Savransky, Semyon D.
Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky.
1. engineering--methodology.
2. problem solving--methodology.
3. creative thinking.
4. technological innovations.
2000
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, )
Semyon D. Savransky., Engineering of creativity, 2000 [ ]
p.6
For example, placing a metal spoon into a thin glass before pouring boiling water into it slows the temperature transition rate and usually prevents the glass from cracking.
p.6
* It is interesting that “inertia” came to modern European languages from Latin where it means “lack of skill” rather than the current meaning of indisposition to motion or change.
p.8
Since then there have been several efforts to perfect the trial-and-error method and to avoid psychological inertia by (1) methods for activating creativity, such as Brainstorming, Synectics, Lateral Thinking, “Mind Machines”, Neurolinguistic Programming, and Mind Mapping; (2) methods of expanding the search space, such as Morphological Analysis, Focal Objects, or Forced Analogy; and (3) decision aids such as T-charts and Probabilistic Decision Analysis [2-24].
p.9
However, the fact that a person is very creative or inventive or has made discoveries does not mean that the person necessarily understands the creative or discovery process. It is no more reasonable to expect an artist, scientist, or inventor to give a full description of his thought activities than it is to install a lamp on a podium to deliver a speech about the physics of light. Much of what goes on during a person's thinking activities is unavailable to any conscious awareness of a researcher, even if he has devices to record brain signals or methods for articulating human activities. Researchers use terms such as “judgement”, “left brain process”, “intuition”, “insight”, and “lateral thinking” to label phenomena that occur without awareness, but labels, unfortunately, are not explainations. Therefore, such approaches to studying problem solving do not have a scientific base, depend on cultural background, and cannot be used by everyone [2].
p.19 (reference)
2. VanGundy, A. B., Technique of Structured Problem Solving, Van Nostardam Reinhold Company, New York, 1992.
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, p.9)
pp.19-20 (references)
14. Jones, J. C., Design Methods: Seeds of Human Futures, Wiley-Interscience, London, 1976.
16. Lumsdaine, E. and Lumsdaine, M., Creative Problem Solving: Thinking Skills for a Changing World, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1998.
17. Koberg, D. and Bagnall, J., The Universal Traveler: A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving, and the Process of Reaching Goals, W. Kaufman, Los Altos, 1978.
18. Kuecken, J. A., Creativity Invention and Progress, H. W. Sams, Indianapolis, 1969.
19. Buhl, H. R., Creative Engineering Design, Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1960.
22. Helfman, J., Analytic Inventive Thinking, Open University of Israel, Tel Aviv, 1988.
23. Gordon, W. J. J., Synectics, the Development of Creative Capacity, Harper, New York, 1961.
24. Dewey, J., How We Think, D.C. Heath and Co., Boston, 1910.
26. Mayer, Richard E., Thinking, Problem Solving, Cognition, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1992.
27. Bush, G. Ya., Creativity as the Dialog-Like Interaction, PhD Thesis, Byelorussian State University, Minsk, 1989.
p.11
1.5.2 MORPHOLOGICAL BOX
Based on the works of famous mathematician and philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646-1716), in 1942 astronomer Fritz Zwicky [7] proposed morphological analysis. The goal of this method are
• to expand search space for a problem's solution and
• to safeguard against overlooking novel solutions to a design problem.
This method combines parameters into new sequences for later review. The result of this analysis is the so-called morphological box or matrix or table.
The best known morphological box is the Chemical Periodic Table (created by Russian chemist D. I. Mendeleev) with the number of electrons at the outer shell along the X-axis and the number of electronic shells along the Y-axis. Atoms with ... ...[...]... Such a matrix can be used for forecasting properties; in fact, Mendeleev predicted many elements based on the Periodic Table.
p.16
According to Edward deBono [8], specialist in creativity, the relationship between information and a decision's value during problem solving can be represented by a bell curve. Initially, an increase in information leads to better solutions, but there comes a point at which more information has a diminishing effect. Information by itself does not produce solutions. We need the ability to work with the information effectively.
p.18
3. It should provide access to important, well-organized, and necessary information at any step of the problem-solving process.
This requirement links the approach of solving inventive problems with knowledge-base research, systems that are conducted actively in the framework of Artificial Intelligence (a branch of computer science dealing with problem solving) [10]. Note that the current bottleneck is not information itself (see Section 1.7), but a presentation of information in a form useful for the problem solver.
10. Russell, S. J. (and) Norvig, P., Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, Prentice Hall, New York, 1995.
p.25
pp.33-34
By making these changes we are creating artificial systems and processes.
