Determining an environmentally relevant product parameter

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining at least one product parameter (PP1) for a product (1), wherein an ecodesign requirement is quantified by the product parameter (PP1). The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a geometry data record (GEO) for the product (1) within a development environment (2) for computer-aided construction, wherein the product (1) is subdivided within the geometry data record (GEO) into a plurality of partial objects, and wherein for the partial object in question an associated material type (m1, m2) and information about an associated production process (p1,p2) are specified, b) providing a first data record (D1), which contains for a plurality of material types (mi) respective associated quantity-specific material contributions (mbj) for the product parameter (PP1), c) providing a second data record (D2), which contains for a plurality of possible production processes (pi) respective associated quantity-specific process contributions (pbi) for the product parameter (PP1) to be determined, and d) determining an absolute value numeral of the product parameter (PP1) within the development environment (2) for computer-aided construction by taking into account at least one total material contribution (Mg) and a total process contribution (Pg), wherein the total material contribution (Mg) is determined on the basis of a summation over partial material contributions (Mj) of the individual partial objects and each of these is the result of the product of the material quantity (vj) in the partial object and a quantity-specific material contribution (mbj) associated with the respective material type (mj), wherein the total process contribution (Pg) is formed on the basis of a summation over partial process contributions (Pj) of the individual partial objects, and for the partial object in question, each of these is the result of the product of the material quantity (vj) and the respective quantity-specific process contribution (pbj) associated with the production process (Pj) in question. The invention also relates to a corresponding computer program product.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Determination of an environmentally relevant product parameter

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one product parameter for a product, wherein the product parameter quantifies an ecodesign requirement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product for implementing such a method.

[0004] Various state-of-the-art methods are known for estimating and comparing the environmental impacts of industrial products. The most common methodological approach is a so-called life cycle assessment (LCA), in which a life cycle assessment is carried out according to standardized procedures, particularly in accordance with ISO standards 14040 and 14044. This involves preparing a life cycle inventory that records both resource consumption and environmentally relevant emissions (e.g., CO2 emissions). Such life cycle analyses are frequently used to compare different products in terms of their environmental compatibility or to evaluate individual products with regard to the relevant assessment factors in relation to a baseline for the respective product group.The standardized LCA procedures are typically very complex and require a lot of manual user input to provide all the information required for the evaluation. A disadvantage of these conventional evaluation methods is that they are usually only applied relatively late in the design process to an essentially fully designed product. However, at this late design stage, the key decisions that can contribute to an environmentally friendly product design have typically already been made. The quantitative description of individual environmentally relevant variables within the LCA procedure is therefore useful for selecting between alternative finished products, but not for the design process. In the early phases of a product design, in which, for example,However, when the materials and processes used are selected and the product geometry is determined, the values ​​for the environmentally relevant variables are usually not yet available. This lack of quantitative evaluation variables in the early development stages of a product represents a significant obstacle to environmentally friendly product design. Furthermore, there is no interactive usability of such quantitative evaluation variables within the design process. In other words, existing tools cannot establish a direct relationship between the design freedom of the construction and the quantitative environmentally relevant criteria.

[0005] Individual tools are available for estimating certain environmental impact factors of a product during the design stage. One example is the "SOLIDWORKS Sustainability" program, which is integrated into the SOLIDWORKS computer-aided design (CAD) development environment from Dassault. This computer program can estimate certain environmental impacts such as CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and air and water pollution depending on the quantity of materials used. However, the results are only rough estimates based on relatively broad material classes and averaged values ​​for material-specific environmental impacts. Furthermore, only a few types of environmental impacts are calculated, and these are not presented as quantitative absolute values, but only as a percentage change compared to a product-typical baseline.There is therefore a need for a more accurate and universally applicable calculation method for environmentally relevant product parameters.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, a method for determining environmentally relevant product parameters is to be provided that can be applied as early as the product design stage and yet still enables a comparatively accurate, quantitative assessment of one or more environmental impacts. A further object is to provide a computer program product for implementing such a method.

[0007] These objects are achieved by the method described in claim 1 and the computer program product described in claim 15.

[0008] The method according to the invention serves to determine at least one product parameter for a product. An ecodesign requirement is quantified by the product parameter. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a geometric data set for the product within a development environment for computer-aided design, wherein the product is divided into a plurality of sub-objects within the geometric data set, and wherein an associated material type and information about an associated manufacturing process are defined for each sub-object, b) providing a first data set containing, for a plurality of material types, respectively assigned quantity-specific material contributions for the product parameter to be determined, c) providing a second data set,which contains, for a plurality of possible manufacturing processes, respectively assigned quantity-specific process contributions for the product parameter to be determined, d) determining an evaluation of the product parameter within the development environment for computer-aided design by taking into account at least one total material contribution and one total process contribution, whereby the total material contribution is formed on the basis of a summation of partial material contributions of the individual sub-objects and these are each obtained as the product of the material quantity in the sub-object and a quantity-specific material contribution assigned to the respective material type, whereby the total process contribution is formed on the basis of a summation of partial process contributions of the individual sub-objects and these are obtained for the respective sub-object as the product of the material quantity and the quantity-specific process contribution assigned to the respective manufacturing process.

