Electronic and electrical interface design modeling language and description method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language and a description method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of electronic and electrical architecture modeling, and the core process is as follows: firstly, ontology analysis is performed on the field of electronic and electrical interfaces, and a formal field meta-model containing a black box, a cable and other meta-classes and corresponding attributes and associations is defined; mapping the meta-class into a UML / SysML structural type, a meta-class attribute, a correlation corresponding structural type label and correlation; and finally, customizing function integration configuration through a modeling tool to form a graphical modeling language. According to the method, attributes and association definitions of all meta-classes are defined, and mapping rules from meta-models to constructs are standardized. The electronic and electrical interface design requirement / scheme stage exclusive modeling language blank is filled, design description standardization and imaging are achieved, the cooperation efficiency is improved, early crosslinking analysis is supported to reduce follow-up changes, and efficient development of an electronic and electrical system is assisted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic and electrical architecture modeling technology, and specifically to an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language and its description method. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical and electronic interface design is one of the core aspects of electrical and electronic system development. Its design quality directly affects the reliability of signal transmission, component compatibility, and subsequent production and assembly efficiency. The requirements analysis and solution design phase is the critical period for determining the core logic of the interface and avoiding potential conflicts. However, at present, there is a lack of standardized modeling languages ​​specifically for the field of electronic and electrical interfaces. The industry generally relies on general tools such as Excel, Visio, and diagrams for design work. These tools do not have pre-defined modeling elements specific to the field of electronic and electrical interfaces, and cannot transform core concepts such as black boxes, cables, and wires into modeling carriers with unified semantics. This results in fragmented and semantically imprecise expression of the attributes of each component (such as the component identification of the black box and the length of the cable) and their relationships (such as the subordinate relationship between the black box and the connector) during the design process. At the same time, general tools cannot support the accurate graphical representation of the physical topology and connection relationships of electronic and electrical interfaces. Designers find it difficult to directly build a visual model that reflects the actual logic of the interface. This not only causes frequent information discrepancies and low efficiency in design collaboration, but also makes it impossible to conduct effective cross-linking analysis in the early design stage. This can easily lead to problems such as component mismatch and connection conflicts in the subsequent production and assembly stages, which seriously restricts the overall quality and progress of electronic and electrical system development. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language and its description method. This invention fills the gap in dedicated modeling languages ​​for the design requirements / solution phase of electronic and electrical interfaces, achieving standardized and graphical design descriptions and improving collaboration efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this invention provide the following technical solutions:

[0005] This application provides an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language. This modeling language is a domain-specific modeling language formed by extending the Unified Modeling Language (UML) or the System Modeling Language (SysML). It is used to graphically describe the design model of electronic and electrical interfaces in modeling tools. The modeling language includes a set of predefined graphical stereotype elements, including: a black box stereotype element for graphically representing a black box encapsulating electronic and electrical components; a cable stereotype element for graphically representing connecting cables and cable bundles; a conductor stereotype element for graphically representing physical conductors; a connector stereotype element for graphically representing physical connection interfaces; and a contact stereotype element for graphically representing electrical connection points. Each stereotype element has a predefined set of attributes and predefined associations corresponding to its semantics in the electronic and electrical interface domain, enabling users to directly construct a visual model describing the physical topology and connection relationships of the electronic and electrical interface by manipulating these graphical stereotype elements in modeling tools.

[0006] Furthermore, the predefined set of attributes for the black box stereotype element includes: component identifier attribute and part number attribute; the association relationship of the black box stereotype element includes: an association pointing to a set of connector stereotypes, used to specify the set of connectors contained in the black box.

[0007] Furthermore, the predefined set of attributes for the cable profile element includes: cable length attribute and part number attribute; the predefined associations for the cable profile element include: associations pointing to one or more connector profiles to represent cable end connections, and self-referencing associations used to represent cable bundles.

[0008] Furthermore, the predefined set of attributes for the wire construction element includes: part number attribute, instrument specification attribute, signal type attribute, and color attribute.

[0009] Furthermore, the predefined set of attributes for the connector stereotype element includes: connector identifier attribute, part number attribute, type attribute, and view attribute; the predefined association relationship for the connector stereotype element includes: a combined association containing a set of the contact stereotype elements.

[0010] Furthermore, the predefined set of attributes for the contact profile includes: contact identifier attribute, part number attribute, and crimping setting attribute.

[0011] Furthermore, the graphical representation of the graphical structural elements is a dedicated icon that can be directly identified and selected in the modeling tool's toolbox or panel. The predefined attribute set and relationships of the graphical structural elements are edited and implemented through the attribute panel and connection tool of the modeling tool.

[0012] Accordingly, this application also provides a description method for an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language, based on a stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML, including: performing ontology analysis of the electronic and electrical interface domain, clarifying the concepts, features, and relationships required for modeling within the domain, and defining a formal domain meta-model, wherein the domain meta-model includes black box meta-classes, cable meta-classes, wire meta-classes, connector meta-classes, and contact meta-classes, the attributes of each meta-class, and the relationships between meta-classes; based on the stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML, mapping and creating each meta-class in the domain meta-model as a stereotype extended from the basic elements of UML or SysML, and mapping the attributes and relationships of the meta-classes to the label definitions of the corresponding stereotypes and the relationships between stereotypes; in the modeling tool, using the language customization function provided by the modeling tool, performing interface integration and configuration on all the created stereotypes, thereby constructing a set of directly usable graphical electronic and electrical interface design modeling language in the modeling tool.

