Vehicle component placement planning support system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle part placement planning support system capable of improving the efficiency of planning.SOLUTION: A vehicle part placement planning support system 100 comprises a database 2 for storing three-dimensional shape data of parts to be mounted on a vehicle, and a computer 1 configured to instruct a supercomputer 3 to search for a placement position of the part in a mounting space in which the part of the vehicle is mounted. The supercomputer 3 places the parts in the predetermined positions within the mounting space, and is configured to calculate the presence or absence and the degree of interference using a two-dimensional outer shape of a plurality of locations of the part in a predetermined direction and to repeatedly calculate the presence or absence and the degree of interference while shifting the position of the part within the mounting space, also configured to output to a computer 1 the placement positions without interference and the placement positions where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for assisting in considering the arrangement of vehicle parts.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an apparatus for generating a stacking pattern of boxes to be stacked on a pallet has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this apparatus, it is possible to efficiently stack boxes having different dimensions on a pallet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, when considering the arrangement of parts mounted on a vehicle, it is desired to improve the efficiency of the consideration.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system for assisting in considering the arrangement of vehicle parts that can improve the efficiency of the consideration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle component placement support system according to the present invention is used when considering the placement of components to be mounted on a vehicle, and comprises a database storing three-dimensional shape data of components to be mounted on a vehicle, and an information processing device configured to instruct a high-speed information processing device to search for the placement position of the components in the mounting space on which the components are mounted. The high-speed information processing device is configured to place the components at predetermined positions in the mounting space, calculate the presence and degree of interference using the two-dimensional external shape of multiple locations of the components in predetermined directions, and repeatedly perform the calculation of the presence and degree of interference while shifting the position of the components in the mounting space, and is configured to output placement positions without interference and placement positions where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value to the information processing device. The information processing device is configured to display the mounting space on which the components are placed on a display device using the placement positions input from the high-speed information processing device and the three-dimensional shape data input from the database. Furthermore, the information processing device is configured to be able to rearrange a plurality of placement positions input from the high-speed information processing device based on conditions.

[0007] In the above-described vehicle component placement support system, the information processing device may be configured to divide the mounting space into a grid, and the high-speed information processing device may be configured to calculate the presence and degree of interference using the grid occupied by the component when the component is placed within the mounting space.

[0009] In the above-mentioned vehicle component placement support system, the information processing device may be configured to instruct the search for the routing path of the wire harness within the mounting space.

[0010] In the above-described vehicle component placement support system, the information processing device may be configured to instruct the analysis of the mounting space on which the components are placed, based on the placement position input from the high-speed information processing device and the three-dimensional shape data input from the database. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The vehicle component placement support system of the present invention can improve the efficiency of the planning process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle component placement support system of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing parts A and B. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of a combination pattern between the positions W0 of component A and the position W0 of component B. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a combination pattern between the positions W1 of part A and the position W1 of part B. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of a combination pattern between the positions W2 of component A and the positions W2 of component B. [Figure 6] This figure shows patterns 1, 8, and 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] First, with reference to Figure 1, a vehicle component placement support system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] The vehicle component placement support system 100 is used when a user considers the placement of components to be installed in a vehicle. For example, when components are added to or modified in a vehicle, the vehicle component placement support system 100 provides candidate placement locations for the components, which the user can use as a reference when deciding on the placement locations. The components to be added or modified are specified, for example, by the user.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle parts placement support system 100 comprises a computer 1, a database 2, and a supercomputer 3. Computer 1 is an example of the "information processing device" of the present invention, and supercomputer 3 is an example of the "high-speed information processing device" of the present invention. Database 2 stores three-dimensional shape data of parts to be mounted on a vehicle. Specifically, database 2 stores three-dimensional CAD data of the vehicle before parts are added or changed, and three-dimensional CAD data of the added or changed parts.

[0017] Computer 1 is configured to instruct supercomputer 3 to search for the placement location of vehicle components within the mounting space where those components are installed. An example of a mounting space is the engine compartment, and an example of a component is the vehicle components housed in the engine compartment. Computer 1 is also configured to allow setting conditions when searching for the placement location of components. Examples of these conditions include components to be added or modified, the mounting space in which those components are installed, the workspace required when installing those components, the range of movement permitted after installation of those components, the direction and order of movement when installing those components, and the dimensions when dividing the mounting space into a grid. Computer 1 has positional orientation information for each component of the vehicle, but does not have three-dimensional shape data for each component of the vehicle.

[0018] Computer 1 includes an arithmetic unit 1a, a storage unit 1b, an input / output unit 1c, and a communication unit 1d. The storage unit 1b stores programs for controlling the computer 1 and the like. The arithmetic unit 1a is configured to control the computer 1 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 1b. An input device 11 and a display device 12 and the like are connected to the input / output unit 1c. The input device 11 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and is provided for receiving user operation inputs. The display device 12 is configured to be able to display a vehicle or the like in which components have been added or changed. The communication unit 1d is provided for communicating with the database 2 and the supercomputer 3.

