Page 120 - Mechatronics for Safety, Security and Dependability in a New Era

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Many studies for conceptual design were performed that focused on modeling and it's intention in the
conceptual design stage [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. The research for synthesis of each functional design was
discussed in [7] and researches of treatment of qualitative information are discussed in [8][9].

Our objective is to propose an architecture to accurately transmit the design information and intention
from the upstream to the detailed design stage. For this purpose, we propose the principal architecture
by introducing an integrated model with geometrical and intentional information in [10][l 1]. In this
paper, we discuss about important design information at the upstream design stage. This information is
important for design requirements but is not detailed yet. Moreover, expression of this design
information by the proposed architecture is discussed, hi particular, the space where an object does not
exist, spatial representation and an application of this architecture including the behavior of the system
is discussed. As a result, accurately transmitting the design information and the intention considered at
the upstream to detailed design stage becomes possible.

2. SUBSTANCE

To achieve our objective, it is necessary to be able to handle the design information and intention as
well as transmit this information to the downstream design phase accurately. In many designs, in the
beginning, the outline of the entire product is decided and the design process gradually becomes more
detailed. First, we explain the outline and features of a principal architecture. Secondary, important
design information and intention at the upstream design stage is considered. Especially, at the design
upstream stage the expression of shape, arrangement and functionality are vague. However, this
information is a principal requirement for the product and the most important information for
designing a final product.

3. POINTS OF PRINCIPAL ARCHITECTURE

The points of principal architecture are concisely described.
- An accurate transmitting framework for design information and intention attaching to geometric
elements. This is the mechanism to perceive what was changed and how to change. Where, an edge,
face, solid, etc. are objects, and the deletion, division, merging, etc. are the types of change.
- Single design information attaching to a single object and the relational design information attached
between objects.
- Enables setting the behavior definition for each design information..
- Behavior definition can evaluate the types of change, mass property and special vector of an object.
- Behavior definition, the transmitting method of the design information and the reaction of systems
that will reject an operation or signal alarm output, etc. can be defined.

This proposed principal architecture enables to transmit the design information and intention
accurately and enable to define the system reaction for each design information. To handle the design
information and intention, the system has a new component; that is the Design Information Processing
Component. An outline of each subcomponent is described in the followings.
The flow of processing when the element is changed is shown below.
Step 1; Edit Sensor finds the kind of design change and the target
Step 2; Definition Interpreter interprets the content of the behavior definition that is related with the
target and the design information.

Step 2.1; Definition Interpreter interprets the behavior definitions.