DESIGN ASSISTANCE DEVICE, DESIGN ASSISTANCE APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME, AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE METHOD

Abstract

To enhance design work efficiency by clarifying design rules and the like before deciding a design item which a designer wants to change.SOLUTION: A design assistance device is used, the device comprising: a reception unit which receives a first design item including various kinds of information of an object to be designed, which a user inputs in order to make a change; a design item specification unit which specifies the first design item and a second design item related to the first design item; a design rule specification unit which specifies a design rule, which is a rule of design of the object to be designed, by using the first design item and the second design item; and an output unit which outputs the design rule specified by the design rule specification unit before the first design item is designated as the second design item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design support device, a design support apparatus including the same, and a design support method. [Background technology]

[0002] In the manufacturing industry, when designing a product shape, it is necessary to determine a shape that satisfies all of the multiple requirements (target performance and strength, manufacturing constraints, assembly constraints, environmental impact constraints, maintenance constraints, design, etc.). Traditionally, it has been known to design products and other things on a computer using a 3D-CAD system. Design using this 3D-CAD is called "3D-CAD design." Here, CAD is an abbreviation for Computer-Aided Design. Additionally, 3D is an abbreviation for three dimensions.

[0003] In 3D-CAD design, it is desirable to consider design guidelines that take into account manufacturability, such as ease of processing (e.g. drilling holes and bending) and ease of assembly (e.g. welding and screw fastening), which are issues that arise during product manufacturing. Furthermore, in 3D-CAD design, it is also desirable to consider design guidelines that take into account maintainability, such as ease of inspection and ease of access to jigs, which are issues that arise during product maintenance. These design guidelines can have tens of thousands of rules for a single product, and are usually checked manually using checklists, etc.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a CAD shape creation support device, a shape recognition unit 6 takes over work information from a design rule check 5 which checks a CAD shape model after a user has added features by referring to a feature database 3 and a design rule database 4 to identify an addition position (location) of a new feature to be added to eliminate a portion where the design rules are not satisfied, and then recognizes the connection state of the shapes of the features arranged on the shape model so as to satisfy the design rules of the shape model defined by manufacturing requirements etc. when creating 3D CAD shape data. Detailed work information required for the work of creating shape data in CAD is passed to a work guidance unit 7 and presented to the user as work guidance, thereby making it possible to make appropriate shape changes to the portions where the design rules are not satisfied, sufficiently preventing design rework and improving the efficiency of design work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-277460 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the CAD shape creation support device described in Patent Document 1, as can be seen from the fact that it uses a CAD shape model after features have been added by the user, after determining the position and dimensions of the shape of the 3D-CAD model, it checks whether it satisfies the design rules.

[0007] However, especially for designers who are beginners and do not fully understand the design rules, design problems are likely to occur because they do not fully understand the design rules that must be followed when adding features. Furthermore, even if problematic areas are corrected, new problems may arise, requiring repeated corrections. For this reason, checking the design rules after adding features may result in a chain reaction of requiring corrections to the 3D-CAD model.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to clearly indicate design rules and the like before a designer finalizes a design item that he or she intends to change, thereby improving the efficiency of design work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The design support device disclosed herein includes a design item storage unit that stores design items including various information about a design object, a receiving unit that receives a first design item input by a user, a design item identification unit that identifies a second design item related to the first design item from the design items stored in the design item storage unit, a design rule identification unit that uses the first design item and the second design item to identify a design rule, which is a rule for designing the design object, and an output unit that outputs the design rule. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, design rules and the like can be clearly indicated before a designer finalizes a design item that the designer intends to change, thereby improving the efficiency of design work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a design support device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in a design rule application existing feature extraction unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing details of step S206 of adding a feature obtained from an existing feature to a design rule applied existing feature. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a process in a design rule identifying unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an example of a screen of an input / output unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing another example of the screen of the input / output unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a design support device according to a modified example (a). [Figure 8]FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing an example of a screen of the input / output unit of the modified example (a). [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a design support device according to a modified example (b). [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing an example of a screen of the input / output unit of the modified example (b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In a design support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, after a type of a new feature (e.g., hole, rib, etc.) is selected, and before a user determines the position and / or dimensions of the new feature, design rules applicable to the new feature are extracted from a design rule database. Furthermore, existing features that match the application area conditions of each extracted design rule are extracted. From the extracted design rules, design rules applicable to the extracted existing features are identified and presented.

