Soccer shoe recommendation system based on multitechnology integration for digital transformation

Designing a soccer shoe that fits specific customer’s requirements can improve satisfaction. However, there is no sufficient information to bridge the semantic needs and design characteristics of soccer shoes. Hence, this study is aimed at integrating multiple technologies with semantic customer requirements, shoe-form categories, and appearance designs, and developing a practical Kansei soccer shoe recommendation system. The psychological responses of a customer and perceptions of soccer shoe products are evaluated using Kansei engineering method. Based on a factor analysis, customers’ requirements are classified as aesthetic, functional, and comfortable. A total of 203 soccer shoe images were used to evaluate and categorise the external shoe form into nine design elements using the Kawakida Jirou method, and the weight assigned to each shoe-form category under Kansei semantic adjectives was determined using grey system theory. The quantification theory Type 1 method was used to determine the priority of the design elements. The results indicate that 10 pairs of semantic adjectives used by customers are related to soccer shoe forms. Furthermore, the design priority of each design element of the form category under the three types is reported. A soccer shoe recommendation system that can generate suggested soccer shoe samples for customers is developed by integrating the above-mentioned technologies. A validation experiment was conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed system. The overall satisfaction of the recommended samples generated via the system is 87.08%, as reported by 80 participants. The findings prove that a new soccer shoe business model can be launched using the proposed system, linking the semantic customer requirements to the soccer shoe-form categories.     

基于图像增强与分水岭分割的隧道低对比度裂缝提取方法

在实际的隧道裂缝检测中,存在细小、对比度低且有污渍点干扰的隧道裂缝,利用常规方法很容易漏检裂缝。为了解决此问题,提出一种基于图像增强与分水岭分割的裂缝提取算法,该算法有效利用背景信息补偿了污渍点,均衡了图像背景对比度。结合高低帽变换方法对图像进行增强,然后根据分水岭算法获取分水岭分割线;比较分割线所在位置的灰度值与其周边灰度值,并通过灰度值差异判断裂缝边缘,从而提取裂缝。实验结果表明,所提算法能够准确、有效地检测出完整的隧道裂缝,且对噪声具有鲁棒性。     

An analytical solution for a cyclic regenerator in the warm-up period in presence of an axially dispersive wave

Regenerative heat exchangers are important components of energy intensive sectors such as chemical process, power, metallurgical and cryogenic industry. The challenge of simulating regenerators accurately is considerable in view of the transient cyclic process taking place in it. The simulation of warm-up period is even more challenging due to the change in temperature profiles after each cycle. In the present work a modern technique based on the “axial dispersion model” has been utilized to simulate the regenerative heat exchanger both in the warm-up and pseudo-steady state operation. The advantage of this model is that it takes all the flow maldistribution and backmixing effects into consideration instead of idealizing the flow to be so called “plug flow”. In contrast to previous studies with dispersion, in the present study the dispersion is considered to propagate with a finite propagation velocity following a hyperbolic law which is physically more consistent. The effect of different parameters on the cyclic response has been brought out and the results have been verified by comparing results of a rotary regenerator available in literature. The technique utilized in the present study can act as a tool for modelling regenerators where non-uniformity in flow distribution is significant.     

Sensorless induction spindle motor drive using fuzzy neural network speed controller

A sensorless induction spindle motor drive using synchronous PWM and dead-time compensator with fuzzy neural network (FNN) speed controller is proposed in this study for advanced spindle motor applications. First, the operating principles of a new type synchronous PWM technique are described in detail. Then, a speed observer based on the model reference adaptive system (MRAS) theory is adopted to estimate the rotor speed. To increase the accuracy of the estimated speed, the speed estimation algorithm is implemented using a digital signal processor. Moreover, since the control characteristics and motor parameters for high speed operated induction spindle motor drive are time-varying, an FNN speed controller is developed to reduce the influence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. In addition, the FNN is trained on-line using a delta adaptation law. Finally, the performance of the proposed sensorless induction spindle motor drive system is demonstrated using some simulation and experimental results.     

A piezoelectric driven ratchet actuator mechanism with application to automotive engine valves

Increasing demands on the performance of internal combustion engines, specifically automobile engines, require the production of more mechanical energy for a given amount of chemical fuel with reduced tailpipe emissions. Of particular interest in the development of high performance/low emission engines is the control and timing of individual engine valves. This paper investigates the design of an innovative piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) based actuator mechanism with a novel stepping motion amplifier to deliver force and displacement at higher magnitudes and operating frequencies. The target application is an engine valve train which traditionally uses cam-based lifter driven rocker arms to regulate the cylinders’ intake and exhaust valve motion. The proposed PZT-based actuator mechanism introduces a high frequency, lightweight, precise position solution for cylinder-by-cylinder variable valve timing. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of a PZT-based/camless valve train. The new valve train demonstrates similar cam-based performance characteristics while enabling computer controlled individual valve timing opportunities.     

The architecture of an information tool for de-mining: mine identification core module (MICM)

In this work the architecture of a mine identification core module (MICM) system is presented. This system focuses on the objects to be identified rather than the sensor technology, where most R&D efforts are concentrated. Fusing sensorial with accumulated data, it could be the base of a sensor independent decision support system forming the common core of the future multi-sensorial landmine detection/identification systems.The system is based on a landmine CAD database, a database of the different sensor types and a constantly updated false alarm database that exchange information through layers constructed using Object Oriented programming techniques. The overall structure of the tool is based on the agent/object unit concept, which represents the participating entities and their interactions. The action sequences of the de-mining operations are formed with the same technique, giving to the system the characteristics of openness, versatility and reusability.     

A twin shear beam model for double chord RHS joints

A finite element elasto-plastic analysis of a twin shear beam model, developed to shed light on the behavior of separated double chord gap joints of rectangular hollow sections (RHS), is presented. The model treats a single beam member as composed of a plate simulating its inner web and a channel representing top and bottom flanges and the outer web. The twelve degrees of freedom (DOF) nonconforming plate bending element and the eight DOF plane stress elements are used to form a plate element for the inner web, while the channel consists of a grillage of beam elements. The analysis, extended beyond the elastic limit, accounts for strain hardening and material nonlinearity. A comparison of theoretical predictions with the experimental results of 24 specimens shows generally good agreement. The mean ratios of theoretical to experimental values are 0.97 and 0.87 for elastic stiffness and carrying capacity measured at a post elastic deformation limit.     

Review-driven configuration scheme evaluation methodology with configuration interaction effects

This study focuses on configuration scheme evaluation (CSE) based on customer perceptions deduced from online reviews. It is noteworthy that customers in different market segments often hold significant differences in their perceptions of the same configuration. Meanwhile, there may exist a potential dependency relationship between configurations referred to as configuration interaction increasing the complexity of CSE. This paper proposes a review-driven interacting CSE methodology fusing with review texts and configuration documents to address these challenges. First, three indexes, namely configuration differentiation, price consistency, and usage scenario similarity, are defined to identify targeted segments. Second, a differentiated calculation strategy is designed to measure configuration performances based on the configuration data and review data in the identified segments. Third, a configuration performance aggregation function that considers configuration interaction is developed based on the Choquet integral. Finally, two CSE problem about car and laptop products is analyzed using the proposed methodology to verify its applicability. Three comparative studies are also conducted to show the effectiveness and stability of the proposals.