Automatic system creation device

Abstract

To provide a device that can automatically arrange systems appropriately. [Solution] The shaft setting means 2 sets the planar position of shafts installed vertically in a multi-story building for each floor. The floor display means 4 displays the floors through which the set shafts pass and which floors they do not pass through. This floor display is displayed adjacent to each shaft, regardless of the planar position of the shafts. The system designation means 6, based on user instructions, designates the floors through which the shafts in the floor display pass by using flow lines to indicate where the systems will be placed. The system placement means 8 places the systems designated by the flow lines in the three-dimensional space representing the building, based on the planar position of the shafts set by the shaft setting means 2, the floors through which the systems designated by the system designation means 6 will be placed, and the appearance recorded in association with the systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically creating a system in CAD for architectural design.

Background Art

[0002] In drawing generation using CAD, it is necessary to connect pipes (including ducts) between devices. However, the pipe layout process on such drawings is complicated, and an apparatus for automatically performing the layout has been proposed and used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus capable of automatically routing pipes. According to this apparatus, pipes between devices can be automatically generated, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art such as Patent Document 1, the relationship with the shaft could not be considered. Also, it was difficult to appropriately arrange the system while looking at the arrangement status of other systems.

[0006] An object of this invention is to solve the above problems and provide an apparatus capable of appropriately automatically arranging the system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Hereinafter, some independent features of this invention are listed. These features are not essential to be combined and can be arbitrarily combined.

[0008] (1)(2) The automated system diagramming device according to the present invention includes: a shaft setting means for setting the planar position of a shaft provided vertically in a building having multiple floors for each floor through which the shaft passes; a hierarchical display means for displaying the floors through which the shaft passes and the floors through which it does not, regardless of the planar position, adjacent to each shaft; a system designation means for designating the floor through which the system is to be placed using a flow line on the floor through which the shaft passes in the hierarchical display; and a system placement means for arranging the system designated by the flow line in a three-dimensional space representing the building, based on the planar position of the shaft, the floor through which the system is to be placed, and the appearance recorded in association with the system.

[0009] Therefore, the hierarchical display means allows for the two-dimensional configuration of the system using flow lines, while simultaneously enabling the automatic creation of a three-dimensional system.

[0010] (3) The automated system creation device according to this invention is characterized in that, when specifying the flow line in the hierarchical display, it is configured to allow specifying the lower end position, upper end position, and intermediate position of each floor in correspondence with the upper end, center, and lower end of the frame.

[0011] Therefore, system configuration using flow lines is easy.

[0012] (4) The automated system creation device according to this invention is characterized by specifying the height of the intermediate position by input.

[0013] Therefore, intermediate heights used for horizontal pulling and other applications can be easily set.

[0014] (5) The automatic system creation device according to this invention is characterized in that the system designation means further designates a system using flow lines connecting different shafts on the same floor, and the height of the system between the shafts can be specified from the lower end position, the upper end position, or the intermediate position.

[0015] Therefore, the height of the horizontal drawing can be easily set.

[0016] (6) The system automatic creation device according to this invention is characterized in that when the system arrangement means arranges the system between the different shafts in a three-dimensional space, the system is arranged at the location where the system should pass, and is arranged by connecting with a system bent at a right angle between the shafts.

[0017] Therefore, the system can be appropriately arranged.

[0018] (7) The system automatic creation device according to this invention is characterized in that the shaft setting means records the shaft name in association with the shaft, and the hierarchical display means determines the floor through which the shaft passes based on the designation of the shaft name by the user.

[0019] Therefore, it is possible to clarify the penetration state of the shaft by the name of the shaft rather than the planar or three-dimensional position of the shaft, and the operation is easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a functional configuration diagram of a system automatic creation device according to an embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] [Figure 3] This is the hardware configuration of a system automatic creation diagram. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of a system automatic creation program. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing a state in which the shaft on the first floor is designated in a floor plan together with the room. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing a state in which the shaft on the roof is designated in a floor plan. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing a hierarchical display. [Figure 8] This is a diagram when setting a shaft in a hierarchical display. [Figure 9] This is a diagram in which a shaft is input in a hierarchical display. [No corresponding original text, so it's just a placeholder] [Figure 10] [No corresponding original text, so it's just a placeholder]It is a diagram showing a screen for setting the system. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a screen for setting the system. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing a screen for setting the system. [Figure 12] It is the appearance recorded in association with the system. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing a state in which a list of set systems is displayed. [Figure 14] It is a diagram when selecting a system and inputting a flow line. [Figure 15] It is a screen for setting the horizontal drawing height. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing a state in which a flow line is set for the hierarchical display. [Figure 17] It is a confirmation screen for the flow line. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an automatically generated system. [Figure 19] It is an enlarged view of the system.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] 1. Functional Configuration FIG. 1 shows the functional configuration of a system automatic creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shaft setting means 2 sets the planar position of a shaft provided vertically in a building having a plurality of floors for each floor. The hierarchical display means 4 performs a hierarchical display that distinguishes between the floors through which the set shaft passes and the floors through which it does not pass for the set shaft. This hierarchical display is displayed adjacent to each shaft regardless of the planar position of the shaft. The system designation means 6 designates, based on a user's instruction, the floors on which the system is to be arranged with a flow line among the floors through which the shaft in the hierarchical display passes.