[0009] In this context, the terms "product," "product parameter," and "ecodesign requirement" should be understood as defined and used in the proposal for an EU regulation establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products of March 30, 2022. This also applies to other terms used below in connection with specific product parameters. This EU regulation is intended to establish a legal framework for establishing sustainability requirements for future products within the European Union (EU).

[0010] The method according to the invention serves to quantitatively determine an ecodesign product parameter relevant in this context and thus to take the corresponding environmental impacts into account already in the design phase of a product.

[0011] The "product" mentioned does not have to be a finished, physically existing product when the process is carried out; it is sufficient if it exists as a virtual design and, in particular, in the form of a geometric data set within a CAD development environment. This can also be a preliminary geometric data set in which the product is not yet fully formed in all its details, but is only roughly defined, e.g., via an enveloping shape of its contours. As part of this geometric data set, information is provided about how the geometry of the overall product is composed of several sub-objects. These sub-objects can, for example, be separate components from which the product is subsequently assembled. In principle, however, they can also be geometric subsections of a monolithic component that have different material compositions and / or are manufactured using different manufacturing methods or processes.different manufacturing parameters. Generally, the individual sub-objects in the geometry data set are each assigned information about the associated material and also information about the associated manufacturing process. In particular, the sub-objects can each have a substantially uniform material composition or at least be predominantly formed from a substantially uniform material. A component that does not meet this requirement can, if necessary, be subdivided into further sub-objects for the application of the method according to the invention.

[0012] It is essential in connection with the present invention that at least one eco-design-relevant product parameter is determined as an absolute value on a quantitative scale (absolute value). This is achieved by summing the contributions of the individual sub-objects, whereby both a material contribution and a process contribution are taken into account for each sub-object. In other words, the value of the process parameter is formed by summing a total material contribution and a total process contribution and, if applicable, further relevant contributions. The total material contribution is composed of partial material contributions of the individual sub-objects, and the total process contribution is composed of partial material contributions of the individual sub-objects. The consideration of further summands (e.g.of correction terms and / or other influencing factors) cannot in principle be excluded when calculating the total material contribution or the total process contribution. The individual partial material contributions result from the product of the material quantity in the respective sub-object and a quantity-specific material contribution, which can take on different values ​​depending on the material type. Such quantity-specific material contributions are provided for a large number of material types in the first data set, e.g. in a database. This data set can advantageously be used universally, in other words it can be used to determine the eco-design-relevant product parameters for a large number of different products. The material contributions are specific to the respective product parameter to be determined, e.g. the content of hazardous substances or the amount of energy required to produce the raw material.The individual material contributions are specified within the first data set as quantity-specific quantities, i.e., in particular, as mass-specific contributions (e.g., per kilogram of material) or as volume-specific contributions (e.g., per cubic centimeter of material) or a quantity proportional thereto. Similarly, the individual sub-process contributions result from the product of the material quantity in the respective sub-object and a quantity-specific process contribution, which can assume different values ​​depending on the manufacturing process and, if applicable, also depending on the material type. The process contributions can also be provided in a universal database for a multitude of possible manufacturing processes. It should not be generally excluded that some material and / or process contributions to a specific product parameter may also be zero (e.g.,if a sub-object does not contain any substances of concern or if a process does not cause emissions of a specific harmful substance). However, it is advantageous to consider a total of a majority of non-zero partial material contributions and a majority of non-zero partial process contributions for at least one identified ecodesign-relevant product parameter.

[0013] The invention is therefore based on the finding that some environmentally relevant product parameters can be quantitatively determined by considering quantity-specific contributions of the sub-objects contained in the geometry. A particularly precise determination of a quantitative numerical value is possible if the individual sub-contributions are differentiated not only according to the material types used, but also according to the manufacturing processes employed. To achieve a finished, complex product, not only must the materials contained in the sub-objects be made available, but the associated manufacturing processes must also be applied to transform the material used into its final form in the sub-object. The separate consideration of these two aspects leads to a significantly more accurate assessment of the environmental impact of the planned product.It is also essential that not only the provision of the geometry data set, but also the determination of the value of the product parameter takes place within a CAD development environment, or at least is called as a subroutine within this development environment. This can be achieved relatively easily by providing the quantity-specific material and process contributions in universal data sets and summing the individual partial contributions. A key advantage of this is that the evaluation results can be made available to a product developer in-situ within the development environment. This allows the impact of changes in the geometry, material selection, and / or process selection to be quickly assessed through direct feedback within the CAD environment.This means that, at an early stage of product design, when fundamental decisions are made, the environmental impacts associated with the product can be taken into account to a much greater extent and, above all, quantitatively than has previously been possible.