[0013] Furthermore, the ontology analysis of the electronic and electrical interface domain is performed to clarify the concepts, features, and relationships required for modeling within the domain, and to define a formal domain meta-model. This domain meta-model includes black-box meta-classes, cable meta-classes, wire meta-classes, connector meta-classes, and contact meta-classes, along with the attributes of each meta-class and the relationships between them. Specifically, it includes: defining component identifier and part number attributes for the black-box meta-class, and defining its association with the connector meta-class to specify a set of connectors; defining cable length and part number attributes for the cable meta-class, and defining its association with the original connector and a self-referential association for representing cable bundles; defining part number, instrument specification, signal type, and color attributes for the wire meta-class; defining connector identifier, part number, type, and view attributes for the connector meta-class, and defining its combined association with the contact meta-class; and defining contact identifier, part number, and crimp setting attributes for the contact meta-class.

[0014] Furthermore, the stereotype extension mechanism based on UML or SysML maps and creates each metaclass in the domain metamodel as a stereotype that extends from the basic elements of UML or SysML, and maps the attributes and relationships of the metaclasses to the label definitions of the corresponding stereotypes and the relationships between stereotypes. Specifically, this includes: creating a corresponding stereotype for each domain metaclass, mapping the attributes of the domain metaclasses to the newly added label definitions in the corresponding stereotypes, and mapping the relationships between domain metaclasses to the relationships or internal structures between stereotypes based on UML or SysML.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By constructing a domain-specific modeling language based on the structural extension mechanism of UML / SysML, and by predefining core graphical structural elements such as black boxes, cables, wires, connectors, and contacts, a unified and precise semantic carrier is provided for electronic and electrical interface design, completely changing the status quo of traditional tools that "lack specific elements". Each structural element comes with a predefined set of attributes and relationships that are deeply matched with the semantics of the domain, eliminating the need for engineers to use general elements to express the design. This ensures the standardization and consistency of the design description, avoids semantic ambiguity, and allows the results of different designers to be directly reused and collaborated on. The graphical presentation makes the physical topology and connection relationships of the interface intuitively visible, which not only facilitates engineers to quickly understand and verify the design scheme, but also reduces the cost of cross-team communication. At the same time, it supports direct manipulation of elements in the modeling tool to build the model, which greatly reduces the cumbersome process of "dispersed information recording" in traditional tools, and significantly improves design efficiency and the traceability and analyzability of the model. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of graphical structural elements in an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language provided in this application embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for describing an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0019] In this invention, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably. "Multiple" refers to two or more; therefore, in this invention, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two." "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. Additionally, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. Furthermore, it should be understood that in the description of this invention, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0020] Example 1:

[0021] In the requirements analysis and solution design phases of electronic and electrical system design, existing technologies lack standardized modeling languages ​​specifically for the field of electronic and electrical interfaces. The industry generally relies on general tools such as Excel spreadsheets or Visio diagrams for design work. These tools do not have pre-defined modeling elements specific to the field of electronic and electrical interfaces, and cannot convert core concepts such as black boxes, cables, and connectors into graphical elements with unified semantics. This results in a lack of standardization in design descriptions, with the attributes and relationships of each component expressed in a fragmented and semantically imprecise manner. Engineers find it difficult to directly build a visual model that accurately reflects the physical topology and connection relationships of the interface using tools. This not only reduces the efficiency of design collaboration but also creates potential information discrepancies in the subsequent production and assembly stages.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown in the illustration, this application provides an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language. This modeling language is a domain-specific modeling language formed by extending the Unified Modeling Language (UML) or the System Modeling Language (SysML). It is used to graphically describe the design model of electronic and electrical interfaces within modeling tools. The modeling language includes a set of predefined graphical stereotype elements, including: a black box stereotype element for graphically representing a black box encapsulating electronic and electrical components; a cable stereotype element for graphically representing connecting cables and cable bundles; a conductor stereotype element for graphically representing physical conductors; a connector stereotype element for graphically representing physical connection interfaces; and a contact stereotype element for graphically representing electrical connection points. Each stereotype element has a predefined set of attributes and predefined associations corresponding to its semantics in the electronic and electrical interface domain, enabling users to directly construct a visual model describing the physical topology and connection relationships of the electronic and electrical interface by manipulating these graphical stereotype elements within the modeling tool.

