JP7257472B2 - Design support system, design support method and design support program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a design support system, a design support method, and a design support program for designing flow paths.

Three-dimensional CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is used for structural design. Techniques for improving the efficiency of generating CAD information are also being studied (see Patent Document 1, for example). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, in order to recognize the floor plan of the handwritten drawing, the server performs image recognition processing while moving the squares divided by the vertical and horizontal lines on the survey sheet of the received imaging data. Then, a closed rectangle is recognized and determined as a floor plan. Then, the fitting information within the closed rectangle defined as the floor plan is read, the type of the floor plan is recognized, and CAD information is generated based on the floor plan.

Three-dimensional CAD is also used for designing the structure of the channel. For example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell consists of an anode channel for hydrogen gas flow, a cathode channel for air flow, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in which hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules undergo an electrochemical reaction, etc. be done. Techniques for evaluating the performance of these structures through simulation are also under study (see, for example, Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 2, for a fuel cell having a predetermined channel shape, the power generation amount is calculated by associating the channel shape with the physical characteristics. Also, in the technique described in Non-Patent Document 1, the three-dimensional CAD of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is read and the power generation characteristics under various operating conditions are calculated.

JP 2020-38582 A JP-A-2005-347016

Mizuho Information & Research Institute, 2017, "Mizuho Information & Research Institute Technical Report, Vol.8, No.1/Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Simulator P-Stack 4.0: Introduction of Dedicated Software for Realizing Full Stack Performance Analysis", [online] , Mizuho Information & Research Institute site, [Searched on October 5, 2020], Internet <https://www.mizuho-ir.co.jp/publication/giho/pdf/008_03.pdf>

In order to evaluate whether the channel is good or bad, it is necessary to consider the three-dimensional structure of the channel shape, not the structure based on a two-dimensional drawing. Here, compared to creating a two-dimensional drawing, creating a drawing using a three-dimensional CAD has a greater workload. Moreover, in order to design an appropriate flow path, it is necessary to repeatedly change and evaluate the flow path shape by trial and error.

A design support system that solves the above problems includes a control unit connected to an input unit. Then, the control unit obtains from the input unit a sketch of a channel network that expresses the channel with points and lines, generates a two-dimensional channel drawing, and calculates the channel width and the flow rate of the channel shape. The channel depth is used to generate design data for a three-dimensional channel.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an appropriate flow path can be designed efficiently.

Explanatory drawing of the design support system of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the hardware constitutions of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the processing procedure of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the design input screen of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the channel network of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the channel network of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the variable part of the channel network of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the fluid characteristic of the channel network of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the preparation procedure of the flow-path top view of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the flow-path top view of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the flow-path top view of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the two-dimensional drawing of the flow path of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the three-dimensional shape of the flow path of embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the cell shape of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cell shape of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the embodiment; Explanatory drawing of the mesh of the flow path of embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the mesh of the conventional flow path.

An embodiment embodying a design support system, a design support method, and a design support program will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17. FIG. In this embodiment, a case of designing the flow paths of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a sketch of a flow path network in which the flow paths are represented by points and lines will be described. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present embodiment uses a metal separator having unevenness formed by pressing. An MEA is sandwiched between two metal separators (an anode separator and a cathode separator) having different uneven patterns to form a cell, which is the basic unit of a fuel cell. Cells are stacked in layers to obtain a desired output. Hydrogen gas is flowed into the space created between the anode separator and the MEA, and air is flowed into the space created between the cathode separator and the MEA. The MEA generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules. Cooling water is passed between the anode separator and the cathode separator to cool the heat generated by power generation.
As shown in FIG. 1, a design support system 20 is used in this embodiment.

(Hardware configuration example)
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus H10 functioning as the design support system 20 and the like.

The information processing device H10 has a communication device H11, an input device H12, a display device H13, a storage device H14, and a processor H15. Note that this hardware configuration is an example, and other hardware may be included.

The communication device H11 is an interface that establishes a communication path with another device and executes data transmission/reception, such as a network interface or a wireless interface.

The input device H12 is a device that receives input from a user or the like, such as a mouse or a keyboard. The display device H13 is a display, a touch panel, or the like that displays various information.