[0014] The computer program product according to the invention comprises instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to the invention. The advantages of the computer program product according to the invention arise analogously to the above-mentioned advantages of the method according to the invention.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the claims dependent on claim 1 and the following description. The described embodiments of the method can also be implemented in the computer program product, and vice versa.

[0016] Thus, according to a generally advantageous embodiment of the method, a total of several product parameters can be determined, each of these product parameters quantifying a different ecodesign requirement. In particular, several such product parameters can be determined according to step d). For the respective product parameter, different, parameter-specific material and process contributions can then be taken into account. A key advantage of this embodiment is that in this way, several competing criteria can be quantitatively examined and taken into account during design within the CAD development environment. For example, the individual ecodesign-relevant product parameters can compete with one another and / or these parameters can compete in different ways with other development goals such as cost criteria or physical variables such as stiffness or strength.An in-situ determination and comparison of several eco-design-relevant product parameters can help to find a favorable trade-off between such competing criteria and, in particular, to take environmentally relevant aspects into greater consideration at an early stage of development.

[0017] Generally advantageously, at least one product parameter determined by the method can be a material-related variable, i.e., a variable on which the type and quantity of material used has a significant influence. This can, in particular, be a material-related variable from the following first list:

[0018] - a content of recycled materials,

[0019] - a content of recyclable materials, in particular weighted by their recycling rate, - a content of substances from predefined substance classes, in particular a content of hazardous substances, substances of concern, additives and / or impurities,

[0020] - a quantity of waste materials generated during production,

[0021] - a total quantity of starting materials and auxiliary materials used in production. This first list contains product parameters that will become increasingly relevant for the design of future products, particularly in connection with the planned EU regulation cited above. Furthermore, this first list includes parameters that are typically not determined in conventional LCA methods, or are determined only with comparatively high manual effort, or as inaccurate estimates. The method according to the invention demonstrates a way to enable a quantitative assessment of these increasingly relevant parameters in a simple manner and during the design process by applying step d).

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, at least one product parameter determined by the method may be a variable from the following second list:

[0023] - process energy required during production and / or energy loss incurred during production,

[0024] - a quantity of harmful substances released during production, in particular volatile organic compounds,

[0025] - the amount of water required for production,

[0026] - an environmental footprint related to production, in particular a carbon footprint.

[0027] These are also quantities covered by the planned EU regulation cited above, and in particular its Annex I. The quantities in this second list are also frequently determined and presented within conventional LCA assessments. However, the determination of these quantities rarely takes place in-situ within a CAD development environment. And when this occurs, only generalized material-specific contributions are considered, but no differentiation is made for a given material based on the manufacturing process used. Therefore, the invention also contributes to a more precise determination of these quantities and thus to improved consideration within the development process.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, at least one product parameter determined by the method may generally be a variable from the following third list:

[0029] - a number of components used,

[0030] - a number of different types of components used, - a number of different types of materials used,

[0031] - a number of different types of object connections used,

[0032] - a number of disassembly steps required for product recycling,

[0033] - an average number of components exposed during a disassembly step,

[0034] - information about one or more types of object connections used,

[0035] - information about one or more types of components used,

[0036] - information on one or more types of tools for disassembling the product,

[0037] - information about the type of energy required for use,

[0038] - information on a type of operating resource required for use, in particular a chemically active liquid and / or a chemically active gas,

[0039] - information on the use of standardized components,

[0040] - an expected lifetime of the product,

[0041] - a planned number of service intervals within the service life.

[0042] These are also quantities whose determination will be given increased relevance by the planned EU regulation and whose determination is enabled or improved by step d) of the method according to the invention. The at least one quantity according to this third list can be determined particularly advantageously in addition to one or more quantities according to the first and / or second list. This can be done either by an embodiment of step d) or by a method that is carried out alternatively to the described step d). The quantities mentioned in the third list have in common that they can advantageously be determined via so-called "tagging," i.e., by setting markers and / or counters depending on the properties of the sub-objects contained in the product and / or the connections between the sub-objects.Generally speaking, the at least one variable from the third list can be determined by checking the incrementation of at least one counter characteristic of this variable for the respective sub-object or connection and determining the variable depending on the final value of this at least one counter. As an alternative to step d) described above, quantity-specific material and process contributions are not necessarily taken into account here, but rather a counter can be incremented depending on the properties that are characteristic of the respective product parameter under consideration. In this way, for example, the number of different components (e.g. as sub-objects) or materials or information about the requirement of a certain resource when using the product can be determined.Even if the determination of the quantity(s) from the third list is not carried out according to step d), but according to such an alternative counting method, its determination is advantageous in conjunction with the determination of one or more additional parameters from the first and / or second list according to step d), since this enables a differentiated quantitative analysis of various environmentally relevant product parameters by a common computer program, in particular by a subprogram of the CAD development environment. Even with such a counter-based determination, both the associated materials and the associated manufacturing processes of the individual sub-objects can be taken into account to particular advantage. For example, these two properties play a rolein determining the expected lifetime of the product, which results in particular from the lifetimes of the shortest-lived sub-objects and is thus also accessible through sub-object-specific tagging.

