A method and system for optimizing computer-aided design of mobile phone mid-plate

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of computer-aided design technology, and discloses a method and system for optimizing the computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate. The method includes: acquiring geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components; mapping the data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; dividing the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units; calculating the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit for different performance requirements; identifying the mutual exclusion relationships between multiple performance weight indices within the same discrete unit, and generating a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationships; and adjusting the design scheme of the mobile phone mid-plate according to the mutual exclusion heat distribution map. This invention achieves visualized early warning and forward-looking guidance of conflicts by uniformly mapping multi-dimensional constraints to a two-dimensional design plane and performing gridded quantitative analysis, thereby shortening the R&D cycle and improving design reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of computer-aided design technology, and in particular to a method and system for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate. Background Technology

[0002] In the precision structural design of smartphones, the mid-plate, as a core load-bearing component, requires a balance between several interdependent performance objectives, including structural strength, lightweighting, and assembly clearance. Traditional design processes heavily rely on designers' experience, iterating through repeated cycles of "design-verification-modification." Designers typically input various performance constraints, such as minimum wall thickness, weight limits, and fit clearances, into a computer-aided design system. However, potential conflicts between these constraints from different dimensions are difficult to identify and locate intuitively in the early stages of design. For example, adding material to a certain area to meet strength requirements may lead to excessive weight in that area or assembly interference with adjacent components. Conversely, reducing material to reduce weight may result in insufficient strength. Lacking an effective means to uniformly quantify and visualize these conflicts on the design plane, designers can only passively make localized modifications after problems are exposed, often falling into a "one-sided" dilemma, leading to extended design cycles, increased R&D costs, and a final solution that is unlikely to be optimal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention discloses a computer-aided design optimization method and system for mobile phone mid-plates. It aims to solve the problem of low design iteration efficiency and lengthy cycles caused by the inability to intuitively identify and quantify conflicts of multi-dimensional performance constraints in the early stages of design.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: In a first aspect, this invention discloses a computer-aided design optimization method for a mobile phone mid-plate, the method comprising: Obtain geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components; Geometric boundary data and performance requirement data are mapped to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; Divide the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units; Based on the projection data, the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit is calculated for different performance requirements. The performance weight index is used to characterize the design margin or constraint strength of the discrete unit under the corresponding performance dimension. The performance requirements include at least structural strength requirements, weight control requirements, and assembly clearance requirements. Identify the mutual exclusion relationships between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generate a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationships; Based on the mutual exclusion heat distribution diagram, the design scheme of the mobile phone's middle plate was adjusted.

[0005] This technical solution maps and quantifies design constraints from multiple dimensions, such as structure, weight, and assembly, onto a two-dimensional design plane. It then presents conflict areas and their severity in the form of a mutual exclusion heat map, enabling designers to accurately identify and locate design bottlenecks early in the design process. This allows for targeted adjustments to the solution, greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of design iterations and avoiding repeated trial and error.

[0006] Furthermore, the steps of mapping geometric boundary data and performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data include: The design plane of the mobile phone's mid-plate is determined as the two-dimensional design plane; Perform orthogonal projection on the geometric boundary data to generate corresponding two-dimensional boundary projection data in the two-dimensional design plane; Map the spatial constraints in the performance requirements data to the corresponding two-dimensional regions on the two-dimensional design plane; By using a preset transformation matrix, the local coordinate system of the mobile phone's mid-plate and its associated components is transformed to the global coordinate system of the two-dimensional design plane, so as to ensure that all projected data are in the same spatial reference system.

[0007] Furthermore, the steps of dividing the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units include: On a two-dimensional design plane in a unified coordinate system, a uniform Cartesian grid is generated, and the continuous two-dimensional design plane is discretized into multiple discrete units with consistent specifications. The size of the discrete unit is set according to the design accuracy requirements of the mobile phone's mid-plate.

[0008] Furthermore, based on the projection data, the steps for calculating the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit for different performance requirements include: To address structural strength requirements, based on projection data and according to preset stress conditions and the material properties of the mobile phone's mid-plate, the minimum material thickness or minimum cross-sectional moment of inertia required for each discrete element to meet strength requirements is calculated and used as the first weight index. To address weight control requirements, the total weight reduction potential is determined based on the upper limit of the total weight of the phone's midplate. Based on the first weight index of each discrete unit, the region type of each discrete unit is determined by combining the projection data, and then the share of the total weight reduction potential in each discrete unit is allocated to calculate the maximum allowable material removal amount for each discrete unit, and this is used as the second weight index. To address assembly clearance requirements, the system identifies whether discrete units overlap with the feature projection areas of associated components on the two-dimensional design plane based on projection data. If there is overlap, the third weight index corresponding to the discrete unit is calculated based on the allowable gap range of the associated components.

[0009] Furthermore, the method also includes: Based on the manufacturing process of the mobile phone's mid-plate, an initial deformation displacement is assigned to each discrete unit; The assembly process of the mobile phone's middle plate at the fastening position is simulated, and the initial internal stress distribution generated to eliminate the initial deformation displacement is calculated. Based on the initial internal stress distribution, the minimum material thickness or minimum cross-sectional moment of inertia required for each discrete element to meet the structural strength requirements is corrected to update the first weight index.

[0010] Furthermore, the method also includes: Real-time calculation of the effective strength space of the mobile phone's midplate after deducting the initial internal stress distribution; When the effective intensity space is lower than the preset safety threshold, reinforcement texture suggestions are generated in the corresponding area of ​​the mutually exclusive heat distribution map, and the texture density of the area is changed to issue a warning.

