Product configuration determination device and product configuration determination method

Abstract

To provide a product configuration determination device for supporting determination of a new product configuration capable of improving efficiency in the new product configuration satisfying a new product specification requested by a customer.SOLUTION: A product configuration determination device 100 includes a first storage part 10 for storing user interface master data and a specification input rule having a first restriction, a second storage part 20 for storing specification of a corrected new product configuration, a third storage part for storing candidate product configuration master data in which an existing product configuration is stored and a product configuration determination rule having a second restriction which is an approximate restriction, a fourth storage part for storing a candidate product configuration, a fifth storage part 30 for storing a feasibility verification determination rule, and a sixth storage part 60 for storing a final new product configuration by tuning at least one or more parameters among a plurality of parameters when it is determined that the specification of the corrected new product configuration is not satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments relate to a product configuration determination device and a product configuration determination method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, attempts have been made to design a system configuration based on rules and required specifications, and then calculate the performance of the proposed configuration using a simulator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-185065 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-084224 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-078908 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order-designed products, customized designs are often based on the product configuration of a master model. In this case, problems overlooked during quotation and specification confirmation may be discovered in later processes such as detailed design, resulting in design changes and rework. This problem can lead to delivery delays, increased costs, and ultimately worsening profits, so when designing a new product, it is extremely important to select a base model and verify feasibility during the quotation and specification confirmation stages.

[0005] In addition, conventional configuration determination devices ensure feasibility by matching customer specifications to product configurations, but this has the problem that it can only handle products that can be handled by combining components and modules.To be widely applied to products that require customized design, it is necessary to have a function for planning product configurations with similar specifications and a function for supporting feasibility verification and tuning of product configuration parameters.

[0006] An object of the embodiment is to provide a product configuration determination device and a product configuration determination method that enable efficiency improvement and support the determination of a new product configuration that satisfies new product specifications required by a customer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An embodiment is a product configuration determination device that supports the determination of a new product configuration for which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, the product configuration determination device including a first storage unit that stores user interface master data and a specification input rule having a first constraint; a second storage unit that stores specifications of a corrected new product configuration that is displayed on a specification input screen by correcting the new product configuration by applying inter-specification dependencies acquired based on the first constraint of the specification input rule to design requirements of the new product configuration acquired based on the user interface master data; a third storage unit that stores candidate product configuration master data in which the existing product configuration is saved and a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint that is an approximation constraint; and a third storage unit that stores candidate product configuration master data when determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration displayed on the specification input screen. a fourth storage unit that applies the product configuration determination rule to the candidate product configurations, determines whether a plurality of specification items in the candidate product configurations satisfy all of the specifications, and stores the candidate product configuration that is determined to satisfy all of the specifications; a fifth storage unit that stores a feasibility verification determination rule having a plurality of parameters and that is used to run a simulation to determine whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration; and a sixth storage unit that, when it is determined that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied as a result of the simulation to determine whether the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are satisfied using the feasibility verification determination rule, tunes at least one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters, re-determines the candidate product configuration, runs the simulation again, and stores the final new product configuration.

[0008] Another embodiment is a product configuration determination method for supporting the determination of a new product configuration for which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, the method including: a step of obtaining design requirements for the new product configuration based on user interface master data; a step of correcting the new product configuration by applying inter-specification dependencies obtained based on a specification input rule having a first constraint to the design requirements of the new product configuration to obtain specifications for a corrected new product configuration; and a step of determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration output to a specification input screen by applying a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint, which is an approximation constraint, to the candidate product configuration master data to determine multiple candidate product configurations, and The method includes a step of making a satisfaction judgment and determining a candidate product configuration that satisfies all specifications; a step of acquiring a feasibility verification decision rule having a plurality of parameters that is used to perform a simulation to determine whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration, and performing the simulation to determine whether the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are satisfied using the feasibility verification decision rule; a step of tuning at least one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters when it is determined from the results of the simulation that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied; and a step of re-determining the candidate product configuration based on the tuning of the parameters and performing the simulation again. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a product configuration determination device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an overall flowchart up to determining a new product configuration using the product configuration determination device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of UI configuration master data. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a specification input screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specification input rule. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specification input rule for discrete values ​​in mapping. [Figure 7] Illustrates specification input rules for continuous values ​​in expressions. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an example diagram of a specification input rule for continuous values ​​in a trigger. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a specification input screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a table of candidate product configuration master data. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product configuration determination rule. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart for determining a candidate product configuration. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing a determined existing product configuration and an undetermined existing product configuration; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an example diagram of a table of validity verification decision rules. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an example diagram of parameters of a candidate product configuration. [Figure 16] 10 is an example diagram showing the feasibility verification results obtained by the simulation output on the output screen, and showing the result of the judgment "Good." [Figure 17] 10 is an example diagram showing the feasibility verification results obtained by the simulation output on the output screen, and showing the result of the judgment "x". [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of parameter tuning. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation performed again using a simulator and a success / failure determination performed again. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an external automatic simulator. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram of a product configuration determination method according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. Product configuration determination device The product configuration determination device 100 according to the embodiment assists in determining a new product configuration in which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration. The product configuration determination device 100 will be described below.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a product configuration determination device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an overall flowchart of the product configuration determination device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the product configuration determination device 100 according to an embodiment includes a first storage unit 10, a second storage unit 20, a third storage unit 30, a fourth storage unit 40, a fifth storage unit 50, a sixth storage unit 60, and an execution unit 70. Some or all of the above-described or following storage units, configurations, functions, execution units, etc. may be implemented in hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. Furthermore, the above-described functions may be implemented in software by a processor executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function may be stored in a memory, a storage device such as a hard disk or solid-state drive (SSD), or a storage medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD. Furthermore, the configuration and data possessed or stored in each memory unit are described for convenience as being divided into a first memory unit 10, a second memory unit 20, a third memory unit 30, a fourth memory unit 40, a fifth memory unit 50, and a sixth memory unit 60, but they may be stored in any memory unit, or may be stored in one or more memories, etc. Each component will be explained below.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first storage unit 10 stores UI (user interface) configuration master data 11 and specification input rules 12.

