Abstract:  In order to solve the lack of engineering verification in the traditional industrial design process, which leads to the problems of high design rework rate and low development efficiency, this paper proposes a product conceptual design method based on numerical simulation technology which has the advantage of pre-assessment of product performance. Firstly, numerical investigation of the working mechanism of the product is carried out for defining the rational design direction to guide the product appearance design. Then the feasibility of the design solution is verified by using the numerical test analysis method again. Finally, the details of the verified design solution are refined so that the final design concept is output. The combination of numerical simulation technology and product concept design process can drive the gradual improvement of the design process, which can be used to improve design efficiency and design quality. The proposed method is verified by an industrial design of towel warmer.

Key words: industrial design, numerical simulation, concept design, towel warmer