DESIGN ASSISTANCE DEVICE, LINEAR MEMBER CLASSIFICATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To compare shapes of linear members and determine similarity between them with satisfactory accuracy.SOLUTION: A design support apparatus 10 according to the present invention has: a storage unit for storing design data based on a first coordinate system common to a plurality of linear members; a coordinate system defining unit for selecting two linear members for comparison and for acquiring, from the design data, each of coordinates in the first coordinate system of a first point and a second point satisfying conditions of the linear members for comparison, and defining, based on the acquired coordinates of the first point and the second point, a second coordinate system separately for both of the two linear members for comparison; a converting unit for converting the coordinates in the first coordinate system of the first point and the second point of the two linear members for comparison into the coordinates in the second coordinate system; a determination unit for determining whether or not a distance in the second coordinate system between the first points of the two linear members for comparison satisfies a condition; and a classifying unit 21 for, if the determination unit determines that the distance satisfies the condition, classifying the design data of the two linear members for comparison into the same group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design support device, a method for classifying linear members, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When designing a product that is composed of multiple devices and cables that connect them, it is necessary to design the route of the cables that connect the devices. In addition, when designing the route of a product that has multiple systems, it is sometimes required to satisfy constraints such as making the cable lengths equal between systems, making the number of bends and the bending angles of the cables equal, and keeping the longitudinal length of the cables below a certain length. For example, when configuring cables as semi-rigid cables, it is often desirable to satisfy these conditions.

[0003] In addition, after the route design, a 3D model of the cable may be created and a drawing may be created. In this case, creating individual 3D models for cables with similar or identical shapes is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, after the route design, cables that are expected to have the same shape are classified into the same group, and one 3D model is created for each group, allowing the 3D model design to be efficient. Therefore, it becomes necessary to extract combinations of the same shape from a large number of cables whose routes have been designed.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a design support device that overlaps the center of gravity of the three-dimensional shapes to be compared with the position farthest from the center of gravity, and performs an analogy judgment based on the ratio between the volume of each three-dimensional shape and the volume of the overlapping part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-307099 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A cable rotates around an axis that connects the center of gravity and the point farthest from the center of gravity. For this reason, when determining the similarity of cables using the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to accurately determine the similarity, and may result in the cables being determined to be dissimilar even though they are actually similar, resulting in low accuracy in determining the similarity.

[0007] A similar problem occurs not only when creating a 3D model of a wire, but also when automatically making analogical judgments about the shapes of various linear members.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described situation, and aims to provide a design support device, a classification method for linear members, and a program capable of accurately making analogous judgments about the shapes of linear members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the design support device according to the present disclosure is , multiple Based on a first coordinate system common to the linear members, Setting From the total data, Two The coordinates of a first point and a second point in a linear member that satisfy a preset condition in a first coordinate system are acquired, and a comparison is made between the two linear members to be compared based on the acquired coordinates of the first point and the second point. each A coordinate system definition section that defines a second coordinate system and two linear members to be compared Each of them, A conversion unit converts the coordinates of the first point and the second point in the first coordinate system into coordinates in the second coordinate system, and a distance between the coordinates of the first points of the two linear members to be compared in the second coordinate system. The distance is predetermined and a classification unit that classifies the design data of the two linear members to be compared into the same group when it is determined that the condition is satisfied. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a coordinate system is defined based on the coordinates of a first point and a second point that satisfy a preset condition in a linear member to be compared, the coordinates of the first point and the second point of each of the two linear members to be compared in the common coordinate system are converted into coordinates in the defined individual coordinate systems, and an analogy judgment of the shapes of the linear members to be compared is performed based on whether the distance of the first point satisfies the preset condition. Therefore, an analogy judgment of the shapes of the linear members to be compared can be performed with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a design screen for designing a route of a semi-rigid cable according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a semi-rigid cable according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of bend point information stored in a bend point information storage unit shown in FIG. 3; [Diagram 5] 4A is a diagram showing an example of cable information stored in the cable information storage unit shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of cable information updated by the cable information comparison unit shown in FIG. 3; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a physical configuration of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing a classification process performed by a design support device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the processing contents of the bend point comparison unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the processing performed by the bend point comparison unit shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a design support apparatus according to a modified example. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a semi-rigid cable according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a design support apparatus, a design support method, and a program according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The design support device according to the present embodiment is a device that supports the design of wiring using a semi-rigid cable that connects components in an apparatus and has a curved bent portion. The semi-rigid cable is a coaxial cable whose outer conductor is made of a seamless metal tube such as copper, nickel, or stainless steel. In designing the route of the semi-rigid cable, the designer selects any device from among multiple devices in the apparatus, sequentially determines the wiring route of the semi-rigid cable that connects the selected devices, and sets design data including the shape and attribute information of the cable for each semi-rigid cable.