[0013] The second storage unit 20 stores the specifications of a corrected new product configuration 21 obtained by correcting the new product configuration by applying inter-specification dependencies to the design requirements of the new product configuration. The specifications of the corrected new product configuration 21 are created based on the UI configuration master data 11 and specification input rules 12.

[0014] The third storage unit 30 stores candidate product configuration master data 31 in which the existing product configuration is saved, and product configuration determination rules 32.

[0015] When determining a candidate product configuration 41 for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration 21, the fourth memory unit 40 determines whether multiple specification items are satisfied based on the candidate product configuration master data 31 and the product configuration determination rules 32, and stores the candidate product configuration 41 that is determined to satisfy all specifications.

[0016] The fifth storage unit 50 stores a feasibility verification decision rule 51 used to perform a simulation to determine whether the candidate product configuration 41 satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration 21.

[0017] The sixth storage unit 60 executes the simulation and stores the final new product configuration 61.

[0018] The CPU 70 performs calculations based on the data stored in each storage unit. Specifically, the CPU 70 executes the procedure shown in FIG.

[0019] Next, a flow from acquiring design requirements S1 to outputting a parts structure table S19 will be described based on the overall flowchart of the product configuration determination device 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0020] 1-1. Obtaining design requirements S1 (Step S1) In "design requirement acquisition S1," design requirements for a new product configuration are acquired. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, design requirement acquisition S1 is acquired based on UI configuration master data 11, which can be exchanged with customers. The UI configuration master data 11 can be exchanged with customers via the Internet, etc. In addition, the UI configuration master data 11 can also be exchanged with customers through dialogue, even without using the Internet. In this case, the design and product manufacturing side inputs each specification into the UI configuration master data 11. In addition, the exchange and output of data stored in the first to sixth memory units 60 are performed by the execution unit (CPU).

[0021] Figure 3 is an example diagram of UI configuration master data. In Figure 3, the items to be queried from the customer in order to obtain new product specifications for a new product configuration from the customer are expressed as a UI configuration master data table. The following explanation uses a motor as an example of a new product configuration.

[0022] The UI configuration master data columns are composed of, for example, specification group, specification item, input method, unit, and option, from left to right. The specification group, for example, is the traction motor specification. The specification items, for example, are the motor type, cooling method, class, dimensions (height, width, etc.), and ambient temperature. The input method, for example, is option or value input. The option can be selected from the options in the rightmost column of Figure 3, and is selected from a drop-down list. That is, the motor type input method is selected from the group consisting of IM, PMSM, and not specified, and is selected from a drop-down list. An IM is an induction motor (IM), which is an electric motor in which a rotating magnetic field generated in the stator by AC current induces a current in the rotor, causing the rotor to rotate and generate mechanical energy. A PMSM is a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), which is a traction motor that uses a permanent magnet in the rotor to generate a magnetic field and rotates in synchronization with the rotating magnetic field created by the AC current flowing through the stator windings. Units are none, kW, mm, °C, etc. An ID number may be added to the leftmost column of the UI configuration master data field. In the UI configuration master data field, input methods and units for each item, such as motor type, cooling method, and main rating, are entered.

[0023] 1-2. Configure the specification input screen S2 (Step S2) The specification input screen is configured based on the UI configuration master data. The specification input screen is a screen that asks the customer what specification items are available and displays the specifications of the new product configuration with the required specification values ​​for the obtained specification items entered. Figure 4 is an example of the specification input screen, showing the required specification items for the new product configuration before correction and the required specification values ​​for each specification item as design requirements obtained from the customer. In "Configure specification input screen S2," when each of the above-mentioned items is entered into the above-mentioned UI configuration master data, similar items are automatically generated on the specification input screen, the required specification values ​​are entered, and the specification input screen is configured. The specification input screen may be output by the execution unit.

