, the CPU 11 calculates the displacement of the mass point after Δt seconds by multiplying the speed obtained in step S54 by Δt and adding the initial displacement to the result of this multiplication.

  In the present embodiment, Euler's time integration method is used to calculate a physical quantity after a series of Δt seconds in steps S51 to S55. However, other times such as the Kutta-merson, Newmark-β method, and Willson-θ method are used. Integration method may be adopted

  According to the recording medium conveyance simulation as described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to evaluate whether there is a problem in the conveyance path when conveying the recording medium. However, when there is a problem with the transport guide or the like, there arises a problem that it is impossible to continue the transport such that the recording medium stops in the transport guide. The example of FIG. 6 shows a situation where the recording medium 61 is jammed in the conveyance guide and stops. In such a case, since the recording medium is not transported in the transport path until the calculation time set in the simulation is completed, the evaluation cannot be performed by the simulation downstream of the trouble occurrence portion, and the calculation time after the trouble occurrence is wasted. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the malfunction of the stop is automatically determined so that calculation downstream from the malfunction occurrence position can be performed. Further, it is a design problem that a delay from the set conveyance speed occurs even if the recording medium is not stopped. Therefore, in this embodiment, a decrease in the conveyance speed of the recording medium is determined at the same time as the recording medium is stopped.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the design support apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the design support apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an expected trajectory definition unit 71, a sampling point definition unit 72, a failure determination unit 73, a rearrangement unit 74, a restart unit 75, an evaluation time determination unit 76, and A result display unit 77 is provided. The defect calculation unit 73, the rearrangement unit 74, the restart unit 75, and the evaluation time determination unit 76 perform a motion calculation process after the occurrence of the defect. Note that each unit described here is substantially configured by functions realized by the CPU 11 using a control program.

  The expected trajectory definition unit 71 defines an expected trajectory when the recording medium passes through the defined transport path. The sampling point definition unit 72 defines sampling points of the recording medium used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium. Based on the physical quantity at the defined point, the conveyance state of the recording medium by the defect determination unit 73 described below is evaluated.

  The defect determination unit 73 determines that a defect occurs when the speed of the sampling point is equal to or less than (lower than) the threshold, or when the distance between the sampling point and the expected trajectory is equal to or greater than (greater than) the threshold. If it is determined that there is a problem, the defect determination unit 73 interrupts the calculation, and stores it as a defect occurrence time at the time within the simulation (time in the simulation).

  The rearrangement unit 74 moves the rear end of the recording medium to one point on the expected trajectory at the shortest distance from the rear end, and moves each element toward the downstream of the transport path on the expected trajectory based on the rear end after the movement. Reposition with the initial length of. The restarting unit 75 restarts the motion calculation from the time stored in the failure determination unit 73 in the state of the recording medium after the placement by the rearrangement unit 74.

  The evaluation time determination unit 76 monitors (measures) the acceleration at the sampling point to determine that the transient behavior immediately after the restart has converged, and stores it as the evaluation start time at the time within the simulation. The result display unit 77 can display the simulation result at that time on the display unit 12 by selecting the failure occurrence time and the evaluation start time according to the user's operation.

  Next, characteristic processing in the simulation executed by the design support apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the definition of the conveyance path and the definition of the recording medium have been completed before executing this process.

  First, in step S801, an expected trajectory is defined. Specifically, the CPU 11 controls the expected trajectory definition unit 71 according to the user's input operation, creates an expected trajectory of the recording medium, and stores it in the RAM 15.

  Next, in step S802, sampling point definition is performed. Specifically, the CPU 11 controls the sampling point definition unit 72 according to the user's input operation, sets the sampling point using the physical quantity at that point for evaluation of the recording medium conveyance state, and stores it in the RAM 15. .

  In step S803, threshold definition is performed. Specifically, the CPU 11 sets a threshold value used for determining the problem of the conveyance speed of the recording medium and determining whether to resume the evaluation after the restart according to the input operation of the user, and stores it in the RAM 15.

  After the above processing, the CPU 11 starts calculation at the start of calculation in step S804, and performs motion calculation in step S805. The motion calculation is executed according to the processing described with reference to FIG.

