# Research on Design Method of Product Functional Hybridization for Integrated Innovation
## 4 Case Study
### Problem-Solving and Evaluation of the New Product Concept Structure
#### 4.4.2 Solution Evaluation  
Based on the improved new tree-planting machine concept structure, solution evaluation of the drill pole tree-planting machine, tree-transplanting machine, and new tree-planting machine was carried out according to the AHP. The tree-planting efficiency, automation degree, manufacturing cost, and operability were selected as the evaluation factors for tree-planting machines. A hierarchical structure for the evaluation of the overall performance of tree-planting machines was established, as shown in Figure 37.  
The judgment matrices of the criterion and scheme layers were constructed according to the hierarchical structure. Then, the relative weights of the compared elements were calculated and consistency checking was carried out. The judgment matrix and the weights of the criterion layer are shown in Table 7. The judgment matrix of the scheme layer regarding the planting efficiency, i.e., indicator A, is shown in Table 8. The judgment matrix of the scheme layer for other indicators was obtained in the same way. Finally, an evaluation list of tree-planting machines was established, as shown in Table 9.  
Figure 35: Tilting mechanism.  
Figure 36: Improved new tree-planting machine concept structure.  
Figure 37: Hierarchical structure for the evaluation of the overall performance of tree-planting machines.  
The steps for consistency checking of the judgment matrix of the criterion layer are as follows:  
1. The consistency index (\(CI\)) is calculated, where, \(\lambda max\) = 4.2640, \(n\) = 4.  
\[CI=\frac{\lambda_{max}-n}{n-1}=\frac{4.2640-4}{4-1}=0.0880\]  
2. By looking at Table 2, the average random consistency index (\(RI\)) is obtained:  
\[RI=0.89\]  
3. The consistency ratio (\(CR\)) is calculated:  
\[CR=\frac{CI}{RI}=\frac{0.0880}{0.89}=0.0989<0.1\]  
therefore, the consistency test is satisfied.  
The steps for consistency checking on the judgment matrix of the scheme layer regarding the planting efficiency are as follows:  
1. The consistency index (\(CI\)) is calculated, where, \(\lambda max\) = 3.0092, \(n\) = 3.  
\[CI=\frac{\lambda_{max}-n}{n-1}=\frac{3.0092-3}{3-1}=0.0046\]  
2. By looking at Table 2, the average random consistency index (\(RI\)) is obtained:  
\[RI=0.52\]  
3. The consistency ratio (\(CR\)) is calculated:  
\[CR=\frac{CI}{RI}=\frac{0.0046}{0.52}=0.0088~{}<~{}0.1\]  
therefore, the consistency test is satisfied.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline  & **Indicator A** & **Indicator B** & **Indicator C** & **Indicator D** & **Weight** \\ \hline Indicator A & 1 & 3 & 1 & 5 & 0.4094 \\ Indicator B & 1/3 & 1 & 1/3 & 1/3 & 0.0913 \\ Indicator C & 1 & 3 & 1 & 3 & 0.3603 \\ Indicator D & 1/5 & 3 & 1/3 & 1 & 0.1391 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 7: Judgment matrix and weights of the criterion layer.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Product** & **Planting Efficiency** & **Automation Degree** & **Manufacturing Cost** & **Operability** \\  & **(0.4094)** & **(0.0913)** & **(0.3603)** & **(0.1391)** & **Score** \\ \hline Drill pole tree-planting machine & 0.2970 & 0.1094 & 0.5396 & 0.1112 & 0.3414 \\ Tree transplanting machine & 0.1634 & 0.5816 & 0.1634 & 0.4444 & 0.2407 \\ New tree-planting machine & 0.5396 & 0.3090 & 0.2970 & 0.4444 & 0.4179 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 9: Evaluation list of tree-planting machines.  
As shown in Table 9, the new tree-planting machine had a greater degree of improvement in terms of the planting efficiency, automation, and operability than the drill pole tree-planting machine, although the manufacturing cost increased. Moreover, the new tree-planting machine had the highest overall score between the drill pole tree-planting machine and the tree-transplanting machine. Therefore, it could be judged that the new tree-planting machine obtained according to function hybridization had preferable overall performance.