Any artificial object within an infinite diversity of articles, regardless of its nature or degree of complexity, can be considered a technical system (TS).
Any artificial single action or consequences of procedures to perform an activity with assistance of a technical system or a natural object can be considered a technological process (TP).
Technical systems (TS) participate in technological process (TP) in order to satisfy the needs of human beings or another TS (Technical systems). On another hand, any technological processes occur because of the existence of one or several TS (Technical systems). Therefore, TS and TP are bound to each other -- they supplement each other.
We can also look at this as a set of parts with links in space (TS - technical systems) and as a set of parts with links in time (TP - technological process). In a TS, the smallest part, or link in space is often called an ELEMENT of the system. In a TP the smallest part, or link in time, is often called an OPERATION. Elements and operations forming a TS (Technical system) or TP (Technological process) are usually called SUBSYSTEMS in TRIZ.
The development of TS and TP is often similar, and they share a number of common properties, which allows us to consider them as a unified group -- technique.
subsystem <== element + Operation
subsystem <== element (Technical systems) + Operation (Technological process)
subsystem <== element (TS) + Operation (TP)
subsystem <== element (link in space) + Operation (link in time)
technique :== Technical system (TS) + Technological process (TP)
p.34
The system approach to technique was proposed by Russian philosopher Alexander A. Bogdanov (Malinovsky) at the beginning of the 20th century [1] and developed under the influence of the systematic paradigm introduced in science by German researcher Ludwig von Bertalanffy [2] in the 1930s. The idea of functions was introduced by the English economist Adam Smith, who proposed to assign specific people to perform different functions. The concept of functions was then introduced in the world of technique by American purchase agent Lawrence D. Miles, who created value engineering in the middle of the 20th century [3].
REFERENCES (p.57)
1. Bogdanov, A. A., General Organization Science: Tektologia, Kniga, Moscow-Leningrad, 1925 (in Russian).
2. von Bertalanffy, L., General System Theory, George Braziller Publ., New York, 1968.
3. Miles, L. D., Techniques of Value Analysis and Engineering, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972.
pp.34-35
The raw object (often also call raw material, although it can be a field) is the main input in a technique, while the product is the main output. Much research has distinguished three classes of raw objects and products [6]:
• substances -- any matter with nonzero mass and occupies nonzero space, for example, cup, car, piece of plastic, TV.
• fields -- consist of many energy carriers regardless of their nature and mass, for example, radiation field, smell field, thermal field. During a technological process, various types of fields are transformed into others, and/or their parameters are changed.
• information --
p.35
The following points should be noted:
• From a TRIZ viewpoint, information is not independent. It cannot be created and moved from one location to another without simultaneously moving a substance (at least in the form of subatomic particles) and/or a field (at least in the form of changes of potential). Hence, classical TRIZ does not distinguish information as an independent raw object or product and works only with the first two classes of raw objects and products. Perhaps this is why TRIZ is not yet useful for software development.
•
•
• Substances include those of biological origin (living human beings, animal or plant life-forms). Although their state (for example, sick versus healthy), properties (temperature, weight), or location can be transformed by TS or TP, modern TRIZ does not work with these objects because biological substances are often very specific. Hence, we consider only inanimate substances and fields in this book.
•
p.37
3.3.2 LINKS
Links connect individual elements and operations, thus forming subsystems and then a technique. Almost every link can be considered an input or an output, for example, cables, pipes, wires. A link is the real physical channel for transition of fields, substances, and/or information and relation and interaction between subsystems. (As already noted, information cannot be nonmaterial; it always is a substance or field.) The main condition for technique operation is the gradient of field(s) and/or substance(s) between elements or subsystems (that can be viewed as a deviation from the thermodynamic equilibrium that is due to the Onsager principle, which is well known in physics). With a gradient, the moving force arises, causing the flow of substances or fields. Some examples are:
• temperature gradient causes heat flow (heat conductivity),
• gradient of concentration causes the flow of substance (diffusion),
• velocity gradient causes the flow of momentum,
• gradient of electrical field causes electric current.
Often it is required to organize the flow with the gradient of another field, for example, flow of substance at temperature gradient. A flow can be facilitated by a substance (pipe, shaft, gear), by a field (heat, electric), or by a substance-field mixture (smelled particles, magnetic fluid, information signals, luminescent gel).
