Piping design support system, piping design support method, and program

Abstract

To efficiently manage a piping member of a piping structure by piping design.SOLUTION: A piping design support system is constituted by comprising: a data acquisition part indicated with the design of a piping structure, and acquiring a drawing which can impart a piping system identifier to a piping member in response to each of the piping systems which is formed of the piping member having a prescribed connection relationship in the piping structure; and a system setting part for specifying the piping system included with a non-imparted piping member when there is the non-imparted piping member in which the piping system identifier is not imparted in the drawing which is acquired by the data acquisition part, and imparting the piping system identifier of the specified piping system to the non-imparted piping member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a piping design support system, a piping design support method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a drainage load calculation support system in which a central device performs a drainage load calculation based on information for each predetermined item regarding piping input by a customer operating a customer information device (see, for example, a patent document).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In piping design, it is preferable to efficiently manage each piping member in the piping structure.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to efficiently manage piping members in a piping structure under piping design.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a data acquisition unit that acquires a drawing in a format in which a piping system identifier can be assigned to a piping member, corresponding to each piping system formed by piping members having a predetermined connection relationship in a piping structure, and in the drawing acquired by the data acquisition unit, when there is an unassigned piping member to which the piping system identifier has not been assigned, identifies the piping system including the unassigned piping member, and a system setting unit that assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the unassigned piping member. The system setting unit searches for piping members connected horizontally with respect to a piping member which is a leg joint corresponding to the identified piping system as the starting point, identifies the searched piping member as a single horizontal main pipe belonging to the identified piping system, assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe if no piping system identifier has been assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe with priority over the different piping system identifier.It is a piping design support system.

[0007] (2) One aspect of the present invention is a piping design support system as described in (1), wherein the system setting unit is arranged vertically upward with respect to a piping member which is a leg joint as the base point, and one or more vertical The pipe It may be included in the piping components corresponding to system 1.

[0008] (3) One aspect of the present invention is 、( 2) The piping design support system described above, wherein the system setting unit is included in the piping system for which the piping system identifier has been set in the drawing. , the riser pipe to which a piping system identifier has not been assigned The previously configured piping system identifier may be assigned to it.

[0009] (4) One aspect of the present invention is a piping design support system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein if there is an unset piping system in the drawing for which a piping system identifier has not been set, the system setting unit may assign a newly set piping system identifier to the piping members forming the unset piping system.

[0010] (5) One aspect of the present invention is a piping design support system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the data acquisition unit may acquire drawings created by an application for creating drawings.

[0011] (6) One aspect of the present invention is a piping design support system according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a data provision unit that shows the relationship between each piping member and the piping system identifier after the system setting unit has assigned a piping system identifier to the piping member, by associating the piping system identifier with the piping member identifier that uniquely indicates the piping member in the drawing, and outputs piping system identifier assignment information in a format that can be imported by an application that creates the drawing. (7) One aspect of the present invention is a piping design support system according to any one of (1) to (6), further comprising a display control unit that displays a piping structure shown in a drawing acquired by the data acquisition unit, and displays a specified piping system from among the piping systems included in the displayed piping structure in a manner different from other piping systems. (8) One aspect of the present invention is the piping design support system described in (7), wherein the display control unit may display the piping structure shown in the drawing in three dimensions.

[0012] (9) Another aspect of the present invention includes a data acquisition step of acquiring a drawing in a format that allows for assigning a piping system identifier to each piping system formed by piping members having a predetermined connection relationship in a piping structure, and a system setting step of identifying the piping system that includes the piping members to which the piping system identifier has not been assigned in the drawing acquired by the data acquisition step, and assigning the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the piping members to which the piping system identifier has not been assigned. Furthermore, in the system setting step, a piping member connected horizontally is searched using a piping member which is a leg joint corresponding to the identified piping system as the starting point, the searched piping member is identified as a single horizontal main pipe belonging to the identified piping system, if a piping system identifier is not assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, the piping system identifier of the identified piping system is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, and if a piping system identifier different from the piping system identifier of the identified piping system is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, the piping system identifier of the identified piping system is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe with priority over the different piping system identifier. This is a method for supporting piping design.

[0013] (10) Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer provided in a piping design support system to function as a data acquisition unit that acquires drawings in a format that allows a piping system identifier to be assigned to piping members, corresponding to each piping system formed by piping members having a predetermined connection relationship in a piping structure, and a system setting unit that, when there are unassigned piping members in the drawings acquired by the data acquisition unit that have not been assigned the piping system identifier, identifies the piping system that includes the unassigned piping members and assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the unassigned piping members. The system setting unit is configured to search for piping members connected horizontally, using a piping member that is a leg joint corresponding to the identified piping system as the starting point, identify the searched piping member as a single horizontal main pipe belonging to the identified piping system, assign the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe if no piping system identifier is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, and assign the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe if a different piping system identifier is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, prioritizing the assignment of the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe over the different piping system identifier. be. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As described above, the present invention provides the effect of enabling efficient management of piping components in a piping structure under piping design. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the piping design support system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the design support server in this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the drainage piping structure in this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the drainage load calculation service screen in this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the sanitary fixture allocation operation screen in this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the display mode in the 3D viewer area in this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure executed by the design support server in this embodiment in relation to the identification of the riser pipe. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure executed by the design support server in this embodiment in relation to the identification of the horizontal main pipe. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the identification of the sub-horizontal main pipe in this embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure executed by the design support server in this embodiment in response to the sanitary fixture connection process. [Figure 11] As a design drawing for confirmation in this embodiment, it is a diagram showing an example of the state when the system is not highlighted in the normal state. [Figure 12] As a design drawing for confirmation in this embodiment, it is a diagram showing an example of the state when the system is highlighted. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of the water supply piping structure provided corresponding to the drainage piping structure corresponding to the system in this embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure executed by the design support server in the modification example of this embodiment in response to the sanitary fixture connection process.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] <Embodiment> Figure 1 shows an example configuration of the piping design support system of this embodiment. The piping design support system of this embodiment comprises a client terminal 100 and a design support server 200. The client terminal 100 is a terminal used by construction companies and other users who receive the piping design support service provided by the design support server 200. The client terminal 100 may be, for example, a personal computer or a tablet terminal.

[0017] The client terminal 100 has a design drawing application 101 (an example of an application for creating drawings) and a web browser 102 installed. The design drawing application 101 is an application that creates drawings (design drawings) of a building to be constructed using BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology. The design drawings created by the design drawing application 101 also include drainage piping structures. In the design drawings, each piping component that forms the piping structure is assigned a unique piping component identifier (GUID) within the design drawing. The file format of drawings created by the design drawing application 101 may be, for example, IFC (Industry Foundation Classes). IFC is a common file format among various design drawing applications that create drawings of 3D models in accordance with BIM. The drawings created by the design drawing application 101 of this embodiment may be, for example, two-dimensional, but in the following description, we will use the case of three-dimensional drawings as an example.

[0018] The web browser 102 is an application that has the function of accessing a website. In this embodiment, the web browser 102 logs in to and accesses the website for piping design support provided by the design support server 200. By the web browser 102 accessing the design support server 200, the user can receive the piping design support services provided by the design support server 200. The connection from the client terminal 100 to the design support server 200 may be executed by a dedicated application running on the client terminal 100, or by add-on software installed on the design drawing application 101 and running on the design drawing application 101.

[0019] Furthermore, the design support server 200 may be capable of providing piping design support services to multiple client terminals 100, each corresponding to a different construction company or the like. Also, the client terminals 100 may be provided as different devices for terminals with the design drawing application 101 installed and terminals to which a web browser 102 is connected.

[0020] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the design support server 200. The design support server 200 in this figure comprises a communication unit 201, a control unit 202, and a storage unit 203. The functions of the design support server 200 shown in this figure are realized by the execution of programs by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the design support server 200 as hardware. Communications unit 201 communicates via the network.

[0021] The control unit 202 performs various controls on the design support server 200. In this embodiment, the design support server 200 is capable of performing drainage load calculations as piping design support. Drainage load calculation is a process that calculates the load flow rate in the drainage piping structure and derives the type of piping member and pipe diameter according to the calculated load flow rate. The control unit 202 includes a data acquisition unit 221, a sanitary fixture assignment unit 222, a leg joint identification unit 223, a system discrimination processing unit 224, a drainage load calculation unit 225, and a data provision unit 226 as functional units corresponding to drainage load calculation.

