The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2007
Filed:
Jan. 11, 2002
Carolyn Zelek, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
John King, Northville, MI (US);
Mahesh Himatlal Vora, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Nathan R. Soderborg, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Toni Brockers, Duesseldorf, DE;
Carolyn Zelek, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
John King, Northville, MI (US);
Mahesh Himatlal Vora, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Nathan R. Soderborg, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Toni Brockers, Duesseldorf, DE;
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and computer-implemented system for optimizing a product. Based on the 'voice of the customer', aspects of the product that are critical to the customer satisfaction, and target values, therefore, are identified. Aspects are characterized in terms of their contributing factors. Each contributing factor is characterized in a transfer function in terms of control and noise factors impacting the contributing factors. Contributing factors are optimized during product design by shifting nominal design values for control factors with respect to the transfer function such that target contributing factors are attained with minimum variability due to existing noises and variability in control. Where target values cannot be obtained through design optimization, conventional methods of manufacturing optimization are implemented. The extent to which the target values are attained and maintained over the life of the product are assessed.