Smart Clothing, the convergent future of the electronics and clothing industries, struggles to reach its true potential and enter the mass market because of 1) imbalanced contributions from the electronics and clothing sectors, 2) the lack of an integrated approach to optimise the input from the different areas, and 3) the unclear direction of the products. There is a need for an NPD process that balances all contributions and addresses new values based on user requirements. Moreover, a strategic approach, that challenges the development teams to go beyond their existing creative boundary and reconciles their differences, is required. According to the research, Smart Clothes should take the design approach of functional clothing and focus on the area of sportswear, personal healthcare and physical monitoring, as they fit the users’ lifestyle and requirements. Since social acceptance is an important factor, Smart Clothes must also have a good design and whilst, at the same time, perform all the basic functions that ordinary garments do. They should allow the user to personalise the styles and functions according to the benefits, with respect to product lifecycle and disassembly. A conceptual model of the NPD process was developed and tested with experts in this field. The proposed model provides the basis for a computer software to plan and manage product development teams and activities at the front-end of the NPD process. It offers several advantages: 1. Combining the NPD models and those of collaborative development 2. Providing a holistic view of Smart Clothing development 3. Clarifying of the roles of all participants within the collaborative development teams 4. Describing the responsibilities and expected contributions of all participants 5. Explaining working relationships and overlapping roles and responsibilities 6. Offering the directions for the creative boundary extension

Un des buts de l'ergonomie est de participer à la conception des systèmes humain-machine. Il est largement reconnu que la contribution de l'ergonomie doit intervenir le plus tôt possible dans le processus de conception, depuis la découverte des besoins des utilisateurs jusqu'à la définition des exigences et des spécifications de conception, c'est-à-dire dès l'analyse des besoins. L'objectif de la thèse est d'analyser notre propre participation, en tant qu'ergonome co-concepteur, à l'analyse des besoins d'un projet de conception d'EDF R&D concernant un nouveau système informatique pour le pilotage de réacteurs nucléaires. Au cours de celui-ci, nous avons collaboré avec les ingénieurs du projet et les futurs utilisateurs dans la définition des différents aspects du système (fonctionnel, organisationnel, opérationnel, interaction et physique) à travers la formulation d'exigences et de spécifications. Cette collaboration s'est cristallisée à travers la rédaction du cahier des charges final. Outre l'observation de notre intervention dans le projet, trois études empiriques ont été menées. Dans chacune d'elles, notre rôle spécifique à différentes étapes de l'analyse des besoins est analysé par rapport aux rôles des ingénieurs et des utilisateurs. La première étude détaille notre contribution à l'identification et à la formalisation des exigences. La seconde étude analyse notre concours à la rédaction des spécification. Enfin, la troisième étude met en lumière notre participation à l'évolution de la première version des exigences et des spécifications jusqu'à leur version définitive. L'ensemble de ces travaux indique plusieurs résultats importants. Premièrement l'ergonome co-concepteur ne doit pas se limiter à ce statut pour agir globalement sur la situation de travail. Deuxièmement, contrairement à ce qu'indique la littérature, les étapes de l'analyse ergonomique des besoins sont plutôt réalisées en parallèle que de manière séquentielle. Troisièmement, l'ergonome va privilégier des contacts différents selon les phases de l'intervention. Il sera plutôt en contact avec les futurs utilisateurs lors de l'identification des besoins et surtout en lien avec l'équipe de conception lors des phases de spécification. Cependant, dans ces phases ultérieures, les séances de travail avec les utilisateurs font plus évoluer le système que les autres séances de travail. Quatrièmement, les études montrent que les différents acteurs impliqués ont un domaine d'expertise spécifique, mais complémentaire, aussi bien pour définir les exigences que les spécifications. Par exemple, dans la définition des spécifications, l'ergonome va formuler les éléments du système accessibles à l'utilisateur alors que les ingénieurs vont spécifier les éléments techniques nécessaires au fonctionnement, mais inaccessibles aux utilisateurs. Enfin, les résultats indiquent que l'ergonome ne s'appuie pas uniquement sur les éléments recueillis lors des analyses de terrain pour produire des exigences et des spécifications. Les analyses de terrain ont surtout été utilisées pour justifier les aspects fonctionnels, organisationnels et opérationnels du système. A contrario, les spécifications de l'interface du système proviennent plutôt de son expertise. Enfin, nous proposons une méthode ergonomique d'analyse des besoins. Par rapport aux méthodes actuelles, celle-ci met davantage l'accent sur les aspects collectifs de ce type d'intervention et détaille les apports de l'ergonome à la définition des différentes dimensions