[0013] Here, a feature refers to a design item related to the shape and position of a design object, and examples of shape features include holes, bends, ribs, etc. Furthermore, dimensions are regulated by dimension rules, which include the dimensions of a single feature, the distance between two features, and the relative angles between these features.

[0014] The new feature refers to a feature added by the user to the 3D-CAD model, and is a feature in a state before being stored in the design item storage unit 104. The new feature is a feature before the user confirms the input of the new feature as a feature of the 3D-CAD model. The existing feature refers to a feature that the user does not want to add, modify, or delete from the 3D-CAD model, and is a feature stored in the design item storage unit 104. The existing feature is also called a confirmed feature included in the 3D-CAD model. The applicable area condition refers to the distance from the new feature, the entire area that is integrated with the new feature, and the like. Here, "confirmed" refers to a state in which the new feature in the provisional input state is a component of the 3D-CAD model. In other words, "confirmed" means that the new feature is stored in the design item storage unit 104.

[0015] The new feature is also called the "first design item" and the existing feature is also called the "second design item."

[0016] Regarding design rules, there are design guidelines such as, "For holes through which bolts pass, the distance between the hole and the edge must be equal to or greater than a standard value." Among these design guidelines, the rules that are checked on the 3D-CAD model are called "design rules."

[0017] An example of a design rule is "The distance between the hole and the edge must be at least 10 mm. The edge must be the edge of the entire area that is integral with the hole." When the user selects "hole," design rules related to holes, which are new features, are extracted from the design rule database.

[0018] Next, from the design rule, "edges in the entire area integrated with the hole" is extracted as the applicable area condition, and all "edge" features in the entire area integrated with the hole are extracted as existing features from the 3D-CAD model.

[0019] If, for example, a "bend" feature is not included in the 3D-CAD model, the "bend" feature will not be extracted.

[0020] In such feature addition work, irrelevant design rules are eliminated, and design rules determined to be necessary for the user are identified and presented. This makes it easier for the user to understand the appropriate design rules. When there are many design rules to be presented, from the viewpoint of preventing omissions in confirmation and ensuring visibility, for example, existing features may be highlighted and design rules may be presented in speech bubbles from the existing features.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0022] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a design support device according to an embodiment.

[0023] In this figure, the design support device 100 includes an input / output unit 101 (including a display unit), a 3D-CAD data input unit 102 (3D-CAD data identification unit), and a new feature input unit 103 (new feature identification unit) for inputting 3D-CAD data and new feature information. The new feature input unit 103 is also called a "receiving unit."

[0024] The input / output unit 101 is used by a user to input various information about a design object and display design rules. For example, it may be a terminal used by a user that is equipped with a keyboard and a display, or a personal computer (PC).

[0025] In the 3D-CAD data of the 3D-CAD data input unit 102, one or more design objects are composed of one or more bodies (parts that constitute the design object). This body is an area (integrated area) closed by surfaces and lines, and is composed of one or more features. A feature includes, for example, information regarding its shape (dimensions) and position. In addition, the 3D-CAD data includes, for example, relative position information between the multiple bodies.

[0026] The body is also called the "design body."

[0027] The new feature input unit 103 specifies a new feature that is a feature (feature to be added) to be added to the 3D-CAD data. In this embodiment, a new feature is given as an example of the first design item, but the first design item may be a feature (feature to be modified) to be modified from among the existing features already included in the 3D-CAD data. The first design item may also be a feature (feature to be removed) to be removed from among the existing features already included in the 3D-CAD data. In summary, the first design item includes various information of the design object input by the user to make a change. That is, the "change" here refers to the addition, modification, removal, etc. of a feature desired by the user. Furthermore, the target of the change may be the body.

[0028] The new feature information includes the classification of the new feature (hole, bend, rib, etc.) and the added area of ​​the new feature. The added area of ​​the new feature corresponds to, for example, the target surface of a sketch (also called a "sketch plane") in a sketch that defines the two-dimensional shape of the new feature. The added area of ​​the new feature may be an area based on the distance from the temporary placement position of the feature before the sketch is finalized.

