Method for providing a cover element

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing at least one cover element (2) for temporarily covering at least one protection point (4) of a machine element (6). The method has the steps of: - - determining protection point information (10), in particular digital protection point information, automatically by means of an EDP unit (12), preferably on the basis of the model (8), - determining one or more cover elements (2) on the basis of the protection point information (10) by means of the EDP unit (12), - automatically assigning one or more cover elements (2) to the respective protection point (4), and - providing the assigned cover element (2).

Description

[0001] Method for providing a cover element

[0002] The invention relates to a method for providing at least one cover element, in particular made of plastic and preferably produced by injection molding or thermoforming, for temporarily covering at least one protective point of a machine element.

[0003] When manufacturing assemblies such as vehicles, machines and systems from multiple machine elements, the machine elements must be protected at their protective points until they are installed. Such machine elements can be any technical components, such as motors, gears, clutches, pumps, valves, controls, actuators, sensors, fluid lines, electrical power and control cables with connectors, or combinations thereof. The protective points are in particular interfaces of the machine element, such as openings or connection points to other machine elements. To protect against damage, contamination, ingress of foreign objects and / or penetration of media, the machine elements are in practice temporarily covered, in particular closed, at their protective points using cover elements.For external protection of protective points, such cover elements are preferably designed as caps, in particular as protective, grip, screw, and / or flange caps. For internal protection of protective points, such cover elements are preferably designed as plugs, in particular as protective, grip, screw, and / or flange plugs. For easy assembly and disassembly, the cover elements are preferably made at least partially of plastic.

[0004] In practice, providing a suitable cover element is often difficult due to the large number of possible cover elements. There is a multitude of cover elements with different characteristics in terms of shape, size, material, wall thickness, elasticity, color and / or other features. In addition, the cover elements are subject to a variety of requirements, which depend at least in part on the respective protection point. It is common for machine element manufacturers to identify potentially suitable cover elements from the cover element supplier's catalog, for example using search engines. The most suitable cover element can then be selected by testing the installation of the cover element(s) on the physical machine element.However, in the case of machine elements with a large number of protected points, such as a turbocharger, machine element manufacturers are faced with a relatively large number of potentially suitable cover elements, which can number in the hundreds or thousands. The selection of a truly suitable cover element is therefore comparatively lengthy and complex. In addition, there is often no physical cover element available initially, as these must first be ordered and prepared. This makes it initially unclear whether the selection is correct. It is also possible that a cover element is selected which, from an objective perspective, is not optimal, thus providing suboptimal protection for the machine element. Furthermore, in certain application cases, a suitable cover element is missing, making effective protection of the machine element impossible.In such cases, the subsequent development of a new cover element is often accompanied by a complex coordination process with the machine element manufacturer.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for providing at least one cover element that at least partially avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the method is intended to enable reliable protection of at least one protective point of the machine element in a simple manner.

[0006] The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] According to the invention, the method for providing at least one cover element, in particular made of plastic and preferably produced by injection molding or thermoforming, for temporarily covering at least one protective point of a machine element comprises the steps:

[0008] - optional provision of a particularly digital and preferably three-dimensional model of the machine element,

[0009] - Determining, in particular, digital protection point information automatically by means of an IT unit, preferably based on the model, - Determining one or more cover elements based on the protection point information by means of the IT unit,

[0010] - automatic assignment of one or more cover elements to the respective protection point and

[0011] - Providing the associated cover element.

[0012] Providing the model according to a further development of the invention serves to make it available for subsequent process steps. It is essential that the model is available for further use. The provision can be carried out by third parties, such as the machine element manufacturer. The model can be received prior to provision, for example, via remote communication means, particularly in digital form.

[0013] The model is preferably a three-dimensional image of the machine element. The model can be in physical or digital form. Preferably, the model is in digital form for easy processing by the IT unit. The digital model is, in particular, available as a CAD model.

[0014] Determining the protection point information serves to identify at least one protection point of the machine element.

[0015] The determination is made automatically by means of a computer unit, preferably based on information provided via an interface to a program running on the computer unit. The information can be provided via voice input, text input, image input, and / or by providing a particularly digital and preferably three-dimensional model of the machine element.

[0016] Speech input is particularly performed using natural language, for example, in the form of one or more search prompts (e.g., "I'm looking for a cap for a 20 mm nozzle"), which are made available to the program via the interface in a machine-readable or machine-understandable format. According to one embodiment, the program can understand speech.

[0017] Voice input can also be provided via a dialog guided by the program. In such a dialog, relevant information for determining the protection point and the covering element can be requested.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, a single or multiple text input can be used to transmit information to the computer unit or to the program running on it.

[0019] For example, text input can be made in the form of data entry into a form, from which the program automatically derives suitable protection point information. The form can be made available via the interface. Image input to provide relevant information can be made, for example, by entering a photo, a technical drawing, and / or a hand-drawn sketch. Using text recognition, the program can recognize textual information contained in the drawings, photos, or hand-drawn sketches.

