Hierarchical Arrangement of Characteristics in Product Design Optimization

Abstract

This paper proposes a machine product design optimization method based on the decomposition of performance characteristics, or alternatively, extraction of simpler characteristics, that is especially responsive to the detailed features or difficulties presented by specific design problems. The optimization problems examined here are expressed using hierarchical constructions of the decomposed and extracted characteristics and the optimizations are sequentially repeated, starting with groups of characteristics having conflicting characteristics at the lowest hierarchical level and proceeding to higher levels. The proposed method not only effectively provides optimum design solutions, but also facilitates deeper insight into the design optimization results, so that ideas for optimum solution breakthroughs are more easily obtained. An applied example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.