Automated design and manufacturing of complex layouts

摘要

The present inventors devised, among other things, systems, methods, and software that radically simplify and reduce the time necessary to specify, design, manufacture, and document control panels and wiring harnesses for semi-custom and custom equipment, such as HV AC equipment. A computer storage medium includes data relating to a plurality of control panel enclosures and a set of rules for designing a control panel. The system receives a selection of two or more components for placement in the control panel, retrieves information about the two or more components from a database, and generates one or more layouts. The one or more layouts comprise placement of the two or more components within at least one of the plurality of control panel enclosures as a function of the set of rules for designing a control panel. The control panel enclosures are dynamically selected as a function of the two or more components. The exemplary system dramatically reduces the product specification and engineering time required for any custom control panel and makes it possible for OEMs to efficiently offering more options and shorter turn-around times to its customers.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a computer storage medium at least comprising data relating to a confined space, confined space layouts, confined space components, and confined space design rules; and a computer processor configured to: select data relating to a first confined space layout from the data relating to confined space layouts; sequentially select data relating to confined space components; dynamically compare data relating to confined space design rules with data relating to confined space components and the first confined space layout to determine congruence between the first confined space layout and data relating to confined space layouts, confined space components, and confined space design rules; accept or reject selected data relating to the confined space components and the first confined space layout; associate confined space components with the first confined space layout; and compile confined space layout data.