DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0067] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. The overall arrangement of a computer network to which the present invention can be applied will be explained first.

[0068] [System Arrangement]

[0069] FIG. 1 shows an example of the arrangement of a computer network to which a new model vehicle project planning support system of this embodiment can be applied.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 1, for example, a vehicle manufacturer is roughly categorized into a planning department, graphic design department, industrial design & analysis department, production engineering department, and test/research department (note that a production department that assembles vehicles in practice is not a characteristic one in this embodiment, and is omitted).

[0071] Principal jobs of the respective departments in this embodiment will be briefly explained below.

[0072] Planning department: A person in charge of the planning department plans detailed specifications of a new model vehicle on the basis of the market trend and the like, which have been researched in advance, examines adequacy (feasibility) of the project, and then proposes that project plan to the top management of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0073] Graphic design department: Upon roughly determining the concept, performance, and layout of the new model vehicle planned by the planning department, a person in charge of the graphic design department designs the shape of the new model vehicle corresponding to that concept.

[0074] Industrial design department: A person in charge of the industrial design department practically designs a new model vehicle (mass-production design) using work support software programs such as CAD/CAE/CAM and the like on the basis of a project book (digital project information in this embodiment) of the new model vehicle approved by the top management.

[0075] Analysis department: A person in charge of the analysis department virtually analyzes design information of the new model vehicle designed in the industrial design department using various simulation software programs so as to verify the performance, structure, and the like of the target new model vehicle.

[0076] Test production department: A person in charge of the test production department produces a prototype vehicle in accordance with the design information designed in the industrial design department.

[0077] Test/research department: A person in charge of the test/research department conducts various tests for the prototype vehicle produced in the test production department using a test device 4 and the like.

[0078] Production engineering department: A person in charge of this department organizes an assembly line, and designs and forms production equipment so as to mass-produce a new model vehicle designed in the industrial design department in practice.

[0079] Note that a supplier supplies various parts and modules (units) to the vehicle manufacturer.

[0080] User terminals 2 such as personal computers and the like are equipped in the aforementioned departments. The individual user terminals 2 can exchange information via a communication network 5, to which a user terminal 2 equipped in an external supplier (that of parts and the like) is connected.

[0081] A database 3 stores various kinds of information that pertain to existing vehicles, and the user terminals 2 of the respective department can access the database 3 via the communication network 5 (details will be described later).

[0082] A server computer 1 is placed under the control of, e.g., the planning department, and supports project planning of a new model vehicle by the operator (person in charge of the planning department) with reference to various kinds of information stored in the database 3 in accordance with the operation at the user terminal 2 of the planning department (details will be described later).

[0083] Note that the arrangement of each individual device which implements the system arrangement exemplified in FIG. 1, and its communication sequence itself are known to those who are skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof in this embodiment will be omitted.

[0084] [Job Flow]

[0085] A characteristic job flow implemented in this embodiment using the aforementioned system arrangement will be explained below.

[0086] FIG. 2 schematically shows the job flow from a planning job to a production engineering job of a new model vehicle in this embodiment. In this embodiment, jobs in the respective departments from when planning of a new model vehicle begins until mass-production starts via production of a prototype vehicle and vehicle evaluation tests are roughly classified into “first step” and “second step”, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0087] <First Step>

[0088] In the first step, the person in charge of the planning department plans detailed specifications of a new model vehicle to be planned and verifies adequacy (feasibility) of the project with reference to information that pertains to a plurality of kinds of existing vehicles stored in the database 3 by exploiting the project planning support process by the server computer 1 in accordance with a product concept of the new model vehicle formed based on the market trend and the like, which have been researched in advance. An adequacy verification job is recursively repeated in the planning department while adjusting setup items until it is determined in the verification result of the server computer 1 that the project is feasible (details will be explained later).

[0089] When the concept, performance, and layout of the new model vehicle planned in the planning department are roughly fixed up, the person in charge of the graphic design department starts 3D graphic design of the new model vehicle corresponding to the concept using the user terminal 2.

[0090] The project information (data file group of digital information) of the new model vehicle, whose feasibility has been verified by the planning department, is proposed to the top management of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0091] The top management (including so-called department directors and chiefs) of the vehicle manufacturer comprehensively determines in terms of the product value, schedule, estimated cost, equipment, and the like if the new model vehicle is to be produced and retailed in practice, with reference to the project information of the new model vehicle proposed by the planning department and also various kinds of information stored in the database 3, as needed. Upon determination, the top management issues some improvement requests to the planning department as needed. In such case, the planning department revises the project information based on such improvement requests, and proposes the revised project information to the top management again.

