ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the work of researchers concerning the conceptual design phase of technical systems and the work of researchers who view design from entirely new angles. The selection of physical laws is therefore subordinate to the function structure, which narrows the conceptual design of new technical systems. The chapter examines the approach of Japanese researchers, centered around Tomiyama at the University of Tokyo, to the conceptual design of technical systems. In the conceptual design phase, that is, in the initial phase of the process, human mental effort in finding new solutions is one of essential conditions for the successful designing of new products. Conceptual design is the phase of the design process in which the rough product shape which fulfills the required function is developed. The definition of the design process by phases primarily depends on how function and shape are bound in the design process.