[0029] The design support device 100 further includes a design item storage unit 104, an existing feature identification unit 105 that identifies existing features included in the 3D-CAD data, a design rule database 109 in which design rules are registered in advance, a design rule application existing feature extraction unit 106, a design rule identification unit 107, and a display control unit 108 (output unit).

[0030] The design item storage unit 104 stores design items including various information of the design object. The various information includes, for example, the shape, position, mass, volume, strength, heat insulation performance, etc. of the design object. In the first embodiment, the design items related to the shape and position of the 3D-CAD data are stored.

[0031] The existing feature identifying unit 105 identifies a design object body that includes a new feature that the user is trying to add, and identifies an existing feature that is a confirmed feature included in the design object body. The existing feature identifying unit 105 can be rephrased as a design item identifying unit, and identifies a first design item and a second design item related to the first design item. The second design item is a confirmed design item included in a part that constitutes the design object. The existing feature identifying unit 105, i.e., the design item identifying unit, may include a new feature input unit 103.

[0032] The design rule application existing feature extraction unit 106 specifies an area that should be considered in the design rules applicable to the new feature as a design rule application area, and extracts existing features included in the design rule application area.

[0033] The design rule identifying unit 107 identifies a design rule applicable to the design rule applied existing feature extracted by the design rule applied existing feature extracting unit 106 from among the design rules recorded and accumulated in the design rule database 109. More specifically, before the user finalizes the new feature, the design rule for the new feature is identified based on a combination of the new feature and the design rule for the existing feature recorded in the design rule database. In summary, the design rule identifying unit 107 identifies a design rule, which is a rule for designing the object to be designed, by using the first design item and the second design item. Furthermore, it is preferable that the design rule identifying unit 107 identifies the design rule for the first design item by referring to the design rules accumulated in the design rule database.

[0034] The display control unit 108 outputs the design rule to be presented to the input / output unit 101. In the input / output unit 101, existing features related to the design rule to be presented may be displayed by highlighting or the like to ensure visibility. Note that a display screen may be provided not only in the input / output unit 101 but also in the display control unit 108. In this way, a dual-screen display may be performed using the input / output unit 101 and the display control unit 108. This improves user operability.

[0035] As another explanation, the display control unit 108 outputs the design rule related to the new feature identified by the design rule identification unit 107 to the input / output unit 101. In addition, it is desirable for the display control unit 108 to output the identified design target body or new feature to the input / output unit 101 so that the identified design target body or new feature can be distinguished from other bodies or features.

[0036] In this figure, before the user confirms the input of the first design item, the display control unit 108 outputs the design rule identified by the design rule identifying unit 107 to the input / output unit 101. Then, the input / output unit 101 displays the design rule output from the display control unit 108.

[0037] In the design rule database 109, design rules are defined and registered in the design rule database, such as design rule 1 "The distance between a hole and an edge must be 10 mm or more. The edge is an edge in the same body as the hole", design rule 2 "The distance between a hole and a bend must be 15 mm or more. The bend is a bend in the same body as the hole", design rule 3 "The distance between a bend and a rib must be 20 mm or more. The rib is a rib in the same body as the bend", and design rule 4 "The distance between holes must be 20 mm or more. The holes are holes in the same body". In this case, the values ​​of the distance, etc. may be calculated from a formula and / or a table, for example, by making them changeable by a variable of the new feature (e.g., hole diameter). Also, the validity / invalidity of the design rules may be switched by the variable of the new feature.

[0038] The main computing unit of the design support apparatus 100 may be a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having an integrated circuit (IC), a resin covering the semiconductor chip, and a terminal enabling communication with the outside. In this specification, this semiconductor package is referred to as a "design support device." The design support device includes a 3D-CAD data input unit 102, a new feature input unit 103, an existing feature identification unit 105, a design rule application existing feature extraction unit 106, a design rule identification unit 107, and a display control unit 108. The design support device may also include a design rule database 109.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing in the design rule application existing feature extraction unit 106. As shown in FIG.

[0040] As shown in the figure, first, the classification of the new feature is obtained (step S201), and design rules applicable to the classification of the new feature are extracted from the design rule database 109 (step S202). 0 is substituted as an initial value for the variable i (step S203), and 1 is added (step S204). From the extracted design rules, the design rule application area condition of the i-th design rule is obtained (step S205). Next, from the existing features, features that match the obtained design rule application area condition are obtained and added to the existing design rule application features (step S206).