([
pp.33-34
Any artificial single action or consequences of procedures to perform an activity with assistance of a technical system or a natural object can be considered a technological process (TP). ([ the things that you (Technical system) do (action), or the activity that you (Technical system) perform to make stuff happen, and vise versa, to prevent stuff from happening ])
subsystem <== element + Operation
subsystem <== element (Technical system) + Operation (Technological process)
subsystem <== element (TS) + Operation (TP)
subsystem <== element (link in space) + Operation (link in time)
technique :== Technical system (TS) + Technological process (TP)
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, pp.33-34)
])
p.39
TP - technological process
a flexible TP with adaptive control -- the sequence of operations depends on the results of a preceding operation.
p.41
The working tool is the only part of a technique that is useful for a human being because it is what can satisfy the purpose of the technique. More precisely, the function, rather than its carrier, is what is useful for a human being.
As a rule, a working tool is useless without a source of energy and/or engine that enables the working tool to perform its functions.
p.42
p.46
Even for an existing technique, people interested in the answer to “What does the technique do (or what should it do) in order to satisfy ... (or for)” need to know the functions of a technique. Moreover, it is practically impossible to separate behaviour and function for static subsystems, and because many inventive problem arise from the last question, we often do not need a solid distinction between behaviour and function. Therefore, here we use the terms Behaviour and Function almost interchangeably.* Behaviour is mixed with function not only in TRIZ but also in value engineering, design methodologies, and other disciplines oriented toward human usage.
* It seems that it is usually preferable to speak about behaviours for inanimate natural phenomena and about functions of biological objects, especially in cases when the question of “why” is legitimate. Note that TRIZniks more often work with functions than with behaviour.
p.46
Sometimes a technique with a given structure exhibits a single behaviour predetermined by its structure. The observed behaviour usually does not uniquely determine the structure that caused it; the same behaviour can be realized by a number of different structure. On the other hand, several alternative behaviours can satisfy a given goal.
p.46
Note that a subsystem may dynamically change its behaviour depending on the values of characteristics that determine the subsystem. Thus, a fuse is a conduit until the electrical current flowing through it is below a specified threshold of its properties; then it becomes a barrier.
p.47
A technique can execute several functions, among which only one, the Primary Function (PF), is the working function, the main of technique's existence. Other functions are auxiliary, accompanying and lightening the execution of the primary function (PF). (PF is also known as the main, major, or principal function.)
p.47
For example, in order to perform is PF (primary function), a car also produces gas pollution, heat, vibration, and noise, which in TRIZ are considered harmful functions.
p.51
For example, the shape of an airplane wing dictates or controls its structure.
p.51
However, if instead of looking within the car system, following the hierarchy down, we follow the hierarchy up, we can consider the entire car an element in a factory that produces cars and this factory as a subsystem of an automobile company.
p.55
The scheme of structure construction is very important during the synthesis of the new technique. It is based on the rules of structure formation that include functionality, causality, subsystem completeness, and complementarity.
Moreover, the structure is determined by the decisions made prior to it in the following flow:
goal => function => behaviour => structure => subsystem => element/operation
Each entry in the above string usually has more variants of realizations than the one preceding it, in accordance with the one-to-many rule.
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, )
p.75
• Function Exclusion -- disregarding the neutral and auxiliary functions (together with the subsystems associated with their performance) without deteriorating PF performance. For example, painting metal parts with conventional paint release dangerous fumes from the paint solvents. An electrostaic field can be used to coat metal parts with powdered paint. After the power is applied, the part is heated and the powder melts. A finished coat of paint is thus produced without solvent.
p.75
• Subsystems Exclusion -- delegating the functions of subsystems to available resources. The cost of a technique often decreases if auxiliary subsystems are excluded. For example, the high vacuum of the moon eliminates the need for the glass cover of light bulbs on the lunar vehicle. The function (protect the light filament from oxidation) was satisfied without a subsystem (cover).
p.77
5.3 IDEAL FINAL RESULT
The Ideal Final Result (IFR) is the absolutely best solution of a problem for the given conditions. Although IFR was proposed by Altshuller and Shapiro in the 1950s [1] and it is well known for proving theorems in mathematics, it was rarely used in engineering outside TRIZ.
pp.78-79
Working backward is likely to be useful if a problem satisfies one of the following three criteria [5,6]
I. The problem has a clearly specified goal, as is the case for most technical problems. The IFR is unique specified goal stated in the technical problem, thus the possibility exists of working backward. This approach is particularly true if, in contrast to the single goal statement, there are many statements about the initial situation and the information about it is uncertain for problem solving. Newell and Simon, researchers in the field of problem solving, have stated that the advantage of working backward in such problems is that there is no ambiguity as to what statement to start with, where as such ambiguity is considerable when working forward [5]. As they noted, working forward in such problems is analogous to looking for a needle in a haystack, whereas working backward is analogous to the needle's finding its way out of the haystack. You can start from any of many places outside the haystack to try to find the single location of the needle. By contrast, the needle starts in a single location and can solve the problem of getting out of the haystack by going to an extremely large number of alternative locations outside the haystack.
