Path Planning for Product Function Transformation based on Kruskal Algorithm

Abstract

Technical systems with only one unique function cannot meet the diverse needs of users. The transformable system can perform different functions through the structure change in the application. A key step of designing a transformable system is to search an optimal path of the transformation process between different functions of the system. Through analyzing the system composition, the diversity needs can be implemented in multiple environments and actions. Different use environments and active objects form different states of a system. The distance between different use environments or active objects can be measured based on similarity of their characteristic parameters. In order to save resources and simplify operations, a minimum spanning tree of an undirected graph is formed using the Kruskal algorithm to search the optimal transformation path. A transformable wheelchair is designed using the proposed method in a case study.