Permaculture and TRIZ – Methodologies for Cross-Pollination between Biology and Engineering

Identification and conception of cleaner production opportunities with the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

This paper presents an introduction to the theory of inventive problem solving (TIPS); a series of powerful tools to direct the search for solutions to engineering problems. The system was developed by G.S. Altshuller and his school in the former USSR, based on an extensive study of the world patent database of over 400,000 inventions from different engineering fields. From these studies it was recognised that the evolution of technical systems follow a series of laws or trends. These laws can be utilised in the development of engineering solutions as an alternative to a `trial-and-error' or brainstorming techniques for problem solving. The tools include a set of the most commonly applied inventive principles, an algorithm for inventive problem solving, standard solutions, and a database containing hundreds of physical, chemical and geometric effects. Several examples illustrating the methods are given. (4 pages)

In this article, the Trends of Evolution (TEs) originated in the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) are used for the generation of ideas for new products for the telecommunications infrastructure. Initially, the usage of TEs for ideation of new products is described. Then, a case study applying the TEs to an optical fiber distribution box, aiming to improve its usability, is presented. A number of promising new product ideas was generated in a structured way by professionals with no previous experience in using the TEs.

The STEM body of knowledge has become a core focus for the Ministry of Education of Malaysia to be embedded in the mainstream education curriculum but one of the challenges is to improve the level of student competency in problem-solving skills. A new policy has been developed at the governmental level to ensure the change can be successfully made and executed successfully at the school level. One of the initiatives is to enhance the complex problem-solving skills of the students by introducing the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) topic in the Curriculum and Assessment Standard Document for Design and technology subject. The integration of the TRIZ is streamlined with other creativity theories and thinking models. The adoption of TRIZ is strategically designed to support and complement the student in developing a technological project and design competencies. The teaching and learning process of TRIZ in the subject has started in 2018 as the first official textbook has been used in all schools around Malaysia. A survey has been carried out to 1032 respondents that involved in the process of teaching and learning the TRIZ topic in the subject. The result has shown positive feedback from respondents, and further issues have been highlighted to improve the process of teaching and learning in school.

Understanding and assisting the clients in a more efficient way are paramount to maintain and to improve the relationship between the company and their customers. Quality Function Deployment has been used to understand the requirements of the customers. However, some requirements face technical obstacles in relation to the service provided. Theory of Inventive Problem Solving was developed to find innovative solutions to technical problems in products and process. This report describes a method that integrates Quality Function Deployment with Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, which requires technical innovation specified from an analysis of customers´ needs. Then, the technical problems to be solved are defined by quality characteristics, and technical innovation is executed by applying Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. Results showed efficiency on identifying customer’s requirements, reoccurring problems and finding better and innovative solutions.

Using the theory of inventive problem solving to brainstorm innovative ideas for assessing varieties of phone-cameras

Optimisation of sand casting process involves the adjustment of parameters as well as the improvement of optimisation process procedures and measures. Analysis of various critical process parameters and the interaction among them is carried out with the help of Taguchis method of experimental design, response surface methodology (RSM). This paper proposes a Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) method based on the process window approach (PWA) is to make the analysis more precise, cost effective and evaluating the robustness of a process set up quickly. The successful sand casting process parameters optimisation demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed method. The objective of this article is to provide foundry personnel with innovative design ideas under research and for practical application.

State of the art on the role of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving in Sustainable Product-Service Systems: Past, Present, and Future

Supply chain challenges require not only effective management, but also a new innovative strategy to reduce costs and maximize its efficiency. Traditional problem-solving methodologies specific to the areas of supply chain management (SCM) find their limits when confronted with an inventive problem or a problem containing a contradiction. TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving) is an effective theory for systematizing innovation and solving complex problems containing contradictions. Thus, the use of the theory TRIZ can be considered as a way to meet future challenges in SCM fields and get innovative solutions. This paper presents a method for solving supply chain problems and achieving a low-cost, based on complementarities between TRIZ and discrete event simulation and specific methods for solving supply chain problems. In the proposed model, a witness simulation model of the initial problem is developed to optimize the problem and find the system limits. Then, specific problem solving methods are applied to change the original description of problem and move towards a space in which a solution can be found. The discrete event simulation allows for experiments on the system to be created and analyzed. Thus, an experimental design was developed to establish the cause-and-effect relationships between the parameters of the system in order to formulate a generalized system of contradictions. And finally, ARIZ 85C, the most mature meta-methods of TRIZ, is used to address related contradictions for searching for an innovative solution, which must be subsequently implemented and evaluated in the discrete event simulation. The suitability of this new approach is finally proven through an industrial case study conducted in a company specialized in the manufacture of electronic devices for automobiles.

Knowledge is an important driving force for creative design. The knowledge fusion, which is formulated by knowledge from different backgrounds, is able to inspire novelty solutions to engineering design. In this paper, a design method is proposed to facilitate knowledge fusion in engineering design based on the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). In order to formulate this method, the mechanism that fosters creative ideas through knowledge fusion is firstly explained, subsequently, approaches that transform the design problems in each of the above-mentioned design stages into TRIZ problems are discussed, since the standard problems in TRIZ can be solved by corresponding TRIZ methods. A design process is therefore formulated by integrating formerly discussed strategies. Moreover, its workability is verified by a case study. The advantages of the proposed method such as the expanding the searchable range of knowledge resource for TRIZ problem solving are discussed in the final section.

TRIZ is a Russian abbreviation. Genrich Altshuller developed it fifty years ago in the former Soviet Union. He examined thousands of inventions made in different technological systems and formulated a 'Theory of Inventive problem solving' (TRIZ). Altshuller's research of over fifty years on Creativity and Inventive Problem Solving has led to many different classifications, methods and tools of invention. Some of these are, Contradictions table, Level of inventions, Patterns in evolution of technological systems, ARIZ-Algorithm for Inventive Problem Solving, Diagnostic problem solving and Anticipatory Failure Determination. MEMS research consists of conceptual design, process technology and including of various Mechanical, ELectrical, Thermal, Magnetic, Acoustic and other effects. MEMS system s are now rapidly growing in complexity. Each system will thus follow one or more 'patterns of evolution' as given by Altshuller. This paper attempts to indicate how various TRIZ tools can be used in MEMS research activities.

New wall materials alleviate the problems of high energy consumption and heavy pollution in the production process through the forms of new natural raw materials, energy conservation, land conservation, waste utilization, etc.. In this paper, design of new building wall materials is achieved through the integrated innovation method of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Quality Function Deployment (QFD). Technical contradictions and physical contradictions in various stages of product design and production are resolved from the perspectives of user survey, R & D design, manufacturing, marketing. According to the different advantages of TRIZ, TAM and QFD in various stages of product, new wall material products of Guizhou Long Life Forestry Group are used as an example, with the integrated innovation method, the company’s new wall materials products are designed, and green, environmental, economical series wall materials products are designed and marketed in China. Key words: TRIZ; TAM; QFD; New building materials; Integrated innovation method

In negotiating decisions are made using heuristics. This accounts for the lack of value creation on the part of negotiators. A conceptual analysis was performed of four negotiation cases that call for inventive problem solving. The negotiations were analyzed by using inventive principles derived from the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), which were employed as alternative heuristics to overcome satisficing. The results show that the use of these inventive principles produces a better approach to the ideal of value creation in integrative negotiations. The author concludes that it is feasible to use inventive heuristics in order to overcome the traditional heuristics employed by negotiators (fighting fire with fire).

In the fast growing world economy engineering design and production plays a more and more important role almost every day. The only chance for the advanced western nations to maintain their leading technological positions during the course of the current century is to invest in technology and education. This may help to retain the position which, according to predictions, they may lose by 2035 [1]. One of the key ways of keeping their leading technological positions is to develop problem solving research and education to the degree to which all the potential of their national economy and technology would be used. In this paper some aspects of problem solving research and practice using an algorithmic method called BTIPS (Brief Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) are discussed. The importance of problem solving in engineering education is also stressed, and an example of a university course in the subject is discussed.

Today innovation is recognised as the main driving force in the market. This complex process involves several intangible dimensions, such as creativity, knowledge and social interactions among others. Creativity is the starting point of the process, and knowledge is the force that transforms and materialises creativity in new products, services and processes. In this paper a synergy that aims to assists the innovation process is presented. The synergy combines several concepts and tools of the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) and the case-based reasoning (CBR) process. The main objective of this synergy is to support creative engineering design and problem solving. This synergy is based on the strong link between knowledge and action. In this link, TRIZ offers several concepts and tools to facilitate concept creation and to solve problems, and the CBR process offers a framework capable of storing and reusing knowledge with the aim of accelerating the innovation process.