DesignExplorer: Knowledge Management, Modeling, and Synthesis for Conceptual Design

该奖项为基于功能的表示法的研究和开发提供资金，以支持早期设计中的概念建模和解决方案综合。这一办法将侧重于促进国家标准和技术研究所目前正在制定的关于功能表示和知识互操作性的标准。在建模和综合环境中，设计意图的语义表示是一个具有挑战性的问题。正如设想的那样，表示将包括模糊的知识(难以量化，但反映工程专业知识和偏好)和可计算的知识(基于科学和工程原理)。通过与行业合作伙伴普惠和TelaxsCommunications的密切合作，这项研究将解决不仅具有根本性挑战的问题，而且还将响应行业需求并为其提供信息。来自喷气发动机和电信设计的示例问题将为基于功能的表示的研究和开发提供信息、验证和演示。如果成功，通用表示将为交换设计原理、设计偏好以及建模和设计优化的知识提供所需的基础，这些知识目前在当今的设计系统中是不可用的。该项目是开发集成设计环境和国家下一代设计系统所需研究的第一步，在该系统中，客户、设计师、供应商、制造商和分销商在分布式和集成环境中协同工作。这项工作的结果将为这样一个环境提供所需的代表性和基础。

This award provides funding for the research and development of a function-based representation to support concept modeling and solution synthesis in early design. The approach will focus on contributing to the standards currently under development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology for function representation and knowledge interoperability. The representation of semantics, meaning of design intent, in a modeling and synthesis environment is a challenging problem. As envisioned, the representation will include knowledge that is fuzzy (difficult to quantify but reflects engineering expertise and preference) and computable knowledge (based on scientific and engineering principles). Through close collaborations with industry partners, Pratt and Whitney and Telaxis Communications, the research will address issues that are not only fundamentally challenging, but also responsive to and informed by the needs of industry. Example problems from jet engine and telecommunication design will inform, validate, and demonstrate the research and development of the function-based representation.If successful, the generalized representation will provide the foundation needed for the exchange of design rationale, design preferences, and knowledge for modeling and design optimization currently not available in today's design systems. This project is the first step in the research needed for the development of an integrated design environment and the nation's next generation of design systems, wherein customers, designers, suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors work collaboratively in a distributed and integrated environment. The results of this work will provide the needed representation and foundation for such an environment.