Therefore, working backward is preferable to working forward if in working backward the number of different sequences of steps that have to be considered is considerably smaller than the number when working forward [5].
II. For many technical problems (especially during synthesis and/or genesis of new technique) the goal can be achieved if a problem solver starts from different existing techniques and their subsystems. In such problems, the initial different existing techniques or sets of subsystems are independent from one another. That is, to solve the problem by the forward method, a problem solver needs to organize and make steps from any one of these techniques or set of subsystems to the goal. Usually a problem solver does not know and cannot determine [‘]a priori[’] which set of subsystems is preferable. Using Ideality and working backward from the goal, a problem solver can save much time if a choice between different initial sets of subsystems is not predetermined. Therefore, the method of working backward is frequently very useful in such problems because the unique starting point frequently directs you to only those aspects of the given information that are relevant to the solution [6].
p.81 (references)
5. Newell, A. and Simon, H. A., Human Problem Solving, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1972.
6. Wickelgren, W. A., How to Solve Problems: Elements of a Theory of Problems and Problem Solving, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1974.
pp.95-96
These long-term changes of technique are recognized in TRIZ as the axiom on the existence of an evolution of technique (ET) that occurred because of human activities in research, design, and development.
p.96
TRIZniks have shown that the trends revealed for ET (evolution of technique) in one engineering field can be transferred to other kinds of artificial systems.
p.98
The first bicycle, the Wooden Horse, was invented in 1817. This bicycle consisted of a frame, wooden wheel, no handlebars, and was powered by the rider's feet. Several engineering deficiencies existed: it was uncomfortable, impossible to steer, and had to propel. In 1861 a newer generation of the same basic bicycle design, the Velocipede, had become very popular, but it had the same insufficiencies that had existed for more than 40 years. The Ariel was designed in 1870 to resolve a few of the problems -- the front wheel was attached to a vertical shaft for steering, and a stomach rest was added to faciliate pushing with greater ease. Although some improvements were made, the vehicle was still unsafe, uncomfortable, and hard to propel.
In 1879, after 9 years, pedals were introduced and bicycle speed increased. But there were no brakes on the bicycle! Only 11 years later, in 1888, did brakes appear. Higher speed was achieved by increasing the diameter of the front wheel, but speed escalation was further restrained by low durability of the wheel material. The appropriate material for the wheels was introduced only in the 20th century; in the intervening time, about 10,000 patents were issued for different improvement of the bicycle.
p.127
A visit to any good technical museum or even long-term observation shows that all techniques, their subsystems, and super-systems have a history of development.
p.127
In order to establish directions for development over longer time periods in various fields of engineering, we must start from the goals of society.
p.133
p.135
In spite of the fact that there are only two reasons for inventions, there are various motivations. Some of them have been summarized by Edward and Monika Lumsdaine [1] as the following:
• As a response to a threat --> radar, weapons
• As a response to an existing need --> can opener
• As a response to a future need --> high-temperature ceramics
• For the fun of it -- as an expression of creativity
• To satisfy intellectual curiosity
• As a response to an emergency --> Band-aid
• To increase one's chance of survival and security
• To increase comfort and luxury in lifestyle
• Better problem solving --> hydraulic propulsion system
• Turning failure into success --> Post-It notes
• To overcome flaws --> “Magic” tape
• Accidentally, on the way to researching something else --> polyethylene
([ melted Hershey chocolate bar in a lab coat - microwave ])
• As a deliberate synthesis --> carbon brakes for aircraft
• Through brainstorming with experts or outsiders --> courseware
• From studying trends, demographic data, and customer surveys
• Through cost reduction and quality improvement efforts --> float glass
• Through finding new uses for waste products --> aluminum flakes in roofing
• Through continuous improvement of work done by others
• Through having new process technology --> proteins from hydrocarbons
• By finding new applications for existing technology
• Through having new material available
• To win a prize or recognition --> human-powered aircraft
• Meeting tougher legal and legislated requirements --> catalytic converter
• By having research funds available to solve a specific problem --> super-conductors
• By being a dissatisfied user of a product
• Responding to a challenge or assignment
• Because “it's my job” --> “I do it for a living”
• To improve the organization's competitive position
• To get around someone else's patent
([ also refer to as reverse engineering using blackbox method ])
•
p.137
Serendipity, or the principle of exploiting lucky breaks -- There are two types:
• a solver is stalled at a certain point in problem solving and a chance observation provides the answer: e.g., the famous case of rubber vulcanization by Charles Goodyear.