[0020] In addition to the protection point information that directly relates to the protection point of the machine element, according to a further development of the invention, the protection point information can also be at least one technical feature of the cover element, wherein the technical feature is made available by means of an interface to the computer unit or to the program running on it.

[0021] Technical features of the cover element include, in particular: diameter, size of any grip tab or gripping surface, the thickness of a material wall, the need for sealing elements such as beads or sealing lips, required contact forces, the desired position of gripping surfaces, the color, resistance to external stress (e.g. cold), rigidity, temperature resistance and abrasion resistance both internally and / or externally, elasticity and hardness, electrical conductivity of the material used, the tolerated degree of contamination and / or cleanliness of the material used in accordance with ISO 16232 and / or VDA Vol. 19, biodegradability, recycled content, CO2 balance, light transmittance, accuracy of fit, chemical resistance, the proportion of volatile substances in the material used, the material to be used as such, loss protection, stackability, etc.Separation capability, a desired surface roughness, marking capability.

[0022] Further information about the protection point, provided to the IT system via an interface, includes, for example, the dimensions of the protection point, e.g., length, width, height, wall thickness, inner and outer diameter, the presence of threads, beads, and other shapes, and / or the question of which surface is to be protected. In particular, the information regarding whether internal or external protection is to be achieved is an important filter criterion.

[0023] The optional determination of the protection point information based on the model preferably takes place at least by taking the model into account, in particular by using the model. The protection point information is in particular obtained from the model. The protection point information can, for example, include a numbering of the protection points if multiple protection points are present. According to the invention, the determination of digital protection point information takes place automatically using an IT unit.

[0024] Determining the at least one cover element serves to identify at least one cover element, in particular a plurality of cover elements, with the respective cover element data specifying them. Cover elements are preferably determined with cover element data compatible with the protection point information. According to the invention, the at least one cover element is determined automatically by means of the IT unit, in particular by means of a computer program or the program running on the IT unit.

[0025] The assignment serves to assign at least one cover element to the protection point in the case of a single protection point, or to each of the protection points in the case of multiple protection points. In particular, several cover elements, preferably however no more than 10, particularly preferably no more than 5, and further particularly preferably no more than 3, are assigned to each protection point. Thus, only a limited number of cover elements is assigned, which is manageable for the machine element manufacturer. At the same time, there is a choice of the number of cover elements.

[0026] The automatic assignment according to the invention is performed by the computer unit. If the assignment is performed automatically, it is preferably performed as a computer-implemented process step using a computer program. This makes the process comparatively fast and easily repeatable.

[0027] Providing the cover element serves to make the cover element available for further use. The cover element can be provided in digital or physical form. For example, digital provision involves the output of a unique designation of the cover element, related to a product database or product catalog, or the output of a unique digital image, such as a photo. In particular, the cover element is provided in three-dimensional form. Preferably, several cover elements are provided for each protection point, thus providing the machine element manufacturer with a selection option. The cover element(s) are preferably handed over.

[0028] Particularly when multiple cover elements are provided in physical form for a protection point, they are preferably clearly marked, for example via a QR code, an RFID tag, or another identifier that allows unambiguous identification. In particular, by entering the identifier, for example the QR code enclosed with the cover element or attached to it, direct access to a corresponding ordering process in the ordering system of the cover element provider can be provided. For this purpose, the provider can, for example, provide a website or an app for which the QR code is read. This means that a cover element assigned to the protection point can be clearly assigned even if identical cover elements are used for multiple protection points.

[0029] The method according to the invention enables the simple and rapid provision of objectively suitable cover elements compatible with the respective protection location. A reduction of the number of possible compatible cover elements to a manageable level is achieved. The machine element can be effectively protected using the assigned cover element(s). Furthermore, at an early development stage of the machine element, in which no final machine element is yet available or can be provided, suitable cover elements can already be provided based on a model of the machine element.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the digital model is created by digitizing a physical model, in particular by means of photogrammetry. Photogrammetry involves recording, in particular photographing, the physical model from different perspectives. Subsequently, a digital, three-dimensional model of the machine element is reconstructed, in particular using at least one algorithm. In particular, a geometry of the physical model, in particular also a surface texture, such as surface roughness and / or quality, is recorded. This information can in turn be used, in particular by means of the IT unit, to identify protection points and / or to determine protection point information. For example, a protection point can be identified by recording a surface quality typical of sealing surfaces.Thanks to digitization, the model can also be easily processed on the computer unit.

