JPWO2008084516A1 - Design support system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing process is performed to create a passing point where the deformable linear structure should pass in the virtual space, and the editing process configures components and the like in the virtual space. When creating a passing point of a type based on an object, passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point to be created is automatically created and managed based on a component designated as a reference. The route generation through which the linear structure passes is performed using the passing point information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for supporting the route design of a deformable linear structure such as an electric product, a device such as an automobile, or a wire harness attached between a plurality of devices arranged at different locations.

  Some devices for product development use cables as electrical wiring. The wire harness is obtained by processing an electric wire or a cable, and is an indispensable component in most of the devices including a plurality of units and in an automobile. Therefore, in recent years, software that supports route design for arranging cables (hereinafter referred to as “route design support software”) has been sold. Since CAD (Computer Aided Design) has been widely introduced in the manufacturing industry, the supporting software usually uses the device design data to design the route of the cable to be placed in the virtual space. . A design support system that supports cable route design is realized by causing a data processing device (computer) to execute the route design support software.

  The cable is a relatively flexible part. However, if the design is advanced without considering the cable, the product may need to be redesigned due to the cable. This is because it is easy to overlook problems such as forced bending of the cable, poor mounting workability, and interference with other parts (components). In the route design using the design data, it is possible to easily avoid such an oversight.

  Route design using the design support system is performed by designating (creating) a passing point that is a position through which a cable should pass. In specifying the position of the passing point, a position reference that is a reference position for specifying the position is usually selected as an attribute. The position reference is based on the origin of the coordinate system of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “reference coordinates”), based on another passing point (hereinafter referred to as “relative coordinates”), and virtual space. Are based on the parts (models) arranged in (1) (hereinafter referred to as “model standards”). Since these position references are referred to in order to specify the position of the passing point, they are also referred to as “reference destinations”. The above coordinate system is determined by the target range for route design, and the entire apparatus is generally managed by another coordinate system (herein called “absolute coordinate system”).

  The cable route is determined by finding a curve passing through the passing point. As the curve, a parametric curve, particularly a Bezier curve is generally obtained. For this reason, at the passing point, in addition to the position, it is common to manage the passing direction of the cable as passing point information.

  In a conventional design support system, the passing direction of a passing point is automatically set based on the positions of passing points located before and after the passing point. For this reason, in the model reference passing point, the passing direction toward the inside of the component (model) may be set depending on the positions of the passing points before and after the model passing point (FIG. 5A).

  When the passing direction toward the inside of the part is set, the route determined by the Bezier curve becomes unrealistic through the inside of the part (FIG. 5B). From this, it is considered necessary to set the passing direction (passing point information) in consideration of other than the passing points in order to be able to determine an appropriate route with certainty.

  The cable itself is a deformable linear structure. The apparatus is not only a linear structure having many relatively thin objects such as electric wires and cables (including wire harnesses and optical cables), or wires, but is also relatively thick, for example, a cylindrical line shape. A structure may be attached. The cylindrical linear structure is usually attached to flow a fluid such as air or to pass another linear structure inside.

When such a linear structure is attached not only between units mounted on one device (product) such as an electric product or an automobile, but also between a plurality of devices arranged at different locations. There is also. For this reason, the route design may be performed to attach a linear structure between separate devices. That is, the object for which the route design is performed may be a plurality of devices arranged at different places in addition to a single device. Thereby, it can be said that it is important that the route design can be performed more easily and appropriately regardless of the difference between the objects.
JP 2006-209362 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-21269

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for automatically setting passing point information so that an appropriate route of a linear structure such as a cable can be determined more reliably.
The design support systems of the first and second aspects of the present invention both support route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object, and each includes the following means.

  A design support system according to a first aspect includes an editing unit that creates a passing point through which a linear structure should pass in a virtual space according to a user instruction via an input device, Passage point management that automatically creates and manages passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point based on the constituent specified as the reference when creating a passing point of the type based on And route generation means for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passing point information managed by the passing point management means.

  A design support system according to a second aspect includes an editing unit that creates a passing point through which a linear structure should pass in a virtual space in response to a user instruction via an input device, Passing point management means for setting and managing one of the directions defined in the predetermined component as a passing direction of the passing point when creating a passing point that passes through the inside of the predetermined component And route generation means for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passing direction managed by the passing point management means.

  The design support methods of the first to third aspects of the present invention are both methods for supporting a route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object by a computer. ).

  In the design support method according to the first aspect, in accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing process for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space is performed. When creating a passing point of a type based on an internal component, passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point is automatically created and managed based on the component designated as the reference.

