Sustainable product design based on fuzzy Kano, QFD, and TRIZ

Abstract

An integrated design framework is proposed to address diverse user requirements in sustainable product development, combining the fuzzy Kano model, Quality Function Deployment (QFD), and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). The framework classifies and prioritizes user requirements using fuzzy logic and introduces a tuning factor k to balance functional expectations with sustainability objectives. QFD is employed to map user requirements to technical requirements, while TRIZ facilitates the resolution of design conflicts. A case study on traditional kitchen cookware demonstrates that the framework enhances material selection, manufacturing process efficiency, and environmental performance, while preserving cultural and experiential value embedded in traditional craftsmanship. The results suggest that this approach offers effective support for requirement translation and design improvement in sustainable product contexts, with promising potential for cross-disciplinary applications.