Information processing device, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program capable of simply and effectively simulating a connection structure in which a seat cover side and a pad material side are connected within a hanging groove so as to be displaceable in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove.SOLUTION: A modeling unit performs a modeling processing that includes simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected so as to be displaceable in the depth direction of a hanging groove within a hanging groove formed in the seat pad material for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element 24 provided on the pad material side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member 28 provided on the seat cover side and configured to be able to slide relatively to the beam element 24 within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A structure is known in which a seat cover is suspended in a suspension groove formed in a pad material of the seat (see, for example, FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-145180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there are various structures in which the seat cover is suspended in the suspension groove, and in such structures, the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected within the suspension groove so that they can be displaced (may rattle) in the direction along the depth direction of the suspension groove. However, the technology for easily and effectively simulating such a structure using an information processing device is not disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 mentioned above.

[0005] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected within the hanging groove so that they can be displaced in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the first aspect includes a modeling unit that performs modeling processing, including simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected displaceably in a direction along the depth direction of a hanging groove formed in the pad material of a seat for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element provided on one of the pad material side and the seat cover side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member provided on the other of the pad material side and the seat cover side and configured to be able to slide relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the modeling unit that performs the modeling process simulates a connection structure in which the seat upholstery side and the pad material side are connected to each other in a hanging groove formed in the pad material of the seat for hanging the seat upholstery so as to be displaceable in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, using a beam element that is provided on one of the pad material side or the seat upholstery side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member that is provided on the other of the pad material side or the seat upholstery side and configured to be slidable relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along the longitudinal direction of the beam element. This makes it possible to easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat upholstery side and the pad material side are connected to each other in a hanging groove so as to be displaceable in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove.

[0008] In the information processing device of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the modeling unit sets information indicating that the nodes corresponding to both ends of the relative sliding direction of the relative sliding member are the axial ends of a cylindrical member, thereby realizing the relative sliding member as the cylindrical member, and inserts the beam element into the relative sliding member, which is the cylindrical member, so as to be able to slide relatively.

[0009] According to the second aspect, it is possible to easily set the relative sliding member to be slidable relative to the beam element.

[0010] In the information processing device according to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the modeling unit limits the range of relative sliding movement of the relative sliding member with respect to the beam element by a nonlinear spring element, one end of which is connected to the beam element and the other end of which is connected to the relative sliding member, and which generates an excessive reaction force to prevent further displacement when the beam element is displaced beyond a certain level. Note that the "excessive reaction force" refers to a reaction force of such magnitude that the nonlinear spring element essentially functions as a stopper.

[0011] According to the third aspect, it is possible to easily set the limit for the range in which the relative sliding member can slide relative to the beam element.

[0012] The information processing device according to the fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the connecting structure includes a suspender provided at the end on the seat cover side, and a clip provided on the pad material side to engage with the suspender so that the suspender can be displaced in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect, the modeling unit uses beam elements and relative sliding members to simulate a connection structure including suspenders provided at the end of the seat cover side and clips provided on the pad material side to engage with the suspenders so that they can be displaced in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove.

[0014] The information processing device of the fifth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the connecting structure includes a first wire provided at the end on the seat cover side and extending along the extension direction of the hanging groove, a second wire provided on the pad material side and extending along the extension direction of the hanging groove, and a hog ring connecting the first wire and the second wire.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, the modeling unit uses beam elements and relative sliding members to simulate a connection structure including a first wire provided at the end on the seat cover side and extending along the extension direction of the hanging groove, a second wire provided on the pad material side and extending along the extension direction of the hanging groove, and a hog ring connecting the first wire and the second wire.

[0016] The information processing device according to the sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, and further includes a simulation unit that performs a simulation to predict the appearance of the seat based on the model of the seat obtained by the modeling process by the modeling unit.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, the simulation unit performs a simulation to predict the appearance of the seat based on the model of the seat obtained by the modeling process performed by the modeling unit.

[0018] An information processing device according to a seventh aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the seat is a vehicle seat.

[0019] Vehicle seats have complex seat pad shapes to stabilize the posture of seated occupants while the vehicle is moving, and as a result it is difficult to design the seat upholstery so that it does not wrinkle, so the present disclosure is suitable.

[0020] An information processing method according to an eighth aspect causes a computer to execute a modeling process that includes simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected displaceably in a direction along the depth direction of a hanging groove formed in the pad material of a seat for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element provided on one of the pad material side and the seat cover side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member provided on the other of the pad material side and the seat cover side and configured to be able to slide relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, as in the first aspect, it is possible to easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected within the hanging groove so as to be displaceable in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove.

