Abstract:
A method of analyzing mechanical actions on an object comprised of a plurality of components includes the steps of creating a model having a general exterior shape of the object without regard to structural details of the components, obtaining separate elasticity coefficients of the model in respectively different spatial directions based on rigidities of the object, and analyzing mechanical actions on the object based on the model and the elasticity coefficients.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a method of, a device for, and a record medium having a program embodied therein for analyzing a model, and particularly relates to a method of, a device for, and a record medium having a program embodied therein for analyzing a model comprised of a plurality of components. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Development in computer technology has made it possible to analyze forces applied to objects without difficulty. It is desirable to be able to carry out an analysis accurately even when the analysis is directed to an object comprised of a plurality of components. 
     When a model used in analysis is created to accurately reflect an actual structure of an object, analysis using this model can produce accurate results. To create a structurally accurate model, however, is not an easy task and takes a lengthy time. Depending on required accuracy and time limits, a model with a simplified shape may be used. 
     When a stress analysis is performed for manufacturing of a bearing unit, for example, Young&#39;s moduli are used in the analysis if they are known beforehand. If Young&#39;s moduli are not known, a bearing unit comprised of balls, rings, and a case, for example, needs to be modeled accurately to take into account structural details. Alternatively, a bearing unit is replaced by substitutes that are simpler for the purpose of analysis. 
     FIG. 1 is an illustrative drawing showing an example of a related art analysis method. 
     FIG. 1 shows an example in which springs  42  are put in place  41  of a bearing unit as simplified substitutes for the bearing unit. 
     If all the components such as balls of the bearing unit are to be modeled with sufficient accuracy, such a modeling process requires a lengthy time period. Further, since various parameters need to be entered with respect to all the components, it is not easy to carry out the analysis. 
     When all the components are accurately modeled, further, a computation time may become prohibitively lengthy. If the computer does not have a sufficient computation speed, analysis may not be possible to be actually carried out. 
     If a simplified model such as that using the springs as substitutes for the bearing unit, there is a problem in that deformation and stress that is experienced by the bearing unit are not calculable since the bearing unit is no longer included in the analysis. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a scheme for analyzing mechanical actions based on a simple model where the scheme can provide an accurate analysis of an object comprised of a plurality of components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide a scheme for analyzing mechanical actions that substantially obviates one or more of the problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     Feature s and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by practice of the invention according to the teachings provided in the description. Objects as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will be realized and attained by a scheme for analyzing mechanical actions particularly pointed out in the specification in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a method of analyzing mechanical actions on an object comprised of a plurality of components, including the steps of creating a model having a general exterior shape of the object without regard to structural details of the components, obtaining separate elasticity coefficients of the model in respectively different spatial directions based on rigidities of the object, and analyzing mechanical actions on the object based on the model and the elasticity coefficients. 
     In the method as described above, the object comprised of a plurality of components is represented by a model that has a general exterior shape of the object without regard to structural details of the components, so that the modeling process is easy and not time consuming. Further, the elasticity coefficients are obtained as separate and probably different coefficients with respect to different directions, thereby treating the model as having anisotropic characteristics that are close to characteristics of the object. Therefore, the method can provide an accurate analysis of mechanical actions on an object based on a simplified model. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustrative drawing showing an example of a related art analysis method; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process performed by an analysis program according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an illustrative drawing showing an analysis model used in the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrative drawings showing a simplified bearing model according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an illustrative drawing for explaining how to obtain an elasticity modulus in a radial direction with respect to the bearing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an illustrative drawing for explaining how to obtain an elasticity modulus in a thrust direction with respect to the bearing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an illustrative drawing showing an analysis model used in the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an illustrative drawing showing a material parameters input window according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is an illustrative drawing showing a head-arm unit and bearing parts with analysis results according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is an illustrative drawing showing an enlarged view of a portion of the head-arm unit and the bearing parts with analysis results. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     An analysis device  1  has a configuration typical to an ordinary computer system, and includes a CPU  2 , a ROM  3 , a RAM  4 , a hard-drive  5 , a floppy-disk drive  6 , a CD-ROM drive  7 , an input device  8 , an interface  9 , a display controller  10 , a display device  11 , and a bus  12 . 
     The CPU  2  performs data processing in accordance with an analysis program which will be later described in detail. The ROM  3  stores therein boost programs such as BIOS programs. The Ram  4  has the analysis program loaded to its memory space when it is to be executed, and is also used as a work space. 
     The hard-drive  5  includes a record medium for recording the analysis program. The analysis program is installed to the hard-drive  5  from a floppy disk  13  via the floppy-disk drive  6  or from a CD-ROM  14  via the CD-ROM drive  7 . Further, the hard-drive  5  stores processed data. The floppy-disk drive  6  has the floppy disk  13  inserted therein, and writes data in or reads data from the floppy disk  13 . 
     The CD-ROM drive  7  has the CD-ROM  14  inserted therein, and reads data therefrom. 
     The input device  8  may include a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for entering data necessary for the analysis program or entering commands directed to the analysis program. Data entered through the input device  8  is supplied to the bus  12  via the interface  9 . 
     The display controller  10  is provided between the bus  12  and the display device  11 . When the analysis program is executed, the display controller  10  controls the display device  11  to prompt inputting of required data, present analysis results, etc. 
     In the following, a description will be given with regard to the analysis program. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the analysis program according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustrative drawing showing an analysis model used in the embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this embodiment, stress analysis is conducted with respect to bearing parts  22  of a head-arm unit  21  shown in FIG.  4 . The head-arm unit  21  and the bearing parts  22  are modeled separately as separate parts units. A simplified model is used for modeling each of the bearing parts  22 . 
     At a step S 1 , a simplified bearing model is generated having a donut-like cylinder shape approximating the exterior shape of an actual bearing part. In reality, the bearing part includes therein bearing balls, rings, and a case, for example. The simplified bearing model of this embodiment does not simulate the inner structures of the bearing part, but simulates the exterior shape of the bearing part. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrative drawings showing a simplified bearing model according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a side view of the simplified bearing model. FIG. 5B shows a front view of the simplified bearing model. 
     As shown in FIG. 5A, the simplified bearing model has a diameter d, a length 1, and a thickness t. 
     Since an object is a cylinder made of a single material and being solid without any inner structure as the donut-like cylinder of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the object should have the same elasticity modulus regardless of a direction in which the elasticity is measured. Since the model shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B simulates a bearing part, and since the bearing part has a rather complex internal structure, this model having a cylinder shape should have different elasticity moduli depending on directions. 
     With references to FIG. 2 again, at a step S 2 , data are entered with regard to measurements, a radial rigidity, and a thrust rigidity of the simplified bearing model having the cylindrical shape. 
     At a step S 3 , an elasticity modulus in a radial direction, i.e., Young&#39;s modulus, is obtained. 
     In what follows, a description will be given with regard to how to obtain an elasticity modulus E in a radial direction (i.e., longitudinal elasticity modulus) from the radial rigidity and the measurements of the simplified bearing model. 
     FIG. 6 is an illustrative drawing for explaining how to obtain an elasticity modulus in a radial direction with respect to the bearing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     With a radial rigidity kr provided, a pressure Pr applied to the simplified bearing model in a radial direction as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 6 is represented as follows with reference to a shape shift Δt created by the pressure. 
     