[0022] The system arrangement means 8 arranges the system specified by the flow line in the three-dimensional space representing the building based on the planar position of the shaft set by the shaft setting means 2, the floors on which the system is to be arranged indicated by the system instruction means 6, and the appearance recorded in association with the system.

[0023] In this embodiment, a hierarchical display that distinguishes between floors through which a shaft passes and floors through which it does not is displayed adjacent to each shaft, regardless of the planar position of the shaft. By simply drawing the flow lines of the system on these displays, the system can be placed in the three-dimensional space representing the building.

[0024] 2. Hardware Configuration Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the automated system generation device. The CPU 30 is connected to memory 32, display 34, hard disk 36, DVD-ROM drive 38, keyboard / mouse 40, and communication circuit 42. The communication circuit 42 is a circuit for connecting to the internet.

[0025] The hard disk 36 contains the operating system 44 and the automatic system creation program 46. The automatic system creation program 46 works in cooperation with the operating system 44 to perform its functions. These programs were originally recorded on the DVD-ROM 48 and were installed on the hard disk 36 via the DVD-ROM drive 38.

[0026] 3. Automatic system creation process Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the automated system creation program 46. The CPU 30 displays a screen for setting shafts on each floor on the display 34. The user sets the planar position of the shafts (spaces for passing pipes, etc.) on each floor using the mouse 40 or the like while viewing this screen (step S1).

[0027] Figure 4 shows the screen for setting up shafts. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the floor plan of the first floor of the building. Columns, walls, rooms, etc., are entered by the user. In Figure 4, shafts DS1, DS2-1, DS2-2, DS3, PS, and EPS are set up. This indicates that shafts DS1, DS2-1, DS2-2, DS3, PS, and EPS are provided on the first floor. The user enters the shaft name "DS1", "DS2-1", "DS2-2", "DS3", "PS", and "EPS" as attributes for each shaft DS1, DS2-1, DS2-2, DS3, PS, and EPS, respectively. In this embodiment, shafts are generated in the floor plan in the same way as rooms.

[0028] The user similarly configures the shafts for all other floors. While shafts are installed to penetrate multiple floors, they are not necessarily installed to penetrate every floor; they are often installed only on the floors where they are needed. Therefore, the user configures the shafts on each floor where they are needed. Figure 5 shows the rooftop shafts configured by the user. In this example building, only shafts "DS1," "DS2-2," and "DS3" are configured on the rooftop.

[0029] As described above, once settings have been made for all floors where shafts are required, the user clicks a hierarchical display button (not shown) for system input. As a result, the CPU 30 displays a hierarchical display for system input on the display 34, as shown in Figure 6 (step S2). Under the item "Floor Name," the rooftop, 4th floor, 1st floor are displayed as "RFL," "4FL," ..., "1FL." Under the item names "Shaft 1," "Shaft 2," ..., "Shaft 6," there is a field 50 for entering the name of each shaft. This hierarchical display does not take into account the planar position of the shafts as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and moreover, it allows the user to set which floor each shaft penetrates.

[0030] On this screen, the user first sets the shaft penetration status. For each shaft, the user enters the name of the shaft on the floor where it is located. For example, as shown in Figure 6, when the user clicks the input field 50 corresponding to "Shaft 1" on "1FL" (1st floor), a pull-down menu appears. The pull-down menu displays a list of room names, shaft names, etc., set by the user on the 1st floor plan (see Figure 4).

[0031] When a user selects, for example, the shaft name "DS1" from a pull-down menu, the CPU 30 displays the shaft name "DS1" in the input field 50 corresponding to "Shaft 1" on "1FL" (1st floor), as shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, the shaft name can be entered all the way up to the rooftop by dragging the mouse 40, as shown in Figure 8.