[0041] Next, it is determined whether i is equal to or greater than the number of extracted design rules (step S207). If i is less than the number of extracted design rules, i.e., No, the process returns to step S204. If i is equal to or greater than the number of extracted design rules, i.e., Yes, the design rule applied existing feature is output (step S208).

[0042] Here, the above design rules 1 to 4 are used as an example for explanation.

[0043] When adding a hole feature to a 3D-CAD model that has edge and hole features but no bend or rib features, if the user selects "hole" as the classification, design rules 1, 2, and 4 are extracted in step S202. Design rule 3 is not a design rule related to the "hole" feature, so it is not extracted. In step S205, for design rule 1, the "edge in the same body as the hole" part is set as the applicable region condition. In step S206, for design rule 1, all "edge" features in the same body as the hole are obtained and added. There are no "bends," so no features are extracted for design rule 2.

[0044] In addition to the same body, the applicable area conditions can take various forms by utilizing the attribute information contained in the 3D-CAD data, such as same / specified parts, same / specified 3D-CAD data, same / specified materials, same / specified names (including partial matches), same / specified manufacturing methods (including conditions), same / specified inspection methods (including conditions), same / specified maintenance operation methods (including conditions), and same / specified uses.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing details of step S206 of adding the features obtained from the existing features to the design rule applied existing features.

[0046] In the example shown in this figure, the existing features are extracted by narrowing down to the same body as the new feature, which is often the design rule application area.

[0047] First, an existing feature connected to the new feature is extracted (step S301), and then an existing feature connected to the extracted feature is extracted (step S302).

[0048] It is determined whether there are any additional extracted features (step S303). If the answer is No, that is, if there are any additional extracted features, the process returns to step S302. If the answer is Yes, that is, if there are no additional extracted features, the extracted existing features are added to the design rule applied existing features (step S304).

[0049] The design rule identifying unit 107 identifies design rules to be presented in order to eliminate design rules that are not relevant to the new feature addition task (unnecessary design rules) and to encourage the user to understand appropriate design rules.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing in the design rule identifying unit 107. As shown in FIG.

[0051] As shown in the figure, first, the classification of the new feature is obtained (step S401). Then, design rules that correspond to the classification of the new feature are extracted from the design rule database 109 (step S402). 0 is substituted as an initial value for the variable j (step S403), and 1 is added (step S404). The j-th existing feature is obtained from the design rule application existing features output by the design rule application existing feature extraction unit 106 (step S405). From the extracted design rules, a design rule that matches the obtained existing feature is obtained, and added to the design rules to be presented (step S406).

[0052] It is determined whether j is equal to or greater than the number of existing features to which the design rule is applied (step S407). If it is No, that is, if j is less than the number of existing features to which the design rule is applied, the process returns to step S404. If it is Yes, that is, if j is equal to or greater than the number of existing features to which the design rule is applied, the design rule to be presented is output (step S408).

[0053] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged example of the screen of the input / output section.

[0054] In this figure, design rules 502 and 504 relating to a new feature 501, indicated by a dashed line, are displayed on existing features 503 and 505. Here, design rule 502 is a design rule relating to an edge feature, so a balloon is displayed from existing edge feature 503. Similarly, design rule 504 is a design rule relating to a hole feature, so a balloon is displayed from existing hole feature 505.

[0055] This allows the user to grasp the necessary design rules while checking their positional relationship with the existing features 503 and 505. Furthermore, visibility is improved because the display positions are dispersed rather than displaying all of the design rules to be presented near the new feature. Also, visibility can be further improved by highlighting the existing feature 503, which displays the design rules, by making the outline thicker or by changing the color.

[0056] Furthermore, when highlighting is performed by making the outline thicker, changing the color, etc., the user can change the highlighted area and change the display range of the design rules. This allows the user to check only the design rules in the range he or she wants to see, further improving visibility.

[0057] The design rule identifying unit 107 may identify only the design rule that is violated by using the first design item and the second design item.

