triz - inventive tool

8/13/2019 TRIZ - INVENTIVE TOOL

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/triz-inventive-tool 1/19

TRIZ: The 40 Principles - with examples

Principle 1 Segmentation

• Divide an o!ect into independent parts

o Different focal length lenses for a camerao Gator-grip socket spanner

o Multi-pin connectors

o Multiple pistons in an internal combustion engine

o Multi-engined aircraft

o Stratification of different constituents inside a chemical process vessel

• "a#e an o!ect sectional - eas$ to assemle or disassemle

o Rapid-release fasteners for bicycle saddle/wheel/etc

o Quick disconnect oints in plumbing and hydraulic systems

o

Single fastener !-band clamps on flange ointso "oose-leaf paper in a ring binder

• Increase the degree o% %ragmentation or segmentation

o Multiple control surfaces on aerodynamic structures

o #$ and %& valve versus ' valve internal combustion engines

o Multi-(one combustion system

o )uild up a component from layers *e+g+ stereo-lithography, welds, etc

Principle & Ta#ing o't or extraction (

• )xtract the dist'ring part or propert$ %rom an o!ecto .on-smoking areas in restaurants or in railway carriages

o hildren-only areas in public places and home

o Sunday school

o 0ublic bars and lounge bars in pubs

o 1omen or men only bars / waiting rooms

o 2ir onditioning in the room where you want it with the noise of the system

outside the room *3he contradiction here is noise vs coolness- the cooler it getsthe noisier it gets- this solves the contradiction by putting the noise elsewhere

•

)xtract the onl$ necessar$ part *or propert$+ o% an o!ecto Scarecrow

o Sound of a barking dog *with no dog as a burglar alarm

o 4conomy class on planes *travel but no frills *3his involves understanding all the

functionality and selecting only what you want- e+g+ windows provide ventilationand light - with air conditioning you may not need windows which open

Principle , ocal .'alit$



• /hange o% an o!ects str'ct're %rom 'ni%orm to non-'ni%orm

o Reduce drag on aerodynamic surfaces by adding riblets or 5shark-skin

protrusionso Moulded hand grips on tools

o Drink cans shaped to facilitate stable stackingo Material surface treatments / coatings - plating,

o erosion / corrosion protection, case hardening, non-stick, etc

• /hange an action or an external environment *or external in%l'ence+ %rom 'ni%orm

to non-'ni%ormo 6ntroduce turbulent flow around an obect to alter heat transfer properties

o Strobe lighting

o 3ake account of e7tremes of weather conditions when designing outdoor

systemso 8se a gradient instead of constant temperature, density, or pressure

• "a#e each part o% an o!ect %'nction in conditions most s'itale %or its operation

o 9ree(er compartment in refrigerator

o Different (ones in the combustion system of an engine

o .ight-time adustment on a rear-view mirror

o "unch bo7 with special compartments for hot and cold solid foods and for li:uids

• "a#e each part o% an o!ect %'l%ill a di%%erent andor complementar$ 'se%'l

%'nction

o Swiss-2rmy knife

o ombined can and bottle opener o Sharp and blunt end of a drawing pin

o Rubber on the end of a pencil

o ;ammer with nail puller

Principle 4 2s$mmetr$

• /hange the shape or properties o% an o!ect %rom s$mmetrical to as$mmetrical

o 2symmetrical funnel allows higher flow-rate than normal funnel

o 0ut a flat spot on a cylindrical shaft to attach a locking feature

o

<val and comple7 shaped <-ringso oated glass or paper

o 4lectric 0lug

o 6ntroduction of angled or scarfed geometry features on component edges

o utaway on a guitar improves access to high notes

o Spout of a ug

o am

o Ratchet



o 2erofoil = asymmetry generates lift+

o 4ccentric drive

o >eys

• /hange the shape o% an o!ect to s'it external as$mmetries

• *e+g+ ergonomic featureso ;uman-shaped seating, etc

o Design for left and right handed users

o 9inger and thumb grip features on obects

o Spectacles

o ar steering system compensates for camber in road

o 1ing design compensated for asymmetric flow produced by propeller

o 3urbomachinery design for boundary layer flows *?end-bend@

• I% an o!ect is as$mmetrical3 increase its degree o% as$mmetr$

o 8se of variable control surfaces to alter lift properties of an aircraft wingo Special connectors with comple7 shape/pin configurations to ensure correct

