Automated Stress Singularity Detection in 3D CAD Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stress singularity in finite element analysis (FEA) simulations often leads to numerical errors, making it difficult for non-expert users to determine accurate simulation results, as stress values diverge rather than converge with refined mesh elements, requiring advanced technical support and time-consuming manual adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method to automatically detect potential areas of high stress, refine the finite element mesh, and suggest modifications to eliminate stress singularity, such as removing sharp angled geometry or changing loads, integrated with CAD systems to provide user-friendly guidance and automatic adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the mesh is refined to improve accuracy, then the stress calculation precision improves, but stress singularity causes the stress to diverge rather than converge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress calculation precisionVSAvoidsimulation result reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent detects stress singularity (a harmful numerical error) and converts it into a beneficial diagnostic tool by identifying and highlighting the location and cause of the singularity, enabling users to understand and correct the underlying geometric or loading issues that caused the divergence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection and analysis mechanism that sits between the mesh refinement process and the stress calculation, identifying stress singularity conditions before they corrupt the results, and providing guidance on how to resolve them

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If automatic mesh refinement is applied to reduce problem difficulty, then the FEA analysis accuracy improves, but the complexity of identifying and resolving stress singularity increases for non-expert users

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFEA analysis accuracyVSAvoiduser expertise requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the FEA system to automatically detect, diagnose, and provide solutions for stress singularity issues without requiring user expertise in FEA theory, making the system self-diagnosing and self-correcting for common numerical errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that automatically analyzes stress results, detects singularity conditions, and provides actionable guidance back to the user, creating a closed-loop system that learns from and corrects its own numerical errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If mesh refinement is performed to achieve convergence, then the stress accuracy improves, but the time required for analysis increases due to iterative refinement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of stress singularity conditions before full mesh refinement is executed, allowing the system to identify problematic areas upfront and apply targeted corrections, avoiding unnecessary iterative refinement of already-identified singularity regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3472734B1Detection and elimination of stress singularity
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 DASSAULT SYSTEMES SOLIDWORKS CORP
  • EP3472734B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3472734B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3472734B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and system automatically detects stress singularity in a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) model. A potential area of high stress is detected. A finite element mesh of the 3D CAD model is refined, at least in the potential area of high stress, after which, whether the high stress value converges is determined. A user is alerted that the potential area of high stress is an area having one or more elements of stress singularity. Suggestions are made regarding how to eliminate the stress singularity and the user is enabled to modify the design of the 3D CAD model to eliminate the stress singularity.