Feasible Change Path Search and Optimization Method Based on Driving Parameter Modeling

To solve the problem of difficultly analyzing the feasible change paths in the product design, a feasible change path search and optimization method was proposed based on driven-parameter modeling. The phenomenon of change propagation was described from the viewpoint of set theory. Based on traditional product parameter modeling, a product driven-parameter associated network was constructed, and the preprocess approach of product model was introduced. The depth first search (DFS) algorithm was adopted to realize the search of feasible change paths. The assessment indexes and criterions were proposed to instruct the selection of optimal change path, and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) method was utilized to select the optimal change path. A case was provided to verify the feasibility of the method by a developed prototype.