1. Generating Alternative Solutions
4th Edition
Chapter 22
Design Step #2:
Generating Alternative Solutions

2. What’s Covered in This Chapter
Brainstorming within teaming
Concept sketching
Functional Decomposition
Promising concepts pull together
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3. Brainstorming This is what a team does best
The sum of your combined brains exceeds that of the same number in series!
Never ever criticize another team member’s ideas
You need all the help you can get!
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4. Concept Sketching Can be hand-sketched or computer generated.
No dimensions at this time. Remember, this is not a detailed drawing.
Label parts and main features. If the drawing is hand-sketched, handwritten labeling is acceptable.
Provide multiple views and close-up views if needed to describe how the design works.
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5. Concept Sketching – Hand Drawn
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6. Concept Sketching – Computer Drawn
Flying
Blimp
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7. Class Team Building Exercise The Tube
Remove a golf ball from a deep mailing tube
Have available: String, duct tape, Scotch® tape,
8.5”× 11” paper sheet, and scissors
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8. The Tube Rules of Engagement
1. Limited to using the supplied materials.
2. Scissors can be used for manufacturing.
3. Everyone in the group can help in manufacturing, but only one person can extract the ball.
4. Students are not allowed to handle the materials until it is time to test.
5. Must manufacture the design shown on the concept drawing handed to the instructor.
6. Time limit of 3 minutes to manufacture concept and extract ball.
7. Cannot tip over the tube.
8. Cannot touch the outside of the tube with anything.
9. No forces can be applied to the inside of the tube in an effort to hold it vertical; accidental contact with the inside of the tube is okay as long as the tube does not tip over.
10. Violation of any of the preceding rules will lead to immediate disqualification.
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9. The Tube Procedures Exploring Engineering
1. First allow the students 3 minutes to individually brainstorm (encourage them to draw quick sketches of each of their concepts).
2. Then, divide into teams of four students.
3. Allow teams 10 minutes to collect ideas, brainstorm as a team, select their best concept, and give a sketch of their best concept to the instructor.
4. Instructor should walk around during brainstorming to remind teams to (a) generate multiple solutions before selecting one and (b) try to involve everyone in the process.
5. Allow teams 2 minutes to assign responsibilities for manufacture and test.
6. One at a time, give each team 3 minutes to manufacture a concept and attempt to extract the golf ball.
7. The team with the shortest retrieval time wins.
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10. How to Develop a Winning Design
Use analogies from something with similarities that you know works
Reverse engineer a similar product
Literature Search (e.g., the Patent Office,
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11. Functional Decomposition for Complex Systems
Design Step 1: Break the problem down into constituent bits, e.g., the Remote Controlled golf machine
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12. Functional Decomposition for Complex Systems
Step 2: Brainstorm alternative concepts for each function and assemble the results in a classification scheme
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13. Functional Decomposition for Complex Systems
Step3: Then combine the best subfunctions
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14. Functional Decomposition for Complex Systems
Step 4: Sketch each of the most promising combinations and assemble them into a table
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15. Functional Decomposition for Complex Systems
The three promising total concepts here are
Total Concept I = Helium + 2 Props + Pivot props + Sticky tape
Total Concept II = Helium + Rotating turret + Vertical prop + Rake
Total Concept III = Helium + Prop with rudder + String + Claw
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16. Design Milestone - Generation of Alternatives
Assignment
1. For the functional decomposition given by your instructor, brainstorm to determine at least five feasible alternatives for each subfunction and assemble the results in a classification scheme.
2. Form three promising design concepts by combining compatible subfunction alternatives from your classification
scheme.
3. Firm up your three design concepts by sketching them up in the form of concept drawings. Functionality (i.e., how it works) should be clearly indicated in the drawings through the use of labeling and text.
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17. Design Milestone - Generation of Alternatives
No design works without several layers of input
It’s a team exercise!
Discuss then draw your concepts
Sketch initially by hand then by computer
Breakdown problem by functional decomposition
Make path through best items
Present at least 3 alternates
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