[0031] The processing of the model is further improved by simplifying the model, preferably geometrically. The simplification can take place before provision, for example by the machine element manufacturer for the purpose of confidentiality. Alternatively or additionally, the simplification can take place after provision. The simplification preferably comprises a reduction of the model to the at least one protection point and its immediate surroundings, i.e. surroundings delimiting the assembly space of the protection point. In particular, the shape, position, location and distances of the protection points as well as the distances of the protection points to adjacent areas of the machine element are retained during the simplification. The part of the machine element that is irrelevant for the protection point information is preferably simplified.Simplification can be achieved by approximating the areas of the machine element irrelevant to the protection point information, removing technical details in these areas, such as recesses, fillets, and / or grooves, substituting them with simple shapes, and / or merging the machine element comprising several individual parts into a single body, in particular one that only depicts the outer shell of the machine element. This simplification enables simple and rapid processing by the computer unit. The model's storage requirements are also reduced.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, determining protection point information comprises identifying the at least one protection point. In this case, the number of protection points is preferably determined, in particular by analyzing the machine element. If the model has been simplified, the identification of the at least one protection point can already occur within the scope of this simplification. The model is preferably examined for features characteristic of protection points, such as openings, nozzles, and / or geometric shapes of an interface. Such interfaces are usually standardized and / or predetermined with regard to their shape. By specifically searching for such shapes, protection points can be identified relatively easily and reliably. This makes it possible to distinguish between protection points and other machine element areas that do not require protection.This also makes it possible to determine the number of cover elements required. Alternatively or additionally, the identification of at least one protection point can be carried out based on information stored, in particular, in the CAD model, such as surface qualities or tolerances in the dimensions of certain geometric shapes.

[0033] The automatic determination of protection point information can be achieved by reading information contained in the model of the machine element, particularly in the form of a CAD model. For this purpose, attributes, for example, on holes, nozzles, fastening elements, connections, or similar, are preferably defined as information in the model. Such attributes are used, for example, to process a CAD model as part of work planning and to automatically create the required machining steps, such as for producing a threaded hole, depending on the attributes, particularly in a CNC program. The determination of protection point information can also be achieved by searching the model for specific geometric objects that are typical of protection points.Preferably, the automatic determination of the protection point information and / or the identification of the protection point is carried out using an artificial intelligence algorithm. Collections of standardized and / or predefined interfaces, such as electronic connectors or fluid lines, can be used, in particular, as training data for training the artificial intelligence algorithm. This allows protection points to be easily identified and / or protection point information to be determined.

[0034] The model of the machine element can also be enriched with information and / or attributes, particularly related to the protection point. For this purpose, the model can be analyzed, in particular, for missing information and / or attributes. Any missing information and / or attributes can then be added. Furthermore, the model can be enriched with information and / or attributes, particularly those specified by the machine element manufacturer. This ensures comprehensive specification of the protection point, even if attributes are insufficient.

[0035] Preferably, at least one protection-related feature from the group of position, location, dimensions, available installation space, functional element to be covered, available installation space, required operating element, required degree of protection, withdrawal force, and / or function is recorded as part of the protection point information. It is understood that multiple functional elements, such as functional surfaces and / or sealing elements, may be present and / or multiple operating elements may be required. Recording the available installation space serves to determine the accessibility of the protection point. In particular, the distances between the protection points and / or to adjacent areas of the machine element are recorded. The required operating element can be determined depending on accessibility.If, due to accessibility, only a single disassembly direction of the cover element is possible, a corresponding operating element with the same disassembly direction can be determined. The function of the protection point can be recorded, for example, as its use as a hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, and / or control element. Preferably, several, particularly preferably at least three, even more particularly preferably at least five, in particular all of the features, are recorded. This provides a comprehensive and simultaneously objective specification of the protection point.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the determined protection point information is checked, preferably with the involvement of the machine element manufacturer. The protection point information determined based on the model is checked for validity, accuracy, and / or completeness. This allows a particularly suitable cover element to be provided.

[0037] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one cover element is determined based on at least one of the data used as cover element data: dimensions of the cover element, functional element that can be covered by the cover element at the protected location, functional element present on the cover element, achievable degree of protection, material, required material quantity, required installation space, required assembly space, existing operating element, required operating force, existing connecting element, existing display element and / or manufacturing costs. The cover element can also comprise a plurality of functional elements, such as functional surfaces and / or sealing elements, and / or a plurality of operating elements. In particular, an operating element designed as a grip tab, tear tab and / or grip edge is defined as the operating element. A connecting element designed as a thread, clamping lamella or the like can be defined as the connecting element.In particular, an authenticity indicator is specified as the display element. The degree of protection can preferably be specified in the form of an IP protection class, whereby the IP protection class is specified in particular by DIN EN 60529 and / or ISO 20653. The achievable degree of protection preferably depends at least on the tightness and in particular also on other protective features, such as membranes or filters. Furthermore, when determining the achievable degree of protection, at least one property of the protected area that influences the degree of protection, in particular its geometry and / or surface quality, is preferably taken into account. The material is preferably determined taking into account at least the elasticity, color, light transmittance, temperature resistance and / or chemical resistance of the material. Thus, all information relevant to the protected area is taken into account when determining the cover element.

