The management literature defines modular innovation as a way to make technological changes in product modules that does not necessarily change the product architecture. However, engineering science shows that new product modules not only change the product architecture, but they can also be used for technologically radical next generation products. Therefore, there seems to be a misalignment in how the role of modular innovation is seen as an innovation management phenomenon and the actual practice of product design and engineering. We revisit the role of modular innovation by combining management and engineering approaches. We demonstrate the applicability of this approach through two cases that utilize patent data of two recent technologically innovative products: Tesla's Model X and iRobot's Roomba automated vacuum cleaner. The examples show, in detail, how the changes in product modules and functions have led to broader changes at the system architecture level, leading to new functionalities. The findings contribute to the innovation management literature by identifying a more nuanced role of modular innovation by embedding it in the product architecture, thus broadening the discussion on architectural innovation and technological radicalness.

管理文献将模块化创新定义为一种在产品模块中进行技术更改的方法，这种更改不一定会改变产品架构。但是，工程科学表明，新产品模块不仅会改变产品架构，而且还可以用于技术含量高的下一代产品。因此，在模块化创新的作用如何被视为创新管理现象以及产品设计和工程的实际实践方面似乎存在偏差。我们通过结合管理和工程方法来重新探讨模块化创新的作用。我们通过两个案例利用两个最新的技术创新产品的专利数据证明了该方法的适用性：特斯拉的Model X和iRobot的Roomba自动吸尘器。这些示例详细说明了产品模块和功能的更改如何导致系统体系结构级别的更广泛更改，从而带来了新功能。通过将模块化创新嵌入产品架构中，从而确定了更细微的角色，从而为创新管理文献做出了贡献，从而扩大了关于架构创新和技术根本性的讨论。