C hapter 3 the Design Context
62
and ease, assembly time, types of machines required, special conditions, and so forth.
In many cases, functional and assembly systems might be identical,
but in other cases they might well be different; for example, various
components of a functional system might be distributed in several
different but interconnected subassembly units. However, constituents in a subassembly must still share a logic for being housed
together. Reasons can vary: Constituents of a subassembly might
be of similar sizes. They might all need to be assembled using a
particular robotic device. They might all share a need to be protected from moisture or heat. Other criteria for creating subassemblies might be the stipulation that maximum external housing
dimensions for all subassemblies be the same—a requirement that
might literally force the placement of elements from various functional subsystems into different housings.
The basic distinctions we’ve drawn here are not always clear in real
design situations, and terminology is by no means always agreed
on (for example, what is one person’s functional subsystem may
be another’s physical component). The use of multifunctional parts
or subassemblies obviously complicates the making of simple characterizations. A simple connecting bolt may well serve to position
multiple parts of a power supply system and a cooling system
simultaneously and cannot easily be “assigned” to one larger system
or another. Indeed, a major task in early design phases is to identify
where parts or components serve multifunctional or cross-functional
roles. Failure to do so can sometimes result in redundant and needlessly complex overall solutions.
There is not really any overarching way of describing or characterizing the kinds of systems and assemblies found in product design.
As a simple gesture for discussion purposes, the diagram shown in
Figure 3.12 suggests some basic characteristics of common products. Most sophisticated products contain control/logic systems or
interfaces used in the direct operation of the product or in monitoring its functions. An energy system for power input, storage, conversion, or transfer is often present. Products exist for some purpose;
hence an action system or process system is invariably involved that
includes many supporting components. Many other elements are
present as well, including structures or frameworks for which the
function is to house other systems. Often many subsystems that
have their own characteristics and functionalities are present. Obviously, not all products have all these characteristics; some might
not be present at all (as in a simple table). In other cases, the basic
62
and ease, assembly time, types of machines required, special conditions, and so forth.
In many cases, functional and assembly systems might be identical,
but in other cases they might well be different; for example, various
components of a functional system might be distributed in several
different but interconnected subassembly units. However, constituents in a subassembly must still share a logic for being housed
together. Reasons can vary: Constituents of a subassembly might
be of similar sizes. They might all need to be assembled using a
particular robotic device. They might all share a need to be protected from moisture or heat. Other criteria for creating subassemblies might be the stipulation that maximum external housing
dimensions for all subassemblies be the same—a requirement that
might literally force the placement of elements from various functional subsystems into different housings.
The basic distinctions we’ve drawn here are not always clear in real
design situations, and terminology is by no means always agreed
on (for example, what is one person’s functional subsystem may
be another’s physical component). The use of multifunctional parts
or subassemblies obviously complicates the making of simple characterizations. A simple connecting bolt may well serve to position
multiple parts of a power supply system and a cooling system
simultaneously and cannot easily be “assigned” to one larger system
or another. Indeed, a major task in early design phases is to identify
where parts or components serve multifunctional or cross-functional
roles. Failure to do so can sometimes result in redundant and needlessly complex overall solutions.
There is not really any overarching way of describing or characterizing the kinds of systems and assemblies found in product design.
As a simple gesture for discussion purposes, the diagram shown in
Figure 3.12 suggests some basic characteristics of common products. Most sophisticated products contain control/logic systems or
interfaces used in the direct operation of the product or in monitoring its functions. An energy system for power input, storage, conversion, or transfer is often present. Products exist for some purpose;
hence an action system or process system is invariably involved that
includes many supporting components. Many other elements are
present as well, including structures or frameworks for which the
function is to house other systems. Often many subsystems that
have their own characteristics and functionalities are present. Obviously, not all products have all these characteristics; some might
not be present at all (as in a simple table). In other cases, the basic