The storage device H14 is a storage device (for example, a design information storage unit 22 and a three-dimensional information storage unit 23, which will be described later) that stores data and various programs for executing various functions of the design support system 20. FIG. Examples of the storage device H14 include ROM, RAM, hard disk, and the like.

The processor H15 uses the programs and data stored in the storage device H14 to control each process in the design support system 20 (for example, the process in the controller 21, which will be described later). Examples of the processor H15 include, for example, a CPU and an MPU. The processor H15 develops a program stored in a ROM or the like into a RAM and executes various processes corresponding to various processes. For example, when the application program of the design support system 20 is activated, the processor H15 operates a process for executing each process described later.

Processor H15 is not limited to performing software processing for all the processing that it itself executes. For example, the processor H15 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, an application specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing for at least part of the processing performed by the processor H15. That is, the processor H15 is composed of (1) one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), (2) one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least part of various processes, or ( and 3) any combination thereof. A processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, which stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. Memory or computer-readable media includes any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

(Functions of each information processing device)
A design support system 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a computer system for supporting the design of a fuel cell. This design support system 20 comprises a control section 21 , a design information storage section 22 and a three-dimensional information storage section 23 .

The control unit 21 performs processing (such as sketching, calculation of fluid characteristics, generation of a flow path plan view, generation of a three-dimensional shape, and calculation of power generation characteristics), which will be described later. The control unit 21 functions as a sketching unit 211 , a fluid characteristics calculation unit 212 , a flow path plan drawing generation unit 213 , a three-dimensional shape generation unit 214 and a power generation characteristics calculation unit 215 by executing a design support program therefor.

The sketching unit 211 executes a process of assisting the designer in creating a sketch. In this embodiment, creation of a sketch of a channel network in which channels are represented by points and lines is supported. The channel network is composed of, for example, points (nodes), lines (links), and closed loops.

The fluid characteristic calculation unit 212 executes processing for calculating fluid characteristics (for example, pressure distribution, flow rate distribution, etc.) when the fluid is caused to flow through the channel.
The channel plan view generation unit 213 executes a process of generating a channel plan view representing the channel shape as a two-dimensional polygon based on the sketch of the channel network.

The three-dimensional shape generation unit 214 adds thickness and angles to the plan view of the flow channel, and executes processing for generating the three-dimensional shape of the flow channel.
The power generation characteristic calculation unit 215 executes processing for calculating the power generation characteristic, as in Non-Patent Document 1 described above.

The design information storage unit 22 stores design management data relating to structures used for design. Design control data is recorded when the design is done by the designer. The design management data includes design value data and sketch data for each layer (layer identifier).

A layer identifier is an identifier for specifying each layer. In this embodiment, it is an identifier for specifying each layer of the anode channel, cathode channel, MEA, outer frame, cooling water seal, anode inlet/outlet, cathode inlet/outlet, and cooling water inlet/outlet.

Information about layer thickness, processing variables, and the like is recorded in the design value data. The processing variable is a variable value determined by a processing method, such as a processing type (pressing or cutting), a pressing angle, a bending angle (curvature radius) in a pressing process, and a processing shape in cutting.

The sketch data records data on node identifiers and coordinates of nodes arranged on the XY plane.
In the node identifier data area, data regarding an identifier for specifying each node is recorded.
Data relating to the position of this node is recorded in the coordinate data area. It is also possible to define the length of the area in which the node is arranged as a variable instead of the position (coordinates) of the node. For example, in order to calculate the coordinates of each node, a function with the MEA width and the diffusion width as variables may be recorded.

Further, the sketch data records data relating to links connecting nodes.
In the link data area, data relating to node identifiers of two linked nodes, link thickness (corresponding to channel width), and link thickness (corresponding to channel depth) are recorded.

The three-dimensional information storage unit 23 records three-dimensional CAD data generated based on sketches created by the designer. This three-dimensional CAD data is recorded when the sketch is three-dimensionalized.

(Design support processing)
Next, the design support processing will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes flow path network sketch support processing (step S101). Specifically, the sketch section 211 of the control section 21 outputs the design input screen to the display device H13.