[0024] 1-3. Obtain inter-specification dependencies S3 (Step S3) Inter-specification dependency relationships are acquired based on specification input rules. FIG. 5 is an example diagram of specification input rules. In FIG. 5, the specification input rules are expressed as a table. In the acquisition of inter-specification dependency relationships S3, the specification input rule columns are composed of, from the left, for example, ID, dependency relationship, specification item ID, dependent specification item, specification item 1, specification item 2, dependent specification item, value of specification item 1, value of dependent specification item, etc. For example, if the dependent specification item is torque, the torque value is input as the value of the dependent specification item.

[0025] The specification input rule has a first constraint. The inter-specification dependency obtained based on the first constraint of the specification input rule is applied to the design requirements of the new product configuration obtained based on the user interface master data, and the new product configuration is corrected to determine the specifications of the corrected new product configuration to be displayed on the specification input screen. The first constraint also includes a mapping, an expression (calculation formula), and a trigger.

[0026] The dependency relationships in the specification input rule table shown in FIG. 5 are selected from the types of the first constraints. Furthermore, the dependency relationships that are most suitable for specification item 1, specification item 2, and the dependent specification item are selected. Specification item 1 is, for example, the ambient temperature or motor type. Specification item 2 is, for example, the reference temperature rise limit. The first constraint is applied to specification item 1 and specification item 2. The mapping, expressions, and triggers included in the first constraint are described in detail below.

[0027] A dependency called mapping is an input constraint condition in which, when a specification item in a specification input rule that depends on a specification item in a new product configuration reaches a specified value, the specification item in the specification input rule that depends on the specification item in the new product configuration is determined to be the value set in the table. Figure 6 is an example of a discrete value specification input rule in mapping. The symbol X in the figure indicates the same as the table shown in Figure 5. In the example shown in Figure 6, when the dependency ID = 2, dependency = "mapping," and motor type = "not specified" (value of specification item 1), the specification input constraint rule is such that power running TN torque value 1 = "1950" (value of the dependent specification item). In response to this specification input constraint rule, when "not specified" is selected from the motor type drop-down list on the specification input screen, 1950 is automatically entered in the input item for power running TN torque value 1.

[0028] Figure 7 shows an example of a specification input rule for continuous values ​​in an expression. The symbol X in the figure indicates the same thing as the table shown in Figure 5. The ID column of the table represents the identification code of the input constraint, and the dependency column represents the category of dependency between input items. The Specification Item ID1 and Specification Item ID2 columns represent the identification codes of the dependent input items on the specification input screen. The Dependent Specification Item column represents the identification codes of the dependent input items on the specification input screen. The Specification Item 1, Specification Item 2, and Dependent Specification Item columns represent the item titles on the input screen for each identification code. The Specification Item 1 Value and Specification Item 2 Value columns represent the input values ​​of the dependent items when the constraint is applied. The Dependent Specification Item Value column represents the input value of the dependent item to which the input constraint is applied. In the case of a dependency called an expression, the value of the specification item of the dependent specification input rule that depends on the specification item of the new product configuration is calculated using a calculation formula to calculate the value of the dependent item. In the example shown in Figure 7, for a constraint rule with an approximate temperature rise limit, such as "Temperature Rise Limit = Reference Temperature Rise Limit - MAX (Ambient Temperature - 40, 0)" in dependency ID = 1 and dependency = "Expression," the larger of the two elements, "Ambient Temperature - 40," which is the difference from the reference temperature of 40 degrees, and "0," is selected. If the ambient temperature is entered as 60 and the reference temperature rise limit as 200, the temperature rise limit is corrected to 180 = 200 - MAX (60 - 40, 0), and the value of 180 is automatically entered in the temperature rise limit input field. On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is entered as 30 and the reference temperature rise limit as 200, the temperature rise limit is corrected to 200 = 200 - MAX (0), and the value of 200 is automatically entered in the temperature rise limit input field. In other words, the expression takes into account other factors, such as ambient temperature, in addition to the motor specifications themselves, and is a constraint condition that is corrected by adding secondary factors.