[0043] Generally advantageously, the assignment of the material type and / or a manufacturing process to the respective sub-object can be carried out by user input. According to a first variant of this embodiment, after the material type has been assigned, a list of the manufacturing processes compatible with it can be displayed, from which the user can make a selection. A default manufacturing process can also initially be assigned to the respective material, which the user can modify if necessary. According to a second variant of this embodiment, after the manufacturing process has been assigned, a list of the material types compatible with it can be displayed, from which the user can make a selection. Here, too, a default material can initially be assigned to the respective manufacturing process, which the user can modify if necessary. Both variants can also be combined with one another, so that, for example,For some sub-objects, the material is specified first, and for others, the associated manufacturing process is specified first, followed by the respective other property. The development environment can be designed to present the user with several suitable suggestions for associated manufacturing processes for a selected material and, if necessary, prioritize these according to certain predefined ecological criteria. In an analogous manner, such a suggestion or prioritization can also be made for suitable materials for a given manufacturing process.

[0044] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first data set can additionally contain one or more physical parameters for the respective material type. This can be, for example, a material-specific density and / or strength. If necessary, the second data set can also contain such physical parameters depending on the respective manufacturing process. Such information advantageously enables physical simulations within the CAD development environment, with which compliance with specifications for physical properties can be checked as a boundary condition in product design. In this way, the associated trade-offs (conflicting objectives) between ecological aspects and the safety margins in compliance with the specifications can also be taken into account, particularly when dimensioning the sub-objects and selecting materials and manufacturing processes.Similarly, the first data set and / or the second data set may also contain cost parameters for the materials and manufacturing processes used, so that trade-offs with financial criteria can also be taken into account in product design.

[0045] According to a further generally advantageous embodiment, the first and / or the second data set can be provided in at least one database outside the CAD development environment. In other words, it can be a database with (from the perspective of the CAD development environment) static data that is universally defined for the respective materials and / or manufacturing processes and is valid for very different product groups. These databases can be made available and maintained centrally or decentrally, independently of the CAD development environment. They are therefore not static in an absolute sense, but can, for example, be updated in the event of further development of the materials and manufacturing processes, but also with the availability of new measurement methods or a change in the standards for determining the relevant product parameters (e.g.In the event of a change in the classification of "substances of concern"), the data must be adapted accordingly. However, for access from the CAD environment, they are considered static data. The data sets do not have to be located in a single database; the relevant information can also be distributed across multiple databases. If necessary, a central database can provide access to additional databases with more detailed information on contributions to specific product parameters and / or specific materials and / or manufacturing processes. Similarly, a program for the ad hoc calculation of certain material- and / or process-specific contributions can be called from a central database if the corresponding data is not already available as static data.

[0046] In general, and regardless of the type of data provision, the quantity-specific process contributions contained in the second data set can have different values ​​depending on the associated material type. This can apply at least to a subset of the possible materials and / or the possible manufacturing processes. In other words, the individual process contributions can be not only process-specific but also material-specific. In this way, the environmental influences associated with the manufacturing process can be quantified particularly precisely, since, for example, the energy consumption for an injection molding process is not a universally fixed value, but in turn depends on the melting point, enthalpy of fusion, heat capacity, etc. of the material used. More generally, the process contributions of the individual sub-objects can depend on the respective assigned material type. The dependence of the process contributions on the material type can, for example,may also mean that for a given type of material only certain compatible manufacturing processes are permitted and others are not.

[0047] Likewise, it is generally advantageous if the quantity-specific process contributions contained in the second data set are also defined specifically for the manufacturing company and / or the country of manufacture. Similarly, the quantity-specific material contributions in the first data set can be defined specifically for the manufacturing company of the raw material and / or its country of manufacture. This allows a company not only to rely on general data, but also to explicitly and quantitatively consider improvements in its own processes and / or those of its suppliers in an environmental assessment.