  In step S806, speed reduction determination is performed. Specifically, the CPU 11 first determines whether there is a problem in the conveyance speed of the recording medium. If it is determined that there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S807, the time zone in which the problem has occurred is stored in the RAM 15, and the process proceeds to defect determination in step S808. If it is determined that there is no problem, the process proceeds to time step update in step S814.

  In the failure determination in step S808, the CPU 11 controls the failure determination unit 73 to determine whether a failure such as a stop has occurred in the conveyance of the recording medium. If it is determined that a stop or the like has occurred, the process proceeds to hold the trouble occurrence time in step S809, holds the time in the RAM 15, and then proceeds to rearrangement in step S810. Otherwise, the process proceeds to time step update in step S814.

  In the rearrangement in step S810, the CPU 11 controls the rearrangement unit 74 to rearrange the recording medium for restarting.

  Next, in the restart in step S811, the CPU 11 controls the restart unit 75 to restart the motion calculation from the time when the trouble occurs, and proceeds to the reliability determination in step S812.

  In the reliability determination in step S812, the CPU 11 controls the evaluation time determination unit 76, monitors the acceleration at the sampling point, and the calculation result is reliable depending on whether or not the transient vibration that occurs after the restart has converged. Judgment is made. If it is determined that the vibration has converged, the process proceeds to hold the evaluation start time in step S813. After the time is held in the RAM 15, the process proceeds to time step update in step S814.

  In the time step update in step S814, the CPU 11 updates the time step if the simulation time has not reached the predetermined calculation time, and continues the motion calculation (steps S805 to S813). When the predetermined calculation time is reached, the calculation is terminated.

  In the result display in step S815 after reaching the predetermined calculation time in step S814, the CPU 11 displays the simulation result on the display unit 12 according to the user's operation. In the result display, the entire simulation, the failure occurrence time, the evaluation start time, and the behavior at the speed reduction time can be displayed on the display unit 12, and the simulation result at the selected time can be displayed.

  The above processing flow will be specifically described with reference to a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit 12. First, the definition of the expected trajectory will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when defining an expected trajectory. When the “predict trajectory definition” button 22G is pressed, the CPU 11 displays the user interface 91 as a calling window. Thereafter, when the add button 92 on the user interface is pressed, the CPU 11 enables the pointing device 17 to pick or specify an arbitrary point on the graphic screen 23.

  When picking is performed by the pointing device 17, the CPU 11 assigns numbers to the pick points in the order of picking (pick point numbers: P1 to P9 in FIG. 9), and stores the coordinates and numbers of the pick points in the RAM 15. Then, the CPU 11 marks and displays the pick point number and coordinates on the graphic screen 23 and displays the pick point number in the list 99 on the user interface. In this example, the points P1 to P9 picked by the user are marked and displayed in the list 99.

  When the predicted trajectory creation button 97 is pressed, the CPU 11 stores the contents of the list 99 on the user interface in the RAM 15, connects the coordinates of the points picked in the order of the list 99 with a curve, creates an expected trajectory, and displays the graphic screen. 23.

  In FIG. 9, an expected trajectory 90 (dotted line) is displayed. In the present embodiment, the predicted trajectory is created from the pick point by complementing with a cubic spline curve, but a Bezier curve or the like may be used as long as it passes through the pick point. Information on the expected trajectory (list of pick points, numbers, coordinates, and coefficients of equations representing curves) is stored in the RAM 15.

  In addition, there may be a case where there is a problem such that the predicted trajectory created intersects the conveyance guide. In this case, the user performs correction until the expected trajectory has a desired shape. The correction method is to first delete the predicted trajectory created, then add a pick point, delete the pick point, move the pick point, or change the list order, and then create the predicted trajectory again. . Here, the deletion of the predicted locus, the deletion of the pick point, the movement of the pick point, and the change of the list order will be described.

  The expected trajectory is deleted by pressing the clear button 98. When the clear button 98 is pressed, the CPU 11 deletes the information on the predicted trajectory displayed on the graphic screen and the predicted trajectory stored in the RAM 15.

  The pick point is deleted when the delete button 93 is pressed. When the delete button 93 is pressed, the CPU 11 allows the pointing device 17 to select a pick point marked on the graphic screen 23. When the pick point is selected, the CPU 11 deletes the selected pick point from the list 99 and the RAM 15 on the graphic screen 23.