[0022] The program of the ninth aspect causes a computer to perform a modeling process that includes simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected displaceably in a direction along the depth direction of a hanging groove formed in the pad material of a seat for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element provided on one of the pad material side and the seat cover side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member provided on the other of the pad material side and the seat cover side and configured to be able to slide relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, as in the first aspect, it is possible to easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected within the hanging groove so as to be displaceable in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] As described above, the present invention has the excellent effect of making it possible to easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected within the hanging groove so as to be displaceable in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an image diagram for explaining modeling of a portion of a sheet including a bonded structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an image diagram for explaining relative sliding members and the like modeled in a coupling structure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates modeling of a bonded structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an image diagram for explaining settings for defining sliding in modeling of a bonded structure. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle seat; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a pad material for a seat cushion of a vehicle seat. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a joining structure for joining a padding side of a seat and a seat covering side of the seat. FIG. [Figure 10] 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams showing simplified views of another joining structure for joining the padding side and the seat cover side of the seat. Fig. 10(A) is a cross-sectional view of the joining structure taken in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the hanging groove. Fig. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10B-10B in Fig. 10(A). [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an image diagram for explaining settings for defining sliding in modeling of a modified bonded structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. This information processing device 10 is configured to be able to model, for example, a sheet 70 as shown in FIG. 7 and perform a predetermined simulation. First, a brief description will be given of the sheet 70 to be modeled.

[0027] The seat 70 shown in Fig. 7 is a vehicle seat installed in a vehicle. The arrows FR, LH, and UP shown in the figure indicate the front, left, and top of the seat 70, respectively (the same applies to Fig. 8). The seat 70 includes a seat cushion 72 that supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated occupant, a seat back 73 that supports the back of the seated occupant, and a headrest 74 that supports the head of the seated occupant.

[0028] The seat cushion 72 includes a frame (not shown), a padding 76 supported by the frame, and a seat covering 78 covering the padding 76. The frame is made of, for example, press-formed metal plates or metal pipes joined together, and forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 72. The padding 76 is made of, for example, a foam such as urethane foam, and forms the cushioning material of the seat cushion 72. The seat covering 78 is formed into a bag shape by sewing together multiple covering pieces made of, for example, cloth, leather, synthetic leather, or the like, and covers the padding 76 from above.

[0029] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the pad material 76 of the seat cushion 72 (see Fig. 7). As shown in Fig. 8, a hanging groove 76G is formed in the pad material 76 for hanging the seat cover 78 (see Fig. 7). The seat 70 shown in Fig. 7 has, as an example, a connection structure 80, as shown in Fig. 9, in which the seat cover 78 side and the pad material 76 side are connected within the hanging groove 76G so as to be displaceable in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove 76G.

[0030] Here, a brief description will be given of the connection structure 80 shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, for ease of viewing, hatching and other illustrations are omitted for the fracture surface of the pad material 76 on the left side of the drawing.

[0031] 9, the seat cover 78 is configured to include a first cover piece 78A and a second cover piece 78B, and has a hanging portion 78X where an end of the first cover piece 78A and an end of the second cover piece 78B are sewn together and placed in the hanging groove 76G. Suspenders 82 are provided at the hanging portion 78X (in other words, the end on the seat cover 78 side). The suspenders 82 include a pull member 82A sewn to the hanging portion 78X at a seam S1, and an anchor-shaped engaging portion 82B fixed to the tip end of the pull member 82A. The engaging portion 82B is made of resin.

[0032] In contrast, a clip 84 is provided on the padding material 76 side, on the bottom side of the hanging groove 76G. The clip 84 is made of resin and has a base 84A with a portion embedded in the padding material 76, as well as a pair of engagement claws 84B extending from the base 84A toward the opening side of the hanging groove 76G. The pair of engagement claws 84B are formed symmetrically when viewed in the extension direction of the hanging groove 76G, and the extending tips are bent so as to approach each other. When the engagement portions 82B of the suspenders 82 are pushed and inserted between the pair of engagement claws 84B of the clip 84, the suspenders 82 are engaged with the clip 84 so as to be displaceable in the depth direction of the hanging groove 76G.