[0023] In another possible implementation, firstly, based on the actual business needs, core technical pain points, and industry standards in the field of electronic and electrical interface design, key domain concepts such as black boxes, cables, wires, connectors, and contacts are systematically sorted out. The functional positioning, core characteristics, and logical relationships with other concepts of each concept in the unpacking design are clarified. Based on the structural extension mechanism of UML or SysML, these domain concepts are transformed into corresponding structural elements one by one. For each structural element, a set of attributes (such as the component identifier of the black box for unique identification, the length of the cable for physical layout reference, etc.) and relationships (such as the subordinate relationship between the black box and the connector, the end connection relationship between the cable and the connector, etc.) that are precisely preset and adapted to the domain semantics are defined, ensuring that the attributes and relationships can fully cover the design requirements. Subsequently, these predefined structural elements are integrated into mainstream modeling tools. A highly recognizable graphical representation that conforms to industry usage habits is designed for each element. The classification layout and calling entry of elements in the tool are optimized. Finally, a complete electronic and electrical interface design modeling language that supports graphical modeling is formed. Engineers can directly drag and drop, configure, and other operations to quickly build a visual model that can accurately reflect the physical topology and connection relationship of the interface.

[0024] By constructing a domain-specific modeling language based on a UML / SysML-based stereotype extension mechanism, and using predefined core graphical stereotype elements such as black boxes, cables, wires, connectors, and contacts, a unified and precise semantic carrier is provided for electronic and electrical interface design, completely changing the status quo of traditional tools that "lack specific elements." Each stereotype element comes with a predefined set of attributes and relationships that are deeply matched with the domain semantics, eliminating the need for engineers to piece together expressions using generic elements. This ensures the standardization and consistency of design descriptions, avoids semantic ambiguity, and allows for direct reuse and collaboration of the results from different designers. The graphical presentation makes the physical topology and connection relationships of the interface intuitively visible, which not only facilitates engineers' quick understanding and verification of design solutions but also reduces cross-team communication costs. At the same time, it supports direct manipulation of elements to build models within the modeling tool, significantly reducing the cumbersome process of "dispersed information recording" in traditional tools, and significantly improving design efficiency and the traceability and analyzability of the model.

[0025] Traditional tools can only label core components like black boxes with simple names or numbers, failing to systematically define their key attributes (such as component identifiers and part numbers) or clearly define the relationship between the black box and the connector. This results in unclear identification of the black box and ambiguity in the set of connectors it belongs to, which can easily lead to problems such as component confusion and incorrect connector configuration in subsequent designs, affecting the accuracy and consistency of interface design.

[0026] In the embodiments of this application, the predefined set of attributes of the black box stereotype element includes: component identifier attribute and part number attribute; the association of the black box stereotype element includes: an association pointing to a set of connector stereotypes, used to specify the set of connectors contained in the black box.

[0027] In another possible embodiment, during the design process of the black box construct, its core function is first clearly defined as encapsulating electronic and electrical components and associating them with corresponding connectors. Therefore, component identifier attributes (using industry-standard coding rules to ensure uniqueness) and part number attributes (aligned with material coding standards to support direct association with the material library) are preset first. Then, based on the actual design logic of the electronic and electrical interface, the subordinate relationship characteristics between the black box and the connector are analyzed, and the "inclusive" association relationship between the black box construct and the connector construct is defined. It is clear that one black box can correspond to a set of connectors, and this association relationship supports dynamic addition and reduction of the number of connectors to adapt to different design scenarios. Finally, these attributes and association relationships are deeply integrated into the attribute panel and association editing function of the modeling tool. When using the black box construct, engineers can directly fill in or select preset identifiers and part numbers in the attribute panel. Through the tool's built-in association drawing function, they can drag lines to establish the association between the black box and the corresponding connector construct. After association, it is displayed in the model with intuitive lines and symbols. At the same time, it supports batch addition or deletion of associated connectors to complete the complete configuration of black box related information.

[0028] By pre-setting component identifiers and part numbers for the black box constructs, not only is a unique identity for the black box achieved, facilitating component differentiation and traceability during the design process, but it also directly connects to the material management system, providing accurate material information for subsequent procurement and production, and avoiding component confusion. By establishing a relationship pointing to a set of connector constructs, the set of connectors contained in each black box is clearly defined, making the subordinate logic between the black box and the connectors clear at a glance. This provides a clear logical basis for subsequent interface connection design, ensuring the consistency of component and connector configurations. At the same time, the visual presentation of this relationship allows designers to quickly verify the completeness of the connector configuration of the black box, improving the accuracy of the design and the efficiency of the review.

[0029] Traditional tools cannot standardize the definition of key cable attributes (such as length and part number). Furthermore, they are difficult to accurately express the end connection relationship between cables and connectors, as well as the combination structure of cable bundles. They can only supplement the description with text or scattered diagrams, resulting in unclear physical parameters of cables, chaotic connection logic, and ambiguous cable bundle composition. This can easily lead to problems such as incorrect lengths, incorrect connections, and chaotic cable bundle disassembly during subsequent cable layout and assembly.

[0030] In embodiments of this application, the predefined set of attributes for the cable profile element includes: cable length attribute and part number attribute; the predefined associations for the cable profile element include: associations pointing to one or more connector profiles to represent cable end connections, and self-referencing associations for representing cable bundles.

