Integrated Driveline Modeling for Early Multi-Physics Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of drivelines is complex and time-consuming due to the need for multiple analytical methods and models, leading to inaccurate predictions and poor integration of CAD and CAE tools, which results in sub-optimal product performance and increased costs due to iterative re-work.

Innovation Solution

A computer-aided engineering system that integrates data management, user interfaces, and analysis modules to provide a unified platform for analyzing driveline performance, allowing for early and accurate assessment of key performance indicators like static deflection, dynamics, and fatigue, and enabling efficient design optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate CAE packages are used for different failure modes and performance measures, then analysis coverage is improved, but device complexity and data integration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate CAE packages into a single integrated system that can handle different failure modes and performance measures. The system unifies the analysis environment, allowing engineers to perform structural, thermal, fluid, and other analyses within one platform, thereby reducing data integration difficulty and system complexity while maintaining comprehensive analysis coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated CAE system provides multi-functional capabilities to handle various failure modes and performance measures through a single platform. The system can perform structural analysis, thermal analysis, fluid dynamics, and other specialized analyses using unified data models, eliminating the need for multiple separate packages and their associated data transfer procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If detailed analysis is performed later in the design process when product definition is more mature, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to iterative re-work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoiddesign cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables preliminary detailed analysis to be performed early in the design process by providing accurate analysis tools from the outset. Engineers can conduct high-fidelity simulations on preliminary designs without needing to wait for mature product definitions, allowing early identification and correction of potential issues before significant design iterations are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system provides immediate feedback from detailed analyses back to the design process. By unified the data models and analysis capabilities, the system allows rapid iteration and adjustment of design parameters based on analysis results, reducing the need for iterative re-work across multiple design cycles and accelerating the overall design process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If different levels of fidelity are used for the same failure mode at different design stages, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to data transfer and updates between packages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign stage adaptabilityVSAvoiddata transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple CAE packages with different fidelity levels into a single integrated system. The unified platform can adaptively apply different levels of analysis fidelity for the same failure mode across different design stages without requiring data transfer between separate packages. The system maintains a single source of truth for product definition data, eliminating redundant data transfer and update operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If manual model creation is required for each analysis, then manufacturing precision of analysis models is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidmodelling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic generation of analysis models from product definition data. By establishing unified data models early in the design process, the system automatically prepares analysis-ready models for various failure modes and performance measures, eliminating the need for manual model creation at each analysis stage while maintaining high model accuracy through consistent data sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3377996B1Driveline modeller
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 ROMAX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
  • EP3377996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3377996B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A computer-implemented system is disclosed for producing a design for a rotating machine assembly. It comprises a data module (10) configured for receiving data relating to one or more components of the rotating machine assembly; a user interface module (20 configured for specifying data to be received by the data module and for receiving from a user a type of analysis to be performed on the data; and an analysis module (30) configured for analysing a performance of the rotating machine assembly according to the type of analysis selected and selected features of the data to be used. It further includes a recognition module (40) configured for identifying and selected features of the data be used for the analysis according to the type of analysis selected. It provides an approach for managing and coordinating the data in the design of driveline systems so that the most accurate and informative insight on the driveline's performance is delivered to the engineer at the earliest possible point in the design process, hence product design and optimisation can be carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible. More aspects of product performance are coordinated together and the engineering insight is greater, hence the methodology becomes a platform for making engineering decisions rather than mathematical simulation.