[0022] To receive the piping design support service, the user accesses the design support server 200 using a web browser 102, and then uploads the design drawing file of the design drawing application 101 to the design support server 200 using the web browser 102. In the design support server 200, the data acquisition unit 221 acquires the uploaded design drawing file. The data acquisition unit 221 stores the uploaded design drawing file in the design drawing file storage unit 233.

[0023] The sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 performs the process of assigning a type to each sanitary fixture present in the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file. A sanitary fixture is a device that has the function of washing something with water and draining it. Types of sanitary fixtures include, for example, toilets, bathtubs, washbasins, etc.

[0024] The leg joint identification unit 223 performs the process of identifying leg joints from among the pipe members (parts) that form the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file. A leg joint is a joint bent at a 90-degree angle that connects the lowest part of a vertical pipe to a horizontal pipe in a drainage piping structure.

[0025] The system discrimination processing unit 224 (an example of a pipe type identification unit, a system setting unit, and a sanitary fixture connection unit) performs system discrimination processing. The system discrimination processing unit 224 performs pipe type identification processing as part of the system discrimination processing. Pipe type identification processing is the process of identifying vertical pipes and horizontal main pipes in the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file. Furthermore, the system discrimination processing unit 224 executes a system setting process as part of the system discrimination process. The system setting process is the process of setting the piping system (hereinafter also simply referred to as "system") in the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file. In the drainage piping structure, a piping section including a vertical pipe extending upward from a leg joint and a sub-horizontal main pipe extending horizontally from the leg joint and the base point is treated as one system. Note that the above-mentioned "horizontal direction" is a concept that also includes the inclination due to the "drainage gradient". As part of the system setting process, the system discrimination processing unit 224 divides the drainage piping structure into system units and assigns a system number (an example of a piping system identifier) ​​to each divided system.

[0026] Furthermore, the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the pipes in the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file. Normally, sanitary fixtures are connected to each of the upstream ends of the pipes in the drainage piping structure. However, in the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file, there are cases where sanitary fixtures are not connected to the upstream end of the drainage piping structure. For this reason, the system discrimination processing unit 224 is configured to determine whether or not sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the pipes.

[0027] If the system determination processing unit 224 determines that no sanitary fixture is connected to the upstream end of a pipe, it executes a process to connect a sanitary fixture to the upstream end of the pipe that was determined to be unconnected. In cases where no sanitary fixture is connected to the upstream end of a pipe, for example, due to an incomplete drawing by the user, there may be a sanitary fixture located near the upstream end of the pipe, even though it is not connected to that end. Such a sanitary fixture should ideally be connected to the upstream end of a nearby pipe. Therefore, if there is a sanitary fixture located near the upstream end of a pipe, the system determination processing unit 224 sets that sanitary fixture as being connected to the upstream end of the pipe.

[0028] The drainage load calculation unit 225 performs a drainage load calculation. As part of the drainage load calculation, the drainage load calculation unit 225 calculates the load flow rate in the drainage piping based on the number of sanitary fixtures, the arrangement of risers, horizontal main pipes, etc. in the drainage piping structure, and derives the type of pipe member and pipe diameter corresponding to the calculated load flow rate.

[0029] The data provision unit 226 provides the client terminal 100 with system number information indicating the system number set for the drainage piping structure by the system discrimination processing unit 224, and various drainage load-related information (drainage load calculation, estimate, parts list, countermeasure proposal, etc.) based on the results derived by the drainage load calculation unit 225. Specifically, the data provision unit 226 may send data such as system number information and drainage load-related information to the web browser 102 of the client terminal 100 in response to a download request from the web browser 102. The web browser 102 may save the transmitted data locally.

[0030] The storage unit 203 stores various types of information that the design support server 200 supports. The storage unit 203 includes a piping member master storage unit 231, a sanitary fixture master storage unit 232, a design drawing file storage unit 233, a system number information storage unit 234, and a processing progress information storage unit 235.

[0031] The piping component master storage unit 231 (an example of a piping component information storage unit) stores the piping component master (an example of piping component information). The piping component master is a database that stores predetermined information for each piping component, which is a component used in drainage piping. Piping components are components used in piping and include tubular pipe components, fittings, elbows, leg fittings, etc. In the piping component master, the information corresponding to one piping component may include, for example, information such as name, manufacturer, model number, type classification, and specifications. The specifications information may include size information such as length and pipe diameter (inner diameter, outer diameter).

[0032] The sanitary fixture master storage unit 232 stores the sanitary fixture master. The sanitary fixture master is a database that stores predetermined information for each sanitary fixture. The information corresponding to a single sanitary fixture in the sanitary fixture master may include, for example, name, manufacturer, model number, type classification, specifications, etc.

[0033] The design drawing file storage unit 233 stores the design drawing files uploaded from the client terminal 100.

[0034] The system number information storage unit 234 stores system number information. System number information is information that indicates the system number associated (set) with each piping system in the drainage piping structure.

[0035] The processing progress information storage unit 235 stores processing progress information. Processing progress information is information obtained in accordance with the execution of procedures for calculating wastewater load.

[0036] The design support server 200 of this embodiment, configured as described above, is capable of providing a drainage load calculation service as a piping design support service. The drainage load calculation service performs drainage load calculations on drainage piping structures designed by the user using the design drawing application 101, and provides the user with information based on the drainage load calculation results.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of a drainage piping structure corresponding to one system. This figure is a two-dimensional view of the drainage piping structure from the side. In the drainage piping structure shown in the figure, a leg joint LPJ is provided at the lowest part. A vertical pipe (rise pipe) extends upward from the leg joint LPJ. The rise pipe is formed by connecting rise pipes DPv, joints that connect the rise pipes DPv to each other, and manifold joints CPJ that are provided corresponding to each floor, in the upper vertical direction of the leg joint LPJ. In addition, a vent pipe VP is provided at the upper end of the piping.

[0038] The CPJ manifold joint is a fitting that connects the drainage from sanitary fixtures on the corresponding floor to the vertical piping. The connection point on the merging side of the CPJ manifold joint is connected to a horizontal branch pipe section BPh. A horizontal branch pipe BPv corresponding to each sanitary fixture SN installed on the corresponding floor is further connected to the horizontal branch pipe section BPh, and a sanitary fixture SN is connected to the upstream end of the horizontal branch pipe BPv.

[0039] A sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S is connected to the leg joint LPJ in the horizontal direction. The figure shows a case where two sub-lateral main pipes DPh-S are connected by a socket SK. The sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S is the lateral main pipe section up to the cheese CHu where it merges with the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S1 of another system, and the lateral main pipe section downstream from cheese CHu becomes the main lateral main pipe DPh-M.

[0040] As can be seen from Figure 3, one system in a drainage piping structure is formed by a piping structure portion that extends upward from one leg joint LPJ as a base point, and a sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S that extends horizontally from the same leg joint LPJ as a base point. In other words, each system in a drainage piping structure is formed by having one specific leg joint. Therefore, one system is identified by one leg joint.

[0041] The design drawing file shows a drainage pipe structure with multiple systems, as shown in Figure 3. The drainage load calculation in this embodiment involves identifying the drainage piping structure for each system, as shown in Figure 3, and deriving the type of piping member and pipe diameter provided in the identified drainage piping structure.

[0042] Therefore, the following will explain, step by step, the operations that the user performs on the client terminal 100 in response to the drainage load calculation service, and the processes that the design support server 200 executes.

[0043] To access the drainage load calculation service, the user logs their web browser 102 into the website for the piping design support service provided by the design support server 200, and ensures that the web browser 102 is accessible from the website. Then, using the web browser 102, the user uploads a design drawing file (design drawing file) showing the drainage piping structure subject to the drainage load calculation to the drainage load calculation site. The design drawing file uploaded to the drainage load calculation site may include the entire design content contained in the original design drawing, or it may be an extracted portion related to the piping structure, such as piping components and sanitary fixtures, that are necessary for the drainage load calculation. In this process, the data acquisition unit 221 of the design support server 200 acquires the design drawing file sent from the web browser 102 as uploaded data, and stores the acquired design drawing file in the design drawing file storage unit 233.

[0044] The user performs an operation on the accessed website, selecting the drainage load calculation service from among several service items in the piping design support service, and launching the 3D viewer. Following these operations, the client terminal 100 displays the drainage load calculation service screen, which includes a 3D viewer screen displaying the drainage piping structure shown in the uploaded design drawing file in three dimensions.

[0045] Figure 4 shows an example of a drainage load calculation service screen. The drainage load calculation service screen in this figure is configured with a 3D viewer area AR1 and a procedure item area AR2. In the 3D viewer area AR1, the drainage piping structure shown in the design drawing file uploaded by the user is displayed in 3D space.