  In the design support method of the second aspect, in accordance with an instruction from the user via the input device, an editing process for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space is performed. When creating a passing point that passes through the inside of a predetermined component, one of the directions defined in the predetermined component is set and managed as the passing direction of the passing point.

  In the design support method of the third aspect, in accordance with an instruction from the user via the input device, an editing process for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space is performed. When creating a type of passing point that is based on the components within, the type of passing point is classified into the starting point of the route, the ending point of the route, and other passing points, and different passing points for each classification. Set and manage directions.

  Both the programs of the first and second aspects of the present invention are premised on causing a computer used to construct a design support system that supports route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object to be executed. Each of the following functions is realized on the computer.

  The program according to the first aspect includes an editing function for creating a passing point through which a linear structure should pass in the virtual space in accordance with a user instruction via the input device, and a configuration in the virtual space by the editing function. A passing point management function for automatically creating and managing passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point based on a component designated as the reference when creating a passing point of a type based on an object; And a route generation function for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passing point information managed by the passing point management function.

  The program according to the second aspect includes an editing function for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space in accordance with a user instruction via the input device, and a predetermined function in the virtual space by the editing function. A passing point management function that sets and manages one of the directions defined in the predetermined component as the passing direction of the passing point when creating a passing point that passes through the inside of the component And a route generation function for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passing point information managed by the passing point management function.

  In the system to which the present invention is applied, when creating a passing point of a type based on a component such as a part in the virtual space as a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space, Based on the specified component, pass point information including the pass direction of the pass point is created (defined) and managed. By considering the component, an appropriate passing direction can be set more reliably. For this reason, an appropriate route of the linear structure can be determined more reliably. Since the passing direction is automatically set, the operability is improved for the user, and the route can be designed more easily. When creating a passing point that passes through the inside of a predetermined component in the virtual space, one of the directions defined in the predetermined component may be set as the passing direction of the passing point. It is the same. When the position of the passing point is separated from the designated component, it is possible to more avoid the contact of the actually wired linear structure with the component.

It is a figure explaining the functional structure of the cable route creation system carrying the design support system by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the passing point by which the position was designated by the route design of a cable. It is a figure explaining the position defined by the passage point other than the passage point of the start point, the end point, and the passage point which passes a cable inside a model. It is a figure explaining the passing direction defined by the passing point other than the passing point of the starting point, an end point, and the passing point which passes a cable inside a model. It is a figure which shows the definition method of the conventional passage direction. It is a figure which shows the route | root of a cable determined when a passing direction is defined as shown to FIG. 5A. It is a figure which shows the route | root of a cable determined when a passage direction is defined by this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the range of the passage direction definable by this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the passing point actually defined when a passing point is designated as shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the actually defined passing point (front view). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the passing point actually defined (side view). It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the actually defined passing point (perspective view). It is a figure explaining the passage direction defined when a clamp component is specified as a standard. It is a flowchart of a passing point creation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer which can implement | achieve the cable route creation system carrying the design assistance system by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the apparatus installed for every automatic machine from the front side. It is a figure which shows the example of wiring performed on the back side of the automatic machine.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a cable route creation system (hereinafter abbreviated as “creation system”) equipped with a design support system according to the present embodiment. The creation system 2 is for performing cable route design as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C as a deformable linear structure, and the design support system according to the present embodiment is on the creation system 2. It has been realized.

  An input device 1 and an output device 3 that are operated by the user are connected to the creation system 2. The input device 1 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, for example. The output device 3 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. As a result, the creation system 2 edits the passing point according to the operation of the input device 1 performed by the user for route design, and displays the edited result or the route designed cable on the output device 3. It has become.

The creation system 2 includes a cable management unit 21, a three-dimensional model management unit 22, a passing point management unit 23, a display unit 24, and a route generation unit 25.
The cable management unit 21 is for managing the route design for each cable. The three-dimensional model management unit 22 is for managing design data (model data) of parts arranged in an apparatus designed in three dimensions. The model data is stored in a model data database (hereinafter “DB”) 22a and managed by the verification model management unit 22b. The passing point management unit 23 is for managing passing points in units of cables under the control of the cable management unit 21. For passing point information management, a passing point position individual managing unit 23a, a passing direction managing unit 23b, and a passing direction reference coordinate managing unit (hereinafter referred to as “coordinate managing unit”) 23c are provided. The display unit 24 is for displaying an image on the output device 3. An image for displaying the created passing point is generated by the passing point display unit 24a. The route generation unit 25 generates a route for a cable for which a route is designed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer capable of realizing the creation system 2. Prior to the detailed description of FIG. 1, the configuration of a computer capable of realizing the creation system 2 will be specifically described. In order to avoid confusion, the creation system 2 will be described on the assumption that it is realized by a single computer having the configuration shown in FIG.

