TOWARDS A SCIENTIFIC MODEL OF FUNCTION-BEHAVIOR TRANSFORMATION
Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Reich, Y.
Author: Chen, Yong; Zhang, Zhinan; Liu, Zelin; Xie, Youbai
Series: ICED
Section: Design Theory and Research Methodology
Page(s): 51-60
Abstract
The function-behavior transformation, though widely acknowledged as a significant process of engineering design, is still regarded as a subjective and experienced-based process. This paper is therefore devoted to proposing a logical and scientific model for this transformation process for building a science of designing. It clarifies the concepts of function, behavior and structure in designing, with some significant features of them identified. Especially, the subject-object relationship in philosophy is employed to clarify the above related concepts. Existing understandings about these concepts are also analyzed for comparison. A new concept, physical action, is elaborated and introduced into design science. A scientific function-behavior transformation model, called the Function-physical Action-Behavior (abbreviated as FAB) model, is then proposed, where the concept of physical action is successfully used to bridge the gap between function and behavior. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the proposed FAB model.
Keywords: PHYSICAL ACTION; FUNCTION; DESIGN SCIENCE; DESIGN PHILOSOPHY; BEHAVIOUR