[0058] Furthermore, among the displayed design rules, design rules that the designer has recognized can be clearly distinguished from unrecognized design rules by changing the color, for example, to prevent overlooking of design rules. Methods for inputting the designer's recognition include clicking on the display part of the design rule, such as a speech bubble by the designer, and inputting the designer's voice, line of sight, gestures, etc. from a microphone or camera.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows another example of the screen of the input / output section.

[0060] The existing features 610 shown in this drawing include a hole existing feature 611. As an example, a hole feature 601 and features 602, 603, and 604 based on the pattern of the hole feature 601 are added to the existing features 610 as new features.

[0061] When there are many features to be highlighted, a design rule display section 605 may be provided in a separate frame, and the user may be allowed to select design rules 606 related to the features to be highlighted. Furthermore, even when sketching the +Z faces (top faces) of hole features 601 to 604, for example, by highlighting hidden lines as well, the shape and position of the features can be determined while grasping features that require attention, even if they are in invisible positions.

[0062] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and includes various modified examples. The above-mentioned embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. It is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0063] The above configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in part or in whole by hardware such as an integrated circuit. The above configurations, functions, etc. may be realized by software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as the program, table, file, etc. that realizes each function can be stored in a recording device such as a memory, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as a flash memory card or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0064] In each embodiment, the control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all of the control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it may be considered that almost all components are connected to each other.

[0065] Further, modified examples of the present disclosure include, for example, the following (a) and (b).

[0066] (Variation (a)) In this modified example, in addition to the design rules, actual shapes that are determined to be similar in parameters (hole diameters, etc.) and relative positions of multiple features included in the design rule application area are displayed. Here, the actual shape is a shape that has a track record of satisfying all the quality requirements as a product. In other words, it is a shape that has a track record that is empirically recognized as satisfying all the specified conditions as a product. Therefore, the actual shape also satisfies requirements that are not included in the design rules.

[0067] By overlaying the actual shape on a partially created design drawing, the parameters and position of new features can be defined while referring to the shape that has been proven as a product.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a design support device of the modified example (a).

[0069] In the design support device 700 shown in this figure, an actual shape database 709 is provided. In addition, an actual shape specification unit 710 is provided between the design rule specification unit 107 and the display control unit 108. In the actual shape database 709, patterns of actual shapes and feature parameters and relative positions are registered in advance. In other words, in the actual shape database 709, data on actual shapes and feature parameters and relative positions is recorded in advance. The actual shape specification unit 710 specifies similar actual shapes. In other words, the actual shape specification unit 710 specifies applicable actual shapes from among the actual shapes recorded in the actual shape database 709.

[0070] In this modification, the design support device includes an actual shape specification unit 710. The design support device may also include an actual shape database 709.

[0071] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing an example of a screen of the input / output unit of the modification example (a).

[0072] In this figure, an actual shape 806 is shown superimposed on a partially created design drawing.

[0073] (Variation (b)) In this modified example, in addition to the design rules, an optimal shape is displayed that is determined to be similar in parameters (hole diameter, etc.) and relative positions of multiple features included in the design rule application area. Here, the optimal shape is a shape that is optimal for some requirements, obtained by simulation, experiment, etc. In other words, it is a shape that does not necessarily satisfy all requirements as a product, but is considered optimal under certain assumptions.

[0074] By overlaying the optimal shape on a partially created design drawing, you can define the parameters and positions of new features while using the ideal shape as a reference.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a design support device according to the modified example (b).

[0076] In the design support device 900 shown in this figure, an optimum shape database 911 is provided. In addition, an optimum shape specification unit 912 is provided between the design rule specification unit 107 and the display control unit 108. The optimum shape database 911 has patterns of optimum shapes, feature parameters, and relative positions registered in advance. In other words, the optimum shape database 911 has data on the optimum shapes, feature parameters, and relative positions recorded in advance. The optimum shape specification unit 912 specifies a similar optimum shape. In other words, the optimum shape specification unit 912 specifies an applicable optimum shape from among the optimum shapes recorded in the optimum shape database 911.

[0077] In this modification, the design support device includes an optimum shape specifying unit 912. The design support device may also include an optimum shape database 911.

[0078] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing an example of a screen of the input / output unit of the modification (b).

[0079] In this figure, an optimum shape 1006 is shown superimposed on a partially created design drawing.

