Concept Database: A Design Information System for Concurrent Engineering with Application to Mechatronics Design

这是一个研究、开发和技术转让的一个多媒体概念设计辅助工具，概念数据库。概念数据库为设计团队提供了获取竞争设计概念生命周期设计问题相关信息的便捷途径，并可访问工程企业相关的过去设计和其他信息数据库。概念数据库方法通过链接设计概念的超媒体数据库提供“智能导航”。这样的系统以一种选择性的方式，使用基于启发式、确定性和决策分析方法的搜索技术，扩展了设计师和产品开发团队其他成员可用的信息量。规范的设计方法用于开发搜索的结构，以保证考虑到生命周期问题的全部范围，并为考虑多个且经常相互冲突的生命周期目标的设计决策提供框架。机电一体化设计是第一个原型系统的领域。机电一体化设计是一个具有重要战略意义的领域，在消费产品、计算机外围设备、自动化系统、航空航天和国防系统的设计中发挥着重要作用。这也是一个现成组件选择至关重要的领域，也是一个跨越部门界限的专业知识的领域；电子设计、机械设计、接口设计、供应商协调、包装、物流和支持都涉及到一个好的机电一体化系统设计的实现。

This is a program of research, development and technology transfer of a multimedia conceptual design aid, the Concept Database. The Concept Database provides design teams with easy access to information with regard to life cycle design issues for competing design concepts and access to relevant past designs and other information databases of the engineering enterprise. The Concept Database methodology provides "smart navigation" through a hypermedia database of linked design concepts. Such a system expands the amount of information available to the designer and other members of the product development team in a manner that is selective, using search techniques that are based on heuristic, deterministic, and decision-analytic methods. Normative design methodologies are used to develop the structure of the search in order to guarantee that the full range of life cycle issues are considered and provides a framework for making design decisions that take account of multiple and often conflicting life cycle objectives. Mechatronic design is the domain of the first prototype system. Mechatronic design is an area of key strategic importance, playing an important role in the design of consumer products, computer peripherals, automation systems, and aerospace and defense systems. It is also an area where off-the-shelf component selection is essential, and one in which the expertise crosses departmental boundaries; electronic design, mechanical design, interface design, supplier coordination, packaging, logistics and support are all involved in the realization of a good mechatronic system design.