  The computer shown in FIG. 10 has a CPU 61, a memory 62, an input device 63, an output device 64, an external storage device 65, a medium drive device 66, and a network connection device 67, which are connected to each other by a bus 68. It has become. The configuration shown in the figure is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The CPU 61 controls the entire computer. The memory 62 is a memory such as a RAM that temporarily stores a program or data stored in the external storage device 65 (or the portable recording medium 69) during program execution, data update, or the like. The CPU 61 performs overall control by reading the program into the memory 62 and executing it.

  The input device 63 has, for example, an interface connected to the input device 1 such as a keyboard and a mouse, or all of them. A user operation on the input device 1 is detected, and the detection result is notified to the CPU 61.

  The output device 64 is, for example, a display control device connected to the output device 3 of FIG. Data sent under the control of the CPU 61 is output on the output device 3 of FIG.

  The network connection device 67 is for communicating with an external device via a network such as an intranet or the Internet. The external storage device 65 is, for example, a hard disk device. Mainly used for storing various data and programs.

The storage medium driving device 66 accesses a portable recording medium 69 such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk.
The route design result is stored in the memory 62 or the external storage device 65. The design data including the model data of the device in which the cable is arranged is stored on the external storage device 65 or the recording medium 69. Here, it is assumed that the data is stored on the external storage device 65 for convenience. In this case, the DB 22a is stored on the external storage device 65.

  The design support system (creation system 2) according to the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 61 executing a program (hereinafter referred to as “design support software”) equipped with necessary functions. The design support software may be recorded and distributed in, for example, the recording medium 69, or may be acquired by the network connection device 67. Here, it is assumed that the data is stored on the external storage device 65.

  In the assumption as described above, the cable management unit 21 is realized by the CPU 61, the memory 62, the input device 63, the external storage device 65, and the bus 68, for example. The passing point management unit 23, the route generation unit 25, and the 3D model management unit 22 are realized by, for example, the CPU 61, the memory 62, the external storage device 65, and the bus 68. The display unit 24 is realized by, for example, the CPU 61, the memory 62, the output device 64, the external storage device 65, and the bus 68.

  In the present embodiment, when the user instructs creation of a passing point via the input device 1, the position and passing direction are automatically set as passing point information as follows. Thereby, the route (curve) obtained from the passing point is more surely appropriate. A specific description will be given with reference to the explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS.

  In this embodiment, as a reference position used as a reference for specifying the position of the passing point, the reference coordinates based on the origin of the coordinate system of the virtual space, and another passing point are used as in the conventional design support system. A model reference based on relative coordinates as a reference and parts (models) arranged in a virtual space is prepared. The passing point is created in response to the designation of the desired location. The position reference is determined based on the position designated in order to instruct the creation of a passing point.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a passing point whose position is specified in a cable route design. In FIG. 2, each symbol row starting with “P” represents a location (hereinafter referred to as “pick point”) designated by the user for a passing point creation instruction, and the symbol following “P” is a pick symbol. The positional relationship between points (passing points created by specifying the position) is shown. Specifically, Ps is a pick point designated as a passing point corresponding to the start point of the route, Pe is a pick point designated as a passing point corresponding to the end point of the route, and P2 is the next of the passing point Ps. P3 indicates a pick point designated as a passing point through which the cable passes, and P3 indicates a pick point designated as a passing point through which the cable passes after the passing point P2. Each symbol row starting with “M” represents a reference component (model), and the symbol following “M” indicates a correspondence with a pick point (passing point). Specifically, Ms is a model used as a reference for the pick point Ps, M2 is a model used as a reference for the pick point P2, M3 is a model used as a reference for the pick point P3, and Me is used as a reference for the pick point Pe. Each model. Each symbol row starting with “V” represents a normal vector (arrow) of a plane (hereinafter referred to as “pick plane”) on which a pick point exists in a reference component (model), and “V” The following symbols indicate the correspondence with the pick points existing on the pick surface. Specifically, Vs is a normal vector of the pick surface where the pick point Ps exists, M2 is a normal vector of the pick surface where the pick point P2 exists, M3 is a normal vector of the pick surface where the pick point P3 exists, Me indicates the normal vector of the pick surface where the pick point Pe exists.

