Objectives  Aiming at improving the schematic design efficiency of ship air-conditioning ventilation system and reducing the difficulty of data management, a rapid schematic generation method for this purpose based on knowledge components is proposed.

  Methods  First, the design process for the schematic design of the air-conditioning ventilation system is analyzed, and the knowledge component model, entity modeling and instantiation process defined on this basis. Next, combined with the design characteristics of the air-conditioning ventilation system, the business model and data exchange model are designed on the basis of the knowledge component. Finally, a prototype system of schematic design is developed using AutoCAD and PDM, then verified through application in actual engineering design.

  Results  The result shows that the schematic design efficiency of the air-conditioning ventilation system is increased by 43.5%.

  Conclusions  This method can be widely used in the schematic design of ship system. It can greatly improves the design efficiency and the capability of data management, and has certain value in practical application.