A method of design using available assets: Identifying a feasible system configuration

Abstract

In the early stages of the product realization process, if the functional requirements of a system to be designed can be partitioned and represented, concepts can be quickly explored to meet these functions. If methods and tools for partitioning and representing functional requirements can be developed, it becomes possible to arrange functional components rapidly to represent specific concepts, allowing designers to explore different system configurations at a high level of abstraction. Likewise, if component or component assemblies performing certain functions are known to exist, a designer can determine the feasibility of realizing the product specific functions for each feasible system configuration using available parts. It is also possible that a product may often be realized through partial use of available assets while part of the system is designed and manufactured.