Abstract
Developing product architectures is a key phase in design and development processes. It encompasses the transformation of product function to alternative product layouts. In this paper, we describe a new approach for identifying modules for product architectures. We begin by reviewing the terminology and motivation for modular products. The new concepts of a functional basis and time ordered function chains are used to formally derive functional models of products. Then, three heuristic methods for identifying modules from functional models are presented. Using the formal functional decomposition and heuristic methods, modular design can be executed earlier in the product development process, as illustrated by the example of a consumer power-tool product and a larger, complex maintenance device. A database of 70 consumer products is used to verify and confirm the overall modular design approach.
Recommended Citation
R. B. Stone et al., "A Heuristic Method for Identifying Modules for Product Architectures," Design Studies, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 5 - 31, Elsevier, Jan 2000.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-694X(99)00003-4
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Conceptual design; Design methodology; Functional modeling; Product development
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0142-694X
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2024 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2000
Comments
National Science Foundation, Grant None