Research On Conceptual Design Modeling Of Mechatronic Products Based On Petri Net

The conceptual design of mechatronic products is a key stage in the design process. The design of complex products is a process that can be characterized by numerous functions, diverse flows, various relationships and different constraints. With the rising of the complex degree of mechatronic products, it is necessary to construct a functional modeling for analysis in order to guarantee their integrity and correctness.Functional design is a crucial step in the conceptual design process. It has a significant impact on the end-use functionality, performance, reliability and customer satisfaction. This paper introduces a conceptual design Petri net (CDPN) based on Petri net theory, and applies the model to the analysis of the conceptual design process. Mechatronic product design is comprised of much physical principles such as mechanics, electronics and information technology. These principles are integrated into a single system to satisfy a design need. To satisfy the design need, CDPN model is based on the black box method, and its elements include flows, flow states and functions. The function decomposition network based on CDPN simulates the dynamic behavior between the flows and functions. The Function decomposition tree and the CDPN model describe the hierarchical structure and relationship between the flows and functions. The functional models based on CDPN have been analyzed and revised to guarantee conceptual design performance. A case study is given to illustrate the functional model based on CDPN and its dynamic analysis process. The CDPN can not only guarantee integrity and correctness for function model but also intuitively display all kinds of variables in the restrictive relations and properties of the elements which include flows, flow states and functions so that the dynamic behaviors of CDPN can be better revealed.The CDPN model has a widely applicability to analyze and evaluate the dynamic behaviors of the functional model in the conceptual design activities. This work provides a information model for the computer aided conceptual design systems.