du système. / One of the goals of ergonomics is to contribute to the design of man-machine systems. It is widely recognized that the involvement of ergonomics must take place as early as possible in the design process, starting with the discovery of user needs, up to the definition of design requirements and specifications - i.e. from user needs analysis onwards. The thesis aims to analyze our own participation, as an ergonomist and a co-designer, to user needs analysis in a design project at the EDF R&D department. The project dealt with a new computer system to operate nuclear reactors. During this work, we collaborated with engineers from the project and with future users, to define various aspects of the system (functional, organizational, operational, interaction-based, and physical) byformulating requirements and specifications. This collaboration materialized in the final specifications. In addition to observing our own involvement in the project, we carried out three empirical analyzed, in contrast to the roles of engineers and end users. The first study describes our contribution to identifying and formalizing user requirements. The second study analyses our role in writing the system specifications. Finally, the third study highlights our participation to the evolutions of the first version of requirements and specifications, towards their final version. This work has led to several important results. First, ergonomist as a co-designer should not restict his participation to this status, and should instead act globally on the work situation. Second, in contrast to claims in the literature, the stages of ergonomic needs analysis are carried out simultaneously rather than sequentially. Third, ergonomists tend are more often in contact with end users during user needs identification and more often in contact with the design team during the stage of system specification. However, in these later stages, work sessions with end users allow the system to evolve more than in other types of work sessions. Fourth, the studies show that the various stakeholders involved each have a specific field of expertise. These fields of expertise complement the expertise of ergonomics, both when defining requirements and when defining system specifications. For example, when defining specifications, ergonomists formulate the set of system elements which are accessible to users, whereas engineers specify the set of technical elements which are necessary to system operation, which are inaccessible to users. Finally, our results show that the ergonomist does not rely solely on elements gathered in field investigations to produce requirements and specifications. Field analyses are most often used to tackle the functional, organizational, and operational aspects of the system, whereas defining the elements of the system interface relies more on the ergonomist's own expertise. Finally, we propose an ergonomic method for user needs analysis. Compared with current methods, our method highlights the collective aspects of such interventions, and specifies the contributions of ergonomics to defining the various dimensions of a system.

As órteses de membro superior são dispositivos que auxiliam na reabilitação da mão e que tem como objetivo estabilizar, imobilizar, prevenir e corrigir deformidades, melhorando assim a função. O processo tradicional de confecção de órteses é realizado por meio do uso de termoplásticos de baixa temperatura, material moldado diretamente sobre o membro do usuário, sendo neste processo relatados inúmeros problemas, que envolvem desconforto durante o processo, alto custo e baixa adesão do paciente ao uso. O presente trabalho, portanto, teve por objetivo propor a construção de um framework com abordagem metodológica projetual para a produção de órteses de membro superior baseada no processo de design e design colaborativo, com auxílio de recursos de fabricação digital, como digitalização tridimensional e manufatura aditiva (impressão 3D). Através de uma pesquisa exploratória, foram discutidas questões relativas ao projeto de órteses de membro superior (MMSS) pela forma tradicional, utilizando termoplástico de baixa temperatura, e questões do processo de design no desenvolvimento de novos produtos a serem aplicadas do desenvolvimento de órteses utilizando a manufatura aditiva A coleta de dados contou com a participação dos principais personagens envolvidos no processo, usuários de órteses, Terapeutas Ocupacionais e Designers. Com base na técnica de card sorting e entrevistas, foi elaborado um framework da abordagem projetual para a criação de órteses utilizando processos de fabricação digital, de forma colaborativa. O framework ainda foi aplicado no desenvolvimento de uma órtese a fim de avaliar os resultados e melhorias levantadas durante a fase de entrevistas com profissionais e usuários. Ao final do processo, obteve-se uma órtese funcional em que foram atendidos os requisitos necessários para a produção de uma órtese levantada pelo trabalho, além da criação do framework servindo como um guia para o desenvolvimento de órteses utilizando a manufatura aditiva. / Upper limb orthoses are devices that assist in the rehabilitation of the hand and that aim to stabilize, immobilize, prevent and correct deformities, thus improving the function. The traditional process of making orthotics is accomplished through the use of thermoplastics of low