Method of designing a product in a virtual environment
First Claim
1. A method of designing a product to be worn on a body, the method comprising:
- creating a product sub-model of the product;
interacting components of the product sub-model by applying an external force to the product sub-model with an interaction model;
combining the product sub-model and the interaction model in a use model simulating the interaction between components of the product sub-model to produce as a result of the external force to produce a representation of at least one product feature of the product;
evaluating the use model to determine the performance of at least one product feature of the product; and
modifying the product sub-model in response to the determined performance of the product feature and then reperforming the steps of interacting the models and combining the models in the use model and evaluating the use model to design the product.
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Abstract
A method of designing a product for use on a body used to develop a preferred product configuration using a computer-based virtual product development and testing system. A virtual product sub-model is created of a product for use on the body. An environment sub-model is generated so that environmental factors affecting the product are also used in designing or evaluating the product. Instructions defining how the product sub-model and the environment sub-model interact are introduced in an interaction model. The sub-models and the interaction defined by the interaction model are then combined to create a virtual use model simulating the use of the virtual product sub-model by the virtual wearer sub-model. The use model determines the forces, deformations and stresses caused by movement and interaction between the virtual wearer sub-model and the virtual product sub-model using numerical method analysis. The results of the use model are analyzed to evaluate the performance of product features embodied in the virtual product sub-model such as when and exposed to typical movements or forces. The product sub-model is then modified in response to the determined performance of the product feature and the steps of interacting the models and combining the models are reperformed in the use model to design the product.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of designing a product to be worn on a body, the method comprising:
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creating a product sub-model of the product;
interacting components of the product sub-model by applying an external force to the product sub-model with an interaction model;
combining the product sub-model and the interaction model in a use model simulating the interaction between components of the product sub-model to produce as a result of the external force to produce a representation of at least one product feature of the product;
evaluating the use model to determine the performance of at least one product feature of the product; and
modifying the product sub-model in response to the determined performance of the product feature and then reperforming the steps of interacting the models and combining the models in the use model and evaluating the use model to design the product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
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Original AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
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InventorsWoltman, Garry Roland, Stabelfeldt, Sara Jane Wille, Kerins, John E., Huang, Yung Hsiang, Pieper, Christopher M., Kathumbi-Jackson, Deanna R.
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Application NumberUS10/447,836Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current700/132CPC Class CodesA41H 3/007 Methods of drafting or mark...A61F 13/15 Absorbent pads, e.g. sanita...G06F 2113/12 ClothG06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verifi...