[0011] Furthermore, the method also includes: Obtain the expansion coefficient of the mobile phone's middle plate under a preset thermal field; The displacement vector of each discrete element is calculated based on the expansion coefficient and the local temperature of the discrete element in the preset thermal field. The third weight index is corrected based on the displacement vector.

[0012] Furthermore, the method also includes: Based on displacement vector generation, a compensation gap guide line is generated considering material expansion; Real-time monitoring of the distance between the current design position of the mobile phone's mid-plate and the compensation gap guide line; When the distance is less than the preset safety threshold, an early warning is issued by changing the color depth of the mutual exclusion heat distribution map.

[0013] Furthermore, the steps of identifying the mutual exclusion relationships between multiple performance weight indices within the same discrete unit and generating a mutual exclusion heat map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on these mutual exclusion relationships include: For each discrete unit, obtain its performance weight index corresponding to different performance requirements; Based on the preset conflict determination rules, the performance weight indicators of different dimensions within the same discrete unit are compared to identify whether there is a mutual exclusion relationship. When a mutual exclusion relationship exists, the mutual exclusion relationship is quantitatively analyzed to calculate the conflict value that reflects the degree of comprehensive conflict of the discrete unit. Based on the conflict values ​​of each discrete unit, a mutual repulsion heat distribution map is generated on the two-dimensional design plane, which uses color or texture to represent the conflict intensity and distribution.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention also discloses a computer-aided design optimization system for mobile phone mid-plates, used to perform the steps in any of the foregoing methods, the system comprising: The data acquisition module is used to acquire geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its related components; The mapping and projection module is used to map geometric boundary data and performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; The planar discretization module is used to divide a two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units; The weight calculation module is used to calculate the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit based on the projection data and for different performance requirements. The performance weight index is used to characterize the design margin or constraint strength of the discrete unit under the corresponding performance dimension. The performance requirements include at least structural strength requirements, weight control requirements and assembly clearance requirements. The conflict identification module is used to identify the mutual exclusion relationship between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generate a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationship. The solution optimization module is used to adjust the design scheme of the mobile phone's mid-plate based on the mutual exclusion heat distribution map.

[0015] This technical solution provides a physical system capable of implementing the aforementioned optimization method. By solidifying the method steps into functional modules, it provides a platform for the commercial application and productization of this method, and protects the hardware or software system implementing this innovative method.

[0016] In summary, this invention provides a computer-aided design optimization method and system for mobile phone mid-plates. The method maps the geometric data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components, along with multi-dimensional performance requirement data (such as structural strength, weight, and assembly clearance), onto a two-dimensional design plane. This plane is then discretized into cells for analysis, and weighted indices representing different performance constraints are calculated for each cell. Based on this, by identifying and quantifying the mutual exclusion relationships between different weighted indices within the same cell, an intuitive "mutual exclusion heat map" is generated. Compared to existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: First, it transforms multiple design constraints that were originally scattered, abstract, and difficult to compare into quantifiable and visualizeable data under the same spatial benchmark. This allows designers to clearly identify conflicting "hot spots" and their severity in the design scheme at the early stages of the design process. This transforms the traditional reactive, passive "problem-finding-modification" model into a proactive, pre-emptive "problem-predicting-avoidance" model, significantly shortening the design cycle and reducing R&D costs. Secondly, this method reveals the inherent contradictions of the design scheme through a data-driven approach, so that optimization decisions no longer rely solely on the personal experience of designers, making the design process more scientific and systematic. This helps to obtain a globally optimal solution with more balanced performance and avoids the deterioration of the scheme caused by repeated local modifications. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a computer-aided design optimization method for a mobile phone mid-plate, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a computer-aided design optimization system for a mobile phone mid-plate, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Labeling Explanation: 210, Data Acquisition Module; 220, Mapping and Projection Module; 230, Planar Discretization Module; 240, Weight Calculation Module; 250, Conflict Identification Module; 260, Scheme Optimization Module. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of this invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. The components of this invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0021] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0022] In the structural design of modern smartphones, engineers face a formidable challenge: how to design a robust, reliable, and lightweight mid-plate within increasingly compact internal spaces. The mid-plate is the skeleton of the entire device, supporting critical components such as the motherboard, battery, and camera; its design directly impacts the phone's durability, weight, and final thickness. In traditional design processes, structural engineers often face difficult trade-offs between conflicting performance requirements. For example, to ensure structural strength in the event of an accidental drop, engineers might need to increase material thickness or add reinforcing ribs in certain critical areas of the mid-plate; however, such modifications could cause the overall weight to exceed the preset limit. To address the weight issue, engineers might have to reduce material in other areas, which could introduce new weak points or encroach on valuable assembly space reserved for components such as the battery and antenna, leading to interference between components. This design process is like walking a tightrope; every modification can trigger a chain reaction, causing other performance indicators to fail to meet standards. The design work thus falls into a cycle of repeated trial and error, heavily relying on the personal experience of engineers, which is not only inefficient, but also makes it difficult to guarantee that the final solution is the globally optimal solution, often resulting in compromises at the expense of some performance.

[0023] Firstly, please see Figure 1 This invention provides a method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate, the method comprising: S1. Obtain the geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components; S2. Map the geometric boundary data and performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; S3. Divide the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units; S4. Based on the projection data, calculate the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit for different performance requirements. The performance weight index is used to characterize the design margin or constraint strength of the discrete unit under the corresponding performance dimension. The performance requirements include at least structural strength requirements, weight control requirements and assembly clearance requirements. S5. Identify the mutual exclusion relationship between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generate a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationship. S6. Adjust the design scheme of the mobile phone mid-plate according to the mutual exclusion heat distribution diagram.