temperature, molded material directly on the member of the user, being in this process reported numerous problems, that involve discomfort during the process, high cost and low adhesion of the patient to the use. The present work, therefore, aimed to propose the construction of a framework with a design methodological approach for the production of upper limb orthosis based on the process of design and collaborative design, with the aid of digital manufacturing resources such as three - dimensional digitization and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Through an exploratory research, questions regarding the design of upper limb orthoses (MMSS) in the traditional way, using low-temperature thermoplastic, and design process issues in the development of new products to be applied in the development of orthoses using the additive manufacture The data collection was attended by the main characters involved in the process, users of orthoses, Occupational Therapists, and Designers. Based on the technique of card sorting and interviews, a framework of the design approach for the creation of orthoses using digital manufacturing processes was developed in a collaborative way. The framework was also applied in the development of a bracing in order to collaborate with the results and improvements raised during the interviews phase with professionals and users. At the end of the process, a functional orthosis was obtained, in which the necessary requirements for the production of an orthosis were obtained by the work, besides the creation of a framework serving as a guide for the development of orthoses using the additive manufacture.

La problématique centrale de la thèse est l'évaluation de l'impact de démarches utilisant la formulation de scénarios et de personnages sur les phases d'expression des besoins en conception innovante. La méthodologie de recherche mise en œuvre est une démarche empirique qui s'appuie sur l'analyse de situations de conception. Au cours du doctorat, un protocole expérimental mis en œuvre a été dupliqué trois fois dans des laboratoires partenaires. Cette recherche aboutit à un mémoire de thèse qui présente plusieurs contributions : La première contribution se situe autour de la méthodologie de recherche proposée. Le protocole d'étude empirique mis en place est original, il s'appuie sur l'état de l'art des réflexions de la communauté et sur ces démarches de recherche, et proposes des éléments nouveaux à cette réflexion en conciliant approches quantitatives et qualitatives. La seconde contribution porte sur la caractérisation de l'impact des méthodologies étudiées sur la construction d'une représentation partagée du problème de conception et de la formalisation des exigences de conception. Enfin la troisième contribution porte sur l'analyse des interactions dans les activités de conception étudiées. Les analyses identifient et qualifient les impacts des méthodes étudiées sur le contenu des interactions dans les phases amont de la conception. / In this study, we are more concerned with the early stages of the new product design: the product definition phase. The fundamental purpose of this phase is to gather right kind of information in a way that allows the formalization of stakeholder needs into a set of requirements. Literature review on this phase shows the difficulty to elicit needs of so called intended users and have a shared understanding of their requirements between design actors. To overcome these obstacles, support methods can be used. However, the appropriateness and effectiveness of the various methods is unknown. Our assumption in this research project is that scenarios and personas can be used as support methods to handle above-mentioned obstacles. An experiment is designed and conducted in a laboratory environment in order to test this assumption. The question of whether they have an impact on the creation of shared understanding between design actors is discussed under two sub-categories: perspective clarification and convergence to a common perspective. On the other hand, their impact on the elicitation of the intended user requirements is observed under three sub-categories: requirement elicitation, capture of the design rationale and creation of the empathy. Some qualitative and quantitative indicators are proposed to evaluate these impacts. Based on the analysis of seven observed collaborative design sessions, the findings of research study are discussed. The results points out that the major impact of these methods is that they evoke empathy for the intended users. In the groups that these methods are used the discussions are also richer regarding to the number of different needs are addressed. Moreover, these methods are also promising to keep the trace of design rationale. However design actors have tendency to accept them just as communication support, rather than documentation one. As a communication support they help design actors to clarify their arguments, to negotiate and to take decisions. However, the findings were not adequate to conclude that they have a significant impact on the perspective clarification and convergence. Hence, the main contribution of this research lies from one part in the evaluation of the impacts of these methods in requirement elicitation activity. And, in other part description of a research approach, which guides the experimental study in engineering design.

