TRIZTRIZ Theory of Inventive Problem 

Solving

An Overview

E.H. GillespieApril 19, 2010April 19, 2010

What If?What If?

• What is in this book?• What is in this book?

W ld i h l• Would it help you to have a method to find l ti f diffi ltsolutions for difficult 

problems with a better h f ?chance of success?

What is TRIZ?What is TRIZ?

• TRIZ is a Russian acronym standing for “Theory of Inventive Problem Solving”Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

• TRIZ …Is a systematic structured way of thinking– Is a systematic, structured way of thinking.

– Captures the science of technological evolution.

H l b k h l i l i i– Helps break psychological inertia.

– Focuses on generating innovative concepts

How can TRIZ help me?How can TRIZ help me?

• TRIZ can help• TRIZ can help – Solve current technical problems.

A hi i ifi t t d ti– Achieve significant cost reductions.

– Produce breakthrough new products.

/– Produce intellectual property outright and/or avoid intellectual property conflicts with others.

F t t h l i l d l t– Forecast technological development.

But it may be hard to help fsome folks....

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

I am deeply indebted to Awad Gharib of Danaher l h i d d d hiTool Group who trained and mentored me on this 

subject.  His teachings and synthesis of other references were invaluable in the preparation ofreferences were invaluable in the preparation of this presentation.

Where are we headed?Where are we headed?

• TRIZ is a broad collection of tools and• TRIZ is a broad collection of tools and methods.

T d I l• Today I plan to ….– Introduce the history and foundations of TRIZ.

– Discuss how TRIZ fits into problem solving processes, and

– Illustrate the application of the fundamental tools and techniques.

How do we solve problems?How do we solve problems?

Limitations:Problem  Limitations:

• Problem definition is often haphazard.

Definition

p

• Concept development often grounded in trial and error.

Concept  Development

g

• Concepts tried are often biased by psychological inertia.Verification

– Prior knowledge & experience

– Words

– Pictures, objects & imagesImplementation

The Origin of TRIZThe Origin of TRIZ

• Genrich S. Altschuller isGenrich S. Altschuller is considered the father of TRIZ.

• As a patent clerk in 1946 pinitiated a study of inventive patents.

• He considered the history of the successful products and 

h ltechnologies.Genrich S. Altshuller (1926 ‐ 1998)  

The father of TRIZ

Altshuller’s WorkAltshuller s Work

• Studied 200 000 patents worldwide• Studied 200,000 patents worldwide.

• Identified 40,000 “inventive” patents

• Key contributions:– Levels  of invention

– Patterns of invention

– Definition of inventive problem

– Patterns of evolution

– Algorithm for inventive problem solving (ARIZ) g p g ( )

Levels of InventionLevels of Invention

• Level 5: Discoveryf ll– Pioneering of an essentially new system

– New Science

• Level 4: Invention outside the paradigmp g– New generation of system based on changing the principle 

performing the primary function– Solution derived from science, not technology.

• Level 3: Invention inside the paradigmnovatio

n

• Level 3: Invention inside the paradigm– Essential improvement of an existing system– Methods from other fields.

L l 2 Icreasing

 Inn

• Level 2: Improvement– Small improvements of an existing system, usually with 

compromise– Methods from the same industry

Inc

• Level 1: Apparent solution (no invention)– Established solutions – well known and readily available

Distribution of Inventions by LevelDistribution of Inventions by Level

Patterns of InventionPatterns of Invention

• Altschuller noted that different patents in differentAltschuller noted that different patents in different technological areas (often years apart) often reflect the same “solution”.

• These fundamental solutions are called “operators”• For example, patents were issued for …

Shelling s nflo er seeds– Shelling sunflower seeds– Coring bell peppers– Cleaning filtersg– Splitting diamonds (27 years after sunflower seeds)– The operator ‐ all of these solutions involve slowly increasing and then rapidly decreasing pressureincreasing and then rapidly decreasing pressure

Operator Example ‐MathematicsOperator Example  Mathematics

Abstract  ProblemaX2 + bX + c = 0

Abstract SolutionX = (‐b +/‐ (b2 – 4ac)1/2)/2a( / ( ) )/

Specific  Problem3X2 + 5X  + 2 = 0

Specific Solutions1.5  &  .5

Trial & Error

Altshuller’s ContributionAltshuller s Contribution

Operators

The World’s Problems The World’s Solutions

p

Abstraction SpecializationAbstraction Specialization

My Problem My Solution

Trial & Error

Primary Assumptions for TRIZPrimary Assumptions for TRIZ

• Technological systems don’t evolve randomlyTechnological systems don t evolve randomly but according to objective patterns.

• These patterns can be revealed from patents• These patterns can be revealed from patents and can be purposely applied without numerous blind trialsnumerous blind trials. 

“Inventive problems can be codified classifiedInventive problems can be codified, classified and solved methodically, just like other engineering problems ”engineering problems.