[0024] Specifically, performance weighting metrics can be understood as a "translator" that concretizes and quantifies abstract design requirements. In the complex context of mobile phone mid-plate design, there are multiple qualitative requirements, such as "needing sufficient strength," "being as light as possible," and "not touching the battery." The role of performance weighting metrics is to transform these qualitative requirements into quantitative values ​​that can be precisely calculated and compared in every tiny area of ​​the mobile phone mid-plate. For example, for "structural strength requirements," the performance weighting metric for a region might be "to resist bending, the material thickness here must not be less than 1.2 mm"; for "weight control requirements," the metric might be "according to the overall weight reduction target, the material here can be reduced by a maximum of 0.5 cubic millimeters"; and for "assembly clearance requirements," the metric might be "this area must maintain a distance of at least 0.1 mm from the battery casing." In this way, design constraints with different physical meanings are unified under a quantifiable framework.

[0025] A mutual exclusion heatmap is a tool that visualizes the quantified conflicts described above. When multiple performance weighting indicators impose contradictory requirements within the same small area—for example, a strength indicator requiring a thickness greater than 1.2 mm, while an assembly indicator requires a thickness less than 1.0 mm—a mutual exclusion relationship arises. The mutual exclusion heatmap overlays the severity of this conflict onto the 2D design drawing of the phone's mid-plate using color or texture variations similar to weather forecast cloud maps. Typically, the most intense conflict areas are displayed in red, indicating design bottlenecks; areas without conflict are displayed in green, indicating high design freedom; and moderate conflicts are represented in yellow or orange. This map makes the inherent contradictions in the design immediately apparent, providing engineers with precise guidance.

[0026] The following section provides a detailed explanation of the overall process of the computer-aided design optimization method for the mid-plate of this mobile phone.

[0027] This method is executed within a computer-aided design system, requiring comprehensive data acquisition as the first step. Geometric boundary data refers to the three-dimensional digital model of the phone's mainboard and all spatially related components, such as the motherboard, battery, camera module, speaker, and side buttons. This data is typically in standard formats (such as STEP and IGES), precisely defining the shape, size, and initial position of each component within the overall device coordinate system. Performance requirement data is a collection of design rules and objectives, often originating from different design departments and presented in various formats, such as a specification document, a parameter table, or a set of simulation boundary conditions. For example, the product department might specify the maximum weight and thickness of the entire device; the reliability department might define the drop test standards and bending test loads required; and electronic engineers might provide information on the height of components on the motherboard and clearance requirements around the RF antenna. The system uses this dispersed and heterogeneous data as initial input.

[0028] After acquiring the data, the method enters a crucial transformation step: mapping this three-dimensional, multi-dimensional information onto a unified two-dimensional design plane. This process is akin to simplifying a complex three-dimensional city model, along with its traffic rules, building height restrictions, and other information, and plotting it on a two-dimensional city planning map for easier macro-analysis. Specifically, the system selects a representative plane as a reference, typically the main plane of the phone's mid-plate. Then, the three-dimensional models of the mid-plate and all related components are orthogonally projected to generate their outline "shadows" on this two-dimensional plane; these shadows constitute part of the projection data. Simultaneously, performance requirements related to spatial location, such as the need for a 0.2mm heat dissipation gap in a certain area or the prohibition of openings in a certain area, are also converted and marked at their corresponding locations on this two-dimensional map. The core purpose of this step is to reduce a complex three-dimensional spatial layout problem to a more easily analyzed and calculated two-dimensional planar problem.

[0029] Next, to perform refined calculations, this continuous two-dimensional design plane needs to be discretized. The system generates a virtual mesh on this two-dimensional plane, dividing it into tens of thousands of tiny, uniformly sized discrete units, each of which can be considered the smallest pixel in the design analysis. For example, the entire projected area of ​​the middle plate can be divided into a 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm grid array. These discrete units are the basic carriers for all subsequent performance index calculations and conflict analyses.

[0030] Based on the discretization, the system begins to calculate the performance weight index of each discrete unit under different performance dimensions. This is a parallel processing process, independently evaluating each unit for multiple requirements such as structural strength, weight control, and assembly clearance.

[0031] To illustrate with a specific example, suppose we are designing the midplate of a mobile phone, and its material is aluminum alloy.

[0032] To address structural strength requirements, the system calculates the stress on each discrete unit based on preset stress conditions, such as simulating a user holding and bending a phone with one hand. This is achieved using a simplified mechanical model. Then, based on the yield strength of the aluminum alloy, the system calculates the minimum material thickness required to prevent permanent deformation of the unit. This calculated minimum thickness is the unit's primary weighting metric. For example, if a unit near the phone's frame experiences high stress and requires at least 1.5 mm of thickness for safety, then 1.5 mm would be its primary weighting metric.

[0033] Regarding weight control requirements, assuming a target weight reduction of 5 grams for the entire machine, with 2 grams allocated to the middle plate, the system will determine the weight reduction based on the primary weighting metric (strength requirement) for all units. For units with high strength requirements (e.g., requiring 1.5 mm thickness), the system will classify them as structurally critical areas, allocating them very little weight reduction potential, and their maximum allowable material removal (secondary weighting metric) may be close to zero. Conversely, for non-load-bearing areas with low strength requirements (e.g., requiring only 0.4 mm thickness), the system will allocate greater weight reduction potential, and their secondary weighting metric may allow for the removal of a significant amount of material.

[0034] To address assembly clearance requirements, the system checks whether the projected position of each discrete cell overlaps with the projected outline of the battery. If a cell is located within the overlap area, the system queries the design rules regarding the clearance requirements between the midplate and the battery, such as maintaining a minimum safe distance of 0.1 mm. Then, the third weighting index for this cell is assigned a value of 0.1 mm, meaning that at this location, the surface height of the midplate must be lower than the battery surface by a specific distance.