As órteses de membro superior são dispositivos que auxiliam na reabilitação da mão e que tem como objetivo estabilizar, imobilizar, prevenir e corrigir deformidades, melhorando assim a função. O processo tradicional de confecção de órteses é realizado por meio do uso de termoplásticos de baixa temperatura, material moldado diretamente sobre o membro do usuário, sendo neste processo relatados inúmeros problemas, que envolvem desconforto durante o processo, alto custo e baixa adesão do paciente ao uso. O presente trabalho, portanto, teve por objetivo propor a construção de um framework com abordagem metodológica projetual para a produção de órteses de membro superior baseada no processo de design e design colaborativo, com auxílio de recursos de fabricação digital, como digitalização tridimensional e manufatura aditiva (impressão 3D). Através de uma pesquisa exploratória, foram discutidas questões relativas ao projeto de órteses de membro superior (MMSS) pela forma tradicional, utilizando termoplástico de baixa temperatura, e questões do processo de design no desenvolvimento de novos produtos a serem aplicadas do desenvolvimento de órteses utilizando a manufatura aditiva A coleta de dados contou com a participação dos principais personagens envolvidos no processo, usuários de órteses, Terapeutas Ocupacionais e Designers. Com base na técnica de card sorting e entrevistas, foi elaborado um framework da abordagem projetual para a criação de órteses utilizando processos de fabricação digital, de forma colaborativa. O framework ainda foi aplicado no desenvolvimento de uma órtese a fim de avaliar os resultados e melhorias levantadas durante a fase de entrevistas com profissionais e usuários. Ao final do processo, obteve-se uma órtese funcional em que foram atendidos os requisitos necessários para a produção de uma órtese levantada pelo trabalho, além da criação do framework servindo como um guia para o desenvolvimento de órteses utilizando a manufatura aditiva. / Upper limb orthoses are devices that assist in the rehabilitation of the hand and that aim to stabilize, immobilize, prevent and correct deformities, thus improving the function. The traditional process of making orthotics is accomplished through the use of thermoplastics of low temperature, molded material directly on the member of the user, being in this process reported numerous problems, that involve discomfort during the process, high cost and low adhesion of the patient to the use. The present work, therefore, aimed to propose the construction of a framework with a design methodological approach for the production of upper limb orthosis based on the process of design and collaborative design, with the aid of digital manufacturing resources such as three - dimensional digitization and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Through an exploratory research, questions regarding the design of upper limb orthoses (MMSS) in the traditional way, using low-temperature thermoplastic, and design process issues in the development of new products to be applied in the development of orthoses using the additive manufacture The data collection was attended by the main characters involved in the process, users of orthoses, Occupational Therapists, and Designers. Based on the technique of card sorting and interviews, a framework of the design approach for the creation of orthoses using digital manufacturing processes was developed in a collaborative way. The framework was also applied in the development of a bracing in order to collaborate with the results and improvements raised during the interviews phase with professionals and users. At the end of the process, a functional orthosis was obtained, in which the necessary requirements for the production of an orthosis were obtained by the work, besides the creation of a framework serving as a guide for the development of orthoses using the additive manufacture.