‐ G. S. Altshuller

TRIZ ProcessTRIZ Process

Problem  Problem  Problem  Evaluate 

• State initial situation

• Detection/ Measurement

• Contradiction Matrix

Definition Classification Solving  Concepts

• Analyze situation

• Analyze f ti

Measurement

• Conflict

• Harmful Action

Matrix

• Separation rules

• ARIZ

Implementation

functions• Apply ideal 

ways• Look for  

Action

• Absent Action

• Technological Forecast

ARI

• Direct ways

• Indirect ways

• Special wayscontradictions

Special ways

Initial SituationInitial Situation

• Necessary to pull out knowledge base from diverse perspectives and align team members

• Use a structured templateSt t bj ti– State objective

– Develop problem statements, known solutions, and history.– State the purpose of systemp p y– Define system, sub‐systems, and super‐system– System environment

(f l l f ld f )– Resources (functional, materials, fields, space, information…)– Constraints– Evaluation criteriaEvaluation criteria

• As many as 25% of problems are “solved” at this stage

Function AnalysisFunction Analysis

• One technique to break psychological inertia• One technique to break psychological inertia.• Helps discriminate between “What” (function) and “Why” (reason)and  Why  (reason).

• Helps understand how system works.• Sets up use of Ideal Ways• Sets up use of Ideal Ways• Vehicle for knowledge transfer• Another 25% of problems are typically “solved” at this stage.

Function Analysis ExampleFunction Analysis Example

Substance‐Field (Su‐Field) Diagrams

FieldMech.Force

Field

Tool Object

Sharpener PencilX

Useful FunctionTool Object

XHarmful Function

The function of the sharpener is to sharpen the pencil

Function DimensionsFunction Dimensions

• Field Types • Function Types • Function ClassesField Types– Mechanical

– Thermal

Function Types– Useful

• Adequate

Function Classes– Basic

– Secondary

– Chemical

– Electrical

• Insufficient

• Exceeding

– Harmful

– Auxiliary• Assisting

C ti– Magnetic

– Acoustic

Harmful

– Absent• Correcting

– Detection or Measurement

Fight I ti

Cost Reduction

Problem Solving

Inertia

Consider the System ScaleConsider the System Scale

Function of Screw 

Function of Blade 

Function of Guide 

Function of Wood Function of Graphite 

Su‐field Diagrams ExtendedSu field Diagrams Extended

W dWood  ShavingsWood X

SharpenerPointed  Graphite

Paper

Can also envision:•Lead tearing paper•Line too fine•Line too broadSharpener Graphite •Line too broad•Pencil dullX

XGraphiteGraphite  Shavings

IdealityIdeality

Value = Benefit / Cost/

Ideality = Fu / (Fh + Fc )

Useful Functions Harmful Functions Cost Function

If (Fh + Fc ) = 0 then Ideality = Infinity

The ideal system, sub‐system, or component does not exist but its function is performed.

Ideal WaysIdeal Ways

• Ideal Way #1l h d f h f f d– Eliminate the need for the function of an item and, therefore, the item itself.

• Ideal Way #2Ideal Way #2– Perform the function of the item but eliminate the item itself.Use resources to perform the function– Use resources to perform the function.

• Ideal Way #3– Make the item itself eliminate a harmful action orMake the item itself eliminate a harmful action or perform a new function without any complication or deterioration.

– Use resources to eliminate harmUse resources to eliminate harm.

Where Might It End?Where Might  It End?

Impact Universal SocketsImpact Universal Sockets

• Older designs use pins g pand blocks to transmit torque at an angle.  These were failureThese were failure points.

• Applying the TRIZApplying the TRIZ principle of ideal way #2 led to the ability to t it t t

Block Pins

transmit torque at an angle without blocks and pins.

No Block & No Pins

p

TRIZ ProcessTRIZ Process

Problem  Problem  Problem  Evaluate 

• State initial situation

• Detection/ Measurement

• Contradiction Matrix

Definition Classification Solving  Concepts

• Analyze situation

• Analyze f ti

Measurement

• Conflict

• Harmful Action

Matrix

• Separation rules

• ARIZ

Implementation

functions• Apply ideal 

ways• Look for  

Action

• Absent Action

• Technological Forecast

ARI

• Direct ways

• Indirect ways

• Special wayscontradictions

Special ways

Look For ContradictionsLook For Contradictions

• Defining characteristic of an inventive problem.

• Conventional solution – Compromise/Trade‐off

A B

• Breaking contradictions typically leads to• Breaking contradictions typically leads to intellectual property.

Look For ContradictionsLook For Contradictions

• Contradictions can be classified as technical or physical.– For technical contradictions improving one system p g ycharacteristic causes another to deteriorate.

• Increased acceleration  Greater fuel consumption• The contradiction matrix may be useful.

– For physical contradictions a characteristic must be d bpresent and absent.

• A linkage needs to be rigid and flexible.

S ti l th t l f h i• Separation rules are the tool of choice.

The Contradiction MatrixThe Contradiction Matrix

• All too often… – The only tool associated with TRIZ.

– Applied prematurely and inappropriately.

• Altshuller developed lists of 39 design parameters and 40 inventive principles (or operators).  

• Altshuller then created a 39 X 39 matrix.  The rows represent parameters that we want to change, and the l t th t i ht b i fli tcolumns are parameters that might be in conflict.

