Method for constructing a component, electronic computing device, computer program product and computer-readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for constructing a component using a CAD program, comprising the steps: Providing component element information that describes a component or a component group within the CAD program, Displaying the component element information on an electronic display device, Adding primary element information describing a joining part to the displayed component element information, wherein the primary element information is linked to secondary element information within the CAD program, and the secondary element information describes a manufacturing means for producing a connection using the joining part, and the secondary element information can be selectively displayed or hidden with the primary element information. Furthermore, an electronic computing device, a computer program product, and a computer-readable medium are specified.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for constructing a component, in particular for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electronic computing device, a computer program product, and a computer-readable medium.

[0002] When designing components or component assemblies, CAD programs are commonly used today to simplify and accelerate the design process. CAD stands for "computer-aided design" and refers to the creation of drawings on a computer. Hand-drawing is replaced by an automated process on a PC or laptop. CAD models are usually available as 3D models.

[0003] If two or more components are to be joined to form a composite component, the joints must be accessible with the necessary tools to enable assembly-friendly construction. Until now, it has not been possible to assess the accessibility of a screw or rivet joint based on the CAD model when designing it. This typically requires coordination and evaluation with experts. This requires time and coordination effort.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the invention is to show a possibility how the existence of a construction suitable for assembly can be tested and ensured in an improved manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1, an electronic computing device according to claim 6, a computer program product according to claim 7 and a computer-readable medium according to claim 8. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for designing a component / component group using a CAD program is provided. The method includes the steps: Providing component element information that describes a component or a component group within the CAD program, Displaying the component element information on an electronic display device, Adding primary element information describing a joining part to the displayed component element information, wherein the primary element information is linked to secondary element information within the CAD program, and the secondary element information describes a manufacturing means for producing a connection using the joining part, and the secondary element information can be selectively displayed or hidden with the primary element information.

[0007] The component element information describes the component or component group within the CAD program. The component / component group can in particular be a vehicle component or a vehicle component group in which two or more vehicle components are connected to one another. The component element information preferably contains the geometric dimensions of the component or component group. The component element information enables its geometric representation on the electronic display, e.g. a screen. The component element information can also contain further information, such as the material, processing parameters of individual surfaces, etc. of the component / component group.

[0008] The primary element information, which is added to the component element information, describes a joining part which is designed to be joined to the component / component group. The addition is carried out in particular by a user of the CAD program. The joining part can in particular be a connecting element and can be designed to connect another component or another component group to the component / component group or to connect elements of the component group to one another. The joining part can be, for example, a screw, a nut, a screw / nut combination, a rivet, a blind rivet or even a weld point, in particular a weld seam or a weld spot. Accordingly, the primary element information preferably describes a screw, a nut, a screw / nut combination or a weld point. The primary element information is preferably already contained in the CAD program as a prefabricated data set.The primary element information contains the geometric dimensions of the joining part and preferably enables its spatial display on the display device. The primary element information can also contain additional information, such as information regarding the material or the joining parameters.

[0009] By adding the primary element information to the component element information, it is added to the geometric dimensions of the component / component group at a defined position and, for example, fixed there. This creates a link between the position of the component / component group and the position of the joining part.

[0010] The primary element information is preferably displayed together with the component element information, for example in a two-dimensional view and preferably in a three-dimensional view.

[0011] The primary element information is also linked to secondary element information, which describes a manufacturing tool for creating a connection using the joining part. The secondary element information can, in particular, describe a screwing tool with which, for example, the screw or nut is to be screwed onto the component / component group, a riveting tool with which the rivet is to be riveted to the component / component group, or a welding head with which the weld is to be created on the component / component group.

[0012] The secondary element information describes the geometric dimensions of the tool. In particular, the secondary element information describes the geometric dimensions of the tool in its immediate vicinity to the component / component assembly. The geometric dimensions particularly reflect the outer geometric boundaries of the tool. To minimize the required storage volume, the secondary element information, in one embodiment, is envelope information for the tool, which only contains the dimensions of the outer shell of the tool.

[0013] The secondary element information can be selectively displayed either simultaneously with the primary element information or hidden so that the primary element information is displayed alone. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary element information is hidden by default.

[0014] This means that the user of the CAD program can decide whether the secondary element information, and thus the manufacturing tool, is displayed or hidden in the representation of the component / component assembly with the joining part. By firmly linking the secondary element information to the primary element information, it becomes possible for a designer or concept developer to determine immediately after arranging a joining part on a component / component assembly whether the joining part can be assembled or formed at the intended joining position. This is because, in addition to the joining part, the necessary manufacturing tool can also be visually displayed, at least in the vicinity of the component / component assembly. This makes it easy to see whether the installation space is sufficient for assembly or the joining process. Complex coordination and incorrect planning are eliminated, and the design process can be simplified and cost-optimized.

[0015] A second aspect of the invention relates to an electronic computing device configured to perform a method according to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0016] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions that cause the electronic computing device according to the second aspect of the invention to execute the method according to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0017] The core idea of ​​the invention is to enable a designer or concept engineer to immediately assess whether the screw / rivet location (such as a blind rivet) is accessible with the necessary tool, such as a screwdriver or rivet pliers. In the CAD model of a screw, nut, or rivet, a shell / body should be represented that represents the external dimensions of the tool required for the operation. This shell / body should be hidden in the NoShow of a screw, nut, or rivet and made visible when needed. This shell / body should be represented as simply as possible so as not to increase storage capacity.

Claims

[1] Method for designing a component using a CAD program with the steps: Providing component element information that describes a component or a component group within the CAD program, Displaying the component element information on an electronic display device, Adding primary element information describing a joining part to the displayed component element information, wherein the primary element information is linked to secondary element information within the CAD program, and the secondary element information describes a manufacturing means for producing a connection using the joining part, and the secondary element information can be selectively displayed or hidden with the primary element information. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary element information is hidden by default. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the primary element information describes a joining part or a connecting element such as a screw, a nut, a screw / nut connection, a rivet, a blind rivet or a weld. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary element information describes a screwing tool, a riveting tool or a welding head. [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the secondary element information is envelope information of the production means. [6] Electronic computing device which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [7] A computer program product comprising instructions causing the electronic computing device according to claim 6 to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [8] A computer-readable medium on which the computer program product according to claim 7 is stored.