[0092] The project information of the new model vehicle, which has been approved via such approval job is located as “absolute job instruction (master)”, and is officially distributed to the respective departments such as the industrial design department, analysis department, and the like that undertake the post-processes of the planning department.

[0093] The person in charge of the industrial design department starts practical design (mass-production design) of the new model vehicle on the basis of the project information received as a design instruction using work support software programs such as CAD/CAE/CAM and the like. Since the project information contains or is associated with information pertaining to existing vehicles already stored in the database, the industrial design department can achieve detailed design of, e.g., a solid model which represents the 3D shape of the new model vehicle in minimum required processes.

[0094] When the mass-production design in the industrial design department has progressed to some extent, the person in charge of the analysis department virtually analyzes the performance, structure, and the like of the new model vehicle to be analyzed using various simulation software programs, and improves the accuracy of the mass-production design information.

[0095] The shape design of the new model vehicle generated in the graphic design department is approved via an approval job of the top management of the vehicle manufacturer independently of the project information of the new model vehicle, and shape information that represents the approved shape design is then officially distributed to the respective departments such as the test production department and the like that undertake the post-processes of the graphic design department.

[0096] <Second Step>

[0097] In the second step, when the mass-production design in the industrial design department is roughly fixed up, the person in charge of the test production department produces a prototype vehicle using the design information (3D CAD information and the like) of the new model vehicle designed in the industrial design department. The produced prototype vehicle undergoes various evaluation tests by the person in charge of the test/research department to collect test results. The test results of the evaluation tests of the prototype vehicle are reflected in the design information of a mass-production vehicle by the industrial design department.

[0098] When the mass-production design in the industrial design department is roughly fixed up, the person in charge of the production engineering department begins to simulate the workability, work capacity, and work organization in an assembly line using work support software programs such as CAD/CAE/CAM and the like in accordance with the design information (3D CAD information) of the new model vehicle designed in the industrial design department.

[0099] At this time, since the industrial design & analysis department, production engineering department, and test production & test/research department conduct jobs using various work support software programs and simulation software programs, even when the design information, which is passed from the industrial design department to the post-process (production engineering department) at first, is tentative information that has not undergone any configuration operation of dimensional design and the like of details, the departments of the post-processes can start examination of their jobs, and can issue improvement requests to the industrial design department as needed. Upon receiving the improvement requests, the industrial design department revises the design information based on the improvement requests, and passes the revised design information to the respective departments of the post-processes again.

[0100] In this embodiment, the project information provided from the planning department is information with high accuracy based on various kinds of information that pertain to existing vehicles stored in the database 3 (details will be explained later). For this reason, in the second step, the mass-production design is optimized by collaboration of the industrial design & analysis department, production engineering department, and test production & test/research department, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, but the project information previously generated in the planning department (first step) is never changed practically.

[0101] The design information (3D CAD information of a solid model and the like) of the new model vehicle optimized in the second step is handled as a product model for mass-production, and the post-process (production step: not shown in FIG. 2) starts actual mass-production in accordance with this final design information.

[0102] Note that a practical means which implements collaboration in the second step adopts a general design engineering scheme and simulation technique, and a detailed description thereof in this embodiment will be omitted.

[0103] In the second step, the industrial design department, analysis department, test production & test/research department, and production engineering department register various kinds of information such as the mass-production design information, various analysis results, vehicle evaluation test results, and the like of the new model vehicle in the database 3, thus updating the contents of the database 3 by the practical latest information. Furthermore, various kinds of information such as the dates of delivery, production lots, cost (amount), and the like of parts or modules to be supplied to the vehicle manufacturer are registered in the database 3 from the user terminal 2 equipped in the external supplier.

[0104] [Database 3]

[0105] Information pertaining to a plurality of existing vehicles stored in the database 3 will be explained in detail below.

[0106] FIG. 3 schematically exemplifies various kinds of information stored in the database 3 in this embodiment.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 3, the database 3 stores, in association with each other, various kinds of information (records):

[0108] specification information and performance information on the vehicle level in association with a plurality of types of existing vehicles;

[0109] specification information and performance information of a plurality of types of module levels (e.g., power train module, chassis, and the like) which form each individual existing vehicle;

[0110] specification information and performance information of a plurality of types of parts levels which form each individual existing module;

[0111] cost information of the existing vehicles, existing modules, and existing parts;

[0112] 3D design information (3D CAD information such as solid models which contain 3D shapes and their dimensional information, various kinds of attribute information, and the like) of the existing vehicles, existing modules, and existing parts;

[0113] information associated with customers who purchased the existing vehicles;

[0114] evaluation information such as advice, complaint, and the like from the customers who purchased the existing vehicles;

[0115] specification information and performance information that pertain to benchmark vehicles (vehicles to be compared) as existing vehicles retailed by other vehicle manufacturers; and the like. Such various kinds of information are systematically managed in three layers of categories, i.e., vehicle, module, and parts levels, so as to achieve efficient and easy reference (re-use). Note that the specification information is numerical value information that represents the dimensions, performance, and the like.

