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.

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.

Towards Rules for Functional Composition

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin W. Caldwell ◽  
Gregory M. Mocko
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Functional Composition ◽  
Functional Decomposition ◽  
Functional Basis ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Hierarchical Levels ◽  
Unknown Solution

Functional decomposition is used in conceptual design to divide an overall problem with an unknown solution into smaller problems with known solutions. The procedure for functional decomposition, however, has not been formalized. In a larger effort to understand and develop rules for functional decomposition, this paper develops rules for composition of reverse-engineered functional models. First, the functional basis hierarchy is used in an attempt to compose the functional model of a hair dryer, which does not produce the desired results. Second, a set of rules for composition is presented and applied to the hair dryer functional model. This composed functional model is more similar to the desired decomposition result than the functional model developed by changing hierarchical levels. Ten additional functional models are also composed and the results shown. The findings demonstrate that composition rules can be developed empirically through analysis of functional models.

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.

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.

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.

A state–behavior–function model for functional modeling of multi-state systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 233 (7) ◽  
pp. 2302-2317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Zhao ◽  
Yong Chen ◽  
Linfeng Chen ◽  
Youbai Xie
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Function Model ◽  
State Behavior ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Behavior Function ◽  
Prototype Software

Since functional modeling can be very useful in conceptual design, it has received considerable attention from engineering design community. However, existing functional models still cannot effectively assist designers in analyzing the functionalities of multi-state systems during conceptual design. As a result, designers often have to manually carry out functionality analysis according to their experiences, which are not only tedious, but also error-prone. Therefore, this paper proposes a state–behavior–function model for functional modeling of multi-state systems, which can provide designers with automated functional analysis support. The approach involves not only a state–behavior–function model for representing components, but also a model for representing the functionalities of multi-state systems. A prototype software is then developed for demonstrating the proposed model, with the functional modeling of a peeler centrifuge as an example to illustrate the proposed functional modeling approach.

Functional Modeling Experimental Studies

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Kurfman ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Jagan R. Rajan ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Design Engineering ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
New Methodologies ◽  
Model Derivation ◽  
Derivation Method

Abstract As more design methodologies are researched and developed, the question arises as to whether these new methodologies are actually advancing the field of engineering design or instead cluttering the field with more theories. There is a critical need to test new methodologies for their contribution to the field of design engineering. This paper presents the results of research attempts to substantiate repeatability claims of the functional model derivation method. 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 the functional model derivation method to produce repeatable functional models for a given product among different designers. Results indicate the method is largely successful and identify its key strengths as well as opportunities for improvement.

Question-by-Question Interrater Analysis and Suggestions for Improvements of a Functional Model Scoring Rubric

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Murphy ◽  
Jacob T. Nelson ◽  
Matt R. Bohm ◽  
Robert L. Nagel ◽  
Julie S. Linsey
Keyword(s):  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
System Function ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Component Structure ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Ongoing Development ◽  
Evaluation Metric ◽  
Vague Language ◽  
Functional Components

Functional modeling is a tool used for system abstraction. By divorcing system function from component structure, functional modeling allows designers to more easily identify design opportunities and compartmentalize product functions, which can lead to innovation during the ideation process. In this paper, we examine the reliability of a rubric used to evaluate student-generated functional models by comparing interrater reliabilities on a question-by-question basis from a previous study where an examination of the reliability of each question was not assessed. We then suggest changes to the rubric in order to improve the rubric’s overall interrater reliability as well as its question-by-question interrater reliability. These rubric alterations include clarification of vague language, inclusion of examples and counter examples, and a procedure for handling nonexistent functional components as opposed to incorrect or “nonsensical” functional components. This work is in contribution to the ongoing development of this functional modeling rubric as an education instrument. As functional modeling becomes more widely accepted in the design community and in engineering curricula, it is important to have a validated evaluation metric with which to assess student-generated functional models.

Toward a Generative Human-in-the-Loop Approach for Conceptual Design Exploration Using Flow Failure Frequency in Functional Models

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Arlitt ◽  
Douglas L. Van Bossuyt
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Functional Model ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Heat Extraction ◽  
System Failure ◽  
Electrical Power System ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Functional Models

A challenge systems engineers and designers face when applying system failure risk assessment methods such as Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) during conceptual design is their reliance on historical data and behavioral models. This paper presents a framework for exploring a space of functional models using graph rewriting rules and a qualitative failure simulation framework that presents information in an intuitive manner for human-in-the-loop decision-making and human-guided design. An example is presented wherein a functional model of an electrical power system is iteratively perturbed to generate alternatives. The alternative functional models suggest different approaches to mitigating an emergent system failure vulnerability in the electrical power system’s the heat extraction capability. A preferred functional model configuration that has a desirable failure flow distribution can then be identified. The method presented here helps systems designers to better understand where failures propagate through systems and guides modification of systems functional models to adjust the way in which systems fail to have more desirable characteristics.

scholarly journals Designing municipal library functional model

2016 ◽  
pp. 5-15
Author(s):  
Inna Doronina ◽  
Svetlana Londar
Keyword(s):  
Functional Model ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Belgorod Oblast ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
Efficient Information

The conclusions on using functional modeling results for library processes modernization are presented. The authors prove that such functional models make the basis for efficient information services. The study was accomplished at Valuy district Intersettlement Library, Belgorod Oblast, Russia.

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