A Signal Grammar to Guide Functional Modeling of Electromechanical Products

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Nagel ◽  
Jayson P. Vucovich ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Integrate System ◽  
Conceptual Level ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
System Operation ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Proper System ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Electromechanical Products ◽  
Electromechanical Product

In modern product design methodologies, designers are increasingly required to combine elements spanning multiple engineering domains, thus blurring the boundaries between engineering disciplines. Functional modeling with the Functional Basis provides the basic tools required to integrate system models at the conceptual level; however, there is a lack of unified rules to address the structure of functional models. This article covers the development of a signal grammar for functional modeling with a Functional Basis. At the conceptual level, signal flows represent the information vital to a proper system operation. Signal flows are explored through their Functional Basis lexicon and primary/carrier flow relationships. A grammar, consisting of morphology and syntax, is presented and applied to a set of electromechanical, component-based building block examples. To further demonstrate the application of signals in functional modeling, an electromechanical product is explored functionally with the application of the signal grammar.

A Theory for the Development of Conceptual Functional Models for Automation of Manual Processes

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Nagel ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Electromechanical Products ◽  
The Creation

Conceptual design is a vital stage in the development of any product, and its importance only increases with the complexity of a design. Functional modeling with the Functional Basis provides a framework for the conceptual design of electromechanical products. This framework is just as applicable to the conceptual design of automated solutions where an engineered product with components spanning multiple engineering domains is designed to replace or aid a human and his or her tools in a human-centric process. This paper presents research toward the simplification of the generation of conceptual functional models for automation solutions. The presented methodology involves the creation of functional and process models to fully explore existing human operated tasks for potential automation. Generated functional and process models are strategically combined to create a new conceptual functional model for an automation solution to potentially automate the human-centric task. The presented methodology is applied to the generation of a functional model for a conceptual automation solution. Then conceptual automation solutions generated through the presented methodology are compared to existing automation solutions to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented methodology.

Applying Functional Modeling as a Unifying Basis for Design for Six Sigma Execution

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Hutcheson ◽  
Joseph A. Donndelinger ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams ◽  
Robert B. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
General Motors ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
University Of Missouri ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Design For Six Sigma ◽  
Parking Brake ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
The University ◽  
Current Engineering

This paper explores the applicability of the most recently developed methods in functional modeling to Design for Six Sigma transfer function development and requirements flowdown. An example created during a collaborative research project between the General Motors R&D Center and the University of Missouri – Rolla is used to demonstrate the benefits of using standardized functional modeling during conceptual design. The proposed standard for creating the functional models is the Functional Basis. The Functional Basis is a list of function and flow terms that can be used to describe electro-mechanical systems. The example presented in this paper is based on the parking brake system of a passenger car. Module heuristics, function-based rules for partitioning systems, were used to define the sub-systems during the requirements flowdown example. The functional modeling techniques used in this example provide a standard method of capturing current engineering design knowledge while allowing additional knowledge to be discovered.

Some Ontological Distinctions of Function Based on the Role Concept

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Kitamura ◽  
Riichiro Mizoguchi
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Ontological Engineering ◽  
Product Life ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Role Concept ◽  
Essential Function ◽  
The Relationship

Function is an important aspect of artifacts in engineering design. Although many definitions of function have been proposed in the extensive research mainly in engineering design and philosophy, the relationship among them remains unclear. Aiming at a contribution to this problem, this paper investigates some ontological issues based on the role concept in ontological engineering. We discuss some ontological distinctions of function such as essentiality and actuality and then propose some fundamental kinds of function such as essential function and capacity function. Based on them, we categorize some existing definitions in the literature and clarify the relationship among them. Then, a model of function in a product life-cycle is proposed. It represents the changes of existence of the individuals of each kind of function, which are caused by designing, manufacturing and use. That model enables us to give answers to some ontological questions such as when and where a function exists and what a function depends on. The consideration on these issues provides engineers with some differentiated viewpoints for capturing functions and thus contributes to consistent functional modeling from a specific viewpoint. The clarified relationships among the kinds of function including the existing definitions in the literature will contribute to interoperability among functional models based on the different kinds and/or definitions.

Experimental Studies Assessing the Repeatability of a Functional Modeling Derivation Method

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 682-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Kurfman ◽  
Michael E. Stock ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Jagan Rajan ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Testing Procedure ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Model Derivation ◽  
Derivation Method

This paper presents the results of research attempts to substantiate repeatability and uniqueness claims of a functional model derivation method following a hypothesis generation and testing procedure outlined in design research literature. Three experiments are constructed and carried out with a participant pool that possesses a range of engineering design skill levels. The experiments test the utility of a functional model derivation method to produce repeatable functional models for a given product among different designers. In addition to this, uniqueness of the functional models produced by the participants is examined. Results indicate the method enhances repeatability and leads designers toward a unique functional model of a product. Shortcomings of the method and opportunities for improvement are also identified.