[0046] Procedure Item Area AR2 is an area that shows the procedures and the progress status of each procedure in the drainage load calculation service. In the procedure item area AR2, a corresponding procedure item button BT1 (BT1-1 to BT1-6) is placed for each procedure. Under the drainage load calculation service, when a user operates any of the available procedure item buttons BT1, the process corresponding to the operated procedure item button BT1 is executed.

[0047] The first procedure item corresponding to procedure item button BT1-1 is sanitary equipment assignment. Sanitary equipment assignment will be described later. The second procedure item corresponding to procedure item button BT1-2 is leg joint identification. Leg joint identification will be described later. The third procedure item corresponding to the procedure item button BT1-3 is the lineage identification process. The lineage identification process will be described later. The fourth procedure item, corresponding to procedure item button BT1-4, is the confirmation and input of horizontal main pipe / vertical pipe information. The confirmation and input of horizontal main pipe / vertical pipe information will be described later. The fifth step item, corresponding to the step item button BT1-5, is the drainage load calculation process. The drainage load calculation process will be described later. The sixth step item, corresponding to the step item button BT1-6, is the process of generating the deliverable. The process of generating the deliverable will be described later.

[0048] Some of the procedures corresponding to each procedure item button BT1 utilize the processing results of previously executed procedures. In other words, some of the procedures corresponding to each procedure item button BT1 cannot be executed unless a predetermined procedure has been completed first. Therefore, procedure item buttons BT1 are displayed in a manner that indicates they are operable if the corresponding procedure is currently executable, and are displayed in a manner that indicates they are not operable, for example by being grayed out, if the corresponding procedure is not currently executable.

[0049] For each of the procedure item buttons BT1 (BT1-1 to BT1-6), a progress display area AR11 (AR11-1 to AR11-6) is located to the left. The progress display area AR11 indicates whether the corresponding procedure has been completed or not. For example, if the corresponding procedure has not been completed, "Not yet" will be displayed in one progress display area AR11, and if the procedure has been completed, "Completed" will be displayed.

[0050] Furthermore, in the procedure item area AR2, there is a temporary save button BT2. The temporary save button BT2 is a button that the user operates when they want to temporarily save the results obtained through the steps so far while the procedure is progressing under the drainage load calculation service.

[0051] The user first operates the procedure item button BT1-1, which corresponds to the procedure item for assigning sanitary equipment, among the procedure item buttons BT1. In response to the operation of procedure item button BT1-1, the web browser 102 sends a request to execute sanitary equipment assignment to the design support server 200.

[0052] The sanitary equipment allocation unit 222 of the design support server 200 executes the following processing corresponding to sanitary equipment allocation upon receiving a request to execute sanitary equipment allocation. In other words, the sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 searches for sanitary fixtures from the design drawings stored in the design drawing file storage unit 233. The sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 may search for sanitary fixtures from among the objects placed in the design drawing by comparing the name (or model number) of the sanitary fixture shown in the sanitary fixture master stored in the sanitary fixture master unit 232 with the name (or model number) attached to the object placed in the design drawing. Furthermore, the sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 assigns the corresponding type of sanitary fixture (sanitary fixture type) shown in the sanitary fixture master to each sanitary fixture that has been found.

[0053] The sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 ensures that the type of sanitary fixture assigned to each object of the searched sanitary fixture is displayed in the 3D viewer area AR1. By viewing the 3D viewer area AR1 displayed in this way, the user can confirm the placement of sanitary fixtures in the design drawing and the type of sanitary fixture for each placed fixture.

[0054] For example, the assignment of sanitary fixture types shown in the 3D viewer area AR1 may differ from the actual assignment due to errors in the names or other information assigned to sanitary fixtures during the design phase. In such cases, the user can correct the assignment of sanitary fixture types through user interaction. In this case, the user performs a predetermined operation to display the sanitary fixture assignment operation screen on the drainage load calculation service screen.

[0055] Figure 5 shows an example of the sanitary fixture assignment operation screen. The sanitary fixture assignment operation screen displays a list of sanitary fixture types. The list item LST for sanitary fixture types includes information such as part name, model number, and type classification (toilet, washbasin, washing machine, etc.). The type of sanitary fixture is identified by the part name, model number, and type classification. Additionally, the assignment change button BT11 is located within the LST list item.

[0056] The user performs an operation in the 3D viewer area AR1 to specify a sanitary fixture that has a different sanitary fixture type assignment, and then operates the assignment change button BT11 located in the list item LST of the sanitary fixture types to be assigned to the specified sanitary fixture on the sanitary fixture assignment operation screen. The sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 changes the assignment of sanitary fixture types to the sanitary fixture objects specified in the 3D viewer area AR1 to the sanitary fixture type corresponding to the list item LST when the assignment change button BT11 is operated. The user, for example, changes the assignment of each sanitary fixture to a different type, and then operates the OK button BT12. In response to the operation of the OK button BT12, the sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 stores the results of the changes to the sanitary fixture type assignments as processing progress information in the processing progress information storage unit 235, and terminates the sanitary fixture assignment procedure. With the termination of the sanitary fixture assignment, the sanitary fixture assignment operation screen that was displayed is cleared. Furthermore, the sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 may update the design drawing file stored in the design drawing file storage unit 233 so as to reflect the change in the assignment of sanitary fixture types when the OK button BT12 is pressed.

[0057] Furthermore, if the user wishes to cancel the change in the assignment of sanitary fixture type, they operate the cancel button BT13. In response to the operation of the cancel button BT13, the sanitary fixture assignment unit 222 terminates the procedure for assigning sanitary fixtures up to that point without storing the results of the changes in the assignment of sanitary fixture type up to that point in the processing progress information storage unit 235.

[0058] In accordance with the completion of the sanitary fixture allocation procedure, the progress display area AR11-1, which corresponds to the sanitary fixture allocation procedure in the procedure item area AR2 of the drainage load calculation service screen, changes from displaying "Not yet" to displaying "Completed".

[0059] Next, the user operates the procedure item button BT1-2 corresponding to leg joint identification in the procedure item area AR2 in order to proceed to the leg joint identification procedure. In response to the operation of the procedure item button BT1-2, the web browser 102 sends a request to execute leg joint identification to the design support server 200. In response to the receipt of a request to identify a leg joint, the leg joint identification unit 223 of the design support server 200 performs the following processing corresponding to the leg joint identification. Specifically, the leg joint identification unit 223 identifies the leg joint LPJ. In particular, the leg joint identification unit 223 identifies the leg joint LPJ by searching among the piping members that form the drainage piping structure in the design drawing files stored in the design drawing file storage unit 233 for those whose type classification or name is, for example, a leg joint LPJ.

[0060] The leg joint identification unit 223 may identify a leg joint from among the objects placed in the design drawing by comparing the name (or model number) of the piping member indicated in the piping member master stored in the piping member master storage unit 231 with the name (or model number) attached to the object placed in the design drawing.

[0061] When the leg joint identification unit 223 identifies a leg joint LPJ, it displays a three-dimensional drainage piping structure with the identified leg joint LPJ highlighted in the three-dimensional viewer area AR1 of the drainage load calculation service screen, as shown in Figure 6. The highlighting may be, for example, by displaying the leg joint LPJ in a predetermined color different from other piping members. By viewing the 3D viewer area AR1, where the leg joint LPJ is highlighted, users can verify whether the leg joint LPJ is identified as designed.

[0062] For example, there may be cases where leg joints (LPJs) are not found due to errors in the names or other information assigned to them during the design phase. These unidentified leg joints (LPJs) are not highlighted in the 3D viewer area AR1. If a user finds a location in the 3D viewer area AR1 that is a leg joint LPJ in the design but is not identified (not highlighted), they can perform an operation to designate that unidentified location as a leg joint LPJ. This operation may be, for example, by moving the cursor CS to the location and clicking. As a result of this operation to designate a leg joint LPJ, the piping component corresponding to the designated location is newly identified as a leg joint LPJ and changes to a state where it is highlighted.

[0063] The user identifies all unidentified leg joint LPJ locations in the 3D viewer area AR1 as leg joint LPJs using the same procedure as described above, and then performs a predetermined operation to terminate the leg joint identification procedure. The operation to terminate the leg joint identification procedure may be, for example, pressing the escape key. In response to the completion of the leg joint identification procedure, the leg joint identification unit 223 stores the results of the leg joint LPJ identification so far as processing progress information in the processing progress information storage unit 235, and terminates the leg joint identification procedure so far.

