A framework for systematization of functional knowledge based on ontological engineering

Abstract

It has been recognized that functional knowledge used in conceptual design is scattered around technology and target domains. One of its reasons is that diffierent frameworks (viewpoints)for conceptualization are used when authors describe knowledge in diffierent domains. The other one is there are several functional concepts without clear definitions. Aiming at systematization of functional knowledge for synthesis, we discuss ontologies that guides conceptualization of artifacts from the functional point of view. We propose a device-centered ontology and a functional concept ontology. The former provides a device-centered viewpoint for capturing a target domain in order to make models or knowledge consistent. The latter provides concepts representing functions of devices which are used as a common vocabulary in functional knowledge. Some utilities of these ontologies are also mentioned.