An Extensible Model of Product Configuration Knowledge Based on Matter-Element

Product configuration knowledge is the key of configuration design. However, the current modeling method of product configuration knowledge lacks the supports of configuration knowledge flexibility and extension. With the quick development of technology, the configuration product becomes more and more complex. So, the product configuration knowledge doesn't meet the requirement of product configuration. In this paper, the matter-element of product configuration knowledge is defined. Thus, the configuration knowledge, which includes components, structure composition and constraint rules of the configuration product, is expressed by the combination of different matter-element. And then, the extensible model of product configuration knowledge is established by the extension methods of matter-element which including divergent extension method, expansive extension method, correlated extension method and conjugated extension method. At the end, an example of project implementation under the architecture is given to illustrate relevant enable technologies for the methods mentioned.