  In the present embodiment, the model reference passing points are classified into a starting point passing point, an ending point passing point, a passing point through which a cable is passed through the model, and other points. The position and the passing method are defined (set). Thereby, the position of the passing point does not necessarily coincide with the position of the pick point. For this reason, a passing point whose position is different from the position of the pick point is indicated by a symbol string beginning with “CP”. At the same passing point, the same sign as the pick point is used. The passing direction is indicated by a symbol string starting with “VP”. Similarly, the correspondence with the pick points is indicated by symbols following “CP” and “VP”. In the following, description will be made on the assumption that such a notation is used. In the case where an arbitrary pick point other than the pick points Ps and Pe specified by the passing point of the starting point and the passing point of the end point is targeted, “P” is used as a code.

  The positions of the start point and the end point are the same as the positions of the pick points Ps and Pe, respectively. These passing directions VPs and VPe are the normal vector Vs and the inverse vector of the normal vector Ve, respectively. This is because it is assumed that the cable is attached perpendicularly to the hole provided in the connector or component at the passing point Ps of the starting point. From this assumption, an inverse vector of the normal vector Ve is defined as the passing direction at the passing point Pe as the end point.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a position defined by a passing point other than a passing point, an ending point, and a passing point for passing a cable inside the model.
As shown in FIG. 3, the passing points CP other than the starting point passing point and the ending point passing point are automatically defined at positions away from the pick point P by a predetermined offset in the normal vector direction. . In this embodiment, the offset is the minimum radius R of the cable. The reason why the offset is separated from the model M (the pick surface thereof) is to avoid contact with the model M of the cable. By avoiding the contact, it is possible to prevent the cable from being unintentionally affected by the contact with the model M, or to further reduce the effect.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a passing direction defined by a passing point other than a passing point, a ending point, and a passing point other than a passing point through which a cable passes inside the model.
As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, when setting the passing direction VPn of the passing point CPn, first, vectors CV1 and CV2 between the pick point Pn and the pick points Pn−1 and Pn + 1 before and after the pick point Pn are generated. The sum vector CV3 is obtained. Thereafter, a vector obtained by projecting the sum vector CV3 onto the pick surface (a vector parallel to the pick surface) is obtained, and the vector is set as a passing direction VPn.

  5A to 5D are diagrams for explaining a difference in cable route determined by a passing direction defined by a passing point. Here, the reason why the passing direction is automatically defined as described above will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a conventional method of defining a passing direction. As shown in FIG. 5A, conventionally, a line L1 connecting the preceding and following pick points (passing points) Ps and Pe is obtained, and a direction parallel to the line L1 is defined as a passing direction VP2 of the passing point P2.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a cable route determined when the passing direction VP2 is defined as shown in FIG. 5A.
As described above, the cable route is determined by obtaining a parametric curve, for example, a Bezier curve. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the passing direction VP2 is a direction toward the inside of the model M2, the determined route L2 is inappropriate through the inside of the model M2.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a cable route determined when a passing direction is defined according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the passing direction VP of the model reference passing point CP other than the starting point and the passing point of the end point is parallel to the pick surface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the determined route does not pass through the inside of the model M2. As a result, a realistic route can be determined with certainty. As shown in FIG. 5D, such route determination can be reliably realized even if the passing direction VP2 is rotated about the normal vector of the pick surface. From this, the passing direction VP may be obtained by another method as long as it is parallel to the pick surface. Specifically, the vectors CV1 and CV2 shown in FIG. 4 may be generated using the passing points respectively set from the picking points instead of the picking points of the preceding and following passing points.

  A route is generated between every two passing points. Thereby, the passing point is a point connecting the generated routes. The end of the route, that is, the tangent line at the passing point is parallel to the passing direction of the passing point. For this reason, the passing point is also called a tangent vector.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the passing points that are actually defined when the passing points are designated as shown in FIG. As described above, since the position and the passing direction are defined according to the classification of the passing points, as shown in FIG. 6, the passing points Ps and Pe of the starting point and the ending point are the same positions as the pick points, and other passing points. CP2 and CP3 are different from the pick points P2 and P3. The passing direction VPs of the passing point Ps is the normal vector of the pick surface, the passing direction VPe of the passing point Pe is the inverse vector of the normal vector of the pick surface, and the passing directions VP2 and VP3 of the other passing points CP2 and CP3 are the pick surfaces, respectively. It is parallel to the direction. 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating display examples of actually defined passing points. 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a side view, and FIG. 7C is a perspective view.

  As described above, some models (parts) may be for cables. A typical example is a component that clamps the cable so that it does not move (hereinafter “clamp component”). In this embodiment, when such a clamp part is specified as a reference (reference destination), that is, when a passing point through which a cable is passed is specified inside the model, a specific direction is defined as a passing direction by the clamp part. Like to do.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a passing direction that is defined when a clamp component is designated as a reference. M2 indicates a clamp part, and S indicates a circle defined by the clamp part M2. The circle S is defined to be perpendicular to the direction in which the cable can pass.

