Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of the SAPAD-AHP method in product design, and to propose corresponding research method models and design processes. This could provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for the design of new energy charging piles, and effectively address the problem of urban intelligent charging piles failing to meet the experience needs of users in the context of new infrastructure construction. Taking the owners of new energy automobiles as the research object, the semiotics approach of product architecture design (SAPAD) model was used to study their behavior process. Through clustering analysis at multiple levels of meaning, the cluster in general sense was studied qualitatively. Combined with the weight analysis of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the multi-level core meaning cluster was obtained quantitatively. Then, through the remapping analysis of the core meaning cluster-product, the core design needs of product modeling and interaction were obtained. By breaking down key user behaviors, studying their real needs and analyzing core design needs, an improved design scheme for intelligent charging piles that could meet users′ needs was proposed. From the perspective of design semiotics, the application of the SAPAD-AHP method to the design of intelligent charging piles could effectively implement the accurate mapping from the analysis of user behavioral needs to the design of product functions. To some extent, this study could address the shortcomings of the existing charging pile design, such as a lack of insight into users′ behaviors and inaccurate grasp of design requirements, and provide a new idea for the research and development of smart charging pile design in China.

Key words: product design, semiotics approach of product architecture design, analytic hierarchy process, user needs, intelligent charging pile