Research on automated conceptual design of mechanical transmission system and its realization

Mechanical transmission system is used to transfer energy and motion. Conceptual design of mechanical transmission system is an early stage in the product design process, which has an essential effect on product innovation. This paper is devoted to presenting a systematic approach to conceptual design of automated mechanical transmission system and its realization, based on the functional decomposition strategy. The transmission functional abstraction, functional decomposition, and mapping process between functions and solutions are proposed step by step, and then solutions can be combined through these sub-solutions to achieve the overall system function. A corresponding computer aided design software system is then developed. The mechanical transmission system of a robot is given as an example, which demonstrates that the methodology is obviously helpful for product innovation.