Model-Driven Connection Approximation for Legacy MEP Drawings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) buildings often lack building information model (BIM) data, making it costly and impractical to manually extract connection relationships from paper-based or raster CAD drawings, especially when these drawings need to be updated.

Innovation Solution

A model-driven connection approximation system that identifies equipment types and connection relationships in MEP drawings by searching for human-readable lines and using optical character recognition (OCR) to generate a logical connection graph, allowing for the representation of equipment and connections in a three-dimensional format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual separation and analysis of devices from paper-based drawings is performed, then connection relationships can be extracted, but the process is costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection relationship extraction accuracyVSAvoidmanual processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of separating and analyzing devices with an automated computer-based system that uses image processing and optical character recognition to extract connection relationships from drawings, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining extraction accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the drawing data to self-analyze by automatically processing the visual information and text content within the drawings themselves, allowing the drawings to provide their own connection relationship data without requiring external manual interpretation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual processes are used to update models when CAD drawings are revised, then connection relationships can be maintained, but it is difficult or infeasible to update the model

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel update accuracyVSAvoidmodel update feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic system where the connection model automatically updates when the source CAD drawing is revised, establishing a continuous link between the drawing and the extracted data that allows real-time synchronization without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where changes in the source drawing are detected and automatically trigger updates to the connection relationship model, ensuring the model remains synchronized with the latest drawing revisions through automated detection and correction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If BIM data are available, then connection relationships can be obtained via IfcRelationship and 3D Geometry analysis, but most legacy buildings don't have BIM data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection relationship extraction accuracyVSAvoiddrawing format compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal system that can process multiple types of drawing formats (paper-based drawings, raster CAD drawings, and vector-based drawings) using the same automated image processing and OCR techniques, making the solution adaptable to various legacy building data formats without requiring BIM data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Automates the extraction of connection relationships from paper-based MEP drawings, reducing manual effort and enabling efficient updates, thus facilitating applications like Auto Fault Detection and Energy Consumption Monitoring without the need for BIM data.

Implementation Method 1

using optical character recognition (OCR) to generate a logical connection graph

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical character recognition:

Data Source

PatentUS10157244B2Model driven connection approximation for mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A system displays a raster-based or a vector-based formatted drawing on a user interface. A user selects a device on the drawing. The selected device is classified on a template. The drawing is searched for the classified template. Three-dimensional characteristics are imbued to the selected device. Connection types among different types of devices on the drawing are received into the system. A search is performed for all connection instances throughout the drawing using the received connection types. An object oriented and three-dimensionally, spatially referenced view of the drawing is generated on a user interface.