To enhance the adaptability and disassemblability of winter ice fishing safety auxiliary products, a modular design approach was introduced
To enhance the adaptability and disassemblability of winter ice fishing safety auxiliary products, a modular design approach was introduced during the design process. Axiomatic design (AD) and design structure matrix (DSM) were employed as the theoretical guidance and methodological framework. In the design process, the “Z-mapping” method was used to reanalyze the product’s requirements, functions, and structure, progressively decomposing the overall function and constructing a corresponding design matrix. This approach converted initial user requirements into detailed functional specifications and design parameters. Geometric correlation was used as the evaluation criterion, with values assigned to the design matrix, leading to the development of a correlation matrix for the design parameters of the winter ice fishing safety auxiliary product. System clustering techniques were then applied to optimize the distribution of matrix values, allowing for the identification of functional module areas. Based on these results, a modular design scheme was proposed. The findings indicate that the Kano-AD-DSM-based design strategy significantly improved the disassemblability of the winter ice fishing safety auxiliary product, which is crucial for protecting the safety of ice fishers, reducing physical exertion, and enhancing the ice fishing experience. Moreover, the multi-module design allows the product to be flexibly configured and upgraded based on varying operational needs and personalized user requirements, significantly improving its adaptability and practicality. This research not only provides new theoretical insights for the innovative design of winter ice fishing safety auxiliary products but also offers valuable references for the modular design of similar products.