[0035] After calculating the performance weight indicators for all units and all dimensions, the system enters the conflict identification and visualization stage. It checks for logical contradictions among the multiple weight indicators within each discrete unit. For example, for the unit near the mid-frame mentioned earlier, its first weight indicator requires a thickness of no less than 1.5 mm to ensure strength. Simultaneously, assuming this unit is also in an area with significant weight reduction potential, its second weight indicator allows for a reduction of the current 2.0 mm thickness by 1.0 mm, i.e., to 1.0 mm. At this point, a clear mutual exclusion relationship exists between 1.5 mm (strength requirement) and 1.0 mm (weight reduction requirement). The system quantifies the severity of this conflict, such as calculating the difference (1.5 - 1.0 = 0.5 mm), and records this conflict value. After completing this check for all units, the system possesses conflict value data for every point on the entire design plane. Finally, it maps these conflict values ​​to colors, generates a mutual exclusion heat map, and presents it on the designer's screen.

[0036] Using this intuitive heatmap, designers can quickly pinpoint the core conflict areas in their designs. They no longer need to blindly modify or guess; instead, they can click on the red "hot spots" on the map, and the system will display detailed information explaining the conflict and its related performance weighting indicators. For example, clicking might show: "Conflict: Structural strength requires a thickness of no less than 1.5 mm, while weight control targets suggest reducing the thickness to 1.0 mm." Based on this clear diagnosis, designers can take more targeted optimization measures. For instance, without affecting strength, they could try changing the reinforcing rib structure in that area from a solid to a grid-like structure to achieve localized weight reduction; or they could assess whether replacing the material with a higher-strength one could reduce the thickness while still meeting strength requirements. This data-driven, visualized design optimization method significantly improves design efficiency and solution quality compared to the traditional trial-and-error approach that relies on experience.

[0037] In an alternative implementation, the step of mapping geometric boundary data and performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data can be further refined as follows: The design plane of the mobile phone's mid-plate is determined as the two-dimensional design plane; Perform orthogonal projection on the geometric boundary data to generate corresponding two-dimensional boundary projection data in the two-dimensional design plane; Map the spatial constraints in the performance requirements data to the corresponding two-dimensional regions on the two-dimensional design plane; By using a preset transformation matrix, the local coordinate system of the mobile phone's mid-plate and its associated components is transformed to the global coordinate system of the two-dimensional design plane, so as to ensure that all projected data are in the same spatial reference system.

[0038] This detailed step aims to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the data transformation from 3D to 2D. First, it is crucial to clearly define which plane will serve as the design reference. This is typically the most important or stable plane in the structure, such as the plane on the mid-plate used to mount the motherboard. Second, orthographic projection is a computationally simple and intuitive projection method. It's like projecting vertically downwards from directly above, obtaining the most direct planar outline of the object and avoiding the distortion caused by perspective projection. More importantly, in large projects, different components (such as the mid-plate, battery, and display) may be designed by different teams in their respective local coordinate systems. If coordinate unification is not performed before projection, directly superimposing their respective projections will result in misalignment and inconsistencies in position and direction, like piecing together map fragments of different scales and orientations—meaningless. Therefore, transforming the model data of all related components to the same global coordinate system using a pre-defined transformation matrix (containing rotation and translation information) is a prerequisite for ensuring correct alignment and accurate interrelationships of all projected data. This step ensures the effectiveness of subsequent operations such as gap checks and overlap analysis on the 2D plane.

[0039] In an alternative implementation, the step of dividing the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units can be further refined as follows: On a two-dimensional design plane in a unified coordinate system, a uniform Cartesian grid is generated, and the continuous two-dimensional design plane is discretized into multiple discrete units with consistent specifications. The size of the discrete unit is set according to the design accuracy requirements of the mobile phone's mid-plate.

[0040] This refinement clarifies the specific technical implementation of discretization. Using a uniform Cartesian grid, i.e., a standard square or rectangular grid, is the most direct and easiest way to programmatically implement planar discretization. It makes the neighborhood relationships of each cell clear, the data structure simple, and facilitates fast traversal and computation. Furthermore, this implementation indicates the adjustability of the cell size. This means that designers can balance computational accuracy and efficiency according to the needs of the analysis. For example, in critical areas with drastic structural changes, stress concentration, or complex assembly relationships, such as around screw holes or connector interfaces, a finer grid size (e.g., 0.1 mm × 0.1 mm) can be used to capture more subtle geometric and physical changes. In large, flat, non-critical areas, a coarser grid size (e.g., 1 mm × 1 mm) can be used to reduce the total number of computational cells, thereby significantly shortening the time required for the entire analysis process. This adaptive meshing strategy allows the method to ensure the accuracy of analysis in critical areas while also considering overall computational efficiency.

[0041] In an optional implementation, the step of calculating the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit based on the projection data and for different performance requirements can be further refined as follows: To address structural strength requirements, based on projection data and according to preset stress conditions and the material properties of the mobile phone's mid-plate, the minimum material thickness or minimum cross-sectional moment of inertia required for each discrete element to meet strength requirements is calculated and used as the first weight index. To address weight control requirements, the total weight reduction potential is determined based on the upper limit of the total weight of the phone's midplate. Based on the first weight index of each discrete unit, the region type of each discrete unit is determined by combining the projection data, and then the share of the total weight reduction potential in each discrete unit is allocated to calculate the maximum allowable material removal amount for each discrete unit, and this is used as the second weight index. To address assembly clearance requirements, the system identifies whether discrete units overlap with the feature projection areas of associated components on the two-dimensional design plane based on projection data. If there is overlap, the third weight index corresponding to the discrete unit is calculated based on the allowable gap range of the associated components.