• a solver suddenly discovers a new principle unrelated to the work in which he is engaged but related to some other area, and then successfully applies this discovery to that area: e.g., discovery of the explosive properties of a potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur mixture.
p.143
In his book for children ...And Suddenly the Inventor Appeared [6] Altshuller* writes, “If one chooses to develop a completely new technical system when the old one is not exhausted in its development, the road to success and acceptance by society is very harsh and long. A task that is far ahead of its time is not easy to solve. And the most difficult task is to prove that a new system is possible and necessary.” In other words, the inventor must be cautious because the public may not accept designs that are too advanced so support for further development will be limited. There are a few factors related to company practices and operations that also have to be considered in making the decision to proceed with new product or process development. These factors can be acquired by consulting with management, plant engineering, production, marketing, technical, and sales personnel. Introducing several incremental improvements to an existing system is often a good strategy. In the theory of innovation, this strategy is known as the diffusion process. For example, the initial reaction to radar when it was introduced during World War II illustrates a common response to new inventions. Radar radically increased a submarine crew's awareness of approaching aircraft. However, the submarine captains of one country refused to use the newly installed devices. Being newly aware of so many more aircraft, the captains thought that radar was attracting the planes. Today their reaction may seem strange, but it exemplifies people's initial resistance to technological innovation. For a more contemporary example, consider that computer programmers intially saw no reason to provide a CRT screen with the computer.
* He used the pseudonym H. Altov in some books.
6. Altov, H. (Altshuller, G. S.), ... And Suddenly the Inventor Appeared. Detskaya Literatura, Moscow, 1984, 1987, 1989 (in Russia); TIC, Worcester, 1996 (in English).
p.162
PF - primary function
It is possible to distinguish the category of problem that should be resolved during the developing or improving of a technique based on the degree of execution of the PF:
1. PF is not executed at all (technique is unavailable; it is to be designed);
2. PF is executed only partially (technique is to be improved);
3. PF is executed, but a contradiction is observed between positive and undesired effects (technique is to be transformed).
In the first case, the so-called maxi-problem (genesis of a new subsystem) should be resolved; in the last case, the so-called mini-problem (change of the existing subsystem) is usually enough. In the second case, the category choice depends on qualitative value of the main parameter corresponding to the PF (primary function).
p.162
“parameter threshold” [4]
In an efficient technique this value must be no less than some minimal level, named by Boris I. Goldovsky as “parameter threshold” [4]. Provision for lift power exceeding aircraft weight by 10 to 20% was a threshold. This condition was necessary for reliable flight of an aircraft. Another threshold was connected with the distance a steamer could travel without refueling. This threshold alone has determined the transition from a steamboat to steamship and then to an ocean liner. A necessity to overcome the parameter threshold of the currently limited technological capabilities of a society determines the mode of performance of a technique to be invented and categorizes the problems to be solved in the second case.
p.163
HF - harmful function
The following questions often help to find the source of a harmful function (HF):
Who -- the degree of direct human participation in creation of the HF effect
Where -- the place where the HF effect manifests
When -- the time when the HF effect occurs at the above place
([ the timing of the HF effect occurs in relation to one other event ])
([ the timing of the HF effect occurs in relation to two other events ])
([ the timing of the HF effect occurs in relation to one other event, with the HF effect happening over 100+ year later ])
What -- the essence of HF effect, what parameters are abnormal
Why -- the reason of the HF effect's appearance of HF effect's cause
How -- under what condition the HF effect occurs
These questions can be memorized easily with Rudyard Kipling's short poem:
I keep six honest serving men
They taught me all I knew:
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who. [5]
Let me stress again that CORRECT STATEMENT OF A PROBLEM ITSELF CAN CONTAIN THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR A SOLUTION ...
p.165
It is interesting that the degree of difficulty of a problem D [degree of difficulty] depends on the number of constraints. Such dependence, confirmed by numerous simulations, leads to an unusual situation: Sometimes it is necessary to increase the number of contraints for resolution of a problem [1].
p.165
It is assumed that an analysis of functions and contraints has been done, so that the root causes of problems in the system have been identified.
pp.165-166
Usually in the problem statement, numbers, parameters, and detailed specifications are irrelevant. The process of simplification of a problem is more effective if engineering details can be postposed until the conceptual solution has been found.
p.166
Presumptions
p.171
TRIZniks prefer to operate with plain words with a high degree of functional generalization that can be understandable to a child in order to handle broad but simple information.
