open2012 functional-taxonomy-connect-eng-design

Biomimicry Tools NCIIA 2012

Application of Function Mapping to Find Biological Solutions

Darrell Kleinke1, Jonathan Weaver1, and Terri Lynch-Caris2

1 University of Detroit Mercy Mechanical Engineering Department2Kettering University Industrial Engineering Department


Outline

• Function Mapping Overview• Biomimicry Connection• Conclusions and Next Steps


Three primary “flows” are defined and generally accepted in the literature

Material Material

Energy Energy

Signal SignalAction


Simple Example of Material Flow

MaterialMaterial

Toothpaste In the Tube

SqueezeToothpaste

MaterialTube



MaterialMaterial


SqueezeToothpaste

MaterialTube

asociacionecoanimal.blogspot.com

Boa Constrictor



MaterialMaterial


SqueezeExtrude

SeparateApply

Toothpaste

MaterialTube



MaterialMaterial

Tooth Cleaner In a dispenser

SqueezeDispenseExtrudeApply

Separate

Tooth Cleaner

MaterialDispenser

Using more generalized names for materials



Material Material

Tooth Cleaner In a dispenser

SqueezeDispenseExtrudeApply

Separate

Tooth Cleaner

MaterialDispenser

EnergyHuman Force

Not So

How can this be linked to biological solutions if the user is not aware of the biology?


Short list of flow typesMATERIALS ENERGY (units) SIGNALS (types)

Single Isolated element Mechanical(Horsepower hp,

kinetic / potential energy J,Light lm )

Mechanical(Tactile, visual, acoustic, pressure, force,

position)

Multiple independent elementsExamples: Independent solids, isolated gases, stratified liquids.

Electrical / Magnetic(Watts/hr, emf)

Electrical(voltage, current, charge, emf)

Multiple combined elementsExamples: Conjoined solids, blended gases, mixed liquids.

Fluid(Head loss)

Cognitive(taste, olfactory, emotion)

Thermal(BTU)

Chemical(electronvolts eV)

Acoustic(Sound Pressure Level SPL)


No Standardized Actions (Yet) Row = Inflow

Column =Outflow

Material (M) Energy (E)

Signal(S)

M+E M+S E+S M+E+S

Material (M) StoreCombineDisperseChange-state

Convert SenseMeasure

Cell 11 + Cell 12

Cell 11 + Cell 13

Cell 12 + Cell 13

Cell 11 + Cell 12+Cell 13

Energy(E)

StoreCombineDisperseChange-state

StoreCombineDisperseChange-state

SenseMeasure

Cell 21 + Cell 22

Cell 21 + Cell 22

Cell 22 + Cell 23

Cell 21 + Cell 22 +Cell 23

Signal(S)

ActuateRegulateChangeForm

ActuateRegulateChangeForm

SenseIndicateMeasureDisplay

Cell 31+Cell 32

Cell 31+Cell 33

Cell 32+Cell 33

Cell 31 + Cell 32 +Cell 33

M+E 11+21 12+22 13+23 11+12+21+23

11+13+31+33

12+13+22+23

11+12+13+21+22+23

M+S 11+31 12+32 13+33 11+31+12+32

11+13+31+33

12+13+32+33

11+12+13+31+32+33

E+S 21+31 22+32 23+33 21+22+31+32

21+23+31+33

22+23+32+33

21+22+23+31+32+33

M+E+S 11+21+31

12+22+32

13+23+33

11+12+21+22+31+32

11+13+21+23+31+33

12+13+22+23+32+33

All cells 31 to 33


Example of function-nesting in a two layer hierarchy

Material:Toothpaste In the Tube Squeeze

Material: Toothpaste

Material: Tube

Signal:Thought Flex Energy:

Force

Material:Brush

CombineMaterial: Brush with paste


A perspective from the literature

Function mapping has not gained industry wide acceptance like some other techniques such as TRIZ.

Dieter (2009): “There are weaknesses in using functional structures during conceptual design. A function structure is not a complete conceptual design. Even after developing a function structure, you still need to select devices, mechanisms, or structural forms to fulfill the function.

There are no comprehensive catalogs of solution embodiments like those available in the German technical literature.”


Example of Biomimicry

Termite Mound Eastgate Center, Zimbabwe


Another Example of Biomimicry

Basking Shark Water-driven Turbine


Use Function Mapping to Make Connections

Signal:Sense

Voltage VEnergy:Light lm

Camera

Signal:Sense

CognitiveEnergy:Light lm

Beetle Eye


Process Issues Can be Mapped

Capture

Material:Caesium

Nuclear Waste

Material:Sulphide

Material:Harmless Molecule

Capture

Material:Flys

Venus Flytrap

Material:Venom

Material:Helpless Meal


Conclusion

• Function mapping has the potential to become the link between engineering design problems and biological solutions.

• If standardized and codified, function mapping becomes easier to use and can represent a common practice that could cross numerous diverse engineering and biology disciplines.

• Function maps can be formulated by engineer and biologist alike, and can become the common link to connect biomimicry and engineering design.


Special thanks to the Kern Family Foundation

open2012 functional-taxonomy-connect-eng-design

Technology

biomimicry tools nciia

dispersedisperse cell

store convertsense cell

changechange measure

example of function

e combine combinemeasure

energy store storesense

literature function