[0032] The user makes similar settings for the other input fields 50 and inputs the penetration status of each shaft on the hierarchical display screen, as shown in Figure 8. For example, shaft "DS3" is shown to penetrate from "1FL" (1st floor) to "RFL" (rooftop), and shaft "DS2-1" is shown to penetrate from "1FL" (1st floor) to "2FL" (2nd floor).

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to be aware of the shaft in a 3D model; only the name of the shaft needs to be entered, thus eliminating the complexity of the work.

[0034] Furthermore, CPU30 prevents incorrect input by not displaying shaft names that are not set in the floor plan for each level in the pull-down menu, and making them unselectable.

[0035] Furthermore, to prevent incorrect input, if a shaft name (e.g., "DS3") different from the shaft name (e.g., "DS1") entered in the lowest level of the vertical shaft input fields, which are indicated as shaft 1, shaft 2...shaft 6, is entered in the input field of the level above it, an error message is displayed. Alternatively, the system may process the incorrect input ("DS3") as the correct input ("DS1").

[0036] As described above, a hierarchical display like Figure 8 is completed, which makes it easy to schematically understand the penetration status of each shaft on each floor. Next, the user specifies the system to pass through each shaft on the hierarchical display screen in Figure 8 (step S3).

[0037] Here, "systems" refer to air conditioning ducts and pipes, sanitary water supply and drainage pipes, fire extinguishing pipes, gas pipes, and electrical wiring. First, the user clicks the "Manage Vertical Systems" button in Figure 8 to configure these systems.

[0038] When the "Manage Vertical Systems" button is clicked, the CPU 30 displays the vertical system management window 52, ​​as shown in Figure 9. When the user clicks the "Add" button 54 in this window 52, ​​the CPU 30 displays a window 56 for adding vertical systems, as shown in Figure 10. In this window 56, the user can specify the "Name," "Category," "Layer," "Color," and "Material" of the vertical system.

[0039] The "Name" field is for entering the name of the vertical system. The "Category" field is for entering the type of "Air conditioning duct," "Air conditioning piping," "Water supply and drainage piping," "Fire extinguishing pipe," "Gas pipe," "Electrical wiring (main lines, bus ducts, etc.)," ​​and "Electrical equipment (racks, piping, etc. for laying wiring)." The "Category" field can be selected from a pull-down menu as shown in Figure 11A.

[0040] The "Layer" field is where you input the layers provided for each type of system, such as chilled / hot water (supply), chilled / hot water (return), chilled water (supply), chilled water (return), etc. The "Layer" field can be selected from a pull-down menu as shown in Figure 11B.

[0041] The "Color" field is where you enter the color to be used to represent the system in the drawing. The "Color" field allows you to select from a pull-down menu, as shown in Figure 11C.

[0042] The "Material" field is where you input the material of the system (steel pipe, flanged duct, common plate duct, etc.), the material type (stainless steel, PVC, etc.), and the joining method (welding, screws, etc.). The "Material" field allows selection from a pull-down menu as shown in Figure 11D. Note that the appearance (shape and dimensions) of each material (steel pipe, flanged duct, common plate duct, etc.) is pre-recorded as shown in Figure 12A, and this appearance data will be used later.

[0043] As described above, the CPU 30 displays the prepared vertical systems on the vertical system display unit 70, as shown in Figure 13. The user selects one of these vertical systems using the mouse 40 and configures the selected vertical system using the hierarchical display (step S3).

[0044] As shown in Figure 14, the user selects the vertical exhaust system (1) [smoke exhaust] and, in the hierarchical view, drags the mouse 40 along the shaft through which the vertical system passes to draw a flow line 72. In Figure 14, the flow line 72 is drawn from 1FL (1st floor) to 4FL (4th floor), indicating that the vertical exhaust system (1) has been set up from the 1st floor to the 4th floor.

[0045] In this embodiment, the flow line 72 can be set to start from the center, bottom, or top of one floor and end at the center, bottom, or top of another floor. For example, in Figure 14, the bottom of the flow line 72 starts from the center of the first floor. Therefore, it is shown that the vertical smoke exhaust system (1) starts from the horizontal height of the first floor (3000 mm in the figure) set in the "horizontal height" column. Also, the top of the flow line 72 extends to the top of the fourth floor (= bottom of the roof). Therefore, it is shown that the vertical smoke exhaust system (1) extends to the upper floor line corresponding to the top of the fourth floor.

[0046] The floor line is determined by the height of each floor, and this is set in advance by the user. However, since the height of the RFL (rooftop) is not set, as shown in input window 78 in Figure 15, it is possible to set not only the horizontal height but also the floor height.