[0042] This implementation provides a specific weighting index calculation model for the three core performance dimensions (strength, weight, and assembly), decomposing the abstract goal into executable calculation steps.

[0043] For the first weighted index (structural strength), it specifies that the inputs for the calculation are the stress condition and material properties. For example, a simulated impact load of a mobile phone falling from a height of 1.5 meters can be input, with the material set as 7000 series aluminum alloy. The calculation process can be a simplified finite element analysis or an engineering estimation based on beam theory or plate and shell theory, with the goal of outputting a minimum thickness value for each discrete element that ensures its stress does not exceed the allowable stress of the material.

[0044] For the second weighting indicator (weight control), this implementation proposes an intelligent weight reduction potential allocation strategy. Instead of simply distributing the total weight reduction target evenly, it first considers the first weighting indicator. This means the system recognizes that different regions contribute differently to structural strength. Regions with high strength requirements (larger first weighting indicator values) have lower weight reduction priority and receive a smaller share of weight reduction. Conversely, non-load-bearing regions with low strength requirements become the primary targets for weight reduction. This differentiated allocation method ensures that weight reduction operations are carried out without sacrificing structural performance as much as possible, making it a more efficient and safer lightweighting strategy.

[0045] For the third weighting index (assembly gap), its calculation logic is defined as a geometric judgment process based on projection data. The system performs Boolean operations on the region in a two-dimensional plane to check whether the unit projection of the middle plate intersects with the projection areas of other components such as the battery and motherboard. Once an intersection is found, a gap check is triggered, and the gap requirement for that specific contact interface is retrieved from the design rule base (e.g., a gap of 0.1 mm with the battery and a gap of 0.05 mm with the display back panel), and this requirement is used as the third weighting index for that unit. This approach simplifies the complex three-dimensional interference check to a two-dimensional region overlap judgment, greatly improving computational efficiency.

[0046] In an optional implementation, the step of identifying the mutual exclusion relationships between multiple performance weight indices within the same discrete unit and generating a mutual exclusion heat map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationships can be further refined as follows: For each discrete unit, obtain its performance weight index corresponding to different performance requirements; Based on the preset conflict determination rules, the performance weight indicators of different dimensions within the same discrete unit are compared to identify whether there is a mutual exclusion relationship. When a mutual exclusion relationship exists, the mutual exclusion relationship is quantitatively analyzed to calculate the conflict value that reflects the degree of comprehensive conflict of the discrete unit. Based on the conflict values ​​of each discrete unit, a mutual repulsion heat distribution map is generated on the two-dimensional design plane, which uses color or texture to represent the conflict intensity and distribution.

[0047] This implementation details the complete logical chain from the original weighted index data to the final visualized heatmap. The core lies in establishing "conflict determination rules." These rules are conditional statements that encapsulate the engineering logic.

[0048] For example, the following rules can be preset: Rule 1 (Conflict between strength and weight): If the first weight index (minimum required thickness) of a discrete element is greater than the thickness obtained by subtracting the second weight index (allowable removal amount) from its current design thickness, it is determined to be in conflict.

[0049] Rule 2 (Conflict between Strength and Assembly): If the third weight index (required assembly clearance) of a discrete unit plus the first weight index (minimum required thickness) is greater than the total available space thickness at that location, then a conflict is determined.

[0050] Rule 3 (Conflict between weight and assembly): If the second weight index (maximum allowable material removal) of a discrete unit is too large (e.g., greater than the preset removal threshold), it indicates that it is planned as a major weight reduction area; at the same time, if the discrete unit is located in an area with strict requirements on assembly clearance (i.e., the third weight index exists and is greater than the preset strict threshold), then a potential conflict is determined to exist.

[0051] If at least one of the above conflicts is identified, it is determined that a mutual exclusion relationship exists.

[0052] Once a conflict is identified, it needs to be quantified. Quantification can be done by calculating the degree of "violation".

[0053] For example, for Rule 1, the conflict value can be calculated as the difference between the "required thickness" and the "thickness after weight reduction". The larger the difference, the more severely the strength requirement is sacrificed, and the higher the conflict value.

[0054] For Rule 2, the conflict value is calculated as follows: Conflict Value = (Third Weighting Index + First Weighting Index) - Total Available Space Thickness at that Location. When the calculation result is positive, the larger the positive value, the more severe the conflict between the strength requirement and the assembly clearance requirement. That is, if the discrete unit meets the minimum strength thickness requirement, it will result in insufficient assembly clearance, or if the assembly clearance is guaranteed, the strength requirement will not be met. The degree of conflict increases with the increase of the difference. When the calculation result is non-positive, it indicates that the discrete unit has not triggered the conflict of this rule, and the corresponding conflict value is recorded as 0.

[0055] For Rule 3, the conflict value is calculated as follows: First, calculate the difference between the second weighting index and the preset removal threshold (denoted as A), then calculate the difference between the third weighting index and the preset strict threshold (denoted as B). Conflict value = A × k1 + B × k2 (where k1 and k2 are preset weighting coefficients, set based on engineering experience, used to balance the conflict weights between weight reduction requirements and assembly clearance requirements). The larger the conflict value, the more prominent the contradiction between the planning of the discrete unit as a weight reduction area and the strict requirements of assembly clearance, and the more serious the potential conflict. If A or B is a non-positive value, the corresponding item is calculated as 0, that is, no conflict contribution of this dimension is triggered.

[0056] If a unit triggers multiple conflict rules simultaneously, its overall conflict value can be obtained by weighted summation of the individual conflict values. Since the original conflict values ​​calculated by different rules may have different dimensions and numerical ranges, normalization (e.g., mapping to the range of 0-1) or standardization is required before weighted summation to eliminate the influence of dimensions and ensure the fairness and effectiveness of the overall calculation.

