Voxel-Based Mass Distribution Estimation for Complex Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating the mass distribution of complex physical products, such as ships and aircraft, are inaccurate and computationally inefficient, relying on rough approximations and simple spreadsheet calculations, which fail to account for the detailed geometry of individual parts.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a data structure that represents the position, orientation, and geometry of product parts in voxel format, allowing for precise calculation of mass distribution by decomposing the product into slices and attributing mass values based on overlap rates, with optional tolerance computation and interpolation for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simple spreadsheet calculations are used to estimate total mass, then computational complexity is low, but measurement precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The physical product is divided into multiple slices along a reference axis, with each slice representing a discrete segment for mass calculation. This segmentation allows the system to process complex mass distribution by breaking it into manageable segments while maintaining overall accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voxel-based three-dimensional representation system where mass distribution is calculated across spatial dimensions (x, y, z coordinates). This dimensional approach enables precise mass estimation by considering the volumetric overlap between slices and product parts, transforming the problem from simple arithmetic to spatial computation.
2Measurement precision
If rough geometrical modelling with few macro-parts is used, then computational complexity is low, but measurement precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The product is decomposed into numerous thin slices along a reference axis, with each slice capturing detailed geometric information. This fine-grained segmentation enables accurate mass distribution calculation by considering the actual geometry of individual parts rather than grouping them into coarse macro-parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital voxel-based copy of the physical product's geometry, allowing precise mass distribution analysis without requiring physical prototypes or simplified models. This digital replica preserves the actual geometric details of all product parts.
3Measurement precision
If voxel format is used to represent part geometry, then measurement precision is high, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voxel representation divides the product geometry into discrete volumetric elements arranged in a grid structure. Each voxel contains information about the presence and properties of product parts at that location, enabling precise geometric representation through systematic segmentation of space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates the overlap rate between each slice and product parts, considering only the relevant portions that contribute to mass distribution. This partial action approach focuses computational resources on calculating the precise volumetric intersection rather than processing entire geometries, reducing unnecessary complexity.
4Measurement precision
If detailed digital mock-up with millions of parts is used, then measurement precision is high, but productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The product model is divided into slices along a reference axis, allowing parallel processing of mass calculations for each slice. This segmentation enables the system to handle millions of parts by distributing the computational workload across multiple independent slice calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates only the necessary overlap rates between slices and product parts that contribute to mass distribution, rather than performing exhaustive geometric analysis of all parts. This selective computation approach maintains accuracy while improving computational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method estimates a mass distribution of a physical product comprising a plurality of product parts. The method: a) creates a data structure comprising, for each part, data representing position and orientation of the part, its mass of the part, preferably its tolerance associated to each mass of the part, and its geometry in voxel format; b) decomposes a digital model of the physical product into a plurality of parallel slices (SL1); c) for each slice, uses the data structure for identifying a set of product parts of the data structure overlapping with the slice and determining a respective overlap rate; and d) attributes to each slice a mass value corresponding to a sum of the masses of all product parts overlapping with the slice, weighted by the respective overlap rates. A computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable data-storage medium, a computer system and a Computer Aided Design (CAD) Systems carry out such a method.