: We present a framework that verifies and maintains the consistency between the representations of the form, function and behavior of mechatronic devices. These three aspects of the device represent the geometry, the task, and the actions taken to realize the task, respectively (Pahl and Beitz, 1996). They evolve simultaneously through the design process. When the designer makes a change to one aspect of the representation, our framework automatically updates all other aspects impacted by this change and reports inconsistencies. Inconsistencies occur when the kinematic behavior of the device does not match the form, or the kinematic behavior does not match the currently specified functional description. Continuous feedback of this nature shortens the design-simulate cycle for product design. To represent the components in the device we use a port-based modeling paradigm. Components encapsulate both form and behavior and are interconnected to form the system model of the device. Simula...
Rajarishi Sinha, Christiaan J. J. Paredis, Pradeep