Research And Development On FBS-CBR Virtual Prototype Conceptual Design Support Tool

Complex product composed with thousands of part, elements across multidisciplinary subsystems including mechanical, electronic, control, software subsystems, etc. In the process of simulation based design, conceptual design is again the most important stage, because 70%-80% of a product's total cost is dictated by decisions made during the conceptual phase of design. However, there is not indeed a computer aided conceptual design tool among the computer-aided tools, CAx. Manufacturing products keep the tradition of their standards of products series and products type. Introduce the function and behavior based design method to new product design. Enlarge the concept design solution space by using function-behavior mapping and behavior-structure mapping. And then we get a innovation product design. The mappings on two levels of FBS concept design are implemented by knowledge-based reasoning, and then at last we find the design plan, which is satisfied with the function demand. CBR is relatively a newcomer to AI, the topic of CBR originated in early 1980s. It is a knowledge-based problem solving approach. Due to emphasizing the differences between CBR and RBR (Rule-Based Reasoning), in the latter conclusions are resulted from causes (rule chains), the phrase CBR problem-solving approach has been shortened into CBR in use. A CBR based problem solving process starts from retrieving a most similar case from case-base, and then properly revising the case according to the features of the new problem faced. Comparing with the conventional RBR, CBR has been thought to be easier in acquiring knowledge, and more efficient in problem solving, and the solution gained has better quality, and it is easy to be accepted by users. Further more innovations of new product are achieved by adopt and revise previous products based on reusing parts and subsystem from them, the whole design activity is consistent with the process of CBR. Author offered based on the function-behavior-structure decomposition and transmutation computer-aided concept design method. By using the advantage that the KBE can combine with the CAx and make CBR to the reasoning mechanism, the author design and implement a new computer-aided concept design system CACDT.