JP2010211434A - Design support device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a design support apparatus capable of preventing rework of design work and improving the efficiency of design work.
A shape model input unit that inputs a shape model and adds a partial shape to the shape model, a difference shape acquisition unit that acquires the added partial shape as a difference shape, and each of a plurality of basic shapes A 3D shape database for registering shape parameters and design rules, a similar shape search unit for searching for a shape similar to a difference shape from a plurality of basic shapes, a shape parameter extraction unit for extracting shape parameters of a difference shape, and extraction A shape parameter database for registering the shape parameter of the difference shape, and a design rule check unit that determines whether the shape parameter of the registered difference shape satisfies the design rule of the searched basic shape.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support apparatus for supporting design work using three-dimensional CAD.

  In product design, 3D CAD has become widespread as a design tool. The three-dimensional CAD is a tool for creating a product shape on a computer, and the shape can be freely defined according to the intention of the designer. However, in product design, there are matters to be considered in shape creation from the viewpoints of manufacturing requirements, product strength reliability, and the like. For example, in sheet metal processing, there is a restriction that the distance between the holes and the distance between the holes and the edge of the shape must be greater than or equal to a reference value. Such considerations are referred to herein as design rules. However, inexperienced designers may fail to check such design rules, resulting in design rework.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-102282 discloses an apparatus for designing a part shape by defining a dimension value and an arrangement position thereof for a feature registered in a database in advance, An apparatus is described that checks design rules based on arrangement information and displays a warning for parts that are not satisfied with the design rules.

JP 2007-102282 A

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-102282, design rules can be checked only when a three-dimensional shape is created using features registered in a database in advance. However, in the three-dimensional CAD system, there are a plurality of creation methods even for the same shape. Therefore, there is a problem that the design rule cannot be checked if the creation method is different.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a design support apparatus capable of preventing rework of design work and improving the efficiency of design work.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a design support device that supports design work using an input / output device equipped with a screen, and is a shape that inputs a shape model and adds a partial shape to the shape model. A model input unit, a difference shape acquisition unit that acquires the added partial shape as a difference shape, a three-dimensional shape database that registers shape parameters and design rules for each of a plurality of basic shapes, and similar to the difference shape A similar shape search unit for searching for a shape to be performed from the plurality of basic shapes, a shape parameter extraction unit for extracting a shape parameter of the difference shape, a shape parameter database for registering the shape parameter of the extracted difference shape, It is determined whether the shape parameter of the registered difference shape satisfies the design rule of the searched basic shape, and the result of the determination is And a design rule check unit to be displayed on the serial screen.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the design assistance apparatus which can improve the efficiency of design work while preventing the rework of design work.

It is a figure which shows the design assistance apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape model. It is a figure which shows the geometric parameter value with respect to main shape types. It is a figure which shows the process in which the shape model shown in FIG. 2 was created. It is a figure which shows the partial shape connection tree with respect to the shape model creation procedure shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the differential shape for a database search when the cylindrical surface 405 is newly added to the shape model 61. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of a three-dimensional shape database. It is a figure for demonstrating similar shape search. It is a figure explaining the feature geometric parameter acquired with respect to the difference shape 801. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data of the shape parameter database 7 registered regarding the difference shape 801. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display at the time of the error generation | occurrence | production of a hole diameter design rule. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display at the time of the error generation | occurrence | production of the design rule of an outer diameter and an internal diameter. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display at the time of the occurrence of the error of the design rule of the distance between hole centers. It is a figure which shows the design rule list displayed when the partial shape group (bore hole 404, through-hole 405) of FIG. 4 is selected.

  FIG. 1 shows a design support apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The design support apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an input / output device 1 including a keyboard, a mouse, and a display for inputting data and displaying the data on the screen, and a shape model input for allowing a user to input a shape model through the input / output device. Unit 2, difference shape acquisition unit 3 that acquires a difference shape from a shape model, three-dimensional shape database 4 that can be registered in association with a basic shape, a shape parameter, and a design rule, and a basic shape that is similar to the difference shape A similar shape search unit 5 that searches the three-dimensional shape database, a shape parameter extraction unit 6 that acquires a shape parameter registered in association with the searched similar basic shape from the difference shape, and the difference between the shape parameter and the difference The shape parameter database 7 that can be registered in association with the shape, and the similar basic shape from which the shape parameter of the difference shape is retrieved. Determining whether to meet the design rule that is registered in association with and a design rule check unit 8 for presenting the results to the user.

  That is, a shape model input unit 2 that inputs a shape model and adds a partial shape to the shape model, a difference shape acquisition unit 3 that acquires the added partial shape as a difference shape, and each of a plurality of basic shapes 3D shape database 4 for registering shape parameters and design rules, a similar shape search unit 5 for searching for a shape similar to the difference shape from the plurality of basic shapes, and a shape for extracting shape parameters of the difference shape It is determined whether the parameter extraction unit 6, the shape parameter database 7 for registering the shape parameter of the extracted difference shape, and the shape parameter of the registered difference shape satisfy the design rule of the searched basic shape. The design rule check unit 8 displays the determined result on the screen.

  Here, the operation and action of the apparatus of the first embodiment in creating the shape model shown in 21 of FIG. 2 will be described. 2 is a wire display so that the internal structure of the shape model 21 can be easily understood. 2 shows a shape in which counterbore holes 202 and 203, counterbore holes 204 and 205, and groove shapes 206 and 207 are added to the base shape 201.

  In the shape model input unit 2 in FIG. 1, three-dimensional shape data is defined using the input / output device 1. The boundary representation method is used as a representation method of the three-dimensional shape data. In the boundary representation method, a solid is represented by a boundary surface that separates the outside and the inside. Accordingly, the shape model data is expressed by phase (topology) data representing the connection of the boundary surfaces and geometric data (geometry) representing the shape of the boundary. In the boundary representation method, a solid takes a data structure that possesses a set (shell) of one or more continuous faces belonging to it. In the boundary representation method, a surface has a data structure that owns one or more line segments (loops) belonging to the surface. In the boundary representation method, a line segment has a data structure that owns its start point and end point. Of these, the shell and loop have an outer shape or a hole as an attribute thereof. Here, solids, shells, planes, loops, line segments, and points in the shape data representation method by the boundary representation method are called shape elements, and each has a unique identifier in one shape model. Further, as geometric data, a point has a three-dimensional coordinate value as the geometric data. There are various types of methods for expressing geometric data, such as NURBS function, for lines and surfaces. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the characteristic geometry of the shape surface depends on the shape surface type. The data representation that can calculate the parameters is taken.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a process in which the user creates the shape model shown in FIG. Reference numerals 41 to 49 denote shape models at the end of the creation process described below.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a shape model in which a counterbore hole 402 is added to the shape model 41.

  Reference numeral 43 denotes a shape model in which a through hole 403 is added to the shape model 42.

  Reference numeral 44 denotes a shape model in which a counterbore hole 404 is added to the shape model 43.

  Reference numeral 45 denotes a shape model in which a through hole 405 is added to the shape model 44.

  Reference numeral 46 denotes a shape model in which a hole 406 is added to the shape model 45.

  Reference numeral 47 denotes a shape model in which a hole 407 is added to the shape model 46.

  Reference numeral 48 denotes a shape model in which a groove 408 is added to the shape model 47.

  Reference numeral 49 denotes a shape model in which a groove 409 is added to the shape model 48.

  The shape model input unit 2 assigns an identifier to the partial shape added in each procedure and registers it in the shape model data.

  Furthermore, the shape model input unit 2 creates a partial shape connection tree indicating a connection state between the partial shapes according to the case where the user adds or changes a partial shape to the shape model. For example, when the newly added partial shape (partial shape B) is connected to the already created partial shape (partial shape A), the partial shape B is added to the tree and connected to the connected partial shape A. Let FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a partial shape connection tree for the shape model creation procedure shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the same shape model and the partial shape connection tree correspond to each other, such as 51 for 41 and 52 for 42. Here, the numbers in the 400s in FIG. 5 are the partial shapes created in each procedure of FIG.

  The difference shape acquisition unit 3 in FIG. 1 acquires the difference shape when the shape model is changed in accordance with the shape model input by the user, and the partial shape connection created by the shape model input unit 2 The tree is analyzed to obtain one or a plurality of differential shapes for database search. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a database search differential shape when a cylindrical surface 405 is newly added to the shape model 61. In this case, in addition to the through-hole (cylindrical surface, partial shape) 405 shown in 63 created with the input shape, the partial shape connected to the through-hole 405 is traced to just before the base shape 401 in the partial shape connection tree 62. A set of counterbore holes 404 and through-holes 405 indicated by 64 is a database search differential shape.

  The three-dimensional shape database 4 in FIG. 1 is a database that registers a three-dimensional shape model, a shape parameter related to this shape model, and a design rule related to this shape model in association with each other. Further, a message to be displayed after the design rule check is completed may be registered in association with each other. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the three-dimensional shape database. The shape model registered in the database is a set of surfaces representing partial shapes, and this is called a basic shape. The shape parameter is a parameter that represents a geometric feature of the basic shape, and is a numerical parameter that can be calculated from a group of faces that form the basic shape. The design rule is a mathematical formula related to the shape parameter. The message is a character string.

  The similar shape search unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 searches for a similar basic shape by comparing the differential shape for database search obtained by the differential shape acquisition unit 3 with the basic shape registered in the three-dimensional shape database 4. To do. As a method for searching for similar basic shapes, a method is used in which a basic shape having the same surface connection relationship and the same type of each surface is used as a similar shape with respect to the difference shape, focusing on the shape connection relationship and the surface type. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a similar shape search based on a shape connection relation and a surface type. Reference numeral 801 denotes a difference shape for database search, which is a set of counterbore holes 402 and through holes 403 that are partial shapes. Reference numeral 802 denotes a graph representing the connection relationship of the differentially shaped surfaces, and the type of the surface is described to the right of F representing the surface identifier. Here, when the graph 804 related to the basic shape 803 is compared with the graph 802, the surface connection relationship and the surface type in the surface group are the same, so the basic shape 803 is searched as a similar basic shape. On the other hand, the graph 806 related to the basic shape 805 is not searched as a similar basic shape because the surface connection relationship is the same, but the surface types are different. As a result of the similar shape search, for the difference shape 801, the basic shape with the basic shape number 3 is searched as a similar basic shape in the three-dimensional shape database of FIG. Here, the basic shape that satisfies the condition that the connection relationship between the surfaces and the types of the surfaces is the same is defined as a similar shape. However, in addition to this, information obtained from geometric data such as the area ratio, the inter-plane angle, and the coincidence or non-coincidence of the central axis of the cylindrical surface may be used as a condition for narrowing down the target.

  The shape parameter extraction unit 6 in FIG. 1 calculates the value of the shape parameter registered in the three-dimensional shape database in the similar basic shape searched by the similar shape search unit 5 with respect to the difference shape for database search, Register in the shape parameter database 7. As described in the shape model input unit 2, the geometric data of the shape is represented by a data representation that can calculate the characteristic geometric parameters of the shape surface according to the type of the shape surface such as NURBS, and is shown in FIG. Characteristic geometric parameters can be acquired. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the feature geometric parameters acquired for the difference shape 801. For the difference shape 801, since the basic shape with the basic shape number 3 in the three-dimensional shape database in FIG. 7 is a similar basic shape, the outer diameter is a shape parameter registered in association with this. r2 and inner diameter r1 are calculated. In this case, out of the hole diameters in the two cylindrical surfaces forming the differential shape 801, the larger value 10.0 is extracted as the outer diameter r2, and the smaller value 7.5 is extracted as the inner diameter r1. Here, the method for obtaining the shape parameter based on the geometric parameter corresponding to the type of surface as shown in FIG. 3 is described. However, a method of directly calculating from geometric data expressed by NURBS or the like of the target differential shape may be used.

  The shape parameter database 7 in FIG. 1 uses the shape parameters extracted by the shape parameter extraction unit 6 as identifiers or identifier groups of partial shape connection trees that form a difference shape, and similar basic shapes retrieved from the three-dimensional shape database 4. Are registered in association with each other. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the shape parameter database 7 registered for the difference shape 801. Data is added to the shape parameter database 7 each time a shape is added to the shape model and the shape parameter is calculated by the shape parameter extraction unit 6. For example, data with the shape parameter number 1 in the shape parameter database shown in FIG. 10 is added at the timing when the counterbore 402 is created for the base shape. In addition, at the timing when the through hole 403 is created, data having a shape parameter number of 2 is first added. Subsequently, data having a shape parameter number of 3 is added to the differential shape composed of the set of counterbore holes 402 and through holes 403 obtained by tracing the partial shape connection tree. In this way, the registration contents shown in FIG. 10 are obtained.

  The design rule check unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 is based on the similar basic shape registered in association with the added data as data is added to the shape parameter database 7, and the design rule registered in association with this is added. And check results are presented to the user. At this time, if the design rule is satisfied, the check result may not be presented, and the check result may be displayed only when the design rule is not satisfied, that is, an error.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the design support apparatus and the operation of the design rule check unit 8 according to the first embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case of adding or changing the shape to the shape model 41 of FIG. explain.

  STEP1 will be described.

