Supporting early phase of mechatronic product design with layered function models

After analyzing the problems of existing function modeling and specification methods, the traditional single function model is divided into three layered function models with different abstractions: the logical model, the status model and the relation model. Subsequently, how to use the layered function models to support the early design phase is explained in two parts: what kind of functions should be presented and how should they be arranged to support an efficient design. A prototype of an integrated function design environment based on the concept above is introduced.