Theoretical Underpinnings of Functional Modeling: Preliminary Experimental Studies

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Kurfman ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Mike Van Wie ◽  
Kristin L. Wood ◽  
Kevin N. Otto
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Function Classes ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Product Forms

Abstract A model of how a product should function to satisfy customers is an essential element in clarifying, identifying, and establishing product architectures. Such functional models greatly enhance the generation of creative form solutions to a chosen architecture. A wider breadth of solutions is generally possible, implementing new and stable technologies. In turn, using the recent concepts of design repositories, the possibilities exist to archive, retrieve, compute, reconfigure, and reason with the product forms. To realize these benefits to the fullest extent possible, functional modeling needs further theoretical development. A formalism of function classes, vocabulary, topologies, and methodology is a first step towards this goal. Recent research efforts have focused on each of these elements, where great strides toward repeatable formalisms have been made. Yet, across the engineering design field, very little active experimentation has been pursued to test the veracity of these elements, individually and as a whole. We address this issue here through a preliminary set of experiments conducted at three separate universities. Design teams and individuals are asked to create functional models, in the context of product development, with and without the formalisms. The outcomes of the modeling effort are analyzed to determine the repeatability of the process. Early results are quite encouraging. Very repeatable results are obtained for three product evolutions, including a toaster, a power screwdriver, and a toy dart gun. In addition, weaknesses in current formalisms are uncovered, pointing to new directions for advancing the field and for carrying out more advanced experimentation.

Evolving a Functional Basis for Engineering Design

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Hirtz ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Daniel A. McAdams ◽  
Simon Szykman ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Direct Method ◽  
Product Modeling ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Independent Research ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Functional Representations ◽  
Set Function ◽  
General Product

Abstract All products and artifacts are designed for a purpose. There is some intended reason behind their existence: the product or artifact function. Functional modeling provides an abstract, yet direct, method for understanding and representing an overall product or artifact function. Function modeling also provides a strategy for problem decomposition, physical modeling, product architecting, concept generation, and team organization. A formal function representation is needed to support function modeling, and a standardized set function-related terminology is necessary to achieve repeatable and meaningful results from such a representation. We refer to this representation as a functional basis; in this paper, we seek to reconcile and integrate two independent research efforts into a significantly evolved functional basis. These efforts include research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and two U.S. universities, and their industrial partners. The overall approach for integrating the functional representations is developed, in addition to the final results. The integration process is discussed relative to differences, similarities, insights into the representations, and product validation. Based on the results, a more versatile and comprehensive design vocabulary is obtained. This vocabulary will greatly enhance and expand the frontiers of research in design repositories, product architecture, design synthesis, and general product modeling.

Research on Green Design Overall Technology of Electromechanical Products

2014 ◽  
Vol 722 ◽  
pp. 190-193
Author(s):  
Xi Yin Lou
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Green Design ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Electromechanical Products ◽  
Cost Of Materials ◽  
Electromechanical Product ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

With the development of global industrial, electromechanical products enterprises create wealth for the mankind at the same time, but also consume a lot of resources, and cause serious environmental pollution. In the design stage, enterprises must consider to prevent environmental pollution, to save resources and energy. The whole life cycle of electromechanical product refers to design, manufacturing, transportation, sales, use, and recycling etc. Protection resources and environment is the whole life cycles core. Green design is from cradle to cradle. The technologies of green design are different from the traditional design which is only pay attention to function. It is not only to meet the needs of the people and solve the problem for the traditional starting point for the design, but also must to consider the use of natural resources, reduces types and quantities of pollutants, effective reuse, and reasonable cost of materials.

Ontological characterization of functions: Perspectives for capturing functions and modeling guidelines

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Kitamura ◽  
Riichiro Mizoguchi
Keyword(s):  
Specific Aspect ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Industrial Setting ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Reference Ontology ◽  
Ontological Modeling ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractThe authors have been involved in ontological modeling of function for over 15 years. As an instance of the revisionary approach discussed in Vermaas's position paper, we have proposed an ontological definition of function and a modeling framework based on it, which has been deployed in industry. In addition, as an instance of the overarching approach, we have proposed a reference ontology of function that explains some kinds, definitions, and practical expressions of functions. In this paper, we explain our methodology in an overarching approach based onperspectives for capturing functions. When one captures a function of an artifact, one focuses on a specific aspect of the artifact from a specific perspective. In this paper, we conceptualize such perspectives behind the reference ontology. In addition, based on our experiences in deployment in an industrial setting, we report some solutions, such as ontological modeling guidelines, for overcoming some of the difficulties faced in the practical functional modeling approach described in Eckert's position paper. Our findings suggest that such solutions will help engineers to describe consistent functional models compliant with a single definition of function.

scholarly journals Human-Centric Functional Modeling of Biocomputers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy E Williams
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
General Problem ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Biological Computing ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Multiple Domains ◽  
The Impact

This paper explores how the technique of Human-Centric Functional Modeling might potentially be used to represent a broad subset of proposed implementations of biocomputing with anywhere from narrow to general problem-solving ability within a given domain, or across multiple domains, and how such functional models might be implemented by libraries of biological computing mechanisms. This paper also explores the insights to be gained from modeling biocomputers this way, and how Human-Centric Functional Modeling might significantly accelerate research and increase the impact of research in biocomputing through significantly increasing capacity for reuse of both biocomputing hardware and software.

Development of a Functional Basis for Design

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Coding System ◽  
Structure Generation ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Product Function ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Functional Representations ◽  
Architecture Development

Abstract Functional models represent a form independent blueprint of a product. As with any blueprint or schematic, a consistent language or coding system is required to ensure others can read it. This paper introduces such a design language, called a functional basis, where product function is characterized in a verb-object (function-flow) format. The set of functions and flows is intended to comprehensively describe the mechanical design space. Clear definitions are provided for each function and flow. The functional basis is compared to previous functional representations and is shown to subsume these attempts as well as offer a more consistent classification scheme. An example is provided for using the functional basis to form a functional model. Applications to the areas of product architecture development, function structure generation, and design information archival and transmittal are discussed.

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