  A counterbore 402 is added to the shape model 41. The diameter of the hole added here is 4 mm. The difference shape acquisition unit 3 acquires a counterbore hole 402 that is a difference shape. The similar shape search unit 5 acquires a basic shape having a basic shape number of 1 as a similar shape from the three-dimensional shape database 4 shown in FIG. The shape parameter extraction unit 6 acquires 4 mm as a hole diameter, which is a shape parameter, from the counterbore hole 402 and registers it in the shape parameter database 7. The design rule check unit 8 acquires a design rule (a hole diameter r ≧ 5 mm, a distance L ≧ 40 mm from an adjacent hole) associated with a basic shape having a basic shape number of 1 which is a similar shape, and the shape parameter Make a comparison. The counterbore hole 402 has a hole diameter of 4 mm, which does not satisfy the design rule r ≧ 5 mm, so the design rule is not satisfied, and an error is presented to the user as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, together with the message registered in the three-dimensional shape database, the shape in error is highlighted (for example, displayed in a color different from the shape), and the user can easily determine the error portion. By making it possible, work efficiency is improved.

  STEP2 will be described.

  In accordance with the error display, the user changes the shape so as to satisfy the design rule. Here, the shape model 42 is created by changing the hole diameter of 4 mm to 10 mm. In response to this, the difference shape acquisition unit 3 deletes the partial shape connection tree related to the counterbore hole 402, which is the difference shape before the shape change, and the data of the shape parameter database 7, and newly adds a 10 mm hole. , The same processing as STEP 1 is performed. In this case, the error is not displayed because the design rule is satisfied. If the user changes the hole diameter to 4.5 mm, the design rule is unsatisfactory, and the screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed again to prompt the user to change the dimensions.

  STEP3 will be described.

  A through hole 403 having a hole shape is added to the shape model 42. The diameter of the hole added here is 8 mm. The similar shape search unit 5 obtains a set of counterbore holes 402 and through holes 403 as a differential shape for database search by acquiring the through hole 403 that is a differential shape and further tracing the partial shape connection tree.

  For the through hole 403, the similar shape search unit 5 acquires a basic shape having a basic shape number of 1 as a similar shape from the three-dimensional shape database 4 shown in FIG. The shape parameter extraction unit 6 acquires 8 mm as a hole diameter, which is a shape parameter, from the through hole 403 and registers it in the shape parameter database 7. The design rule check unit 8 acquires a design rule associated with a basic shape having a basic shape number of 1 which is a similar shape, and compares it with a shape parameter. The hole diameter of the differential shape is 8 mm, which satisfies the design rule r ≧ 5 mm. Furthermore, since there is a design rule that the distance L to the adjacent hole is L ≧ 40 mm, the distance from the already registered hole shape is checked. However, since it can be seen that the through hole 403 is connected to the counterbore hole 402 from the partial shape connection tree, the distance is not checked.

  Subsequently, for the set of counterbore holes 402 and through holes 403, the similar shape search unit 5 acquires a basic shape having a basic shape number of 3 as a similar shape from the three-dimensional shape database 4 shown in FIG. The shape parameter extraction unit 6 acquires the outer diameter of 10 mm and the inner diameter of 8 mm, which are shape parameters, and registers them in the shape parameter database 7. The design rule check unit 8 acquires a design rule (outer diameter r2−inner diameter r1> r1 / 3.0) associated with a basic shape having a basic shape number 3 that is a similar shape, and compares it with a shape parameter. Do. When the outer diameter is 10 mm and the inner diameter is 8 mm, the design rule is not satisfied and the design rule is not satisfied. As shown in FIG. 12, an error is presented to the user. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to highlight the error shape together with the message registered in the three-dimensional shape database so that the user can easily determine the error portion. improves.

  STEP4 will be described.

  In accordance with the error display, the user changes the shape so as to satisfy the design rule. Here, the shape model 43 is created by changing the inner diameter of 8 mm to 7.5 mm. The similar shape search unit 5 in STEP 2 deletes the partial shape connection tree related to the differential shape 403 before the shape change and the data of the shape parameter database 7. Then, assuming that a 7.5 mm hole is newly added, the same processing as STEP 3 is performed. In this case, the error is not displayed because the design rule is satisfied.

  STEP5 will be described.

  A counterbore hole 404 is added to the shape model 43. The diameter of the hole added here is 10 mm, and it is assumed that the hole is arranged at a position 30 mm away from the center axis of the counterbore hole 402. The similar shape search unit 5 acquires a counterbore hole 404 that is a differential shape. The similar shape search unit 5 acquires a basic shape having a basic shape number of 1 as a similar shape from the three-dimensional shape database 4 shown in FIG. The shape parameter extraction unit 6 acquires 10 mm as the hole diameter, which is a shape parameter, from the counterbore hole 404 and registers it in the shape parameter database 7. The design rule check unit 8 acquires a design rule associated with a basic shape having a basic shape number of 1 which is a similar shape, and compares it with a shape parameter. The counterbore hole 404 has a hole diameter of 10 mm, which satisfies the design rule r ≧ 5 mm. Furthermore, since there is a design rule that the distance between hole centers L ≧ 40 mm, the distance from the already registered hole shape is checked. Here, by referring to the shape parameter database 7, a counterbore hole 402 and a through hole 403 that are not connected to the counterbore hole 404 are obtained. The distance L from the newly added counterbore hole 404 is 30 mm, and the distance between the hole centers L ≧ 40 mm is not satisfied, so the design rule is not satisfied. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, an error is presented to the user. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, if the error shape is highlighted and displayed together with the message registered in the three-dimensional shape database so that the user can easily determine the error portion, the work efficiency is improved. improves.