[0014] The design support device of the present disclosure performs a process of comparing the contents of the design data with other semi-rigid cables for which design data has already been set each time design data is set for one semi-rigid cable, and classifying the semi-rigid cables that are determined to have similar shapes. Specifically, the design support device performs a similarity judgment of the shapes based on bend point coordinates indicating the positions of bend points determined by the shapes of the bent parts, which are included in the design data set by the user, and attribute information including information on the outer diameter, model number, etc. of the semi-rigid cable.

[0015] The designer uses the design support device to design one 3D model for each semi-rigid cable that is classified into the same group. This eliminates the need to design a 3D model for each semi-rigid cable, reducing the design time and effort and improving the design efficiency of semi-rigid cables.

[0016] Next, as a premise for analogy judgment, design data set by a designer in route design according to this embodiment will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a route R1 of a semi-rigid cable connecting a device 100a and a device 100b.

[0018] In this example, the route R1 of the semi-rigid cable connects the device 100a and the device 100b and has a curved portion B3 corresponding to the shape of the bent portion of the semi-rigid cable. The shape of the curved portion B3 is determined by the curvature of a circle B5 of radius r that includes the curved portion B3 in its circumference. The bend point B2 is the intersection of extension lines B4 of two straight line portions that connect the end point of the curved portion B3 and the junctions of the devices 100a and 100b. The coordinates of the bend point B2 in the coordinate system set for the device to be designed, including the devices 100a and 100b, are called the bend point coordinates. The curved portion B3 is an example of a curved portion in the claims.

[0019] When a designer operates a three-dimensional CAD device to design a route R1, the designer specifies that one end of the route R1 is to be connected to device 100a, the other end is to be connected to device 100b, a bend point B2, and a curvature r. In response to the designer's operation, the three-dimensional CAD device assigns a cable ID to the route R1, and stores information such as the coordinates of the start and end points of the route R1, i.e., both ends, the coordinate of the bend point B2, and the curvature r as design data. Note that multiple bend points may be specified.

[0020] In addition, in the route design, the designer sets the cross-sectional shape of the semi-rigid cable. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the outer shape of the cross section R3 of the semi-rigid cable R2 is a circle with the intersection point (hereinafter, the cross-section route point) R4 between the route R1 and the cross section R3 of the semi-rigid cable R2 as the axis of point symmetry. The designer sets the outer diameter of the cross section R3 as design data, and defines the size of the cross section of the semi-rigid cable R2. The 3D CAD device stores the shape and diameter of the cross section as design data.

[0021] The design support device performs a process of classifying the shapes of multiple semi-rigid cables to be compared into the same group by using design data including information defining the shape of the route R1 shown in FIG. 1 and the outer shape and outer diameter of the cross section shown in FIG. 2, and classifying the semi-rigid cables that are determined to be similar into the same group.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the design support device according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, design support device 10 includes a bend point information storage unit 11 that stores bend point information including coordinate information of bend points, a cable information storage unit 12 that stores cable information including attribute information such as the outer diameter and cable type of semi-rigid cables, a classification unit 21 that performs an analogy judgment between the shapes of two semi-rigid cables to be compared and classifies semi-rigid cables that are judged to be similar into the same group, and a setting unit 31 that sets the content of processing to be performed by classification unit 21.

