Towards an Evolvable Engineering Design Framework for Interactive Computer Design Support of Mechatronic Systems

The paper proposes an integrated evolutionary engineering design framework that integrates the chromosome model in the domain theory, the evolutionary design, and human interaction. The evolvable chromosome model helps the designer to improve creativity in the design process, suggesting them with unconventional design concepts, and preventing them from looking for solutions only in a reduced solution space. The systematic analytical process to obtain a chromosome model before running evolutionary design algorithms also helps the designer to have a complete view of design requirements and intentions. Human interaction is integrated to the framework due to the complex and dynamic nature of engineering design. It also helps the designer to accumulate design knowledge and form a design knowledge base. An example of vibration absorber design for a typewriter demonstrates its feasibility.