[0033] Note that a connection structure 90 shown in Fig. 10 may be employed instead of the connection structure 80 shown in Fig. 9. The connection structure 90 shown in Fig. 10 will be briefly described. Fig. 10(A) shows a cross-sectional view of the connection structure 90 cut in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the hanging groove 76G, and Fig. 10(B) shows a cross-sectional view cut along line 10B-10B in Fig. 10(A). For convenience, in these cross-sectional views, the cross sections of the seat skin 78 and a pull member 92, which will be described later, are shown by thick lines without indicating their thickness.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 10(A), a base portion 92A of a pull-up material (also referred to as a "hanging cloth") 92 is sewn to the hanging portion 78X of the seat cover 78 at a seam S2. The pull-up material 92 has a tubular portion 92B that is formed continuously with the base portion 92A and has a loop shape when viewed in the extending direction of the hanging groove 76G. As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), a first wire 94 that extends along the extending direction of the hanging groove 76G is provided inside the tubular portion 92B of the pull-up material 92. In other words, the first wire 94 is provided at the end portion on the seat cover 78 side. As shown in FIG. 10(B), a hole 92H is formed in the tubular portion 92B of the pull-up material 92, and an axial middle portion of the first wire 94 is exposed through the hole 92H.

[0035] 10(A) and 10(B), a second wire 96 is provided on the padding material 76 side at the bottom side of the hanging groove 76G. The second wire 96 extends along the extension direction of the hanging groove 76G, and both axial ends thereof are embedded in the padding material 76. The first wire 94 and the second wire 96 are connected by a hog ring 98.

[0036] Although detailed explanation will be omitted, the seat back 73 shown in FIG. 7 also has a configuration in which a seat cover is placed over a padding material supported by a frame, and the seat cover side is connected to the padding material side by a structure substantially similar to, for example, the connecting structure 80 shown in FIG. 9 or the connecting structure 90 shown in FIG. 10.

[0037] The connection structure 80 shown in Fig. 9 and the connection structure 90 shown in Fig. 10 can be modeled by an information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a computer and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 10A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10C, a storage 10D, and an input / output interface (abbreviated as "input / output I / F" in Fig. 1) 10E. The CPU 10A, ROM 10B, RAM 10C, storage 10D, and input / output interface 10E are connected to each other via a bus 10Z so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0038] The CPU 10A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 10A reads a program from the ROM 10B or the storage 10D and executes the program using the RAM 10C as a working area.

[0039] The ROM 10B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 10C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 10D is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs and various data.

[0040] In this embodiment, the ROM 10B or the storage 10D stores a modeling / simulation program. The storage 10D also stores component data. The component data includes data related to the seat upholstery, padding, and frame components used in the manufacture of a vehicle seat. For example, the data related to the seat upholstery includes information such as the coordinates of the seat upholstery, its physical properties, and stitching settings.

[0041] The input / output interface 10E is a communication interface. A display 12 and an information input unit 14 are connected to the input / output interface 10E. The display 12 and the information input unit 14 may be directly connected to the bus 10Z. The display 12 displays an image representing the results of the modeling / simulation processing executed by the information processing device 10. The information input unit 14 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used when a user inputs various information and instructions to the information processing device 10.

[0042] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 is capable of analysis using the finite element method (FEM), and has, as its functional configuration, a modeling unit 101 and a simulation unit 102. The modeling unit 101 and the simulation unit 102 shown in Fig. 2 are realized by the CPU 10A shown in Fig. 1 reading and executing a modeling / simulation program stored in the ROM 10B or the storage 10D.

[0043] The modeling unit 101 shown in Figure 2 performs a modeling process that includes simulating a connection structure (for example, connection structures 80, 90 shown in Figures 9 and 10) in which the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side are connected so as to be displaceable in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G) formed in the pad material (76) of the seat (70) for hanging the seat cover (78), using a beam element 24 (see Figure 5) provided on the pad material (76) side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G), and a relative sliding member 28 (see Figure 5) provided on the seat cover (78) side and configured to be able to slide relatively to the beam element 24 (see Figure 5) within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

[0044] The simulation unit 102 also performs a simulation to predict the appearance of the seat (70) based on the model of the seat (70) obtained by the modeling process by the modeling unit 101. The results of the simulation process by the simulation unit 102 are displayed on the display 12 and are used to check and evaluate the appearance of the seat (70), including the presence or absence and degree of wrinkles in the seat skin (78) when the seat (70) is manufactured or when a user sits on it.

[0045] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The modeling of the seat (70) by the modeling unit 101 is performed by simulating the sewing process, joining process, and covering process in order on the information processing device 10 based on the part data stored in the storage 10D shown in FIG.