[0048] According to a generally advantageous embodiment of step d), when determining the value of the product parameter, at least one further contribution can be taken into account in addition to the quantity-specific contributions mentioned, which depends on the structure of the sub-objects within the geometry data set. In other words, when determining the at least one product parameter, geometric information can be taken into account which goes beyond the pure material quantity in the individual sub-objects. Thus, contributions that are not purely quantity-specific are also included in the determination of the product parameter. This additional geometric information can, for example, include the connecting surface of adjacent and interconnected sub-objects and / or the free surface, the layer thickness and / or the cross-sectional area of ​​individual sub-objects. According to an advantageous further development of this embodiment, for exampleA connection contribution can be considered, which incorporates this additional geometric information about the connection of individual sub-objects. Alternatively or additionally, one or more further structure-dependent contributions can also be considered, particularly as optional additional summands in the overall process contribution (which is then no longer composed purely on a quantity-specific basis). Such structure-dependent process contributions can, for example, be contributions for post-treatment steps such as coating or tempering steps, which can depend on the free surface and / or the layer thickness or cross-sectional area of ​​the relevant sub-object.In general, such additional geometric information can be easily made available within the CAD development environment, enabling the interactive evaluation of environmentally relevant product parameters, which are influenced by the design degrees of freedom not only by quantity-specific contributions, but also by more complex structure-dependent relationships.

[0049] According to a generally advantageous embodiment of step d), when determining the value of the product parameter, a total bond contribution can be taken into account in addition to the total material contribution and the total process contribution. This total bond contribution quantifies the contributions of the bonds present in the product between individual components (in particular separately manufactured sub-objects) to the respective environmentally relevant product parameter. Thus, the total bond contribution can particularly preferably be calculated by summing the partial bond contributions for the bonds to be formed between individual sub-objects. These partial bond contributions are in turn specific to the respective product parameter under consideration. The bonds under consideration are in particular subsequently created bonds between separately manufactured sub-objects, such as soldered bonds, adhesive bonds, welded bonds, and the like.For example, the partial connection contributions for a given connection type can be calculated using flat-rate contributions per connection of a specific type and / or area-specific contributions per created connection area, with the connection area in turn being derived from the provided geometry data set. The resulting total connection contribution is only one example of additional contributions that can optionally be considered as additional summands when determining the value of the respective product parameter.

[0050] Similar to the definition of material type and manufacturing process for the individual sub-objects, the definition of a connection type for the connections between individual sub-objects in the geometry data set can also be made. This definition can also be made, for example, via user input. Alternatively, it can initially be based on a default connection type depending on the materials of the respective sub-objects, and this default connection type can be changed via user input if necessary. The connection contributions belonging to the respective connection type can be provided in a third data set for a multitude of possible connection types, analogous to steps c) and d). They can also be defined differently depending on the materials to be connected, if necessary.For example, the energy required for a welding process depends on the materials to be joined, and the choice of adhesive (and the associated environmental impact) depends on the materials to be bonded.

[0051] Similar to the specification of the material type, manufacturing process, and connection type, other parameters can also be optionally specified through user input. These can, for example, be other properties of more complex functional components that go beyond pure material and process properties. These can be, for example, electrical properties of batteries, motors, or displays contained in the product, or properties of magnets included. Depending on the type of such a functional component, contributions to selected environmentally relevant product parameters can be provided in parameterized form, e.g., in the form of a specified service life of the component.

[0052] Generally, and regardless of the type of product parameter and its precise calculation, the at least one product parameter can be determined for at least two different geometry data sets. The method can then comprise, in particular, the following step: e) displaying the results for the at least one determined product parameter using a graphical user interface, in particular as a comparative view depending on the underlying geometry data sets.

[0053] This enables a particularly simple assessment of the impact of product changes on environmentally relevant product parameters. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when multiple product parameters are determined within the scope of the method, and the influence of a geometric change, a material change, and / or a change in the manufacturing process and / or the connection types used on this multitude of evaluation criteria is to be taken into account during product design. In this context, the information on the material composition, the manufacturing process, and, if applicable, the connection type should also generally be understood as data of the geometry data set.

[0054] The invention is described below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a comparative illustration of the ecological improvement potential and the accuracy of various assessment tools,

[0055] Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram for carrying out the method and Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram with different design phases of a typical product design process.

