Product Architecture Development with Quantitative Functional Models

Abstract

A key phase in product design and development processes is the establishment of product architectures. During this phase, functional models are transformed into alternative product layouts. In this paper, we introduce a methodology for representing a functional model of a product in a quantitative manner. The quantitative functional model captures product functionality and customer need information. Repositories can be created which house product design knowledge for a vast number of products using this novel representation. Numerical manipulations of such a repository assist in developing product architectures. In particular, product families and aggregate customer need ratings for modules are easily computed. Also, the quantitative functional model provides a mechanism to archive and transmit design knowledge across time and space. Prior to presentation of the methodology, a review of customer rieeds gathering techniques and module identification methods is given. Results from a repository of 70 consumer products are presented to illustrate the utility of the quantitative functional model.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Comments

National Science Foundation, Grant None

Keywords and Phrases

Customer needs; Functional modeling; Modular design; Product architecture

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-079181973-9

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 American Society of Mechanical Engineers, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1999

Link to Full Text

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