En conception distribuée, dans la phase du dimensionnement du produit, des incohérences peuvent émerger entre les objectifs de conception et entre les procédures de travail des sous-systèmes hétérogènes. Dans cette phase, les acteurs de conception doivent collaborer d’une manière concourante, car leurs tâches sont reliées les unes aux autres par les couplages de dimensionnement entre leurs sous-problèmes. Les incohérences peuvent provoquer des conflits de conception en raison de ces couplages. La question est de savoir comment obtenir une convergence collaborative pour satisfaire les objectifs globaux et individuels des acteurs de conception lorsque ces acteurs prennent des décisions de conception sous incertitude. L'objectif de cette thèse est de proposer un modèle pour empêcher et résoudre les conflits de conception, tout en surmontant le problème de l'incertitude de la conception avec l'approche de « conception basée sur les ensembles » (SBD). Pour cela, les attitudes de conception sont modélisées avec le paradigme « Croyances-Désirs-Intentions » afin d'explorer les incohérences et gérer les conflits dans les processus de conception. L'approche ascendante conventionnelle est ainsi étendue grâce à des techniques de modélisation multi-agents. Dans cette approche, les agents de conception peuvent fixer des exigences directement sur leurs indicateurs de « bien-être ». Ces indicateurs représentent la manière dont leurs objectifs de conception sont susceptibles d'être satisfaits à un moment donné du processus. Des simulations de Monte Carlo sont effectuées pour évaluer la performance de cette approche, offrant une variété d'attitudes de l'agent. Par rapport aux approches classiques de conception ascendante et descendante, les résultats révèlent moins de conflits de conception et une intensité des conflits réduite. Les techniques de « problème de satisfaction de contraintes » (CSP) et les attitudes de conception sont appliquées pour détecter et justifier des conflits de conception entre les agents hétérogènes. Une nouvelle forme du modèle « Cooperative CSP » (CoCSP) est ainsi mise au point afin de résoudre les conflits de conception en détectant le compromis entre les contraintes. Le système de résolution des conflits peut être adopté grâce à différentes stratégies proposées qui prennent en compte l'architecture de solidarité des agents. Les résultats des simulations montrent que l'intensité des conflits en conception distribuée est réduite par la promotion de la solidarité qui déclenche une aide aux agents en souffrance. / In the product dimensioning phase of a distributed design, inconsistencies can emerge among design objectives as well as among working procedures of heterogeneous subsystems. In this phase, design actors which compose subsystems must collaborate concurrently, since their works are linked to each other through dimensioning couplings among their sub-problems. Inconsistencies through these couplings yield thus to design conflicts. The issue is how to obtain a collaborative convergence to satisfy the global and individual objectives of design actors when making design decisions under uncertainty. The objective of this dissertation is to propose a model for preventing and resolving design conflicts in order to obtain a collaborative convergence, while overcoming the design uncertainty through Set-based Design (SBD). Design attitudes are modeled with Belief-Desire-Intention paradigm to explore inconsistencies and manage conflicts in design processes. The conventional bottom-up approach is thus extended through agent-based attitude modeling techniques. In this approach, design agents can set requirements directly on their wellbeing values that represent how their design targets are likely to be met at a given moment of the design process. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to evaluate the performance of this approach, providing a variety of agent attitudes. Compared to conventional bottom-up and top-down design approaches, the results reveal a fewer number of design conflicts and a reduced aggregated conflict intensity. Constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) techniques and design attitudes are both applied to detect and justify design conflicts of heterogeneous design agents. A novel cooperative CSP (CoCSP) is developed in order to resolve design conflicts through compromising constraint restriction. The conflict resolution system can be adopted for different proposed strategies which take into account the solidarity architecture of design agents. The simulation results show that while promoting solidarity in distributed design by helping agents that suffer, the conflict intensity is reduced, and better design results are obtained.

