Analyzing mechanical and software solutions in their patents

An analysis of patents was conducted in order to find the motivation and reasons behind selecting either a mechanical or software solution. The reasons for selecting a mechanical solution were claimed to be for simplicity, reliability, and robustness while the reasons for selecting a software solution were for increased performance and flexibility. The three cases evaluated were fuel regulation, power and torque distribution, and engine valve timing. A tendency to use mechanical solutions to provide a simpler and more reliable device was found while software solutions were used when greater performance was desired.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Villarruel, Nicolas R

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Daniel D. Frey.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36688

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/36688