[0023] The bend point information storage unit 11 stores bend point information including coordinate information of bend points of the semi-rigid cable. The bend point information is created by route design using the above-mentioned 3D CAD device. The coordinate information stored in the bend point information is defined based on a coordinate system that is preset in the CAD. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bend point information includes a "cable ID" that identifies the semi-rigid cable, a "bend number" that identifies the bend point, "bend point coordinates" that indicate the coordinate information of each bend point, a "start point coordinates" that indicates the coordinate information of the start point of the semi-rigid cable, and an "end point coordinates" that indicates the coordinate information of the end point of the semi-rigid cable. The "bend numbers" are assigned numbers such as "01", "02", ... in order of proximity to the connection from the start point. In the illustrated example, a semi-rigid cable with a cable ID of "0001" has two bend points with bend numbers of "01" and "02", and the coordinates of the bend points are "60, 60, 60" and "80, 80, 80", the coordinates of the start point are "50, 50, 50", and the coordinates of the end point are "100, 100, 100". These coordinates are set in the device to be designed by a CAD device, for example, and are common to multiple cables. The coordinate system set in advance in the CAD is an example of a first coordinate system in the claims, and the bend points are an example of a second point in the claims.

[0024] The cable information storage unit 12 stores cable information including attribute information such as the outer diameter and model number of the semi-rigid cable. As illustrated in Fig. 5(a), the cable information includes a "cable ID" for identifying the semi-rigid cable, an "outer diameter" indicating the outer diameter of the semi-rigid cable, a "bend radius" indicating the radius of curvature of the bent portion, a "cable type" indicating the model number of the semi-rigid cable, and a "classification name" indicating the classification of the semi-rigid cable. In the illustrated example, a semi-rigid cable with a cable ID of "0001" has an outer diameter of 2.8 mm, two bend points with bend numbers "01" and "02", the bend radii of the bend portions corresponding to the respective bend points are 8 mm and 10 mm, and is classified into a group with a "classification name" of "A".

[0025] The classification unit 21 includes a bend point comparison unit 22 that compares the bend point coordinates of the semi-rigid cables to be compared and determines the similarity of the respective route shapes, and a cable information comparison unit 23 that compares the cable information of the semi-rigid cables to be compared and determines whether the cable information matches.

[0026] The bend point comparison unit 22 compares the bend point coordinates of the semi-rigid cables to be compared and determines the similarity of the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables. Specifically, the bend point comparison unit 22 defines a coordinate system for each semi-rigid cable based on the coordinate of the start point, which is one end point of the route of the semi-rigid cable, and the coordinates of two bend points that are close to the start point, and converts all the bend point coordinates stored in the bend point information shown in FIG. 4 into coordinates in the defined coordinate system. The bend point coordinates stored in advance in the bend point information are, for example, coordinate information in a coordinate system that is preset by CAD, and the bend point comparison unit 22 converts, for example, from the coordinate system that is preset in the CAD to the defined coordinate system, thereby converting the bend point coordinates in the coordinate system that is preset in the CAD into the bend point coordinates in the defined coordinate system. Next, the bend point comparison unit 22 obtains the distance between bend points having the same bend number in the two semi-rigid cables to be compared, and determines whether the obtained distance satisfies a condition that is preset in the setting unit 31. When the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the distance between each bend point stored in the bend point information satisfies a predetermined condition, it determines that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables being compared are similar. Note that the coordinate system newly defined for each semi-rigid cable by the bend point comparison unit 22 is an example of a second coordinate system in the claims. Also, the bend point comparison unit 22 is an example of a coordinate system definition unit, conversion unit, and discrimination unit in the claims.

[0027] The cable information comparison unit 23 judges whether the cable information of the semi-rigid cable to be compared matches. Specifically, the cable information stored in the cable information storage unit 12 and shown in Fig. 5 is referenced, and the information on "outer diameter," "bend radius," and "cable type" included in the cable information of the semi-rigid cable to be compared is compared, and it is judged whether all the information matches. The cable information comparison unit 23 is an example of an attribute information determination unit in the claims.

