Application of TRIZ to develop an in-service diagnostic system for a synchronous belt transmission for automotive application

Development of robust diagnostic solutions to monitor the health of systems and components to ensure through life cost effectiveness is often technically difficult, requiring an effective integration of design development with research and innovation. This paper presents a structured application of TRIZ and USIT (Unified Structured Inventive Thinking) to generate concept solutions for an in-service diagnostic system for a synchronous belt drive system for an automotive application. The systematic exploration through TRIZ and USIT methods has led to the development of six concept solution ideas directed at the functional requirement to determine the state or condition of the belt. The paper demonstrates that the combined deployment of TRIZ and USIT frameworks is a valuable approach addressing difficult design problem

A Systems Approach to the Development of Enhanced Learning for Engineering Systems Design Analysis

yesThis paper considers the importance of applying sound instructional systems design to the development of a learning intervention aimed at developing skills for the effective deployment of an enhanced methodology for engineering systems design analysis within a Product Development context. The leading features of the learning intervention are summarised including the content and design of a training course for senior engineering management which is central to the intervention. The importance of promoting behavioural change by fostering meaningful learning as a collaborative process is discussed. Comparison is made between the instructional design of the corporate learning intervention being developed and the systems engineering based product design process which is the subject of the intervention

Development of a structured approach for decomposition of complex systems on a functional basis

YesThe purpose of this paper is to present the System State Flow Diagram (SSFD) as a structured and coherent methodology to decompose a complex system on a solution-independent functional basis. The paper starts by reviewing common function modelling frameworks in literature and discusses practical requirements of the SSFD in the context of the current literature and current approaches in industry. The proposed methodology is illustrated through the analysis of a case study: design analysis of a generic Bread Toasting System (BTS)

Analytical target cascading framework for engine calibration optimisation

YesThis paper presents the development and implementation of an Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) Multi-disciplinary Design Optimisation (MDO) framework for the steady state engine calibration optimisation problem. The case is made that the MDO / ATC offers a convenient framework for the engine calibration optimisation problem based on steady state engine test data collected at specified engine speed / load points, which is naturally structured on 2 hierarchical levels: the “Global” level, associated with performance over a drive cycle, and “Local” level, relating to engine operation at each speed / load point. The case study of a gasoline engine equipped with variable camshaft timing (VCT) was considered to study the application of the ATC framework to a calibration optimisation problem. The paper describes the analysis and mathematical formulation of the VCT calibration optimisation as an ATC framework, and its Matlab implementation with gradient based and evolutionary optimisation algorithms. The results and performance of the ATC are discussed comparatively with the conventional two-stage approach to steady state calibration optimisation. The main conclusion from this research is that ATC offers a powerful and efficient approach for engine calibration optimisation, delivering better solutions at both “Global” and “Local” levels. Further advantages of the ATC framework is that it is flexible and scalable to the complexity of the calibration problem, and enables calibrator preference to be incorporated a priori in the optimisation problem formulation, delivering important time saving for the overall calibration development process.The research work presented in this paper was funded by UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB) through the CREO (Carbon Reduction through Engine Optimisation) project

INFLUENCE OF CYCLIC FREEZING AND THAWING UPON SPRUCE WOOD PROPERTIES

The paper presents the results concerning the change of some physical and mechanical properties of spruce wood (Picea abies L.), after repeated freezing and thawing, respectively after being subjected to temperature variation from positive valuea (+100C) to negative values (-250C). Through this approach, the authors aimed at simulating normal temperature variations that occur in winter between night and daytime and which fresh cut timber has to stand if being stored in an open yard for one week before being kilndried. By comparing these results with the ones obtained after continuous freezing at -250C for one week, it was established that the temperature variation and the repeated changing phase of water inside wood increase dimensional instability and reduce the mechanical strengths much more than the simple exposure to theconstant negative temperature

Analiza aerodinamike sušionica na temelju trodimenzionalnoga turbulentnog numeričkog računanja

This paper introduces a numerical methodology based on a 3D turbulent flow computation developed to assess the aerodynamic performances of lumber drying kilns. The numerical results are validated against experimental data obtained by applying five different fan speeds and reversible air flow. The distributions of the energy loss coefficient and of the non-uniformity flow coefficient were plotted along the flow path in both normal and reverse directions and the regions with larger air loss values were identified. The numerical computation revealed that three quarters of the airfl ow delivered by the fans bypasses the wood stacks through different gaps, consequently leading to a low aerodynamic effi ciency (of 24-25 %) of the kiln.U radu je prezentirana numerička metodologija utemeljena na proračunima 3D turbulentnog protoka zraka, koja je razvijena kako bi se ocijenila aerodinamička izvedba sušionica za drvnu građu. Numerički su rezultati provjereni usporedbom s eksperimentalnim podacima dobivenim primjenom pet različitih brzina ventilatora i reverzibilnog protoka zraka. Raspodjele koefi cijenta gubitka energije i koeficijenta neujednačenosti protoka prikazane su duž puta protoka u normalnome i obrnutom smjeru te su utvrđene regije u kojima su identificirane veće vrijednosti gubitka zraka. Numerički je proračun pokazao da tri četvrtine protoka ventilatorskog zraka zaobilaze složaje drva kroz različite praznine, što posljedično dovodi do niske aerodinamične učinkovitosti sušionica (od 24-25 %)

A systems approach to the development and use of FMEA in complex automotive applications

YesThe effective deployment of FMEAs within complex automotive applications faces a number of challenges, including the complexity of the system being analysed, the need to develop a series of coherently linked FMEAs at different levels within the systems hierarchy and across intrinsically interlinked engineering disciplines, and the need for coherent linkage between critical design characteristics cascaded through the systems levels with their counterparts in manufacturing. The approach presented in this paper to address these challenges is based on a structured Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) framework which promotes the development of FMEAs within an integrated Systems Engineering approach. The effectiveness of the framework is illustrated through a case study, centred on the development of a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system. This case study demonstrates that the structured FMA framework for function analysis supports an effective decomposition of complex interdisciplinary systems facilitating the DFMEA deployment through a series of containable, structured DFMEAs developed at successive system levels, with clear vertical integration of functional requirements and critical parameters cascade. The paper also discusses the way in which the approach supports deployment across engineering disciplines and domains, ensuring the integrity of information flow between the design and manufacturing activities

Development of an Interface Analysis Template for System Design Analysis

yesInterface definition is an essential and integral part of systems engineering. In current practice, interface requirements or control documents are generally used to define systems or subsystems interfaces. One of the challenges with the use of such documents in product development process is the diversity in their types, methodology, contents coverage, and structure across various design levels and across multidisciplinary teams, which often impedes the design process. It is important that interface information is described with appropriate detail and minimal or no ambiguity at each design level. The purpose of this paper is to present an interface analysis template (IAT) as a structured tool and coherent methodology, built upon a critical review of existing literature concepts, with the aim of using and implementing the same template for capturing interface requirements at various levels of design starting from stakeholders' level down to component level analysis. The proposed IAT is illustrated through a desktop case study of an electric pencil sharpener, and two examples of application to automotive systems