[0047] Furthermore, the color of the flow line 72 is the same as the color shown for smoke exhaust (1) in the vertical system indicator 70. This clarifies which system each line in the hierarchical display corresponds to. In this embodiment, the lines are identified by the same color, but they may also be identified by other display forms (such as solid or dashed lines).

[0048] In the hierarchical display, the name of the shaft is shown on each floor, and lines for placing the system can only be drawn on floors where the shaft name is displayed.

[0049] The user similarly configures the hierarchical display for other vertical systems. Figure 16 shows the state where the desired vertical system lines have been configured. In this embodiment, horizontal lines of the system can also be input. For example, flow lines 80 and 82 are horizontal lines.

[0050] Flow line 80 indicates a horizontal run between shafts DS2-1 and DS2-2 on the 2nd floor (2FL). The height of this horizontal run (height from the floor below) is determined by the height set in the horizontal run height column (3700 mm in the diagram). Flow line 82 indicates a horizontal run (height 1300 mm) between shafts DS2-2 and DS3 on the rooftop (RFL). Additionally, four systems are set up in shaft PS.

[0051] Next, when the user clicks the system confirmation button 84 in Figure 16, the CPU 30 generates a 3D image for system confirmation based on the hierarchical display, floor plans of each floor, etc., and displays it on the display 34 (step S4).

[0052] Figure 17 shows the system confirmation screen. In addition to the plan view, front view, and side view showing the layout of each system, an oblique view is also displayed. The user can refer to this system confirmation screen to verify whether the configured system is correct. If it is incorrect, they can return to step S3 and correct the system settings.

[0053] In this embodiment, the system can be configured without needing to be aware of the 3D model, thus simplifying the process. Moreover, the system can be verified using the 3D model, making intuitive understanding easy.

[0054] When a user who has confirmed the system using the flow lines clicks the "Start" button 90 in Figure 17, the CPU 30 automatically arranges the system based on the flow lines drawn in the hierarchical display (step S5). For example, the vertical pipe set on shaft DS1 in Figure 16 is the smoke exhaust pipe (1). The smoke exhaust pipe (1) extends from the horizontal height (3000 mm) of the 1st floor (1FL) to the top of the 4th floor (4FL).

[0055] The CPU 30 reads the pre-recorded appearance associated with the smoke exhaust (1) (for example, the leftmost duct in Figure 12A). Based on the floor plan of the first floor (see Figure 5), it determines the planar position and places it from a height of 3000 mm on the first floor to the top of the fourth floor. Since each duct has a fixed standard length, multiple ducts are connected to form a duct of the required length. The last duct is placed shorter than the standard length to match a predetermined dimension. Figure 18 shows the smoke exhaust (1) in its placed state, indicated by reference numeral 100. The CPU 30 places other vertical systems in a similar manner.

[0056] The horizontal lines are arranged in a similar manner. For example, the horizontal flow line 80 in Figure 16 is located between shaft DS2-1 and shaft DS2-2. The CPU 30 identifies the planar positions of shaft DS2-1 and shaft DS2-2 based on the second-floor plan, reads the pre-recorded appearance associated with the smoke exhaust (2), and arranges them. Their height is the horizontal line height (3700 mm) specified in Figure 16.

[0057] In this case, it is necessary to connect it to the vertically positioned smoke exhaust (2). For this reason, the appearance of the corner components for each system is recorded in advance. For example, for smoke exhaust (2), the component shown in Figure 12B is recorded. The CPU 30 places this component and connects the vertical smoke exhaust (2) duct to the horizontal smoke exhaust (2) duct.

[0058] Furthermore, the horizontal flow line 82 in Figure 16 is located between shaft DS2-2 and shaft DS3. In Figure 17, it is drawn as a diagonal line 92, but in reality, it needs to be placed along the vertical and horizontal lines of the building. The CPU 30 is positioned in the plan view of Figure 18, as shown by ducts 110, 112, and 114, so that no diagonal components are created. In this example, the automatic placement position is determined so that ducts 110 and 114 have the same length. Alternatively, you can specify a preferred area or location for the system to pass through, such as above a corridor, and determine the placement position so that it always passes through that area or location.

[0059] Figure 18 shows the automatically arranged configuration. Each diagram can display all floor systems together, or display each floor's systems individually. In addition, multiple systems are specified for the shaft PS (see Figure 16), so multiple ducts and pipes will be arranged as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 19. In this way, the systems can be automatically arranged.