[0029] Figure 8 is an example diagram of a specification input rule with continuous values ​​for a trigger. The ID column of the table represents the identification code of the rule, and the dependency column represents the category of the dependency between input items. The specification item ID1 column and specification item ID2 column represent the identification codes of the dependent input items on the specification input screen. The dependent specification item column represents the identification codes of the dependent input items on the specification input screen. The specification item 1 column, specification item 2 column, and dependent specification item column represent the item titles on the input screen for each identification code. The value column of specification item 1 and value column of specification item 2 represent the input values ​​of the dependent items with the constraint applied. The value column of dependent specification items represents the input values ​​of the dependent items with the constraint applied. A trigger dependency is a constraint condition in which, when the specification item of the specification input rule that depends on the specification item of the new product configuration reaches a specified value, a set calculation formula is applied to calculate the value of the dependent item. In the example shown in Fig. 8, when the dependency is "trigger" and the cooling method is "totally enclosed external fan," there is a specification input constraint rule with an approximate temperature rise limit such as Temperature Rise Limit = Temperature Rise Limit + 10. In terms of behavior on the specification input screen, the temperature rise limit is calculated as 200-MAX(60-40, 0) = 180 using the calculation formula shown in the example of Fig. 7, and then, because the cooling method is totally enclosed external fan, it is further calculated as Temperature Rise Limit = Temperature Rise Limit + 10 = 180 + 10 = 190. In other words, this is a constraint condition that takes into account an additional element in addition to the elements considered in the above formula, and is corrected by taking into account a tertiary element, which is an additional element, after taking into account a secondary element. In this way, for the temperature rise limit and the like, further approximate constraint rules for specification input are used, and the dependencies, specification item ID1, specification item ID2, etc. in Table X shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and Table Y shown in Fig. 8 are applied in order from top to bottom, and the values ​​are input as the final input values ​​into the specification input screen after going through "input specification values ​​of design requirements S3" and "apply dependencies between specifications and perform input completion / automatic input S5" which will be described later.

[0030] 1-4. Input the specification values ​​of the design requirements S4 (Step S4) In "Input specification values ​​of design requirements S3", the specification values ​​of the design requirements acquired in "1-1, Acquire design requirements" are input into the specification input screen configured in "1-2, Configure specification input screen S2".

[0031] 1-5. Apply dependencies between specifications and perform input completion and automatic input S5 (Step S5) In "Apply inter-specification dependencies and perform input completion and automatic input S5," the dependencies acquired in "1-3, acquire inter-specification dependencies S3" are acquired based on the UI configuration master data. The specification input screen asks the customer what specification items are available, and the required specification values ​​for the acquired specification items are applied to the design requirements of the new product configuration entered, completing the input. Input completion is performed using values ​​output after input constraints imposed by the first constraints, such as mapping, expressions, and triggers. Figure 9 is an example of the specification input screen, showing the required specification items and specification values ​​of the new product configuration after correction (corrected new product configuration). When inter-specification dependencies are applied and input completion and automatic input are performed, the corrected new product configuration is output on the specification input screen. In this way, after applying inter-specification dependencies and completing the input, the specification input screen is completed, outputting the specifications of the corrected new product configuration. In other words, the completed specification input screen displays the specifications of the new product configuration based on the first constraint. It is different from the specifications of the new product configuration obtained from the UI configuration master data, and is the corrected specifications of the new product configuration. A candidate product configuration, which will be described later, is determined for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration output on this specification input screen.

[0032] 1-6, Obtain candidate product configuration master data S6 (Step S6) The candidate product configuration master data is data in which the configuration of existing products is stored. In "Acquire candidate product configuration master data S6", a candidate product configuration for the output corrected new product configuration is acquired from the candidate product configuration master data table. The candidate product configuration master data is stored in the second storage unit 20. Figure 10 is an example diagram of the candidate product configuration master data table. The model column indicates the equipment ID that identifies the product configuration. The columns for motor type, cooling method, main rating, class, height, etc. indicate the specifications for each product configuration.

[0033] 1-7. Obtain product configuration decision rules S7 (Step S7) In "obtain product configuration determination rules S7", judgment criteria and determination standards for determining a product configuration that satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are obtained as product configuration determination rules from the product configuration determination rule table.

[0034] Fig. 11 is an example diagram of a product configuration determination rule. As shown in Fig. 11, the product configuration determination rule has a second constraint on the specification item. The second constraint is an approximate constraint on the specification item, and in detail, is selected from "match" indicating no difference from a specified value, "greater than or equal to" indicating equal to or greater than a specified value, "less than or equal to" indicating equal to or less than a specified value, "less than" indicating less than a specified value, and "exceeds" indicating greater than a specified value.

[0035] 1-8, Obtain specifications for each candidate product configuration S8 (Step S8) In "obtain specifications for each candidate product configuration S8", specification values ​​for specification items of the corrected new product configuration are obtained for each candidate product configuration obtained from the candidate product configuration master data table in order to determine the product configuration.

[0036] 1-9, apply product configuration decision rules S9 (step S9) In "apply product configuration decision rule S9", the above-mentioned product configuration decision rule is applied to a plurality of existing product configurations in the candidate product configuration master data.

[0037] 1-10. Decide on the candidate product configuration S10 (Step S10) In "Determine candidate product configuration S10," the product configuration determination rules are applied to the candidate product configuration master data to determine the candidate product configuration. Figure 12 is a flowchart for determining the candidate product configuration. The product configuration determination rules are applied to two pieces of input data: the specification items of the corrected new product configuration output on the specification input screen and the specification items for each product configuration from the candidate product configuration master data, and a satisfaction determination is made for each of the multiple specification items. In this way, the final candidate existing products are determined from only the existing product configurations that satisfy all of the constraints of the product configuration determination rules.