[0080] In addition, "similar" in the above description means having features that are applicable to the part being designed (body to be designed) from the standpoint of design rules, feature parameters, relative positions, and the like.

[0081] The parameters of a feature for determining similarity may include not only numerical information such as dimensions such as hole diameter, but also character string information such as material information, manufacturing method, and application.

[0082] Moreover, variant example (a) and variant example (b) may be combined. In this case, the parameters and position of the new feature can be defined by referring to a shape that satisfies a requirement not included in the design rules and an ideal shape for some of the requirements.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a feature is a design item related to the shape and position of a design object. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and other embodiments such as the following are also contemplated.

[0084] For example, the user may input design items related to the functions of the design object, such as the mass, volume, strength, and thermal insulation performance of a plate material, as new features.

[0085] An example of this case is as follows:

[0086] When there is a demand to reduce the mass of the steel plate constituting the housing of the washer / dryer from the viewpoint of weight reduction, a possible way to reduce the mass is, for example, to reduce the thickness of the steel plate. In this case, the user inputs the mass of the steel plate as a new feature.

[0087] The design support device receives this input, takes into account the strength of the steel plate, etc., and outputs design rules such as the allowable thickness of the steel plate, the position of reinforcing members to be added to maintain strength, and the range in which the shape of the casing can be changed.

[0088] In addition, when there is a request to reduce the thickness of the insulation material of the refrigerator from the viewpoint of increasing the internal volume of the refrigerator, the user inputs the thickness of the insulation material and the applicable type of vacuum insulation material as new features.

[0089] The design support device receives this input, takes into account the insulation performance, etc., and outputs design rules such as the placement of vacuum insulation material, and in some cases the location of refrigerant piping and a condenser for dissipating heat to the outside.

[0090] Features based on the above design rules are determined at the discretion of the user.

[0091] Applications of the design support device include not only the above examples, but also various other products such as railroad car bodies and airplane wings.

[0092] Therefore, the new feature, i.e., the first design item, may be not only the shape and position of the design object, but also various information such as mass, volume, strength, and thermal insulation performance.

[0093] Furthermore, the case where the user requests to modify a feature will now be described.

[0094] For example, a hole may be provided in a plate material constituting a conventional product, and the diameter of the hole may be increased. In this case, the diameter of the hole in the conventional product is an existing feature. Increasing the diameter of the hole corresponds to a modification of the first design item.

[0095] Also, the case where the user wishes to remove a feature will now be described.

[0096] For example, when there is a reinforcing member as an existing feature, it is possible to remove this reinforcing member. In this case, the removal of the reinforcing member corresponds to the removal of the first design item. In this case, it is considered necessary to change the design rules, such as changing the dimensions of the thickness of other parts, in order to maintain the strength of the product. The design support device outputs design rules that are candidates for such changes.

[0097] Next, the effects of the present disclosure will be summarized.

[0098] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to clearly indicate the suitability of design rules, etc., before a designer finalizes a feature to be changed, that is, before the feature to be changed is stored in the design item storage unit. This allows a designer to easily create an appropriate 3D-CAD model, and even a designer who does not fully understand design rules, etc., can proceed with the design with peace of mind.

[0099] Finally, the design support method of the present disclosure will be summarized.

[0100] In the design support method, a receiving unit receives a first design item input by a user, a design item identification unit identifies a second design item related to the first design item from the design items stored in a design item storage unit, a design rule identification unit uses the first design item and the second design item to identify a design rule that is a rule for the design of an object to be designed, and an output unit outputs the design rule.

[0101] Furthermore, in the design support method, the receiving unit receives a first design item including various information of the design object input by a user to make a change, the design item identification unit identifies the first design item and a second design item related to the first design item, the design rule identification unit uses the first design item and the second design item to identify a design rule that is a rule for designing the design object, and before the first design item is made the second design item, the output unit outputs the design rule identified by the design rule identification unit.