[0064] In response to the completion of the leg joint identification procedure, the progress display area AR11-2, which corresponds to the leg joint identification procedure in the procedure item area AR2 of the drainage load calculation service screen, changes from displaying "Not Started" to displaying "Completed".

[0065] Having completed the leg joint identification procedure as described above, the user will then proceed to execute the system identification process procedure. At the stage when the leg joint identification procedure is completed, the procedure item buttons BT1-3 corresponding to the system identification process procedure in the procedure item area AR2 become operable. The user then operates the procedure item buttons BT1-3. In response to the operation of the procedure item buttons BT1-3, the web browser 102 sends a request to the design support server 200 to execute the system identification process. In response to receiving a request to execute the system determination process, the system determination processing unit 224 of the design support server 200 executes the system determination process. While the system determination processing unit 224 is executing the system determination process, a pop-up is displayed on the drainage load calculation service screen, for example, to notify the user that the system determination process is in progress. When this pop-up is displayed, operations on the drainage load calculation service screen may be disabled.

[0066] The system discrimination processing unit 224 performs pipe type identification processing as part of the system discrimination process. Pipe type identification processing is the process of identifying vertical pipes and horizontal main pipes as pipe types based on the drainage piping structure. When identifying vertical pipes, the system discrimination processing unit 224 performs the process of assigning a system number to the system including the identified vertical pipe, if necessary. In addition, when identifying horizontal main pipes, the system discrimination processing unit 224 identifies sub-horizontal main pipes (an example of a single horizontal main pipe) and main horizontal main pipes (an example of a combined horizontal main pipe).

[0067] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 7, an example of the processing procedure performed by the system identification processing unit 224 in relation to the identification of risers will be explained. The system identification processing unit 224 identifies risers for each system in the drainage piping structure. Figure 7 shows the processing procedure for sequentially identifying risers on a system-by-system basis.

[0068] Step S100: The system discrimination processing unit 224 selects one system to be processed from among the systems present in the drainage piping structure. As explained with reference to Figure 3, one system is identified by one leg joint. Therefore, the system discrimination processing unit 224 may select one system by selecting one leg joint from among the leg joints identified in the leg joint identification procedure described above in the drainage piping structure.

[0069] Step S102: System numbers may be assigned in the design drawings of the design drawing file, for example, by associating them with leg joints. Leg joints are piping members that serve as the base point of a system. Therefore, by associating system numbers with leg joints, piping members such as risers and sub-horizontal mains connected to the said leg joint can be treated as belonging to the same system number. In addition, different system numbers may be assigned to the risers and sub-horizontal mains, and drainage load calculations may be performed individually. In the piping design support system of this embodiment, each time a user makes changes to the design drawing using, for example, the design drawing application 101, they can use the load calculation service provided by the design support server 200 to obtain load calculation results corresponding to the changed design. For this reason, for example, a design change may result in the existence of a new system in the drainage piping structure that has not been assigned a system number. Therefore, the system determination processing unit 224 determines whether a system number has already been assigned to the system selected in step S100. Specifically, the system determination processing unit 224 may determine whether a system number has already been assigned to the selected system by checking whether a system number has been assigned to at least one of the piping members forming the selected system in the design drawing of the design drawing file.

[0070] Step S104: If it is determined in Step S102 that a system number has not yet been assigned, the system determination processing unit 224 assigns a system number to the system selected in Step S100. In other words, the system determination processing unit 224 generates a system number using a number that has not yet been assigned in the design drawing, and associates the generated system number with the system selected in Step S100. In this case, a system number may be assigned to the leg joints included in the system, or a system number may be assigned to each of the piping components included in the same system. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that a system number has been assigned, the process in step S104 is skipped.

[0071] For example, during the processing shown in the figure, the system identification processing unit 224 can also assign a new system number to each system present in the drainage piping structure. However, according to the processing in step S104 above, for systems that have already been assigned a system number, the assigned system number is maintained without being changed. When users modify the design details in the design drawings, they will perform the work by referring to the system numbers that have been assigned so far. Therefore, if the system numbers assigned to the systems change each time drainage load calculations are performed due to redesign, it will reduce the efficiency of the next redesign work. In this embodiment, as described above, the system is designed so that the same system numbers are assigned to systems that have already been assigned.

[0072] Step S106: If it is determined in step S102 that a system number has already been assigned, or after the processing in step S106, the system determination processing unit 224 searches for the next pipe member in the vertical upward direction, starting from the corresponding leg joint. The system determination processing unit 224 searches for pipe members by referring to the design drawing file. In searching for pipe members, the system determination processing unit 224 can determine whether or not something is a pipe member based on the type classification, name, model number, etc., shown for each piping member in the design drawing. The type classification used by the system determination processing unit 224 in step S106 may be, for example, one defined under the IFC file format. In system 1, the first (1st) step S106 is to search for a pipe member to be connected to the corresponding leg joint. Subsequent steps S106 are to search for a pipe member to be connected to the upper end of the pipe member found in the previous step S106. The pipe members may be connected to each other by joints such as sockets.

[0073] Step S108: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a pipe member exists based on the results of the search in step S106. Step S110: If the presence of a pipe member is determined in step S108, the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether the type of component of the pipe member whose presence has been determined is a vent pipe. The system discrimination processing unit 224 may determine whether or not it is a vent pipe.

[0074] Step S112: If it is determined in step S110 that the pipe member is not a vent pipe, the system determination processing unit 224 identifies the searched pipe member as a riser pipe. At this time, the system determination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a system number has been assigned to the identified riser pipe in the design drawing. If the system containing the identified riser pipe was newly added when the design drawing was created using the design drawing application 101, a system number may not have been assigned to the system containing the identified riser pipe. In this case, the identified riser pipe will not have a system number. Also, even if a system number has been assigned to the system containing the identified riser pipe, if there have been changes in the corresponding system, the identified riser pipe may not have a system number. The same circumstances that may result in a system number not being assigned in the drawing also apply to the sub-horizontal main pipes described later. If the system identification processing unit 224 determines that a system number is not assigned to the identified riser pipe in the design drawing, it assigns the system number of the system currently being processed to the piping component identifier of the identified riser pipe. The processing progress information storage unit 235 stores riser information, which is registered for each system, as one of the processing progress information items. The system discrimination processing unit 224 associates the system number assigned to the pipe member identified as a riser with the system number assigned to that pipe member and registers it in the riser information of the target system.

[0075] Step S114: The processing progress information storage unit 235 stores the vent pipe information, which registers the vent pipes corresponding to each system, as one of the processing progress information. If the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines in step S110 that it is a vent pipe, it registers the pipe member determined to be a vent pipe in step S110 into the vent pipe information of the target system.

[0076] After the processing in steps S112 and S114 described above, the process returns to step S106, and the search for pipe members in the vertical upward direction in the target system is repeated. When the search has been completed up to the uppermost pipe member connected vertically upward in the target system, it is determined in the next step S108 that no pipe members exist, and the identification of the vertical pipe in the target system is completed.

[0077] Step S116: If it is determined in step S108 that no pipe members exist and the identification of risers in the target system is complete, the system identification processing unit 224 determines whether the process of identifying risers for all systems has been completed. If it is determined that the identification of risers for all systems has not been completed, the process returns to step S100, and the process of identifying risers for the next system to be processed is executed. Then, if it is determined in step S116 that the identification of all vertical pipes for all systems has been completed, the process shown in the figure is terminated.

[0078] Once the process of identifying the vertical pipes shown in Figure 7 is complete, the system identification processing unit 224 executes the process of identifying the horizontal main pipes. The process of identifying the horizontal main pipes consists of identifying the sub-horizontal main pipes for each system and identifying the main horizontal main pipe into which the sub-horizontal main pipes merge.

[0079] The flowchart in Figure 8 shows an example of the processing procedure that the system discrimination processing unit 224 performs in relation to the identification of the horizontal main pipe. Step S200: The system discrimination processing unit 224 first identifies the corresponding sub-horizontal main for each system. Then, the system discrimination processing unit 224 selects the system to be targeted for sub-horizontal main identification.

[0080] Step S202: The system discrimination processing unit 224 searches for pipe members connected horizontally (laterally) using the leg joint corresponding to the system selected in step S200 as a starting point. The first step S202 in system 1 searches for pipe members connected to the leg joint. Subsequent steps S202 search for pipe members connected to the pipe members searched in the previous step S202.