La conception de systèmes multi-physiques impliquant des ingénieurs de différentes disciplines (mécanique, électronique, physique des capteurs, etc.), et plus particulièrement les systèmes destinés à l'exploitation dans des conditions sévères (sous contraintes dimensionnelles, chocs et vibrations, supportant des températures élevées et des hautes pressions), soulève de nombreuses questions difficiles dans la conception de systèmes complexes. Ces produits hautement intégrés sont caractérisés par de multiples flux fonctionnels passant par des composants communs. Les attendu très élevé des différents ingénieurs peuvent sur-contraindre les modules architecturaux, ainsi que les connections et les performances de certaines fonctions. Cette intégration de fonctions multi-physiques dans les produits de taille limitée qui opèrent dans des conditions sévères résulte d’une interaction intense entre les paramètres de conception et de fonctionnalités attendues. Dès qu'un paramètre de conception est modifié, les performances de plusieurs fonctions peuvent être affectées. Cela est dû au degré élevé d'optimisation des performances et le fait que plusieurs fonctions font partie du flux de processus résultant d'une seule composante. En outre, certaines disciplines peuvent être plus contraintes que d'autres selon le challenge que représentent l’atteinte des performances données et le concept considéré. Ci-après, nous nous référons aux modules architecturaux, aux connexions et aux disciplines comme des objets contraignables. Aujourd'hui, sans aucun outil de prédiction permettant de localiser ces aspects qui sont susceptibles d'être fortement contraints, les conséquences peuvent être dramatiques. Par exemple, la gestion de projet dans l'industrie pétrolière est souvent responsable de dérives inacceptables pour le cout du projet et son planning pouvant aller jusqu'à l’échec du projet.Dans notre étude, nous proposons d'enrichir sémantiquement des représentations conventionnelles de la complexité du produit. Nous utilisons une matrice DSM (Design Structure Matrix) pour représenter les connexions physiques dans les alternatives de concepts, une matrice DMM (Domain Mapping Matrix) pour relier les fonctions avec l'architecture, et une matrice Maison de la Qualité – QFD (Quality Function Deployment) d'une façon non conventionnelle, afin de propager la vision des ingénieurs sur les performances des composants comme la traditionnelle «voix du client». Notre première contribution concerne l'enrichissement de ces représentations. Nous enrichissons la représentation DSM par une typologie de connexion physique, permettant un éventail d’alternative à un stade de la conception. Pour une connexion, l'information donnée sur la nature des difficultés susceptibles est incorporée dans un modèle de données. Nous enrichissons la représentation DMM par la description du flux fonctionnel au travers des modules architecturaux. Nous adaptons la méthode QFD pour capturer la voix de disciplines impliquée dans le projet; cet enrichissement ontologique des données de conception rend plus facile le management des conflits en conception de systèmes multi-physiques. Dans cet objectif, sept tableaux de bord sont proposés à l'équipe de conception comme des outils utiles pour converger à partir d'un ensemble de configurations architecturales potentielles vers une architecture unique. Ce processus de convergence est supporté par la nécessité d'éviter les contraintes trop fortes sur certaines disciplines, cet équilibre est réalisé par la propagation des contraintes de conception dans le système. Les sept tableaux de bord sont organisés en deux vecteurs: le vecteur d'ambition et le vecteur de difficulté. Le vecteur d’ambition indique le degré de liberté dans l'exploration de l'espace de conception de l'architecture. Le vecteur difficulté offre des informations heuristiques sur la nature et les niveaux de la difficulté à atteindre les objectifs de performance. [...] / MultiGphysics systems design, including the design of mechatronics systems, involvings designers in different disciplines (e.g., mechanics, electronics, physics of sensors, etc.), particularly design for systems intended for operation in severe conditions (withstanding shocks, vibrations, high temperatures, and high pressures in limited dimensions), raises many of the challenging issues in the design of complex systems. Consequently, highly integrated products are characterized by multiple functional flows passing through common components. Very high performance requirements from the different designers may over-constrain architectural modules, as well as connections, and the performance of some functions. The integration of multi-physics functions within products of limited size that operate in severe conditions results in an intense" interaction between design parameters and expected functionality. As soon as a design parameter is changed, the performance of several functions may be impacted. This is due to a high degree of performance optimization and the fact that several functions are part of the functional flow stemming from a single component. In addition, some disciplines may be more constrained than others, depending upon given performance challenges and the concept architecture being considered. Hereafter, we refer to architectural modules, connections and disciplines as constrainable objects. Today, with no prediction tool for locating the aspects that are likely to be highly constrained, consequences may be dramatic. For instance, project management for systems in the oil industry is often responsible for unacceptable additions to project overhead costs and project timelines for a project that may simply fail in the end. In our study, we propose to semantically enrich conventional representation models of product complexity.We use a design structure matrix (DSM) to represent admissible architecture connections and dependency configurations, a domain mapping matrix (DMM) to link functions and architecture, and quality function deployment (QFD), in a non conventional way, in order to propagate the designers aims for performance of the components more than the traditional voice of the customer. We enrich DSM representations with a physical connection typology, allowing a range of choices at an early design stage For a given connection, information regarding the nature of likeldesign difficulties is incorporated into a data model. We enrich DMM representations with functional flow sequencing along the architectural modules. We adapt the QFD method to capture the voice of the engineering disciplines involved in the project this ontological enrichment of design data makes it easier to envision and manage design challenges for multiGphysics systems. Seven design assessment cards are proposed to the design team as meaningful tools used to converge from a set of potential architectural configurations toward single architecture. This convergence process is driven by the necessity of avoiding highly constrained constrainable objects, achieved by balancing and spreading the design constraints throughout the system. The seven assessment cards are organized into two major design quality vectors: the ambition vector and the difficulty vector. The ambition vector indicates degrees of freedom in exploration of the architecture design space. The difficulty vector offers heuristic information on the nature and levels of the difficulties in meeting performance targets. The resulting method, which we call the multi-physics design scorecard" (MPDS), was applied to the design of a power electronics controller (PEC), a regulator board involving three sectors: mechanics, electronics, and packaging. Data gathering and implementation of theMPDSmethod took the design team just one day. The method immediately generated improved architectures, guaranteeing at the same time a more robust further design process.

