A multi-level knowledge representation ontology for conceptual design

Designers often have difficulty in efficiently reusing and sharing the implicit knowledge in design activities, due to the lack of powerful knowledge management systems. The approach of representation of knowledge plays a crucial role in knowledge management systems. This paper proposed a multi-level knowledge representation ontology (KRO), formalized on three levels, i.e. part level, assembly level and product level. The logical structure for design object based on KRO is discussed. The organizational modeling of the knowledge base is also proposed. Finally the modeling of design knowledge is illustrated; further semantic representations of structural components and desired functions based on the KRO are demonstrated by concrete cases.