Component Selection Server Using Variable Part Association Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for selecting components of mechanical products lack flexibility and degree of freedom, making it difficult for users to accurately select the correct components, especially when changing product specifications.

Innovation Solution

A server apparatus for a component selection system that sets unique product and component identification information, allowing users to select components by associating product variable parts with component variable parts according to a predetermined rule, and providing this information to a terminal apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a user designates a component to purchase in a related-art system, then the system displays component information, but the user cannot accurately select the correct component when product specifications are undefined or changing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent selection accuracyVSAvoidflexibility in component selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments product identification information into product common part and product variable part, and component identification information into component common part and component variable part. This segmentation allows the system to handle both fixed and variable specifications independently, enabling accurate component selection even when some product specifications are undefined or changing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic specification handling where component variable parts are associated with product variable parts according to predetermined rules. The system can adaptively determine component identification information based on the state of product specifications (defined or undefined), providing flexibility while maintaining selection accuracy throughout the specification definition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the system provides component selection guidance, then users can find components, but the system lacks flexibility when product specifications need to be changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent selection easeVSAvoidflexibility in specification change

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes predetermined rules that associate component variable parts with product variable parts in advance. These pre-defined association rules enable the system to automatically adapt component identification information when product specifications are changed, providing ease of operation without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the state of product specifications (defined or undefined) is continuously monitored and fed back to the component identification process. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the component selection guidance to match the current specification state, maintaining both ease of operation and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system uses unique product and component identification information, then component selection is precise, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification precisionVSAvoididentification information structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the identification information into common parts and variable parts, reducing the complexity of managing completely unique identifiers. The common parts can be reused across different products and components, while only the variable parts need to be uniquely differentiated, simplifying the overall identification information structure while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal identification framework where product common parts and component common parts can be universally applied across multiple products and components. This multi-functionality reduces the total amount of unique identification information needed, decreasing system complexity while maintaining precise identification through the combination of common and variable parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250191045A1Server apparatus and information provision method of component selection system, and computer program for component selection system

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 MISUMI GROUP HONSHA

AI summary

A computer of an ordering supporting server executes: a process of acquiring information necessary for specifying a product model number corresponding to a specific product from a terminal apparatus; a process of specifying a product model number corresponding to the specific product on the basis of the acquired information; a process of specifying, on the basis of constituent component data associated with the specific product, a component model number associated with the product model number while defining a value of a component variable part associated with a value of a variable part of the product model number according to a rule for an associated relation set between the model numbers; and a process of providing the specified component identification information to the terminal apparatus.