This paper presents a method for the automatic deduction
of priority lists of input information as well as for
the extraction of task relations from the available
design knowledge. The method is based on multiple extensive
searches of the design space and produces a final priority list
for the instantiation of the primary design entities. If followed,
this list ensures the generation of the most decisive design
information at the very beginning of the design process.
Additionally, the method can produce a priority list of design
tasks, which represents the order of completion of these tasks.
Finally, it offers a representation platform for tracking the
evolution of the design process. First, a brief overview of
the current literature is presented, after which the method
is presented in detail. Entities, descriptors, and tasks are
used for the representation of the design knowledge. They are
linked in order to form multiple design relations, formally
represented by digraphs. Simple set relations and graph
theories are used as mathematical background to the method.
Design experience is also taken into account through a weighting
process of the primary design entities. Finally, an example
of a belt conveyor design is presented, followed by a discussion
of the results and some general conclusions. The method may
be considered as a design-assisting tool that dynamically processes
pieces of design knowledge and suggests corresponding design
paths. Additionally, it relates the design tasks in a ordered
form. Its extension—currently under elaboration—is
expected to treat systematically the problem of identifying
and handling the design knowledge inconsistencies.