Hierarchical Block Diagram Model for Multi-Domain Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional graphical modeling environments for physical systems become complex and unmanageable when modeling multi-domain physical systems, requiring additional ports and connection lines, which complicates the creation, reading, and modification of models, especially for systems with components across distant or different subsystems.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical block diagram model is implemented in a graphical environment, where multi-domain physical components are represented in multiple hierarchical levels, allowing for information transmission between blocks across different domains without the need for additional ports, using signal routing blocks and image blocks to establish connections and facilitate signal propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional ports and connection lines are implemented to enable multi-domain connections, then multi-domain interactions can be established, but the graphical network complexity increases and becomes unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary block that acts as a mediator between blocks in different physical domains. This intermediary contains the multi-domain physical component and provides standardized ports for different domains (e.g., electrical, mechanical, thermal). By using this intermediary structure, blocks from different domains can connect without requiring direct complex multi-port connections, thus enabling multi-domain interactions while maintaining manageable graphical network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multi-domain physical component into a separate intermediary block that is distinct from the domain-specific blocks. This segmentation allows each domain block to maintain its simple domain-specific interface while the intermediary block handles the complexity of multi-domain interactions internally. The graphical model is divided into domain-specific sections connected through the intermediary, reducing overall visual complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional ports are created for multi-domain functionality, then heat transfer and other domain interactions are enabled, but the blocks become difficult to create, read, check, and modify
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary block serves as a pre-fabricated component that encapsulates the complexity of multi-domain interactions. Users can create models by simply connecting domain-specific blocks to the intermediary's standardized ports without needing to understand or configure the complex internal multi-port structure. This significantly ease model creation and modification while maintaining full domain interaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the concept of copying by creating a standardized template for the intermediary block that can be reused across different parts of the model. Once the intermediary block is defined with its multi-domain ports and internal structure, it can be copied and instantiated multiple times with different parameters, making model creation efficient and consistent without requiring repetitive complex configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional graphical modeling is used for distant components in different subsystems, then system representation is achieved, but the connection lines and ports become unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary block acts as a compact representation point that can be placed logically near the components it represents, even if those components are physically distant in the actual system. Connection lines are routed through the intermediary rather than directly between distant components, making the graphical model more readable and manageable while still representing the full system connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Modeling of a physical system encompassing a plurality of physical domains and comprising a multi-domain physical component participating in a process of a first and at least a second physical domain is provided. A first block representing the multi-domain physical component in a first hierarchical level modeling the first physical domain and at least one second block representing the first block in at least one second hierarchical level modeling the at least second physical domain are provided in a hierarchically-arranged block diagram model representative of the physical system. The at least one second block is connected to at least one of one or more third blocks provided at the at least one second hierarchical level and receives first information therefrom and is linked to the first block for transmitting the first information to the first block and transmitting second information from the first block to the third blocks.