Framework for evaluating solution concepts in TRIZ-based inventive designs using a functional, behavioral, and structural modeling approach

This study proposes an evaluation framework to explore the solution concepts generated by inventive design approaches in the concept generation phase of the engineering design process. The concept generation phase significantly impacts producing inventive solutions, as a failure at this stage can lead to time-consuming redesign and expensive rework without any solution. The proposed framework is focused on solving two problems at this stage: first, how to represent a solution concept that is not an obvious product but rather a rough idea capable of guiding designers to produce inventive solutions. And second, how to analyze the solution concepts to evaluate and compare with others. The evaluation framework is based on the classical Gero's function, behavior, and structure product modeling formalism. The capability of the proposed evaluation framework is initially tested through its application to solution concepts generated by inventive design approaches like the Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving TRIZ.