p.171
The following word chains illustrate such a replacement:
humidity reduction ==> evaporation ==> water removing ==> dry,
or
ion implantation ==> doping ==> particles insertion ==> change of material composition ==> mixture preparation
It is suggested in TRIZ to keep these accessible, simplest, and appropriate names during all problems solving and to return to the initial special terminology only after the solution is obtained.
p.171
The goal in the last case is to stress the physical contradiction even for a nonspecialist in the field of the problem (e.g., instead of the physical contradiction formulation “the part of the object should be liquid to cool, and solid to polish,” one can use statement such as “a solid liquid”, “a solid coolant”, “a liquid polisher”, “liquid hardness”).
pp.171-172
The plain words of TRIZ slang can often bring wider analogies for solution of a problem and speculations on the object of properties.
Instead of a detailed technical drawing common in engineering, TRIZ operates with almost primitive sketches that represent the root cause or problem situation in simple, understandable graphics of a technique or subsystem.
p.172
Another very important idea of TRIZ is a possibility to present any technique in terms of a model or to describe it by some symbolic “language”. One of the ways of cognitive human activity is to reduce information about a complex and difficult, multidimensional object or phenomenon to an abstract, single-mode model, and then to study it. This way spreads into the methodology of modeling -- researching objects of study through their meterial or mathematical models: circuits, equations, descriptions, and images. The symbolic “language” of TRIZ, called Su-Fields (substance-fields) models, is more fully discussed in Chapter 12.
p.178
Science Fiction Evaluation Scale
Any science-fiction novel, story, or movie can be evaluated according to the following criteria:
• Novelty of the idea;
• Convincing presentation of the idea;
• Additional knowledge about technique, human nature, and society.
p.178
Fantogram
p.180
Good-Bad Game
p.180
The Snow Ball Method
p.180
The Value's Changing Method
p.181
The Trend Extrapolation Method
... [...] ...
According to this method, we are extrapolating, or increasing, one or more trends until it creates a contradiction with other aspects of human life. Resolving this contradiction we gain a new high-level fantastic idea or group of ideas, which is then developed with the help of the Snow Ball Method.
pp.181-182
“Golden Fish Method” or
Ideal-Real Transition Method
One of the main characteristics of inventive thinking is the ability to see the unusual within the usual and vice versa. Every fantasy or inventive situation consists of two parts: real things and fantastic grain. The aim of the Ideal-Real Transition Method (often called “Golden Fish Method” in honor of the famous tale) is to extract this fantastic grain. In order to do this, a fantastic situation is divided, step by step, into two parts -- real and fantastic -- until it cannot be divided any more. This indivisible part is called the “fantastic grain.” Altshuller gave a recurrent formula for resolving every fantastic situation
F0 = R1 + F1,
F1 = R2 + F2 (F2 < F1 < F0),
F2 = R3 + F3 (F3 < F2 < F1)
Here R is the real part, and F is the fantastic part. The equation recurs until Fi will be so small that we may not consider it an unbelievable fantasy.
Let's see how this method works on the example of the “tale of the golden fish.”
The old man came to the sea and began to call the golden fish. The fish got to him and ask by human voice...
Let's analyze this situation:
Could an old man go to the sea? Yes, he could. So that part is real.
We remove that part and are left to consider.
The old man began to call the golden fish. The fish got to him and asked by human voice...
Could an old man call the golden fish? Yes, he could. So that is also real. We are now left with
The fish got to him and asked by human voice...
Could some golden fish (we know that there are such fish) get near the old man? Yes, they could. So this bit is also real.
The fish asked by human voice...
Could the old man hear a voice from the fish? Yes, he could! We know that some fish make sounds. So that part is also real!
human ...
Could this voice be human? No, this could not. That is it! The fantastic grain of the situation is that the voice of the fish was human.
But if we take even this fantasic thing of the golden fish story, we cannot consider it, because it can have a real explanation: Could it seem to an old man who does not hear well because of age that the golden voice is human? Note that if the situation were a technical one, we would come to the physical contradiction determining the fantastic grain of the situation. For example, take the problem of creating pressure by a liquid, with the help of centrifugal forces, on a cylinder that is placed on the axis of the centrifugal rotation. The fantastic grain of the situation is that the direction of the centrifugal force is opposite to the direction of the needed pressure. One can easily formulate the physical contradiction now and then find its solution in the list of physical effects. (Try to do it yourself!)