  The pick point is moved when the move button 94 is pressed. When the move button 94 is pressed, the CPU 11 enables the pick point marked on the graphic screen 23 to be dragged by the pointing device 17. When the pick point is dragged, the CPU 11 replaces the coordinate value stored in the RAM 15 with the dragged previous coordinate value. At the same time, the pick point on the graphic screen 23 also deletes the marking and pick point number at the original coordinates, and displays the marking and pick point number at the dragged destination coordinates.

  The list order is changed by pressing the up button 95 or the like in a state where the pick point number of the list 99 on the user interface 91 is selected. When the upper button 95 is pressed, the CPU 11 exchanges the pick point number selected in the list 99 with the pick point number displayed thereon. Similarly, when the down button 96 is pressed while the pick point number in the list 99 is selected, the CPU 11 switches the pick point number selected in the list 99 with the pick point number displayed below the pick point number. . The predicted trajectory creates pick points in the order of the list, but the newly added pick points are added to the end of the list. Therefore, when it is desired to create a new pick point between already created pick points, the list order needs to be changed.

  Next, the definition of sampling points will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when defining the sampling points. When the sampling point button 22M is pressed, the CPU 11 displays the user interface 101 as a calling window. At the same time, the CPU 11 marks the mass point of the recording medium on the graphic screen 23 and displays it together with the mass point number. When the add button 102 is pressed here, the CPU 11 allows the mass point on the graphic screen 23 to be selected by the pointing device 17. When the mass point is selected, the CPU 11 highlights the selected mass point on the graphic screen 23 and displays the marking (in this example, it is displayed as a black circle). At the same time, the selected mass number is displayed in the list 105 on the user interface 101. When the OK button 104 is pressed, the CPU 11 stores the mass point number displayed in the list 105 as a sampling point in the RAM 15.

  In the example of FIG. 10, mass point numbers 1 and 9 are defined as sampling points. In the present embodiment, the user defines an arbitrary mass point as a sampling point, but it is also possible to define a preset mass point as a sampling point.

  Next, setting of threshold values used for defect determination and reliability evaluation will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when the threshold is set.

  When the threshold setting button 21E is pressed, the CPU 11 displays the user interface 111 as a calling window. On the user interface 111, a box 112 for inputting a threshold value for determining a problem of the conveyance speed and a threshold value for determining whether or not the transient vibration of the recording medium after the restart has converged are input. A box 113 is installed. When a numerical value is input to the box 112 and the box 113 from the keyboard 16 and the OK button 114 is pressed, the CPU 11 stores the value input to the box 112 as a speed threshold and the value input to the box 113 as an acceleration threshold in the RAM 15. To.

In the example of FIG. 11, the speed threshold value is set to 180 mm / s, and the acceleration threshold value is set to 200 mm / s ² . In the present embodiment, the threshold value is determined by an input from the user, but a preset value may be used for each threshold value.

  After the above processing, the spring constant calculation and the motion calculation are started. The motion calculation is executed according to the processing described with reference to FIG. The subsequent processing is within the time loop (within the simulation time set in the simulation).

  Next, speed reduction and stop determination will be described. In the determination of the speed reduction, the CPU 11 calculates the magnitude of the speed from the coordinate direction component of the speed obtained at the time step of the mass point defined as the sampling point, and stores it in the RAM 15.

  Then, the CPU 11 compares the speed of the mass point defined as each sampling point with the speed threshold value stored in the RAM 15, and if any of the sampling points is below the threshold value, the speed decrease occurs. It is determined that it has occurred. Then, the time zone in which the speed reduction occurs is stored in the RAM 15 as the speed reduction time.

  In the stop determination, the CPU 11 compares the magnitude of the speed of each sampling point calculated in the speed reduction determination with a preset stop threshold, and even one of the sampling points is below the threshold. If it is, it is determined that a stop has occurred. When it is determined that the stop has occurred, the CPU 11 stores the simulation time at the time step in the RAM 15 as the failure occurrence time. At the same time, the CPU 11 stores the simulation result at the time step in the RAM 15.

  In FIG. 12, the leading end of the recording medium 121 is clogged with the conveyance guide, and the stop occurs. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the speed and the time at the sampling point 122 at the leading end of the recording medium and the sampling point 123 at the trailing end of the recording medium.