[0038] The cover elements are preferably determined based on cover element data stored in a cover element database, which is accessed in particular by means of the IT unit. Cover element data is preferably accessed from a standards catalog, in particular additionally from a special catalog. This allows easy access to a large volume of data. In a further embodiment of the invention, at least part of the protection point information is checked for compatibility with at least part of the cover element data for the assignment. In particular, a compatibility check of individual corresponding features of the protection point information and cover element data is carried out. For example, it is possible to check whether the installation space required for the cover element is less than or equal to the installation space available at the protection point.A collision check can also be performed, for example, regarding the installation space required for the cover element and the installation space available at the protection point. Compatibility is preferably determined, alternatively or additionally, by whether the respective cover element has previously been considered compatible for an identical or similar protection point. Industry-specific collections, so-called backlogs, of previously used cover elements are particularly used. The industry can be, for example, automotive, e-mobility, hydraulics, pneumatics, gas and water installation, construction and agricultural machinery, mechanical engineering, or plant engineering. This allows for an objective assessment of the suitability of the cover element based on defined criteria.

[0039] A cover element that is particularly suitable for individual applications can be assigned, preferably in that the assignment is additionally dependent on at least one application- or industry-specific requirement regarding a degree of protection, a degree of ergonomics, availability, a degree of sustainability, a material, a quantity of material, a color, and / or a price of the cover element. The application-specific requirement can be specified by the machine element manufacturer. The degree of sustainability can take into account, for example, a proportion of recycled material and / or recyclability. Regarding the material, particular consideration is given to light transmittance, chemical resistance, and / or temperature resistance.In addition, at least one further machine element manufacturer-specific specification, such as a standard of the machine element manufacturer, a preference of the machine element manufacturer and / or previously used cover elements can be taken into account.

[0040] Preferably, the assignment of one or more cover elements to the respective protection point is based on a weighting of the protection point information, particularly with regard to cost, degree of protection, and / or ergonomics. Thus, the machine element manufacturer or user, or the Kl model, can weight the information relevant for the assignment, thereby influencing the assignment.

[0041] In particular, such an industry- or application-specific weighting of the technical features results from the training of a Kl model or one or more LoRA layers that may be present.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assignment of the cover element is based on a selection criterion, preferably taking into account the protection point information and the cover element data. The assignment is preferably based on a selection criterion linking the protection point information and the cover element data. In particular, the selection criterion includes a degree of compatibility between the protection point information and the cover element data. For example, the assignment can be based on the greatest compatibility between the protection point information and the cover element data as the selection criterion.

[0043] In particular, the selection criteria take into account application- and / or machine element manufacturer-specific specifications, possibly with different weighting, in the form of predefined technical features of the cover element or technical features assumed by the Kl model. This allows for an objective assignment that is also tailored to the individual case. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the assignment of several cover elements to the same protection point is carried out based on several mutually different selection criteria. The mutually different selection criteria can differ, for example, through a different prioritization and / or weighting of the protection point information. For this purpose, the Kl model can be trained for a specific industry or set up with corresponding data sets with a view to different industries to be supplied with cover elements.The machine element manufacturer can thus be provided with a cover element that optimally fulfills the respective criterion. The machine element manufacturer can select a final cover element for protecting the protection point from the various cover elements that are each optimal with regard to the different selection criteria. In a further embodiment of the invention, the assignment takes place automatically on an IT unit and in particular by means of an artificial intelligence algorithm, in particular a machine learning algorithm. For this purpose, a corresponding program runs on the IT unit, which can comprise one or more computer units, in which the protection point information is used and which accesses information from one or more cover elements. This program can also be used to query and determine the protection point information. Alternatively or additionally, there can also be several programs.This information regarding the covering elements can be contained in a local database, a remote database, or a partially local and partially remote database, which can also be part of the program. For example, the dimensions of a protection point and a covering element are approximated to determine a distance dimension. By minimizing this dimension, a covering element can be found that best fits the protection point. In particular, a covering element with a minimal overhang is assigned. This allows the protection point to be reliably covered with minimal material usage.

[0044] For example, a solution, i.e. a suitable covering element, can first be searched for in a local database. However, if the artificial intelligence algorithm (“AI algorithm” or “AI model”) cannot find a suitable element there, it can preferably automatically access the next larger, e.g. remote database with a more comprehensive AI algorithm, i.e. a larger AI model. An IT unit is an electronic data processing system that has the usual resources, including permanent and long-lasting RAM, CPU and, if applicable, GPU and communication interfaces. The IT unit can comprise several such computer units, which can also be spatially separated. These can be local computers or terminal server systems or server systems or combinations thereof.

