Procedural Graph Assembly for Semantic Product Subparts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing design solutions for manufacturing products are inefficient and complex, particularly in the assembly and manipulation of subparts, often requiring manual manipulation of procedural graphs and complex rerouting techniques.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using semantic representations of subparts, where each subpart is represented by semantic nodes with procedural graphs and semantic descriptions, allowing direct assembly and manipulation of subparts through semantic references and publications, simplifying the design process and automating the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual manipulation of procedural graphs is used for assembling subparts, then design flexibility is maintained, but design time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces semantic publications and semantic references as intermediary elements that mediate between subparts. Instead of directly manipulating complex procedural graphs, designers work with semantic descriptions that automatically resolve connections through publications (which define interfaces) and references (which point to those interfaces). This intermediary layer simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the underlying procedural graph structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the product design into independent subparts, each with its own procedural graph and semantic description. Each subpart is encapsulated with its interfaces defined through semantic publications, allowing modular assembly. This segmentation enables parallel development of subparts and simplifies the overall assembly process by breaking down complex procedural graphs into manageable, independently manageable units.
2Reliability
If existing design solutions are used for subpart assembly, then compatibility is maintained, but error rates increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where semantic references automatically validate connections between subparts by checking against semantic publications. The system provides automated verification that references correctly point to valid publications, reducing assembly errors. This feedback loop ensures compatibility while maintaining high efficiency, as the validation occurs automatically during the assembly process rather than requiring manual checking.
3Ease of operation
If complex rerouting techniques are used for manipulating procedural graphs, then connection flexibility is achieved, but operation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses semantic descriptions as simplified copies or representations of the underlying procedural graphs. Instead of manipulating the complex original procedural graphs directly, designers work with semantic copies that capture the essential interface information through publications and references. These semantic copies are easier to manipulate while still maintaining the ability to connect subparts flexibly through the reference-publication mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure notably relates to a computer-implemented method for designing a product to be manufactured. The method comprises providing a first subpart and a second subpart of the product. Each subpart is represented by a semantic representation having one or more semantic nodes. Each semantic representation has, for each semantic node of the semantic representation, a respective procedural graph and a respective semantic description of the semantic node. The respective semantic description comprises at least one semantic publication and at least one reference. The method comprises assembling the first subpart with the second subpart by pointing one or more semantic references of the first subpart each to a respective semantic publication of the second subpart. The method comprises executing the procedural graphs of the semantic representations of the first and second subparts according to the pointed one or more semantic references. The method improves the designing of the product.