Projects / Programmes
Extension of the search space in the conceptual phase of innovative product development
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.11.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
Basic and system know-how |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T210 |
Technological sciences |
Mechanical engineering, hydraulics, vacuum technology, vibration and acoustic engineering |
integrated product development, conceptual design, combinatorial explosion, innovative solutions, physical laws
Researchers (10)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
There is a positive correlation between the number of generated alternative product concepts and their quality, so it makes sense to further develop formal methods that would enable the generation of alternative concepts. The crucial property of these methods should be the generation of a large number of alternative solutions without a combinatorial explosion. Many different approaches have been used to tackle the problem of generating alternative product concepts based on variations of physical laws, material, geometry and geometrical position.
The problem which needs to be solved is the unsuitability of existing methods for prior synthesis of function structure, rigidity of function structure and lack of empiric evidence for the absence of a combinatorial explosion.
The objecive of the project proposal is to develop knowledge twisting, a method that enables the generation of a large number of alternative concepts and does not require a prior synthesis of function structure to describe the functioning of a future product in component-neutral terms. In this way, we can avoid the trial and error process and problems related to rigid function structure. Empirical analysis is expected to show that the use of this method will not lead to a combinatorial explosion.
Significance for science
Extension of the search space in the conceptual phase of innovative product development (i.e. knowledge twisting) represents a uniform concept (within the framework of synthesis) for the enlargement of search/solution space for facilitating the synthesis of good solutions. The method of Physics P›Function F type of knowledge twisting, consisting of varying the (in)dependency of an equation’s quantities (presented by the relation Physics P›Function F in the framework of synthesis) and chaining of physical laws, expands the applicability of the same physical law and consequentially the number of generated alternative and feasible elementary product concepts. It thus increases our chances of generating good (and potentially innovative) product concepts, as the quality of the concepts increases with their number. The two patterns (i.e., specified single input/unspecified single output, unspecified single input/specified single output) help the design engineer find an even greater number of alternative product concepts. This is because not all feasible combinations of the input and output quantities are known to him/her. At the same time the method does not cause a combinatorial explosion..
Main contributions of the project and main advantages over the existing methods for synthesis of product concepts:
- in order to search for appropriate physical laws and complementary basic schemata, no prior synthesis of function structure is necessary; in this manner the problems that accompany synthesis (e.g. trial&error synthesis of function structure) and the use of function structure (e.g. rigidity of function structure) are avoided;
-absence of a combinatorial explosion are the main advantages over the existing methods for synthesis of product concepts;
-introduction of elementary function carriers ("wirk elements") to increase granularity of basic schemata; wirk elements enable formalization of connectivity of basic schemata;
-introduction of additional links to increase connectivity of basic schemata; additional links enable synthesis of simple concepts (represented by chains of physical laws and complementary basic schemata) into more complex ones;
-software tool Sophy was developed; it supports a design engineer to conceptualise new and potentially innovative products.
Significance for the country
Research in general has confirmed that development of innovative and competitive products has a crucial influence on production in the future; the sale of such products is a key factor that enables long-term success in the global market.
Slovenian companies that could mostly benefit from the developed method are those SMEs, which want to replace/expand their product portfolios and are aware of the role of integrated product development for their bussines. Most existing Slovenian SMEs are mainly suppliers and they lack products, which would make them more innovative and even independent in views of e.g. markets, price and product portfolio structure.
From the long-term perspective, the stronger position of the Slovenian SMEs will contribute to the higher BDP of Slovenia.
Supposing that companies (i.e. potential users of the method and computer tool) use the relevant methods throughout the product development process, the developed method should allow synthesis of increased number of alternative concepts, which means a better chance to generate innovative and optimum solutions (a positive correlation between the number of product's alternative concepts and the level of requirements and requests that a prospective product should fulfil). By means of the computer support, companies should avoid errors in concepts that could probably not be physically possible. The planning itself is effective also time wise as the time from the idea to the point when technical documentation is prepared is shorter.
In companies, which work mainly in trial&error way of product development, the method and the computer tool would help to replace existing and less effective and efficient approaches. It could serve as a core of more formalized product development in SMEs, which usually suffer from lack of human resources.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