[0116] The database 3 that stores various kinds of items of information can adopt a general relational database (RDB) described in, e.g., SQL (Structured Query Language) or the like.

[0117] In this embodiment, various kinds of information that pertain to vehicles, which are stored in the database 3, are registered by the industrial design department, analysis department, test production & test/research department, production engineering department, and external supplier upon developing those vehicles, as has been explained with reference to FIG. 2, and information that pertains to the customers and evaluation information from the customers are registered by retailers and users. More specifically, information set at the user terminal 2 equipped in each department or supplier is stored in the database 3 via the communication network 5. The database 3 is under the control of, e.g., the server computer 1, and the storage operation of externally received information is controlled by the server computer 1 in such case.

[0118] FIG. 4 exemplifies the data format of each individual record stored in the database 3 in this embodiment, i.e., exemplifies information of the parts level as a minimum unit of the three category layers, i.e., the vehicle, module, and parts levels.

[0119] More specifically, FIG. 4 shows, as records of a plurality of types of tires, which have already been or can be adopted in the plurality of types of existing vehicles of those associated with the existing parts, “genre” and “segment”, “chassis system”, “layout restriction condition”, and “production & delivery date information” of a vehicle which adopts that tire, “size” and “rating” as specification information, and evaluation scores of “ride quality” and “drive stability” as performance information.

[0120] Note that “genre” represents the purpose and drive performance of a vehicle, and this embodiment has categories of sedan, wagon, coupe, and the like. “Segment” represents a vehicle class including the vehicle size and engine displacement (including the output of an electric motor in case of a vehicle using the motor), and is expressed by a symbol such as A, B, C, or the like in this embodiment.

[0121] “Layout restriction condition” is information indicating the restriction condition on the layout place upon laying out the existing parts in a layout examination process (to be described later). “Production & delivery date information” is information indicating the production lot, delivery date, and the like of the existing parts.

[0122] Of the respective information items about tires shown in FIG. 4, “genre” and “segment” are information indicating associated items on the vehicle level with existing vehicles that adopt target tires. “Chassis system” is information indicating associated items on the module level with existing modules which adopt target tires, and types XX, YY, . . . are their identification information. Note that information that indicates associated items on the vehicle level may use the vehicle type that specifies each individual existing vehicle solely or together.

[0123] Therefore, upon referring to the database 3 on the module level, records of a plurality of types of existing parts which form a given existing module are extracted using identification information (type or the like) which specifies that existing module as a search key. On the other hand, upon referring to the database 3 on the vehicle level, records of a plurality of types of existing modules which form a given existing vehicle, and those of a plurality of types of existing parts associated with these existing modules are extracted using identification information (genre and segment, or vehicle type) which specifies that existing vehicle as a search key.

[0124] In this embodiment, an evaluation unit of performance information is categorized into three layers, i.e., a vehicle level (whole vehicle), module levels which form the vehicle, and parts levels which form one module, in correspondence with the three layers of the management system of the database 3. The performance information of each of various items which belong to these levels pre-store a standardized evaluation score (evaluation value) in a common scale, and such score is expressed on a most frequently used scale of one to ten in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the database 3 stores a huge volume of information generated upon design, analysis, vehicle evaluation tests, and production of a plurality of types of existing vehicles using the aforementioned system, and know-how for vehicle production in the respective departments, which is physically or morally contained in such information, is effectively used in the project planning process of the new model vehicle.

[0125] Upon supporting planning of a new model vehicle, the server computer 1 can access the database 3 in accordance with a software program pre-stored in a memory. The operator (user) of the user terminal 2 equipped in each department (including supplier) can maintain the contents of the database 3, i.e., can add, update, or delete information stored in the database 3 within a predetermined allowable range.

[0126] [Project Planning Support Process of New Model Vehicle]

[0127] The project planning support process used by the person in charge of the planning department upon planning a new model vehicle will be described in detail below. This support process is implemented with reference to the database 3 when a CPU (not shown) of the server computer 1 executes a program pre-stored in a storage medium (hard disk device or the like) in accordance with operator's operations at the user terminal 2.

