Intelligent product design based on open knowledge representation

Knowledge based intelligent product design is one of the pioneering trends of CAD technology. However, existing knowledge representation is not sufficiently open to product designers, which makes it hard for them to understand and maintain the knowledge in the design software. To solve the problem, open representation of design knowledge in the forms of formulas, tables, 2D mapping graphs, procedures and rules is studied respectively, and the BNFs (Backus Naur Forms) of the knowledge in these original forms are provided. Corresponding knowledge reasoning methods are proposed as well. Open knowledge representation and its reasoning methods lead to these conveniences: 1) it is not necessary for knowledge to be coded in the design software; 2) knowledge can be added and maintained by designers without the help of software developers. Finally, the knowledge based design of cooling film holes in an aero engine turbine blade is taken as an example to validate the feasibility of the design methods.