[0038] FIG. 13 is an illustrative diagram showing determined and undetermined existing product configurations. As shown in FIG. 13, the candidate product configuration determination step S10 applies product configuration determination rules, and then determines whether the specifications are met by judging whether the specifications are met with a "yes" or "no" decision. If all specifications are met, the existing product configuration is determined. The configuration shown in the upper part of FIG. 13 is the determined existing product configuration, while the configuration shown in the lower part is an existing product configuration that was excluded from the candidate product configurations because the class did not meet the specifications. In other words, when determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the amended new product configuration, the product configuration determination rules are applied to the candidate product configuration master data to extract and determine multiple candidate product configurations. Then, a satisfaction determination is performed for multiple specification items in the multiple candidate product configurations. If all specifications are met for the multiple candidate product configurations, the candidate product configuration is determined. At this time, the determined existing product configuration is displayed on the output screen.

[0039] 1-11. Obtain validity verification decision rules S11 (step S11) In "obtain validity verification decision rule S11", the validity verification decision rule is obtained from the table of validity verification decision rules. The validity verification decision rule is used to execute a simulation, which will be described later.

[0040] 14 is an example diagram of a table of feasibility verification decision rules. The columns of the table of feasibility verification decision rules are composed of, from left to right, for example, model, verification, Sim (simulation) method, parameter 1, parameter 2, parameter 3, parameter 4, etc. The model is an identification number and matches the model in the candidate product configuration master data table and the existing product configuration table. Verification is the item to be verified, for example, cooling performance confirmation, efficiency confirmation, etc. The Sim method is the content to be verified, for example, fluid analysis, efficiency calculation, etc. The parameters are the conditions for verification.

[0041] 1-12, outputting verification parameters S12 (step S12) In "Output verification parameters S12", after obtaining the feasibility verification decision rule, the verification parameters specified in the feasibility verification decision rule for the candidate product configuration output in "1-10, Determine candidate product configuration S10" are output from the candidate product configuration to the simulator.

[0042] Fig. 15 is an example diagram of parameters of a candidate product configuration. As shown in Fig. 15, the columns of the table of parameters of the candidate product configuration are, from left to right, for example, model, heat transfer coefficient, rotation speed, inflow rate, outflow rate, stack depth, etc. These parameters are specific numerical values ​​corresponding to parameters 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. shown in Fig. 14.

[0043] 1-13, Verification is performed using a simulator S13 (Step S13) In "Verification using simulator S13", the performance of the candidate product configuration is calculated using the parameters shown in Figures 14 and 15 output from the candidate product configuration to the simulator, and a simulation is run to determine whether the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are met, thereby verifying the feasibility of the corrected new product configuration.

[0044] 1-14, obtain the validity verification result S14 (step S14) In "obtaining validity verification results S14", the simulation results are obtained.

[0045] 1-15, Display the validity verification result S15 (Step S15) Fig. 16 is an example diagram showing the feasibility verification results obtained by the simulation output on the output screen, with a result of judgment "OK". Fig. 17 is an example diagram showing the feasibility verification results obtained by the simulation output on the output screen, with a result of judgment "X". As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the feasibility verification results are displayed and output on the output screen after the simulation.

[0046] 1-16, Success or failure determination S16 (Step S16) The judgment result is displayed and output on the output screen, and if the simulation results in the judgment that the corrected new product configuration will work without any problems, the judgment will be "OK" (OK) as shown in Figure 16, and the process will proceed to "Determine the final new product configuration S18".

[0047] On the other hand, if the simulation results in a determination that the corrected new product configuration has a problem and will not work, the result will be "×" (NG) as shown in Figure 17, and parameter tuning will be performed. Note that on the output screen of the simulation results shown in Figure 17, the result is "×" because the efficiency is NG.

[0048] 1-17, Parameter tuning is performed S17 (Step S17) If the simulation results in an "X" result, tuning of at least one of the multiple parameters is performed. Parameter tuning involves using an optimization tool to tune design parameters based on the extracted candidate product configuration. Optimization tools are a means of mathematically modeling complex problems and finding optimal solutions. Specifically, optimization tools are calculation software with the following functions: The calculation software converts real-world problems into mathematical models, sets objective functions and constraints, formulates them, and uses optimization algorithms to find solutions that maximize or minimize the objective function, selecting and executing the algorithms. The calculation software also efficiently inputs and manages the necessary data, applies it to the model, inputs and manages the data, analyzes the obtained solutions, and visually displays the results in graphs and charts for analysis and visualization. The calculation software then simulates different scenarios, evaluates the optimal strategy, and performs simulation and scenario analysis.