As shown in FIG. 4, the design input screen 500 includes a sketch area 510, a layer designation field 520, a layer attribute field 530, a channel network attribute field 540, a variable list field 550, an operation button field 560, and the like.

A sketch area 510 is an area for sketching a channel network in which channels are represented by points and lines. A writing implement icon, an erase icon, a select icon, a copy icon, and the like are displayed in this sketch area.

A layer designation field 520 displays buttons for selecting a layer to be displayed in the sketch area 510 . One or more layers can be specified here. In the case of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of this embodiment, it corresponds to the anode channel, cathode channel, MEA, outer frame, cooling water seal, anode inlet/outlet, cathode inlet/outlet, and cooling water inlet/outlet. There are layers.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, assume that a writing instrument icon is used to sketch a channel network 600 of anode channels and anode inlets and outlets. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that a channel network 601 of cathode channels and cathode inlets/outlets is sketched. These channel networks 600 and 601 are composed of nodes 602 represented by dots and links 603 represented by lines. Anode inlet 604, anode outlet 605, cathode inlet 606, and cathode outlet 607 are represented by closed loops made up of nodes and links.

A layer attribute column 530 shown in FIG. 4 is an area for setting the thickness of each layer, the type of processing (such as press processing or cutting processing), press angle, radius of curvature, and the like.
The channel network attribute column 540 is an area for setting the XY coordinates of the selected node and the channel width and channel depth of the link.

A variable list column 550 is an area for the user to define variables. The XY coordinates of the node and the width of the link set in the sketch area 510 can be expressed using variables.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, two variables, MEA_width and diff_width, representing the lengths of MEA width 610 and diffusion width 611 can be defined, and the X coordinates of nodes 612 and 613 can be given as functions of these variables. can. Accordingly, by changing the values of these variables, channel networks 614 with different MEA widths and diffusion widths can be obtained. In addition, various attributes such as the number of repetitions of the partial shape of the channel network and the thickness of the layer can be given as functions of variables defined by the user.

The operation button column 560 shown in FIG. 4 includes buttons for executing fluid characteristic calculation, channel plan view generation, three-dimensional shape generation, power generation characteristic calculation, and the like.
When it is detected that any button in the operation button field 560 has been pressed, the sketch unit 211 records the design value data and sketch data input on the design input screen in the design information storage unit 22 .

Next, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes fluid characteristic calculation processing (step S102). Specifically, the fluid characteristic calculation unit 212 of the control unit 21 calculates, for example, pressure distribution and flow rate distribution as fluid characteristics of the channel network. Here, since the channel width of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell in this embodiment is on the millimeter scale, it can be assumed that the flow in the channel is a laminar flow, and the flow rate F shown in (Equation 1) is Assume that Darcy's law, which is linearly proportional to the pressure difference ∇p, is applicable.

where ρ is the density of the fluid, μ is the viscosity of the fluid, and d _ep is the equivalent diameter.
The equivalent diameter is approximately obtained from the cross-sectional area S of the flow path and the wetting edge length L, for example, as shown in (Equation 2).

(Formula 1) is arranged as a relational expression of the flow rate with respect to the pressure difference between each node in the channel network, and by constructing and solving simultaneous equations based on the law of conservation of flow rate, the pressure at each node and each link in the channel network can be calculated.
Then, the fluid characteristic calculator 212 outputs the calculation result screen to the display device H13.
As shown in FIG. 8, a channel network 620 may be displayed on the calculation result screen. In this channel network 620, the display color is changed and displayed according to the pressure distribution. In addition, when an arbitrary cutting line AA' is specified in the channel network 620, the flow rate of each link that intersects this cutting line may be displayed on the graph 621. FIG.

The designer may then check the calculated fluid properties and, if necessary, return to step S101 to modify the channel network sketch or change the values of the variables. In this case, the fluid property calculation unit 212 of the control unit 21 recalculates the fluid property according to the correction or change, and outputs it to the calculation result screen.

Next, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes flow path plan view generation processing (step S103). Specifically, the flow path plan view generation unit 213 of the control unit 21 uses the design value data recorded in the design information storage unit 22 to generate a flow path plan view from the flow path network.