[0081] Step S204: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not the searched pipe member exists as a result of the search in step S202. Step S206: If step S204 determines that a pipe member exists, the system determination processing unit 224 identifies the pipe member as a sub-horizontal main pipe belonging to the target system. At this time, the system determination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a system number is assigned to the identified sub-horizontal main pipe in the design drawing. If the system determination processing unit 224 determines that a system number is not assigned to the identified sub-horizontal main pipe in the design drawing, it assigns the system number of the system currently being processed to the piping member identifier of the identified sub-horizontal main pipe. In this case, if the system number assigned to the sub-horizontal main pipe differs from the system number assigned to the leg joint connected to the sub-horizontal main pipe, the system number assigned to the leg joint may be prioritized and adopted as the system number of the system. The processing progress information storage unit 235 stores sub-lateral main pipe information, which registers sub-lateral main pipes corresponding to each system, as one of the processing progress information. The system discrimination processing unit 224 registers the pipe member identified as a sub-lateral main pipe in step S206 into the sub-lateral main pipe information of the target system. For example, the system discrimination processing unit 224 may associate information indicating that it is a sub-lateral main pipe with the piping member identifier assigned to the pipe member identified as a sub-lateral main pipe in the sub-lateral main pipe information.

[0082] Step S208: If it is determined in step S204 that no pipe members exist, or after the processing in step S206, the system determination processing unit 224 searches for a joint. Step S210: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a joint exists based on the results of the search in step S208. If it is determined that no joint exists, the process returns to step S202.

[0083] Step S212: If it is determined in step S210 that a fitting exists, the system determination processing unit 224 registers the fitting that was found in the sub-horizontal main pipe information. For example, the system determination processing unit 224 may associate information indicating that the type of pipe member is a fitting with the pipe member identifier assigned to the pipe member found as a fitting and store it in the sub-horizontal main pipe information. Also, if the fitting that was found does not have a system number assigned to it, the system determination processing unit 224 will assign the system number of the system currently being processed to the pipe member identifier of the pipe member found as a fitting.

[0084] Step S214: The types of fittings include sockets, elbows, tees, etc. The system discrimination processing unit 224 then determines whether the fitting searched is a tee or not. The system discrimination processing unit 224 may determine whether it is a tee or not based on the name, model number, etc., associated with the relevant piping member shown in the design drawing, or it may determine whether it is a tee or not based on the number of connection ports of the piping member. If it is determined in step S214 that the product is not cheese, the process returns to step S202. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S214 that it is not a tee, and for example the fitting searched this time is an elbow that is displaced in the vertical direction, the system discrimination processing unit 224 may calculate the offset height of the piping due to the elbow.

[0085] Step S216: If it is determined in step S214 that it is cheese, the system discrimination processing unit 224 refers to the design drawing and determines whether or not the horizontal main pipe (sub-horizontal main pipe or main horizontal main pipe) is connected (merged) with the connection port of the cheese. If it is determined that a horizontal main pipe (sub-horizontal main pipe or main horizontal main pipe) is connected to the tee, then the identification of all sub-horizontal main pipes belonging to the target system is complete. At this point, if the tee that was searched does not have a system number assigned to it, the system identification processing unit 224 will assign the system number of the system currently being processed to the pipe member identifier of the pipe member identified as the tee. After that, the process proceeds to step S220 described below.

[0086] Step S218: If it is determined in step S216 that no other lateral main pipes are connected to the cheese, the system discrimination processing unit 224 registers the cheese that was searched in this step as a joint without a junction in the sub-lateral main pipe information. Furthermore, if the cheese found in this search does not have a system number assigned to it, the system identification processing unit 224 will assign the system number of the system currently being processed to the pipe member identifier of the pipe member that is the cheese found in this search.

[0087] Step S220: If it is determined in step S216 that another horizontal main is connected to the cheese, the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether the sub-horizontal main identification process has been completed for all systems. If there are still systems for which the sub-horizontal main identification process has not been completed, the process returns to step S200. As a result, the next selected system is used as the processing target and the sub-horizontal main is identified.

[0088] Step S222: If it is determined in step S220 that processing of all systems has been completed, the system discrimination processing unit 224 identifies the main lateral main pipe. In identifying the main lateral main pipe, the system discrimination processing unit 224 refers to the design drawing and identifies the lateral main pipe located downstream of the junction cheese of the sub-lateral main pipes recognized in the previous processing as the main lateral main pipe. The system identification processing unit 224 may assign a main horizontal main pipe identifier, such as a unique number or symbol, to each identified main horizontal main pipe.

[0089] Step S224: The processing progress information storage unit 235 stores the main horizontal main pipe information, which registers the main horizontal main pipe, as one of the processing progress information. The system discrimination processing unit 224 registers the pipe member identified as the main horizontal main pipe in step S222 into the main horizontal main pipe information.

[0090] Using the drainage piping structure shown in Figure 9 as an example, we will explain a specific example of the sub-lateral main pipe according to the treatment procedure in Figure 8. Within the scope of the drainage piping structure shown in the figure, three leg joints LPJ1, LPJ2, and LPJ3 are arranged. In other words, there are three systems within the scope of the drainage piping structure shown in the figure. In the figure, the system corresponding to leg joint LPJ1 is assigned system number 1, the system corresponding to leg joint LPJ2 is assigned system number 2, and the system corresponding to leg joint LPJ3 is assigned system number 3.

[0091] For example, in the first step S200, the system identification processing unit 224 selects the system with system number 1 corresponding to the leg joint LPJ1 as the system to be processed. Next, in the target system, the system identification processing unit 224 identifies the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S11 in the first steps S202-S206. Next, the system identification processing unit 224 performs the processing in steps S208-S218 corresponding to the elbow EB1 connected to the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S11, and returns to step S202. Next, in the target system, the system identification processing unit 224 identifies the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S12 connected downstream of the elbow EB1 in the second steps S202-S206. Next, in steps S208-S214 and S216, the system identification processing unit 224 searches for the tee CH1 connected to the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S12 and terminates the processing of the corresponding system.

[0092] Next, in the second step S200, the system discrimination processing unit 224 selects the system with system number 2 corresponding to the leg joint LPJ2 as the system to be processed. Next, in steps S202 to S206, the system discrimination processing unit 224 identifies the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S21. Next, in steps S208 to S214 and S222, the system discrimination processing unit 224 searches for cheese CH1 and terminates processing of the corresponding system.

[0093] Next, in the third step S200, the system identification processing unit 224 selected system number 3, which corresponds to leg joint LPJ3, as the system to be processed. In this case, the system identification processing unit 224 identifies the sub-horizontal main pipe DPh-S31 in the target system in the first step S202-S206. Next, the system identification processing unit 224 identifies elbow EB3a in the processing of steps S208-S220 and completes the processing of the first step. The system discrimination processing unit 224 identifies the sub-horizontal main pipe DPh-S32 in the target system through the second steps S202-S206. Next, the system discrimination processing unit 224 identifies the elbow EB3b through steps S208-S218. Next, the system identification processing unit 224 identifies the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S33 in the target system through the third step S202-S206. Then, the system identification processing unit 224 identifies the cheese CH3 connected to the sub-lateral main pipe DPh-S33 through the processing in steps S208-S214 and S222, and terminates the processing of the corresponding system.

[0094] Corresponding to the range of the drainage piping structure shown in the figure, the system discrimination processing unit 224 identifies the horizontal main pipes located downstream of the cheese CH1, which is a cheese where the sub-horizontal main pipes merge, as the main horizontal main pipes (DPh-M1, DPh-M2).

[0095] After identifying the vertical pipes and horizontal main pipes (sub-horizontal main pipes, main horizontal main pipes) according to the processing procedures in Figures 7 and 8, the system identification processing unit 224 performs sanitary fixture connection processing as part of the system identification process. In drainage piping structures, each sanitary fixture is supposed to be connected to the appropriate upstream end of the piping. However, in actual design drawings, there are cases where sanitary fixtures are not connected to the upstream end of any piping. This situation can occur, for example, when the designer places sanitary fixtures in the design drawing but neglects to connect the upstream ends of the piping to the placed fixtures. The sanitary fixture connection process in this embodiment is a process of connecting sanitary fixtures that are not connected to the upstream end of the piping in the design drawings to the appropriate upstream end of the piping, as described above.

[0096] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the system discrimination processing unit 224 in response to the sanitary fixture connection process. Step S300: The system discrimination processing unit 224 selects one fitting from among the fittings that connect the risers that have been identified so far. The fittings to be selected here are the manifold fittings used to connect the risers corresponding to each floor, and the leg fittings to which the branch pipes are connected to the corresponding sub-horizontal main pipes.

[0097] Step S302: The system discrimination processing unit 224 searches for one of the upstream ends of the branch pipes connected to the junction-side connection port of the joint selected in step S302, using the junction-side connection port of the joint as a starting point.

