초록 ▼

A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect

A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors study is electronically performed to determine occupant interaction with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the criteria. If a parameter change is made, the system and method automatically rebuild every other effected dimension, and vehicle systems to satisfy the regenerated design are automatically selected from an electronic parts library so that packaging alternatives can be quickly studied. A geometric representation of occupant interaction relative to a vehicle system may be displayed to allow a designer to visually assess compliance with a particular criteria. The occupant representation, vehicle, vehicle system, and geometric representation of the interaction may be rendered and animated in three-dimensions permitting views from various perspectives. The method and system can quickly provide accurate human factors studies for a vehicle design while allowing system packaging flexibility.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A vehicle design system for ergonomically designing a portion of an automotive vehicle on a computer in which an occupant and at least one vehicle system are electronically represented with respect to a common reference point, the system comprising:occupant representation means for

[ We claim:] [1.] A vehicle design system for ergonomically designing a portion of an automotive vehicle on a computer in which an occupant and at least one vehicle system are electronically represented with respect to a common reference point, the system comprising:occupant representation means for orienting an occupant representation with respect to the common reference point in the computer;vehicle system representation means for representing in the computer at least one vehicle system with respect to the common reference point;interaction means for determining an occupant interaction between the occupant representation and the at least one vehicle system; andreport means for reporting the occupant interaction.