[0057] The final step involves normalizing the overall conflict values ​​of all units and mapping them to a preset color gradient (e.g., a gradient from green to red corresponding to values ​​from 0 to 1). Filling these colors into the corresponding discrete units on the two-dimensional design plane generates the final mutual exclusion heat map. This map, in a highly intuitive way, reveals to designers the dynamic interplay of all design constraints in the entire design scheme, highlighting the design focus that requires the most attention and optimization.

[0058] To make design analysis more closely resemble physical reality, the basic strength calculation model can be further refined. In an ideal computer model, a component is completely free of internal stress before bearing external loads. However, in actual production, manufacturing processes (such as cooling shrinkage after injection molding) and assembly processes (such as tightening screws to force components to fit together) introduce initial stresses and deformations into the component. These initial internal stresses pre-consume a portion of the material's load-bearing capacity. If not considered during the design phase, this may lead to an overly optimistic assessment of structural strength, leaving potential safety hazards.

[0059] In a more preferred embodiment, the method further includes: Based on the manufacturing process of the mobile phone's mid-plate, an initial deformation displacement is assigned to each discrete unit; The assembly process of the mobile phone's middle plate at the fastening position is simulated, and the initial internal stress distribution generated to eliminate the initial deformation displacement is calculated. Based on the initial internal stress distribution, the minimum material thickness or minimum cross-sectional moment of inertia required for each discrete element to meet the structural strength requirements is corrected to update the first weight index.

[0060] This implementation quantifies the effects introduced by manufacturing and assembly into the strength analysis. Specifically, it first requires predicting the initial deformation of the component. For example, if the mid-plate of a mobile phone is manufactured using injection molding, specialized mold flow analysis software (such as Moldex3D or Moldflow) can be used to simulate the flow, cooling, and solidification of the molten plastic within the mold, thereby predicting the amount of warpage caused by uneven shrinkage after demolding. This three-dimensional deformation field can be mapped onto each discrete element of the two-dimensional design plane, forming a dataset of initial deformation displacement.

[0061] Next, the system simulates the assembly process. Taking the fixing of the middle plate to the metal frame of the phone with screws as an example, the simulation program applies virtual constraints, forcing the screw holes on the middle plate to align with the threaded holes on the frame, and forcing the mating surfaces of the middle plate and the frame to make full contact. This process is equivalent to "tightening screws" in the computational model, "flattening" or "pressing down" the originally warped middle plate. This forced geometric deformation will generate an initial internal stress field inside the middle plate. This internal stress distribution can be calculated through structural static analysis. For example, in the area with the most severe warping, the internal stress generated to flatten it may be as high as 20%-30% of the material's yield strength.

[0062] Finally, this calculated initial internal stress distribution is used to correct the first weighting index. The total strength of the material is finite. Before it can withstand any external working load (such as user bending), it must first withstand this initial assembly stress. Therefore, the "effective strength" that can actually resist external loads is reduced. When recalculating the minimum material thickness required for each discrete element, the system subtracts this initial internal stress as the "base". For example, if the initial internal stress of an element is 50 MPa and the yield strength of the material is 200 MPa, then the element only has a strength margin of 150 MPa to cope with external loads. Therefore, to achieve the same safety factor, the required design thickness (first weighting index) must be higher than the result calculated without considering the initial stress. The first weighting index updated in this way can more realistically reflect the actual load-bearing capacity of the structure, thereby guiding designers to make safer and more reliable designs.

[0063] Based on accurate calculations of initial internal stresses, the system can provide more proactive and intelligent design assistance. In a further optimized implementation, the method also includes: Real-time calculation of the effective strength space of the mobile phone's midplate after deducting the initial internal stress distribution; When the effective intensity space is lower than the preset safety threshold, reinforcement texture suggestions are generated in the corresponding area of ​​the mutually exclusive heat distribution map, and the texture density of the area is changed to issue a warning.

[0064] This implementation transforms the analysis results into intuitive design guidance. The "effective strength space" here can be understood as the safety margin remaining after the structure has withstood assembly stress, used to resist external working loads. The system monitors this margin in real time. When designers modify the model in CAD software (e.g., thinning a region to reduce weight), the system immediately recalculates the effective strength space for that region. If this value is found to be lower than a preset safety threshold (e.g., requiring the safety margin to be no less than 50% of the yield strength), the system immediately triggers an alert and suggestion mechanism.

[0065] Warnings go beyond simply changing color. For example, besides marking the area in red on the mutual repulsion heat map, the system can also alter the area's filling method, such as filling it with dense, diagonally cross-hatching. This high-density texture creates a stronger visual warning effect, directly conveying the message that "this area is structurally weak." More importantly, the system proactively generates "reinforcement pattern suggestions." Based on the analysis of stress flow in the area, the system can automatically generate a set of optimized virtual outlines of reinforcing ribs on the surface of that area. These outlines indicate the direction and arrangement of added material to most effectively improve structural strength. This essentially provides designers with a concrete, actionable solution sketch, significantly improving problem-solving efficiency.

[0066] Besides mechanical stress, thermal stress is another key factor affecting precision assembly. When a mobile phone is running, components such as the processor generate a large amount of heat, causing temperature differences in different areas of the mid-plate, leading to uneven thermal expansion and contraction. This thermal deformation can also encroach on valuable assembly clearances and even cause stress caused by mutual compression between components.

[0067] In a more preferred embodiment, the method further includes: Obtain the expansion coefficient of the mobile phone's middle plate under a preset thermal field; The displacement vector of each discrete element is calculated based on the expansion coefficient and the local temperature of the discrete element in the preset thermal field. The third weight index is corrected based on the displacement vector.

