Enhancing Engineering Innovation through Physical Representation: Identifying the Cognitive Enhancements Provided by Representation and Creating Novel Design Methods

该项目的研究目标是通过识别设计过程中物理表征（如原型）的认知益处来支持和增强工程创新。关于利用物理模型产生创意以及在设计过程中使用原型的研究非常有限。将确定支持设计早期阶段的物理表示的优点和局限性。我们将评估两个关键假设。首先，物理模型会导致设计固定。第二，物理模型有助于克服设计师心理模型中的不准确性，从而产生更多实用的、可行的想法。这些关键的研究问题将通过本科机械工程师和实践工程师的定性和定量研究相结合的方式进行调查。回答关键的研究问题将为工业和工程教育的设计方法发展提供基础。如果成功，这项研究将改进工程师可用的方法和工具，从而提高他们解决关键设计问题的能力。本研究的结果将加强对物理表征如何影响工程认知的理解，为它们在想法产生中的应用提供指导，并开发新的设计方法来支持创新。研究结果将为工业和教育提供新的设计原则和方法。基于本项目定义的基本认知和设计原则的新颖设计方法将直接融入本科和研究生的设计课程。创新的新方法将应用于发展可持续的适当技术，同时与社区服务小组合作，并计划就工程教育中的教学创新举办讲习班。此外，还将创建提高学生创新能力的课程模块。

The research objective of this project is to support and enhance engineering innovation through identifying the cognitive benefits of physical representations (such as prototypes) in the design process. The research on idea generation with physical models and on the use of prototypes in the design process is very limited. The benefits and limitations of physical representations to support the early phases of design will be identified. Two key hypotheses will be evaluated. The first is that physical models cause design fixation. The second is that physical models assist in overcoming inaccuracies in designers' mental models resulting in a larger number of functional, feasible ideas. These key research questions will be investigated through a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies of undergraduate mechanical and practicing engineers. Answering the key research question will provide a basis for design methods development for industry and engineering education. If successful, this research will improve the methods and tools available to engineers thus increasing their ability to solve critical design problems. The results of this research will enhance the understanding of how physical representation effect engineering cognition, provide guidelines for their use within idea generation and develop novel design approaches to support innovation. Results of the research will provide new design principles and methods of use in industry and education. Novel design methods based on the fundamental cognitive and design principles defined in this project will be directly integrated into undergraduate and graduate design classes. The new methods for innovation will be applied in developing sustainable, appropriate technology while working with a community service group and workshops on teaching innovation in engineering education are planned. In addition, class modules for enhancing student innovation skills will be created.