  Furthermore, if a list of design rules related to the partial shape or partial shape group selected by the shape model input unit 2 is displayed according to the selection processing of the partial shape or partial shape group of the user's shape model, the shape model This is a guideline for making changes. That is, the shape model input unit 2 has a structure for acquiring a design rule corresponding to the partial shape or partial shape group selected by the user from the three-dimensional shape database 4 and displaying a list of the acquired design rules or design rules. It is good (not shown). In addition, when a partial shape or partial shape group is input by the shape model input unit 2, the similar shape search unit 5 automatically acquires the design rule of the input partial shape or partial shape group from the three-dimensional shape database 4. It is good also as a structure to do. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a design rule displayed when the partial shape group (bore hole 404, through hole 405) in FIG. 4 is selected. In FIG. 14, a similar basic shape for the set of counterbore holes 404 and through-holes 405 (basic shape number of 3 in FIG. 7), a similar basic shape for the counterbore hole 404 (basic shape number of FIG. 7 is 1). Basic shape), all of the design rules registered in the three-dimensional shape database 4 in association with similar basic shapes (basic shape number 1 in FIG. 7) for the through-hole 405 are displayed so that there is no duplication of design rules. To do.

  As described above, according to the design support apparatus of the first embodiment, the design rule to be satisfied by the shape model is sequentially checked in accordance with the shape change operation and the result is displayed without depending on the method of creating the shape model. It becomes possible. For this reason, even an inexperienced designer can create a three-dimensional shape that satisfies the design rules without omission of check, and can prevent rework of the design. As for the 3D shape database, if it is a basic shape model with shape parameters that can be calculated from geometric data such as NURBS, design rules can be applied to more complex partial shapes by adding it according to the user's request. Can be checked.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the design rule check can be performed without depending on the creation procedure and method of the three-dimensional shape. Therefore, the design rule check regarding the added or changed portion can be performed at high speed. Can be prevented and the efficiency of design work can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input / output device 2 Shape model input part 3 Difference shape acquisition part 4 Three-dimensional shape database 5 Similar shape search part 6 Shape parameter extraction part 7 Shape parameter database 8 Design rule check part

Claims (6)

A design support device that supports design work using an input / output device with a screen,
A shape model input unit that inputs a shape model and adds a partial shape to the shape model;
A difference shape acquisition unit for acquiring the added partial shape as a difference shape;
A three-dimensional shape database for registering shape parameters and design rules for each of a plurality of basic shapes;
A similar shape search unit for searching for a shape similar to the difference shape from the plurality of basic shapes;
A shape parameter extraction unit for extracting a shape parameter of the difference shape;
A shape parameter database for registering the shape parameters of the extracted differential shape;
A design rule check unit that determines whether the shape parameter of the registered difference shape satisfies the design rule of the searched basic shape, and displays the determined result on the screen; Design support device. The design support apparatus according to claim 1,
The shape model input unit creates a partial shape connection graph indicating a connection relationship of each of the plurality of partial shapes when a plurality of the partial shapes are added,
The design support device, wherein the differential shape acquisition unit acquires a partial shape group obtained by combining each of the plurality of partial shapes as the differential shape based on the partial shape connection graph. The design support apparatus according to claim 2,
The design support apparatus, wherein the basic shape searched by the similar shape search unit is a shape having the same connection relation between the difference shape and the surface, and the same surface type. The design support apparatus according to claim 2,
The shape model input unit includes a selection unit that selects the partial shape or the partial shape group, and acquires a design rule associated with the selected at least the partial shape or the partial shape group from the three-dimensional shape database. ,
The design support apparatus, wherein the design rule check unit displays the acquired design rule on the screen. The design support apparatus according to claim 1,
The design rule check unit displays the difference shape that does not satisfy the design rule in a color different from the shape model when the design rule of the retrieved basic shape is not satisfied. apparatus. The design support apparatus according to claim 1,
The design support apparatus, wherein when the shape model is changed, the design rule check unit determines whether the design rule is satisfied and displays the determined result.

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