[0098] Step S304: In step S302, a sanitary fixture should ideally be connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe. However, as mentioned above, in the design drawings, a sanitary fixture may not be connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe. Therefore, the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a sanitary fixture is connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe discovered in step S302.

[0099] Step S306: If it is determined in Step S304 that no sanitary fixtures are connected, the system determination processing unit 224 searches for sanitary fixtures that are not connected to the upstream end of any branch pipe (connectable sanitary fixtures) within a certain distance range from a base point based on the upstream end of the target branch pipe. Connectable sanitary fixtures are sanitary fixtures that are treated as to be connected to the upstream end of the reference branch pipe. The base point based on the upstream end may be, for example, a coordinate that defines the position of the upstream end of the target branch pipe in a drawing. Step S308: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not there are connectable sanitary fixtures as a result of the search in step S306.

[0100] Step S310: If it is determined in step S308 that a connectable sanitary fixture exists, the system discrimination processing unit 224 updates the piping structure information indicating the drainage piping structure so that the connectable sanitary fixture found is connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe found. The piping information here may be one of the processing progress information stored in the processing progress information storage unit 235. If it is determined in step S308 that no connectable sanitary fixtures exist, the process in step S310 is skipped. In this case, it may be treated as if no sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe in question. If, at a later time, the user checks the design drawing and finds that no sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe, the user can modify the design drawing to include the connection of a sanitary fixture.

[0101] Step S312: After processing in step S310, or if it is determined in step S308 that no connectable sanitary fixtures exist, the system determination processing unit 224 determines whether all upstream ends of branch pipes starting from the currently selected fitting have been searched. If it is determined that the search is not yet complete, the process returns to step S302, and the upstream end of the next branch pipe that has not yet been searched will be searched.

[0102] Step S314: If it is determined that the search for all upstream ends of branch pipes based on the fitting currently selected in step S312 has been completed, the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not all fittings have been selected at this stage. If not all fittings have been selected, the process returns to step S300, where the next unselected fitting will be selected. Once all fittings have been selected, the sanitary fixture connection process is completed.

[0103] The system identification process is completed upon completion of the processing steps shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10. Upon completion of the system identification process, the pop-up on the drainage load calculation service screen that previously notified the user that the system identification process was in progress will change to a message notifying the user that the system identification process has finished. When the user sees the pop-up notifying the user that the system identification process has finished, they can dismiss the pop-up by, for example, operating the confirmation button located within the pop-up. In this way, upon completion of the system identification process, the progress display area AR11-3, which corresponds to the system identification process within the procedure item area AR2 of the drainage load calculation service screen, changes from displaying "Not yet" to displaying "Completed".

[0104] Next, the user can perform the procedure for confirming and entering horizontal main pipe / rise pipe information. In this case, the user operates the procedure item button BT1-4, which corresponds to the procedure for confirming and entering horizontal main pipe / rise pipe information, in the procedure item area AR2 of the drainage load calculation service screen. In response to the operation of the procedure item button BT1-4, the web browser 102 sends a request to the design support server 200 to confirm horizontal main pipe / rise pipe information. Upon receiving the request to confirm horizontal main pipe / rise pipe information, the system discrimination processing unit 224 of the design support server 200 displays a 3D confirmation design drawing in the 3D viewer area AR1 that reflects the results of the system discrimination processing shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10 to the drainage piping structure. The user can view the verification design drawing displayed in the 3D viewer area AR1 to confirm whether the vertical pipes and horizontal main pipes identified by the system identification process are as designed, and to confirm whether each sanitary fixture is connected to the appropriate upstream end of the branch pipe.

[0105] Furthermore, the design drawings displayed in the 3D viewer area AR1 allow the user to specify and highlight certain systems from among the multiple systems displayed. Refer to Figures 11 and 12 to explain the highlighting of the system. Figure 11 shows an example of a verification design diagram displayed in the 3D viewer area AR1. This diagram shows three systems, LN1, LN2, and LN3, connected by a common horizontal main pipe. The verification design diagram in this figure represents a normal state where the systems are not highlighted. With the verification design diagram in Figure 11 displayed, the user decided to focus on system LN2 among systems LN1, LN2, and LN3 for verification, and therefore chose to highlight system LN2. The user then performed the operation to select system LN2 for highlighting. The operation to specify the system to be highlighted may involve, for example, first making the system to be highlighted available in the verification drawing, and then placing the cursor at any position in the piping structure part included in the system to be highlighted in the verification drawing, or at any position in the selection area defined in the verification drawing corresponding to each system, and clicking. Alternatively, the operation to specify the system to be highlighted may involve displaying a list on the screen showing the number of sanitary equipment connected to each system number, and then selecting any system number from the displayed list and entering it as the system number to be highlighted. Alternatively, the operation to specify the system to be highlighted may involve placing the cursor at the position of the row or column corresponding to the system number shown in the list, and clicking.

[0106] As described above, when the operation to specify system LN2 as the target for highlighting is performed, the verification design drawing changes to a state where system LN2 is highlighted. Figure 12 shows an example of a verification design drawing in which system LN2 is highlighted. In this drawing, system LN2, which is the target of the highlighting, is displayed with the same intensity as in the normal state, while systems LN1 and LN3, which are not the target of the highlighting, are displayed with a lower (lighter) intensity than in the normal state. In other words, in this case, the intensity of the system to be highlighted is increased relatively, and the intensity of the systems not to be highlighted is decreased, thereby achieving the highlighting of the target system. Furthermore, the manner in which the highlighting is displayed is not limited to changing the intensity of the lines as described above. For example, as a manner of highlighting, the lines to be highlighted may be displayed in a predetermined color different from the lines that are not highlighted. Alternatively, as a manner of highlighting, the lines to be highlighted may be drawn with relatively thicker lines than the lines that are not highlighted. Furthermore, the highlighting method may be to display the systems that are highlighted and hide the systems that are not highlighted.

[0107] The highlighting of the systems in the verification design diagram as described above may be performed by a display control unit provided in the client terminal 100, which draws and displays the verification design diagram in response to the user's operation to highlight the systems. Alternatively, when highlighting systems in the verification design diagram, the client terminal 100 may first notify the design support server 200 of the systems designated as targets for highlighting in response to the user's operation to instruct the highlighting. The system discrimination processing unit 224 (an example of a display control unit) in the design support server 200 may generate a verification design diagram in which the systems indicated in the received notification are highlighted, and send the generated verification design diagram to the client terminal 100. The client terminal 100 may update the display of the verification design diagram to what it has been so far based on the transmitted verification design diagram.

[0108] Furthermore, users can modify pipe components that are not reflected in the 3D viewer area AR1, even though they are designed as vertical pipes or horizontal main pipes (sub-horizontal main pipes, main horizontal main pipes), by performing operations to set them as the corresponding vertical pipes or horizontal main pipes. In this case, users can set (input) sub-horizontal main pipes and main horizontal main pipes separately. Furthermore, if there is an upstream end of a branch pipe to which no sanitary fixtures are connected, the user can correct this by connecting the appropriate sanitary fixtures or by changing the number of sanitary fixtures to be connected. Furthermore, for example, in the lowest floor of a building being designed, sanitary fixtures may be connected to horizontal pipes without going through vertical pipes. In such cases, users can modify the connection of sanitary fixtures by changing or adding the number of sanitary fixtures that are connected without going through vertical pipes that specify the system.

[0109] Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation to indicate the completion of the horizontal main pipe / vertical pipe information confirmation and input procedure, the progress display area AR11-4 corresponding to the horizontal main pipe / vertical pipe information confirmation and input procedure changes from displaying "Not Started" to displaying "Completed".

[0110] Next, the user operates the procedure item buttons BT1-5 corresponding to the drainage load calculation in the procedure item area AR2 in order to perform the drainage load calculation. In response to the operation of procedure item buttons BT1-5, the web browser 102 sends a request to the design support server 200 to perform the drainage load calculation. Upon receiving a request to perform a drainage load calculation, the drainage load calculation unit 225 of the design support server 200 performs the drainage load calculation.

[0111] The drainage load calculation unit 225 performs drainage load calculations. Based on the results of previously performed sanitary fixture assignment, leg joint identification, system discrimination processing, and horizontal main / rise pipe information confirmation and input, the number of sanitary fixtures and drainage piping structure such as rise pipes and horizontal main pipes for each system are identified. Based on the identified drainage piping structure, the drainage load calculation unit 225 calculates the load flow rate for each system and derives the type of piping member and pipe diameter corresponding to the calculated load flow rate.

