CONCEPT GENERATION

Prior to a final design being determined, multiple designs have to be analyzed. Over 100 design ideas were created for analysis to ensure that little possibilities are ruled out of the design process. Concept generation tools used to complete this list include biomimicry, forced analogy, and morphological chart.

Biomimicry

Biomimicry is an innovation tool that finds solutions to challenges by utilizing nature's patterns and strategies. The goal of biomimicry is to create products that are well-adapted to life on earth. Specific ideas created using biomimicry are listed below in table.

Biomimicry Table

Animals & Nature	Features
Chameleon	● color changing components
Honeycomb	● compartments
Owl	● rotation of the neck; can rotate 270 degrees without injuring themselves
Crane	● symbolizes the manifestation of creativity and the focus on life's significance (Native American)

Capturing the audience of parade-goers can be achieved using colors and frequent change. The chameleon masters this balance of blending and standing out with vivid colors and thus became the inspiration behind concepts focused on color. Another component to the parade float is an operational kinetic system. The inspiration for some of the moving parts was found from the owl, who has the ability to rotate its head 270 degrees. Organization-driven concepts are directly rooted from the structure of a bee’s honeycomb. The design is never a recognized shape, however is still evenly distributed and provides compartment-like areas for storage for pollen and larvae. Several engineering disciplines will be represented on the parade float, and the organized nature of the honeycomb inspired these solutions. Lastly, the product needs to last for a significant amount of time which can be directly related to the Native American culture where the crane symbolizes creativity and a focus on life's significance. The parts of nature and animals were chosen because these important features allowed for the regulation of materials and concepts when going into the concept selection phase of the project.

Forced Analysis

Forced analogy is another useful method to generate ideas by forcing a relationship between the project and an unrelated topic. The word “toy” was used to conceptualize forced analogies to the components of the float. Although the results range in feasibility, many characteristics of the concepts using this method were favored by the team. The generated concepts using the forced analysis topic “toy” are listed below.

1. Interchangeability: Leggo base on float, corresponding attachments to removable parts

2. Interchangeability: Mr. Potato Head, amorphous peg board

3. Kinetic system: Kaleidoscope, pieces (representing disciplines) can fall freely within a hollowed, contained area

4. Kinetic system: Roller coaster, cart flips back over and is used on a conveyor system

5. Kinetic system: Spinning tower of disciplines, similar to Mix & Match children’s books/playground toy

6. Kinetic system: Rubix cube, each tier spins

7. Engineering Disciplines: Rubix cube, each spot of box represents a discipline of engineering, or something that is offered at the college (ex: MagLab has magnets on square)

Morphological Chart

Morphological charts are matrix charts that analyze generalized problems to a project that may be resolved with multiple solutions. Morphological charts help design teams generate a complete range of alternative design solutions. Dividing up the project into smaller problems, derived from functional decomposition, focuses ideas on individual solutions that add up to complete concepts. Holistic concepts are compiled by combining one solution from each category. Although this generation tool producing a large number of overall concepts, most were ruled out for feasibility or considered to be low fidelity. One of the most important challenges of this project is to accurately represent the cultures of the places it is representing: Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Florida State University, and most of all, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Though this category is not technical like the remaining categories, solutions that will be included in finalized concepts must be carefully selected and encourage a sense of unity. The complete morphological chart is shown below.

Morphological Chart

Interchangeable	Float Body	College Culture (FAMU,FSU, COE)	Power Supply	Dampening Vibrations	Kinetic System	Represent Disciplines
LED Sign	Flatbed Trailer	Motto/Slogans: “Highest of the 7 hills” ”unconquered” ”innovation”	Human powered: by hand or pedal	Moving car jack (similar to spring damper)	Train with car and rails	Train cars full of items
Snapping Buckles	Lowboy trailer	Geese	Solar powered	Truss-like support	Gear Ball	Each one is represented as a letter in “innovation”
Velcro strips	Truck bed	Preeminent Research	Individual battery systems	Use vibration reduction material (Sorbothane)	Balance scale
Magnetic Plates	Boat trailer	“One college, two universities, unlimited opportunities”	Car battery w/ transformer
Truck bed latch	Lawn mower and carts

Concept 1: Gridded Deck System

The first feasible concept that was selected utilizes a 6’ x 12’ single-axle, flatbed trailer with attached utility ramp. The decking of the trailer is modified into a grid-like interlocking system that is composed of embedded channels shaped like upside-down letter Ts. To secure independent structures using these channels, corresponding slider frames with the same T shape are added to independent components. In the same fashion as a MicroJig, position of components will be locked in using thin slotted slats and screw-top fasteners (shown in Figure 2). In the same fashion as a MicroJig, independent components will then be thin slotted slats and screw-top fasteners (referenced in Figure 2). (REFERENCE) Similarly to a track lighting system used in common dining rooms and kitchens, this interchangeable decking allows for easy power supply to moving elements and lighting throughout the float. Each blue square shown in Figure 1 represents a potential location for physical representations of engineering disciplines, though these positions can move according to the designers wishes. A list of these items is categorized by discipline in the list below.

1. Mechanical Engineering: Gear system on cube

2. Chemical Engineering: Bubbler apparatus (dry ice to give illusion of reaction)

3. Computer Engineering: Laptop computer with revealed motherboard (main circuit board)

4. Industrial Engineering: Smokestack (factory) and/or conveyor belt for assembly

5. Civil Engineering: Bridge and/or building

6. Electrical Engineering: Circuit boards with LED lighting

7. Biomedical Engineering: DNA strands

Concept 2. Engineering Rubrik’s Cube

Inspired by the logical toy loved by children and adults, this concept displays the concept of unity among disciplines and universities is a unique way. Each edge of the sculpture would measure 1.5 meters and would sit in front of the wheel axel of a 6’ x 12’ flatbed trailer without railings. Through the center of the cube is a cylindrical support pole with turn 3 table platforms; one for each horizontal layer of the life-sized toy. To allow for circular rotation and accommodate for the additional structure pieces, the layers will have a tolerance gap of 0.15 meters. This gap will be difficult to detect by the parade audience due to the movement of each layer and the nature of the moving float.

Concept 4. Windmill

This concept allows for all of the disciplines to be shown off in their own creative way. The main attraction pays homage to a discipline that is often overlooked but has a major impact on agricultural industries; environmental engineering. Inspired by the wind turbine and flower garden spinners, this highlights an important source of renewable energy that comes from the wind power. To accommodate for the motion of the windmill, it will be powered by a hand crank. There will also be more spots that can be placed around the wind turbine for the other kinetic structures. The back wall of the float highlights the name of the college and will also be a place for the college statistics to be shown. The other disciplines are showcased around the rest of the float where there are gears shown in either plexiglass or aluminum pegboards for the mechanical engineering, DNA strands for biomedical engineering, buildings for civil engineering, circuits for electrical and computer engineering, and beakers for chemical engineering.

Concept 5: Innovation-go-round

Bringing in the fun from the Florida State Circus, the innovation go-round was born. :) This concept was a refreshing way to capture the attention of the younger audience and display disciplines with a merry-go-round. On the merry-go-round, on each pole is an object that represents the separate disciplines. A survey system was created to see how students would represent their discipline with an object. Although this could be electronically powered, it will be powered by a human and a pedal box so that it is always rotating. The rest of the float will showcase the statistics and the culture of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Concept 6. Train

Concept 7. Gear Ferris Wheel

Concept 8: Dome of Disciplines