3D Model Database Access for Aircraft Part Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft manufacturers and airlines face challenges in accessing and storing information about aircraft parts across different database systems with varying formats and indexing methods, making it difficult to retrieve and display relevant data, such as maintenance and repair information, in a unified and convenient manner.
Innovation Solution
A database access computing device and method that utilizes a three-dimensional model to access and display information about aircraft parts by identifying part numbers within a 3D CAD database, retrieving associated data from separate databases, and displaying this information on the model, allowing for integration of multiple database systems and formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate database systems with different formats and indexing methods are used to store aircraft part information, then each database can maintain its own specialized format and structure, but it becomes difficult to access and retrieve information across different databases using a unified interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a 3D CAD database as an intermediary layer between users and multiple separate databases. This 3D CAD database stores part information with spatial coordinates and serves as a universal access point that can retrieve data from various specialized databases (maintenance, repair, spare parts) using different formats and indexing methods, thereby maintaining database independence while providing unified access
2Ease of operation
If all information associated with aircraft parts is stored in a 3D CAD database, then information accessibility through 3D navigation is improved, but the complexity and resource requirements of the 3D CAD database system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database system into two distinct parts: a 3D CAD database that stores only spatial information and part identifiers, and separate specialized databases that store detailed information (maintenance data, repair records, spare parts inventory). This segmentation allows the 3D CAD database to remain lightweight and focused on visualization, while detailed data is distributed across simpler specialized databases
3Productivity
If aircraft part information is stored in specialized databases with specific indexing methods, then data storage efficiency is improved, but the ability to retrieve and display relevant data across multiple databases becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The 3D CAD database serves multiple functions: it acts as a spatial index, a part identifier registry, and a query coordination center. By storing part information with spatial coordinates and maintaining relationships between parts and their data in specialized databases, it enables comprehensive data retrieval across multiple databases while allowing each specialized database to maintain its own efficient storage and indexing methods
Data Source
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AI summary
A database access computing device for utilizing a three dimensional model to access databases for information regarding one or more parts in a vehicle is provided. The database access computing device includes at least one processor. The database access computing device is configured to display a three dimensional model representing at least one version of a vehicle, receive a selection of a location within the three dimensional model, identify at least one part number associated with the location in a first database, retrieve part information from at least a second database using the part number, and display the part information retrieved from at least the second database on the three dimensional model.