Page 20 - Handbook of Biomechatronics

Introduction 13

more pronounced than in fusion of mechatronics and biological systems;
resulting in an evident challenge faced by existing intradisciplinary design
tools and methodologies. An appreciation of design anatomy could therefore
assist in distinguishing a qualified location for the design methodology
within a biomechatronic project environment.
The thought process involved in a design takes an iterative shape
resulting in a three-phase pattern of divergence, systematization, and con-
vergence. Each of these phases has proposed techniques, methods, and pro-
cedures within individual engineering disciplines. The total sum of these
phases are termed as the design process. In this process, analysis of the search
space and generation of solution variants form the general content of the
diverging phase. This is followed by the structuring activities which are pri-
marily a combination of synthesis, intradisciplinary methodologies, and
designer skills and experience. The converging phase, on the other hand,
predominantly consists of the selection process with two steps of evaluation
and decision. Here an important factor is the nature of the criteria which is
used in determining the value scales and the basis of comparison for assessing
the range of solution variants. Evaluation emerges as the central element in
the design process where the design tools begin to play their role.

7 DEVELOPMENTS IN DESIGNS

The progressive advancements of biomechatronic systems are occa-
sionally marked by groundbreaking contributions of unique designs.
A closer scrutiny, however, reveals that in practice a step by step and incre-
mental development of already proven technologies is the norm. It might
therefore prove substantially more tangible to place the emphasis of a design
methodology on integration of devices and exiting elemental constituents in
obtaining a new system. Systematic synthesis as the core of design would
therefore be affected by what comes “before” and “after” it. Formulation
and appropriate packaging of design requirements is what comes before
the synthesis stage and evaluation of a proposed idea is what comes after.
A methodical and systematic approach to these two parts can provide an
insurance and a safety net for the multidisciplinary designer. A systematic
approach to physically realizable solutions requires a solid platform upon
which all else is built. Modeling based on mathematical isomorphism is
the natural platform for multidisciplinary specialists to examine the solution
space. This mode of thought brings the argument back to the invaluable
potentials of modeling in design. A suitable platform for design through