CONCEPT GENERATION &
CONCEPT SELECTION
CONCEPT GENERATION
PHYSICAL DECOMPOSITION
THE STEPS TO CREATE A PHYSICAL
DECOMPOSITION BLOCK DIAGRAM
• Define the physical system in total
1 • draw it as tree diagram - hierarchical.
• Identify and define the first major subassembly
2 • draw it as a new block below the root.
• Identify and draw in the physical connections between the
subassembly.
3 • at least one connection to a block.
• Identify and draw connections between the subassembly and any other subassemblies.
4
• Examine the first subassembly block in the now complete level of the diagram.
• If it can be decomposed into more than one distinct and significant component, treat it as
the root block and return to Step 2 in this list.
5 • If the block under examination cannot be decomposed in a meaningful way, move on to
check the other blocks at the same level of the diagram hierarchy.
• End the process when there are no more blocks anywhere in the hierarchical
diagram that can be physically decomposed in a meaningful way. Some
parts of a product are secondary to its behaviour. Those include fasteners,
6 nameplate, bearings, and similar types.
PHYSICAL DECOMPOSITION
• not solution-neutral because it is based on the physical parts of an
existing design.
• lead designers to think about alternative parts already called out in
the product.
• limit the number of alternative designs generated to a neighbour
hood of the design space surrounding the existing solution.
FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION
AND SYNTHESIS
• representational strategy
• description refined into more specific arrangements of functions and sub
functions.
• map of focused design problems.
• does not initially impose a design,
• leeway for creativity
• generates a wide variety of alternative solutions.
• solution-neutrality
FUNCTIONAL
REPRESENTATION
FUNCTION STRUCTURE BLACK BOX
FOR A PENCIL
Function structure for a mechanical pencil.
MORPHOLOGICAL METHODS
• method for representing and exploring all the relationships in
multidimensional problems.
• the study of shape and forms.
• a way of creating new forms.
• Morphological methods have been recorded in science as a way to
enumerate and investigate solution alternatives as far back as the 1700s.
• The process was developed into a technique for generating design solutions
by Zwicky.
MORPHOLOGICAL METHOD FOR DESIGN
The general morphological approach to design is summarized in the following
three steps:
1. Divide the overall design problem into simpler sub-problems.
2. Generate solution concepts for each sub-problem.
3. Systematically combine sub-problem solutions into different complete
solutions and evaluate all combinations.
The morphological approach to mechanical design begins with the functional decomposition of the
design problem into a detailed function structure.
REDESIGN OF A
DISPOSABLE SYRINGE
Position
liquid
near
muscle
(C)
MORPHOLOGICAL CHART FOR
DISPOSABLE SYRINGE PROBLEM
GENERATING CONCEPTS FROM A
MORPHOLOGICAL CHART
Syringe Design Concept 1— Concept 1 uses a hand pump (like with a blood
pressure cuff) to excite the liquid. The user would insert a sharp, pointed tool to
penetrate the muscle tissue, gaining access for the medication. The medicine
would be allowed to flow through a rigid tube into the muscle area. No
special positioning method is considered with this concept.
Syringe Design Concept 2— Concept 2 is similar except a piston and cylinder
arrangement would replace the pump for the first two functions. A shearing
tool for cutting the skin and muscle tissue is used in place of the pointed tool.
Flexible tube is used to convey the medication instead of a rigid tube. A strap
and cuff arrangement is used for positioning.
There are 4 X 5 X 5 X 4 X 5 = 2000 combinations
H. Energy Movement
Bicyle
Transport human
Road Mechanical wear
a) General Function
FUNTIONAL
H. Energy H. Energy
Seat Support human Pedal
Move leg to pedal
weight (A)
DIAGRAM FOR Pedal
H. Energy
BICYCLE PROBLEM H. Energy
Regulate leg force Pedal
to pedal (B)
Position leg on
pedal
H. Energy
Pedal
K. Energy Convert kinetic
Transmit force to
Pedal energy to
kinetic energy (C)
movement (D)
Handle Friction on road
Additional H.E
Regulate force to
Steer movement (E)
brake (F)
H. Energy
Mechanical wear Movement
Brake
Friction Stop
Convert force to
H. Energy
friction (G)
Stop movement
b) Detail Function structure
MORPHOLOGICAL CHART FOR
BIKE PROBLEM
Subproblem Solution Concepts
Convert kinetic
Support human Regulate leg force Transmit force to Regulate force to Convert force to
Row energy to Steer movement (E)
weight (A) to pedal (B) kinetic energy (C) brake (F) friction (G)
Number movement (D)
1 Foam seat Bar pedal Chain Wheel Steering wheel Foot brake Caliper
2 Seperate side Flat pedal Belt Tank like W shape handle Hand grip brake Rubber pad
3 With spring X shape Gear T Shape handle Drum
4 With middle hole Guitar shape V shape handle
5 Mesh suface
2880 combinations
PUGH’S EVALUATION METHOD
1. Select criteria,
2. Establish datum column,
3. Rate alternatives (+, -, S) against datum
4. Select best, or better alternatives
Concept Alternatives
Criteria Gears V-belts Chain
high efficiency + D +
high reliability + A +
low maintenance + T S
low cost - U -
light weight - M -
+ 3 NA 2
- 2 NA 2
S 0 NA 1
group discussion and decision
MODIFIED PUGH’S METHOD
Add new Concept
column Alternatives
Importance V-
Criteria Gears Chain
Wt. (%) belts
high efficiency 30 + D +
high reliability 25 + A +
low 20 + T S
maintenance
low cost 15 - U -
light weight 10 - M -
100
+ 75 NA 55
- 25 NA 25
S 0 NA 20
PAHL AND BEITZ METHOD /
WEIGHTED SUM METHOD
Concept Alternatives
gears v-belts chain
Importance Weighted Weighted Weighted
Criteria Rating Rating Rating
Weight (%) Rating Rating Rating
high efficiency 30 4 1.20 2 0.60 3 0.90
high reliability 25 4 1.00 3 0.75 3 0.75
low maintenance 20 4 0.80 3 0.60 2 0.40
low cost 15 2 0.30 4 0.60 3 0.45
light weight 10 2 0.20 4 0.40 3 0.30
100 NA 3.50 NA 2.95 NA 2.80
Rating Value
Unsatisfactory 0
Just tolerable e 1
Adequate 2
Good 3
Very Good 4