[0046] The sewing process is a process for simulating sewing such as sewing together pieces of skin that make up the seat skin (78). In the case of the above-described combined structures 80, 90 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), the sewing between the pull members 82A, 92 and the seat skin 78 is also simulated in this sewing process. The modeling unit 101 simulates the sewing between the objects to be sewn on the information processing device 10 by suspending a spring element between the objects to be sewn and performing a process of shortening the length of the suspending spring element to an arbitrary length.

[0047] The joining process is a process for simulating a joining structure (e.g., joining structures 80 and 90 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 ) in which the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side are joined so as to be displaceable in a depth direction of the hanging groove (76G) formed in the pad material (76) of the seat (70) for hanging the seat cover (78). In the joining process, the modeling unit 101 performs a joining structure simulation process on the joining portion between the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side in the hanging groove (76G), thereby simulating the joining between the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side in the hanging groove (76G) on the information processing device 10.

[0048] In the bonded structure simulation process, a bonded portion to be bonded for which a bonded structure simulation has not been performed is searched for, and the bonded structure of the searched object is simulated using beam elements 24 (see FIG. 5) and relative sliding members 28 (see FIG. 5), and this process is repeated until simulation is performed for all bonded portions. Below, the process of simulating a bonded structure using beam elements and relative sliding members will be specifically described.

[0049] The modeling unit 101 sets beam elements 24 fixed to simulated members 22 that simulate the padding material side members of the target connection structure 20 shown in the image diagram of FIG. 4. The modeling unit 101 sets the beam elements 24 so that their longitudinal direction is along the depth direction of the hanging groove. In FIG. 5, which shows the modeling of the connection structure, the nodes corresponding to the longitudinal ends of the beam elements 24 are labeled 24A and 24Z. In other words, the beam elements 24 are elements formed by connecting node 24A and node 24Z with a straight line.

[0050] The modeling unit 101 also sets a relative sliding member 28 fixed to a simulated member 26 that simulates a member on the seat cover side of the connection structure 20 to be processed, which is shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 4 . The relative sliding member 28 can be understood as a slider. The relative sliding member 28 is any one of a solid element, a shell element, and a beam element. The modeling unit 101 sets the relative sliding member 28 so that it is slidable relative to the beam element 24 along its longitudinal direction (see the direction of arrow 24X). In FIG. 5 showing the modeling of the connection structure, the nodes corresponding to the longitudinal ends of the relative sliding member 28 are denoted by symbols 28A and 28Z. The nodes 28A and 28Z of the relative sliding member 28 are set as coordinate points on the beam element 24. 6, modeling unit 101 sets information indicating that relative sliding member 28 is an end of a cylindrical member in the axial direction at nodes 28A and 28Z corresponding to both ends of relative sliding member 28 in the relative sliding direction, thereby realizing relative sliding member 28 as a cylindrical member and inserting beam element 24 into relative sliding member 28, which is a cylindrical member. It can be said that nodes 28A and 28Z restrain relative sliding member 28, which is a cylindrical member, so that it can slide on the straight line of beam element 24.

[0051] 5, the modeling unit 101 limits the range in which the relative sliding member 28 can slide relative to the beam element 24. In this embodiment, the modeling unit 101 limits the range in which the relative sliding member 28 can slide relative to the beam element 24 by using nonlinear spring elements 30A and 30B, each of which has one end connected to the beam element 24 and the other end connected to the relative sliding member 28, and which generates an excessive reaction force (for example, a reaction force of 10 N or more) to prevent further displacement when the relative sliding member 28 is displaced beyond a certain level. The nonlinear spring element 30A is set to connect the node 24A of the beam element 24 to the node 28A of the relative sliding member 28, and the nonlinear spring element 30B is set to connect the node 24A of the beam element 24 to the node 28A of the relative sliding member 28.

[0052] Here, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the setting of the nonlinear spring elements 30A, 30B. In this embodiment, the nonlinear spring elements 30A, 30B are set, for example, so that they do not generate a reaction force when the displacement is less than a certain level, and so that the reaction force increases rapidly when the displacement reaches or exceeds a certain level. However, as a modified example, the nonlinear spring elements 30A, 30B may be set, for example, so that they generate a small reaction force even when the displacement is less than a certain level, and so that the reaction force increases rapidly when the displacement reaches or exceeds a certain level. In this modified example, when the displacement is less than a certain level, the reaction force may be set to a constant value, or the reaction force may be set to increase slightly.

