(1) scientific principles
Design scheme is the embodiment of some or some scientific and technological principles, therefore, any design scheme cannot violate the scientific and technological principles.
The most typical design that violates this principle is "perpetual motion machine scheme". Since ancient times, countless inventors have racked their brains to design one perpetual motion machine after another, but all in vain, because it directly violates the law of conservation of energy and has no result. The design scheme not only does not violate the scientific principle, but also achieves the expected performance. The purpose of most inventions is to surpass the existing technology.
If the effect is not so ideal, the invention will lose its meaning of existence. Therefore, it is necessary to demonstrate the technical performance of the design from many aspects.
For example, someone once designed a "hydraulic transmission variable speed bicycle". His goal is to make the car ride more nimble and flexible. This requires a premise that the efficiency of hydraulic transmission system is close to or higher than that of chain transmission. However, if we examine it carefully, we will find that on the contrary, hydraulic transmission is inefficient in power transmission, so the expected purpose of this invention is difficult to achieve.
For an invention with no problem in working principle, it is necessary to consider whether there are special difficulties in its manufacturing process. Suppose you want to invent a flapping-wing human plane. If your design depends on an extremely lightweight but strong and elastic material, there is probably something wrong. You must first investigate whether the materials you need can be made at present, and then consider whether your invention is meaningful.
Another question that must be considered is whether you will encounter special difficulties in practical use if the things you design are made according to your wishes.
For example, a vehicle driven by wind like a sailboat is not impossible to manufacture, but if you really want to use such a "pneumatic vehicle", you will encounter a lot of trouble. We have to drive on narrow roads, however, the wind on land is far less stable than that on the sea, so our vehicles will fall into a state of fast, slow and stop. This is not allowed in road transportation, which will greatly hinder the driving and safety of other vehicles.
(2) the principle of uniqueness
Innovative designers are often ingenious and often put forward some fantastic ideas in a way different from ordinary designers, which makes the technical scheme have outstanding practical effects.
For example, the design of rotor engine and maglev train are all ingenious designs.
Excellent design often has unique ideas, but unique ideas are not necessarily products with practical effects that people urgently need. For example, someone once designed an "alarm clock that can spray water". He used a sprinkler instead of a bell to wake his sleeping master. However, this design is difficult to be commercialized because people don't need it so much.
(3) the principle of optimization
It is very difficult to directly evaluate the practical value of a design. In fact, people often use the comparison method to estimate, that is, compare the possible effect of the new scheme with all the existing technologies that want to solve the same problem to see if it is in an advantageous position.
Generally speaking, different technologies that pursue completely similar functions can be compared and distinguished. For example, Edison's carbon button telephone microphone and Bell's liquid rheostat microphone are two different technologies, but their functions are exactly the same, that is, to turn sound into corresponding fluctuating current. In this case, people can clearly see that the technology of the former is simpler, more convenient and more durable than the latter, and obviously superior to the latter. In fact, Bell Company soon bought Edison's patent right.
Of course, it is very gratifying to come up with a design scheme superior to the existing technology, but we must also realize that technology is constantly developing and progressing, and new designs will emerge one after another. Therefore, we must also consider other possible technical schemes and possible improvement schemes, so that our design will be in a relatively optimal position for a long time and maintain its use value for a long time. It can be seen that innovation is the secret of technical design to stay young forever.
(4) the principle of simplicity
Whether the technical scheme is simple or not is also a design principle to judge whether a design can be successful.
There is a vague illusion that the more complex the principle and structure of a design, the higher its level. It is true that it is not easy to make a complex thing, but it is only for manufacturers. If the designer makes the complexity of its structure exceed a certain limit, then this is a lame or failed design. Therefore, innovative designers should pursue technical solutions with clear functions, reliable performance and simple mechanism.
(5) the principle of marketability
Product designs that conform to the principles of science and technology can usually be manufactured. So, can we think that this design has been successful? In fact, it may not be so. Except for a few special cases (such as scientific research experiments), the overall design must prove its outstanding practicability and stand the severe test of the market in order to finally succeed.
Edison once said, "I won't invent anything that can't be sold, because nothing that can't be sold has reached the peak of success." Being able to sell proves its practicality, and practicality is success. "This is a golden advice for anyone who is interested in innovative design and the highest standard for judging the design value. Some people may mistake the approval of the patent office for a sign of successful design. Admittedly, this is indeed a welcome sign that your design has reached the lowest level, but it is not the most important sign. Some people may ask, doesn't patent examination already contain practical content? In fact, the patent office only eliminates those designs that are obviously not practical, and does not guarantee the commercial value of the approved patents. Judging from the implementation of patent granting in developed countries in the world, only about 15% really benefited.
So, what kind of things can get the market? Generally speaking, designers are required to use more value than the selling price.
The price of goods is always restricted by cost. Generally speaking, the higher the output, the lower the cost. However, the use value of the same design is often different for different people. Usually only a few people think it has high use value, but most people don't think so.
For example, similar solar energy utilization equipment has high use value in areas with sufficient sunshine and poor fuel (such as Qinghai-Tibet Plateau); However, in areas with abundant fuel, it has no important use value. Therefore, for a specific product, the wider the sales area, the lower the average use value.
It is not difficult for people familiar with engineering technology to estimate the cost of a new product, but it is often very difficult to estimate the use value of a new design. Nevertheless, we can still consider the use value from the following aspects:
1) Is the problem solved by this design urgent? Generally speaking, if a design solves a problem that people urgently need to solve. Its use value is relatively high. For example, before the invention of the telegraph, trains and ships had been used in the world, and the speed of transportation had been greatly accelerated, but the speed of communication was limited by the speed of transportation, which was far from meeting the needs of the rapid development of industry and commerce at that time. Therefore, telegraph was widely used in many countries less than 10 years after Morse invented it. However, it is still inconvenient for people to use telegrams in short-distance communication, and it is often easier to send messengers because they need special people to send and receive telegrams and translate codes. However, the invention of the telephone eliminated these troubles, which made it more popular.
2) Is it easy to use? A design that can solve problems must also be easy to use, otherwise it will bring new problems. For example, many people find it troublesome to chop minced meat when cooking. Someone designed a home hand-operated meat grinder, which is really more labor-saving than chopping meat. But this kind of meat grinder needs to be cleaned frequently, which is very troublesome. As a result, many people abandoned it.
3) Is it durable and reliable? Durability and reliability are directly related to the use value and need special attention. For example, an electric heater named "Quick Heat" can be seen in the market at present, which can be conveniently used to heat water or milk in a cup with simple structure and low price. However, its design is unreasonable, it is not durable, it will burn out if it is not careful, and there is even the danger of electric leakage, so its sales volume is greatly reduced.
4) Is it likable? It should be understood that the aesthetic appearance is also part of the use value. For example, clocks and watches are used to indicate time, but we can't think that as long as the time is accurate, the appearance need not be considered. In fact, many items have the function of decorating rooms or other places, at least they should not destroy the aesthetic feeling of the environment. Even if it is a machine in a factory, a suitable appearance often helps to reduce the fatigue of the operator and makes people feel cherished. In addition to the above points, the use value should also include safety, no hindrance to others, no pollution and so on.
Mechanical innovative design refers to the practical activities of giving full play to the creativity of designers, making use of relevant scientific and technological achievements of human beings (including theories, methods, technologies and principles), carrying out innovative ideas and designing novel, creative and practical institutions or mechanical products (devices). It consists of two parts: one is to improve the technical performance, reliability, economy and applicability of existing mechanical products in production or life; The second is to create and design new products and machines to meet the needs of new production or life.