[0045] Preferably, a specially trained artificial neural network is used for the assignment, either alternatively or in addition. The neural network can be trained based on previous assignments of cover elements to protection points and / or an evaluation of previously assigned cover elements. The evaluation can take into account whether previously assigned cover elements were accepted, in particular by the machine element manufacturer, and / or whether individual criteria were under- or over-fulfilled. The use of artificial intelligence enables rapid assignment even for complex machine elements. Furthermore, new solutions can be found compared to manual assignment.

[0046] The training of the KL algorithm, also referred to as the KL model, is carried out primarily with customer- and / or industry-specific knowledge, preferably using LoRA, i.e., only on one or more LoRA layers and, in particular, on-premises. In particular, the model used is a large language model adapted using LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation), whose weight matrices are adapted accordingly using low-rank updates.

[0047] Customer-specific knowledge originates primarily from customer relationship management, with written information on any past sales and offers, along with associated communications. This is verified information that originates not from publicly available but from company-specific, internal sources.

[0048] In addition to traditional text-based documents, photos, drawings, and / or CAD data of the protection points and / or associated cover elements can also be used to train the algorithm. Any textual information contained in drawings can be extracted from purely image-based data formats using OCR and made available to the Kl model. For example, a drawing title can contain industry-specific information that triggers the weighting and evaluation of individual technical information related to the protection point or cover element.

[0049] Different industries have different weightings for the technical features described above when it comes to protection point information. For example, in addition to the areas of automotive, e-mobility, hydraulics, gas and water installation, pneumatics, construction and agricultural machinery, mechanical engineering or plant engineering, the pharmaceutical and medical health sectors are also important. For example, groups of the information on cover elements mentioned above are weighted differently for the automotive industry than for the pharmaceutical sector. For example, the position and size of gripping surfaces of the cover element may be more important in the automotive industry for the synchronized assembly process that is common there than in the pharmaceutical industry, where the abrasion resistance and the tolerated degree of contamination of the cover element are given greater weight.Accordingly, there are also industry-specific solutions that are identified and used in the training of the AI ​​model by entering corresponding data.

[0050] According to a further development of the invention, the used KL model is trained using multiple LoRA adapters that receive industry-specific information, resulting in different weightings of the technical protection point information described above or of individual groups. At the same time, such a group of LoRA adapters is considered part of the KL model within the meaning of this invention.

[0051] To ensure the confidentiality of the information used, the AI ​​models used are, in particular, locally adapted models or AI models from the field of private cloud computing, with end-to-end data transmission encrypted. Preferably, the AI ​​model used is a self-learning AI model, which is improved, for example, using one or more machine learning algorithms with the aid of user feedback.

[0052] If, during the evaluation of the protection point information by the Kl model, several alternative results arise, for example cover elements linked with similar probabilities, the resulting cover elements can be presented as alternatives and the Kl model can be further developed based on the variant selected by the user.

[0053] According to a further development of the invention, a feedback loop is implemented by the program running on the computer unit, also for the purpose of machine learning, if, for example, an incorrect interpretation of the provided protection point information and / or an incorrectly assumed weighting of individual groups of technical features leads to a lack of acceptance of the cover element on the part of the requesting party. In this case, new information is requested and added to the group of existing protection point information or, if necessary, incorrectly existing protection point information is overwritten. Preferably, there is a query as to whether the user of the program or the person searching for the cover element is satisfied with the selected cover element. Such a feedback loop can be triggered specifically to replace and / or supplement protection point information.One example of an algorithm that can be used, and possibly additionally, is decision trees combined with industry- and application-specific filters. Furthermore, the algorithm can be imparted expert knowledge by training it with data on guidelines, data from sales conversations (e.g., in the form of text transcripts), documents from internal seminars, and other training information.

[0054] In an advantageous development of the invention, the protection point is classified based on its protection point information. Furthermore, the method user preferably provides feedback on the classification and / or the protection point information. The method user can, for example, verify, correct, and / or supplement the protection point information and / or the classification. The method user can also be instructed, preferably automatically, by means of the program implemented on the computer unit, i.e., the Kl model, to enter missing protection point information.

[0055] In particular, the determination of a cover element is carried out using a database of existing cover elements and, in particular, using the Kl model, which then acts discriminatorily. If no sufficient solution can be determined this way, an alternative or subsequent determination is made using the Kl model, which then acts generatively.

[0056] During the assignment, it is preferably checked automatically whether design changes to the protection point are possible to adapt to existing cover elements, in particular those covered by the standard catalog. Suggestions for changing the protection point are preferably provided to the machine element manufacturer, preferably automatically. This can potentially avoid the costly development of new cover elements.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover element to be assigned is determined based on a design draft of the cover element. Preferably, the design draft of a cover element is provided beforehand, in particular with cover element data compatible with the protection point information. The design draft can be used alternatively or in addition to the protection point information to identify the requirements for the cover element. The design draft can be available as a sketch, drawing, and / or (digital or physical) 3D model. An existing, possibly suboptimal cover element can also be used as the design draft and used as a starting point for determining the cover element to be assigned. In this case, a similarity between the existing cover element and the cover element to be assigned can be used to more quickly determine the cover element to be assigned.For a two-dimensional design, it is preferable to first derive a three-dimensional model. This simplifies the determination of the cover element.