[0031] In another possible embodiment, considering the core role of cables in interface design, the key technical parameters of the cables are first identified, and length attributes (supporting unit switching such as millimeters and meters, with numerical verification function) and part number attributes (following industry material coding standards and associated with the cable specification database) are preset for the cable configuration. Based on the actual connection scenarios of the cables, the connection logic between the cables and connectors is analyzed, and the "end connection" association relationship between the cable configuration and the connector configuration is defined, supporting one or more connectors to be connected to one cable end. The connection method (such as welding, snap-fit) can be marked through the association attribute to meet different connection requirements. Considering that cables often exist in the form of cable bundles in practical applications, a self-referencing association mechanism is designed, allowing one cable configuration to be used as the "main cable" and associated with multiple configurations of the same type as "sub-cables". It also supports configuring additional attributes such as relative position and shielding level for sub-cables, so as to accurately represent the structure of the cable bundle composed of multiple sub-cables. These attributes and association relationships are integrated into the modeling tool. Engineers can directly input the cable length and part number through the attribute panel, drag lines to establish the connection relationship between the cable and the connector and mark the connection method through the association tool, and add sub-cables and configure relevant parameters through the self-referencing association function to achieve standardized and visual configuration of cable-related designs.

[0032] The predefined attribute set for cable configuration types covers length and part number. The length attribute supports multiple unit switching (adapting to different design standards), accurately conveying the physical specifications of the cable and providing a precise basis for cable layout design and path planning, avoiding assembly problems caused by length errors. The part number attribute interfaces with the material system, facilitating quick lookup of additional information such as cable material and withstand voltage, ensuring cable selection compatibility. Through associations pointing to one or more connector configuration types, the connection objects at the cable ends are clearly defined, supporting complex connection scenarios such as single-end multiple connectors and two-end multiple connectors, avoiding connection errors. The newly added self-referencing association is specifically used to represent the cable bundle structure composed of cable clusters, supporting the addition of sub-cables as needed and defining the arrangement order of sub-cables, making the complex cable bundle combination logic intuitive and standardized, effectively solving the problem of vague cable bundle descriptions in traditional designs, while also facilitating designers to quickly verify the integrity of the cable bundle composition, improving the integrity and accuracy of cable design.

[0033] In traditional design patterns, due to the lack of standardized modeling elements for conductors, key information such as conductor part numbers, instrument specifications, signal types, and colors can only be recorded in different documents without a unified attribute configuration carrier. This makes it difficult for engineers to quickly obtain complete information about conductors during design verification, signal allocation, or later maintenance, which can easily lead to problems such as incorrect conductor selection, signal allocation conflicts, and confusing color markings, affecting the stability of system signal transmission.

[0034] In the embodiments of this application, the predefined set of attributes for the wire construction element includes: part number attribute, instrument specification attribute, signal type attribute, and color attribute.

[0035] In another possible embodiment, combining the usage requirements of wires in electronic and electrical interface design with industry standards, the system sorts out the key attributes of the wires and determines the part number (associated with material codes), instrument specifications (compatible with GB, IEC, and other standards), signal type (preset categories such as power, data, and control), and color (following industry color matching specifications and providing color card selection) as the core attributes, which are preset as the attribute set of the wire construct. A dedicated attribute editing panel is developed in the modeling tool, which displays these attributes in a sorted manner according to "basic information - functional parameters - identification information", with core attributes (such as signal type and part number) displayed first, supporting three configuration methods: manual input, drop-down selection, and batch import. At the same time, a logical association verification mechanism between attributes is established, such as automatically recommending the appropriate instrument specifications based on the signal type to avoid selection errors caused by parameter mismatch. When using the wire construct, engineers can directly select or input relevant parameters in the attribute panel. After verification, the wire attribute configuration is completed, and the configuration information is synchronized to the model in real time for easy viewing and modification at any time.

[0036] Traditional tools can only label connectors with simple names or part numbers, and cannot systematically define their type, view and other key attributes. They also cannot clearly express the combination relationship between connectors and contacts, resulting in unclear physical characteristics of connectors and ambiguous contact configuration logic. It is difficult to accurately match contacts and connectors during the production and assembly stage, which can easily lead to installation errors and affect the reliability of interface connections and signal transmission quality.

[0037] In the embodiments of this application, the predefined set of attributes of the connector stereotype element includes: connector identifier attribute, part number attribute, type attribute, and view attribute; the predefined association of the connector stereotype element includes: a combined association containing a group of the contact stereotype elements.

[0038] In another possible embodiment, based on the core role of connectors in the physical connection of interfaces, its key characteristics are comprehensively reviewed, and attributes such as preset identifiers (using unique coding rules), part numbers (associated with the material library), types (preset common industry types selected from drop-down menus), and views (associated with 3D model files, supporting click-to-view) are preset to ensure that the attribute information is complete and practical. According to the actual assembly logic of connectors and contacts, the number, arrangement, and specification requirements of contacts corresponding to different types of connectors are analyzed, and a "combination" association relationship between connector constructs and contact constructs is defined, clarifying that a connector can contain multiple contacts, and the association relationship has built-in adaptation rules (such as a certain type of connector can only be associated with contacts of a specific specification). The modeling tool realizes the visual presentation of this combination association. Engineers can drag and drop contact constructs onto connector constructs to quickly establish the subordinate relationship between the two. The system automatically verifies the compatibility between contact specifications and connector types. After the adaptation is successful, it is displayed in the model in the form of a contact array. It also supports batch addition and deletion of contacts and adjustment of contact arrangement order. Various attributes of the connector can be directly configured in the attribute panel to complete the integrated design of connectors and contacts.

