Finding the Minimum Information Content in 2-FR, 2-DP Coupled Designs

Axiomatic Design classifies designs into three basic types: uncoupled, decoupled and coupled. The first type encompasses the ideal designs, where independence is always ensured, the second includes the designs where independence can be achieved using the right sequence to fine-tune the design parameters as to satisfy the given set of functional requirements, while the last comprises designs for which independence can never be achieved. Usually, coupled designs are avoided and designers are encouraged to redesign their solutions until an uncoupled or a decoupled one is achieved. Nevertheless, coupled solutions are often hard to avoid. This paper discusses this issue and uses a simple graphical example on how to adjust either the functional requirements or the design parameters of a 2-FR, 2-DP coupled design that is regarded as being uncoupled, as to attain the minimum information content.