[0128] FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an outline of the project planning support process of a new model vehicle executed by the server computer 1 in this embodiment. This process starts when the person in charge, who has predetermined identification information (ID), of the planning department logs on the user terminal 2.

[0129] In the following description, functions of the server computer 1, i.e., a function of displaying various windows having predetermined input items on a display of the user terminal 2, a function of acquiring information set in each input item on the displayed window from the user terminal 2, a function of searching the database 3 for required information using a predetermined search key, and the like, adopt general sequences, and a detailed description thereof in this embodiment will be omitted.

[0130] Step S1 (FIG. 26): A menu window shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display of the user terminal 2, and if the operator selects a software button (to be simply referred to as a button hereinafter) 53 “browse various data” on this menu window, various kinds of information stored in the database 3 can be referred to at the user terminal 2 on which the operator has logged (to be simply referred to as the user terminal 2 hereinafter).

[0131] If the operator selects a button 51 “new project” on the menu window shown in FIG. 5A, a menu window shown in FIG. 5B is displayed; if the operator selects a button 52 “file of planned vehicle”, the project information of the new model vehicle, which has already been stored in the server computer 1, can be selected. If the information is selected, the menu window shown in FIG. 5B is displayed.

[0132] If the operator selects a button 55 “start planning” on the menu window shown in FIG. 5B, the flow advances to step S3 (to be described later); if the operator selects a button 56 “search for project of performance specialized vehicle”, the flow advances to step S4; and if the operator selects a button 58 “set upper and lower limits of restriction”, the flow advances to step S2 (to be described later). On this menu window as well, if the operator selects a button 57 “browse various data”, various kinds of information stored in the database 3 can be referred to at the user terminal 2.

[0133] Step S2: If the operator selects the button 58 “set upper and lower limits of restriction” on the menu window shown in FIG. 5B, a restriction upper/lower limit setup process is launched, and this process displays a menu window shown in FIG. 6A.

[0134] On the displayed menu window, the operator of the user terminal 2 sets indispensable conditions that the new model vehicle must satisfy upon planning the project of the new model vehicle.

[0135] A region 61 on the menu window shown in FIG. 6A displays items such as a vehicle size, engine performance, parts cost (accumulated value), weight, vehicle shape, and the like as indispensable condition of the new model vehicle to be planned on the vehicle level. The operator selects one of these items corresponding to indispensable conditions to be set to unfold a sub-window (not shown) used to set a condition for that item, and sets the corresponding indispensable condition.

[0136] When the operator wants to set not only indispensable conditions of the new model vehicle on the vehicle level but also those on module levels which form that new model vehicle, he or she selects a button 63 “module level setup” on the menu window shown in FIG. 6A to display a menu window shown in FIG. 6B. A region 62 shown in FIG. 6B displays a state wherein the operator sets the parts cost, weight, interference margin with other parts, and the like of a suspension as an example of a module.

[0137] Upon starting at least new project planning of a new model vehicle, the operator of the user terminal 2 must set indispensable conditions for a new model vehicle to be planned in step S2 before he or she starts project planning in a planning process in step S3 or S4 in practice.

[0138] Step S3: In a planning process of a new model vehicle based on target performance and specifications, a project (specifications) of a new model vehicle which satisfies target performance and specifications is planned with reference to information pertaining to existing vehicles stored in the database 3 on the basis of the target performance and specifications associated with the new model vehicle to be planned, which are set by the operator via the user terminal 2 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 27). The operator of the user terminal 2 makes the server computer 1 repeat the planning process while adjusting input information as needed, until the project of a new model vehicle, which matches the product concept planned in advance, is obtained.

[0139] Step S4: In a planning process of a performance specialized vehicle, a project (specifications) of a whole vehicle that realizes a performance specialized vehicle, which satisfies desired target performance set by the operator for a given one of a plurality of performance items, is planned (details will be explained later with reference to FIG. 28). The operator of the user terminal 2 makes the server computer 1 repeat the planning process while adjusting input information as needed, until the project of a performance specialized vehicle, which matches the product concept planned in advance, is obtained.

[0140] In this manner, the project planning support process shown in FIG. 26 is roughly configured by three types of processes, i.e., the restriction upper/lower limit setup process (step S2), the new model vehicle planning process based on target performance and specifications (step S3), and the performance specialized vehicle planning process (step S4), and the operator can repeat a desired process while appropriately changing setups.

