Abstract
Developing product architectures is a key phase in design and development processes. It encompasses the transformation from functional model to alternative product layouts. In this paper, we introduce a methodology for representing a functional model of a product in a quantitative manner. In addition to describing product functionality, the quantitative functional model also incorporates customer need ratings. Product design knowledge can be archived and transmitted in databases using this novel representation. Numerical manipulations of such a database assist in developing product architectures. In particular, product families and customer need ratings for modules are easily computed. Prior to the methodology, a review of customer needs gathering techniques and module identification methods is given. Results from a database of 70 consumer products are presented to illustrate the utility of the quantitative functional model. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
R. B. Stone et al., "Using Quantitative Functional Models to Develop Product Architectures," Design Studies, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 239 - 260, Elsevier, Jan 2000.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/s0142-694x(99)00008-3
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Customer needs; Design methodology; Functional modeling; Product design
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
W. M. Keck Foundation, Grant None