[0068] This implementation incorporates thermal effects into the analysis model of assembly gaps. First, the system needs to obtain the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the mid-plate material, a known material constant. Simultaneously, a pre-defined thermal field distribution is required. This thermal field data can be derived from the analysis results of thermal simulation software, which describes the steady-state temperature of various regions of the mid-plate under typical high-load conditions (such as running demanding games). For example, the area near the CPU might reach 65°C, while the edge areas might only reach 40°C.

[0069] With this data, the system can calculate the displacement vector of each discrete element due to heat. The calculation reference is room temperature (e.g., 25°C). The expansion of each element is proportional to its position relative to a fixed reference point, its own temperature rise, and the material's CTE. Due to uneven temperature distribution, the entire plate undergoes complex warping and expansion. The displacement vector field calculated by the system accurately describes this thermal deformation.

[0070] Finally, this displacement vector is used to correct the third weighting index (assembly clearance requirement). Assume that at room temperature, a 0.1 mm gap is required between a certain unit in the middle plate and the battery casing. Thermal analysis calculations show that this unit expands 0.04 mm towards the battery due to heat during operation. This means that under high-temperature operating conditions, the actual gap is only 0.06 mm. To ensure that the minimum safe gap of 0.1 mm is still met under the most severe thermal conditions, a gap of 0.14 mm (0.1 mm + 0.04 mm) must be reserved in the design at room temperature. Therefore, the system updates the third weighting index of this unit from the original 0.1 mm to the more stringent 0.14 mm. This dynamic gap analysis considering thermal effects can effectively avoid structural interference, abnormal noise, or stress damage caused by heat during actual use.

[0071] To enable designers to more intuitively address the challenges posed by thermal deformation, in a further optimized implementation, the method also includes: Based on displacement vector generation, a compensation gap guide line is generated considering material expansion; Real-time monitoring of the distance between the current design position of the mobile phone's mid-plate and the compensation gap guide line; When the distance is less than the preset safety threshold, an early warning is issued by changing the color depth of the mutual exclusion heat distribution map.

[0072] This implementation provides a highly intuitive interactive interface for complex thermal deformation analysis. The system uses the displacement vector calculated in the previous step to generate a virtual "compensation gap guide line." This line can be understood as the "safety boundary" of the associated component (such as the battery) after considering the thermal expansion of the midplate. It is offset outwards from the original outline of the associated component by a certain distance, which represents the thermal expansion at the corresponding position of the midplate. This guide line dynamically defines the limit position that the midplate surface can reach under high-temperature operating conditions.

[0073] During the design process, the system monitors in real time the shortest distance between the currently drawn mid-plate outline and the compensation gap guide line. When this distance is less than a preset safety threshold (e.g., 0.01 mm), the system triggers a special visual warning. Unlike simple color changes, this uses a method of "changing color depth." For example, as the distance decreases, the red of the corresponding area on the heat map gradually changes from light red to bright red, and finally to a deep dark red. The depth of the color is proportional to the proximity of the danger. This progressive visual feedback provides designers with a more nuanced perception, allowing them to precisely control the design, much like hearing the increasingly rapid radar beeping as a vehicle approaches an obstacle. This ensures that the design maximizes space utilization while meeting performance requirements, avoiding an overly conservative "one-size-fits-all" approach.

[0074] Secondly, see Figure 2 This invention also provides a computer-aided design optimization system for mobile phone mid-plates. This system can be a plug-in module integrated into mainstream computer-aided design software (such as CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo, etc.), or it can be a standalone dedicated analysis software. The system includes: The data acquisition module 210 is used to acquire geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components; The mapping and projection module 220 is used to map geometric boundary data and performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; The planar discretization module 230 is used to divide the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units; The weight calculation module 240 is used to calculate the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit based on the projection data and for different performance requirements. The performance weight index is used to characterize the design margin or constraint strength of the discrete unit under the corresponding performance dimension. The performance requirements include at least structural strength requirements, weight control requirements and assembly clearance requirements. The conflict identification module 250 is used to identify the mutual exclusion relationship between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generate a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationship. The scheme optimization module 260 is used to adjust the design scheme of the mobile phone mid-plate according to the mutual exclusion heat distribution map.

[0075] The computer-aided design optimization system for mobile phone mid-plates provided by this invention is a dedicated system that achieves multi-constraint collaborative optimization and conflict early warning through a modular architecture. Its core lies in quantifying, visualizing, and comprehensively evaluating complex multi-dimensional design constraints (structural strength, weight control, assembly clearance) on a unified two-dimensional design plane, so as to proactively identify and resolve conflicts in the early stages of design.

[0076] The system specifically includes the following core functional modules: Data acquisition module 210 collects geometric and performance requirement input data for the mobile phone's mid-plate and related components. Mapping and projection module 220 maps three-dimensional geometry and spatial constraints to a two-dimensional design plane, establishing a common analysis benchmark. Planar discretization module 230 meshes the two-dimensional design plane, providing basic units for regional quantitative analysis. Weight calculation module 240 calculates quantitative indicators from different performance dimensions (strength, weight, gap) for each mesh unit. Conflict identification module 250 analyzes the mutual exclusion relationships between multiple indicators within the same unit and generates a "mutual exclusion heat map" that intuitively displays the spatial distribution and intensity of conflicts. Scheme optimization module 260, based on the visualized heat map, provides designers with clear adjustment directions and guidance, driving iterative optimization of design schemes.

