A port-based approach for modelling the structure of mechatronic modules

Abstract

Mechatronic products and plants are complex systems and their development requires knowledge in mechanical, electrical and software engineering. Through design structure matrix (DSM) methods a plant can be modularized in mechatronic modules on the basis of correlations of their functions. However, to model the internal structure of the module and the relations between the elements of the different domains, a port-based approach is presented in this paper which goes beyond the DSM methods. By defining elements through input- and output-ports and by connecting them accordingly, a framework can be established, which makes an analysis of the discipline-specific and interdisciplinary dependencies of the elements within a module and between different modules possible. Furthermore, this framework enables the identification and visualization of the influences through changes of elements, which is an important prerequisite for an effective variant and version management.

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