Welcome

Todays Agenda
1. Monday Marvel
2. Functional Modeling
3. Product Architecture
4. Return Assignment #3

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Monday Marvel Large Vacuum Cleaner

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Monday Marvel Large Vacuum Cleaner

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Monday Marvel Large Vacuum Cleaner

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Monday Marvel Large Vacuum Cleaner

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Monday Marvel Large Vacuum Cleaner

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Engineering Models Types

Mental Models: What we think of situations or people; perceptions
about something.

Conceptual Models: A qualitative model (often simplified) of the

system, representing a characteristic of the system
Physical Models: An actual representation of the system, which
could be full size or scaled
Mathematical Models: a quantitative representation of a system
capturing the interaction between terms, geometry, etc.
Virtual Models: A simulated representation of the system, which is
commonly driven by mathematical models (which may not be
known by the engineer) and often facilitated by physical models

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Functional Model: a conceptual model of a product where
the product is represented as a set of functions and flows
(between those functions)
Energy Flow 3

Signal Flow 1

Mass Flow 3
Mass Flow 1

Function 1

Energy Flow 1

Function 3

Mass Flow 2

Function 2

Mass Flow 4

Energy Flow 2

System Boundary

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Function: an abstract representation of a task that is to be
accomplished, represented as a manipulation of one or more
flows; properly formatted functions are independent of the
physical solution which performs them
Often structured as an active verb-noun pair
Active verb: the manipulation/task
Noun: the flow to be acted upon

Visually represented as a black box in the functional model

Import
Electrical
Energy

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Flow: an abstract representation of a signal, material, or energy
transfer between functions, which is independent of the physical
solution which performs it
Visually represented by arrows in the functional model
connecting the functions
Energy

Signal (Information)

Mass (Material)

Flows are represented with different types of arrows

Composite flows are represented as their components (to make

the functional model solution independent)
Flows when abstracted may ignore some information (e.g., a
signal may be sent electronically, but if the energy is simply to
differentiate information, it may only be modeled as a signal)
MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Functions can act in series
Energy Flow 3

Signal Flow 1

Mass Flow 3
Mass Flow 1

Function 1

Energy Flow 1

Function 3

Mass Flow 2

Function 2

Mass Flow 4

Energy Flow 2

System Boundary

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Functions can act in parallel
Energy Flow 3

Signal Flow 1

Mass Flow 3
Mass Flow 1

Function 1

Energy Flow 1

Function 3

Mass Flow 2

Function 2

Mass Flow 4

Energy Flow 2

System Boundary

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Function types:

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Function types (continued):

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Flow types:

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Overview

Flow types (continued):

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Creating a Functional Model

Two Approaches
Top-down Approach
Start with overall function
Decompose overall function into subfunctions

Bottom-up approach
Identify functions for components and flows
Identify connections between component functions

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Creating a Functional Model

Two Approaches Benefits and Concerns
Top-down Approach
Inherently creates varying levels of abstraction
Provide different levels of resolution which can be used at different (appropriate)
phases of the design process
Models become more solution specific as you go into more detail

Abstraction of this type can be a valuable design exercise

What is the overall function?
What are the minimum required flows?

Bottom-up approach
These models contain numerous functions
Many components do not have a clear function or flow
Starting with a detailed model and zooming out is difficult

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Creating a Functional Model

Consider the Dyson vacuum cleaner shown below:

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Creating a Functional Model

Functional models start with the product function.
Product Function: the overall intended function(s) of the
product; what the product is intended to do.
The overall function is often incorporated into the product
name (e.g., coffee maker, hedge trimmer, lawn mower, etc.).
For a vacuum cleaner:
Electrical Energy
User Controls Signal

Debris/Air Mixture

Clean Up
Debris

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Captured Debris
Clean Air

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Creating a Functional Model

In order for the vacuum cleaner to perform the product function,
it must perform the following subfunctions:
Electrical Energy