[0056] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0057] Figure 1 shows a comparative schematic representation of various existing assessment tools T1 to T8 for determining environmentally relevant product parameters. The abscissa of the schematic diagram shows the accuracy G in determining environmentally relevant parameters, and the ordinate represents the typical improvement AK of ecological parameters that can be achieved with the help of the respective tool. The existing assessment tools T1 to T8 shown differ primarily in their accuracy G: the lowest accuracy is typically found in general guidelines T1, which only provide a rough assessment of certain environmentally relevant parameters. Such guidelines T1 are often used very early in the design process, so that their application can achieve a comparatively high improvement AK of ecological parameters.The highest accuracy is achieved by a full life cycle assessment (LCA) T8, which, however, is typically implemented so late in the design process that the feedback from this assessment only yields a slight improvement AK. Between these two extremes are other well-known tools, namely lists of hazardous substances T2, design standards T3, so-called MET matrices T4 (MET for "Material-Energy-Toxicity"), checklists T5, abbreviated LCAs T6, and ecological cost analyses T7. All of these assessment tools lie near a downward diagonal in the coordinate system shown, which is marked here with an arrow and essentially corresponds to a temporally advancing design stage D.The later in the design process the respective tool can be used, the higher the achievable accuracy G, but the lower the leverage AK, i.e. the possible improvement that can still be achieved at this stage with regard to the environmentally relevant parameters under consideration. There is therefore a general need for an evaluation tool T with which, on the one hand, a high accuracy G can be achieved and, on the other hand, which can be used early enough in the design process to achieve a significant improvement AK. Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram for carrying out the method according to an embodiment of the invention. Method step a), i.e. the provision of a geometry data set GEO for a product 1, is carried out within a development environment 2 for computer-aided design.It can preferably be a three-dimensional geometry data set in one of the common file formats of CAD development environments. In the example shown, the CAD development environment 2 has a graphical user interface 3 in which the product geometry can be displayed, for example, from different perspectives, different levels of detail and, if appropriate, also in the form of certain selected components. This user interface 3 also enables user input and the display of value numbers of the product parameters calculated using the method according to the invention. Within the geometry data set GEO, the product 1 is divided into a plurality of sub-objects not shown separately here. These can, in particular, be separately manufactured components that are connected to one another during the manufacture of the overall product. In the example shown, further information is available as part of the geometry data set.This is particularly data on the material types of the individual sub-objects, which are represented here by the material types mi and m2 of the first two sub-objects, as an example. These material types mi, m2, etc. can either be present as an indication of a special material or of a more general material class. Such a material class can be broadly defined and specified, for example, by its suitability for a certain application and / or a certain process. For example, a material class can be specified here that is specified as a polymer with a suitability for melting in a certain temperature range. The material class can also be specified, for example, via a component in a certain relative quantity range, whereby further components are initially open. In addition to the material orThe material class contains data on the manufacturing processes of the individual sub-objects, which are represented here by the manufacturing processes pi and p2 of the first two sub-objects, as an example. Here, too, either a specific manufacturing process with detailed process parameters or a generic process type can be specified. Furthermore, there is data on the material quantities in the individual sub-objects, which are represented here by the material quantities vi and v2 of the first two sub-objects, as an example. The material quantities can be expressed, for example, by the mass or volume of the material used. In principle, this additional information can either be stored as part of the geometry data set GEO or be available in some form in addition to it within the development environment 2.In particular, the material types mi, m2 and the selection of the manufacturing processes pi, p2 can be specified by user input via the graphical user interface 3 for the sub-objects contained in the product 1.

[0058] Within the CAD development environment 2, there is a so-called eco-design engine 5, which is communicatively linked to the other parts of the development environment. This eco-design engine 5 is a computer program with which one or more environmentally relevant product parameters PP1, PP2, etc. can be quantitatively determined. This program is therefore designed to carry out step d) of the method. It receives the geometry data set GEO provided in the CAD development environment 2 and the additional information described above. After determining the product parameters PP1, PP2, it returns their determined values ​​to the main program of the CAD development environment 2, and these can be displayed, in particular, in the graphical user interface 3 there.As an alternative to the modular embodiment outlined here, the ecodesign engine 5 with the described functionality can also be fully integrated into the CAD development environment. It is essential that the determination of the value numbers for the at least one product parameter PP1 takes place "within the CAD development environment," in the sense that the program 5 required for this purpose is called from the development environment 2, and the determined results are made available in the development environment 2 and, in particular, are displayed there. The ecodesign engine can expediently be provided as a plug-in, i.e., as a modular program component, within the CAD development environment.

[0059] The ecodesign engine 5 is communicatively linked to a database 7 in which a plurality of data sets D1 to D4 are provided. The data sets D1 to D4 shown are only examples, and more or fewer data sets can also be provided, whereby this data can also be distributed across multiple databases. The only essential thing is that the ecodesign engine 5 has access to essentially static data, which is therefore not influenced by the development environment 2 and its ecodesign engine 5. For this purpose, the at least one database 7 can be kept outside the CAD development environment 2 in particular. However, this is not absolutely necessary. In the first data set D1, according to step b) of the method, quantity-specific material contributions for the at least one product parameter to be determined (e.g. PP1) are provided for a large number of possible material types.In the second data set D2, according to step c) of the method, quantity-specific process contributions for the product parameter to be determined (e.g., PP1) are provided for a large number of possible manufacturing processes. In the optional third data set, connection contributions (in particular quantity- and / or area-specific) to the product parameter (e.g., PP1) can be provided for the connections to be created between the individual sub-objects. In the optional fourth data set, cost contributions can be provided, which can in particular also be quantity-specific. It is essential that at least the first two data sets D1 and D2 are available as a basis for determining the value number of at least one product parameter PP1.

