Matrix-Based Conceptual Solution Generation Approach of Multifunction Product

Abstract

In order to integrate two single-function products to a multifunction product, a matrix-based conceptual solution generation approach is proposed in this paper. In the approach, the overall function of a single-function product is decomposed into a number of subfunctions. The sub-functions are described by the functional basis and are used to construct the function model of the single-function product. By analyzing the function models of two single-function products, a functional similarity matrix is constructed based on the quantified similarity indexes of two sub-functions. For indicating the relationship between the sub-functions and the components, a function-component matrix of each single-function product is constructed, and then a component-component matrix of two single-function products can be acquired by multiplying the function-component matrix and the functional similarity matrix. There are three kinds of components' relationships in the component-component matrix, namely, no-correlation, simple-correlation, and complex-correlation. The components of two single-function products can be, respectively, removed, modified, and reserved according to the different correlation relationships, and a design solution of a new multi-function product can be obtained by combining the reserved and modified components. As a case study, a conceptual solution of a new shaver is acquired under the help of the provided approach.