PLM 3D Knowledge Graph and Voxel Modeling for Cross-Department Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D digital models in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are not universally accessible across different departments due to non-standardized data formats and lack of cross-functional services, making it difficult to identify and manage 3D objects and their functions within industrial products, especially for standard market parts.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that generates a new technical solution by acquiring PLM data, extracting attributes and rules, creating a knowledge graph of tree relationships, and generating topology attributes for each elementary part, allowing for the generation and injection of new 3D objects into relational databases using voxel representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If 3D digital models are generated using specialized CAD software in PLM systems, then manufacturing precision and design quality are improved, but accessibility and ease of operation across different departments deteriorate due to non-standardized data formats and lack of cross-functional services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D digital model qualityVSAvoidCross-departmental accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 3D digital model data into standardized, interoperable formats that can be accessed by different departments without requiring specialized CAD software. This segmentation allows the core 3D data to be separated from the complex PLM system while maintaining accessibility through simplified interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates between specialized CAD/PLM data formats and standardized, universally accessible formats. This intermediary service enables cross-departmental access without compromising the precision of the original 3D models, acting as a bridge between high-fidelity design systems and general-purpose access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If data is siloed in department-specific formats optimized for processing performance, then manufacturing precision and processing speed are improved, but information retrieval and cross-functional collaboration deteriorate due to lack of standardization

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveProcessing speedVSAvoidData accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal data access interface that can retrieve and display 3D model information in multiple formats simultaneously. This universal access point serves multiple departments with different needs without requiring data conversion or duplication, maintaining processing efficiency while enabling broad accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes data representation parameters based on the requesting department's needs. The system can deliver high-precision data for manufacturing departments while providing simplified representations to other departments, optimizing both processing performance and accessibility through parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is required to adapt 3D data for different departments, then manufacturing precision is maintained through human review, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to increased time and resource requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveData accuracyVSAvoidData adaptation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated data adaptation services that self-adjust 3D model representations based on departmental requirements without manual intervention. The system automatically retrieves, converts, and delivers appropriate data formats, maintaining precision through built-in validation rules while eliminating manual adaptation work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically adjust data delivery based on usage patterns and departmental needs. The system learns from access patterns and automatically optimizes data format selection and conversion parameters, maintaining accuracy while improving efficiency through automated feedback-driven adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4697223A1Method and system for generating new technical solution
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 AIRBUS (SAS)
  • EP4697223A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4697223A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP4697223A1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and system for generating a new technical solution, comprising acquiring data from an industrial product PLM containing at least two 3D objects, extracting Attributes and Rules for each 3D object from the PLM data, generating a knowledge graph of tree relationships between the 3D objects, generating topology attributes for each 3D object, grouping, for each 3D object, its Attributes and Rules, its tree relationships, and its topology attributes in at least one relational database, in voxel form, receiving a request from a User (102) relating to a technical solution, the request comprising at least one 3D volume, evaluating whether the technical solution is present in the PLM, and if it is not present: generating a new technical solution in the 3D volume, implementing at least one new 3D object, and generating a new voxel associated with the new 3D object.and re-inject the new voxel into the relational database.