Innovation Problem Identification and Decision-Making for Product Platform

Abstract

During product platform life cycle, innovation problem identification and decision-making are regarded as vital issues in product platform evolution process. The Comprehensive Disturbance Degree is proposed and analyzed considering customer demand, technology status and production capacities, then existing problems of product platform are identified. According to Innovation Problem Selecting Principles, the innovation problem set Q is defined. The value of modules in product platform is calculated using Value Engineering, the module set M needed to be improved is determined. Then based upon the correlation degree analysis of the innovation problem set and the module set, Fuzzy Clustering Algorithms is advanced to classify innovation problems. Finally, a case study is given to illustrate the validity of the methodology.

Analysis Method for Commonality of Module and Part in Modular Product Family

“…Family product design base on product platform-based product is an effective method of product design, has become a research hotspot [1] . As the market demand and technology changes, companies need product platforms innovation at different levels, so that dynamic update product platform continuously [2] . In this dynamic process, the product family structure (PFA) will be adjusted accordingly and evolving, in which changes of modules or components' functions, structure and quantity affect product performance, quality, cost and so on, therefore, components of modules of products family and universality become one of the key points that selecting module and components as innovation object.…”

“…At present, the research of product family focused on three areas: (1) the commonality measure for the whole family [3] . (2) The commonality measure for individual products within a family [4] . (3) The commonality measure for individual components within each product [5] .…”