Function module drivers for assessing the similarity between product functions

Today a description of product functions and how they are realized becomes widely accepted in order to support future development with high quality product functions as an outcome. Generally, this function-oriented product description becomes very extensive for complex mechatronic products. Therefore modularization has to be applied which makes it easier for subsequent development steps. Because modularization is bound to a specific viewpoint the extent of each resulting module has to be defined according to some kind of similarity that reflects this point of view. Unfortunately, specific aspects for assessing the similarity between product functions from a function-oriented viewpoint are unknown and not clearly defined. Therefore a series of expert interviews has been conducted in the automotive industry in order to identify these specific aspects. This article presents the results of this interview series and also proposes an approach how similarity between product functions may be assessed and quantified.