Detecting side-effects in solution principles
Amaresh Chakrabarti, AL Johnson · Cambridge University Engineering Department Publications Database · 1999
A principal task at the conceptual stage is to consider the widest possible selection of solution principles, for subsequent embodiment into viable concept variants. This becomes particularly difficult when the scale of the design is radically different from a designer's normal experience, e.g., in the mechanical design of small artefacts. In a previous paper [1], we described a framework for (i) supporting alternative formulations of device functionality, (ii) generation of alternative solution principles to fulfil these, and (iii) embodiment and envisionment of these principles. Our progress in developing a representation for device functionality, and an automatic search algorithm for synthesising solution principles for transducer designs was also reported.