  In FIG. 13, the sampling point speed 131 defined as the mass point at the trailing edge of the recording medium is being transported by a roller set to a transport speed of 200 mm / s, and is within a certain range from 200 mm / s. On the other hand, the speed of the sampling point speed 132 defined as the mass point at the leading edge of the recording medium decreases as the stop point approaches. Then, from time T1 when the magnitude of the speed is less than 180 mm / s set as the speed threshold, it is determined as a speed reduction time, and at time T2 when the speed further falls and falls below the stop threshold set at 20 mm / s. It is determined that a stop has occurred.

  Next, the rearrangement of the recording medium will be described. CPU11 once stops the motion calculation of simulation, when troubles, such as a stop, generate | occur | produce. Then, the coordinates of the point on the expected locus closest to the coordinates of the mass point at the rear end of the recording medium are calculated and replaced with the mass point coordinates at the rear end of the recording medium stored in the RAM 15. Thereafter, the CPU 11 calculates the coordinates of a point on the expected locus that is downstream by the initial length of the rigid body element at the rear end of the recording medium from the coordinates of the rear end mass point of the recording medium, and stored in the RAM 15. Replace with the second mass point coordinate from the trailing edge. The same method is repeated up to the tip mass point of the recording medium, and the CPU 11 replaces all the mass point coordinates of the recording medium stored in the RAM 15 with the coordinates of the points on the expected locus.

  FIG. 14 shows a recording medium 142 in which the recording medium 141 deviating from the transport path is rearranged on the expected locus by the above method. After the rear end mass point 143 is moved to the expected trajectory 144 in this way (arrow), the other mass points are also rearranged so that the front end of the recording medium is positioned downstream from the position where the malfunction occurred. Become. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems at the same position when restarting.

  After rearranging the recording medium, the CPU 11 stores the number of restarts and the value obtained by adding the time step Δt to the current simulation time in the RAM 15 and restarts the calculation.

  Next, reliability determination will be described. The CPU 11 calculates the magnitude of the acceleration from the coordinate direction component of the acceleration of the mass point defined as the sanding point, and stores it in the RAM 15. The CPU 11 calculates the amplitude of acceleration vibration from the magnitude of acceleration stored in the RAM 15 and compares the value with the acceleration threshold value. If all the sampling points are below the acceleration threshold, the simulation time at the time step is stored in the RAM 15 as the evaluation target start time.

  After restarting, a transient vibration is generated in the recording medium by suddenly applying a restoring force in the bending direction caused by the rearrangement to the expected locus and a conveying force to the stationary recording medium. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the recording medium 151 rearranged on the expected trajectory is rapidly deformed like the recording medium 152 by the restoring force after the restart. The relationship between the magnitude of acceleration at the sampling point 153 and time at this time is shown in the graph of FIG.

  As the graph of FIG. 16 shows, a large vibration occurs in the acceleration after the restart. This means that the behavior of the recording medium is also greatly oscillated. Originally, such a large vibration does not occur when the recording medium is conveyed from the upstream, and therefore the simulation result during a period when the amplitude of the vibration is large is not reliable.

In FIG. 16, it is determined that the acceleration vibration converges with the passage of time after the restart, and the vibration has converged at time T4 when the amplitude is less than the set 200 mm / s ² . In this embodiment, the behavior of the recording medium after the restart is evaluated using the speed, but the speed can also be used.

  The processing described above is performed within a time step. Then, the CPU 11 compares the current simulation time with the set time T. If the time is below, the CPU 11 adds the time increment Δt, stores the value in the RAM 15, and advances the calculation to the next time step. Otherwise, the calculation ends.

  When the calculation is completed, the result is displayed. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when the simulation result is displayed. When the “result display” button 21D is pressed, the CPU 11 displays a moving image menu 170-1, a plot menu 170-2, and a failure time button 170-3 in the sub-configuration menu 22.

  When the trouble time button 170-3 is pressed, the CPU 11 calls the user interface 180 and displays it as a window. In the user interface 180, a trouble occurrence time list 177, an evaluation start time list 178, a speed drop time zone start time list 181 and an OK button 179 are provided. The CPU 11 can call and display the trouble occurrence time, the evaluation start time, and the start time of the speed reduction time zone from the RAM 15.