[0028] The setting unit 31 sets the content of the processing by the bend point comparison unit 22. Specifically, the setting unit 31 sets a condition for the distance between bend points under which the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar. For example, when the setting unit 31 sets 0 as the condition for the distance between bend points, the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar when the distance between each bend point is 0. Also, for example, when the setting unit 31 sets a condition for the distance between bend points that is 1 or less, the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar when the distance between each bend point is 1 or less.

[0029] The design support device 10 having the functional configuration described above physically comprises, as shown in FIG. 6, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110 that executes processing according to a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 120 which is a volatile memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 130 which is a non-volatile memory, a storage unit 140 that stores data, an input unit 150 that accepts input of information, and a display unit 160 that visualizes and displays information, which are connected via an internal bus 99.

[0030] The CPU 110 executes various processes by reading out the programs stored in the storage unit 140 into the RAM 120 and executing them. The CPU 110 executes each process by the classification unit 21 and the setting unit 31 as main functions provided by the programs.

[0031] The RAM 120 is used as a work area for the CPU 110. The ROM 130 stores the control program executed by the CPU 110 for the basic operation of the design support device 10, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), and the like.

[0032] The storage unit 140 includes a hard disk drive, and stores the programs executed by the CPU 110 and various data used when executing the programs. The storage unit 140 functions as the bend point information storage unit 11 and the cable information storage unit 12.

[0033] The input unit 150 is a user interface including a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 160 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display that visualizes and displays information.

[0034] The design support device 10 is formed integrally with, for example, a three-dimensional CAD device. In this case, when the three-dimensional CAD device stores design data in the storage unit 140, the design support device 10 extracts bend point information and cable information from the stored design data and stores them in the bend point information storage unit 11 and the cable information storage unit 12.

[0035] Next, the operation of the design support device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. A designer selects devices, determines a route for a semi-rigid cable connecting the devices, specifies the shape of the cable, and adds attribute information, whereby design data for each cable is generated and stored in the storage unit 140. Every time design data for one semi-rigid cable is generated, the design support device 10 compares the contents of the design data with other semi-rigid cables for which design data has already been generated, and performs an analogy judgment. Specifically, the design support device 10 performs an analogy judgment of the semi-rigid cables based on the distance between bend points and attribute information including the outer diameter, model number, etc. of the semi-rigid cable, which are included in the design data of the semi-rigid cable to be compared, and performs a process of classifying semi-rigid cables that are determined to be similar into the same group.

[0036] In the storage unit 140 of the design support device 10, bend point information for a semi-rigid cable for which route design has been completed and cable information shown in FIG. 5(a) are pre-stored as design data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(a), classification processing for a semi-rigid cable with a cable ID of "0001" has been completed, and the semi-rigid cable has been classified into group A. In addition, the setting unit 31 sets 0 as a condition for the distance between bend points for determining that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar. The classification processing of the design support device 10 for a semi-rigid cable with a cable ID of "0002" when the designer has completed route design for this semi-rigid cable will be described below.

[0037] Returning to FIG. 7, when the designer selects a semi-rigid cable whose route design has been completed and whose cable ID is “0002”, and operates the input unit 150 of the design support device 10 to request the start of classification processing, the design support device 10 starts the processing.

[0038] The classification unit 21 selects a semi-rigid cable to be compared (step S101). Specifically, the classification unit 21 reads out the cable information shown in Fig. 5(a) and selects the semi-rigid cable with the smallest cable ID number "0001" from among the semi-rigid cables for which route design has been completed and classification names have been input, as the semi-rigid cable to be compared.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 7, next, the bend point comparison unit 22 defines the coordinate systems of the semi-rigid cables to be compared (step S102). Specifically, the bend point comparison unit 22 defines the coordinate systems with the start point as the origin, using the start point and two bend points included in the bend point information shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 shows an example of a process for setting a coordinate system for a semi-rigid cable having two bend points P2 and P3. A route R1 of the semi-rigid cable is routed from a start point P1 to an end point P4. The bend point comparison unit 22 obtains a basis vector with P1 as the origin, using the start point P1 of the route R1 and the coordinate information of the bend points P2 and P3.

