Technique for generating a spectrum of feasible design solutions
AssigneeAutodesk, Inc.
InventorsMichael Bergin, Mark Thomas Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A design application generates feasible engineering designs that satisfy criteria associated with a particular engineering problem. The design application receives input that outlines a specific engineering problem to be solved, and then synthesizes a problem specification based on this input. The design application then searches a database to identify different classes of approaches to solving the design problem set forth in the problem specification. The design application then selects one or more such classes of approaches, and generates a spectrum of potential design solutions for each such approach. The generated solutions may then be evaluated to determine the degree to which the problems specification has been met.
Claims19
One or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to generate a spectrum of design solutions, by performing the steps of:
- synthesizing a problem specification that indicates at least one design criterion;
- based on a classification of the problem specification, identifying within a database at least a first approach from a plurality of approaches for solving the problem specification, wherein each approach included in the plurality of approaches in the database comprises a different process for generating three-dimensional geometry for solving the problem specification;
- generating a spectrum of design solutions for the first approach, wherein the spectrum of design solutions comprises a plurality of design solutions, each design solution in the spectrum of design solutions representing a different instance of three-dimensional geometry that satisfies the at least one design criterion;
- evaluating manufacturability of a first design solution included in the spectrum of design solutions;
- evaluating manufacturability of a second design solution included in the spectrum of design solutions;
- and
- displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI), the spectrum of design solutions for the first approach and a comparison of the manufacturability of the first design solution relative to the manufacturability of the second design solution.
A computer-implemented method for generating a spectrum of design solutions, the method comprising:
- synthesizing a problem specification that indicates at least one design criterion;
- based on a classification of the problem specification, identifying within a database at least a first approach from a plurality of approaches for solving the problem specification, wherein each approach included in the plurality of approaches in the database comprises a different process for generating three-dimensional geometry for solving the problem specification;
- generating a spectrum of design solutions for the first approach, wherein the spectrum of design solutions comprises a plurality of design solutions, each design solution in the spectrum of design solutions representing a different instance of three-dimensional geometry that satisfies the at least one design criterion;
- evaluating manufacturability of a first design solution included in the spectrum of design solutions;
- evaluating manufacturability of a second design solution included in the spectrum of design solutions;
- and
- displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI), the spectrum of design solutions for the first approach and a comparison of the manufacturability of the first design solution relative to the manufacturability of the second design solution.
A system for generating a spectrum of design solutions, comprising:
- a memory storing a design application;
- and
- a processor that, in conjunction with executing the design application:
- synthesizes a problem specification that indicates at least one design criterion;
- based on a classification of the problem specification, identifies within a database at least a first approach from a plurality of approaches for solving the problem specification, wherein each approach included in the plurality of approaches in the database comprises a different process for generating three-dimensional geometry for solving the problem specification;
- generates a spectrum of design solutions for the first approach, wherein the spectrum of design solutions comprises a plurality of design solutions, each design solution in the spectrum of design solutions representing a different instance of three-dimensional geometry that satisfies the at least one design criterion;
- evaluates manufacturability of a first design solution included in the spectrum of design solutions;
- evaluates manufacturability of a second design solution included in the spectrum of design solutions;
- and
- displays, via a graphical user interface (GUI), the spectrum of design solutions for the first approach and a comparison of the manufacturability of the first design solution relative to the manufacturability of the second design solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.