       
           Pr=kr·Δt   (1) 
       
     
     A deformation εr in the radial direction is represented as: 
     
       
         ε r=Δt /2 t   (2) 
       
     
     A stress σr applied to the model is represented as: 
     
       
         σ r=E·εr   (3) 
       
     
     Accordingly, the stress σr is represented as: 
     
       
         σ r=E·Δt /2 t   (4) 
       
     
     In this case, an area Ar to which the stress σr is applied can be regarded as a half of the inner wall as shown by a solid line in FIG.  6 . The area Ar is represented as in the following by using the diameter d and length 1 of the bearing. 
     
       
           Ar =(½)·π· d·l   (5) 
       
     
     The pressure Pr is also represented as follows. 
     
       
           Pr=σr·Ar   (6) 
       
     
     By substituting the equations (4) and (5) into the equation (6), the pressure Pr is shown as: 
     
       
           Pr=E·Δt /2 t ·(½)·π d·l   (7) 
       
     
     The pressure Pr is represented two folds as shown in the equation (1) and the equation (7). By combining the two equations, one can obtain one equation as follows. 
     
       
           kr·Δt=E·Δt /2 t ·(½)·π· d·l   (8) 
       
     
     Accordingly, Young&#39;s modulus E is obtained as: 
     
       
           E=kr ·4 t /(π· d·l )  (9) 
       
     
     Based on the equation (9), one can calculate Young&#39;s modulus E by using the length l, diameter d, thickness t, and radial rigidity kr of the bearing. 
     With reference to FIG. 3 again, at a step S 4 , an elasticity modulus in a thrust direction is obtained from the measurements and thrust rigidity of the simplified bearing model. 
     In what follows, a description will be given with regard to how to obtain an elasticity modulus G in a thrust direction (i.e., traverse elasticity modulus) from the thrust rigidity and the measurements of the simplified bearing model. 
     FIG. 7 is an illustrative drawing for explaining how to obtain an elasticity modulus in a thrust direction with respect to the bearing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     With a thrust rigidity kl provide, a pressure Pl applied to the simplified bearing model in a thrust direction as shown by arrows B in FIG. 7 is represented as follows with reference to a shape shift Δl created by the pressure. 
     