[0058] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a new cover element is generated and assigned, in particular automatically, based on the protection point information. The generation of a new cover element may be necessary if, in particular, no cover element can be determined and / or assigned from the cover element database, for example due to a lack of compatibility or failure to fulfill the selection criteria. Preferably, a new cover element is generated with new cover element data that is compatible with the protection point information and, in particular, also fulfills the selection criteria. The new cover element can be generated in digital or physical form. The automatic generation of the cover element preferably takes place using an artificial intelligence algorithm, in particular by means of a generative AI model. In particular, a new cover element optimized for plastics is generated.This means that previously uncovered protection areas can also be safely covered.

[0059] Preferably, a model prototype of the model, in particular also a cover element prototype of the associated cover element, is created, in particular by means of rapid prototyping. Production preferably takes place by means of additive manufacturing, in particular by means of 3D printing. Thus, a physical prototype is available relatively quickly for testing purposes, in particular for determining suitable cover elements based on the model prototype. If, at an early stage of development of the machine element, no machine element is yet available or can be made available, the at least one cover element can already be determined based on the model prototype, in particular 3D-printed. Furthermore, in the case of a simplified model, no sensitive, confidential information is disclosed. Additional functional elements, such as seals or fastening elements, can be integrated into the model prototype and / or the cover element prototype.This enables a realistic representation of the machine element and / or cover element and a realistic functional test on the respective prototypes. The model and / or cover element prototype can be made even more realistic by, preferably, at least partially surface-treated.

[0060] Preferably, the cover element or the cover element prototype is assembled with the model or the model prototype. This enables a functional test with regard to the interaction of the cover element or the cover element prototype with the model or model prototype.

[0061] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a functional test is carried out.

[0062] A functional test of the cover element or the cover element prototype is preferably carried out on the model or the model prototype, in particular in the assembled state. The cover element or the cover element prototype and the model or the model prototype can each be present in digital or physical form. In doing so, a fit, tightness, ergonomics, accessibility, and / or necessary removal forces for dismantling the cover element or the cover element prototype are preferably determined. If, for example, the removal forces lie outside a specified range, preferably a range of 10 Newtons to 30 Newtons, a different cover element can be assigned and, in particular, again tested by means of a functional test.When testing the functionality of a digital model with a digital cover element, a virtual reality (VR) display device, particularly VR glasses, or an augmented reality (AR) display device, particularly AR glasses, can be used. Alternatively or additionally, the functional test can also be performed robotically, determining the necessary pull-off forces by having a robot attach and remove the cover element to the protected area.

[0063] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the model or model prototype and the associated cover element or cover element prototype, in particular assembled with the model or model prototype, are provided. The model or model prototype and the cover element or cover element prototype can each be assembled in digital or physical form. This enables further assessment and / or testing, particularly by the machine element manufacturer.

[0064] Preferably, cover element data of the assigned cover element, in particular also protection point information, is provided. Protection point information of the protection point to which the assigned cover element has been assigned is preferably provided. The cover element data can be used for documentation and / or presentation of the assigned cover element. Preferably, the cover element data is provided in the form of a written document, an image presentation, a film, or an animated CAD model, preferably including a virtual hand for assembly simulation, in particular automatically.

[0065] Preferably, at least part of the protection point information, preferably also at least part of the cover element data, is converted, in particular automatically, into a quotation. This quotation is preferably made available automatically, in particular to a machine element manufacturer. A response to the quotation can, in turn, be taken into account, in particular by means of machine learning, when determining further cover elements.

[0066] Furthermore, it has been shown that the invention can also be used to provide at least one transport packaging, in particular a transport tray, for at least one component to be protected. In this case, a digital model of the component to be protected is provided. In particular, contact points for gripping, support points for holding and / or release points for releasing the component are determined automatically as component information. In addition, a transport packaging is generated automatically based on the component information and the transport packaging is provided. One or more of the automatic steps can be carried out using an artificial intelligence algorithm and / or a machine learning algorithm. Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures.

[0067] They show schematically:

[0068] Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a first method according to the invention,

[0069] Fig. 2 shows an advantageous development of the method according to Fig. 1,

[0070] Fig. 3 a model of a machine element before simplification and

[0071] Fig. 4 the model according to Fig. 3 after simplification.