[0053] Furthermore, the displacement value that serves as the reference point at which the reaction force of the nonlinear spring elements 30A, 30B begins to increase rapidly may be set to match the amount of displacement that the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side can displace in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G) within the hanging groove (76G) (the amount of backlash in the actual connecting structure (80, 90)), or it may be set to match a displacement amount slightly smaller than the amount of displacement that can be achieved. In the former setting, a displacement that slightly exceeds the range of actual displacement can be allowed in calculations, while in the latter setting, it is possible to configure the system so that displacement that exceeds the range of actual displacement is not allowed.

[0054] As described above, when a force is applied to the simulated member 26 simulating the member on the seat skin side in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (see the direction of arrow 24X), for example, during the process of modeling the seat (70) or during a simulation performed after the model of the seat (70) is completed, the relative sliding member 28 moves relative to the beam element 24 within a predetermined range in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (see the direction of arrow 24X).

[0055] By going through the joining process described above, joint simulation is realized for all of the multiple joining structures 20, some of which are shown in Figure 3, and a simulated padding material with seat cover is obtained in which the seat cover side and the padding material side are joined. In Figure 3, reference numeral 18 indicates the simulated part of the padding material.

[0056] The covering process following the joining process is a process of simulating the joining of the seat pad material with seat upholstery and the seat frame. The modeling unit 101 suspends a spring element at the joining point between the seat pad material with seat upholstery and the seat frame, and performs a process of shortening the length of the suspending spring element to an arbitrary length, thereby simulating the joining of the seat pad material with seat upholstery and the seat frame on the information processing device 10. This completes a model of the seat (for example, a vehicle seat).

[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, the modeling unit 101 that performs the modeling process simulates a connection structure (e.g., connection structures 80 and 90 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 ) in which the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side are connected within the hanging groove (76G) so as to be displaceable in the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G), using the beam element 24 shown in FIG. 5 that is provided on the pad material (76) side and arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned with the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G), and the relative sliding member 28 that is provided on the seat cover (78) side and configured to be slidable within a predetermined range relative to the beam element 24 along its longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side are connected within the hanging groove (76G) so as to be displaceable in the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G).

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the modeling unit 101 sets information indicating that the nodes 28A, 28Z corresponding to both ends of the relative sliding direction of the relative sliding member 28 are the ends of the axial direction of the cylindrical member, thereby realizing the relative sliding member 28 as a cylindrical member, and inserts the beam element 24 through the relative sliding member 28 which is a cylindrical member. This makes it easy to set the relative sliding member 28 to be slidable relative to the beam element 24 which is a straight line.

[0059] In this embodiment, the modeling unit 101 limits the range of relative sliding movement of the relative sliding member 28 with respect to the beam element 24 by using nonlinear spring elements 30A and 30B, one end of which is connected to the beam element 24 and the other end of which is connected to the relative sliding member 28, and which generate an excessively large reaction force to prevent further displacement when the relative sliding member 28 is displaced beyond a certain level. This makes it possible to easily set the range of relative sliding movement of the relative sliding member 28 with respect to the beam element 24.

[0060] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily and effectively simulate a connection structure in which the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side are connected within the hanging groove (76G) so as to be displaceable in the direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G).

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the simulation unit 102 performs a simulation to predict the appearance of the seat based on the seat model obtained by the modeling process by the modeling unit 101. This makes it possible to predict the occurrence of wrinkles in the seat skin. To further explain, in the seat skin, even a slight deviation in the amount of hanging of any of the multiple hanging portions from the preferred amount can cause the tension balance to be disrupted and wrinkles to occur, but in this embodiment, the occurrence of such wrinkles can be predicted.

[0062] In the above embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10, a modeled configuration has been described in which the beam element 24 (see Figure 5) is provided on the pad material (76) side and the relative sliding member 28 (see Figure 5) is provided on the seat cover (78) side. However, as a modified example, a modeled configuration in which the beam element is provided on the seat cover (78) side and the relative sliding member is provided on the pad material (76) side can also be adopted. In other words, the modeling unit 101 may also be configured to perform a modeling process that includes simulating a connection structure (for example, connection structures 80, 90 shown in Figures 9 and 10) in which the seat cover (78) side and the pad material (76) side are connected so as to be displaceable in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G) formed in the pad material (76) of the seat (70) for hanging the seat cover (78), using a beam element provided on the seat cover (78) side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove (76G), and a relative sliding member provided on the pad material (76) side and configured to be able to slide relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the modeling unit 101 sets information indicating that the nodes 28A and 28Z corresponding to both ends of the relative sliding member 28 in the relative sliding direction are the axial ends of a cylindrical member, thereby realizing the relative sliding member 28 as a cylindrical member, and inserts the beam element 24 through the relative sliding member 28, which is a cylindrical member. Although such a configuration is preferable from the viewpoint of simplicity, the setting for enabling the relative sliding member 28 to slide relatively with respect to the beam element 24 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the modeling unit 101 may set information functioning as rings to predetermined nodes 28B and 28Y corresponding to parts of the relative sliding member 28 set on the beam element 24, respectively, and insert the beam element 24 into rings 28R1 and 28R2 constituting the relative sliding member 28 so as to be relatively slidable. Note that, although detailed illustration is omitted, the beam element 24 in FIG. 11 is defined by a large number of points continuously arranged in a straight line from node 24A to node 24Z.