[0049] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of parameter tuning. Here, we will explain the case where motor efficiency is NG. For example, parameter tuning involves redetermining the rotor stacking thickness based on the optimal solution obtained from magnetic field and stress analysis. As shown in the graph in FIG. 18, the higher the motor stacking thickness ratio (stack ratio), the higher the efficiency tends to be, so the motor stacking thickness ratio parameter for the candidate product configuration is redetermined.

[0050] After the parameters were redetermined, the simulation was run again using the simulator and a success / failure judgment was made again. The results are shown in Figure 19. When the motor stacking ratio was changed from 90% to 95% and the simulation was run again, the efficiency became 100%, as shown in Figure 19, and the judgment was "Good."

[0051] Furthermore, it is preferable to use an internal or external automatic simulator when tuning parameters. FIG. 20 is an example diagram illustrating an external automatic simulator. In the parameter tuning described above, the stacking thickness parameter was predicted and input to increase efficiency because the higher the motor stacking thickness ratio (stack ratio), the higher the efficiency. On the other hand, in simulations using an automatic simulator, data output rules for the automatic simulator are defined in the feasibility verification decision rule table, specifying which specification items of the candidate product configuration are output as parameters and how the data is transferred to the simulator. Furthermore, the simulator is linked to an optimization tool. If the performance verification results determined from the simulation result do not satisfy the performance requirements and result in an "×" (NG), the optimization tool automatically obtains corrected parameters and performs a simulation again. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 20, if the efficiency does not reach 100% (NG), the stacking thickness ratio in the efficiency calculation in FIG. 20 is increased or decreased according to the execution of the optimization tool's algorithm, and the efficiency is calculated in the simulation. Tuning is repeated until the target value (reference value) of 100% is achieved.

[0052] As described above, if the result is "yes," the process proceeds to "Determine the final new product configuration S18."

[0053] 1-18, Final new product configuration is determined S18 (step S18) If the above judgment is "OK", the final new product configuration is decided.

[0054] 1-19, Output the parts list S19 (Step S19) The configuration table of the final determined new product configuration is output.

[0055] 2. Product composition determination method A product configuration determination method according to another embodiment supports the determination of a new product configuration in which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, similar to the above-described product configuration determination device 100.

[0056] A product configuration determination method according to another embodiment includes a process SA for obtaining design requirements for a new product configuration, a process SB for obtaining specifications for a corrected new product configuration, a process SC for determining a candidate product configuration, a process SD for performing a simulation, a process SE for tuning parameters, and a process SD' for performing a simulation again.

[0057] The process SA of obtaining design requirements for a new product configuration obtains the design requirements for a new product configuration based on the user interface master data. The process SA of obtaining design requirements for a new product configuration corresponds to S1 described above.

[0058] The process SB for obtaining the specifications of the corrected new product configuration applies the inter-specification dependency relationship obtained based on the specification input rule having the first constraint to the design requirements of the new product configuration to correct the new product configuration and obtain the specifications of the corrected new product configuration. The process SB for obtaining the specifications of the corrected new product configuration corresponds to S2 to S5 described above.

[0059] In the process SC of determining a candidate product configuration, when determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration output on the specification input screen, a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint, which is an approximation constraint, is applied to the candidate product configuration master data to determine multiple candidate product configurations, and a satisfaction determination is made for multiple specification items in the multiple candidate product configurations to determine a candidate product configuration that satisfies all specifications. The process SC of determining a candidate product configuration corresponds to S6 to S11 described above.

[0060] The process SD for performing the simulation acquires a feasibility verification decision rule having a plurality of parameters, which is used to perform a simulation to determine whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration, and performs a simulation to determine whether the corrected new product configuration satisfies the specifications using the feasibility verification decision rule. The process SD for performing the simulation corresponds to S12 to S15 described above.

[0061] The parameter tuning process SE tunes at least one parameter among the multiple parameters when it is determined from the simulation results that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied. The parameter tuning process SE corresponds to S16 described above.

[0062] In the process SD' of re-simulating, the candidate product configuration is determined again based on the tuning of the parameters, and the simulation is performed again. The process SD' of re-simulating corresponds to S12 to S15 described above.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, a new product configuration that satisfies the new product specifications required by a customer can be determined by applying inter-specification dependencies acquired based on the constraints of the specification input rules based on the UI configuration master data and the specification input rules, thereby improving the efficiency of the process of determining the new product configuration. Furthermore, by performing a satisfaction determination for multiple specification items and determining a candidate product configuration that satisfies all specifications, the efficiency of the process of determining the new product configuration can be improved. Furthermore, if a simulation is performed using the feasibility verification decision rules and it is determined that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied, parameters can be tuned, the candidate product configuration can be re-determined, and the simulation can be performed again to determine the final new product configuration, thereby improving the efficiency of the process of determining the new product configuration.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the configuration of the specification input screen supports continuous value specification settings, and by combining mapping, expressions, and triggers, it is possible to express inter-specification dependency in calculation formulas, making it possible to apply advanced constraint condition settings, thereby making it possible to improve the efficiency of input work.