assemblyo 6ntroduction of several different measurement scales on a ruler

Principle "erging /onsolidation

• 5ring closer together *or merge+ identical or similar o!ects or operations in

spaceo 2utomatic rifle / machine gun

o Multi-colour ink cartridges

o Multi-blade ra(orso )i-focal lens spectacles

o Double / triple gla(ing

o Strips of staples

o atamaran / trimaran

• "a#e o!ects or operations contig'o's or parallel6 ring them together in time

o ombine harvester

o Manufacture cells

o Grass collector on a lawn-mower

o Mi7er tapso 0ipe-lined computer processors perform different stages in a calculation

simultaneouslyo !ector processors perform the same process on several sets of data in a single

passo 9ourier analysis = integration of many sine curves

Principle 7 8niversalit$



• "a#e an o!ect per%orm m'ltiple %'nctions6 eliminate the need %or other parts9

o hild5s car safety seat converts to a pushchair

o ;ome entertainment centre

o Swiss 2rmy knife

o Grill in a microwave oveno D used as a storage medium for multiple data types

o leaning strip at beginning of a cassette tape cleans tape heads

o ordless drill also acts as screwdriver, sander, polisher, etc

Principle ;ested doll

• Place one o!ect inside another

o Retractable aircraft under-carriage

o !oids in AD structures

o

6nected cavity-wall insulationo 0aint-brush attached to inside of lid of nail-varnish, etc

o "ining inside a coat

• Place m'ltiple o!ects inside others

o .ested tables

o 3elescope

o Measuring cups or spoons

o Stacking chairs

o Multi-layer erosion/corrosion coatings

• "a#e one part pass *d$namicall$+ thro'gh a cavit$ in the other

o 3elescopic car aerial

o Retractable power-lead in vacuum cleaner

o Seat belt retraction mechanism

o 3ape measure

Principle < 2nti-weight

• To compensate %or the weight o% an o!ect3 merge it with other o!ects that

provide li%t9

o >ayak with foam floats built into hull cannot sinko 2erostatic aeroplane contains lighter-than-air pockets

o ;ot air or helium balloon+

o Swim-bladder inside a fish

o 9lymo cutting blade produces lift

• To compensate %or the weight o% an o!ect3 ma#e it interact with the environment

*'se aerod$namic3 h$drod$namic3 'o$anc$ and other %orces+



o !orte7 generators improve lift of aircraft wings+

o 1ing-in-ground effect aircraft

o ;ydrofoils lift ship out of the water to reduce drag

o Make use of centrifugal forces in rotating systems *e+g+ 1att governor

o Maglev train uses magnetic repulsion to reduce friction

Principle = Prior co'nteraction

• >hen it is necessar$ to per%orm an action with oth harm%'l and 'se%'l e%%ects3

this sho'ld e replaced with co'nteractions to control harm%'l e%%ectso Make clay pigeons out of ice or dung - they ust melt away

o Masking obects before harmful e7posureB use a lead apron for C-rays, use

masking tape when painting difficult edges etc+o 0redict effects of signal distortion - compensate before transmitting

o )uffer a solution to prevent harm from e7tremes of p;

• /reate e%orehand stresses in an o!ect that will oppose #nown 'ndesirale

wor#ing stresses later on9

o 0re-stress rebar before pouring concrete+

o 0re-stressed bolts

o Decompression chamber to prevent divers getting the bends+

Principle 10 Prior action

• Per%orm the re.'ired change o% an o!ect in advance

o 0re-pasted wall paper o Sterili(e all instruments needed for a surgical procedure+

o Self-adhesive stamps

o ;oles cut before sheet-metal part formed

o 0re-impregnated carbon fibre reduces lay-up time and improves wetting

• Pre-arrange o!ects s'ch that the$ can come into action %rom the most

convenient place and witho't losing time %or their deliver$9o Manufacture flow-lines

o 0re-deposited blade in a surgery cast facilitates removal+

o ar ack, wheel brace, and spare tyre stored together

o ollect all the tools and materials for the ob before starting

Principle 11 /'shion in advance

• Prepare emergenc$ means e%orehand to compensate %or the relativel$ low

reliailit$ o% an o!ect *?elt and races@+o Multi-channel control system



o 2ir-bag in a car /Spare wheel / )attery back-up / )ack-up parachute

o 0ressure relief valve

o 4mergency lighting circuit

o 2utomatic save operations performed by computer programs

o rash barriers on motorways

o ?3ouch-down@ bearing in magnetic bearing system

Principle 1& ).'ipotentialit$

• I% an o!ect has to e raised or lowered3 redesign the o!ect@s environment so the

