Product family hierarchical associated design and its hierarchical optimization

After reviewing the literature and methodology-related issues within the field of product family design, a deficiency in the current design and development of product family is pointed out. The concept of hierarchical associated design is proposed in this article, according to the deficiency, and the methods and models for realizing the notion above are described. A two-dimensional analytical model is constructed based on the composing levels and developing processes of product family. The optimization models to hierarchical associated design problems are grouped into two categories: overall-local and key-subordinate. The algorithms of the models are discussed in this paper.