Packaging Support Structure Design Using Mass Density Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for designing supporting structures for packaging industrial products are complex, time-consuming, and often result in material waste, unnecessary weight increase, and insufficient object integrity due to their ad-hoc design nature.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for designing a supporting structure using three-dimensional models of objects, which computes cumulative linear mass density distributions to determine the optimal positions and orientations of linear support elements, ensuring even weight distribution and minimizing material usage, while allowing for automated manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ad-hoc design method is used for supporting structures, then design flexibility is improved, but design complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the ad-hoc design process into a systematic method by changing the design parameters from subjective designer choices to objective calculations based on mass density distribution. The support element positions are determined by computing cumulative linear mass density along axes and placing supports at evenly spaced intervals of this cumulative distribution, converting flexible ad-hoc design into a parameter-driven automated process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If ad-hoc design method is used for supporting structures, then design flexibility is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/designer-dependent ad-hoc design process with an automated computational system. The method uses computer algorithms to compute mass density distributions and automatically determine optimal support element positions, eliminating the time-consuming manual design process while preserving design adaptability through automated calculation based on object geometry and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If ad-hoc design method is used for supporting structures, then design simplicity is maintained, but material usage efficiency worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidmaterial usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the distribution of support elements according to the local mass density of the packaged object. Rather than uniform distribution, support elements are positioned at intervals based on cumulative linear mass density, concentrating supports where the object is heavier and reducing them where the object is lighter, thereby optimizing material usage efficiency while maintaining design systematicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If ad-hoc design method is used for supporting structures, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but packaging reliability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpackaging reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating the optimal positions of support elements before manufacturing based on the object's mass density distribution. The cumulative linear mass density is computed and used to determine precise support locations in advance, ensuring that the supporting structure is optimized for reliability before the packaging process begins, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through automated design output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10885232B2Computer-implemented method of designing a supporting structure for the packaging of a solid object

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 DASSAULT SYSTEMES SA

AI summary

A computer-implemented method designs and manufactures a supporting structure for the packaging of a solid object. The supporting structure comprises a plurality of linear support elements that sustain the solid object inside a packaging container. The method includes: a) providing, as an input, a three-dimensional model of the solid object; b) computing a first cumulative linear mass density distribution of the solid object according to a first axis (x); and c) using said first cumulative linear mass density distribution to determine the positions, along said first axis, of linear support elements oriented transversally to said first axis. The resultant positions enable even distribution of the weight of the solid object among the linear support elements. A computer program product, computer-readable data-storage medium, and CAD system carry out such a method.