Papers by Keyword: Conceptual Design

Abstract: . Amid the fierce rising competition in the market, accelerating the problem solving and decision making process have become major issues in product design especially in conceptual design stage. For years, Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) has been extensively applied in problem solving. In this paper, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was proposed to strengthen three major steps in TRIZ methodology namely as problem definition, root cause identification and solution generation. The integration was then structured in the form of computer-based system. The integration, application and software in AHP and TRIZ method have been discussed in this paper. This proposed support system not only provided evidence that TRIZ methodologies improved by the support of AHP and also aided the designers in early design phase such as concept, process and material selection.

Abstract: During the design processing of the future exploratory products, requirements from users seems to be a key factor for products availability achievement. As a practical user modeling method, Persona may accomplish the potential needs data mining effectively based on the analyzing of users. This review mainly focused on how to apply the persona in the exploratory products investigation to acquire useful information from the products design. The method to establish persona and the operating rules were also discussed in this article. The concept of the mobile internet device in future was used as an case to demonstrate the persona mentioned above.

Abstract: Ship optimization design is a typical multi-objective problem. The multi-objective optimization algorithm based on physical programming is able to obtain evenly distributed Pareto front. But the number of Pareto solutions and the search positions of pseudo-preference structures still exit some disadvantages that are improved in this paper. Firstly uniform design for mixture experiments is used to arbitrarily set the number of Pareto solutions and evenly distribute the search positions of pseudo-preference structures. Then the objective space is searched by shrinking of search domain and rotation of pseudo-preference structure technology. The optimization quality is able to be improved. Finally, the improved multi-objective optimization algorithm is applied to ship conceptual design optimization and compared with the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to verify the effectiveness of the improved algorithm.

Abstract: Researched the conceptual design of product service system (PSS) oriented on CNC machine tools. Centered on acquisition and analysis of the customers need, and its transmission and distribution to PSS project characteristics of CNC machine tool, the paper proposed an integration method of QFD and TRIZ to help the designer to develop PSS solutions to meet the customers need. This study established a new design system and methodology for PSS conceptual design, which built a theoretical foundation for the further research in this field, and also provided technical support for transmission and distribution of the customers need, configuration design and PSS project decision-making. This method was applied in a PSS case of CNC machine tool to test its effectiveness.

Abstract: Mechanical execution system is an important part of mechanical system that contributes to the delivery of system function. There is currently no conceptual design model that is specifically for the conceptual design of mechanical execution system. Based on the FBS (Function-Behavior-Structure) model, this paper investigates the characteristics of the conceptual design process of mechanical execution system, and subsequently proposed an FTPBM (Function-Technology-Process action-Motion behavior-Mechanism) model for its conceptual design. The model includes a functional prototype and six steps of design procedure as well as a number of design synthesis strategies and methods. A design case of press machine is also studied, which demonstrates the proposed model to be not only practicable, but also improve the designers innovation capability.

Abstract: This paper applies efficiently topology optimization technique to the conceptual design of a bed structure of machining center, which achieves for sufficient rigidity and reasonable distribution of weight of the bed. Firstly, conceptual design of the bed structure is obtained by using SIMP method under the conditions of a multi-objective optimization considering both the weighted structure compliance and the first-order natural frequency on multiple load cases and volume constraints. Subsequently, size design is employed to determine the main dimensions of the supporting plates and reinforcing ribs. During this stage an exhaustion method is identified to select suitable dimensions to optimize the structure performance. Finally, The Finite Element Analysis (FEM) is utilized for comparison of optimal and original bed structure. The FEM results indicate that the optimal design structure can reduce the mass by 6.6% with the less stiffness fluctuation and the first-order natural frequency can also improve by 7.9% compared with the original structure.

Abstract: Conceptual design plays an important role in design stage as an initiation to interpret an abstract idea into a design concept. However, conceptual modeling in previous engineering designs provided premature detailed modeling. Such methodologies delivered almost pure quantitative techniques to do the modeling, which have made it difficult to do agile design process for specific-purposed products. Such products require unique approach for each situation. This paper proposes physiological concept modeling to overcome such phenomenon by combining process and functional modeling with qualitative interpretation. Physiological modeling incorporates derivation to transform idea into a design concept with almost no quantitative postulates. A case study on competition-based electric car is also provided to show an overview of application. The study concludes that there are seven steps required to do physiological modeling. The derivation can also bring flexibility for dynamic or continuous system by introducing cyclical & dynamic relationship between processes, including interventions from outside observed system and function of residue to accommodate side residues. By looking at previous techniques, this study brings a new light to produce design concept which is feasible but can be visibly modeled even by novice designers.

Abstract: On the way to further exploit offshore wind energy, conventional fixed-bottom technology has been limited by the water depth. After the worlds first full scale floating wind turbine being installed in the North Sea in 2009, the floating support structure for offshore wind turbines is most likely becoming not only a technically feasible but also an economically viable solution, especially for regions of water depth over 50 meters. However, less attentions have been paid on floating support strucure, which is a very important part. Derived from commercialized offshore oil and gas platform of cell spar, a conceptual design of a cell-spar-buoy support structure for NREL 5 MW offshore wind turbine is proposed. In this system, structural type of cells is absorbed for cost reduction while damping configurations are used to optimize the stability of wind turbine. For further hydrodynamic performance estimations, numerical simulations have been performed to compute the response amplitude operators (RAOs) and the wave response motions, which are the key factors of the preliminary design. Meanwhile, the motion performance of the platform with mooring system in operating conditions and mooring line tensions under the 50 years return period storm survival condition in the South China Sea was calculated in time domain. The results showing excellent motion performance of cell-spar-buoy.

Abstract: Innovative design refers to give full play to the designer's creativity, using humans existing science and technology achievements (the theory, method and technology principle, etc) to find innovative ideas, and design a scientific, creative, novelty and practicable product. With the rapid development of modern knowledge in many industries, having higher market occupancy also becomes more and more difficult. So it requires immediate talent team having enough innovative ability and innovative ideas. [1, Innovative design methodology, the objects of this research, makes the engineering design divided into four processes that are Object Design, Conceptual Design, Parameter Design and Optimal Design. In the process of designing new products, a substantial amount of professional knowledge, and reasonable selection of the knowledge which is mastered, using the knowledge, getting more familiar with the four innovative processes are all very important to innovative design and also the development of new products. And here, in the process of Sports Equipment Design, this design methodology can make the designers more inspired and having a more distinct thought.

Abstract: In today’s market, it is no longer sufficient to have better designs than the competition. In order to maximize the product’s market potential, it has to be rapidly produced and made available to the market. To reduce their time-to-market period, manufacturers need to shorten their design and development process. It becomes vital that the design architecture solution is derived faster, which can be handful for complex products like an aircraft with the current geometrical-based approaches due to the plethora of physical alternatives to be considered. On the other hand, the search for design architecture solution from functional requirements is theoretically more effective because functional space is comparatively smaller than physical search space. This allows the design efforts to be more focused and this subsequently saves time, efforts and resources. With this notion, there is a driving motivation to adapt functional approaches into the conceptual product design process in order to exploit some of its advertised benefits. In this paper, an example case study of an aircraft conceptual development is presented to highlight possible advantages of approaching architecture solutions from the functional space.