[0072] Fig. 1 shows a method according to the invention for providing at least one cover element 2 for temporarily covering at least one protection point 4 of a machine element 6. In a first step, a model 8, in particular a digital and preferably three-dimensional model 8 of the machine element 6 is provided. On the basis of this digital model 8, protection point information 10, in particular digital, is then determined. This is followed by determining one or more cover elements 2 on the basis of the protection point information 10 by means of an IT unit 12 or the Kl model running on it. The one or more determined cover elements 2 are then assigned, in particular automatically, to the respective protection point 4 of the machine element 6. Finally, the assigned cover element 2 or the assigned cover elements 2 are provided for further use, for example for testing by the machine element manufacturer.By means of the method according to the invention, objectively suitable cover elements compatible with the respective protection location can be provided in a simple and rapid manner.

[0073] Fig. 2 shows a preferred development of the method according to the invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. It is within the scope of the skilled person to combine only individual or multiple optional method steps with the steps shown in Fig. 1 to create further embodiments of the method according to the invention. In doing so, they may choose a different sequence of the method steps, if and to the extent technically expedient.

[0074] In the method according to Fig. 2, the digital model 8 is first created by digitizing a physical model 14, in particular by means of photogrammetry.

[0075] In addition, the model 8 is geometrically simplified to a simplified model 8' (cf. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). Fig. 3 shows a digital model 8 of a machine element 6 with multiple protection points 4 before simplification. Before simplification, the model 8 includes areas irrelevant to the protection point information 10, such as design details located away from the protection points 4. To maintain confidentiality and for easier processing and storage, the model 8 is simplified. Fig. 4 shows the geometrically simplified model 8' after simplification. The model 8 has been reduced to the protection points 4 and their immediate surroundings, in particular the surroundings delimiting the respective assembly space of the protection points 4.

[0076] In addition, in Fig. 4, each of the protective points 4 (cf. Fig. 3) is assigned a cover element 2 and, in this case, is joined to it. The cover elements 2 close the respective protective points 4. Furthermore, the cover elements 2 in this case have an operating element 3, designed, for example, as a grip tab or protruding grip edge.

[0077] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, determining protection point information 10 includes identifying the at least one protection point 4 of the machine element 6. Thus, a distinction is made between protection points 4 and the remaining machine element regions of the machine element 6 that are not to be protected. The number of required cover elements 2 is also determined.

[0078] By furthermore recording, as part of the protection point information 10, at least one protection point-related feature 16 from the group of position, location, dimensions, available installation space, functional element to be covered, available assembly space, required operating element 3, required degree of protection, withdrawal force and / or function, the protection point 4 is specified particularly comprehensively and based on objective criteria. In the embodiment of the method according to the invention according to Fig. 2, the at least one cover element 2 is additionally specified based on at least one of the data used as cover element data 18: dimensions of the cover element 2, functional element that can be covered by the cover element at the protection point, functional element present on the cover element (e.g.Sealing lip), achievable degree of protection, material, required material quantity, required installation space, required assembly space, existing operating element 3, required operating force, existing connecting element, existing display element and / or manufacturing costs. In particular, the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the at least one protection point are used. Alternatively or additionally, the length of contact surfaces that are angled and, in particular, perpendicular to the opening to be covered is used. Overall, when determining the cover element 2, all information relevant to the protection point that is important for the installation of a cover element is taken into account.

[0079] In order to assign one or more cover elements 2 to the respective protection point 4, at least part of the protection point information 10 is checked for compatibility with at least part of the cover element data 18. This supports an objective assessment of the suitability of the cover element 2 or the cover elements 2 based on defined criteria.

[0080] The suitability of the cover element 2 as well as effective protection of the machine element 6 are improved by additionally assigning it as a function of at least one application-specific requirement 20 with regard to a degree of protection, a degree of ergonomics, an availability, a degree of sustainability, a material, a quantity of material, a color and / or a price of the cover element 2.

[0081] The assignment of the cover element 2 or the cover elements 2, as shown in Fig. 2, can also be based on one or more selection criteria 22, which preferably take into account, in particular link, both the protection point information 10 and the cover element data 18. The assignment is thus particularly objective and, at the same time, adapted to the individual application.

[0082] The use of artificial intelligence via an AI model installed on the IT unit enables comparatively fast assignment, for example, for complex machine elements 6, and, if necessary, the discovery of new solutions. For this purpose, the assignment is carried out on the IT unit 12 using the AI ​​model or artificial intelligence algorithm, particularly industry-specific. An industry-specific LoRA adapter is used based on the user's specifications, or the AI ​​model acts as a LoRA adapter-less model based on its own weightings.

[0083] Determining the cover element 2 to be assigned can also be simplified by determining it based on a design draft 24 of the cover element 2. If, when determining one or more cover elements 2 based on the protection point information 10, no existing cover element 2 can be determined, i.e., one that already exists in a catalog of the provider of the cover elements 2, a new cover element 2 is generated and assigned, in particular automatically, based on the protection point information 10. Thus, reliable protection is also achieved for previously uncovered protection points 4.

