Substitution Issues Between Mechanical and Electronic Realization for Same Function

Most machine functions can be realized either electronically or mechanically, or by a blending of both. The different choices of the function schemes among these three types of realizations not only produce variety, but also constitute a way towards product novelty and patent. In this paper, the authors give a preliminary study of the substitutability and blending-ability between these two function-realization domains. The authors prompt that, by summarizing and formalizing, the domain substitution knowledge will be useful to facilitate adequate and creative design of mechatronic products. Mapping of traditional mechanical mechanisms and their possible electronic configurations are chosen as this paper's specific case study