[0065] Although several embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can also be implemented in combination with each other.

[0066] The present invention includes the following aspects.

[0067] (Appendix 1) A product configuration determination device that supports determination of a new product configuration in which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, a first storage unit that stores user interface master data and a specification input rule having a first constraint; a second storage unit that applies the inter-specification dependency relationship acquired based on the first constraint of the specification input rule to the design requirements of the new product configuration acquired based on the user interface master data to correct the new product configuration, and stores the specifications of the corrected new product configuration to be displayed on a specification input screen; a third storage unit that stores candidate product configuration master data in which the existing product configuration is saved, and a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint that is an approximation constraint; a fourth storage unit that, when determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration displayed on the specification input screen, determines a plurality of candidate product configurations by applying the product configuration determination rule to the candidate product configuration master data, performs a satisfaction determination for a plurality of specification items in the plurality of candidate product configurations, and stores the candidate product configuration determined to satisfy all specifications; a fifth storage unit configured to store a feasibility verification decision rule having a plurality of parameters and used to perform a simulation to determine whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration; a sixth storage unit that, when it is determined that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied as a result of the simulation using the feasibility verification decision rule to determine whether the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are satisfied, tunes at least one parameter among the plurality of parameters, re-determines the candidate product configuration, and executes the simulation again to store the final new product configuration; A product configuration determination device comprising:

[0068] (Appendix 2) The product configuration determination device described in Appendix 1, wherein the first constraint includes: a mapping in which, when a specification item of a specification input rule that depends on a specification item of the corrected new product configuration becomes a specified value, the specification item of the specification input rule that depends on the specification item of the corrected new product configuration is determined to a value set in a table; a formula that calculates the value of the specification item of the specification input rule that depends on the specification item of the corrected new product configuration using a calculation formula; and a trigger that applies the set calculation formula to calculate the value of the dependent item when a specification item of a specification input rule that depends on the specification item of the corrected new product configuration becomes a specified value.

[0069] (Appendix 3) The above formula is a constraint that is corrected by taking into account secondary factors, 3. The product configuration determination device according to claim 2, wherein the trigger is a constraint that is corrected by taking into account the secondary element and then taking into account a tertiary element, which is a further element.

[0070] (Appendix 4) The product configuration determination device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the second constraint is selected from the following: match, which indicates no difference from the specified value; greater than or equal to, which indicates equal to or greater than the specified value; less than or equal to, which indicates equal to or less than the specified value; less than, which indicates less than the specified value; and exceed, which indicates greater than the specified value.

[0071] (Appendix 5) The product configuration determination device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the fulfillment determination is performed by applying the product configuration determination rule to data on the specification items of the customer requirements entered on the specification input screen and the specification items for each product configuration from the candidate product configuration master data.

[0072] (Appendix 6) The tuning of the parameters is performed by a product configuration determination device described in any one of appendices 1 to 5, in which data output rules for an automatic simulator are defined in a table of the feasibility verification decision rules, specifying which specification items of the candidate product configuration are to be output as parameters and how data is to be transferred to the simulator, and if the performance verification result determined from the results of the simulator is NG, tuning is repeatedly performed in accordance with the execution of an algorithm of an optimization tool until the target value is achieved.

[0073] (Appendix 7) A product configuration determination method for supporting determination of a new product configuration in which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, comprising: obtaining design requirements for the new product configuration based on user interface master data; a step of correcting the new product configuration by applying inter-specification dependencies obtained based on a specification input rule having a first constraint to design requirements of the new product configuration to obtain specifications of the corrected new product configuration; a step of determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration output on the specification input screen by applying a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint, which is an approximation constraint, to candidate product configuration master data to determine a plurality of candidate product configurations, determining whether a plurality of specification items in the plurality of candidate product configurations are satisfied, and determining a candidate product configuration that satisfies all specifications; obtaining a feasibility verification decision rule having a plurality of parameters, which is used to perform a simulation as to whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration; and performing the simulation as to whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration using the feasibility verification decision rule; tuning at least one parameter among the plurality of parameters when it is determined that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied as a result of the simulation; redetermining the candidate product configuration based on the tuning of the parameters and performing the simulation again; A product configuration determination method having the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 First memory unit, 11 UI configuration master data, 12 Specification input rule, 20 Second memory unit, 21 Corrected new product configuration, 30 Third memory unit, 31 Candidate product configuration master data, 32 Product configuration determination rule, 40 Fourth memory unit, 41 Candidate product configuration, 50 Fifth memory unit, 51 Feasibility verification determination rule, 60 Sixth memory unit, 61 Final new product configuration, 70 Execution unit, 100 Product configuration determination device, S1 Acquire design requirements, S2 Configure specification input screen, S3 Acquire inter-specification dependencies, S4 Input specification values ​​of design requirements, S5 Apply inter-specification dependencies and perform input completion / automatic input, S6 Acquire candidate product configuration master data, S7 Acquire product configuration determination rule, S8 Acquire specifications for each candidate product configuration, S9 Apply product configuration determination rule, S10 Determine candidate product configuration, S11 Acquire feasibility verification decision rule, S12 Output verification parameters, S13 Verification is performed using a simulator, S14 feasibility verification results are obtained, S15 feasibility verification results are displayed, S16 success / failure judgment is made, S17 parameter tuning is performed, S18 final new product configuration is determined, S19 bill of materials is output, SA process of obtaining design requirements for new product configuration, SB process of obtaining specifications for corrected new product configuration, SC process of determining candidate product configuration, SD, SD' process of (again) conducting simulation, SE process of tuning parameters