[0112] When the drainage load calculation unit 225 is performing the drainage load calculation process, a pop-up may be displayed on the drainage load calculation service screen to notify the user that the drainage load calculation is in progress. Upon completion of the drainage load calculation process by the drainage load calculation unit 225, the pop-up displayed on the drainage load calculation service screen may be changed to a message notifying that the drainage load calculation is complete. The pop-up may be dismissed in response to user actions. In accordance with the completion of the drainage load calculation procedure, the progress display area AR11-5, which corresponds to the drainage load calculation procedure within the procedure item area AR2 of the drainage load calculation service screen, changes from displaying "Not Started" to displaying "Completed".

[0113] After the drainage load calculation is completed, the user can instruct the design support server 200 to generate the deliverables obtained from the execution of each step in the drainage load calculation service. To do this, the user operates the step item button BT1-6. In response to the operation of the step item button BT1-6, the web browser 102 sends a deliverable generation request to the design support server 200.

[0114] The data provision unit 226 of the design support server 200 executes processing related to the generation of deliverables (deliverable generation processing) in response to the receipt of a deliverable generation request. As part of the output generation process, the data provision unit 226 first displays the results of the procedures in the drainage load calculation service to date (drainage load calculation service results) on the drainage load calculation service screen. Although not shown in the diagram, the drainage load calculation service screen displays the pipe diameters of each pipe member as risers arranged for each system, and the types of joint members, as drainage load calculation service results. In addition, the pipe diameters of each pipe member for each sub-horizontal main pipe and each pipe member for each main horizontal main pipe are also displayed as drainage load calculation service results.

[0115] Furthermore, the data provision unit 226 can provide data showing the results of the drainage load calculation service so that the client terminal 100 can download it. The data showing the results of the drainage load calculation service may be in a format compatible with a predetermined application that is not compatible with the design drawing application 101, for example. Furthermore, the data provision unit 226 generates system number assignment information, assigning a system number to each piping component shown in the drawing, and provides the generated system number assignment information to the client terminal 100 for download. The system number assignment information reflects the system number assignment status for piping components shown in the drawings uploaded from the client terminal 100, as well as the results of the system number assignment to subordinate components performed by the system identification processing unit 224 during the drainage load calculation service. Furthermore, the system number assignment information has a structure in which system numbers are associated with piping component identifiers that uniquely identify piping components. In addition, the system number assignment information may be in a format that can be imported by the design drawing application 101. The design drawing application 101, which has downloaded the system number assignment information, updates the data of the drawing it has open for processing by assigning the corresponding system number to each piping component with the same piping system identifier as indicated in the system number assignment information. For example, the data provision unit 226 may modify the design drawing file stored in the design drawing file storage unit 233 to reflect the results of the current drainage load calculation service, and provide the modified design drawing file for download to the client terminal 100. In this case, the user can download the design drawing file using, for example, a web browser 102, and open the downloaded design drawing file with the design drawing application 101 to obtain a design drawing that reflects the system number, the identification results of the risers and main pipes, the pipe diameters of the pipe members, etc., assigned under the drainage load calculation service.

[0116] Furthermore, instead of reflecting the drainage load calculation service results, such as system numbers, into the design file, they may be provided as a downloadable file in a format such as CSV. In this case, the user will import the downloaded file into the design drawing application 101. This will allow the system numbers to be reflected in the design drawing in the design drawing file.

[0117] Alternatively, the data provision unit 226 may provide a downloadable file in a predetermined format as a drainage load calculation sheet, which shows the pipe diameters of pipe members such as risers and horizontal main pipes, and the products of piping members that are recommended to be adopted according to the pipe diameters. Furthermore, it may provide downloadable files in a predetermined format, such as a product list, quotation, and proposed countermeasures, when the products recommended based on the drainage load calculation are adopted.

[0118] As described above, according to the piping design support system of this embodiment, when a user identifies pipe types such as risers and horizontal main pipes necessary to obtain the results of drainage load calculations, the user uploads a design drawing file to the design support server 200. The design support server 200 identifies the pipe types using information that can identify piping members, such as names and model numbers, that are assigned to the pipe members shown in the uploaded design drawing file (member identification information), and a piping member master (an example of piping member information). In this case, the user does not need to manually input information about pipe types such as risers and horizontal main pipes. Furthermore, when users set up systems (piping systems) based on leg joints in the piping structure and assign system numbers to the set up systems, they are required to upload design drawing files to the design support server 200. The design support server 200 identifies leg joints from the drainage piping structure shown in the uploaded design drawing files, sets up the systems by identifying the risers and sub-horizontal main pipes for each leg joint, and assigns system numbers (piping system identifiers) to the set up systems. In this case as well, the user does not need to perform input operations such as specifying the risers and sub-horizontal main pipes for each system in order to set up the systems. Furthermore, the design support server 200 is configured to search for a sanitary fixture that can be connected to the end of a branch pipe in the drainage piping structure shown in the uploaded design drawing file, if there is an end of a branch pipe to which no sanitary fixture is connected, and to connect the sanitary fixture to the end of the branch pipe. In this case as well, the user does not need to perform any input operation to specify the sanitary fixture to be connected to the end of the branch pipe. In other words, this embodiment reduces the effort required to input information necessary for calculations related to piping design. Furthermore, according to the piping design support system of this embodiment, if the design support server 200 does not have a system number assigned to the piping members in the piping structure of the drawing obtained from the design drawing application 101, it can assign a system number to each of the piping members in the drawing. The design support server 200 provides downloadable system number assignment information showing the result of assigning a system number to each of the piping members. Since the system number assignment information is in a format that the design drawing application 101 can handle, the designer can have the design drawing application 101 read the downloaded system number assignment information and assign a system number to each of the piping members in the drawing data (file) according to the content indicated by the system number assignment information. At this time, the design support server 200 does not change the system numbers for systems that have already been assigned a system number. As a result, the system numbers set by the designer on the design drawing application 101 are carried over as they are in the drawing, making it easier for the designer to continue designing. In this way, in this embodiment, the management of piping members in the piping structure can be performed efficiently under piping design.

[0119] <Variation> The following describes some modified examples of this embodiment. In the above embodiment, the horizontal main pipes are divided into main horizontal main pipes and sub-horizontal main pipes for system identification and other processing. However, the main horizontal main pipes and sub-horizontal main pipes may be processed as the same type of horizontal main pipe without any particular distinction.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the example given is the case where design support is provided for a drainage piping structure. However, the design support of this embodiment is not limited to drainage piping structures (drainage piping structures), but may also be applied to the design support of water supply piping structures (water supply piping structures).

[0121] The following describes an example of design support for water supply piping structures. As design support for water supply piping structures, the design support server 200 may be capable of performing sanitary fixture connection processing targeting water supply piping structures. For example, sanitary fixtures such as toilets, bathtubs, and washbasins have the water tap and drainage fixture integrated. In contrast, sanitary fixtures such as kitchens and washing machines have the water tap (including mixing taps) and drainage fixture installed separately. Taking the above into consideration, the design support server 200 of this embodiment may perform a sanitary fixture connection process targeting the water supply piping structure when no sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the drainage piping structure. In other words, the design support server 200 may search for water taps in the water supply piping structure and search for connectable sanitary fixtures based on the searched water taps.

[0122] Figure 13 shows an example of a water supply piping structure provided in conjunction with a drainage piping structure corresponding to a single system. This figure is a two-dimensional view of the drainage piping structure and the water supply piping structure from the side. In this figure, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figure 3, and their explanations are omitted. In the figure, the water supply piping structure is indicated by a dashed line. The drainage piping structure in this figure differs from that in Figure 3 in that one of the four horizontal branch pipes BPv connected to the horizontal branch pipe section BPh, which is located on the second floor, does not have a sanitary fixture SN connected to it. The water supply piping structure shown in the figure has horizontal branch pipes branching off from a single vertical pipe to the first and second floors, with sanitary fixtures SN or water taps HD connected to these horizontal branch pipes.

[0123] In the drainage pipe structure shown in the figure, a sanitary fixture SN is not connected to one of the horizontal branch pipes BPv on the second floor. Also, in the water supply piping structure shown in the figure, a water tap HD is located corresponding to the horizontal branch pipe BPv to which no sanitary fixture SN is connected. To address such cases, the design support server 200 of this embodiment can efficiently perform sanitary fixture connection processing when sanitary fixtures, such as those in kitchens and washing machines, where the water tap and drainage fixture are provided separately, are not connected, by performing sanitary fixture connection processing targeting the water supply piping structure.