[0102] The design support method of the present disclosure can also be implemented on the cloud. In that case, among the components of the design support device shown in Fig. 1 and the like, the input / output unit is a user terminal, and the other components are built into a server installed by an Internet provider or the like. Therefore, the server and the user terminal constitute a system (design support system). [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 100, 700, 900: design support device, 101: input / output unit, 102: 3D-CAD data input unit, 103: new feature input unit, 104: design item memory unit, 105: existing feature identification unit, 106: design rule application existing feature extraction unit, 107: design rule identification unit, 108: display control unit, 109: design rule database, 501: new feature, 502, 504, 606: design rule, 503, 505, 610: existing feature, 601: hole feature, 602, 603, 604: feature, 611: existing hole feature, 605: design rule display unit, 709: actual shape database, 710: actual shape identification unit, 911: optimal shape database, 912: optimal shape identification unit, 1006: optimal shape.

Claims

1. a design item storage unit that stores design items including various information of a design object; A receiving unit that receives a first design item input by a user; a design item specifying unit that specifies a second design item related to the first design item from the design items stored in the design item storage unit; a design rule specification unit that specifies a design rule, which is a rule for designing the design object, by using the first design item and the second design item; an output unit that outputs the design rules; An optimum shape database in which data on optimum shapes, which are optimum shapes in terms of some requirements and parameters and relative positions of design items, obtained by simulation or experiment, are recorded in advance; and an optimum shape specifying unit that specifies an applicable optimum shape from among the optimum shapes.

2. A design item storage unit that stores design items including various information about a design object; A receiving unit that receives a first design item input by a user; a design item specifying unit that specifies a second design item related to the first design item from the design items stored in the design item storage unit; a design rule specification unit that specifies a design rule, which is a rule for designing the design object, by using the first design item and the second design item; an output unit that outputs the design rule, The design item identification unit is a design support device that identifies parts that constitute the design object and that include the first design item that the user is trying to add, and identifies the second design item that is a confirmed design item included in the parts.

3. A design rule database that stores the design rules is further provided, 3. The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the design rule specifying unit specifies a design rule related to the first design item by referring to the design rules stored in the design rule database.

4. 3. The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the design rule identifying section identifies only a design rule that is violated by using the first design item and the second design item.

5. 3. The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the first design item or the second design item so as to be distinguishable from other components or design items.

6. a past shape database in which past shapes, which are shapes that have a track record of satisfying the quality of a product, and data on parameters and relative positions of design items are recorded in advance; The design support device according to claim 1 , further comprising an actual shape specification unit that specifies an applicable actual shape from among the actual shapes.

7. The design support device according to claim 1 , wherein the first design item includes a shape and a position of the object to be designed.

8. The design support device according to claim 1 or 2; a display unit that displays the design rule output from the output unit when the user inputs the first design item.

9. A design item storage unit stores design items including various information of a design object, A receiving unit receives a first design item input by a user; a design item specifying unit specifying a second design item related to the first design item from the design items stored in the design item storage unit; a design rule specifying unit specifying a design rule, which is a rule for designing the design object, by using the first design item and the second design item; an output unit outputs the design rule; The optimum shape database stores in advance optimum shapes, which are optimum shapes in accordance with certain requirements and data on parameters and relative positions of design items, determined by simulation or experiment; an optimum shape specifying unit specifying an applicable optimum shape from among the optimum shapes;

10. A design item storage unit stores design items including various information of a design object, A receiving unit receives a first design item input by a user; a design item specifying unit specifying a second design item related to the first design item from the design items stored in the design item storage unit; a design rule specifying unit specifying a design rule, which is a rule for designing the design object, by using the first design item and the second design item; an output unit outputs the design rule; The design support method, wherein the design item identification unit identifies parts that constitute the design object and that include the first design item that the user is trying to add, and identifies the second design item that is a confirmed design item included in the parts.

11. a design rule database for storing the design rules; 11. The design support method according to claim 9, wherein the design rule specifying unit specifies a design rule related to the first design item by referring to the design rules stored in the design rule database.

12. 11. The design support method according to claim 9, wherein the design rule identifying unit identifies only a design rule that is violated by using the first design item and the second design item.

13. 11. The design support method according to claim 9, wherein the output unit outputs the first design item or the second design item so as to be distinguishable from other parts or design items.

14. 11. The design support method according to claim 9, further comprising: an input / output unit that inputs the first design item by the user, and displays the design rule output from the output unit.

15. The design support method according to claim 9 , wherein the first design item includes a shape and a position of the object to be designed.

Images