[0039] The predefined attribute set of connector profiles covers key information such as identifiers, part numbers, types, and views. Identifiers provide unique identification for the connectors; part numbers interface with the material system; type attributes (preset classifications such as plug-in and soldered) facilitate quick differentiation of connector functions; and view attributes (supporting 2D and 3D view switching) visually display the connector's physical structure, comprehensively conveying the connector's physical characteristics and identification information, providing accurate basis for connector selection and installation. By establishing a combination association containing a set of contact profiles, the hierarchical relationship and quantity matching requirements between connectors and contacts are clarified, making the contact set corresponding to each connector intuitively visible, avoiding contact-connector mismatch issues. Simultaneously, this combination association supports automatically recommending suitable contact specifications based on connector type, improving the accuracy of contact configuration and providing a clear logical carrier for verifying the interface physical implementation scheme, ensuring the reliability of the connection design.

[0040] Existing technologies can only label basic identifiers or part numbers when describing contacts. They lack standardized descriptions for critical information such as crimping settings, which directly affect installation quality and connection reliability. This forces installers to rely on experience, which can easily lead to problems such as incorrect crimping parameters and loose connections. In turn, this can cause potential problems such as unstable signal transmission and interface failures, and cannot meet the high requirements of modern electronic and electrical systems for connection reliability.

[0041] In embodiments of this application, the predefined set of attributes of the contact profile includes: contact identifier attribute, part number attribute, and crimping setting attribute.

[0042] In another possible embodiment, based on the core functions and installation requirements of the contact, the system identifies its key attributes and determines the identifier (unique code, associated with the connector identifier), part number (interfacing with the material library, supporting quick specification lookup), and crimping settings (core attribute) as core configuration items. The crimping settings employ a data mapping method, converting industry-standard crimping parameters (such as pressure value, crimping depth, and operation steps) into a standardized data format, and includes built-in crimping parameter templates corresponding to common connector types. In the attribute editing panel of the modeling tool, a dedicated attribute input interface is configured for the contact construct. The crimping settings attribute supports two configuration methods: directly selecting a preset parameter template or manually entering custom parameters and saving them as a new template, ensuring the convenience and accuracy of parameter configuration. Simultaneously, a compatibility verification mechanism between crimping settings and connector types is established. The system automatically verifies the rationality of crimping parameters based on the associated connector type. If parameters exceed the compatibility range, a warning is issued to avoid installation problems caused by mismatched crimping parameters and connectors, achieving precise alignment between contact design and installation requirements.

[0043] By pre-setting identifiers, part numbers, and crimping settings for contact configurations, not only are unique identification and material traceability achieved, ensuring the accuracy of contact selection, but the critical installation parameter of crimping settings is also incorporated into a standardized description. Specific parameters such as crimping pressure and crimping depth are presented in a data mapping format, providing precise and unified technical guidance for installation operations and completely changing the traditional "experience-based" approach. The data-driven approach to crimping settings ensures the accuracy and consistency of parameter transmission, effectively avoiding errors caused by experience-based operations, improving the consistency and reliability of contact installation, and thus guaranteeing the stability of the entire interface connection and signal transmission quality. It also facilitates later traceability of installation parameters, providing support for troubleshooting.

[0044] Although some general-purpose modeling tools support the editing of basic graphic elements, the lack of specific designs for the field of electronic and electrical interfaces means that the modeling elements in existing tools do not have unified and easily identifiable dedicated icons. The entry points for editing the attributes and relationships of each structural element are hidden, and the operation process is cumbersome. As a result, it is difficult for engineers to quickly identify the required elements when modeling, and the efficiency of attribute configuration and relationship establishment is low, which seriously affects the overall design progress.

[0045] In the embodiments of this application, the graphical representation of the graphical structural elements is a dedicated icon that can be directly identified and selected in the modeling tool toolbox or panel. The predefined attribute set and relationships of the graphical structural elements are edited and implemented through the attribute panel and connection tool of the modeling tool.

[0046] In another possible embodiment, dedicated icons are designed based on the functional characteristics and industry usage habits of each structural element: a rectangular icon with a packaging symbol is used for the black box, a line icon with a length symbol is used for the cable, an interface icon is used for the connector, and a dot icon is used for the contact, etc., to ensure that each icon is highly recognizable and conforms to industry understanding; these icons are integrated into the toolbox or dedicated panel of the modeling tool, and arranged according to the categories of "core components (black box) - connecting parts (cable, wire) - interface parts (connector, contact)", supporting the customization and collection of frequently used elements to improve selection efficiency; a dedicated attribute editing panel is developed in the modeling tool to display the predefined attributes of each structural element. Attributes are sorted by importance and frequency of use, with core attributes displayed first and secondary attributes collapsible and hidden. Multiple elements can be selected in batches for simultaneous editing of the same attribute, and attribute data can be imported from Excel to reduce repetitive input. The connection tool has been optimized, allowing for the quick establishment of relationships between structural elements by dragging lines. Connection lines have a built-in magnetic function, automatically snapping together when near elements. Once a relationship is established, the relationship type identifier (such as "contains" or "connected") is automatically displayed. Editing (modifying type) and deleting relationships are also provided, with batch deletion of relationships supported. This ensures the convenience and flexibility of attribute configuration and relationship establishment, comprehensively improving overall modeling efficiency.

