Feature-based integrated product model for low-carbon conceptual design

Conceptual design has essential impacts on the carbon footprint of a product. Existing product models for conceptual design always focus on knowledge modelling and knowledge organisation, etc. However, the traditional approach is lack of better comprehending representation and reuse of low-carbon design knowledge for low-carbon conceptual design. This paper is devoted to presenting a feature-based integrated modelling approach of product model for low-carbon conceptual design to make the knowledge of functional design be transferred efficiently to the principle conceptual design and structure conceptual design, and even subsequent design process. The feature-based integrated representation model with carbon footprint information about function, effect and structure concept are put forward step by step, and then an integrated principle solution model for low-carbon conceptual design is presented based on the generalised assembly model. The knowledge representation and organisation method of principle solutions in the low-carbon conceptual design are also proposed based on the complex nested knowledge relationships among these stages in the product life cycle. Low-carbon conceptual design process is then discussed in detail. The conceptual design of a new damping device is given as an example, which demonstrates that the methodology is helpful to low-carbon conceptual design.