For example, the channel network 650 shown in FIG. 9 is converted into a rectangular aggregate 651 generated using the channel width of each link. Subsequently, the collection of rectangles 651 is converted into a collection of polygons 652 using the intersections of the sides of each rectangle, and finally into a channel plan view 653 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a channel plan view 700 is generated from the channel network 600 of FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a channel plan view 701 is generated from the channel network 601 in FIG.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the channel plan view generation unit 213 may output a two-dimensional drawing 702 specifying the dimensions of the channel shape. Also, if the dimensions of the flow path shape and the thickness of the separator are determined, the dimensions of the mold for press working can be specified. .

Next, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes a three-dimensional shape generation process (step S104). Specifically, the three-dimensional shape generation unit 214 of the control unit 21 uses the layer thickness, processing type, press angle, etc. recorded in the design information storage unit 22 to convert the three-dimensional shape of the flow path from the flow path plan view. Generate shapes. In this case, for example, the plan view of the channel is lifted to a specified channel depth at a specified press angle. Then, the three-dimensional shape generation unit 214 records the generated three-dimensional shape in the three-dimensional information storage unit 23 as three-dimensional CAD data in association with the layer identifier.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a three-dimensional flow channel shape 800 is generated from the flow channel plan view 701 shown in FIG.
In addition, in order to faithfully reproduce the characteristics of press working, the corners of the three-dimensional shape may be rounded so as to have a specified radius of curvature. However, in general, with three-dimensional CAD data having curved surfaces, the degree of difficulty in generating a mesh, which will be described later, increases, so in this embodiment the corners are intentionally not rounded.

The three-dimensional shape generator 214, after completing the three-dimensional rendering of each channel plan view, three-dimensionalizes adjacent parts.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, a three-dimensional shape 810 of the entire cell of the polymer fuel cell is generated. In addition, in FIG. 14 , each layer stacked in the Z-axis direction in the three-dimensional shape 810 is separated in the Z-axis direction and displayed. FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view 810b of the three-dimensional shape 810 taken along the YZ plane at the center of the cell.

Here, the MEA and the gasket 811 are three-dimensionalized by adding a specified thickness to a plane represented by a closed loop specified by the layers of the MEA and the outer frame. Also, the anode separator 812 and the cathode separator 813 are generated by extracting a three-dimensional shape having a specified thickness and unevenness opposite to the unevenness of the anode channel 814 and cathode channel 815 by a Boolean operation. Furthermore, the cooling water flow path 816 is generated by extracting a gap generated when the anode separator 812 and the cathode separator 813 are brought into contact with each other using a Boolean operation.

Next, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes a power generation characteristic calculation process (step S105). Specifically, the power generation characteristic calculation unit 215 of the control unit 21 reads the three-dimensional CAD data of the entire cell of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and calculates the power generation characteristic under various operating conditions. In this case, the method described in Non-Patent Document 1 can be used. In the power generation characteristic calculation, heat transfer and electric conduction of solid parts are also taken into account, so it is necessary to provide three-dimensional CAD data of solid parts such as separators and gaskets in addition to fluid parts.

Here, in order to calculate power generation characteristics, it is necessary to divide the three-dimensional CAD data into meshes composed of arbitrary polyhedrons.
As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the normal vectors of the links of the channel network are used to divide the channels 900 along lines perpendicular to the flow direction of the channels.

When the calculation of the power generation characteristics is completed, the power generation characteristics calculator 215 outputs a calculation result screen to the display device H13. This calculation result screen includes the voltage-current characteristic curve of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the concentration distribution of hydrogen and oxygen in the MEA, the current density distribution, the temperature distribution, and the like.