  Then, when any time is selected by the pointing device 17 and the OK button 179 is pressed, the CPU 11 calls the simulation result at the selected time from the RAM 15 and displays it on the graphic screen 23.

  As a result, the user can easily know the position and shape of the time when the speed reduction or the stoppage, which is important for the evaluation of the conveyance path, and the simulation result from the time when the result after the restart is reliable.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when the simulation result is displayed. When the result display button 21D is pressed, the CPU 11 displays a moving image menu 170-1, a plot menu 170-2, and a failure time button 170-3 on the sub-configuration menu 22. The moving picture menu 170-1 has a play button 171, a stop button 172, a pause button 173, a fast forward button 174, and a rewind button 175. When these buttons are pressed, the CPU 11 calls the simulation result from the RAM 15 and displays the behavior of the recording medium on the graphic screen. This allows the user to visualize the behavior of the recording medium.

  In the time zone corresponding to the non-evaluation time at the time of visualization, the CPU 11 displays a message “non-evaluation time” in the command column 24 indicating that the simulation result is not reliable. In the speed reduction time zone, although not shown here, the CPU 11 displays a message “speed reduction” in the command column 24 indicating that the simulation result is not reliable. By performing such display, the user can easily know whether or not the simulation result is reliable.

  As another aspect, there is a method of highlighting the non-evaluation time by changing the screen background color of the graphic screen 23 to another color or changing the color of the recording medium to another color. . The advantage of this method is that since the user may be paying attention to the behavior of the recording medium, it is easier for the user to recognize that the time is not subject to evaluation than to display a message in the command column.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, deviations from the recording medium conveyance path among defects that make it impossible to convey the recording medium are automatically determined, and calculation is performed downstream of the position where the defect occurs.

  When there is a problem with the transport path, a deviation occurs in which the recording medium 191 passes through the transport guide as in the example of FIG. Since the recording medium is not conveyed along the conveyance path, it is not possible to evaluate downstream from the defective portion, and the calculation time after the defective occurrence is wasted.

  Hereinafter, characteristic processing of the processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the description which abbreviate | omits description which is common in the process demonstrated using FIG. Further, since the difference from the process described in FIG. 8 in the present embodiment is the process in steps S2001 and S2002, only the different process will be described. Further, since the hardware configuration and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, they are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the threshold definition in step S2001, the CPU 11 sets a distance threshold for determining deviation in accordance with a user's input operation and a threshold used when determining whether to resume evaluation after restart, and stores the threshold in RAM 15.

  In the departure determination in step S2002, the CPU 11 determines whether a departure has occurred in the recording medium. If it is determined that a deviation has occurred, the process proceeds to the trouble occurrence time retention in step S809, the time is retained in the RAM 15, and then the process proceeds to rearrangement in step S810. Otherwise, the process proceeds to time step update in step S814. Other processing is the same as the processing in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment.

  The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that determination of speed reduction is not performed, the types of defined thresholds are different, and a defect determination method. First, threshold setting in the present embodiment will be described. The defined threshold value is a distance between a sampling point which is a reference for determining deviation and an expected trajectory.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 when setting a threshold value in the present embodiment. When the threshold setting button 21E is pressed, the CPU 11 displays the user interface 211 as a calling window. On the user interface, a box 212 for inputting a threshold value of the distance between the sampling point and the expected trajectory to determine deviation, and a distance for determining whether the transient behavior of the recording medium after restart has converged. A box 213 for inputting a threshold value is provided. When numerical values are input from the keyboard 16 to the box 212 and the box 213 and the OK button 214 is pressed, the CPU 11 stores the value input in the box 212 as a distance threshold value and the value input in the box 213 as an acceleration threshold value in the RAM 15. Store.

In the example of FIG. 21, the distance threshold is set to 30 mm, and the acceleration threshold is set to 200 mm / s ² . In the present embodiment, threshold values are determined by input from the user, but preset values may be used for the respective threshold values.

  Next, deviation determination will be described. FIG. 22 shows an example of how the recording medium deviates. When the deviation occurs, as shown in FIG. 22, the CPU 11 calculates that the inner product of the vector 224 from the sampling point 222 of the recording medium 221 to one point on the expected locus 223 and the tangent vector 225 of the point on the expected locus is 0. Calculate the coordinates of the point 226 on the expected trajectory that is perpendicular. Then, the sampling point and the distance between the points are calculated and stored in the RAM 15.

