Intelligent Design of Product Forms Based on Design Cognitive Dynamics and a Cobweb Structure

Abstract

Design is a complex, iterative, and innovative process. By traditional methods, it is difficult for designers to have an integral priori design experience to fully explore a wide range of design solutions. Therefore, refined intelligent design has become an important trend in design research. More powerful design thinking is needed in intelligent design process. Combining cognitive dynamics and a cobweb structure, an intelligent design method is proposed to formalize the innovative design process. The excavation of the dynamic mechanism of the product evolution process during product development is necessary to predict next-generation multi-image product forms from a larger design space. First, different design thinking stimulates the information source and is obtained by analyzing the designers’ thinking process when designing and mining the dynamic mechanism behind it. Based on the nonlinear cognitive cobweb process proposed by Francisco and a natural cobweb structure, the product image cognitive cobweb model (PICCM) is constructed. Then, natural cobweb predation behavior is simulated using a stimulus information source to impact the PICCM. This process uses genetic algorithms to obtain numerous offspring forms, and the PICCM’s mechanical properties are the energy loss parameters in the impact information. Furthermore, feasible solutions are selected from intelligent design sketches by the product artificial form evaluation system based on designers’ cognition, and a new product image cognitive cobweb system is reconstructed. Finally, a case study demonstrates the efficiency and feasibility of the proposed approach.