  In this embodiment, when the position of the circle S defined by the clamp part M is designated as the pick point P, the direction of the center axis of the circle S, that is, the direction in which the cable can pass, is defined as the passing direction VP. Yes. It is assumed that the route design is performed by sequentially creating the passing points from the starting point passing point Ps toward the ending point passing point Pe. Since the clamp part M is a cable through which the cable passes, two circles S are defined. There are two directions in which the cable can pass. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the user can select the direction of passing the cable from the top to the bottom in addition to the direction of passing the cable from the bottom to the top of the clamp part M2. For this reason, the pass direction VP is determined by specifying the position of the next pick point CP after the position of the circle S is specified. The position of the passing point CP is the center of the circle S designated as the pick point P. As a result, the model in which the circle S is defined is regarded as the reference.

  In this way, at the passing point CP for passing the clamp part M, the direction in which the cable can pass the clamp part M is automatically defined as the passing direction VP. Therefore, it is possible for the user to generate an appropriate route without defining the passing direction VP itself.

  In addition to the parts such as the clamp part M2 shown in FIG. 8 in which the passing direction is limited to one axial direction, there are parts for interfaces such as connectors. Limiting the passing direction in one axis direction is performed by designating a circle S defined for such a part as a pick point. Therefore, designating the circle S as the pick point is hereinafter also expressed as “designating the circle center”. To simply specify a reference model, that is, to limit the passing direction to a direction parallel to the pick surface is hereinafter also expressed as “specifying on a plane”.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operation of each of the units 21 to 25 for realizing the above-described route design support will be described in detail.
The cable management unit 21 analyzes an operation performed on the input device 1, recognizes the content of the user instruction, and performs processing according to the recognition result. As a result of the processing, route design is realized, and as a result of the design, data relating to a passing point created by editing is generated and stored by the passing point management unit 23.

  The passing point management unit 23 creates a passing point information management table (hereinafter referred to as a “passing point position table”) for each cable to be route-designed by editing the passing point by the user, and updates it as necessary. To do. The passing point position table stores passing point information such as the position, the passing direction, and the position reference for each passing point. The update is performed under the control of the cable management unit 21, for example.

  The passing point position individual management unit 23a stores / updates each data related to the position standard such as a relative position coordinate, a standard position coordinate, a reference model name, and a reference model relative position. The passing direction management unit 23b determines the passing direction. The passing direction reference coordinate management unit 23c stores and updates data for each axis indicating the determined passing direction. All of these are performed according to the user's instruction content recognized by the cable management unit 21. It supports route design through passing point editing.

  The route generation unit 25 refers to the passing point position table, generates the route of the cable designed by the user while considering the hardness specified from the cross-sectional shape of the cable, and displays the generation result on the display unit 24. Send to. Thereby, the cable along the route is displayed on the output device 3 as a design result. The route generation itself is performed using a known technique.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the passing point creation process. The passing point creation process is a process executed in response to the user's pick point position designation. The CPU 61 shown in FIG. 10 reads the design support software stored in the external storage device 65 into the memory 62 and executes it. It is realized by doing. Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a process for realizing the operation of the creation system 2 will be described in detail.

  Position designation for passing point creation instruction, that is, pick point designation can be performed by clicking a point on the virtual space displayed on the output device 3. In addition, it is also possible to click a desired point after designating the type of passing point. Here, in order to avoid confusion, the passing point creation processing in FIG. 9 shows the flow of the processing executed when the passing point type is designated by the latter. The flow is shown by type.

  First, in step S1, the presence or absence of a passing point is determined after the user designates the passing point type. If there is a passing point that has already been created, this is determined and the process proceeds to step S13. If not, that is, if there is no passing point, it is determined so and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the type designated by the starting point passing point (denoted as “starting point passing point” in the figure) is determined. When the user selects the center of the circle by the designation, it is determined to that effect and the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the user selects on the plane, the fact is determined and the process proceeds to step S3. As described above, in this embodiment, only the model reference can be selected as the type designation when instructing the creation of the passing point of the start point.

  In step S3, it waits for the user to specify a pick point. When the designation is performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the position of the designated pick point is calculated. In the subsequent step S5, the normal direction of the pick surface at the calculated position is calculated as the passing direction VPs. Thereafter, a passing point Ps having the calculated position and passing direction as passing point information is created in step S6, and then the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the next passing point is to be created. If the user selects creation of the next passing point, the determination is yes and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the user instructs the end of creation of the passing point, the determination is no, and the passing point creation process ends here.