[0047] By designing dedicated icons for each structural element, the icons are highly recognizable, concise, and intuitive, combining element functional characteristics with industry usage habits. This allows for quick identification within the modeling tool's toolbox or panel, significantly reducing the difficulty of element selection. The modeling tool's attribute panel centrally presents the predefined attributes of each structural element, categorized and sorted by "core attributes - secondary attributes," supporting batch editing and parameter import, simplifying the attribute configuration process. The connection tool optimizes the establishment of relationships, supporting drag-and-drop line creation for rapid connection establishment and automatically displaying relationship type identifiers, making connection implementation more convenient and efficient, significantly shortening modeling time. Standardized graphical representation and editing methods enhance the ease of use of modeling operations, allowing even non-professional modelers to quickly get started, expanding the applicability of the modeling language. Simultaneously, unified operational logic reduces operational differences within the team, improving collaboration efficiency.

[0048] Example 2:

[0049] Due to the lack of standardized electronic and electrical interface modeling processes, engineers often use Excel or Visio for design based on their personal habits. This results in chaotic steps and a lack of unified standards, leading to inconsistent design outcomes. The physical topology, connection relationships, and signal attribute descriptions of the models are incomplete, making it difficult to effectively trace and analyze the design solutions. If modifications or verifications are needed in subsequent stages, a significant amount of time must be spent sorting out the design logic, which seriously affects the efficiency of project progress.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 This application also provides a method for describing an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language based on a stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML. The method includes: performing ontology analysis of the electronic and electrical interface domain, clarifying the concepts, features, and relationships required for modeling within the domain, and defining a formalized domain meta-model. The domain meta-model includes black box meta-classes, cable meta-classes, wire meta-classes, connector meta-classes, and contact meta-classes, the attributes of each meta-class, and the relationships between meta-classes. Based on the stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML, each meta-class in the domain meta-model is mapped and created as a stereotype extending from the basic elements of UML or SysML, and the attributes and relationships of the meta-classes are mapped to the label definitions of the corresponding stereotypes and the relationships between stereotypes. In a modeling tool, the language customization function provided by the modeling tool is used to integrate and configure the interface of all the created stereotypes, thereby constructing a directly usable graphical electronic and electrical interface design modeling language in the modeling tool.

[0051] In another possible implementation, a professional ontology analysis is first conducted in the field of electronic and electrical interface design. This analysis comprehensively reviews the core concepts used for interface modeling (including black boxes, cables, wires, connectors, contacts, etc.), clarifies the core characteristics of each concept (such as component identification of the black box, cable length, etc.) and the relationships between concepts (such as the subordinate relationship between the black box and the connector), and defines these contents as a formalized domain meta-model to ensure that the meta-model fully covers the core semantics of interface design. Next, based on the stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML, each metaclass in the domain meta-model is mapped one by one and created as a stereotype that extends from the basic elements of UML / SysML. At the same time, the attributes of the metaclasses are mapped to the label definitions of the corresponding stereotypes, and the relationships between metaclasses are mapped to the relationships between stereotypes. Finally, in the modeling tool, the language customization function provided by the tool is used to integrate and configure the interface of all created stereotypes, including designing the graphical display style of the stereotypes, configuring the attribute editing entry, and optimizing the operation logic. Ultimately, a set of graphical electronic and electrical interface design modeling language that can be used directly is constructed in the modeling tool.

[0052] By employing a complete descriptive method of "domain ontology analysis - meta-model to stereotype mapping - modeling tool interface integration," a modeling language tailored to the electronic and electrical interface domain is systematically constructed. First, professional ontology analysis anchors the core semantics of the domain, ensuring the domain adaptability of the modeling language. Then, based on the UML / SysML stereotype extension mechanism, precise mapping of the meta-model is achieved, guaranteeing the complete transmission of domain semantics. Finally, the customized functions of the modeling tool are integrated and configured, allowing the modeling language to be used graphically directly within the tool. This solves the problem of semantic misalignment in traditional modeling languages ​​and improves the usability and practicality of the modeling language, providing a standardized and usable dedicated modeling platform for electronic and electrical interface design.

[0053] Even if existing technologies have conducted preliminary domain ontology analysis, they have not defined the attributes and relationships of each domain metaclass in a refined manner: the identification attributes of the black box are unclear, the association logic with the connector is ambiguous, the core parameters of the cable are missing, the combination relationship of the cable bundle is not reflected, the signal-related attributes of the wire are not covered, the combination relationship between the connector and the contact is unclear, and the installation parameters of the contact are not standardized, resulting in semantic incompleteness of the constructed domain metamodel, and the modeling language formed by subsequent mapping cannot accurately support the actual needs of interface design.

