Mechatronics -the synergetic integration of different engineering domains can create new products and stimulate innovative solutions In order to yield this potential experts from Werent engineering domains need a common method to specify results during the early stage of product conceptualisation. This method could create the base for crossdomain communication and aicient cooperation. In this way the potential of mechatronics can be realized. The article presents an integrated method for the conceptual design of mechatronic products. It comprises a new semi-formal specification language for the modelling of functions. This language is closely related to the semi-formal modelling of principle solutions. The systematic approach of product conceptualisation will be exemplified by vehicle convoy driving
SyStems.Z d e x terms--Design methodology, mechatronic products, semi-formal modelling, product function, principle solution I. INTRODUCITON Mechatronic products are characterized by the synergetic integration of working principles and solution elements coming from different engineering domains. In the past the product development was often dominated by mechanics and software/electronic components were added later on. In order to create new functions and to stimulate innovative solutions the engineering domains need to be integrated nowadays from the beginning of the conceptual design process. By coupling systems which have been independent before (e.g. brakes and engine management for Electronic Stability Programme ESP) new product features can be generated a s well. However products become increasingly complex and show stronger interaction between the components. These interactions must be considered at an early design stage in order to recognize the decisive physical effects and to ensure the robust fulfilment of product functions. Within the design process a lack of systematic proceeding can be seen in the stages creation of product ideas and product conceptualisation. Existing purely mechanical principle solutions are optimised towards their physical limits. New principle solutions are not elaborated systematically. This is caused -among other things -by predominant domain-specific thinking and methods. For mechanical engineering, for instance, there exist wellknown methods and procedures (e.g. Pahl and Beitz [l], VDI 2221 121). but they can not be applied for a crossdomain mechatronic approach. Existing domain-integrating approaches are not detailed enough or cover only selected domains (e.g. VDWDE 2422 [31). Cross-domain specification methods taking the possibilities of different disciplines early and integratively into account are missing.For that reason an integrated method for the conceptual design of mechatronic products is proposed. It comprises a new semi-formal specification language for the modelling of functions. This language is closely related to the semiformal modelling of principle solutions [4]. The systematic specification of functions and principle solutions will be illustrated in detail by the ...
