Computer-Supported Innovation for Modularized Product Design

In the paper, a computer-supported model of the innovation design is presented, which is based on the synergy of modular function deployment (MFD), theory of inventive problem solving (TIPS, TRIZ) and case-based reasoning (CBR) to assist designer to engage in modularized product design. This approach involves gathering all relevant information about the customer voice and applying this information to drive the design of products or modules. So, it is starting from the MFD-Diagrams and continuing through the technical contradictions matrix in TRIZ during the conceptual design stage of new modules or parts. A CBR system is then adopted to quickly search some similar design cases for the references of inventive problem solving. Last, two reasoning mechanism are fabricated based on Protege and JESS expert tool, and a particular case of bicycle part design is studied through the use of knowledge-based prototype system to prove the effectiveness/efficiency of the computer-supported model. However, it will greatly enhance the competitive capability of companies trying to rapid development of the innovation design.