US 9,430,588 B2Granted

Assembly connection method for attaching virtual parts in a computer aided design software environment

AssigneeAutodesk, Inc.

InventorsDavid J. Corcoran, Heung-Wing Li

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Abstract

A method and apparatus that allows the user of a computer aided design (CAD) system to connect three-dimensional parts to create a three-dimensional assembly using connections that completely define the attachment between the parts attached to each other by that connection. The user can simultaneously define the orientations of the parts and their behavior. “Behavior” includes whether parts are rigidly connected or allowed to move relative to one and other, and if allowed to move, the nature and limits on that movement. Within any movement allowed, the user may specify key discrete orientations known to be important to the function of the assembly, such as orientations that limit movement within the assembly. The connection method creates a smaller, more consistent representation of the underlying constraints of the assembly, improving the reliability, performance, and ease of use of a CAD system in which it is used.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

identifying, using a computing device, an assembly comprising a plurality of parts, wherein each of the parts is associated with a respective shape definition and a respective orientation in the assembly, wherein the assembly includes a first set of parts and a second different set of parts and wherein the second set of parts includes parts that are connected to either each other or another part in the first set of parts by a rigid connection;
receiving user input connecting each of a plurality of different pairs of the parts from the first set of parts using a respective moveable connection wherein the respective connection specifies a rotating or a sliding connection between the respective parts of the pair based on the respective orientations of the respective parts, and wherein the connection specifies one or two respective degrees of freedom of movement of the respective parts relative to each other, wherein each respective degree of freedom is associated with a set of valid positions for the respective parts for the respective degree of freedom;
for one or more parts in the second set of parts that are connected directly or indirectly by a rigid connection to a respective part of the first set of parts, identifying rigid connections along a respective part such that the respective part and the other parts cannot move relative to each other based on sets of valid positions for the respective part and the other parts, wherein the respective part and the other parts form a rigid body subset of one or more rigid body subsets;
resolving constraints for the assembly including resolving constraints for one or more parts having moveable connections and not resolving constraints for one or more parts having rigid connections, wherein resolving constraints comprises identifying a set of new orientations that conform to the constraints;
and displaying at least one of the new orientations that conform to the constraints.

2 more elements

A system comprising:

one or more computers programmed to perform operations comprising:
identifying an assembly comprising a plurality of parts, wherein each of the parts is associated with a respective shape definition and a respective orientation in the assembly, wherein the assembly includes a first set of parts and a second different set of parts and wherein the second set of parts includes parts that are connected to either each other or another part in the first set of parts by a rigid connection;
receiving user input connecting each of a plurality of different pairs of the parts from the first set of parts using a respective moveable connection wherein the respective connection specifies a rotating or a sliding connection between the respective parts of the pair based on the respective orientations of the respective parts, and wherein the connection specifies one or two respective degrees of freedom of movement of the respective parts relative to each other, wherein each respective degree of freedom is associated a set of valid positions for the respective parts for the respective degree of freedom;
for one or more of the plurality of parts in the second set of parts that are connected directly or indirectly by a rigid connection to a respective part of the one or more parts in the first set of parts, identifying rigid connections along a respective part such that the respective part and the other parts cannot move relative to each other based on a sets of valid positions for the respective part and the other parts, wherein the respective part and the other parts form a rigid body subset of one or more rigid body subsets;
and
resolving constraints for the assembly including resolving constraints for one or more parts having moveable connections and not resolving constraints for one or more parts having rigid connections, wherein resolving constraints comprises identifying a set of new orientations that conform to the constraints;
and displaying at least one of the new orientations that conform to the constraints.

4 more elements

A method comprising:

identifying, using one or more computer processors, a plurality of parts, wherein each of the parts is associated with a respective shape definition and a respective orientation, wherein the plurality of parts includes a first set of parts and a second different set of parts and wherein the second set of parts includes parts that are connected to either each other or another part in the first set of parts by a rigid connection;
receiving user input connecting a pair of parts from the first set of parts using a respective moveable connection wherein the respective connection specifies a rotating or a sliding connection between respective parts of the pair based on the respective orientations of the respective parts, and wherein the connection specifies one or two respective degrees of freedom of movement of the respective parts relative to each other, wherein each respective degree of freedom is associated with a set of valid positions for the respective parts for the respective degree of freedom;
for one or more parts in the second set of parts that are connected directly or indirectly by a rigid connection to a respective part of the first set of parts, identifying rigid connections along a respective part such that the respective part and the other parts cannot move relative to each other based on sets of valid positions for the respective part and the other parts, wherein the respective part and the other parts form a rigid body subset of one or more rigid body subsets;
resolving constraints for the plurality of parts including resolving constraints for the pair of parts having a moveable connection and not resolving constraints for the one or more parts in the second set of parts that are connected directly or indirectly by a rigid connection, wherein resolving constraints comprises identifying a set of new orientations that conform to the constraints;
and displaying at least one of the new orientations that conform to the constraints.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.