Abstract: Product design is a process of conflict generation and solution, especially in the green design process, where a conflict problem between new additional green attributes and original product function or performance is one difficulties and bottlenecks in effective implementation. For this reason, a transforming bridge in extension theory is introduced to research on conflict solution in green design. The conflict problem of green design is formally expressed by an extension basic-element model. The coexistence function and extension transformation function of transforming bridge are established, so that conflict problems can be quantitatively described and solved, and then the strategy, the basic steps and processes of conflict solution based on the transforming bridge are given. Finally, an oil saw product is taken as an example, the conflict problem between its green attributes (vibration reduction) and original attributes (manipulability) is solved by transforming bridge. As proved, the proposed method is effective in solving lots of conflict problems among different fields of knowledge during the process of green product design.

Key words: Coexistence function, Conflict problem, Conflict resolution, Extension transformation function, Green design, Transforming bridge