• Matrix intersections contain the inventive principles that have been used to break the contradictionthat have been used to break the contradiction.

Ratcheting Box WrenchesRatcheting Box Wrenches

• Using a traditionalUsing a traditional box end wrench  in a constrained area can be slow.

• A socket and ratchet is typically much faster butmuch faster but may not fit.

The Contradiction MatrixThe Contradiction Matrix

Parameter in Conflict

3 4 5

4. Length of stationary object: the linear measure of an object’s length, height, or 3 4 5

moving ob

ject

ationary object

oving ob

ject

measure of an object s length, height, or width in the direction for which no observed  movement occurs.

25 Waste of time: increase in the

Length of m

Length of sta

Area of m

o

e 30, 24,

25. Waste of time: increase in the amount of time needed to complete an action.

ter to Im

prove

24 Loss of information 1, 26 26 30, 26

25Waste of time15, 2,   29

30, 24, 14, 5

26, 4,    5, 16

, ,14, 5

Parame

26Amount of substance29, 14, 35, 18

15, 14, 29

Potential operators to consider:Potential operators to consider:30 ‐ Flexible film or thin membranes24 ‐Mediator

14 ‐ Spheroidality5   ‐ Combining (integration)

Ratcheting Box WrenchesRatcheting Box Wrenches

• This contradiction can be eliminated by combining aThis contradiction can be eliminated by combining a box end profile with a ratcheting mechanism.

Contradiction Matrix CaveatsContradiction Matrix Caveats

• DO NOT short circuit the problem definition stepDO NOT short circuit the problem definition step.• Be sure to develop a thorough understanding of the conflict(s) investigated.the conflict(s) investigated.

• The design parameters and the inventive principles are worded generically and have p p g yparticular definitions/descriptions. Use them!

• Posing alternative contradictions may help.• Interpretation requires abstraction to go from your case to a general case and specialization to 

b k iget back again.

Conditions for Separation RulesConditions for Separation Rules

F h i l t di ti h t i ti• For physical contradictions, a characteristic must be present and absent.

• Contradictions exist only in time and space

• To eliminate the contradiction, contradictory requirements must be separated.

• Separation rules work best for basic functions.Separation rules work best for basic functions.

Separation RulesSeparation Rules

• Consider:• Consider:– Separation in Time

S ti i S– Separation in Space

– Separation between components and the whole

– Separation between parameters or upon condition

Separation Rules

Separation in Time

The “Contradiction”The  Contradiction

Separation in Space

Separation Between Parts & WholeSeparation Between Parts & Whole

A characteristic has one value at the system level andA characteristic has one value at the system level and the opposite value at the component level.

The chain is flexible but the link is rigidThe chain is flexible but the link is rigid. 

A characteristic exists at the system level and does not exist at the componentand does not exist at the component level (or vice versa).

Epoxy resin and hardener are liquids asEpoxy resin and hardener are liquids as components but solidify when mixed. 

Separation Based on ConditionSeparation Based on Condition

Characteristic is high under oneCharacteristic is high under one condition and low under another.

Flow is high with liquids and low forFlow is high with liquids and low for solids.

Characteristic is present under one condition and absent under another.condition and absent under another.

The circuit is closed with movement in the room and open when there isn’tthe room and open when there isn t.

ARIZ – Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving

• The concepts studied thus far are very helpfulThe concepts studied thus far are very helpful but can be perplexing for complex problems.

• Altshuller (and later others) developed this• Altshuller (and later others) developed this algorithm to help users make informed choices in applying the tools effectivelychoices in applying the tools effectively.

• Each step is designed to modify the initial d di f k iunderstanding of a system to make getting to 

a solutions easier.

ARIZ – Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving

• ARIZ consists of four parts :ARIZ consists of four parts. :– Part 1 – Formulation of system conflicts.

Part 2 Analysis of the system conflicts and– Part 2 – Analysis of the system conflicts and formulation of a mini‐problem.

– Part 3 – Analysis of available resources– Part 3 – Analysis of available resources.

– Part 4 – Development of conceptual solutions.

• Unfort natel a more detailed treatment ill• Unfortunately a more detailed treatment will have to wait for another day.

Where have we been?Where have we been?

• We have• We have … – Introduced the history and foundations of TRIZ.

Di d h TRIZ fit i t bl l i– Discussed how TRIZ fits into problem solving processes, and

Introduced fundamental tools and techniques– Introduced fundamental tools and techniques.• Function analysis

• Ideal ways• Ideal ways

• Contradiction resolution

• ARIZ

Questions?Questions?

5/5/2010 45

ReferencesReferences

• Fey, V., Rivin, E., Innovation on Demand – New ey, ., , ., o at o o e a d eProduct Development using TRIZ, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2005

• Gharib, A., lecture notes, 2007• Kaplan, S., An Introduction to TRIZ – The Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, Ideation International, Inc., Southfield, MI, 2005T i k J Z A Zl ti B S t ti• Terninko, J., Zusman, A., Zlotin, B., Systematic Innovation – An introduction to TRIZ, St. Lucie Press Washington D C 1998Press, Washington, D.C., 1998