3D-CAD Design Verification System Using Modular Rule Files

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current design verification systems for 3D-CAD data face challenges in managing and updating numerous design requirements, especially for complex shapes like aircraft or automobiles, due to the lack of systematic organization and the need for specialized programming knowledge, leading to potential manufacturing delays and redesigns.

Innovation Solution

A design support system that includes a common module database, a rule file database, and a design support apparatus to verify 3D-CAD data against design requirements, using a rule file creation process and design verification program to systematically check for compliance with design rules, facilitating the use of common modules to extract verification features and determine violations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If design verification systems are created one by one according to design requirements, then verification accuracy is improved, but system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the design verification system into independent modules: a rule file database storing design requirements, a verification program database storing verification logic, and a verification execution unit. Each module can be independently updated and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining verification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal verification framework that can handle multiple design requirements through a common architecture. The verification program database stores reusable verification logic that can be applied across different design scenarios, eliminating the need to create entirely new verification systems for each requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If design verification systems are created one by one according to design requirements, then verification completeness is improved, but update efficiency deteriorates due to lack of systematic organization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification completenessVSAvoidupdate efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-organizes design requirements into a structured rule file database with standardized formats and categories. This preliminary organization allows verification programs to systematically access and apply multiple design requirements without ad-hoc configuration, ensuring completeness while enabling efficient updates through centralized database management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If shape recognition is used to automatically identify locations corresponding to design requirements, then verification automation is improved, but accuracy deteriorates when design requirements are not systematically organized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification automationVSAvoidverification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between shape recognition and design requirements: a rule file database that systematically organizes design requirements with standardized structures. This intermediary enables automated verification by providing a structured interface that shape recognition algorithms can systematically query and match against 3D-CAD data, improving both automation and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3726416A1Design support system, design verification method, and design verification program
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3726416A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726416A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3726416A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A design support system for verifying 3D-CAD data includes a common module database storing a plurality of common modules for processing the 3D-CAD data, a rule file database which stores a plurality of rule files for defining a procedure for obtaining a verification feature amount from the 3D-CAD data, and violation information based on the verification feature amount using the common module, and a design support apparatus. The design support apparatus calls a common module according to the procedure defined in the rule file and executes the common module on the 3D-CAD data, and determines whether the design requirement is violated on the basis of the violation information defined in the rule file and the verification feature amount obtained according to the procedure.