[0060] 4. Variations and Others (1) In the above embodiment, the user inputs the shaft penetration state in Figure 7. However, the CPU 30 may automatically generate it based on the floor plan of each floor.

[0061] (2) In the above embodiment, the user specifies the size of the smoke exhaust duct. However, the flow rate required for smoke exhaust may be determined based on the size (space volume) of each room and whether or not a smoke exhaust port is provided in each room, and the size of the smoke exhaust duct (smoke exhaust capacity) may be calculated automatically based on this.

[0062] Alternatively, the required vertical pipe flow rate may be calculated based on the purpose, number of occupants, and heat load of each room, and the pipe diameter may be changed gradually from floor to floor.

[0063] (3) In the above embodiment, the automated system creation device is built using a standalone PC. However, it may also be built as a server device on the internet or on the company's internal network.

[0064] In this case, the shaft setting means and system designation means of the automated system creation device, which is the server device, perform settings based on instructions from the terminal device operated by the user. In addition, the hierarchical display means of the automated system creation device, which is the server device, generates a display screen and transmits it to the terminal device.

[0065] (4) The above embodiments and their modifications can be implemented in combination with each other.

Claims

1. A shaft setting means for setting the planar position of a vertically installed shaft in a multi-story building for each floor through which the shaft passes, A hierarchical display means provides a hierarchical display for each shaft, regardless of its planar position, that distinguishes between the floors through which the shaft passes and the floors through which it does not, for each shaft set by the shaft setting means, and displays these hierarchical displays adjacent to each shaft. A system designation means for specifying the floor through which the shaft passes in the aforementioned hierarchical display using a flow line, A system arrangement means for arranging the system specified by the flow line in the three-dimensional space representing the building, based on the planar position of the shaft, the floor on which the system is arranged, and the appearance recorded in correspondence with the system, A system automatic diagramming device equipped with the following features.

2. In the apparatus of claim 1, The device is characterized in that, when specifying the flow line in the hierarchical display, it is configured to allow specifying the lower end position, upper end position, and intermediate position of each floor in correspondence with the upper end, center, and lower end of the frame.

3. In the apparatus of claim 2, A device characterized by specifying the height of the aforementioned intermediate position by input.

4. In the apparatus of claim 3, The system designation means further designates a system using a flow line connecting different shafts on the same floor, and the device is characterized in that the height of the system between the shafts can be specified from the lower end position, the upper end position, or an intermediate position.

5. In the apparatus of claim 2, The system arrangement means is characterized by arranging systems between different shafts in three-dimensional space by arranging the systems at locations through which they should pass, and connecting the shafts with systems that are bent at right angles.

6. In the apparatus of claim 1, The shaft setting means records the shaft name in correspondence with the shaft, The hierarchical display means is characterized by determining the floor through which the shaft passes based on the shaft name specified by the user.

7. A system automatic diagramming program for realizing a system automatic diagramming device using a computer, wherein the computer A shaft setting means for setting the planar position of a vertically installed shaft in a multi-story building for each floor through which the shaft passes, A hierarchical display means provides a hierarchical display for each shaft, regardless of its planar position, that distinguishes between the floors through which the shaft passes and the floors through which it does not, for each shaft set by the shaft setting means, and displays these hierarchical displays adjacent to each shaft. A system designation means for specifying the floor through which the shaft passes in the aforementioned hierarchical display using a flow line, A system automatic diagramming program for causing a system to function as a system placement means for arranging a system specified by a flow line in a three-dimensional space representing the building, based on the planar position of the shaft, the floor on which the system is located, and the appearance recorded in association with the system.

8. In the program of claim 7, The program is characterized in that, when specifying the flow line in the hierarchical display, it is configured to allow specifying the lower end position, upper end position, and intermediate position of each floor in correspondence with the upper end, center, and lower end of the frame.

9. In the program of claim 8, A program characterized by specifying the height of the aforementioned intermediate position by input.

10. In the program of claim 9, The aforementioned system designation means further designates a system using a flow line connecting different shafts on the same floor, and the program is characterized in that the height of the system between the shafts can be specified from one of the lower end position, upper end position, or intermediate position.

11. In the program of claim 8, The aforementioned system arrangement means is a program characterized by arranging systems between different shafts in three-dimensional space by arranging the systems at locations through which they should pass, and connecting the shafts with systems that are bent at right angles.

12. In the program of claim 7, The shaft setting means records the shaft name in correspondence with the shaft, The hierarchical display means is a program that determines the floor through which the shaft passes based on the shaft name specified by the user.

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