This method builds mastery of skills in the backward search of a problem's solutions that is important for some TRIZ instruments.
p.186
The most popular manipulative verbs collected by American and Russian psychologists are listed below.
multiply unify freeze lighten widen
divide magnify soften combine protect
rotate harden minimize repeat segregate
eliminate distort adapt thicken integrate
subdue flatten fluff-up stretch modify
invert squeeze bypass rearrange symbolize
alter complement substitute accelerate abstract
separate reverse add extrude dissect
transpose submerge subtract repel compare
These verbs and the morphological box are not intended to solve the problem. The task of the box is only to overcome a solver's presumptions and psychological inertia, which block the thinking process, and to push a solver to clarify the Ideal Final Result (IFR).
pp.222-223
Note that when a new Inventive Principle is discovered** in so-called theoretical TRIZ, it is easier to figure out this particular Inventive Principle in different technical solutions conducting experimental TRIZ research. Right now several Inventive Principles are pending approval. However, because the updated version of the Matrix, as well as new Parameters and Inventive Principles, is proprietary, most TRIZniks still use the original Altshuller's Matrix, presented in a slightly expanded form later in this chapter.
** I believe that the word DISCOVERED is absolutely correct here because TRIZniks as well as physicists search for what already exist but has not been recognized. Moreover, the recognition of a single new Inventive Principle is really the result of TRIZ research as well as a discovery in the natural sciences.
p.228
The idea of specific and particular Principles was extended to the set of engineering field-dependent Tensors. It is worth mentioning that the Matrix works only with parameters, while a Contradiction Tensor can operate with the same or higher number of engineering Parameters, so it is multidimensional. Design solutions can be obtained in a more timely manner, although Contradiction Tensors cannot be used as widely as the Matrix. It is clear that the Matrix/Tensors cannot exist in some permanent forms because new fields of technique and engineering will enrich the contradiction matrix/tensor. Consequently, we are convinced that TRIZ needs development. The possibility of creating the universal Tensor seems reasonable and should be researched.
p.229, p.233
p.229
There are two ways to handle these instruments:
1. Use the Contradiction Matrix/Tensor to locate the most effective Principles, or
2. Read every Principle and choose the most appropriate one.
At first glance, the second method seems ridiculous, but experience of many TRIZniks shows that a thorough knowledge of these Principles noticeably increases the creative potential of a problem solver, engineer, or inventor. After practice, you will remember the majority of the Principles (or at least most important for you) and their meaning and will be able to apply them without the Matrix.
p.233
The Contradiction Matrix and the Principles (as well as other TRIZ heuristics and instruments) are like musical instruments -- they do not work by themselves; they only suggest the most promising directions for you to search for a solution. The problem solver has to interpret these suggestions and determine how they apply to the particular situation. Nevertheless, TRIZ heuristics are very valuable because a problem solver does not have to study all the patents from all the disciplines if he or she can reformulate the problem in the format of the Contradiction Matrix, thereby increasing the efficiency of solving.
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, p.229, p.233 )
p.265
“If a system is hard-to-detect or hard-to-measure at some instant and no substances can be added to an object, then these substances generating easy-to-detect and easy-to-measure field should be added to ambient medium, and the state of the object can be judged from the state of ambient medium” [1].
pp.283-284
This chapter discusses a problem-solving based on solving Agents. In contrast to all other TRIZ heuristics, this is the first TRIZ method to have been developed almost independently in numerous countries -- Russia, Israel, and then US. Agents in TRIZ originally were “small smart people” that could do anything a problem solver needed to do in the problem-to-solution transition. They were derived by Altshuller at the end of 1960s from Synectics, the American method of creativity activation. Ten year earlier, William Gordon, the author of Synectics, had suggested using personal analogy or empathy in the solving process [1]. The essence of empathy is that a persons “enters” into the object to be improved and tries to imagine the action required by the problem. During TRIZ classes, Altshuller realized that the weak point of empathy is the strong tendency to reject any action that is unacceptable to the human organism. This drawback is overcome with the help of “small smart people” in modeling [2]. A transition from the “small smart people” to “inanimate particles” was proposed by Solomon D. Tetel'baum about 15 years ago [3], but the idea was not supported by other TRIZniks who often used teams of boys and girls during their lessons. Due to emigration of some TRIZniks from USSR to Israel in the 1980s, this methodology became popular in the Middle East. In the Israeli teaching experience, it was found that students did not always use small smart people effectively. It seems that subconsciously some students were reluctant to place these small smart people in situations that would be life threatening to humans, such as in strong acids or extreme fields. Therefore, Genady Filkovsky, Roni Horowirz, and Jacob Goldenberg from the Open University in Israel replaced small smart people with inanimate particles [4].* This particles method is now used actively in the Israeli derivative of TRIZ simplification named SIT, where it represents almost half of these problem-solving activities [4,5]. However, some of the author's students have argued that they are more easily imagine various actions performed by the “small smart people” than by inanimate particles. This is all a matter of sematics and the term itself is not as important as the method. But we will use the neutral term agents. The experience of Russian, Israeli, and American specialists is summarized and generalized in the Agents Method described in this chapter.