[0084] Particularly effective protection of the machine element 6 can be achieved by providing a physical prototype for testing purposes. For this purpose, a model prototype 26 of the model 8, in this case also a cover element prototype 28 of the associated cover element 2, is created, in particular by means of rapid prototyping.

[0085] The testing of the physical cover element 2 and / or the physical model 8 or the respective prototypes 26, 28 can be carried out in a particularly realistic manner by assembling, in particular mounting, the cover element 2 or the cover element prototype 28 with the model 8 or the model prototype 26. A subsequent functional test can thus be carried out, in particular, on an assembled model. Instead of a manual or robot-assisted check, this can also be carried out on a computer in such a way that, using a computer program, in particular a program using the finite element method, the application and removal of a previously determined cover element at the respective protection point is tested and any removal forces are determined. For further use, in particular by the machine element manufacturer, the model 8 orthe model prototype 26 and the associated cover element 2, in particular assembled with the model 8 or the model prototype 26, or the cover element prototype 28, are provided. The cover element data 18 of the associated cover element 2, and possibly also the protection point information 10, are also provided, for example, for documentation and / or presentation purposes.

[0086] In the method according to the invention shown in Fig. 2, at least a portion of the protection point information 10, in this case also at least a portion of the cover element data 18, is transferred, in particular automatically, into an offer 30. In particular, the associated cover element 2 is also transferred into the offer 30. The offer 30 is preferably made available to the machine element manufacturer. A response to the offer 30 is taken into account, in particular, for example, by means of machine learning, when determining further cover elements.

[0087] The method according to the invention provides at least one objectively suitable cover element 2 compatible with the respective protection point 4 in a particularly simple and rapid manner. The machine element 6 is protected particularly effectively.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . A method for providing at least one cover element (2), in particular made of plastic and preferably produced by injection molding or thermoforming, for temporarily covering at least one protective point (4) of a machine element (6), comprising the steps: - Determining, in particular, digital protection point information (10) automatically by means of an EDP unit (12), preferably based on the model (8), - Determining one or more cover elements (2) based on the protection point information (10) by means of the computer unit (12), - automatic assignment of one or more cover elements (2) to the respective protection point (4) and - Providing the associated cover element (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a particularly digital and preferably three-dimensional model (8) of the machine element (6) is provided for determining the digital protection point information, 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the digital model (8) is generated by digitizing a physical model (14), in particular by means of photogrammetry.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the model (8) is geometrically simplified.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that determining protection point information (10) comprises identifying the at least one protection point (4).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as part of the protection point information (10) at least one protection point-related feature (16) from the group position, location, dimensions, available installation space, functional element to be covered, available installation space, required operating element (3), required degree of protection, withdrawal force and / or function is recorded.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cover element (2) is determined based on at least one of the data used as cover element data (18): dimensions of the cover element (2), functional element that can be covered by the cover element at the protection point, functional element present on the cover element, achievable degree of protection, material, required amount of material, required installation space, required assembly space, existing operating element (3), required operating force, existing connecting element, existing display element and / or manufacturing costs are determined.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that for the assignment, a check of at least part of the protection point information (10) for compatibility with at least part of the cover element data (18) is carried out.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assignment is additionally carried out as a function of at least one application-specific requirement (20) with regard to a degree of protection, a degree of ergonomics, an availability, a degree of sustainability, a material, a quantity of material, a color and / or a price of the cover element (2).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assignment of the cover element (2) is carried out on the basis of a selection criterion (22), preferably taking into account the protection point information (10) and the cover element data (18).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assignment is carried out on an EDP unit (12) by means of an artificial intelligence algorithm, in particular a machine learning algorithm.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the Kl model is a large language model trained by means of at least one LoRA layer.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one technical feature of the cover element is used as at least one possibly additional protection point information, wherein the technical feature is made available by means of an interface to the computer unit or to the program running on it.

14. Method according to claim 12 and claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of technical features are weighted in an industry-specific manner, in particular by means of several LoRA adapters.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination of the cover element (2) to be assigned is carried out on the basis of a design draft (24) of the cover element (2).

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a new cover element (2) is generated and assigned, in particular automatically, on the basis of the protection point information (10).

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a model prototype (26) of the model (8), in particular also a cover element prototype (28) of the associated cover element (2), is produced, in particular by means of rapid prototyping.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (2) or the cover element prototype (28) is joined to the model (8) or the model prototype (26).

19. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a functional test is carried out.

20. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the model (8) or the model prototype (26) and the associated cover element (2) or the cover element prototype (28), in particular joined to the model (8) or the model prototype (26), are provided.

21. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that cover element data (18) of the associated cover element (2), in particular also protection point information (10), are provided.

22. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the protection point information (10), preferably also at least part of the cover element data (18), is transferred, in particular automatically, into an offer (30).

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