Finite Element Mesh Generation for Component Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard finite element simulation methods require significant storage space and computational resources due to the need for increasingly finer meshing in areas of high mechanical stress, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The method involves initially meshing a component model with fine elements and then transitioning to coarser meshing in areas with lower deformation, using natural vibration behavior and deformation criteria to determine suitable meshing levels, thereby reducing storage requirements while maintaining accurate simulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fine meshing is applied to accurately describe high stress areas, then simulation accuracy is improved, but storage space and computational intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different mesh densities to different regions of the component model. High-stress areas are meshed with fine elements for accurate simulation, while low-stress areas use coarser elements to reduce storage requirements. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by matching mesh quality to local simulation needs rather than applying uniform fine meshing throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The component model is divided into multiple regions based on stress distribution and deformation characteristics. Each region is then meshed independently with appropriate element density, allowing the overall model to balance accuracy and storage efficiency by segmenting the meshing strategy according to local requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If fine meshing is used to capture high stress gradients, then simulation accuracy is improved, but computational intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress gradient accuracyVSAvoidcomputational intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying fine meshing only in regions where high stress gradients are detected, while using coarser meshing in regions with lower stress gradients. This selective approach maintains computational intensity at acceptable levels while preserving accuracy where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying excessive fine meshing throughout the entire model, the patent applies partial fine meshing only where necessary to capture critical stress gradients. This partial action approach avoids the computational overhead of uniform fine meshing while maintaining sufficient accuracy for meaningful simulation results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If adaptive remeshing is applied to refine meshes in high stress areas, then simulation accuracy is improved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemesh adaptation accuracyVSAvoidmeshing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary meshing with fine elements throughout the entire component model before identifying high-stress areas. This preliminary action establishes a baseline mesh that can then be selectively coarsened in low-stress regions, simplifying the overall meshing process compared to iterative adaptive remeshing while still achieving accurate results in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2137650B1Automatic mesh generation method for a component model
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

The invention relates to an automatic mesh generation method for a component model. According to said method, the component model is described by a fine mesh of finite elements. Based on said fine mesh especially a fine natural frequency of the component model is determined, the component model is described by a coarse mesh of finite elements, and based on said coarse mesh especially a coarse natural frequency of the component model is determined. The deviation of the coarse natural frequency from the fine natural frequency is used as a measure for the quality of the coarse mesh.