[0141] The processes in steps S3 and S4, which have been reviewed above, will be described in detail below. <New Model Vehicle Planning Process based on Target Performance and Specifications>

[0142] The new model vehicle planning process based on target performance and specifications will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B to FIG. 21, and FIG. 27.

[0143] FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing details of the new model vehicle planning process based on target performance and specifications (step S3) in the project planning support process of a new model vehicle executed by the server computer 1 in this embodiment.

[0144] Step S21 (FIG. 27): A menu window shown in FIG. 18A is displayed, and the operator sets various verification conditions to be referred to upon verifying whether or not a new model vehicle is feasible, in the server computer 1 as needed. If the operator selects a button 183 “adjust associated items & priority evaluation criteria” on the menu window shown in FIG. 18A, a menu window shown in FIG. 18B is displayed.

[0145] If the operator selects a button 184 “set associated items” on the menu window shown in FIG. 18B, a menu window used to set associated items is displayed, as shown in FIG. 19A. The operator can change the setup state of associated ones of a plurality of different performance items displayed on this menu window.

[0146] For example, if the operator selects a button 191 “drive stability” on the menu window shown in FIG. 19A, a window shown in FIG. 19B is displayed. A region 195 of this window displays a plurality of performance items and specification items that specify “drive stability” as the selected performance item as the setup state of associated items at the current timing when the server computer 1 searches the database 3. These plurality of performance items and specification items are information items included in respective records which are stored in the database 3 on the vehicle, module, and parts levels, as described above. The operator can edit the plurality of performance items and specification items displayed at that time by operating a button 196 “add & delete”.

[0147] If the operator selects a button 185 “set priority” on the menu window shown in FIG. 18B and a menu window used to set priority shown in FIG. 20A is displayed, the operator can change priority setup states of a plurality of different performance items displayed on a region 201 of this menu window.

[0148] If the operator selects, e.g., a button “drive stability” on the menu window shown in FIG. 20A, a window shown in FIG. 20B is displayed.

[0149] A region 205 of the window shown in FIG. 20B displays setup states of priority of a plurality of performance items and specification items that specify drive stability as the selected performance item at the current timing when the server computer 1 searches the database 3, and the operator can change the displayed priority setups while permitting identical priority levels.

[0150] The server computer 1 considers the priority order set on the setup window shown in FIG. 20B together with allowable values (allowable ranges) that the operator can set for respective performance items and specification items on the setup windows shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B upon calculating information indicating the feasibility of a new model vehicle. In this manner, the user's requests can be reflected in the calculation of the verification results, and the probability that the verification results cannot be provided to the user can be minimized (details will be described later).

[0151] Detail setup columns 206 shown in FIG. 20B display gains (coefficients) used in verification result calculations (to be described later) in correspondence with a plurality of performance items and specification items which specify the drive stability, and the operator can change the displayed gains.

[0152] As described above, in this embodiment, performance information of each item is stored in the database 3 as an evaluation score (evaluation value), and upon calculating the verification results, the performance information of a required item is handled as an individual evaluation score. However, the evaluation scores of performance information of respective items have largely different contribution levels on the performance of the whole vehicles depending on performance items.

[0153] Hence, in this embodiment, the operator can adjust gains used in verification result calculations on the windows shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. In this manner, when a total evaluation score TE of drive stability as an example of a performance item is calculated by adding evaluation scores En of a plurality of items, which specify the drive stability, a calculation TE=E1+E 2+ . . . +En is made if gain adjustment is not available, while a calculation TE=K1×E1+K2 ×E2+ . . . +Kn×En is made using gains Kn corresponding to evaluation scores En, thus allowing practical verification.

[0154] If the operator selects a button 186 “set evaluation index” on the setup window shown in FIG. 18B, an evaluation index setup window shown in FIG. 21 is displayed, and the operator can edit the evaluation scores of a plurality of performance items and numerical values of specification items associated with an existing part or module displayed on this menu window. In the example shown in FIG. 21, a window associated with a given tire of the existing parts registered in the database 3 is displayed in accordance with operator's choice, and an evaluation index of a tire different from the displayed one is displayed upon operation of a right or left arrow included in that window by the operator.

[0155] If the operator selects a button 181 “set vehicle to be compared” on the menu window shown in FIG. 18A, a selection window (not shown) used to set vehicles to be compared, which are referred to from the database 3 upon verifying the project, is displayed, and the operator can set a desired one of a plurality of different vehicles to be compared displayed on this selection window.