[0054] In the embodiments of this application, the ontology analysis of the electronic and electrical interface domain is performed to clarify the concepts, features, and relationships required for modeling within the domain, and to define a formal domain meta-model. The domain meta-model includes black box meta-classes, cable meta-classes, wire meta-classes, connector meta-classes, and contact meta-classes, the attributes of each meta-class, and the relationships between meta-classes. This includes: defining component identifier and part number attributes for the black box meta-class, and defining its association with the connector meta-class to specify a set of connectors; defining cable length and part number attributes for the cable meta-class, and defining its association with the original connector and a self-referencing association for representing cable bundles; defining part number, instrument specification, signal type, and color attributes for the wire meta-class; defining connector identifier, part number, type, and view attributes for the connector meta-class, and defining its combined association with the contact meta-class; and defining contact identifier, part number, and crimp setting attributes for the contact meta-class.

[0055] In another possible embodiment, during the ontology analysis phase of the electrical and electronic interface domain, the metaclasses in the domain metamodel are defined in a refined manner: For the black box metaclass, component identifier attributes (for unique component identification) and part number attributes (for material traceability) are defined, along with its association with the connector metaclass to specify the corresponding connector set; for the cable metaclass, cable length attributes (for physical layout reference) and part number attributes (for material management) are defined, along with its end association with the connector metaclass and a self-referencing association to represent cable bundles; for the wire metaclass, part number attributes (for...) are defined... The domain metamodel is divided into several categories: material identification, instrument specification attributes (for signal transmission adaptation), signal type attributes (for signal distribution), and color attributes (for installation differentiation); connector metaclass defines connector identifier attributes (for unique identification), part number attributes (for material traceability), type attributes (for functional differentiation), and view attributes (for structural display), and defines its combination and association relationships with contact metaclass; contact metaclass defines contact identifier attributes (for unique identification), part number attributes (for material management), and crimping setting attributes (for installation guidance), ultimately forming a formalized domain metamodel with complete attributes and clear associations.

[0056] By refining the attributes and relationships of each metaclass in the domain metamodel, the semantics of each metaclass become more precise and the logic clearer: defining component identifiers and connector associations for black boxes clarifies their interface carrier positioning; defining length and self-reference associations for cables covers single cable and cable cluster scenarios; defining signal-related attributes for wires to support signal distribution requirements; defining type and contact combination associations for connectors clarifies the interface physical structure; and defining crimping parameters for contacts to meet installation requirements. This enables the domain metamodel to fully and accurately carry the core semantics of electronic and electrical interface design, providing a solid foundation for subsequent stereotype mapping.

[0057] Existing technologies lack standardized mapping rules when mapping domain metamodels to UML / SysML stereotypes: either stereotypes are simply created without mapping metaclass attributes, resulting in missing stereotype semantics; or the mapping method between metaclass associations and stereotype associations is not standardized, leading to logical confusion between stereotypes. Ultimately, the mapped stereotypes cannot fully bear the semantics of the domain metamodel, and the constructed modeling language is out of touch with domain requirements.

[0058] In the embodiments of this application, the stereotype extension mechanism based on UML or SysML maps and creates each metaclass in the domain metamodel as a stereotype that extends from the basic elements of UML or SysML, and maps the attributes and relationships of the metaclasses to the label definitions of the corresponding stereotypes and the relationships between stereotypes. Specifically, this includes: creating a corresponding stereotype for each domain metaclass, mapping the attributes of the domain metaclasses to the newly added label definitions in the corresponding stereotypes, and mapping the relationships between domain metaclasses to the relationships or internal structures between stereotypes based on UML or SysML.

[0059] In another possible implementation, the domain metamodel is mapped based on the stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML: First, a corresponding stereotype is created for each metaclass in the domain metamodel (including black box metaclass, cable metaclass, wire metaclass, connector metaclass, and contact metaclass), ensuring that each domain concept has a dedicated stereotype carrier; then, the attributes of each domain metaclass (such as the component identifier of the black box, the length of the cable, etc.) are mapped to the newly added label definitions in the corresponding stereotype, so that the stereotype has the same feature description capability as the metaclass; finally, the associations between domain metaclasses (such as the subordinate association between the black box and the connector, the combination association between the connector and the contact, etc.) are mapped to the associations or internal structures between corresponding stereotypes based on UML or SysML specifications, ensuring that the logic between stereotypes is consistent with the logic between metaclasses, thus completing the complete semantic mapping from the domain metamodel to the stereotypes.

[0060] Through standardized mapping steps, the semantics of the domain metamodel are fully transferred to the UML / SysML stereotypes: a dedicated stereotype is created for each metaclass to ensure a one-to-one correspondence between domain concepts; metaclass attributes are mapped to stereotype label definitions to preserve domain characteristics; metaclass associations are mapped to associations or internal structures between stereotypes to transfer domain logic. This ensures semantic consistency between the stereotypes and the domain metamodel, conforms to the extension specifications of UML / SysML, and allows the mapped stereotypes to be used in a standardized manner in modeling tools.

