Modular Battery Base Unit : A Method-Based Design Approach

Abstract: This thesis covers a product development process carried out in collaboration with Ericsson –Enclosure & Power and their development of Radio Base Stations (RBS). As Ericsson expands into new markets, the different customer demands on their support systems increases in number and variation. In order to improve their business structure and still provide a wide array of product solutions, they are currently developing a new modular product family. Today numerous methods for product modularization exist, but there is a lack of experience of using such methods at Ericsson – Enclosure & Power. This thesis is an exploration of what methods could be suitable to use in this context, and how to implement them in a beneficial way. The object of study is the Battery Base Unit (BBU), a mounting base for RBS cabinets that contains a compartment for backup batteries. A methodology is suggested for developing this product in a way that secures a proper modular structure. Part of the methodology consists of standard product development methods such as Quality Function Deployment (QFD), concept selection and prototyping. The other part consist of the modularization methods Function Structure Heuristics and Design Structure Matrix (DSM), that are employed first on functional level before developing concepts and secondly on component-based level while detailing the final concept. The thesis describes how these implementations have been made, how the product have been developed from idea to prototype and the resulting product modularity. The final design is evaluated against the product specification and the benefits and drawbacks of using a formalized modularization process for product development at Ericsson – Enclosure & Power are discussed.