[0156] If the operator selects a button 182 “production line” on the menu window shown in FIG. 18A, the operator can select a production line which is used upon producing (mass-producing) a new model vehicle to be planned. The server computer 1 excludes existing modules and parts which cannot be used in the production line selected by the operator from the reference range when it refers to the database 3 upon executing project verification calculations.

[0157] Step S22: The operator inputs various target specifications that he or she wants to realize in the new model vehicle to be planned on the vehicle level on a region 71 of the setup window shown in FIG. 7A. As target specification items to be input in this step, items such as an interior length, interior width, interior height, minimum ground clearance, riding capacity, radius of minimum turning circle, wheel base, wheel tracks, and the like must be set in addition to the drivetrain type, genre, segment, size (total length, total width, total height), weight, and the like shown in FIG. 7A.

[0158] Upon inputting target specifications in individual items, target values and their allowable values (allowable ranges) must be set as target evaluation scores (on a scale of one to ten). In this embodiment, when the operator does not set any allowable value or sets zero, the server computer 1 determines that the target value of the corresponding item is absolutely essential for the operator, and makes a calculation using that target value without giving any allowable range to the target value in an arithmetic process in step S26 (to be described later). In this way, since the user himself or herself can arbitrarily set allowable ranges, the support process based on uniform automatic calculations of the server computer 1 can be flexibly made, thus improving convenience.

[0159] On a region 71 of the setup window shown in FIG. 7A, the operator can set a priority rank in place of practically setting a desired allowable value for a given target value. Several different priority ranks (A, B, C, . . . ) are prepared in advance, and the operator can select one of these ranks for each item. In the server computer 1, a corresponding allowable range is set for each priority rank, and the widths of allowable ranges in the + and − directions to have a given target value as the center are set to satisfy A<B<C< . . . .

[0160] Step S23: The operator inputs a plurality of items of target performance that he or she wants to realize on the vehicle level in the new model vehicle to be planned on a region 72 on the setup window shown in FIG. 7B. The target performance items to be input in this step include drive stability, ride quality, engine performance, mileage, and the like. Upon inputting target performance in each individual item, a target score and its allowable value (allowable range) must be set as a target evaluation score (on a scale from one to ten) as in FIG. 7A as a value that represents target performance to be realized by the new model vehicle in correspondence with various performance items stored as evaluation scores in the database 3. In a target column, “leader” which locates a target performance item as a top class in a group of a plurality of existing vehicles (including a vehicle to be compared), or “among” that locates a target performance item as an average class in a group of a plurality of existing vehicles, can be set. For example, “leader” corresponds to an evaluation score of eight points or higher, and “among” corresponds to an evaluation score of six or seven points.

[0161] Step S24: If the operator selects a button 73 “detail input (module level)” on the setup window shown in FIG. 7B, a target performance setup window on the module level shown in FIG. 8A is displayed. This window exemplifies a state upon setting target performance in a “chassis related” module. More specifically, an existing part with an evaluation score of 6.5 points, which is stored in the database 3, is set as a carry-over part of front & rear suspensions in accordance with operator's input, and +1 point for drive stability and +0.5 points for ride quality are input in a region 81 as improvement goals for the evaluation score of 6.5 points (the selection operation of carry-over parts will be described later as step S25).

[0162] At this time, the adequacy of the changed evaluation value is determined on the basis of the degree of improvement of the old evaluation value of the corresponding item, which is stored in the database 3, and if it is determined that the changed evaluation value is not adequate, the operator is advised accordingly. For example, when an improvement goal of +1.5 points is set for the current evaluation score while the evaluation score was improved by +0.5 points on average every time design was previously updated a plurality of number of times, since it is expected that it is impossible to realize that target, the operator is advised accordingly in such case.

[0163] In this manner, when the user (person in charge of the planning department) sets an evaluation value that a person in charge of the industrial design department that takes on the post-process cannot realize, he or she is advised accordingly, thus preventing an impractical project of a new model vehicle from being formed. Therefore, high accuracy of project verification using specification information and performance information of existing vehicles, and a degree of technical progress expected upon designing and developing a new model vehicle to be planned in the industrial department in practice can be achieved in a balanced manner.

[0164] Note that carry-over parts are existing parts which are required to be adopted in a new model vehicle to be planned, and the database 3 already stores 3D CAD information such as solid models which contain 3D shapes and their dimensional information, various kinds of attribute information, and the like. One function unit formed by a plurality of carry-over parts (existing parts) is called a carry-over module.

