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An integrated knowledge representation model for the computer-aided conceptual design of mechanisms

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Abstract

An integrated knowledge representation model, namely the topology structure behaviour function (TSBF) model, is presented for the computer-aided conceptual design of mechanisms (MCACD) in this paper. The model covers both qualitative and quantitative knowledge representations of generic mechanisms. A class hierarchy consists of the abstract mechanism, the embryo mechanism, and the concrete mechanism is then proposed for object-oriented modelling. Based on the TSBF model, several reasoning techniques are integrated to achieve a relatively comprehensive environment for MCACD. The corresponding reasoning process is mainly based on a backward chaining of solutions representation and retrieval, a forward chaining of compositional behaviour reasoning with constraint propagation and satisfaction, and a forward chaining of type synthesis. Coarse optimizations for certain mechanisms are also integrated on the quantitative level. The applicability of the new model is demonstrated by the conceptual design of a zigzag mechanism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200030, P.R. China

    Y.L. Tian, H.J. Zou & W.Z. Guo

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  1. Y.L. Tian
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  2. H.J. Zou
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  3. W.Z. Guo
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Correspondence to Y.L. Tian.

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Tian, Y., Zou, H. & Guo, W. An integrated knowledge representation model for the computer-aided conceptual design of mechanisms. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 28, 435–444 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-004-2399-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-004-2399-6

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