Action Space Objects for Regulatory Compliance in CAD

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing buildings for specific uses, such as accommodating handicapped persons or those with memory disorders, is laborious due to the complexity of interpreting and combining various regulations and recommendations, which are often not easily integrated into existing CAD systems.

Innovation Solution

A system that creates and integrates 'action space objects' within CAD applications, defining the necessary volume for specific activities, using a database to provide easy-to-use information for designers, including 3D shape definitions, motion definitions, and statistical probabilities, allowing for the selection and placement of appropriate spaces within building models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional CAD applications are used for building design, then detailed engineering of 3D models and 2D drawings can be performed, but the process becomes laborious when interpreting and combining regulations and recommendations from databases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoiddesign time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the building design process into distinct functional spaces (e.g., shower space, toilet space, bedroom space) with predefined regulatory requirements. Each space type is separated and configured independently, allowing designers to select and adjust specific space requirements without interpreting entire regulation sets, thereby reducing design time while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining space requirements, regulatory constraints, and configuration parameters for common building spaces before the actual design process. Action space objects are created in advance with embedded regulations, so designers can directly apply pre-configured space definitions rather than interpreting regulations during design, significantly reducing both time and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If detailed interpretation of regulations is performed manually, then compliance can be ensured, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer - the action space object - that mediates between regulatory requirements and building design. This intermediary automatically interprets and applies regulations to define space configurations, ensuring compliance accuracy while eliminating the need for manual regulation interpretation. The action space object acts as a bridge that translates complex regulations into actionable design parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the action space objects to automatically apply regulatory requirements to themselves and the building model. The system self-configures space dimensions, constraints, and compliance parameters without requiring manual intervention for regulation interpretation, thereby ensuring reliable compliance while simplifying the design process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If spaces are over-dimensioned to ensure compliance, then regulatory requirements are met, but energy consumption and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting space dimension parameters based on actual regulatory requirements and usage needs. The action space objects contain configurable parameters that can be precisely tuned to meet minimum compliance thresholds without excessive margins. This allows spaces to be dimensioned exactly as needed rather than over-dimensioned, reducing energy consumption while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of information

If traditional database queries are used to retrieve regulations, then regulatory information can be obtained, but the information requires extensive interpretation and combination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate regulatory requirements, space constraints, and configuration parameters into a single integrated action space object. Instead of retrieving and separately interpreting multiple regulation documents, the action space object combines all relevant information into one unified structure that can be directly applied to the building model, maintaining information completeness while dramatically improving ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10296667B2Action space defining object for computer aided design
Publication Date: 2019.05.21 KAAKKOIS SUOMEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
  • US10296667B2 patent drawing
  • US10296667B2 patent drawing
  • US10296667B2 patent drawing

AI summary

For designing rooms or buildings for specific purposes, like homes for elderly people, an action space object that can be read from a database to a CAD application is provided, the action space object defining a volume needed to carry out a specific activity/action.