Auto-Generating HIL Simulation Devices from CAD Drawings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of manually generating simulation devices and mapping signals for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations is time-consuming, prone to human errors, and results in inaccurate or inconsistent outputs, leading to significant troubleshooting efforts.
Innovation Solution
An automated method that analyzes computer-aided design (CAD) drawings to determine device type information and signal information, generates simulation devices, and maps signals to an HIL simulation environment, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual generation of simulation devices and signal mapping is used, then flexibility in handling complex scenarios is maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses CAD drawings as templates to automatically generate simulation devices. The system copies the structural and functional information from the CAD drawing (device type, signal types, connections) and instantiates corresponding simulation devices without manual recreation, thereby reducing setup time and eliminating human errors in the copying process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (hand-crafting simulation devices, manually mapping signals) with an automated computational system. The HIL simulation platform automatically processes CAD drawings, generates simulation devices, and establishes signal mappings through computer-based algorithms rather than manual operations
2Reliability
If automated generation from CAD drawings is implemented, then setup time is reduced and errors are minimized, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The HIL simulation platform is designed as a universal system that can process various types of CAD drawings and generate different simulation devices through a single integrated framework. The platform handles multiple device types (sensors, actuators, processors) and signal types using common automated processes, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CAD drawings as an intermediary representation layer between the physical device and the simulation device. This intermediary format standardizes the information exchange, allowing the complex reality of physical devices to be translated into a standardized simulation representation without requiring direct complex interactions between the simulation platform and diverse physical devices
3Productivity
If manual signal mapping is performed, then adaptability to custom signal requirements is maintained, but the process is time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary extraction of signal information from the CAD drawing before generating the simulation devices. Signal types, directions, and mapping requirements are pre-identified and stored as part of the device configuration, allowing the subsequent signal mapping process to proceed automatically without manual intervention and ensuring consistent results
Data Source
AI summary
An HIL simulation platform may analyze a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing of a device of an operator console. The HIL simulation platform may determine, based on analyzing the CAD drawing, device type information and signal information of the device. The device type information identifies a device type of the device and the signal information identifies one or more signal types of signals associated with the device. The HIL simulation platform may generate, based on the device type information, a simulation device for an HIL simulation of an operation of the device in an HIL simulation environment. The HIL simulation platform may generate, based on the signal information, a name of an output signal from the simulation device. The HIL simulation platform may map, based on the name, the output signal to a controller device in a real world environment and execute a computer model to perform the HIL simulation.