Product conceptual design method integrating design process and design knowledge

Aiming at effectively integrating design knowledge into the conceptual design process of products, a product concept design method by integrating design process and design knowledge was proposed, which could assist designers to explore design ideas and generate innovative product solutions. The process model and knowledge model based on product-function-structure were defined. Through level to level mapping behavior, backtracking mapping behavior, retrieving behavior and storing behavior, the integration of design process and design knowledge was realized. In the product domain, the similar product set of product to be improved was obtained by double level grey relational analysis based on combined weight. In the function domain, the function structure of new product was obtained by function similarity algorithm and function operation method. In the structure domain, the morphology matrix was used to generate new product conceptual solutions, and the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution based on rough number was proposed, and composite constraint index were defined to evaluate solutions qualitatively and quantitatively. Thus the optimal solution could be acquired. The conceptual solution of new water compensator was gained to verify the validity of proposed product conceptual design method.