[0060] Using the ecodesign engine 5, at least one environmentally relevant product parameter PP1 and preferably a plurality of such product parameters PP1, PP2, etc. are determined. These can advantageously be one or more parameters from the above-mentioned first list and / or the above-mentioned second list. These product parameters are particularly relevant for quantifying environmentally friendly product design and, in particular, for demonstrating compliance with the above-cited EU regulation and the resulting additional standards in product design. The product parameters from the first two lists are particularly suitable for being determined according to step d) of the method according to the invention. Thus, the value of a corresponding first product parameter PP1 can be determined, in particular, in the following way:

[0061] PP1 = M g + P g + ...

[0062] M ga total material contribution, which results from the sum of the partial material contributions Mi of the individual sub-objects j. The individual partial material contributions Mj are calculated for the respective sub-object j as:

[0063] Mj = Vj * mbj, i.e., the product of the material quantity Vj for the sub-object j and the corresponding quantity-specific material contribution mbj, which can have a different value depending on the material type mj and the product parameter to be determined. Similarly, P g a total process contribution, which results from the sum of the partial process contributions Pj of the individual sub-objects j. The individual partial process contributions Pj are calculated for the respective sub-object j as:

[0064] Pj = Vj * pbj, i.e., the product of the material quantity Vj for the sub-object j and the corresponding quantity-specific process contribution pbj. This can have a different value depending on the assigned manufacturing process Pj and the product parameter to be determined. Furthermore, its value can also depend on the assigned material mj.

[0065] The summation to determine the value of the product parameter PP1 can optionally contain further terms, in particular a summand V g , which corresponds to a total connection contribution to this product parameter PP1. This total connection contribution can be the sum of individual contributions V k for the connections k of individual sub-objects j present in the product, whereby flat-rate individual contributions and / or area-specific individual contributions for the respective connection type v kcan be taken into account. In addition to the product parameters according to the first and / or second list, product parameters according to the third list can also be determined. The determination of such additional product parameters can expediently be based on a counter, which is incremented depending on the properties of the respective sub-objects and / or object connections. The value of such a product parameter can then be assigned depending on the final result of the counter value.

[0066] The described method and the associated computer program product enable a comparatively accurate quantitative determination of at least one environmentally relevant product parameter, which is particularly applicable at an early stage of the design process. This is achieved in particular by providing information on the material types used and the associated manufacturing processes together with the product geometry and by parameterizing the contributions to the product parameter under consideration in a material- and / or process-specific manner. If only an approximate geometry is known at an early design stage and the detailed contours have not yet been formed, a quantitative assessment of the relevant product parameters can still be carried out by specifying a material quantity and by using static material- and process-specific contributions to the respective parameter.Similarly, quantitative evaluations can be carried out when only a material class is known and not yet the specific material, or when only a process class is known and not yet the specific manufacturing process. The invention also makes it possible to visualize the influence of these variables on environmentally relevant product parameters by varying geometry, material, and process parameters, and to steer product design towards an environmentally friendly design at an early stage. The method according to the invention can generally also be advantageously applied to subcomponents of a later commercial product, e.g., when at an early stage of product design only the required data for parts of the later product are available, or when these are to be evaluated separately.

[0067] Figure 3 visualizes this advantage through a schematic diagram showing various design phases of a product design process. Arrow D, in turn, indicates the direction of a progressive design stage D. The earliest design stage is the concept stage 31, followed by the demonstrator stage 32, the prototype stage 33, the (essentially) finished design 34, and the so-called design freeze 35, during which no further changes to the product design may be made. As indicated by the bar 30 shown above, an ecodesign assessment can be performed in all of these design stages D with respect to one or more selected product parameters P1, P2, etc., using the ecodesign engine 5 described above.The two round arrows are intended to indicate that throughout the entire product design process, there is a mutual influence between further developments in the product design and the resulting changes in the measured values ​​of the environmentally relevant product parameters PP1, PP2, etc. One advantage of the quantitative evaluation option is that product management can set quantitative targets, the (likely) achievement of which can be continuously monitored by the product designers even in early design stages.

[0068] The applicant points out at this point that, regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular personal term, it should always include persons with male, female and other gender identities.