The designer can evaluate whether the power generation characteristics meet the target criteria and, if necessary, return to the channel network sketch support process (step S101). For example, if there is a region in the MEA where the temperature is higher than the allowable range during power generation, the shape of the flow path is modified so that the cooling water is sufficiently distributed in this region.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes flow path network sketch support processing (step S101). As a result, it is possible to automatically generate two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional CAD data for flow paths and adjacent parts (including molds for press working) using a flow path network that expresses flow paths with points and lines. can be done. Therefore, the time required for creating two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional CAD data can be greatly reduced. For example, a complex three-dimensional CAD job that would take weeks with conventional methods can be created in a day or so. In addition, since the operation of three-dimensional CAD software is complicated and time-consuming, in many cases the person in charge is divided into a designer and a CAD operator at the development site. It becomes easier for a person to complete the work. In addition, the two-dimensional drawing can be used for outsourcing such as flow path cutting and press die production.

(2) In this embodiment, at the stage of creating a sketch of the channel network, the position and number of repetitions of each line segment representing the channel, the channel width, the channel depth, etc. are not fixed values, but are variables or mathematical expressions. Give with As a result, by simply changing the values of the defined variables, it is possible to transform the flow path into various shapes, such as different flow path lengths, different flow path pitches, different aspect ratios, etc., and 2D drawings and 3D CAD data corresponding to this. can be automatically generated. For example, it may be combined with optimization by a genetic algorithm. In this case, it is possible to automatically search for the optimal flow channel shape by repeating the change and evaluation of the design variables so that the fluid characteristics and power generation characteristics have the desired values.

(3) In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes fluid characteristic calculation processing (step S102). Here, at the stage of creating a sketch of the channel network, fluid characteristics such as pressure distribution and flow rate distribution of the fluid are calculated in a short time (for example, several seconds). This allows the designer to repeat trial and error in a short period of time by correcting the sketch and evaluating whether it is good or bad so that the fluid characteristics are appropriate. Conventionally, in order to calculate fluid characteristics, it was necessary to create three-dimensional CAD data, create a mesh, and perform fluid simulation, which took several hours to several weeks, but in this embodiment, it can be displayed in a few seconds. .

(4) In this embodiment, when generating the mesh, the channel 900 is divided by lines perpendicular to the flow direction of the channel by using the normal vectors of the links of the channel network. As a result, a mesh with a small number of elements and good quality can be generated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, in conventional mesh generation, meshes are generated by dividing by lines parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis. In this case, there is a problem that minute elements are generated in the channel 901 oblique to the X-axis or the Y-axis. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to automatically generate an appropriate mesh by recognizing the shape of the flow path from the three-dimensional CAD data.

(5) In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes power generation characteristic calculation processing (step S105). Thereby, a mesh can be generated from three-dimensional CAD data, and power generation calculation can be performed. Power generation characteristics can be predicted considering the three-dimensional shape of the channel and adjacent components, and the designer can modify the channel shape to meet the target criteria.

This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
- In the above embodiment, the boss pressing angle and the like are set in accordance with the machining method on the design input screen. Alternatively, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 may determine the shape according to the specification of the processing method. In this case, the design support system 20 is provided with a three-dimensional information storage section in which three-dimensional information for three-dimensionalizing a two-dimensional shape is recorded. Here, the recorded three-dimensional information includes data on the manufacturing method identifier and the generative model. In the manufacturing method identifier data area, an identifier for specifying the manufacturing method for manufacturing the channel is recorded. As a manufacturing method, for example, press working using a mold, cutting of carbon, or the like can be used. The generated model data area records a model for converting the input two-dimensional shape into a three-dimensional shape.

- In the above embodiment, the fluid properties are calculated at the stage of sketching. Here, the pressure loss coefficient at each point of the channel can be easily obtained from the cross-sectional area of the channel, the length of the wet edge of the channel, the length of the channel, etc., which can be obtained from the channel width and channel depth specified by the user. Calculate the pressure distribution, flow distribution, etc. On the other hand, in fluid simulations using 3D CAD, the pressure loss coefficient at each point in the flow path can be calculated with high accuracy from the pressure difference and flow rate at each point in the flow path obtained by solving general fluid equations. can be calculated. Therefore, the pressure loss coefficient obtained by the latter method may be used as training data, and machine learning may be utilized to improve the prediction accuracy of the pressure loss coefficient obtained by the former method. Specifically, a fluid simulation using three-dimensional CAD is performed for sketches of various flow channel shapes, and the pressure loss coefficient at each point of each flow channel shape is obtained. Next, a machine learning model for predicting the pressure loss coefficient is generated using the channel width, channel depth, connection angle, number of connections, etc. at each point of each channel shape as feature quantities. By using this machine learning model, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the pressure loss coefficient obtained at the sketching stage, and to realize high-speed and highly accurate calculation of fluid properties at the sketching stage.

