Morphological Chart and Concept Generation 

Morphological Chart

A morphological chart is a table based on the function analysis. On the left side of the chart the functions are listed, while on the right side, different mechanisms which can be used to perform the functions listed are drawn. It is a visual aid used to come up with different ideas. The idea generation is accomplished by creating single systems from different mechanisms illustrated in the morphological chart.  It is advised to generate several feasible designs using different mechanisms for each function for each concept.

Example

The concepts listed below are possible methods for accomplishing the various tasks.

Morphological Chart

The market research into methods of harvesting ground vegetables lead the group to believe that the best method of testing would be to use some sort of plow to turn the soil and dig out the vegetables while providing a method of sifting out excess soil.

Concept Generation

Concept 1

For this concept, by looking at the morphological chart, the following options were chosen for the different functions which govern the mechanism.

Vegetable Picking Device = NONE

Vegetable Placing Device = Option 1

Dirt Sifting Device = Option 3

Packaging Device = Option 1

Method of Transportation = Option 1

Power Source = Option 2

Method of operation: Pull from yokes in y-direction by horse.  Front wheels turn belt which in turns provides torque on blade shaft.  Blade and sifters sort debris from vegetables.  Vegetables are then slung into carriage compartment where operator packages product.

Concept 2

For this concept, by looking at the morphological chart, the following options were chosen for the different functions which govern the mechanism.

Vegetable Picking Device = Option 1

Vegetable Placing Device = Option 3

Dirt Sifting Device = Option 1

Packaging Device = Option 2

Method of Transportation = Option 1

Power Source = Option 2

The idea of this concept stems from modern potato harvesting equipment.  The principle on which this mechanism operates with is the fact that vegetables are very close to the surface.  By taking advantage of a plow the vegetables will be ripped free from the roots and travel up the plow to the conveyor system.

The only piece of metal found on the apparatus is found at the edge of the plow.    This edge is reinforced with steel since it will be in direct contact with the soil.  The conveyor system is composed of two axles and a conveyor belt, the belt is composed of hemp (the strongest natural plant fiber).  The conveyor system was used for sorting out the vegetables from the dirt and small stones, more or less like a sifter.  The vegetables will stay on the conveyor system and the soil will fall through.  The rear axle drives the conveyor system via a three to one gear ratio from the rear axle to the driving axle of the conveyor system.  This allows the conveyor to travel three times the speed of the tangential velocity of the rear axle.  Once at the top of the conveyor system the vegetable is pushed onto a rear loading table complete with guides.  The operator, who controls the two horses driving the machine (one horse would walk directly on the vegetables), guides the vegetable into a basket that awaits the vegetables attached to the rear of the machine.  The rear axle is rigidly attached to the rear axle via a single wooden pin per wheel.  The wheel has a carved out section where this pin lies in.  There is also a wedge that holds the wheel firmly against the pin to ensure a rigid connection.

Concept 3

For this concept, by looking at the morphological chart, the following options were chosen for the different functions which govern the mechanism.

Vegetable Picking Device = Option 3

Vegetable Placing Device = Option 4

Dirt Sifting Device = Option 3

Packaging Device = Option 4

Method of Transportation = Option 1

Power Source = Option 2

Method of operation: Pulled by horse in the Y direction. Front wheels turn making the collecting wheel rotate. Tubes cut lettuce dragging it against the cart. Once lettuce is against cart it is guided inside the pipes until the pipe reaches the upper position. There is a hole at the bottom of each pipe where lettuce exits. At this point there is a slide that carries the lettuce to the back of the cart.

Concept 4

For this concept, by looking at the morphological chart, the following options were chosen for the different functions which govern the mechanism.

Vegetable Picking Device = Option 2

Vegetable Placing Device = Option 4

Dirt Sifting Device = Option 3

Packaging Device = Option 1

Method of Transportation = Option 1

Power Source = Option 2

As can be seen above, not all the mechanisms from the morphological chart need to be used to generate the concepts.

Click here to see the morph chart which can be used for your projects.

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