[0040] First, the bend point comparison unit 22 calculates a vector v1 extending from the starting point P1 to the bend point P2 that is closest to the starting point P1, a vector v2 extending from the starting point P1 to the bend point P3 that is the next closest to the starting point P1 after the bend point P2, and a vector v3 that is perpendicular to v1 and v2 and is calculated using the following equation (1).

[0041] v3=v1×v2...Equation (1)

[0042] Next, the bend point comparison unit 22 uses the obtained v1, v2, and v3 to obtain a set of basis vectors {e1, e2, e3} according to the following equations (2)-(4).

[0043] e3=v1 / |v1|...Equation (2)

[0044] e2=(v1×v2) / |v1×v2| Formula (3)

[0045] e1=e2×e3...Equation (4)

[0046] The bend point comparison unit 22 defines a coordinate system in which the X-axis is in the e1 direction, the Y-axis is in the e2 direction, and the Z-axis is in the e3 direction. The bend point comparison unit 22 defines the coordinate systems of the semi-rigid cables to be compared by the method described above.

[0047] Next, the bend point comparison unit 22 refers to the bend point information stored in the bend point information storage unit 11 and converts the bend point coordinates of the semi-rigid cables to be compared (step 103). Specifically, the bend point information stores bend point coordinates based on a coordinate system preset in the CAD. The bend point comparison unit 22 converts the bend point coordinates stored in the bend point information into coordinates in the coordinate system defined in step S102 by converting from the coordinate system preset in the CAD to the coordinate system defined in step S102.

[0048] Next, the bend point comparison unit 22 judges whether the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar (step S104). Specifically, the bend point comparison unit 22 calculates the distance between the bend points of the semi-rigid cables to be compared converted in step S103, and judges whether the calculated distance satisfies the condition set in the setting unit 31. The bend point comparison unit 22 calculates the distance between each of the bend points having the same bend number, and if all the calculated distances between the bend points are 0, which is the condition set in the setting unit 31, it judges that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar (step S105; Yes), and notifies the cable information comparison unit 23 of the judgment that they are similar.

[0049] Next, the cable information comparison unit 23 refers to the cable information stored in the cable information storage unit 12 and judges whether the information included in the cable information of the semi-rigid cable to be compared matches (step S106). Specifically, the cable information comparison unit 23 reads out the cable information shown in FIG. 5(a), compares the information of the outer diameter, the bend radius, and the cable type of the semi-rigid cable, and judges whether they match. If all of this cable information matches (step S107; Yes), the cable information comparison unit 23 judges that the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar (step S111), and classifies them into the same group (step S112). Specifically, the cable information comparison unit 23 adds "A", which is input in the "classification name" of the "cable ID" of "0001", to the "classification name" item of the "cable ID" of "0002" in the cable information shown in FIG. 5(a), updates it to the cable information shown in FIG. 5(b), and ends the process. This defines that the semi-rigid cables are classified into the same group.

[0050] Returning to step S107, if all or some of the items of the cable information do not match (step S107; No), the cable information comparison unit 23 determines that the semi-rigid cables being compared are not similar (step S113).

[0051] Next, the classification unit 21 checks whether there is another semi-rigid cable to be compared (step S114). Specifically, the classification unit 21 reads out the cable information, and if there is a semi-rigid cable in which a classification name different from the classification name "A" of the semi-rigid cable that has already been compared is stored in the "classification name" field, it determines that there is another semi-rigid cable to be compared. When the classification unit 21 determines that there is another semi-rigid cable to be compared (step S114; Yes), it selects this semi-rigid cable as the comparison target, returns to step S102, and performs a process of defining the coordinate system of each semi-rigid cable.

[0052] On the other hand, if the classification unit 21 determines that there is no other semi-rigid cable to be compared (step S114; No), it classifies the semi-rigid cable to be compared into a different group (step S115). Specifically, the classification unit 21 adds a classification name different from "A" entered in the "classification name" of the "cable ID" of "0001" to the "classification name" item of the cable information shown in Fig. 5(a) where the "cable ID" is "0002", updates the cable information, and ends the process. This defines that the semi-rigid cable to be compared is classified into a different group.