  At this time, if a plurality of points on the predicted locus satisfy the above condition, the one with the shortest distance is stored in the RAM 15. The CPU 11 compares the calculated distance with the distance threshold value stored in the RAM 15, and determines that a deviation has occurred if even one of the sampling points exceeds the threshold value. When it is determined that a deviation has occurred, the simulation time at that time step is stored in the RAM 15 as the failure occurrence time. At the same time, the CPU 11 stores the simulation result at the time step in the RAM 15.

  In the example of FIG. 22, the leading edge of the recording medium enters the gap between the conveyance guides, and the distance between the sampling point 222 and the expected locus gradually increases. FIG. 23 shows a graph representing the relationship between the sampling point 222 at the leading end of the recording medium, the sampling point 227 at the trailing end of the recording medium, and the expected trajectory 223, and the time.

  In FIG. 23, the distance 232 of the sampling point 227 defined as the mass point at the trailing edge of the recording medium is within a certain range because it is within the conveyance guide, but the sampling point 222 defined as the mass point at the leading edge of the recording medium. The distance 231 increases as the deviation is approached. Then, it is determined that a departure has occurred at time T5 when the distance exceeds 30 mm set as the distance threshold.

  In the foregoing, the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention have been described. That is, in the present embodiment, even if a failure (jam) occurs due to the recording medium remaining in the transport path or deviating from the transport path during the simulation, the transport path downstream from the part is simulated. Can be calculated. As a result, it is possible to evaluate the downstream transport path, and it is possible to reduce the calculation time after stopping or escaping, which was conventionally wasted.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, simulation results at the time when a jam occurs and the evaluation start time after restart are stored. This makes it possible for the user to immediately know which part of the design is important, such as where the recording medium stopped, in what shape, and the result of the simulation after the restart is reliable. be able to.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the determination of another problem occurring in the recording medium, that is, stopping and deviation, respectively, can be combined to configure a design support apparatus or the like. Needless to say. Since both the stopping and the deviation may occur in the recording medium conveyance simulation, it is possible to realize an effective design support apparatus or the like by combining both of these so that both the stopping and the deviation can be determined.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the hardware of the design support apparatus which is one of the information processing apparatuses which concern on embodiment of this invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of the screen structure displayed when performing a simulation. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of the screen structure displayed when performing a simulation. In an embodiment of the invention, it is a figure showing an example of a screen displayed when defining a recording medium as an elastic body of a flexible medium. 5 is a flowchart for explaining motion calculation of a recording medium when a simulation is executed in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a situation where a recording medium is jammed in a conveyance guide and stops during simulation. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the design assistance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the characteristic process in the simulation performed in embodiment (1st Embodiment) of this invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is the figure which showed an example of the screen displayed in the case of definition of an estimated locus | trajectory. In an embodiment of the invention, it is a figure showing an example of a screen displayed when defining a sampling point. In an embodiment of the invention, it is a figure showing an example of a screen displayed when setting a threshold. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which the leading end of a recording medium is clogged with a conveyance guide during a simulation and a stop occurs. Graphical representation of the relationship between the speed of the sampling point at the leading end of the recording medium and the sampling point at the trailing end of the recording medium and time when the leading end of the recording medium is clogged with the transport guide during simulation It is. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a state in which the recording medium deviating from the transport path is rearranged on the expected trajectory. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a state in which the recording medium rearranged on the expected trajectory is deformed by the restoring force after restarting. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnitude of acceleration at a sampling point and time when a recording medium rearranged on an expected locus is deformed by a restoring force after restart. In embodiment of this invention, it is the figure which showed an example of the screen displayed in the case of a simulation result display. In embodiment of this invention, it is the figure which showed an example of the screen displayed in the case of a simulation result display. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which a deviation occurs in which a recording medium passes through a conveyance guide during a simulation. It is a flowchart explaining the characteristic process in the simulation performed in embodiment (2nd Embodiment) of this invention. In an embodiment of the invention, it is a figure showing an example of a screen displayed when setting a threshold. It is the figure which showed an example of a mode that the recording medium deviated. In the embodiment of the present invention, when the recording medium deviates, a graph showing the relationship between the sampling point at the leading end of the recording medium, the distance between the sampling point at the trailing end of the recording medium and the expected locus, and time is there.