* In general, this idea is not new in problem solving; even the famous antique Greek philosopher Demokrit used small particles for explanation of natural phenomena. The famous physicist James Clerk Maxwell used small demons (human-like beings) for resolution of scientific problems.
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, pp.283-284 )
p.286
Ockam's razor* or KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) principle.
* William of Ockham (1280-1349, Franciscan theologian) proposed the logical and philosophical principle, “It is useless to use greater means to achieve a goal attainable by fewer means.” This principle is the ground of mathematics and all natural sciences.
( Savransky, Semyon D., Engineering of creativity : introduction to TRIZ methodology of inventive problem solving / by Semyon D. Savransky., 1. engineering--methodology., 2. problem solving--methodology., 3. creative thinking., 4. technological innovations., 2000, p.286)
pp.286
p.287
A solver should choose the most convenient way from these two options; our experience show that it is easier to operate with the material-like Agents than with field-like Agents.
p.287
17.3.4 INITIATE/TERMINATION OF AGENTS
It may be necessary to determine how these Agents are initiated, introduced into the locations where they are needed, or how they are terminated ([ exfiltrate? ]), removed after their actions are complete. Common initiation and termination methods are listed below [5]:
p.302 (references)
4. Horowirz, R. and Maimon, O., SIT -- A Method of Creative Problem Solving in Technology, in Proc. 7th International Conference on Thinking, Singapore, 1997.
5. Sickafus, E. N., Unified Structured Inventive Thinking -- How to Invent, Ile, Grosse, 1998.
p.235
Often it is easier to operate with the opposite characteristics instead of working with the mutually exclusive requirements or two unequal values of a parameter for this characteristic. For example, an electron emitter should have a needle-like shape to emit a large electrical current in field emission flat panel displays, but with such a shape the emitter cannot maintain the electrical load and burns down. We can formulate the physical contradiction as follows: The edge of an electron emitter should be thick in order not to burn down and should be sharp to emit a large electrical current. In this case, the key subsystem is the edge of an electron emitter and the opposite parameters are sharp vs. thick. Such mutually exclusive or opposite requirement are often labeled as “positive” and “negative” characteristics.
pp.241-243
Gregory I. Frenklach, Yury V. Gorin
p.244
Example
A submarine pulls sonar detectors to get information about the outside world in a dark sea. It drags the detectors at the end of several thousand feet of cable in order to separate the detector from the noise of the submarine. Thus, a submarine and its sonar are separate in space.
p.244
Solution -- The product is heated to a high temperature before it is immersed in a cool suspension. In this case, the suspension is hot where it is near the product, but cold elsewhere. To accomplish this, the parts themselves, rather than the suspension, may be heated.
Practical suggestion -- In the nickel-plating of parts, increased temperature is necessary only in proximity to the parts. One way to keep the product hot is an electric current application for inductive heating of metalic parts during the coating process.
p.246
SEPARATION UPON CONDITION
Examples
Water is a “soft” and a “hard” substance depending on the velocity of a solid body entered in or on the speed of a water jet. Thus, speed is the condition to be considered when properties of water are discussed.
A kitchen sieve is porous with regard to water and solid with regard to food, e.g., pasta. Thus, the dimension and flexibility of the substance are the condition to be considered when a sieve is used to work with this substance.
p.248
p.249
In TRIZ heuristics for resolving point or physical contradictions are separation in space, separation in time, separation between parts and whole (in relations), and separation upon conditions. Although there are fewer heuristics to compare with pair or technical contradictions, they usually provide the possibility of finding stronger solutions. As a rule, each separation heuristic should be investigated because one cannot predict absolutely which will lead to the most significant breakthrough.
p.347
technical systems (TS)
technological processes (TP)
p.348
On the other hand, the numerical experiments at modern superfast CRAY computers for analysis of a set consisting of nonidentical elements require more than design of a new technique usually takes, so the numerical experiments are ineffective [17]. Hence, for analysis of TS (technical systems) ergodicity, we will use the indirect information that can be extracted from knowledge about technique.
p.348
This slowing or saturation in evolution [2-7] begins only when the technique needs additional sources for its development, which usually lie out of the main knowledge domain of the system resources.
Therefore, the necessary conditions for ergodicity are violated for the technical systems, which is why the application of statistical methods to the design of TS [12] is under question.
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