[0053] Returning to step S105, if the calculated distance between any of the bend points is not 0, the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are not similar (step S105; No), and redefines the coordinate system of any of the semi-rigid cables to be compared (step S108). Specifically, the bend point comparison unit 22 redefines the coordinate system for the semi-rigid cable with the cable ID of "0002" by using the end point and two bend points included in the bend point information shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as the method described in step S101. Next, the bend point comparison unit 22 converts the bend point coordinates of the semi-rigid cable with the cable ID of "0002" into coordinates in the coordinate system redefined in step S108. By converting the coordinate system of one semi-rigid cable into a coordinate system with the end point as the origin and comparing the coordinates, semi-rigid cables with similar shapes can be classified into the same group when the vector directions are opposite.

[0054] Next, the bend point comparison unit 22 judges whether the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar (step S109). Specifically, the bend point comparison unit 22 calculates the distance between each bend point based on the coordinates of the bend points of the semi-rigid cable with the cable ID "0001" converted in step S103 and the coordinates of the bend points of the semi-rigid cable with the cable ID "0002" converted in step S108. The bend point comparison unit 22 judges whether the calculated distances satisfy the condition set in the setting unit 31, and if the calculated distances between all the bend points are 0, which is the condition set in the setting unit 31, it judges that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are similar (step S110; Yes) and notifies the cable information comparison unit 23 of the judgment that they are similar. Thereafter, the cable information comparison unit 23 performs a process of comparing the cable information of the semi-rigid cables to be compared (step S106).

[0055] On the other hand, if the calculated distance between any of the bend points is not 0, which is the condition set in the setting unit 31, the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the route shapes of the semi-rigid cables being compared are not similar (step S110; No), and determines that the semi-rigid cables being compared are not similar (step S113).

[0056] As described above, the design support device 10 performs a similarity judgment of semi-rigid cables by comparing the bend point coordinates, which are coordinate-converted according to the shape of the route of the semi-rigid cable, with the cable information, and classifies similar semi-rigid cables into the same group. After that, the designer designs a 3D model for each semi-rigid cable classified in this way, which reduces the design time and effort and improves the design efficiency of semi-rigid cables.

[0057] As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, it is possible to select and discard the configurations described in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the distance between the bend points of the semi-rigid cables to be compared is 0, but this is not limited to the above. The bend point comparison unit 22 may determine that the coordinates of the bend points match when the distance between the two bend points is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the bend points of the semi-rigid cables to be compared are included within the ranges of spheres M3 and M4 centered on bend points M1 and M2 of a certain semi-rigid cable, the bend point comparison unit 22 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, the setting unit 31 may set the radii of the spheres M3 and M4 as the thresholds in advance. The bend point comparison unit 22 calculates the distance between the bend points having the same bend number based on the bend coordinates of the semi-rigid cables to be compared converted in step S103, and determines that the condition is satisfied when the calculated distance is equal to or less than the threshold set by the setting unit 31.

[0059] In addition, in the above embodiment, semi-rigid cables are classified, but the present invention is not limited to this. Linear members that are made of rigid members such as pipes, electric wires, and waveguides and have curved bent portions may also be included.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the analogy judgment of the semi-rigid cable is performed by finding the distance of the bend point coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate system, but the present invention is not limited to this and the analogy judgment may be performed in a two-dimensional coordinate system. Specifically, in step S102, the bend point comparison unit 22 converts the coordinates of the bend point, start point, and end point in the three-dimensional coordinate system stored in the bend point information shown in Fig. 4 into coordinates in a two-dimensional coordinate system by projective transformation, and defines the coordinate system based on the start point and one bend point.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the processing is described for a semi-rigid cable having two bend points, but the processing is not limited thereto and may be performed for a semi-rigid cable having three or more bend points. In this case, in step S102, the bend point comparison unit 22 may select two bend point coordinates under any condition, such as selecting two points that are closest to the connection from the start point or selecting two bend points with the largest curvature, from among the three or more bend point coordinates included in the bend point information shown in Fig. 4, and may define a coordinate system by obtaining a base vector with the start point or end point as the origin using the start point or end point and the selected two bend point coordinates. In addition, the start point or end point does not have to be the origin, and the coordinate system may be defined by using any point on the route, such as the bend point, the end point of the bend portion, or the midpoint of the straight portion, as the origin.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the outer shape of the cross section of the semi-rigid cable is a circle that is point-symmetric with respect to the cross section route point R4 as shown in Fig. 2, but is not limited to this and may be a regular polygon such as a square, a regular pentagon, or a regular hexagon that is point-symmetric with respect to the cross section route point R4. The cable information storage unit 12 stores the lengths of the sides of the regular polygonal cross section in advance, and in step S106, the cable information comparison unit 23 may determine whether the lengths of the sides of the regular polygonal cross sections included in the cable information match.