[0061] The optional embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the embodiments of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the embodiments of the present invention will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0063] Furthermore, various different implementations of the present invention can be combined arbitrarily, as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed in the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic and electrical interface design modeling language, characterized by, The modeling language is a domain-specific modeling language formed by extending the Unified Modeling Language (UML) or the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), and is used for describing a design model of an electronic and electrical interface in a graphical manner in a modeling tool, and the modeling language comprises a set of predefined graphical stereotype elements, and the graphical stereotype elements include: a black box stereotype element used for graphically representing a black box encapsulating an electronic and electrical component; a cable stereotype element used for graphically representing a connection cable and a cable bundle; a wire stereotype element used for graphically representing a physical conductor; a connector stereotype element used for graphically representing a physical connection interface; a contact stereotype element used for graphically representing an electrical connection point; wherein each stereotype element has a predefined set of attributes and a predefined association relationship corresponding to semantics thereof in the field of electronic and electrical interfaces, so as to support a user in directly constructing, in the modeling tool, a visual model describing a physical topology and a connection relationship of the electronic and electrical interface by operating the graphical stereotype elements.

2. The electronic electrical interface design modeling language of claim 1, wherein, The predefined set of attributes of the black box stereotype element includes a component identifier attribute and a part number attribute, and the association relationship of the black box stereotype element includes an association pointing to a set of connector stereotypes, and is used for specifying a set of connectors contained in the black box.

3. The electronic electrical interface design modeling language of claim 1, wherein, The predefined set of attributes of the cable stereotype element includes a cable length attribute and a part number attribute, and the predefined association relationship of the cable stereotype element includes an association pointing to one or more connector stereotypes to represent cable end connections, and a self-reference association used for representing a cable bundle.

4. The electronic electrical interface design modeling language of claim 1, wherein, The predefined set of attributes of the wire stereotype element includes a part number attribute, an instrument gauge attribute, a signal type attribute and a color attribute.

5. The electronic electrical interface design modeling language of claim 1, wherein, The predefined set of attributes of the connector stereotype element includes a connector representation attribute, a part number attribute, a type attribute and a view attribute, and the predefined association relationship of the connector stereotype element includes a composition association containing a set of the contact stereotype elements.

6. The electronic electrical interface design modeling language of claim 5, wherein, The predefined set of attributes of the contact stereotype includes a contact representation attribute, a part number attribute and a crimp setting attribute.

7. The electronic electrical interface design modeling language of claim 1, wherein, A graphical representation of the graphical stereotype element is a special icon that can be directly recognized and selected in a modeling tool toolbox or panel, and the predefined set of attributes and the association relationship of the graphical stereotype element are edited and implemented through an attribute panel and a connection tool of the modeling tool.

8. A description method of an electronic and electrical interface design modeling language according to any one of claims 1 to 7, based on a constructive extension mechanism of UML or SysML, characterized in that, The method comprises: performing ontology analysis in the field of electronic and electrical interfaces, explicitly defining concepts, features and relationships required for modeling in the field, and defining a formalized domain meta-model, the domain meta-model including a black box meta-class, a cable meta-class, a wire meta-class, a connector meta-class and a contact meta-class, attributes of each meta-class and association relationships between the meta-classes; based on a stereotype extension mechanism of UML or SysML, mapping and creating each meta-class in the domain meta-model as a stereotype extended from a UML or SysML base element, and mapping attributes and association relationships of the meta-classes as label definitions of the corresponding stereotypes and associations between the stereotypes; In the modeling tool, all the created construction types are integrated and configured by using the language customization function provided by the modeling tool, so as to build a set of graphical electronic and electrical interface design modeling language which can be directly used in the modeling tool.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the electronic electrical interface design modeling language is described by, The ontology analysis in the field of electronic and electrical interface is performed, the concepts, features and relationships required for modeling in the field are defined, and a formalized field meta-model is defined, the field meta-model includes a black box meta-class, a cable meta-class, a wire meta-class, a connector meta-class and a contact meta-class, attributes of each meta-class and association relationships between the meta-classes, including: The component identifier attribute and the part number attribute are defined for the black box meta-class, and the association with the connector meta-class is defined to specify the connector set; The cable length attribute and the part number attribute are defined for the cable meta-class, and the original association with the connector and the self-reference association for representing the cable cluster are defined; The part number attribute, the instrument specification attribute, the signal type attribute and the color attribute are defined for the wire meta-class; The connector identifier attribute, the part number attribute, the type attribute and the view attribute are defined for the connector meta-class, and the combination association with the contact meta-class is defined; The contact identifier attribute, the part number attribute and the crimp setting attribute are defined for the contact meta-class.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the electronic and electrical interface design modeling language is described by, The construction type extension mechanism based on UML or SysML maps each meta-class in the field meta-model and creates a construction type which is extended from the UML or SysML basic element, and maps the attributes and the association relationships of the meta-class to the tag definition of the corresponding construction type and the association between the construction types, specifically including: A corresponding construction type is created for each field meta-class, the attributes of the field meta-class are mapped to the newly added tag definition in the corresponding construction type, and the association relationships between the field meta-classes are mapped to the association or internal structure between the construction types based on UML or SysML.

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