[0064] In the above embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the modeling unit 101 limits the range of relative sliding movement of the relative sliding member 28 with respect to the beam element 24 by using the nonlinear spring elements 30A and 30B that generate excessive reaction force to prevent further displacement when the beam element 24 is displaced beyond a certain level. From the viewpoint of ease of setting, however, as a modified example of the above embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which the nonlinear spring elements 30A and 30B are not provided and the modeling unit 101 limits the range of relative sliding movement of the relative sliding member 28 with respect to the beam element 24 based on information of a vector (input coordinate information) that is specified in advance.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to modeling / simulation of a vehicle seat, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied, for example, to modeling / simulation of a seat used in a moving body other than a vehicle.

[0066] In addition, various processors other than a CPU may execute the processes executed by CPU 10A after reading software (programs) in the above-described embodiment. Examples of processors in this case include dedicated electrical circuits, such as programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes. Each process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). The hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0067] The programs disclosed in the above embodiments may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc. The programs may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0068] The above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0069] The above describes one example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 Information processing equipment (computers) 24 beam elements 28 Relative sliding member 28A, 28Z Nodes corresponding to both ends of the relative sliding direction of the relative sliding members 30A, 30B Nonlinear spring elements 70 seats (vehicle seats) 76 Pad material 76G Hanging groove 78 Seat covering 80 Bonded structure 82 Suspenders 84 clips 90 Bonded structure 94 First Wire 96 Second Wire 98 Hog Ring 101 Modeling Department 102 Simulation Department

Claims

1. An information processing device including a modeling unit that performs modeling processing including simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected displaceably in a direction along the depth direction of a hanging groove formed in a pad material of a seat for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element that is provided on one of the pad material side or the seat cover side and is arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member that is provided on the other of the pad material side or the seat cover side and is configured to be slidable relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the modeling unit sets information indicating that the relative sliding member is an end of a cylindrical member in an axial direction at nodes corresponding to both ends of the relative sliding direction of the relative sliding member, thereby realizing the relative sliding member to be the cylindrical member, and inserting the beam element into the relative sliding member that is the cylindrical member so as to be able to slide relatively.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the modeling unit limits the range of relative sliding movement of the relative sliding member relative to the beam element by a nonlinear spring element having one end connected to the beam element and the other end connected to the relative sliding member, and which generates an excessive reaction force to prevent further displacement when the relative sliding member is displaced beyond a certain level.

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure includes a suspender provided at the end of the seat cover side, and a clip provided on the pad material side to engage with the suspender so that the suspender can be displaced in a direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove.

5. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure includes a first wire provided at an end portion on the seat cover side and extending along the extension direction of the hanging groove, a second wire provided on the pad material side and extending along the extension direction of the hanging groove, and a hog ring connecting the first wire and the second wire.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a simulation unit that performs a simulation to predict the appearance of the seat based on the model of the seat obtained by the modeling process by the modeling unit.

7. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the seat is a vehicle seat.

8. An information processing method that causes a computer to execute a modeling process that includes simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected displaceably in a direction along the depth direction of a hanging groove formed in the pad material of a seat for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element that is provided on one of the pad material side or the seat cover side and is arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member that is provided on the other of the pad material side or the seat cover side and is configured to be able to slide relatively to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

9. On the computer, A program for performing a modeling process that includes simulating a connection structure in which the seat cover side and the pad material side are connected displaceably in a direction along the depth direction of a hanging groove formed in the pad material of a seat for hanging the seat cover, using a beam element provided on one of the pad material side or the seat cover side and arranged with its longitudinal direction along the depth direction of the hanging groove, and a relative sliding member provided on the other of the pad material side or the seat cover side and configured to be able to slide relative to the beam element within a predetermined range along its longitudinal direction.

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