[0063] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the semi-rigid cable is not limited to a shape that is point-symmetric with respect to the cross-section root point R4, and may be a shape that is line-symmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry passing through the cross-section root point R4, such as an isosceles triangle or a rectangle. Hereinafter, a design support device 10A that performs classification processing for semi-rigid cables whose cross-sectional shape is rectangular will be described.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 10, the design support device 10A is configured to further include a cross-sectional information storage unit 13 that stores cross-sectional information defining the cross-sectional shape of the semi-rigid cable in the above-mentioned design support device 10. In the semi-rigid cable R2a having a rectangular cross-section R3a shown in Fig. 11, the cross-sectional information storage unit 13 defines a vector R5 or R6 with a Euclidean norm of 1 that is parallel to the long side direction of the cross-section R3a and perpendicular to the route R1a. Specifically, the cross-sectional information stored in the cross-sectional information storage unit 13 stores vector components (x, y, z) of the vector R5 or R6 together with route numbers numbered in order from the end point side of the route R1a. At this time, the coordinates defining the vector components are defined by the same coordinate system as the coordinate system defining the bend point coordinates.

[0065] In the bend point coordinate conversion process (step S103) by the bend point comparison unit 22 of the design support device 10A, the bend point coordinates are converted based on the coordinate system defined in step S102, and the coordinate components of the vector R5 or vector R6 stored in the cross-section information storage unit 13 are converted. After that, in step S104, the coordinate values ​​of the converted vector R5 or vector R6 in the semi-rigid cables to be compared are compared. At this time, the vector components of the two semi-rigid cables are compared at each route, and if they are different, it is necessary to multiply all of the vector components X, Y, and Z of one cable by minus and compare the vector components again. This is because there are two ways to define the vector in the long side direction for R5 and R6. As a result, it is possible to classify the semi-rigid cables even if the outer shape of the cross section of the semi-rigid cable is a figure that is line-symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry passing through the cross-section route point R4a.

[0066] In the above embodiment, an example of calculating the similarity by focusing on the coordinates of the start point and the bend point of the linear member has been described, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, for two linear members to be compared, a transformed coordinate system may be calculated for each of the two linear members from the coordinates of one end point and a feature point, for example, two or more points of the bend points, and the similarity may be calculated from the coordinates of the feature points in the transformed coordinate system of each linear member.

[0067] The design support device 10 may be separate from the three-dimensional CAD device. In this case, for example, design data generated by the three-dimensional CAD device is transferred to and stored in the storage unit 140 of the design support device 10. The design support device 10 extracts bend point information and cable information from the stored design data and stores them in the bend point information storage unit 11 and the cable information storage unit 12.

[0068] Furthermore, the design support device 10 can be realized by using a normal computer system, not by a dedicated device. For example, a program for realizing each function of the design support device 10 may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory) and distributed, and the program may be installed in a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the above-mentioned functions.

