Flexible Drop Placement in CAD Sprinkler Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems face challenges in efficiently resolving conflicts between various components in large building designs, such as plumbing and HVAC systems, leading to time-consuming and complex conflict resolution processes that often generate more issues, and lack automation in selecting appropriate pipes and connections for sprinkler systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of add-on features for CAD software that enable automatic conflict resolution through the creation of 'arm around' designs to avoid obstructions, automatic pipe selection using the Smart Pipe Interface, and the ability to automatically place flexible drops between sprinkler heads and pipes, simplifying the design process and reducing manual errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual conflict resolution is used in CAD systems, then design flexibility and control are maintained, but the time required for conflict resolution increases significantly and the process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects conflicts between sprinkler system components and building components, and autonomously generates resolution proposals without requiring manual intervention. The conflict detection and initial resolution proposal generation are performed self-service by the CAD system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary conflict detection and generates resolution proposals before final design approval. By identifying conflicts early in the design process and providing pre-generated resolution options, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual conflict resolution later in the process.
2Productivity
If automatic conflict resolution is implemented, then the time required for conflict resolution decreases, but the complexity of the CAD system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CAD system integrates multiple functions into a unified conflict resolution framework that handles various types of conflicts between sprinkler components and building components using the same automated detection and resolution mechanisms. This multi-functional approach improves productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users in the form of automated conflict detection results and resolution proposals. This feedback mechanism enables the system to operate autonomously while maintaining user control, improving productivity without requiring the user to manage complex system complexity.
3Loss of time
If manual pipe selection and connection placement is performed, then design customization and control are maintained, but the time required for these tasks increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects appropriate pipes and placements based on detected conflicts and generates connection proposals without manual intervention. The automated pipe selection and connection placement functions perform self-service by analyzing the design and generating appropriate solutions autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary pipe selection and connection placement before final design approval. By pre-selecting appropriate pipes and generating connection proposals in advance, the system significantly reduces the time required for these tasks during the final design phase.
4Productivity
If automated pipe selection is used, then the time required for pipe selection decreases, but the risk of selection errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to users about automated pipe selection results, allowing users to review and verify selections. This feedback mechanism enables the system to operate autonomously at high speed while maintaining reliability through user verification of the automated selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary pipe selection based on detected conflicts and design parameters before final approval. By pre-selecting pipes in advance using automated analysis, the system achieves high productivity while allowing for subsequent verification to ensure reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to methods, systems, and apparatuses for automatically placing flexible drops in a computer automated design application, and more particularly to automatically placing and drawing flexible connections between sprinkler heads and sprinkler system pipes within a CAD drawing. The present invention allows a user to automatically place and draw flexible drops from numerous sprinkler heads to sprinkler system piping simultaneously based upon a set of user-chosen flex drop parameters. The present invention may also be utilized in other applications, such as automatically placing and drawing flexible electrical connections or flexible piping connections in non-sprinkler applications.