Claims

1. A product configuration determination device that supports determination of a new product configuration in which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, a first storage unit that stores user interface master data and a specification input rule having a first constraint; a second storage unit that applies the inter-specification dependency relationship acquired based on the first constraint of the specification input rule to the design requirements of the new product configuration acquired based on the user interface master data to correct the new product configuration, and stores the specifications of the corrected new product configuration to be displayed on a specification input screen; a third storage unit that stores candidate product configuration master data in which the existing product configuration is saved, and a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint that is an approximation constraint; a fourth storage unit that, when determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration displayed on the specification input screen, determines a plurality of candidate product configurations by applying the product configuration determination rule to the candidate product configuration master data, performs a satisfaction determination for a plurality of specification items in the plurality of candidate product configurations, and stores the candidate product configuration determined to satisfy all specifications; a fifth storage unit configured to store a feasibility verification decision rule having a plurality of parameters, the feasibility verification decision rule being used to perform a simulation to determine whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration; a sixth storage unit that, when it is determined that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied as a result of the simulation using the feasibility verification decision rule to determine whether the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are satisfied, tunes at least one parameter among the plurality of parameters, re-determines the candidate product configuration, and executes the simulation again to store the final new product configuration; A product configuration determination device comprising:

2. 2. The product configuration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the first constraint includes: a mapping in which, when a specification item of a specification input rule dependent on a specification item of the new product configuration becomes a specified value, the specification item of the specification input rule dependent on the specification item of the new product configuration is determined to a value set in a table; a formula in which the value of the specification item of the specification input rule dependent on the specification item of the new product configuration is calculated using a calculation formula; and a trigger in which, when a specification item of a specification input rule dependent on the specification item of the new product configuration becomes a specified value, the set calculation formula is applied to calculate the value of the dependent item.

3. The above formula is a constraint that is corrected by taking into account secondary factors, 3. The product configuration determination device according to claim 2, wherein the trigger is a constraint condition that is corrected by taking into account a tertiary factor that is a further factor in addition to the secondary factor.

4. 2. The product configuration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the second constraint is selected from the following: match, which indicates no difference from a specified value; greater than or equal to, which indicates equal to or greater than a specified value; less than or equal to, which indicates equal to or less than a specified value; less than, which indicates less than a specified value; or exceed, which indicates greater than a specified value.

5. 2. The product configuration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the fulfillment determination is performed by applying the product configuration determination rule to data on the specification items of the customer requirements input on the specification input screen and the specification items for each product configuration from the candidate product configuration master data.

6. 2. The product configuration determination device according to claim 1, wherein the tuning of the parameters is performed by defining data output rules for an automatic simulator in a table of the feasibility verification decision rules, specifying which specification items of the candidate product configuration are to be output as parameters and how data is to be transferred to the simulator, and when the performance verification result determined from the results of the simulator is NG, repeatedly performing tuning according to the execution of an algorithm of an optimization tool until the target value is achieved.

7. A product configuration determination method for supporting determination of a new product configuration in which a customized design is predicted from an existing product configuration, comprising: obtaining design requirements for the new product configuration based on user interface master data; a step of correcting the new product configuration by applying inter-specification dependencies acquired based on a specification input rule having a first constraint to design requirements of the new product configuration to obtain specifications of the corrected new product configuration; a step of determining a candidate product configuration for the specifications of the corrected new product configuration output on the specification input screen by applying a product configuration determination rule having a second constraint, which is an approximation constraint, to candidate product configuration master data to determine a plurality of candidate product configurations, determining whether a plurality of specification items in the plurality of candidate product configurations are satisfied, and determining a candidate product configuration that satisfies all specifications; obtaining a feasibility verification decision rule having a plurality of parameters, which is used to perform a simulation as to whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration; and performing the simulation as to whether the candidate product configuration satisfies the specifications of the corrected new product configuration using the feasibility verification decision rule; tuning at least one parameter among the plurality of parameters when it is determined that the specifications of the corrected new product configuration are not satisfied as a result of the simulation; redetermining the candidate product configuration based on the tuning of the parameters and performing the simulation again; A product configuration determination method having the following.

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