Synthesis based on function - means trees: schemebuilder

This chapter describes the development of the Schemebuilder computer-supported methodology for the conceptual design of mechatronic and other multidisciplinary systems. This employed function-means trees, implemented using an artificial-intelligence-derived context management system, hierarchical schematic diagrams, and bond graph theory. Together, these allowed the generation of complete design schemes by creating, and forming combinations of, alternative partial design solutions. Quantitative dynamic simulation models were automatically created for the evaluation of the generated schemes. An illustrative example shows how the step-by-step application of Schemebuilder’s bond-graph-based rules were used to synthesise,from first principles, a novel and eventually commercially successful concept for a remote telechiric manipulator.

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