  Although not specifically shown, an inquiry as to whether or not to save the design result is made as necessary according to the determination of NO in step S7, that is, when the saving is not performed. As a result, unsaved design results are processed according to the inquiry results. Finally, the created passing point is regarded as the passing point Pe as the end point, and the position and the passing direction VPe are automatically set. For this reason, when a passing point is further added, a passing point regarded as an end point is handled as a type designated by the user. Such a type change is performed based on a determination of YES in step S7.

  In step S8, the process waits for the user to specify a pick point (here, circle S). When the designation is performed, the process proceeds to step S9, and the center position of the designated circle S is calculated. In the subsequent step S10, the passing direction is calculated as the central axis direction of the circle S (one of the two directions). After the calculation, the process proceeds to step S11, and the passing direction calculated in step S10 is confirmed. As a result of the confirmation, when it is determined that the calculated passing direction is inappropriate (NG), the process proceeds to step S12, the direction of passing is reversed, and then the confirmation is performed again in step S11. On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of confirmation that the calculated passing direction is appropriate (OK), the process proceeds to step S6.

  The confirmation in step S11 is not performed at the passing point of the start point. This is because the passing direction is the normal direction of the pick surface (FIG. 6) at the starting point passing point. For this reason, in the case of the passing point of the starting point, the process moves to step S6 without actually performing the confirmation in step S11.

  In step S13, the type designated by the passing point is determined. When the user selects the center of the circle by the designation, it is determined to that effect and the process proceeds to step S8. If the user selects a plane on the designation, the fact is determined and the process proceeds to step S3. If the user selects the offset, that is, the reference coordinate or the relative coordinate as the position reference, the determination is made and the process proceeds to step S14.

When the process proceeds from step S13 to step S3, the following processing is performed in steps S3 to S5.
First, in step S3, it waits for the user to specify a pick point. When the designation is performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and a position moved by the radius R in the normal direction of the pick surface from the designated pick point is calculated. In subsequent step S5, a passing direction with the normal direction of the pick surface as an axis is calculated. In the calculation, vectors CV1 and CV2 are obtained from the pick positions of the parent passing point (passing point located immediately before) and the child passing point (passing point located immediately after), and a sum vector CV3 thereof is obtained. This is done by obtaining a vector obtained by projecting the sum vector CV3 onto the pick surface.

  The calculation of the passing direction in step S5 is actually executed after the next pick point is designated. However, in order to clarify the processing performed when creating the passing point, such a context is ignored here.

  Thus, the content of the processing executed in steps S3 to S5 differs depending on which of steps S2 and S13 is shifted from. This is because it is considered that the designated pick point is performed for the start point passing point when the process proceeds from step S2. As a result, the user can perform a route design assuming that an interface part is arranged at the pick point.

  In step S14, the passing point is temporarily displayed at a position offset from the parent passing point in the virtual space by the initial value, and a line connecting the temporarily displayed passing point and the parent passing point is displayed. In the subsequent step S15, the temporarily displayed passing point is moved by mouse dragging or numerical input. The movement is repeated as necessary until the user decides OK in the next step S16. The process proceeds to step S6 when the user instructs OK, that is, completion of position movement.

  In this embodiment, the passing points other than the starting point and the ending point are separated from the reference model (pick point) by a predetermined offset (radius R). Also good. Alternatively, the offset may be arbitrarily set by the user. In addition, at the passing point of the clamp part, the passing direction is determined by specifying the position of the next passing point. However, the passing direction may be determined by a circle S specified by the clamp part. This can be done by regarding the designated circle S as the cable entry side or exit side.

  In the present embodiment, the linear structure for route design is a cable, and the object that supports the route design is a device that is handled as one product (FIGS. 7A to 8). However, the linear structure may be an electric wire, a cable, a wire, or the like as long as it can be deformed (for example, flexible). The linear structure may be passed through. If three-dimensional design data exists, route design can be performed in consideration of deformation in the virtual space. Therefore, any deformable and elongated part that can be handled in the virtual space can be a target for supporting route design. .

  The target object that supports route design may be an automobile, a motorcycle, an automatic machine such as an ATM, or another apparatus that requires a linear structure such as another electric product. As described below, a plurality of devices installed in different places (for example, devices that are individually handled as one final product) may be objects. This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining an example in which a plurality of devices are used as objects. More specifically, this is a case where a plurality of automatic machines such as ATMs are installed in a space provided in a building used by a financial institution such as a bank.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a device installed for each automatic machine 71 from the front side. As shown in FIG. 11, one automatic machine 71 is provided with a telephone 71 for talking with a staff member and a camera 73 for crime prevention. Reference numeral 74 denotes a display device for transmitting information to a customer who intends to use the automatic machine 71.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing wiring performed on the back side of the automatic machine 71. As shown in FIG. 12, the automatic machine 71 is installed such that the back side of the automatic machine 71 protrudes slightly from the wall 80. Each telephone 71, each camera 73, and display device 74 are installed attached to a wall 80. Reference numeral 81 denotes a server installed to control and manage them. The server 81 is connected to another server (not shown) or a host computer via a LAN (cable) or the like.

