CAD Model Simplification for Conveying Path Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing design support programs for simulating the behavior of a sheet-like recording medium in a conveying path face significant challenges due to increased calculation load and time, especially when dealing with large CAD models, as they require manual determination of contact parts and often include unnecessary elements, leading to prolonged calculation times and user labor.
Innovation Solution
A method that automates the creation of a simulation model by reading a two-dimensional cross-sectional CAD model, saving information on the recording medium's locus, recognizing parts in its vicinity, and excluding non-contact parts from calculation, thereby reducing the model's scale and calculation load, allowing for faster and more accurate simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a detailed two-dimensional cross-sectional model created by CAD system is used for simulation, then the accuracy of conveying path design is improved, but the calculation time increases significantly (over 10 hours for typical copying machine models)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary contact parts between the recording medium and conveying path components from the complete CAD model. By identifying and removing non-contact parts (those that do not interact with the recording medium), the model size is reduced from over 5,000 line segments to approximately 100 line segments, achieving calculation speed improvement of 10 to 50 times while preserving simulation accuracy for relevant contact interactions.
2Productivity
If manual determination of contact parts is performed to reduce model size, then the calculation load is reduced, but the user labor and time required for model preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system that performs the model simplification process without requiring manual user intervention. The system automatically identifies contact parts by analyzing the spatial relationship between the recording medium's travel path and conveying path components, eliminating the need for users to manually determine and erase non-contact parts while achieving the same model reduction goals.
3Speed
If the number of line segments in the conveying path model is reduced, then the calculation speed increases (10 to 50 times faster), but the model may lose important contact information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of detail to different parts of the model based on their functional importance. Contact parts that interact with the recording medium are retained with sufficient geometric detail to accurately simulate contact forces and motion, while non-contact parts are completely removed. This selective retention strategy ensures that calculation speed is improved without sacrificing the accuracy of simulating relevant contact behaviors.
Data Source
AI summary
A design support method comprising reading a two-dimensional cross-sectional model created by a computer-aided design system, saving information on a locus of travel of the recording medium, recognizing parts in a vicinity of the locus of the recording medium, and creating a simulation model in which parts other than the parts recognized in the recognizing are excluded from objects subject to contact calculation.