[0165] On the target performance setup window on the module level shown in FIG. 8A, a tire to be used together with the aforementioned front & rear suspensions is set by operator's input. Furthermore, the presence/absence of necessity of setups of 4WS, power steering, ABS, and the like can be set on this window.

[0166] In step S24, target performance for a power train as an important module, which determines the drive performance of the new model vehicle among target items associated with a plurality of different modules, can be set on the setup window shown in FIG. 8B. On this setup window, the operator can select desired ones of a plurality of different engines, gearboxes, and the like, which are registered in the database 3 as existing parts (existing modules).

[0167] An evaluation score of a performance item or a merit value of a specification item is associated with a record of each existing part (existing module) stored in the database 3 as information indicating the current ability (merit). Hence, in this step, the operator can set an improvement goal of an evaluation value that he or she desires to achieve upon designing a new model vehicle in the industrial design department (a degree of desired improvement from the current ability of an existing part or the like) for a desired existing part (existing module) such as the selected engine, gearbox, or the like, on a region 85 of the setup window shown in FIG. 8B. At this time, the adequacy of the changed evaluation value is determined on the basis of the degree of improvement of old evaluation value of the corresponding item, and if it is determined that the changed evaluation value is not adequate, the operator is advised accordingly. As a result, high accuracy of project verification using specification information and performance information of existing vehicles, and a degree of technical progress expected upon designing and developing a new model vehicle to be planned in the industrial department in practice can be achieved in a balanced manner.

[0168] Step S25: Upon setting target performance on the module level in step S24, an existing part or module which is desired to be adopted in the new model vehicle to be planned can be selected on a region 91 of a carry-over setup window shown in FIG. 9. That is, when the operator selects one of existing vehicles registered in the database 3 upon operation of a button “select existing vehicle”, a 3D-shape model of that existing vehicle is displayed on the display of the user terminal 2 using a solid model and the like as the design information of the corresponding existing vehicle. The operator can select an existing part or module which form that existing vehicle from the 3D-shape model displayed on the display as a carry-over part or module to be adopted in the new model vehicle by a selection operation using a pointing device such as a mouse or the like, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0169] FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of 3D-shape models of the existing vehicle from which the operator has selected carry-over parts or modules. In FIGS. 10 and 11, parts or modules which are not set as carry-over parts or modules are indicated by hatching, and those which are set as carry-over parts or modules are indicated by reverse patterns.

[0170] Since it is premised that the existing part or module selected on the carry-over setup window shown in FIG. 9 is diverted intact (in design) even when it is adopted in the new model vehicle to be planned, a manual setup of some improvement goal is permitted, as shown in FIG. 8A, but it is restricted to largely update the performance information or specification information of the existing part or module set as the carry-over part or module by operator's operation or upon calculations for project verification in principle in this system.

[0171] Step S26: After the target performance and specifications of the new model vehicle to be planned on the vehicle and module levels are set in the aforementioned steps, the operator can verify the project of the new model vehicle using a display window shown in FIG. 12. The verification results calculated based on the set target performance and specifications are presented to the operator of the user terminal 2.

[0172] If the operator operates a button 121 “planned vehicle image” on the display window shown in FIG. 12, a graphic that represents the new model vehicle to be planned is displayed on the display of the user terminal 2 on the basis of the target performance and specifications set in the above steps.

[0173] However, the shape of the vehicle displayed at this time does not have a design (shape design) unique to that vehicle, and is a graphic which is formed based on a vehicle shape by reflecting size information set on the setup window in FIG. 7A in the shape of an occupied space roughly determined by the genre and segment of the new model vehicle set on that setup window, and by laying out the selected existing modules (including carry-over modules), existing parts, and the like in the base vehicle shape (simple body). Upon laying out the existing modules and parts in the base vehicle shape, the layout restriction conditions which are stored in the database 3 and are associated with the individual existing parts and modules, as shown in FIG. 4, are referred to.

[0174] More specifically, principal components which form a vehicle are automatically laid out in a given coordinate space of the simple body determined based on the set genre, segment, and size of the vehicle in accordance with the layout restriction conditions which are stored in the database 3 in the associated state, using 3D design information of various existing modules. At this time, the 3D design information of each individual existing module is not directly used, but only outer shape information (length, width, height) and barycentric position information contained in that design information are used so as to lay out and move each individual component on a 3D box level such as a cube, cylinder, or the like, and the detailed design shape, attribute information, and the like of respective portions expressed as a solid model or the like are not used.

[0175] However, when a given existing module is used as a carry-over module, since it is premised that it is diverted without changing the current design even in a new model vehicle to be planned, the 3D design information of that existing module is directly used, and a change in layout is restricted, thus easily planning an economically efficient new model vehicle.