[0019] The supercomputer 3 is configured to be able to execute arithmetic processing at a higher speed than the computer 1. The supercomputer 3 is configured to execute a search for the arrangement positions of components in the mounting space when instructed by the computer 1. When the computer 1 instructs the supercomputer 3 to search for the arrangement positions of components, the conditions set in the computer 1 are output to the supercomputer 3.

[0020] Specifically, the supercomputer 3 arranges components at predetermined positions in the mounting space and calculates the presence or absence and degree of interference while considering the conditions set in the computer 1, using the two-dimensional outer shapes at a plurality of locations in a predetermined direction (for example, the vehicle width direction) of the components. The two-dimensional outer shapes at a plurality of locations in the predetermined direction of the components may be obtained from the database 2 via the computer 1 or may be directly obtained from the database 2. Here, the computer 1 is configured to divide the mounting space into a grid and output the mounting space divided into the grid to the supercomputer 3. The supercomputer 3 is configured to calculate the presence or absence and degree of interference using the grids occupied by the components when the components are arranged in the mounting space.

[0021] Thus, by using the two-dimensional outer shapes at multiple locations in a predetermined direction, it is possible to simplify the calculation compared to fitting the three-dimensional outer shape to the mounting space. When examining interference using the two-dimensional outer shapes at multiple locations, if the degree of interference exceeds a predetermined value, it is difficult to arrange a component at that position. Therefore, the calculation is interrupted and that position is excluded from the candidates for the component arrangement position. This prevents unnecessary calculations from being performed, thus reducing the computational load.

[0022] The supercomputer 3 is configured to repeatedly calculate the presence and degree of interference while shifting the positions of the components within the mounting space. That is, within the mounting space, arrangement positions without interference and arrangement positions where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value are searched for. After that, when the search is completed, the supercomputer 3 is configured to output to the computer 1 the arrangement positions without interference and the arrangement positions where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value. In addition to the arrangement positions without interference, the arrangement positions where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value are output to the computer 1 because it may be possible to handle the situation by changing the shape of the component or the like if the degree of interference is less than the predetermined value.

[0023] The computer 1 is configured to use the arrangement positions input from the supercomputer 3 and the three-dimensional shape data input from the database 2 to display on the display device 12 the mounting space in which the components are arranged. This enables the user to confirm the vehicle in which the components have been added or changed.

[0024] The computer 1 is configured to be able to sort a plurality of arrangement positions input from the supercomputer 3 based on conditions. For example, the plurality of arrangement positions are sorted in ascending order of the least interference. This makes it possible for the user to easily select the arrangement position they want to confirm.

[0025] Furthermore, computer 1 is configured to instruct supercomputer 3 to search for the routing path of wire harnesses within the onboard space. When the search for the routing path of wire harnesses is instructed, information such as the type and thickness of the wire harness and the location of the connectors to which the wire harness is connected is output from computer 1 to supercomputer 3. Supercomputer 3 is configured to perform the search for the routing path of wire harnesses within the onboard space when instructed by computer 1. The search for the routing path of wire harnesses in supercomputer 3 is performed, for example, using an existing known program.

[0026] Supercomputer 3 is configured to output the results of the wiring route search to computer 1. Computer 1 is then configured to superimpose the wire harness onto the mounting space where the components are placed and display it on the display device 12. This allows the user to check the wire harness in addition to any added or modified components. Computer 1 has the wiring route and the type and thickness of the wire harness input from supercomputer 3, but it does not have the three-dimensional shape data of the wire harness.

[0027] Furthermore, computer 1 is configured to instruct supercomputer 3 to analyze the mounting space where the components and wire harnesses are located, based on the placement locations of added or modified components, the three-dimensional shape data in database 2, and the wiring paths of the wire harnesses. Examples of such analyses include stress analysis, heat conduction analysis, and fluid analysis. Supercomputer 3 is configured to perform the analysis of the mounting space when instructed to do so by computer 1.

[0028] Supercomputer 3 is configured to output the results of the onboard space analysis to computer 1. Computer 1 is configured to display the onboard space analysis results on display device 12. Furthermore, if multiple onboard spaces have been analyzed, the analysis results can be sorted based on certain criteria.

[0029] -An example of searching for the placement location of a component- Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 6, an example of searching for the placement position of components on supercomputer 3 will be described. In this example, the interference of two components A and B, as shown in Figure 2, is examined using the two-dimensional external shapes of three locations in the vehicle width direction. Note that the mounting space is divided into a 6x6 grid when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0030] First, the positions W0 of component A and W0 of component B are fitted into a 6x6 mounting space. An example of this combination pattern is shown in Figure 3. In patterns 1 to 9 shown in Figure 3, component B is positioned above component A. Furthermore, for the sake of simplification, only patterns 1 to 9 out of many patterns will be explained below. Next, the positions W1 of component A and W1 of component B are fitted into a 6x6 mounting space, and the result is shown in Figure 4. Also, the positions W2 of component A and W2 of component B are fitted into a 6x6 mounting space, and the result is shown in Figure 5.