  Each automatic machine 71 is connected to the server 81 by a cable 82. Each telephone 71, each camera 73, and the display device 74 are connected to the server 81 via cables 83, 84, and 85, respectively. Most of the cables 82 attached to the respective automatic machines 71 are laid on the floor, and the other cables 83 to 85 are provided so as to be stuck to the wall 80 halfway.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the route design for connecting a plurality of devices 71 to 74 and 81 by cables 82 to 85 is the design data of the devices 71 to 74 and 81, the shape data of the walls 80 and the floor (three-dimensional data). Can be performed in a virtual space by using a wall 80 through which a cable passes or a structure that handles the server 81 as a start point or an end point. Therefore, a plurality of devices (and locations where they are installed) can also be objects to be used for route design of linear structures.

  When a plurality of devices are used as objects, each device and structure (in this case, a wall or a floor) are handled as components corresponding to parts in the present embodiment. Accordingly, the type and range of the component that automatically sets the passing direction varies depending on the object. For this reason, the component is not limited to a part. It is not necessary to install a plurality of devices as objects on the same floor. That is, it is good also considering the several apparatus (and structure in which they are installed) arrange | positioned on a different floor as a target object.

A design support system according to a first aspect includes an editing unit that creates a passing point through which a linear structure should pass in a virtual space according to a user instruction via an input device, Passage point management that automatically creates and manages passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point based on the constituent specified as the reference when creating a passing point of the type based on And a route generating means for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passing point information managed by the passing point managing means . The route generating means has a starting point at the passing point. In the case of, the normal of the surface of the structure is determined as the passing direction, and when the passing point is the end point, the route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space with the reverse direction of the normal of the surface of the structure as the passing direction Generate .

A design support system according to a second aspect includes an editing unit that creates a passing point through which a linear structure should pass in a virtual space in response to a user instruction via an input device, Passing point management means for setting and managing one of the directions defined in the predetermined component as a passing direction of the passing point when creating a passing point that passes through the inside of the predetermined component And a route generating means for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passing direction managed by the passing point managing means , and the route generating means is configured so that the passing point is a starting point. The normal of the surface of the predetermined structure is determined as the passing direction, and when the passing point is the end point, the linear structure passes through the virtual space with the reverse direction of the normal of the surface of the predetermined structure as the passing direction. Generate a route .

Design support method of the present invention is a route design for attaching to an object a deformable linear structure and method for supporting a computer, in accordance with an instruction from a user via an input device, a line-like structure When an editing process is performed to create a passing point that should pass in the virtual space, and when a passing point of a type based on a component in the virtual space is created by the editing process, the passing point of the type Classify the start point, the end point of the route, and other passing points, and set and manage different passing directions for each classification, and in the case of the starting point, set the normal of the surface of the structure as the passing direction, In the case of the end point, the direction opposite to the normal of the surface of the structure is set as the passing direction .

The program according to the first aspect includes an editing function for creating a passing point through which a linear structure should pass in the virtual space in accordance with a user instruction via the input device, and a configuration in the virtual space by the editing function. A passing point management function for automatically creating and managing passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point based on a component designated as the reference when creating a passing point of a type based on an object; , A route generation function that generates a route through which a linear structure passes in virtual space using the passing point information managed by the passing point management function , and the route generation function, when the passing point is a starting point The normal of the surface of the structure is determined as the passing direction, and when the passing point is the end point, a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space is generated with the reverse direction of the normal of the surface of the structure as the passing direction. .

The program according to the second aspect includes an editing function for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space in accordance with a user instruction via the input device, and a predetermined function in the virtual space by the editing function. A passing point management function that sets and manages one of the directions defined in the predetermined component as the passing direction of the passing point when creating a passing point that passes through the inside of the component , A route generation function that generates a route through which a linear structure passes in virtual space using the passing point information managed by the passing point management function , and the route generation function, when the passing point is a starting point The normal of the surface of the predetermined structure is determined as the passing direction, and when the passing point is the end point, the linear structure passes through the virtual space with the reverse direction of the normal of the surface of the predetermined structure as the passing direction. Generate a route .

