Interface model enabling decomposition method for architecture definition of mechatronic systems

Abstract Solving a complex problem often requires a way to break it down into smaller, interconnected and manageable sub-problems, and then to join them together. The concept of breaking down a problem into smaller pieces is generally referred to as decomposition. The design of mechatronic systems is an example of such complex problems, as it is based on the integration of several disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical and software engineering. Decomposition is thus a common technique to help designers to obtain solutions for the design of mechatronic systems during the systems engineering process. However, an effective decomposition method which can fully solve the design problems of mechatronic systems has not yet been proposed in systems engineering. The goal of the paper is to formalise this decomposition method based on an interface model. This method is applicable to the architecture definition in the context of the design of mechatronic systems during their conceptual design phase. The proposed decomposition method provides designers with high-level guidance to help them to achieve the appropriate hierarchies and granularities for the architecture of mechatronic systems. The proposed decomposition method is applied and demonstrated using the systems engineering practices of a 3D measurement system.

[1]  Jami J. Shah,et al.  Beyond Function-Behavior-Structure , 2014 .

[2]  John S. Gero,et al.  The Situated Function — Behaviour — Structure Framework , 2004 .

[3]  Thomas W. Kenny,et al.  Introduction to Mechatronic Design , 2010 .

[4]  Tetsuo Tomiyama,et al.  A framework for computer-aided conceptual design and its application to system architecting of mechatronics products , 2012, Comput. Aided Des..

[5]  Weiming Shen,et al.  Collaborative conceptual design - state of the art and future trends , 2002, Comput. Aided Des..

[6]  Tanneguy Redarce,et al.  Dynamic reconfiguration of a compact active stereovision system with digital electromagnetic actuators , 2014, 2014 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics.

[7]  Cesare Fantuzzi,et al.  A model-based design methodology for the development of mechatronic systems , 2014 .

[8]  Leonard E. Miller,et al.  NASA systems engineering handbook , 1995 .

[9]  Tetsuo Tomiyama,et al.  Multi-disciplinary system decomposition of complex mechatronics systems , 2011 .

[10]  Tanneguy Redarce,et al.  Binary pattern codification strategies in an active stereoscopic system based on flexible image guides , 2013, Photonics West - Micro and Nano Fabricated Electromechanical and Optical Components.

[11]  D. V. Steward.  Partitioning and Tearing Systems of Equations , 1965 .

[12]  John Newbury,et al.  Power line communications : theory and applications for narrowband and broadband communications over power lines , 2010 .

[13]  Y.-M. Deng,et al.  Function and behavior representation in conceptual mechanical design , 2002, Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing.

[14]  Bo Zhang,et al.  An Overlapping-Based Design Structure Matrix for Measuring Interaction Strength and Clustering Analysis in Product Development Project , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management.

[15]  A. B. Fotso,et al.  State of the art for mechatronic design concepts , 2012, Proceedings of 2012 IEEE/ASME 8th IEEE/ASME International Conference on Mechatronic and Embedded Systems and Applications.

[16]  David D. Walden,et al.  Systems engineering handbook : a guide for system life cycle processes and activities , 2015 .

[17]  J. Gausemeier,et al.  Integrative conceptual design of products and production systems for mechatronic systems , 2012, 2012 9th France-Japan & 7th Europe-Asia Congress on Mechatronics (MECATRONICS) / 13th Int'l Workshop on Research and Education in Mechatronics (REM).

[18]  Benoît Eynard,et al.  Multidisciplinary interface model for design of mechatronic systems , 2016, Comput. Ind..

[19]  Kristin L. Wood,et al.  Development of a Functional Basis for Design , 2000 .

[20]  Andrew P. Sage,et al.  Handbook of Systems Engineering and Management , 2011 .

[21]  Christina Bloebaum,et al.  Decomposition Methods for Multidisciplinary Synthesis , 1993 .

[22]  E. Fosse,et al.  Systems engineering interfaces: A model based approach , 2013, 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[23]  Benoît Eynard,et al.  UML based specifications of PDM product structure and workflow , 2004, Comput. Ind..

[24]  Robert J. Muller,et al.  Database Design for Smarties: Using UML for Data Modeling , 1999 .

[25]  Christoph Meier,et al.  Systematic module and interface definition using component design structure matrix , 2010 .

[26]  Franck Marle,et al.  Assembling Creative Teams in New Product Development Using Creative Team Familiarity , 2013 .

[27]  Tyson R. Browning,et al.  Design Structure Matrix Methods and Applications , 2012 .

[28]  J. Blyler,et al.  Interface management , 2004, IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine.

[29]  Sofiane Achiche,et al.  Neural network-based decision support for conceptual design of a mechatronic system using mechatronic multi-criteria profile (MMP) , 2014, Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Innovative Design and Manufacturing (ICIDM).

[30]  Thomas J. Howard,et al.  Describing the creative design process by the integration of engineering design and cognitive psychology literature , 2008 .

[31]  Fumio Harashima,et al.  Mechatronics - "What Is It, Why, and How?" An editorial , 1996, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics.

[32]  Klaus Zeman,et al.  Hierarchical design models in the mechatronic product development process of synchronous machines , 2010 .

[33]  J. Blyler.  Interface management - managing complexity at the system interface , 2004 .

[34]  Peihua Gu,et al.  A product module identification approach based on axiomatic design and design structure matrix , 2012, Concurr. Eng. Res. Appl..

[35]  Eun Suk Suh,et al.  Seeing Complex System through Different Lenses: Impact of Decomposition Perspective on System Architecture Analysis , 2015, Syst. Eng..

[36]  Qi Dong,et al.  Predicting and managing system interactions at early phase of the product development process , 2002 .

[37]  Brigitte Moench,et al.  Engineering Design A Systematic Approach , 2016 .

[38]  George Rzevski,et al.  On conceptual design of intelligent mechatronic systems , 2003 .

[39]  Ursula Frank,et al.  Specification technique for the description of self-optimizing mechatronic systems , 2009 .

[40]  Şule Taşlı Pektaş,et al.  Modelling detailed information flows in building design with the parameter-based design structure matrix , 2006 .

[41]  Steven D. Eppinger,et al.  Designing Modular and Integrative Systems , 2000 .

[42]  Kevin Forsberg,et al.  4 System Engineering for Faster, Cheaper, Better , 1998 .

[43]  Bernard Yannou,et al.  Multiple-domain design scorecards: a method for architecture generation and evaluation through interface characterisation , 2012 .

[44]  Benoît Eynard,et al.  Survey on mechatronic engineering: A focus on design methods and product models , 2014, Adv. Eng. Informatics.

[45]  Stéphane Danjou,et al.  Approach for Automated Product Modeling Using Knowledge-Based Design Features , 2008 .

[46]  Christiaan J. J. Paredis,et al.  A Port Ontology for Conceptual Design of Systems , 2004, J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng..