1. Product Engineering
TRIZ
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
Grup 6:
Carlos Teixeira
Daniel Domingues
José Oliveira
Tiago Soares
DEQ /MIEQ November 2011

2. History
Product Engineering TRIZ
Author: Genrich Altshuller (1926-1998),
a russian inventor and naval officer. He
was sent to the Siberian Gulag camp by
Stalin for “thinking too much” and he
was released after Stalin’s death.[1]
When: 1946 (after World War II and
during Cold War)
Where: Former U.S.S.R.
[1] www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIZ
November 2011 2

3. What is TRIZ?
Product Engineering TRIZ
TRIZ is a problem solving toolkit derived from the
study of patterns of invention in the global patent
literature that can be used to rapidly generate
plausible concepts that solve problems in technical
and non-technical domains. [1] [2]
[2] http://www.triz.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=165
November 2011 3

4. What is TRIZ?
Product Engineering TRIZ
November 2011 4

5. What is TRIZ?
Product Engineering TRIZ
2. An inventive solution involves wholly or partially
eliminating a contradiction.
Through this work he discovered that inventive solutions
centred on eliminating contradictions. Where contradictions
are performance trade-offs. Examples of technical
contradictions: strength vs. weight, speed vs. efficiency, etc.
Technical contradictions are solved with the contradiction
matrix.
November 2011 5

6. What is TRIZ?
Product Engineering TRIZ
The matrix tells you among the 40 principles which ones have been used
most frequently to solve a problem that involves a particular technical
contradiction. [4]
November 2011 6

7. What is TRIZ?
Product Engineering TRIZ
3. The inventive process can be structured. [4]
As knowledge grows in any particular field the development of
the knowledge base can be viewed as going through three
stages.
[4] Robles, G. C., Negny, S., & Le Lann, J. (2008). Design acceleration in chemical engineering. Chemical
Engineering and Processing, 2019–2028.
November 2011 7

8. Why use TRIZ?
Product Engineering TRIZ
• TRIZ uses the world’s knowledge;
• TRIZ is systematic and repeatable;
• TRIZ is based on proven successful patents;
• You can build your own toolkit from the TRIZ tools;
• It’s quick;
• It can be used in groups;
• It’s not just for engineers;
• It makes everybody creative.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 8

9. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
1. Thinking in Time and Space
This powerful tool works on all problem types of both technical and management nature.
An example is the 9 boxes tool also known as 9 windows. The 9 boxes solution map is
used when we’re sorting possible places to solve the selected problem.
We use 9 boxes to set the system context, define its environment (super-system) and all
the details (subsystems).[2]
Table 1: Example of the 9 boxes tool.[5]
Past Present Future
Before ‘writing’ begins Person writing After writing has finished
Super pen display in shop, user, paper desk, chair, light, storage location, wear effects
System user preparing to write environment of environment
System assemble pack/deliver, store, pen being used to write storing effect refilling wear
the pen prepare factors, disposal
Subsystem manufacture of individual component parts, ink flowing re-usability, recyclability of
components through nib component parts
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk;
[5]: http://www.innovation-triz.com
November 2011 9

10. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
2. Eight Trends of Technical Evolution
The Trends of Technical Evolution show us how to
predict new markets and new products, they map the
general directions of system development
TRIZ Trends help you:
• Predict future technologies, new products and improvement of current systems
• Define what you want – Ideality
• Understand where you are - using S-Curves and seeing the next steps and future possibilities using
simple patterns of the 8 TRIZ trends
• See the most promising directions of your products and those of your competitors
• Choose / evaluate the most promising ideas being developed and help you develop those products
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 10

11. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
3. TRIZ Tools for Uncovering and Solving Contradictions
• The concept of contradiction is central to the TRIZ tool-kit, this gives
immediate confidence in finding successful and powerful solutions.
• Once we understand the conflict in our requirements we can use TRIZ
processes for uncovering contradictions and find what tools we need to solve
them.
• Understanding all the benefits we want, getting those in the right order of
priority, and seeing where these benefits conflict is the first stage in solving
contradictions. This needs structure and practice for successful problem
solving.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 11

12. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
4. Using the 40 Inventive Principles
Familiarity with all 40 Principles is essential for future effective problem solving.
The 40 Principles are accessed for problem solutions by defining Physical and
Technical Contradictions, using:
• The Separation principles to solve Physical Contradictions (you have opposite
requirements for the same thing e.g. I want an umbrella big enough to
protect me from the rain, but small to carry around).
• The TRIZ Contradiction Matrix to solve Technical Contradictions (something
improves but something different gets worse e.g. as I make something
stronger, it gets heavier.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 12

13. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
4. Using the 40 Inventive Principles
1 Segmentation 21 Skipping
2 Taking out 22 Blessing in disguise
3 Local quality 23 Feedback
4 Asymmetry 24 Intermediary
5 Merging 25 Self-service
6 Universality 26 Copying
7 Russian dolls 27 Cheap short-lived objects
8 Anti-weight 28 Mechanics substitution
9 Preliminary anti-action 29 Pneumatics and hydraulics
10 Preliminary action 30 Flexible shells and thin films
11 Beforehand cushioning 31 Porous materials
12 Equipotentiality 32 Colour changes
13 Inversion 33 Homogeneity
14 Spheroidality - Curvature 34 Discarding and recovering
15 Dynamics 35 Parameter changes
16 Partial or excessive actions 36 Phase transitions
17 Another dimension 37 Thermal expansion
18 Mechanical vibration 38 Strong oxidants
19 Periodic action 39 Inert atmosphere
20 Continuity of useful action 40 Composite materials
November 2011 13

14. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
5. Standard Solutions for Problem Solving
Standard Solutions are general lists of all the ways to solve problems recorded by
science and technology, particularly in patents.
We use the Standard Solutions once we have identified the problem type – such as if
we have something harmful. We can then step through all the ways to stop harm...
• Prevent that harm from happening at all,
• Transforming it so it is no longer harmful (perhaps even useful),
• Block, or prevent the harm so it no longer causes a problem.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 14

15. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
6. Smart management of resources to overcome constraints
Identification of available resources around any problem is essential for finding
good, cost effective, environmentally friendly solutions.
Unlike any other problem solving technique the TRIZ definition of a resource is all-
encompassing and focuses even on apparently negative or harmful resources.
Thinking about symmetry, smell, colour or surface finish as resources rather than
just things that exist in the system helps you learn how to identify, transform and
then use all the resources to focus on cost reduction and produce elegant, clever
solutions.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 15

16. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
7. Understanding Our Requirements
 The purpose, the main function we are seeking
 All functionality / benefits
• Everything we want (must haves / nice to haves)
• Everything we don’t want Where & when we want our functionality. Identify conflicts
in Time and Space
 Ideal Outcome
 Everyone’s Ideal Outcome[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 16

17. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
8. System Modelling and Analysis - Function Analysis
The TRIZ describes the system containing the problems in all its detail by listing all
the components and all their interactions.
TRIZ Function Analysis is different from other forms in that it includes all the
negative, ineffective and excessive interactions in the system.
All interactions are expressed as Subject-action-Object and it is important to use
simple, clear language in order to be able to structure the problem correctly.
TRIZ Function Analysis is powerful and links with other popular problem solving
toolkits like Value Engineering, Six Sigma and Lean Sigma all of which have their
roots in the middle of the last century.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 17

18. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
8. System Modelling and Analysis - Function Analysis
Trimming
Once the problems have been identified from the Function Analysis diagram we try to
simplify the system using the Trimming Rules. Often this step will eliminate problems but it
will also reduce the cost of the system and increase its ideality.
Solution map
After trimming we select one of the remaining problems to solve and identify where we can
solve it (in time and space). The range of possibilities constitutes your solution map, and you
choose which type of solution to try, according to what constraints you have.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 18

19. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
9. Using the world’s knowledge / Accessing the Patent database
Knowing out how to access and use the world’s patent databases is also an important tool.
Patents are a free resource available to
everyone
Understanding how to match what’s out there with what you are looking for and find
relevant knowledge quickly and efficiently.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 19

20. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
10. Getting to Solutions and Minimising Risks
 Understanding context and environment
Seeing the whole picture is essential for good problem solving. TRIZ offers simple and quick routes
to getting the context and environment understood.
 Creativity Tools for breaking psychological inertia
These TRIZ methods complement most normal company problem solving tools. They include Size-
Time-Cost, Smart Little People and Thinking in Time and Space. They are simple to use in directed
brainstorming and effective in producing creative breakthroughs.
 Resolving conflicts in time and space
It is necessary to think about all stages, knowing how to design everything in the system for
optimum use and knowing what functionality do we need and how do they vary in time.[2]
[2]: http://www.triz.co.uk
November 2011 20

21. TRIZ Tools
Product Engineering TRIZ
For more complex problems, where the ten tools of
TRIZ alone are not sufficient we should use ARIZ
(algorithm of inventive problems solving), a list of about
85 step-by-step procedures to solve complicated
invention problems. There are various softwares based
on ARIZ. [6]
[6] http://www.mazur.net/triz/
November 2011 21

22. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
- Component mixture is sent
in a columm.
- Liquid and solid phases flow
in counter current
directions.
- Disadvantage: Flow of the
solid phase. (Complex task)
True Moving Bed [4]
November 2011 22

23. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
1st Step - Identify and formulate the drawback by the way of a technical
contradiction.
Contradiction: “eliminate the solid flow without reduce the separation
effectiveness and increase the operating cost”
2nd Step – Identification of the two parameters (among 39) in conflict.
Improved parameter: the flow of the solid phase implies a difficulty of use,
consequently the parameter 33, ‘Convenience of use’ is chosen.
Damaged parameter: it is the parameter 19, ‘Energy spent by a moving
object’.
November 2011 23

24. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
- Crossing line 33 with column 19, isolates a matrix
cell with the following principles:
- 1 “Segmentation”
- 13 “Inversion”
- 24 “Intermediary”
November 2011 24

25. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
[7] Mann, D., & Dewulf, S. (2003). Updating the Contradiction Matrix.
November 2011 25

26. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
40 Inventive Principles
1 Segmentation 21 Skipping
2 Taking out 22 Blessing in disguise
3 Local quality 23 Feedback
4 Asymmetry 24 Intermediary
5 Merging 25 Self-service
6 Universality 26 Copying
7 Russian dolls 27 Cheap short-lived objects
8 Anti-weight 28 Mechanics substitution
9 Preliminary anti-action 29 Pneumatics and hydraulics
10 Preliminary action 30 Flexible shells and thin films
11 Beforehand cushioning 31 Porous materials
12 Equipotentiality 32 Colour changes
13 Inversion 33 Homogeneity
14 Spheroidality - Curvature 34 Discarding and recovering
15 Dynamics 35 Parameter changes
16 Partial or excessive actions 36 Phase transitions
17 Another dimension 37 Thermal expansion
18 Mechanical vibration 38 Strong oxidants
19 Periodic action 39 Inert atmosphere
20 Continuity of useful action 40 Composite materials
November 2011 26

27. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
- The TMB is composed of one
column; the application of
principle 1 implies the
division of the column in
different zones delimited by
the inlets and outlets.
- The goal of the future
solution is to eliminate the
solid circulation, in this way
the application of one of the
sub principles of 13 imposes
to fix the solid phase.
True Moving Bed [4]
November 2011 27

28. Example
Product Engineering TRIZ
Solution:
The proposed solution consists
in the simulation of liquid and
solid counter flows by
permutations (rotation) of inlets
and outlets (toward the liquid
flow direction).
This improvement of the TMB
arises in the Simulated Moving
Bed (SMB), illustrated in the Fig.
Simulated Moving Bed [4]
November 2011 28

29. TRIZ and other Methodologies
Product Engineering TRIZ
While undoubtedly powerful, TRIZ is not yet comprehensive
enough to tackle all types of problems. [n]
[8] Mann, D. (2000). The Four Pillars of TRIZ. Systematic Innovation.
November 2011 29

30. Conclusions
Product Engineering TRIZ
- TRIZ is not a miracle theory that gives in all cases innovative
ideas. Its goal is to direct the solution research to a good
direction thanks to analogies between technical domains.
- Altshuller had built TRIZ tools with a scientific analyze of the
whole technical domains, eliminating the barriers between these
different domains.
- Using TRIZ, you can beneficiate of solutions or ways of solution
that had proved their effectiveness and consequently accelerate
the design and also propose more innovative solutions.
November 2011 30

31. Product Engineering TRIZ
Thanks for your
attention.
Questions?
November 2011 31