11 CPU
12 Display unit 13 Storage unit (HDD)
14 ROM
15 RAM
16 Keyboard 17 Pointing device 71 Expected locus defining unit 72 Sampling point defining unit 73 Defect determining unit 74 Relocation unit 75 Restarting unit 76 Evaluation time determining unit 77 Result display unit

Claims (19)

The sheet-shaped recording medium is divided into multiple elements with mass, and the design is simulated by simulating the behavior of the modeled recording medium being transported in the transport path by connecting each element with a spring. A design support program to support,
An expected trajectory definition step for defining a curve connecting these coordinates as an expected trajectory of the recording medium based on arbitrary coordinates specified by the user in the transport path;
A sampling point defining step for defining one or more points selected by the user on the recording medium or one or more points set in advance as sampling points used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium;
A failure determination step for determining whether or not a failure that cannot continue the conveyance has occurred based on the defined sampling point;
When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, the rear end of the recording medium in a state where the defect has occurred is moved to one point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the rear end, and the rear end after the movement is A rearrangement step in which the recording medium is rearranged at the initial length of each element of the recording medium toward the downstream of the transport path on the expected locus on the basis;
A design support program for causing a computer to execute a restart step for starting a simulation from the state after the rearrangement in the rearrangement step.   In the defect determination step, when at least one speed among the defined sampling points falls below a predetermined speed threshold, it is determined that a defect that cannot continue the conveyance has occurred. The design support program according to claim 1.   In the defect determination step, the distance between the defined sampling point and one point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the sampling point is calculated, and when at least one of the points exceeds a predetermined threshold, the conveyance is continued. The design support program according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that a failure that cannot be performed has occurred.   The design support program according to claim 1, further causing a computer to execute a step of interrupting calculation related to a simulation when occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step. When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, holding the time of occurrence of the defect in the simulation as the defect occurrence time;
The design support program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to execute a step of displaying a simulation result at the time of occurrence of the defect on a display device. After the simulation is started by the restart step, the magnitude of acceleration of the defined sampling point of the recording medium is measured, and when all the acceleration values of the sampling point are equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, An evaluation time determination step that determines that the transient behavior has converged and holds it as an evaluation start time;
The design support program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to execute a step of displaying a simulation result from the evaluation start time on a display device. When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, holding the time of occurrence of the defect in the simulation as the defect occurrence time;
After the simulation is started by the restart step, the magnitude of acceleration of the defined sampling point of the recording medium is measured, and when all the acceleration values of the sampling point are equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, An evaluation time determination step that determines that the transient behavior has converged and holds it as an evaluation start time;
When displaying the simulation result on the display device, when the time period from the failure occurrence time to the evaluation start time is set as the non-evaluation time, and the simulation result of the non-evaluation time is displayed, the color of the screen background The design support program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to execute a step of performing highlighting for changing the color or changing the color of the recording medium. When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, holding the time of occurrence of the defect in the simulation as the defect occurrence time;
After the simulation is started by the restart step, the magnitude of acceleration of the defined sampling point of the recording medium is measured, and when all the acceleration values of the sampling point are equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, An evaluation time determination step that determines that the transient behavior has converged and holds it as an evaluation start time;
When displaying the simulation result on the display device, when the time period from the failure occurrence time to the evaluation start time is set as the non-evaluation time, and the simulation result of the non-evaluation time is displayed, The design support program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to execute a step of displaying a message indicating that the time is not subject to the evaluation. When at least one of the defined sampling points falls below a predetermined speed threshold, it is determined that a speed reduction has occurred, and a time zone in which the speed reduction has occurred is defined as a speed reduction time. Holding step;
When displaying the simulation result on the display device, when displaying the simulation result of the speed reduction time, the step of displaying a message indicating the speed reduction time on the display device is further executed on the computer The design support program according to claim 1, wherein: By simulating with a computer the behavior of the recording medium modeled by dividing the sheet-shaped recording medium with multiple elements with mass and connecting each element with a spring through the transport path A design support method for supporting design,
An expected trajectory definition step for defining a curve connecting these coordinates as an expected trajectory of the recording medium based on arbitrary coordinates specified by the user in the transport path;