[0124] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 14, an example of the processing procedure executed by the system discrimination processing unit 224 in this modified example in response to the sanitary fixture connection process will be explained. The sanitary fixture connection process shown in the figure is a combination of a sanitary fixture connection process targeting the drainage piping structure and a sanitary fixture connection process targeting the water supply piping structure.

[0125] Step S400: In the design support server 200, the system discrimination processing unit 224 (an example of a sanitary fixture connection part) selects one fitting from among the fittings that connect the risers identified so far in the drainage piping structure. The fittings to be selected here are manifold fittings used to connect risers corresponding to each floor, and leg fittings to which branch pipes are connected to the corresponding sub-horizontal main pipes.

[0126] Step S402: The system discrimination processing unit 224 searches for one of the upstream ends of the branch pipes connected to the junction-side connection port of the joint selected in step S402, using the junction-side connection port of the joint as a starting point.

[0127] Step S404: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a sanitary fixture is connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe discovered in step S402.

[0128] Step S406: If it is determined in step S404 that no sanitary fixtures are connected, the system determination processing unit 224 searches the water supply piping structure for a water tap located at a position corresponding to the upper end of a branch pipe in the drainage piping structure discovered in step S402.

[0129] Step S408: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not a water tap exists based on the results of the search in step S406.

[0130] Step S410: If it is determined in step S408 that a water tap exists, the system determination processing unit 224 searches for a sanitary fixture (connectable sanitary fixture) that is not associated with any water tap and is not connected to the upstream end of any branch pipe, within a certain distance range from a base point based on the location of the water tap (for example, the coordinates that define the placement position of the water tap in the drawing).

[0131] Step S412: If it is determined in step S408 that no water tap exists, the system discrimination processing unit 224 searches for sanitary fixtures (connectable sanitary fixtures) that are not connected to any upstream end of branch pipes within a certain distance range from a base point based on the upstream end of a branch pipe in the drainage piping structure explored in step S402, similar to step S306 in Figure 10.

[0132] Step S414: The system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not there are connectable sanitary fixtures as a result of the search performed in step S410 or step S412.

[0133] Step S416: If it is determined in step S414 that a connectable sanitary fixture exists, the system determination processing unit 224 updates the piping structure information indicating the drainage piping structure so that the connectable sanitary fixture found in this step is connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe found in step S402. In this case, if the system discrimination processing unit 224 has reached step S416 via step S410, it will associate the water taps found in step S406 with the connectable sanitary fixtures found in the current step in the piping structure information. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S404 that a sanitary fixture is connected, the piping structure information is updated so that the corresponding sanitary fixture is connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe discovered in step S302.

[0134] If it is determined in step S414 that no connectable sanitary fixtures exist, the process in step S416 is skipped. In this case, it may be treated as if no sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe in question. If, at a later time, the user checks the design drawing and finds that no sanitary fixtures are connected to the upstream end of the branch pipe, the user can modify the design drawing to include the connection of a sanitary fixture.

[0135] Step S418: After processing in step S416, or if it is determined in step S414 that there are no connectable sanitary fixtures, the system determination processing unit 224 determines whether all upstream ends of branch pipes, starting from the currently selected fitting in the drainage piping structure, have been searched. If it is determined that the search is not yet complete, the process returns to step S402, and the upstream end of the next branch pipe that has not yet been searched in the drainage piping structure is searched for.

[0136] Step S420: If it is determined that the search for all upstream ends of branch pipes based on the joint currently selected in step S418 has been completed, the system discrimination processing unit 224 determines whether or not all joints have been selected at this stage. If not all fittings have been selected, the process returns to step S400, where the next unselected fitting will be selected. Once all fittings have been selected, the sanitary fixture connection process is completed.

[0137] Furthermore, for example, a program such as an application running on the client terminal 100 may enable some or all of the processing performed by the design support server 200 to be executed.

[0138] Alternatively, the processing of the client terminal 100 or design support server 200 may be performed by recording a program for realizing the functions of the client terminal 100 or design support server 200 on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and SSDs (Solid State Drives) built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, the recording medium also includes internal or external recording media accessible from the distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed on the terminal device. Furthermore, the program may be divided into multiple parts, each downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, and each divided program may be distributed by a different distribution server. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Moreover, the above program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be implemented in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, such as so-called differential files (differential programs). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0139] 100 Client terminal, 101 Design drawing application, 102 Web browser, 200 Design support server, 201 Communication unit, 202 Control unit, 203 Storage unit, 206 Step, 221 Data acquisition unit, 222 Sanitary fixture assignment unit, 223 Leg joint identification unit, 224 System discrimination processing unit, 225 Drainage load calculation unit, 226 Data provision unit, 231 Piping member master storage unit, 232 Sanitary fixture master storage unit, 233 Design drawing file storage unit, 234 System number information storage unit, 235 Processing progress information storage unit

Claims

1. A data acquisition unit acquires drawings in a format that allows for assigning a piping system identifier to each piping member, corresponding to each piping system formed by piping members having a predetermined connection relationship in the piping structure. The system setting unit includes, in the case where there are unassigned piping members in the drawings acquired by the data acquisition unit that do not have the piping system identifier assigned to them, the system setting unit identifies the piping system that includes the unassigned piping members and assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the unassigned piping members, The system setting unit searches for piping members connected horizontally, using a piping member that is a leg joint corresponding to the identified piping system as the starting point, identifies the searched piping member as a single horizontal main pipe belonging to the identified piping system, assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe if no piping system identifier has been assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe with priority over the different piping system identifier. Piping design support system.

2. The system setting unit includes one or more vertical pipes arranged vertically upward from a piping member which is a leg joint as a base point, in the piping member corresponding to one system. The piping design support system according to claim 1.

3. The system setting unit assigns the assigned piping system identifier to any risers that are included in a piping system for which a piping system identifier has already been set in the drawing, but which do not currently have a piping system identifier assigned to them. The piping design support system according to claim 2.

4. If there are unconfigured piping systems in the drawing for which a piping system identifier has not been set, the system setting unit assigns a newly set piping system identifier to the piping members that form the unconfigured piping system. A piping design support system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The data acquisition unit acquires the drawings created by the drawing creation application. A piping design support system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The system further comprises a data provision unit that displays the relationship between each piping member and its corresponding piping system identifier after the system setting unit has assigned a piping system identifier to the piping member, associating the piping system identifier with the piping member identifier that uniquely identifies the piping member in the drawing, and outputs piping system identifier assignment information in a format that can be imported by the application that creates the drawing. A piping design support system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The system further includes a display control unit that displays the piping structure shown in the drawing acquired by the data acquisition unit, and displays a specified piping system from among the piping systems included in the displayed piping structure in a manner different from other piping systems. A piping design support system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The display control unit displays the piping structure shown in the drawing in three dimensions. The piping design support system according to claim 7.

9. A data acquisition step involves obtaining a drawing in a format that allows for assigning a piping system identifier to each piping member, corresponding to each piping system formed by piping members having a predetermined connection relationship in the piping structure. The system setting step includes, if, in the drawing obtained by the data acquisition step, there are unassigned piping members to which the piping system identifier has not been assigned, identifying the piping system to which the unassigned piping members include, and assigning the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the unassigned piping members, In the system setting step, a piping member connected horizontally is searched using a piping member that is a leg joint corresponding to the identified piping system as the starting point, the searched piping member is identified as a single horizontal main pipe belonging to the identified piping system, if a piping system identifier is not assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, the piping system identifier of the identified piping system is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, and if a piping system identifier different from the piping system identifier of the identified piping system is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe, the piping system identifier of the identified piping system is assigned to the single horizontal main pipe with priority over the different piping system identifier. Piping design support method.

10. The computer included in the piping design support system A data acquisition unit that acquires drawings in a format that allows for assigning a piping system identifier to each piping member, corresponding to each piping system formed by piping members having a predetermined connection relationship in a piping structure. In the drawings acquired by the data acquisition unit, if there are unassigned piping members that do not have the piping system identifier assigned to them, the system setting unit identifies the piping system that includes the unassigned piping members and assigns the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the unassigned piping members. It is a program designed to function as such. The system setting unit is configured to search for piping members connected horizontally, starting from a piping member that is a leg joint corresponding to the identified piping system, identify the searched piping member as a single horizontal main pipe belonging to the identified piping system, assign the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe if the single horizontal main pipe does not have a piping system identifier assigned to it, and assign the piping system identifier of the identified piping system to the single horizontal main pipe if the single horizontal main pipe has a piping system identifier different from the piping system identifier of the identified piping system, prioritizing the assignment of the piping system identifier to the single horizontal main pipe over the different piping system identifier. program.

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