The basic concept of this work is that functional modelling techniques are applicable to and of practical use in, producing a qualitative model of conceptual engineering design. A qualitative function based model of conceptual design has been developed and a computer based implementation has been built and tested. The rationale behind the modelling scheme and the computer implementation are described in detail. In addition to a review of existing models of design the research provides a significant new capability in four main areas: • An ability to generate new concepts with a controlled degree of similarity to existing designs. • A new function based model of engineering conceptual design. • The COncept Design ASsistant (CODAS) system, a computer based implementation of the function based model, has been developed and tested. • A new symbolic representation language. CODAS is a hybrid case-based and function-based modelling system, implemented in the domain of mechanical device design, which demonstrates the practical application of this new model. The CODAS system aims to provide a design support tool which can invent both routine and novel devices based on experience gained from past successful design solutions. Fast and efficient data handling is achieved by utilizing Case Based Reasoning (CBR) technology to store and retrieve past design solutions which are defined in terms of a symbolic representation language. The underlying design model is function based and employs a technique of divergent function to form mapping to produce physical embodiments of the proposed functional solutions.

When faced with a new design problem, Engineers most often tend to rely on their accumulated knowledge of science, mathematics, and appropriate experience to reach suitable solutions. Case-Based Reasoning is a new engineering paradigm that reflects this fact by suggesting solutions to novel problems based on the recall and reuse of specific experiences. Such a paradigm relies on previous successful design solutions that are stored in the form of separate cases in a database. / The aim of this thesis is to develop a process that will provide examples which can be used to set up a database of optimized designs for various electromagnetic devices such as loudspeakers and actuators. Each stored design will represent an optimum solution to a specific set of requirements for an electromagnetic device. These designs will eventually be used by a case-based reasoning system to reach a solution for possible requested future designs. The process will also involve developing a parameterization of a particular class of devices as well as testing optimization processes to be applied to the initial designs in order to ensure that the solutions stored in the case database represent effective and realistic devices which satisfy the requirements. This thesis also presents test results that illustrate how each optimized design conforms to certain requirements set as an input objective.

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No description available.

A central problem in case based reasoning (CBR) is how to store and retrieve cases. One approach to this problem is to use exemplar based models, where only the prototypical cases are stored. However, the development of an exemplar based model (EBM) requires the solution of several problems: (i) how can a EBM be represented? (ii) given a new case, how can a suitable exemplar be retrieved? (iii) what makes a good exemplar? (iv) how can an EBM be learned incrementally? This thesis develops a new model, called a probabilistic exemplar based model, that addresses these research questions. The model utilizes Bayesian networks to develop a suitable representation and uses probability theory to develop the foundations of the developed model. A probability propagation method is used to retrieve exemplars when a new case is presented and for assessing the prototypicality of an exemplar. The model learns incrementally by revising the exemplars retained and by updating the conditional probabilities required by the Bayesian network. The problem of ignorance, encountered when only a few cases have been observed, is tackled by introducing the concept of a virtual exemplar to represent all the unseen cases. The model is implemented in C and evaluated on three datasets. It is also contrasted with related work in CBR and machine learning (ML).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 2003. / Also available online.

Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) has been successfully applied to many fields especially in the design domain. Poor assembly part design increases the cost, raises the manufacturing complexity and reduces the product quality. However, little research has been devoted to predict the potential design problems in the early design stage. The objective of this paper is to integrate the indexes of assemblability and manufacturability into adaptive phase in CBR to avoid inexperienced mistakes. Early experimental results indicate that quantitative feedback of these indexes can guide novices to depict a good assembly part design, let experienced designers confirm their experience judgments and finally impart the experience to novices through CBR methodology.

No description available.

Univ. Diss--Kaiserslautern, 2002.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 28-31, 1996 / Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / We report on the initial design and development of a prototype computer-mediated response system, the Fault Induced Document Officer (FIDO), at the UC Berkeley Center for EUV Astrophysics (CEA) Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer project (EUVE). Typical 24x7 staffed spacecraft operations use highly skilled expert teams to monitor current ground systems and spacecraft state for responding to anomalous ground system and spacecraft conditions. Response to ground system error messages and spacecraft anomalies is based on knowledge of nominal component behavior and the evaluation of relevant telemetry by the team. This type of human-mediated operation is being replaced by an intelligent software system to reduce costs and to increase performance and reliability. FIDO is a prototype software application that will provide automated retrieval and display of documentation for operations staff. Initially, FIDO will be applied for ground systems. Later implementations of FIDO will target spacecraft systems. FIDO is intended to provide system state summary, links to relevant documentation, and suggestions for operator responses to error messages. FIDO will provide the operator with near realtime expert assistance and access to necessary information. This configuration should allow the resolution of many anomalies without the need for on-site intervention by a skilled controller or expert.