Cette thèse développe deux axes de recherche en ergonomie : le développement de l'activité de travail au cours du projet et l'utilisation d'objets intermédiaires dans la conception. Sur la base de la participation d’un projet de conception de nouveaux laboratoires de biotechnologie, un ergonome a organisé des simulations pour discuter les solutions de projet et impliquer les utilisateurs finaux dans les décisions de conception. L'utilisation d'objets intermédiaires comme support pour la réalisation des simulations est une stratégie commune pour l'intégration de l’expérience de travail dans la conception, et pour l'organisation de la participation des usagers. Durant les simulations qui ont été réalisées, une maquette faite de Lego été utilisée, ainsi que d'autres objets intermédiaire pour aider l'utilisation de la maquette et l'action de l’ergonome au cours du projet. A partir de propositions de solutions pour les espaces de travail, les opérateurs produisent des représentations sur la manière dont leur activité pourra être mise en oeuvre dans les futurs environnements. La thèse montre que ce faisant, les opérateurs développent des références souhaitables sur leur activité, au travers desquelles ils imaginent comment leur travail peut être réalisé d’une manière plus efficiente et plus sûre.. L’analyse montre que les solutions émergent au travers d’une tension entre deux pôles, ce qui est « souhaitable » et ce qui est « possible ». A travers ce processus se développent des solutions pour les espaces et pour l’activité. Mais pour que l’ergonome soit capable de conduire ce processus de développement dialogique entre la conception des espaces et l'activité, il estnécessaire d'avoir les instruments appropriés. À cette fin, on fera dans cette thèse des propositions pour la création et l'utilisation d'objets intermédiaires pour l'action ergonomique. / This thesis is developed on two lines of research in ergonomics: the development of the work activity during the project and the use of intermediary objects in the design process. Based on the participation of biotechnology laboratories project, anergonomist conducted simulations to discuss the project solutions and involve workers in the design decisions. The use of intermediary objects as a support for the realization of simulations is a common strategy for integrating work experience in the design and organization of users’ participation. For the simulations performed it was used a scalemodel made of Lego, besides of other intermediary objects to help the use of the scalemodel and action ergonomist during the project. From proposition of workspaces design solutions users formulate representations of how the activity will be developed in these future environments. This thesis shows that they are also capable of develop new desirable references the activity in which they imagine that their work could be conducted in a more efficiently or safe way. Through the tension between these twopoles, the “desirable” and the “possible”, solutions for the project tend to converge. The results of this process develop proposals for workspaces and also for the activity. But for the ergonomist be able to conduct the development of this dialogical process between the workspace design and activity, it is necessary to have the appropriate instruments. To this end, we propose in this thesis references to the creation and use of intermediary objects in ergonomic action.