- In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 executes the three-dimensional shape generation processing (step S104) according to the processing method. In the case of press working, for example, a thin metal plate is made uneven by press working, and its front and back sides are often used as channels. For this reason, in the above-described embodiment, the cooling water flow path 816 is generated by extracting the gap generated when the anode separator 812 and the cathode separator 813 are brought into contact with each other by Boolean operation. Here, the method of generating the channel shape of adjacent layers is not limited to the case of using gaps. For example, in the case of cutting, the front and back of a thin plate may be cut in different patterns and used as channels. In this case, the control unit 21 of the design support system 20 can generate the channel shape of each layer independently of each other's channel shape.

- In the above embodiment, the present invention is used for designing fuel cells, but the application of the present invention is not limited to fuel cells. It can be used to design water electrolyzers, synthetic liquid fuel (eFuel) production devices, microreactors, and other structures with flow channels.

20... Design support system 21... Control unit 211... Sketch unit 212... Fluid property calculation unit 213... Flow path plan view generation unit 214... Three-dimensional shape generation unit 215... Power generation property calculation unit 22... Design information storage unit, 23... three-dimensional information storage unit;

Claims (11)

A design support system comprising a control unit connected to an input unit,
The control unit
Obtaining from the input unit a flow path network that simulates a flow path shape by a sketch composed of nodes and links ,
The equivalent diameter of the channel is determined according to the channel width and channel depth of the links of the channel network, and the processing variables determined by the processing method, and the pressure loss formula that gives the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure difference is applied. A design support system that calculates and outputs fluid characteristic information in a channel network by solving a relational expression of a flow rate to a pressure difference between nodes in the channel network. 2. The design support system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit calculates the pressure of each node in the channel network as the fluid characteristic information . 3. The design support system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates the flow rate of each link in the channel network as the fluid characteristic information . When the control unit specifies press working as the processing method, a second flow formed corresponding to the flow channel network by pressing a thin plate to the acquired flow channel network. 4. The design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid characteristic information of the road network is calculated . The control unit
obtaining variable values of variables defining dimensions of the channel network;
5. The design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dimension of said channel network is calculated according to said variable value. The control unit
generating three-dimensional design data of a three-dimensional channel using the channel width and channel depth of the channel network;
According to the design data of the three-dimensional flow path of the previously generated flow path shape, the design data of the three-dimensional flow path of the adjacent subsequent flow path shape is generated. 1. The design support system according to 1. 7. The design support system according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit generates the mesh of the three-dimensional flow path based on the arrangement of the flow path network. 8. The design support system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit predicts and outputs a state distribution of a phenomenon caused by the fluid when the fluid is caused to flow through the three-dimensional flow path. 9. The design support system according to claim 8, wherein said control unit adjusts dimensions of said channel network according to said predicted state distribution. A method of providing design support using a design support system having a control unit connected to an input unit, comprising:
The control unit
Obtaining from the input unit a flow path network that simulates a flow path shape by a sketch composed of nodes and links ,
The equivalent diameter of the channel is determined according to the channel width and channel depth of the links of the channel network, and the processing variables determined by the processing method, and the pressure loss formula that gives the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure difference is applied. A design support method, comprising: calculating and outputting fluid characteristic information in a channel network by solving a relational expression of a flow rate with respect to a pressure difference between nodes in the channel network. A program for providing design support using a design support system having a control unit connected to an input unit,
the control unit,
Obtaining from the input unit a flow path network that simulates a flow path shape by a sketch composed of nodes and links ,
The equivalent diameter of the channel is determined according to the channel width and channel depth of the links of the channel network, and the processing variables determined by the processing method, and the pressure loss formula that gives the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure difference is applied. A design support program that functions as means for calculating and outputting fluid characteristic information in a channel network by solving a relational expression of flow rate with respect to pressure difference between nodes in the channel network.

Images