       
           Pl=kl·Δl   (10) 
       
     
     A deformation εl in the thrust direction is represented as: 
     
       
         ε l=Δl /2 l   (11) 
       
     
     A stress σl applied to the model is represented as: 
     
       
         σ l=G·εl   (12) 
       
     
     Accordingly, the stress σl is represented as: 
     
       
         σ l=G·Δl/l   (13) 
       
     
     In this case, an area Al to-which the stress σl is applied can be represented as in the following by using the diameter d and thickness t of the bearing. 
     
       
           Al=π·d·t   (14) 
       
     
     The pressure Pl is also represented as follows. 
     
       
           Pl=σl·Al   (15) 
       
     
     By substituting the equations (13) and (14) into the equation (15), the pressure Pl is shown as: 
     
       
           Pl=G·Δl/l·d·t   (16) 
       
     
     The pressure Pl is represented two folds as shown in the equation (10) and the equation (16). By combining the two equations, one can obtain one equation as follows. 
     
       
           kl·Δl=G·Δl/l·π·d·t   (17) 
       
     
     Accordingly, Young&#39;s modulus G is obtained as: 
     
       
           G=kl·l /(π· d·t )  (18) 
       
     
     Based on the equation (18), one can calculate the traverse elasticity modulus G by using the length 1, diameter d, thickness t, and thrust rigidity kl of the bearing. 
     As described above, the longitudinal elasticity modulus E is obtained from the equation (9), and the traverse elasticity modulus G is obtained from the equation (18). Namely, the longitudinal elasticity modulus E and the traverse elasticity modulus G are readily obtained by using the length 1, diameter d, thickness t, radial rigidity kr, and thrust rigidity kl of the bearing. 
     With reference to FIG. 3 again, at a step S 5 , the longitudinal elasticity modulus E and the traverse elasticity modulus G are passed to the analysis system. 
     At a step S 6 , analysis is conducted by using the longitudinal elasticity modulus E and the traverse elasticity modulus G. 
     The analysis at the step S 6  may be carried out by using a commercially available analysis system. For example, an analysis system such as ABAQUS by Hibbit, Karlsson &amp; Sorensen, Inc. may be used at the step S 6 . 
     At a step S 6 - 1  of the step S 6 , an analysis model is created. 
     FIG. 8 is an illustrative drawing showing an analysis model used in the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the analysis model has a head-arm model  31  and simplified bearing models  32  connected together. In order to use ABAQUS for model analysis, elasticity coefficients need to be entered into the system. 
     FIG. 9 is an illustrative drawing showing a material parameters input window according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The input window of the ABAQUS shown in FIG. 9 includes a field for entering a material name, a field for entering a mass density, a field for entering a longitudinal elasticity modulus, and a field for entering a Poisson ratio. In order to use ABAQUS for stress analysis, Young&#39;s modulus, i.e., a longitudinal elasticity modulus needs to be entered in its field provided on the input window. 
     In the present invention, the elasticity moduli E and G are obtained through the steps S 1  through S 4 , and are entered into the system at the step S 5  by entering Young&#39;s modulus in the input field as shown in FIG.  9 . Then, the analysis is conducted at a step S 6 - 2 , and analysis results are displayed at a step S 6 - 3 . 
     FIG. 10 is an illustrative drawing showing the head-arm unit and the bearing parts with analysis results according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an illustrative drawing showing an enlarged view of a portion of the head-arm unit and the bearing parts with analysis results. 
     As shown in FIG.  10  and FIG. 11, the present invention properly obtains a distribution map of stresses that are experienced by the head-arm,unit and the bearing parts. 
     As described above, the present invention creates a model having an exterior shape of an analyzed object when the analyzed object is comprised of a plurality of components, and does not attempt to create a model having structural details exactly representing components of the analyzed object. Creation of a model is therefore carried out without much of difficulty. 
     Further, according to the present invention, an analyzed object is not replaced by simplified substitutes such as springs substituting for a bearing unit, but is modeled by using the exterior shape of the analyzed object. Because of this, it is possible to calculate shape shifts and stresses that are experienced by the analyzed object itself. This achieves an accurate analysis. 
     The above embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which a stress distribution is analyzed with respect to a bearing part. It should be noted, however, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but is universally applicable to analysis of an object that is comprised of a plurality of components. 
     Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The present application is based on Japanese priority application No. 11-250797 filed on Sep. 3, 1999, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.