CAD Model Motion Automation via Hierarchical Constraint Inference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems require significant user input for motion analysis, making it a burdensome and often neglected task in the design phase, leading to inefficient and less economical designs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that automates motion analysis in CAD models by inferring necessary parameters based on user selection, allowing for minimal input to apply motion to CAD models, determining axes of motion, motor types, and motion functions, using a hierarchical map of parent-child relationships among parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motion analysis is performed with current CAD systems requiring detailed motion input data, then motion analysis can be conducted, but the task becomes multistep and burdensome, reducing productivity and increasing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines motion parameters by analyzing the CAD model's hierarchical structure and constraint relationships. The motion analysis system serves itself by inferring motor locations, motion types, and motion functions from the assembly's inherent constraints, eliminating the need for manual specification of these parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes the hierarchical map of parent-child relationships and constraint information before motion analysis is needed. This preliminary organization of data allows the system to quickly determine motion parameters without requiring users to perform manual setup steps during the analysis process.
2Reliability
If motion analysis is performed with current CAD systems requiring detailed user input, then motion analysis can be conducted, but the complexity of the task increases, making it difficult for inexperienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines motion parameters by analyzing the CAD model's hierarchical structure and constraint relationships. The motion analysis system serves itself by inferring motor locations, motion types, and motion functions from the assembly's inherent constraints, eliminating the need for manual specification of these parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical map of parent-child relationships acts as an intermediary between the user's simple selection and the complex motion analysis computations. This intermediary structure translates user-friendly selections into the detailed motion parameters needed for analysis, shielding users from the underlying complexity.
3Loss of energy
If motion analysis is performed early in the design phase, then design iteration costs are reduced, but current CAD systems require significant time input that discourages early analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines motion parameters by analyzing the CAD model's hierarchical structure and constraint relationships. The motion analysis system serves itself by inferring motor locations, motion types, and motion functions from the assembly's inherent constraints, eliminating the need for manual specification of these parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method automates motion of a computer-aided design (CAD) model. The CAD model represents a real-world object comprised of a number of parts. The part containing a user-specified entity is analyzed to collect data relevant to a motion study, for example, size data, location data, and material type data are collected. Based on the user-specified entity, parameters for automating motion are inferred and used to automate motion. The parameters include at least one of a part that is moved directly by a motor, a location on the part where the motor is mounted, a motor type, an axis of motion of the part, and a motion function indicating a change of motion over time.