To facilitate collaborative design in vocational education institutions, we have conducted a project to establish a nationwide PDM platform for four different schools spread all over the country. The particular aim of a follow up project introduced in this paper is to sensitize the participating students to sustainable design and lifecycle assessment (LCA) and provide them with hands-on tools through the PDM platform to accomplish these tasks. As a collaborative case study project, a cordless drill driver was chosen to be re-designed with respect to Ecodesign aspects. Since LCA is truly a holistic task, we focused on the ecological aspects of material and production stage. Distribution, usage and end-of-life stages were left out as well as economic and social aspects. The drill driver was divided into housing, drill chuck, gear and power unit. Each component was assigned to one of the schools and had to be designed with respect to reduced environmental impacts. Since different CAD systems are used the decision to provide the needed tools and environmental information within the PDM platform rather than CAD environment was easy. Some of the PDM systems on the market do also provide lifecycle analysis modules but it is rather a black box approach than a transparent data and reporting source. Because LCA heavily relies on the method itself and the way analysis is conducted we decided to develop our own tools. Therefore, a new, adapted interface was developed using open source business intelligence software called Pentaho to facilitate on the fly reporting and analytics of the work in progress by the users. Furthermore, the Ecoinvent database was connected to the PDM system to provide required information on carbon footprint and cumulated energy demand. The paper discusses strength and weaknesses of tools and methods with respect to the introduced case study and gives an outlook on ontology representation for the data model for better analysis capabilities.

As órteses de membro superior são dispositivos que auxiliam na reabilitação da mão e que tem como objetivo estabilizar, imobilizar, prevenir e corrigir deformidades, melhorando assim a função. O processo tradicional de confecção de órteses é realizado por meio do uso de termoplásticos de baixa temperatura, material moldado diretamente sobre o membro do usuário, sendo neste processo relatados inúmeros problemas, que envolvem desconforto durante o processo, alto custo e baixa adesão do paciente ao uso. O presente trabalho, portanto, teve por objetivo propor a construção de um framework com abordagem metodológica projetual para a produção de órteses de membro superior baseada no processo de design e design colaborativo, com auxílio de recursos de fabricação digital, como digitalização tridimensional e manufatura aditiva (impressão 3D). Através de uma pesquisa exploratória, foram discutidas questões relativas ao projeto de órteses de membro superior (MMSS) pela forma tradicional, utilizando termoplástico de baixa temperatura, e questões do processo de design no desenvolvimento de novos produtos a serem aplicadas do desenvolvimento de órteses utilizando a manufatura aditiva A coleta de dados contou com a participação dos principais personagens envolvidos no processo, usuários de órteses, Terapeutas Ocupacionais e Designers. Com base na técnica de card sorting e entrevistas, foi elaborado um framework da abordagem projetual para a criação de órteses utilizando processos de fabricação digital, de forma colaborativa. O framework ainda foi aplicado no desenvolvimento de uma órtese a fim de avaliar os resultados e melhorias levantadas durante a fase de entrevistas com profissionais e usuários. Ao final do processo, obteve-se uma órtese funcional em que foram atendidos os requisitos necessários para a produção de uma órtese levantada pelo trabalho, além da criação do framework servindo como um guia para o desenvolvimento de órteses utilizando a manufatura aditiva. / Upper limb orthoses are devices that assist in the rehabilitation of the hand and that aim to stabilize, immobilize, prevent and correct deformities, thus improving the function. The traditional process of making orthotics is accomplished through the use of thermoplastics of low temperature, molded material directly on the member of the user, being in this process reported numerous problems, that involve discomfort during the process, high cost and low adhesion of the patient to the use. The present work, therefore, aimed to propose the construction of a framework with a design methodological approach for the production of upper limb orthosis based on the process of design and collaborative design, with the aid of digital manufacturing resources such as three - dimensional digitization and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Through an exploratory research, questions regarding the design of upper limb orthoses (MMSS) in the traditional way, using low-temperature thermoplastic, and design process issues in the development of new products to be applied in the development of orthoses using the additive manufacture The data collection was attended by the main characters involved in the process, users of orthoses, Occupational Therapists, and Designers. Based on the technique of card sorting and interviews, a framework of the design approach for the creation of orthoses using digital manufacturing processes was developed in a collaborative way. The framework was also applied in the development of a bracing in order to collaborate with the results and improvements raised during the interviews phase with professionals and users. At the end of the process, a functional orthosis was obtained, in which the necessary requirements for the production of an orthosis were obtained by the work, besides the creation of a framework serving as a guide for the development of orthoses using the additive manufacture.