CAD Knowledge Management Server for Centralized Model Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems lack efficient management of knowledge models and fail to seamlessly integrate knowledge across different CAD applications, leading to increased workload and inefficiency when knowledge updates are required, as they do not function as a single source of truth and cannot handle input from multiple CAD applications simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for CAD-knowledge management that utilizes a database with input and output data fields, calculation modules, and CAD-identifiers to transform and manage CAD-knowledge models, allowing for the generation and modification of parametric three-dimensional CAD-models, and provides a central truth for projects across different teams and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If knowledge is stored in CAD models as templates, then design know-how and verification standards can be shared, but workload is significantly increased when knowledge changes require updating all CAD models based on the template
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a knowledge server as an intermediary component that acts as a single source of truth for storing and managing knowledge. Instead of embedding knowledge directly in multiple CAD models, the knowledge server centralizes knowledge storage, allowing CAD applications to access and update knowledge centrally. This resolves the contradiction by enabling knowledge sharing while eliminating the need to update multiple CAD models when knowledge changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a reference mechanism where CAD models reference knowledge from the knowledge server rather than containing copies of knowledge. The knowledge server stores the master copy of knowledge, and CAD applications access this central repository. When knowledge needs updating, changes are made in one location (the knowledge server) and automatically reflected across all referencing CAD models, eliminating manual updates to multiple copies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a knowledge server acts as a source of information, then knowledge can be made available to other CAD systems, but the system does not function as a single source of truth and cannot handle input from multiple CAD applications simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the knowledge server to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a source of information and a single source of truth, while simultaneously handling inputs from multiple CAD applications. The knowledge server is designed with universal capabilities to receive, validate, and integrate knowledge from diverse CAD applications, maintaining data integrity and consistency across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the knowledge server receives inputs from multiple CAD applications, validates the knowledge against existing standards, and provides feedback to ensure consistency. This feedback loop maintains the single source of truth capability by automatically detecting and resolving conflicts, ensuring that all CAD applications reference consistent knowledge while allowing simultaneous input from multiple sources.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a method, system and computer program product for computer-aided design (CAD) knowledge management, as well as use thereof for managing CAD-knowledge models of cooling installations.