Product configuration design based on multi-layer evolution

How to process the fuzzy, incomplete and polymorphic customer requirements (CRs) is an important problem in product configuration design (PCD). A new method for PCD based on multi-layer evolution according to the features of CRs and PCD is presented in the paper. The multi-layer PCD model includes three layers: function, qualification and structure, with the evolution relations between them. The description of CRs is resolved into three parts of function, qualification and structure, and dispatched into three layers mentioned above. In each layer, the PCD focuses on the corresponding part of CRs to implement the configuration task. The results of configuration design in three layers are mapped from function to qualification and then to structure. Through the configuration design within layers and the evolution mapping between layers, the customized product is created. A PCD system based on the method proposed in the paper has been developed and used in low voltage circuit breaker design