[0077] In summary, this system creates an integrated design environment. Its core value lies in transforming the original experience-dependent, serially iterative, retrospective design process into a data-driven, conflict-visible, real-time guided, and forward-looking collaborative design process, thereby significantly improving the design efficiency and reliability of mobile phone mid-boards.

[0078] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components; The geometric boundary data and the performance requirement data are mapped to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; The two-dimensional design plane is divided into multiple discrete units; Based on the projection data, the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit is calculated for different performance requirements. The performance weight index is used to characterize the design margin or constraint strength of the discrete unit under the corresponding performance dimension. The performance requirements include at least structural strength requirements, weight control requirements, and assembly clearance requirements. Identify the mutual exclusion relationship between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generate a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationship; Based on the mutual exclusion heat distribution diagram, the design scheme of the mobile phone mid-plate is adjusted.

2. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of mapping the geometric boundary data and the performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data includes: The design plane of the mobile phone mid-plate is determined as the two-dimensional design plane; Perform an orthogonal projection operation on the geometric boundary data to generate corresponding two-dimensional boundary projection data in the two-dimensional design plane; The constraints related to spatial regions in the performance requirement data are mapped to the corresponding two-dimensional regions on the two-dimensional design plane; By using a preset transformation matrix, the local coordinate system of the mobile phone mid-plate and its associated components is transformed to the global coordinate system of the two-dimensional design plane to ensure that all projection data are in the same spatial reference system.

3. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of dividing the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units includes: On a two-dimensional design plane in a unified coordinate system, a uniform Cartesian grid is generated, and the continuous two-dimensional design plane is discretized into multiple discrete units with consistent specifications. The size of the discrete unit is set according to the design accuracy requirements of the mobile phone's mid-plate.

4. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of calculating the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit based on the projection data for different performance requirements includes: In response to the structural strength requirements, based on the projection data, according to the preset stress conditions and the material properties of the mobile phone midplate, the minimum material thickness or minimum cross-sectional moment of inertia required for each discrete unit to meet the strength requirements is calculated, and these are used as the first weight index. To address the aforementioned weight control requirements, the total weight reduction potential is determined based on the upper limit of the total weight of the mobile phone's midplate. Based on the first weight index of each discrete unit, the region type of each discrete unit is determined in combination with the projection data, and then the share of the total weight reduction potential in each discrete unit is allocated to calculate the maximum allowable material removal amount for each discrete unit, and this is used as the second weight index. In response to the assembly gap requirement, the discrete unit is identified based on the projection data as to whether it overlaps with the feature projection area of ​​the associated component on the two-dimensional design plane; If there is overlap, the third weight index corresponding to the discrete unit is calculated based on the allowable gap range of the associated components.

5. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method also includes: Based on the manufacturing process of the mobile phone mid-plate, an initial deformation displacement is assigned to each discrete unit; The assembly process of the mobile phone's middle plate at the fastening position is simulated, and the initial internal stress distribution generated to eliminate the initial deformation displacement is calculated; Based on the initial internal stress distribution, the minimum material thickness or minimum cross-sectional moment of inertia required for each discrete unit to meet the structural strength requirements is corrected to update the first weight index.

6. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method also includes: Real-time calculation of the effective strength space of the mobile phone's middle plate after deducting the initial internal stress distribution; When the effective strength space is lower than the preset safety threshold, a reinforcement texture suggestion is generated in the corresponding area of ​​the mutual exclusion heat distribution map, and the texture density of the area is changed to issue a warning.

7. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method also includes: Obtain the coefficient of thermal expansion of the mobile phone's middle plate under a preset thermal field; The displacement vector of each discrete unit is calculated based on the expansion coefficient and the local temperature of the discrete unit in the preset thermal field. The third weight index is corrected based on the displacement vector.

8. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method also includes: Based on the displacement vector, a compensation gap guide line is generated considering material expansion; Real-time monitoring of the distance between the current design position of the mobile phone's middle plate and the compensation gap guide line; When the distance is less than a preset safety threshold, an early warning is issued by changing the color depth of the mutual exclusion heat distribution map.

9. The method for optimizing computer-aided design of a mobile phone mid-plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of identifying the mutual exclusion relationship between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generating a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationship, includes: For each discrete unit, obtain the performance weight index corresponding to different performance requirements; Based on the preset conflict determination rules, the performance weight indicators of different dimensions within the same discrete unit are compared to identify whether there is a mutual exclusion relationship. When a mutual exclusion relationship exists, the mutual exclusion relationship is quantitatively analyzed to calculate a conflict value that reflects the degree of comprehensive conflict of the discrete unit. Based on the conflict values ​​of each discrete unit, a mutual exclusion heat distribution map is generated on the two-dimensional design plane, which uses color or texture to characterize the conflict intensity and distribution.

10. A computer-aided design optimization system for mobile phone mid-plates, used to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: The data acquisition module is used to acquire geometric boundary data and performance requirement data of the mobile phone mid-plate and its related components; The mapping and projection module is used to map the geometric boundary data and the performance requirement data to a unified two-dimensional design plane to generate projection data; A planar discretization module is used to divide the two-dimensional design plane into multiple discrete units; The weight calculation module is used to calculate the performance weight index corresponding to each discrete unit based on the projection data and for different performance requirements. The performance weight index is used to characterize the design margin or constraint strength of the discrete unit under the corresponding performance dimension. The performance requirements include at least structural strength requirements, weight control requirements and assembly clearance requirements. The conflict identification module is used to identify the mutual exclusion relationship between multiple performance weight indicators within the same discrete unit, and generate a mutual exclusion heat distribution map of the mobile phone mid-plate design plane based on the mutual exclusion relationship. The scheme optimization module is used to adjust the design scheme of the mobile phone mid-board according to the mutual exclusion heat distribution map.

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