In the system to which the present invention is applied, when creating a passing point of a type based on a component such as a part in the virtual space as a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space, Based on the specified component, pass point information including the pass direction of the pass point is created (defined) and managed. By considering the component, an appropriate passing direction can be set more reliably. For this reason, an appropriate route of the linear structure can be determined more reliably. Since the passing direction is automatically set, the operability is improved for the user, and the route can be designed more easily. Thereby, the normal of the predetermined when creating passage point to pass through the inside of constructs, the direction (the plane that is defined for the predetermined configuration of the virtual space, and reverse the normal ) to be set as the passing direction of the passing point of one of the. When the position of the passing point is separated from the designated component, it is possible to more avoid the contact of the actually wired linear structure with the component.

Claims (15)

A system that supports route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object,
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing unit that creates a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in a virtual space;
When the editing means creates a passing point of a type based on a constituent in the virtual space, based on the constituent designated as the reference, passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point is obtained. Passing point management means to create and manage;
Route generation means for generating a route through which the linear structure passes on the virtual space using the passage point information managed by the passage point management means,
A design support system comprising: The design support system according to claim 1,
The passing point management unit sets, as the passing direction, one of a direction parallel to the surface of the designated component and a direction perpendicular to the surface. A design support system according to claim 2,
The passing point management means sets a direction perpendicular to the surface as the passing direction when the passing point is one of a start point and an end point of the route. A design support system according to claim 3,
The passing point management means sets, as the direction perpendicular to the plane, a direction toward the outside of the component at the start point and a direction toward the inside of the component at the end point. A design support system according to claim 2,
The passing point management means sets a direction parallel to the surface as the passing direction when the passing point does not correspond to either the start point or the end point of the route. The design support system according to claim 5,
The passing point management means generates two vectors in consideration of the passing point and two passing points located before and after the passing point, obtains a sum vector that is the sum of the two vectors, and A direction parallel to the surface obtained by projecting a vector onto the surface is set as the passing direction. The design support system according to claim 1,
The passing point management means, when the editing means creates a passing point that passes through the inside of a predetermined structure as a passing point of a type that is based on the structure in the virtual space. Is set and managed as a passing direction of the passing point. The design support system according to claim 1,
The passing point information includes a position of the passing point,
The passing point management means, when the passing point does not correspond to any of the start point and the end point of the route, as a position of the passing point, a predetermined distance from a constituent specified as the reference, Set a distant position. A system that supports route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object,
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing unit that creates a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in a virtual space;
When a passing point that passes through the inside of the predetermined structure in the virtual space is created by the editing means, one of the directions defined in the predetermined structure is set as the passing direction of the passing point. Passing point management means to set and manage as,
Route generation means for generating a route through which the linear structure passes on the virtual space using a passing direction managed by the passing point management means;
A design support system comprising: A method of supporting a route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object by a computer,
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing process is performed to create a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space,
When creating a passing point of a type based on a constituent in the virtual space by the editing process, based on the constituent designated as the reference, passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point is obtained. Automatically create and manage,
A design support method characterized by that. A method of supporting a route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object by a computer,
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing process is performed to create a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space,
When a passing point that passes through the inside of the predetermined component in the virtual space is created by the editing process, one of the directions defined in the predetermined component is set as the passing direction of the passing point. Set up and manage as
A design support method characterized by that. A method of supporting a route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object by a computer,
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing process is performed to create a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in the virtual space,
When a passing point of a type based on a component in the virtual space is created by the editing process, the passing point of the type is defined as a starting point of the route, an ending point of the route, and another passing point. And set and manage different passing directions according to the classification,
A design support method characterized by that. A design support method according to claim 12, comprising:
The type of passing point classification further includes passing points that pass through the interior of a predetermined component in the virtual space. A computer used to construct a design support system that supports route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object.
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing function for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in a virtual space;
When creating a passing point of a type based on a constituent in the virtual space by the editing function, passing point information including the passing direction of the passing point is obtained based on the constituent specified as the reference. A passing point management function that automatically creates and manages,
A route generation function for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passage point information managed by the passage point management function,
A program to realize A computer used to construct a design support system that supports route design for attaching a deformable linear structure to an object.
In accordance with a user instruction via the input device, an editing function for creating a passing point through which the linear structure should pass in a virtual space;
When a passing point that passes through the inside of the predetermined structure in the virtual space is created by the editing function, one of the directions defined in the predetermined structure is set as the passing direction of the passing point. Passing point management function to set and manage as
A route generation function for generating a route through which the linear structure passes in the virtual space using the passage point information managed by the passage point management function,
A program to realize

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