[0069] Furthermore, when each function is realized by sharing the functions between an OS (Operating System) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and the application, only the application may be stored on the recording medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10,10A design support device, 11 bend point information memory unit, 12 cable information memory unit, 13 cross section information memory unit, 21 classification unit, 22 bend point comparison unit, 23 cable information comparison unit, 31 setting unit, 99 internal bus, 100a,100b equipment, 110 CPU, 120 RAM, 130 RAM, 140 memory unit, 150 input unit, 160 display unit, R1,R1a route, R2,R2a semi-rigid cable, R3,R3a cross section, R4,R4a cross section route point, B2 bend point, B3 curved section, B4 extension line of straight section, B5 ball, P1 start point, P2,P3,M1,M2 bend points, P4 end point.

Claims

1. A coordinate system definition unit which, based on a first coordinate system common to a plurality of linear members, obtains coordinates in the first coordinate system of a first point and a second point which satisfy a preset condition in two linear members to be compared from design data of the linear members, and defines a second coordinate system for each of the two linear members to be compared based on the coordinates of the obtained first point and second point; a conversion unit that converts the coordinates of the first point and the second point of each of the two linear members to be compared in the first coordinate system into coordinates in the second coordinate system; a classification unit that classifies design data of the two linear members to be compared into the same group when it is determined that a distance between coordinates of the first points of the two linear members to be compared in the second coordinate system satisfies a predetermined condition; and A design support device comprising:

2. A design support device that classifies design data that connects devices within the device and defines wiring routes of a plurality of linear members each having a bent portion, comprising: a storage unit that stores design data for each of the linear components, the design data specifying a wiring route and a shape of the linear component based on a first coordinate system common to the plurality of linear components; a coordinate system definition unit that selects two linear members to be compared, acquires coordinates in the first coordinate system of a first point and a second point in the linear members to be compared that satisfy a preset condition from design data stored in the storage unit, and defines a second coordinate system individually for the two linear members to be compared based on the acquired coordinates of the first point and the second point; a conversion unit that converts coordinates of the first point and the second point of the two linear members to be compared in the first coordinate system into coordinates in the second coordinate system; a determination unit that calculates a distance between coordinates of the first points of the two linear members to be compared in the second coordinate system and determines whether the calculated distance satisfies a predetermined condition; a classification unit that classifies the design data of the two linear members to be compared into the same group when the discrimination unit determines that the distance satisfies the condition; and A design support device comprising:

3. the linear member includes two straight portions and a curved portion connecting the two straight portions, The second point is one end of the linear member, and the first point is a bend point where extensions of the two straight line portions intersect. The design support device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the coordinate system definition unit sets a second coordinate system with an end point as an origin for each of the two linear members to be compared; The design support device according to claim 3.

5. The storage unit further stores attribute information indicating an attribute of the linear member, an attribute information determination unit that determines whether the attribute information related to the linear member to be compared matches; the classification unit classifies the linear members to be compared into the same group when the discrimination unit determines that the distance satisfies the condition and the attribute information determination unit determines that the attribute information related to the linear members to be compared matches. The design support device according to claim 2, or claim 3 or 4 which cites claim 2.

6. based on a first coordinate system common to a plurality of linear members, coordinates in the first coordinate system of a first point and a second point that satisfy a preset condition in two linear members to be compared are acquired from design data of the linear members, and based on the coordinates of the acquired first point and second point, a second coordinate system is defined for each of the two linear members to be compared; Transforming the coordinates of the first point and the second point of each of the two linear members to be compared in the first coordinate system into coordinates in the second coordinate system; classifying the design data of the two linear members to be compared into the same group when it is determined that the distance between the coordinates of the first points of the two linear members to be compared in the second coordinate system satisfies a predetermined condition; A method for classifying linear members.

7. On the computer, a process of acquiring, based on a first coordinate system common to a plurality of linear members, coordinates in the first coordinate system of a first point and a second point that satisfy a preset condition in two linear members to be compared from design data of the linear members, and setting a second coordinate system for each of the two linear members to be compared based on the acquired coordinates of the first point and the second point; A process of converting the coordinates of the first point and the second point of each of the two linear members to be compared in the first coordinate system into coordinates in the second coordinate system; a process of classifying design data of the two linear members to be compared into the same group when it is determined that a distance between coordinates of the first points of the two linear members to be compared in the second coordinate system satisfies a predetermined condition; A program that executes the following.

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