[0031] If a condition is set that there must be a gap of one grid or more between part A and part B, then patterns 2 to 7 are eliminated from the candidates. That is, as shown in Figure 6, the options are narrowed down to patterns 1, 8, and 9. Furthermore, if it is desirable to have a smaller dimension in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 6), then pattern 9 is determined to be the optimal choice.

[0032] Subsequently, the same process is performed by offsetting parts A and B in the vehicle width direction. For example, parts A and B are moved relatively in the vehicle width direction so that the position W1 of part B is on the same plane as the position W0 of part A, and the same process is performed.

[0033] -effect- In this embodiment, as described above, interference of added or modified parts is examined using the two-dimensional external shape of multiple locations in a predetermined direction, thereby simplifying calculations compared to fitting the three-dimensional external shape to the mounting space. Furthermore, when examining interference of added or modified parts, if the degree of interference exceeds a predetermined value, the calculation is interrupted and that location is excluded from the candidate placement positions of the parts, thereby reducing the computational load. Consequently, the efficiency of examining the placement positions of added or modified parts can be improved.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the computer 1 does not possess three-dimensional shape data for each vehicle component, the memory size of the computer 1 can be reduced.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by making it possible to display the wire harness in addition to the added or modified parts, the user can consider the arrangement of the wire harness in addition to the parts.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user can verify the performance of the mounting space by making it possible to display the analysis results of the mounting space in which the added or modified parts and wire harnesses are placed.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by making multiple placement positions sortable, users can easily select the placement position they wish to check.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since placement positions where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value are also output to the computer 1, placement positions that can be addressed by changing the shape of the parts can also be kept as candidates.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by setting the workspace required when mounting the component as a condition when searching for the placement position of the component, the placement position of the component can be considered while taking into account the workability when mounting the component.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by setting a range within which movement of the component is permitted after mounting as a condition when searching for the placement position of the component, the placement position of the component can be considered while taking into account the movement of the component after mounting.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by setting the direction and order of movement when mounting the components as conditions for searching for the placement position of the components, suitable placement positions for the components can be identified as candidates.

[0042] -Other Embodiments- The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limiting interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not construed solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims.

[0043] For example, the above embodiment shows an example in which the search for the placement location of the components, the search for the wiring harness routing path, and the analysis of the mounting space in which the components are placed are performed by the supercomputer 3. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the search for the placement location of the components, the search for the wiring harness routing path, and the analysis of the mounting space in which the components are placed may be performed by different supercomputers.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the search for the placement positions of multiple components may be performed simultaneously, or the search for the placement position of one component at a time may be performed sequentially. [Industrial applicability]

[0045] This invention can be used in a vehicle component placement support system used when considering the placement of components mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Computer (information processing device) 2 Databases 3. Supercomputer (High-Speed ​​Information Processing System) 100 Vehicle Parts Placement Planning Support System

Claims

1. A vehicle component placement support system used when considering the placement of components to be mounted on a vehicle, A database containing three-dimensional shape data of parts installed in a vehicle, The system includes an information processing device configured to instruct a high-speed information processing device to search for the placement position of a component in the mounting space where the component is mounted, The high-speed information processing device is configured to place a component at a predetermined position within the mounting space, calculate the presence and degree of interference using the two-dimensional external shape of multiple points in a predetermined direction of the component, and repeatedly perform this calculation while shifting the position of the component within the mounting space, and to output to the information processing device the placement position where there is no interference and the placement position where the degree of interference is less than a predetermined value. The information processing device is configured to display the mounting space in which the component is placed on a display device using the placement position input from the high-speed information processing device and the three-dimensional shape data input from the database. Furthermore, the vehicle component placement planning support system is characterized in that the information processing device is configured to rearrange a plurality of placement positions input from the high-speed information processing device based on conditions.

2. In the vehicle component placement support system described in claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device is configured to partition the mounting space in a grid pattern, The vehicle component placement support system is characterized in that the high-speed information processing device is configured to calculate the presence and degree of interference using the grid occupied by the component when the component is placed in the mounting space.

3. In the vehicle component placement support system according to claim 1 or 2, The vehicle component placement support system is characterized in that the information processing device is configured to be able to instruct the search for the routing path of a wire harness within the mounting space.

4. In the vehicle component placement support system according to claim 1 or 2, The vehicle component placement support system is characterized in that the information processing device is configured to be able to instruct the analysis of the mounting space on which the component is placed, based on the placement position input from the high-speed information processing device and the three-dimensional shape data input from the database.

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