The relationship between functions and requirements for an improved detection of component linkages

Abstract

Functional product models in design so far were built up by asking for the main function of a product first and then breaking the main function down into sub-functions, until an appropriate level of granularity was reached. A problem of this approach is that a product often provides even more functions which are not subordinate to the main function. This paper presents an approach how these functions can be captured in a reliable and structured way, using the requirements of a product as a superstructure. The improvements of this new approach are demonstrated by predicting change propagation based on an improved functional product model and comparing it to the results of a change prediction using the conventional functional product model.