[0069] List of reference symbols

[0070] 1 product

[0071] 2 CAD development environment

[0072] 3 graphical user interface (GUI)

[0073] 5 Ecodesign Engine

[0074] 7 Database

[0075] 30 Ecodesign Assessment

[0076] 31 Concept Stage

[0077] 32 Demonstrator Stage

[0078] 33 Prototype stage

[0079] 34 finished design

[0080] 35 Design Freeze

[0081] D Design stage

[0082] D1 first data set (quantity-specific material contributions)

[0083] D2 second data set (quantity-specific process contributions)

[0084] D3 third data set (connection contributions)

[0085] D4 fourth data set (cost contributions)

[0086] AK possible improvement of ecological parameters

[0087] G Accuracy of determining ecological parameters

[0088] GEO geometry data set mi,m2 material types pi,p2 manufacturing processes

[0089] PP1.PP2 environmentally relevant product parameters

[0090] T Assessment tool

[0091] T1 Directive

[0092] T2 List of dangerous substances

[0093] T3 design standard

[0094] T4 MET matrix

[0095] T5 Checklist

[0096] T6 shortened LCA

[0097] T7 Ecological Cost Analysis

[0098] T8 full LCA vi,v2 material quantities

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for determining at least one product parameter (PP1) for a product (1), wherein an ecodesign requirement is quantified by the product parameter (PP1), the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a geometric data set (GEO) for the product (1) within a development environment (2) for computer-aided design, wherein the product (1) is divided into a plurality of sub-objects within the geometric data set (GEO), and wherein an associated material type (mi, m2) and an indication of an associated manufacturing process (pi, p2) are defined for each sub-object, b) providing a first data set (D1) containing, for a plurality of material types (mi), respectively assigned quantity-specific material contributions (mbj) for the product parameter (PP1) to be determined, c) providing a second data set (D2),which contains, for a plurality of possible manufacturing processes (p^), respectively assigned quantity-specific process contributions (pbj) for the product parameter (PP1) to be determined, d) determining an absolute value of the product parameter (PP1) within the development environment (2) for computer-aided design by taking into account at least one total material contribution (M, g ) and a total process contribution (P g ), whereby the total material contribution (M g ) is formed on the basis of a summation of partial material contributions (Mj) of the individual sub-objects and these are each the product of the material quantity (Vj) in the sub-object and a quantity-specific material contribution (mbj) assigned to the respective material type (mj), whereby the total process contribution (P g) is formed on the basis of a summation of partial process contributions (Pj) of the individual partial objects and these result for the respective partial object as the product of the material quantity (vj) and the quantity-specific process contribution (pbj) assigned to the respective manufacturing process (Pj).

2. Method according to the preceding claim, in which a total of a plurality of product parameters (PP1.PP2) are determined, each of which quantifies an ecodesign requirement.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one product parameter (PP1) determined by the method is a material-related variable from the following first List is: - a content of recycled materials, - a content of recyclable materials, in particular weighted by their recycling rate, - a content of substances belonging to predefined classes of substances, in particular a content of dangerous substances, substances of concern, additives and / or impurities, - a quantity of waste materials generated during production, - a total amount of starting materials and auxiliary materials used in production.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one product parameter (PP1) determined by the method is one of the variables from the following second list: - process energy required during production and / or energy loss incurred during production, - a quantity of harmful substances released during production, in particular volatile organic compounds, - the amount of water required for production, - an environmental footprint related to production, in particular a carbon footprint.

5. Method according to one of claims 3 or 4, in which in addition to the at least one product parameter (PP1) according to the first and / or second list, at least one of the variables from the following third list is determined: - a number of components used, - a number of different types of components used, - a number of different types of materials used, - a number of different types of object connections used, - a number of disassembly steps required for product recycling, - an average number of components exposed during a disassembly step, - information about one or more types of object connections used, - information about one or more types of components used, - information on one or more types of tools for disassembling the product, - information about the type of energy required for use, - information about a type of equipment required for use, - information on the use of standardized components, - an expected lifetime of the product, - a planned number of service intervals within the service life.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one variable from the third list is determined by checking an increment of at least one counter characteristic of this variable for the respective sub-object and determining the variable as a function of the final value of this at least one counter.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the assignment of a material type (mi) and / or a manufacturing process (pi) to the respective sub-object is carried out by a user input, - where, after the material type (mi) has been assigned, a list of the manufacturing processes (pi) compatible with it is displayed or - where, after the manufacturing process (p) has been assigned, a list of the material types (m;) compatible with it is displayed.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first data set (D1) additionally contains at least one physical parameter for the respective material type, in particular a density and / or a strength.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first (D1) and / or the second data set (D2) are provided in at least one database (7) outside the development environment (2).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the quantity-specific process contributions (pbj) contained in the second data set (D2) have different values ​​depending on the associated material type (mi).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when determining the value of the product parameter (PP1) at least one additional contribution (V g ) is taken into account, which depends on the structure of the sub-objects within the geometry data set (GEO).

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when determining the value of the product parameter (PP1) a total connection contribution (V g ) is taken into account, which is calculated by summing up partial connection contributions (V k ) for the connections to be formed between individual sub-objects.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein a connection type (Vj) is defined for each of the connections of the individual sub-objects, in particular by a user input.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one product parameter (PP1) is determined for at least two different geometry data sets, the method comprising the additional step: e) displaying the results for the at least one determined product parameter by means of a graphical user interface (3), in particular as a comparative view depending on the underlying geometry data sets.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein the instructions, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

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