A sampling point defining step for defining one or more points selected by the user on the recording medium or one or more points set in advance as sampling points used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium;
A failure determination step for determining whether or not a failure that cannot continue conveyance has occurred based on the defined sampling; and
When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, the rear end of the recording medium in a state where the defect has occurred is moved to one point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the rear end, and the rear end after the movement is A rearrangement step in which the recording medium is rearranged at the initial length of each element of the recording medium toward the downstream of the transport path on the expected locus on the basis;
A design support method comprising: a restarting step of starting simulation from the state after the placement in the rearrangement step.   In the defect determination step, when at least one speed among the defined sampling points falls below a predetermined speed threshold, it is determined that a defect that cannot continue the conveyance has occurred. The design support method according to claim 10.   In the defect determination step, the distance between the defined sampling point and one point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the sampling point is calculated, and when at least one of the points exceeds a predetermined threshold, the conveyance is continued. The design support method according to claim 10, wherein it is determined that a failure that cannot be performed has occurred.   The design support method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of interrupting calculation related to a simulation when the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step. When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, holding the time of occurrence of the defect in the simulation as the defect occurrence time;
The design support method according to claim 10, further comprising: displaying a simulation result at the failure occurrence time on a display device. After the simulation is started by the restart step, the magnitude of acceleration of the defined sampling point of the recording medium is measured, and when all the acceleration values of the sampling point are equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, An evaluation time determination step that determines that the transient behavior has converged and holds it as an evaluation start time;
The design support method according to claim 10, further comprising: displaying a simulation result from the evaluation start time on a display device. When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, holding the time of occurrence of the defect in the simulation as the defect occurrence time;
After the simulation is started by the restart step, the magnitude of acceleration of the defined sampling point of the recording medium is measured, and when all the acceleration values of the sampling point are equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, An evaluation time determination step that determines that the transient behavior has converged and holds it as an evaluation start time;
When displaying the simulation result on the display device, when the time period from the failure occurrence time to the evaluation start time is set as the non-evaluation time, and the simulation result of the non-evaluation time is displayed, the color of the screen background 11. The design support method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of performing highlighting for changing the color or changing the color of the recording medium. When the occurrence of a defect is determined in the defect determination step, holding the time of occurrence of the defect in the simulation as the defect occurrence time;
After the simulation is started by the restart step, the magnitude of acceleration of the defined sampling point of the recording medium is measured, and when all the acceleration values of the sampling point are equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, An evaluation time determination step that determines that the transient behavior has converged and holds it as an evaluation start time;
When displaying the simulation result on the display device, when the time period from the failure occurrence time to the evaluation start time is set as the non-evaluation time, and the simulation result of the non-evaluation time is displayed, The design support method according to claim 10, further comprising: displaying a message indicating that the time is outside the evaluation target. When at least one of the defined sampling points falls below a predetermined speed threshold, it is determined that a speed reduction has occurred, and a time zone in which the speed reduction has occurred is defined as a speed reduction time. Holding step;
When displaying the simulation result on the display device, when displaying the simulation result of the speed reduction time, the display device further includes a step of displaying a message indicating the speed reduction time. The design support method according to claim 10, wherein: The sheet-shaped recording medium is divided into multiple elements with mass, and the design is simulated by simulating the behavior of the modeled recording medium being transported in the transport path by connecting each element with a spring. A design support device for supporting,
Based on arbitrary coordinates designated by the user in the transport route, an expected trajectory defining means for defining a curve connecting those coordinates as an expected trajectory of the recording medium;
Sampling point defining means for defining one or more points selected by the user on the recording medium or one or more points set in advance as sampling points used for evaluating the conveyance state of the recording medium;
Based on the defined sampling point, a failure determination means for determining whether or not a failure that cannot be continued has occurred,
When the occurrence of a failure is determined by the failure determination means, the rear end of the recording medium in a state where the failure has occurred is moved to one point on the predicted locus that is the shortest distance from the rear end, and the rear end after the movement is Rearrangement means for rearranging the recording medium on the expected trajectory toward the downstream of the transport path with reference to the initial length of each element of the recording medium;
A design support apparatus comprising: restarting means for starting a simulation from a state after placement by the rearrangement means.

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