[0176] Components to be automatically laid out in the simple body are principal ones such as tires, suspension modules, an engine module, a steering wheel, seats, an instrument panel, a fuel tank, and the like, and these components are automatically laid out in the simple body in accordance with the layout restriction conditions associated with them.

[0177] For example, in automatic layout in the simple body, the layout restriction condition associated with tires is to locate the barycenter of each tire at the central position of a tire house, and that associated with the engine module is to, e.g., locate the engine module at a position ** mm behind the n-th front member. Since the graphic displayed in this case is used to make the operator as the person in charge of the planning department determine adequacy of the project, slight interference among individual existing modules and parts is allowed upon layout as long as the aforementioned layout restriction conditions are met.

[0178] In this manner, since individual existing modules and/or existing parts are laid out while allowing some interference on the display window based on which the user verifies feasibility of a minimum required layout, the process required to lay out respective components can be quickly done. The operator can easily verify feasibility of a physical layout of the new model vehicle.

[0179] If the operator operates a button 123 “confirm adequacy of planned vehicle” on the display window shown in FIG. 12, a menu window shown in FIG. 14A is displayed. This menu window displays a plurality of items that allow to evaluate adequacy of the new model vehicle to be planned. Of these items, those for which the operator has set the target performance and specifications of all predetermined required items in the aforementioned steps are displayed in a reverse pattern, and those which are deficient in setups of some information are indicated by hatching, thus informing the operator of it.

[0180] As for an item which is deficient in setups of information, when the operator operates a button 142 “to data input window”, he or she can go back to respective setup windows that have been explained in the above-mentioned steps, and can individually input desired values.

[0181] Also, as for an item which are deficient in setups of information, when the operator operates a button 143 “to verification based on sample input” on the menu window shown in FIG. 14A, he or she can select performance information and specification information associated with an existing vehicle, which are stored in the database 3, as a sample, on the select window shown in FIG. 14B, thus simultaneously setting the target performance and specifications required to evaluate adequacy of that item in the server computer 1, and simplifying user's input operations.

[0182] When the operator operates a button “detailed individual setup” on the window shown in FIG. 14B, a list of performance information and specification information simultaneously set for a given item, as described above is displayed, and the operator can manually adjust (change) individual information of each of items displayed in the list.

[0183] As described above, in this embodiment, when the operator sets the target specifications and performance of the new model vehicle in the server computer 1, since he or she can easily select information to be input to respective items from definite information which is to be processed definitely, indefinite information which is to be processed indefinitely, and specification information and performance information of some existing vehicle stored in the database 3, the operator can tentatively verify the project of the new model vehicle using the selected information even when some pieces of definite information are not available, thus implementing a rational project planning process.

[0184] On the other hand, in case of an item which is displayed in a reverse pattern on a region 141 of the menu window shown in FIG. 14A, and for which target performance and specifications of all predetermined required items are set, an expected estimation value is calculated based on the target performance and specifications, and a verification result according to the calculated result is provided to the user terminal 2.

[0185] In step S26, the server computer 1 seeks verification results which best satisfy target scores of the target specifications and performance of respective items set by the operator on the setup windows shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Upon calculations, the allowable values (or priority ranks set in place of the allowable values) set in correspondence with the target specifications and performance of respective items, and priority of respective items set by the operator on the setup windows shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B are taken into consideration.

[0186] That is, in this step whether or not a new model vehicle which satisfies the target specifications and/or target performance within the allowable range set by the operator for the target specifications and/or target performance is calculated on the basis of information of respective items stored in the database 3.

[0187] More specifically, in this embodiment, if the project of the new model vehicle is infeasible without changing the set target scores of the target specifications and/or target performance, the server computer 1 makes calculates by appropriately increasing/decreasing a given target value used in calculations within the allowable range having that target value as the center, thus seeking feasibility of the project of that new model vehicle. Upon calculations, the target score (target evaluation score) of each item is automatically changed within the allowable value (allowable range) of that item set on the setup windows shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B in accordance with priority of the item set on the setup windows shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. At this time, when the operator sets zero or no allowable value in the column of the allowable value on that setup window, calculations are made without changing the target evaluation value of the corresponding item.

[0188] In step S26 in FIG. 27, when the operator sets the priority rank in each item on the setup window in place of individually setting his or her desired allowable value so as to reduce the load on user's operations, or when the operator sets a target in place of setting the allowable value of each item on the setup window in