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Toward a scientific ontology based concept of function

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2013

Yong Chen ,
Zhinan Zhang ,
Jian Huang  and
Youbai Xie
Yong Chen*
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Zhinan Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Jian Huang
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Youbai Xie
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
*
Reprint requests to: Yong Chen, Room 838, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 800, Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China. E-mail: mechenyong@sjtu.edu.cn
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Abstract

Function is an ambiguous concept, whereas having explicit and precise concepts is critical for building a systematic science of engineering design. Based on Bunge's scientific ontology, this paper is devoted to developing an explicit and precise concept of function for design science. First, we attempt to clarify the concept of behavior, which is closely related to function and is also shown as an ambiguous concept in engineering. Second, the concept of action is imported from scientific ontology into design science. Third, a scientific ontology based concept of function is proposed, together with an ontology-based functional taxonomy. A case of a function definition of a civil aircraft type demonstrates that the proposed concept of function is more explicit and precise than previous ones, and it can lead to better functional design results.

Keywords

ActionBehaviorDesign ScienceFunctionScientific Ontology
Type
Response Papers
Information
AI EDAM , Volume 27 , Issue 3: Functional Descriptions in Engineering , August 2013 , pp. 241 - 248
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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