CAD-Integrated Environmental Load Calculation for Product Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental load evaluation systems fail to integrate with design tools, leading to redundant design work and inefficiencies in achieving target environmental load values.
Innovation Solution
An environmental load calculation apparatus that integrates with 3D-CAD tools, allowing real-time environmental load assessment during the design process, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to adjust design elements until target values are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If environmental load evaluation is performed after product design is completed using separate evaluation systems, then environmental load can be assessed, but design time increases and redundant design work occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the environmental load evaluation function directly into the CAD design tool, creating an integrated system where both design and environmental assessment occur simultaneously within the same software environment, eliminating the need for separate evaluation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs environmental load evaluation during the design process itself rather than after completion, allowing designers to assess and adjust environmental impact in real-time while creating the product design
2Measurement precision
If environmental load evaluation is performed after design completion, then comprehensive evaluation can be conducted, but design iterations require repeating similar design work
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system provides immediate feedback on environmental load calculations during the design process, allowing designers to adjust design parameters in real-time based on environmental impact data without completing the entire design first
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental load assessment is performed preliminarily during design development rather than after completion, enabling designers to identify and correct environmental issues early in the design process before finalizing the product
3Measurement precision
If separate environmental load evaluation systems are used, then detailed environmental analysis can be performed, but integration with design tools is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the environmental load calculation engine with the CAD design tool into a single integrated system, allowing both design and environmental assessment to occur within the same software environment with seamless data exchange
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An environmental load calculation apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a design tool unit that designs at least one of a product and a component constituting the product; an environmental load calculation unit that calculates an environmental load of at least one of the product and the component; and an environmental load visualization unit that displays the environmental load, in which the environmental load calculation unit calculates the environmental load based on at least one of a configuration, a function, a manufacturing process, and a reliability of the component, and an assembly process and a reliability of the product, and when the environmental load has not reached a target value, the design tool unit executes the design again before the design is completed. Thus, it is possible to reduce the environmental load of the product and shorten the time required for designing the product.