User Controls Signal

Debris/Air Mixture

Clean Up
Debris

Captured Debris
Clean Air

Debris/Air
Mixture

On/Off Signal
Floor Type Signal

On/Off Signal

Sense User
Input

Floor Type Signal

Generate
Suction

Pneumatic
Energy

Import
Air/Debris

Debris/Air
Mixture

Separate
Debris
from Air

Captured
Debris
Clean Air

To help brainstorm these subfunctions, think of the activities that

must be done, and the flow of energy and material through the
device.
MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Vacuum Cleaner Example

The subfunctions can be broken down further into the second
level of subfunctions:
Debris/Air
Mixture

Electrical
Energy

On/Off Signal
Floor Type Signal

On/Off Signal

Sense User
Input

Floor Type Signal

Generate
Suction

Pneumatic
Energy

Import
Air/Debris

Debris/Air
Mixture

Separate
Debris
from Air

Captured
Debris
Clean Air

Electrical
Energy

On/Off Signal

Floor Type Signal

Sense On/Off
Signal

Sense Floor
Type Signal

On/Off
Signal

Floor
Type
Signal

Convert Electrical
Energy to Mechanical
Rotational Energy

Mechanical
Rotational
Energy

Clean Air

Convert Mechanical
Rotational Energy to
Pneumatic Energy

Export Clean Air

from Vacuum
Cleaner

Pneumatic
Energy

Mechanical
Rotational
Energy

Clean Air

Separate Debris
from Surface

Debris

Import Debris/Air
Mixture

Debris/Air
Mixture

Separate Debris
from Air
Captured
Debris

Air

Export Debris from

Vacuum Cleaner
Captured
Debris

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Benefits

Benefits of Functional Modeling
- Abstraction of a System
- Compact Presentation Aid

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Functional Modeling Limitations

Limitations of Functional Modeling
- Assume that these functions inherently exist
- Functional models limit design freedom as soon as you start
specifying specific flows and functions
- The information related to consumer interaction is limited
- Physical aspects of the system are not captured

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture
Product Architecture: the scheme by which functional elements of
the product are arranged into physical elements and by which the
physical elements interact
Functional Elements: for a product are the individual operations
and transformations that contribute to the overall performance of
the product
Physical Elements: for a product are the parts, components, and
subassemblies that ultimately implement the products functions.

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

There are three stages to developing a product architecture:
1. Develop the arrangement of functional elements
2. Map the functional elements to physical elements

3. Specify the arrangement and interfaces of physical elements

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

1. Develop the arrangement of functional elements
Electrical Energy

User Controls Signal

Debris/Air Mixture

Clean Up
Debris

Captured Debris
Clean Air

Debris/Air
Mixture

On/Off Signal
Floor Type Signal

On/Off Signal

Sense User
Input

Floor Type Signal

Generate
Suction

Pneumatic
Energy

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Import
Air/Debris

Debris/Air
Mixture

Separate
Debris
from Air

Captured
Debris
Clean Air

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

2. Map the functional elements to physical elements
Function 1

Component 1

Function 1

Component 1

Function 2

Component 2

Function 2

Component 2

Function 3

Component 3

Function 3

Component 3

Function 4

Component 4

Function 4

Component 4

Functional
Elements

Components

Functional
Elements

Components

Modular Arrangement
MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Integral Arrangement
Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

2. Map the functional elements to physical elements

Modular Arrangement
MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Integral Arrangement
Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

2. Map the functional elements to physical elements

Function Component Matrix

Components
Functions

Component 1

Function 1

Function 2

Component 2

Component 3

Component 4

Function 3
Function 4

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

X
X

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

2. Map the functional elements to physical elements

Function Component Matrix

Components
Functions

Component 1

Component 2

Component 3

Function 1

Function 2

Function 3

Function 4

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Component 4

X
X

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

3. Specify the arrangement and interfaces of physical elements

Component 2

Component 1
Component 3
Component 4

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

3. Specify the arrangement and interfaces of physical elements

System Boundary
MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

3. Specify the arrangement and interfaces of physical elements

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

3. Specify the arrangement and interfaces of physical elements

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

1. Develop the arrangement of functional elements

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

2. Map the functional elements to physical elements

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013

Product Architecture Development

3. Specify the arrangement and interfaces of physical elements

MAE 277: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice

Fall 2013