need to raise or lower is eliminated or per%ormed $ the environmento anal locks

o Spring loaded parts delivery system in a factory

o Mechanic@s pit in a garage means car does not have to be lifted+

o 0lace a heavy obect on ice, and let ice melt in order to lower it+

o 2ngle-poise lampE changes in gravitational potential stored in springs

o Descending cable cars balance the weight of ascending cars

Principle 1, The other wa$ ro'nd

• Invert the action 'sed to solve the prolem

o 3o loosen stuck parts, cool the inner part instead of heating the outer part

o !acuum casting

o Rotary engines

o 3est pressure vessel by varying pressure outside rather than inside

o 3est seal on a li:uid container by filling with pressurised air and immersing in

li:uidE trails of bubbles are easier to trace than slow li:uid leaks

• "a#e movale parts *or the external environment+ %ixed3 and %ixed parts movale

o ;amster wheel

o Rotate the part instead of the tool+

o 1ind tunnels

o Moving sidewalk with standing people

o Drive through restaurant or bank

• T'rn the o!ect *or process+ 'pside down9

o

lean bottles by inverting and inecting water from belowo 3urn an assembly upside down to insert fasteners

Principle 14 Spheroidalit$ A /'rvat're

• "ove %rom %lat s'r%aces to spherical ones and %rom parts shaped as a c'e

*parallelepiped+ to all-shaped str'ct'reso 8se arches and domes for strength in architecture+



o 6ntroduce fillet radii between surfaces at different angles

o 6ntroduce stress relieving holes at the ends of slots

o hange curvature on lens to alter light deflection properties

• 8se rollers3 alls3 spirals

o Spiral gear *.autilus produces continuous resistance for weight lifting+o )all point and roller point pens for smooth ink distribution

o 8se spherical casters instead of cylindrical wheels to move furniture

o 2rchimedes screw

• Bo %rom linear to rotar$ motion *or vice versa+

o Rotary actuators in hydraulic system+

o Switch from reciprocating to rotary pump

o 0ush/pull versus rotary switches *e+g+ lighting dimmer switch

o "inear motors

o "inear versus rotating tracking arm on a record turntable ensures constant angleof stylus relative to groove

o Screw-thread versus nail

• 8se centri%'gal %orces9

o entrifugal casting for even wall thickness structures

o Spin components after painting to remove e7cess paint

o Remove water from clothes with a spin dryer rather than a mangle+

o Separate chemicals with different density properties using a centrifuge+

o 1att governor

o !orte7/cyclone separates different density obects

Principle 1 D$namics

• /hange the o!ect *or o'tside environment+ %or optimal per%ormance at ever$

stage o% operationo Gel fillings inside seat allow it to adapt to user

o 2dustable steering wheel *or seat, or back support, or mirror position+++

o Shape memory alloys/polymers+

o Racing car suspension adustable for different tracks and driving techni:ues

o ar handbrake adustable to account for brake pad wear

o 3elescopic curtain rail - one si(e fits all

• Divide an o!ect into parts capale o% movement relative to each other9

o )ifurcated bicycle saddle



o 2rticulated lorry

o 9olding chair/mobile phone/laptop/etc

o ollapsible structures

o )rush seals

• /hange %rom immoile to moileo )endy drinking straw

o 9le7ible oint

o ollapsible hose is fle7ible in use, and has additional fle7ibility of cross-section to

make it easier to store

• Increase the degree o% %ree motion

o 8se of different stiffness fibres in toothbrush = easily deflected at the edges to

prevent gum damage, hard in the middleo 9le7ible drive allows motion to be translated around bends

o

"oose sand inside truck tyre gives it self-balancing properties at speedo 2dd oints to robot arm to increase motion possibilities

Principle 17 Partial or excessive action

• I% $o' can@t achieve 100 percent o% a desired e%%ect - then go %or more or less

o <ver spray when painting, then remove e7cess

o 9ill, then top off when pouring a pint of Guinness

o Shrink wrapping process uses plastic deformation of wrapping to accommodate

variations in vacuum pressureo ?Roughing@ and ?9inish@ machining operations

o <ver-fill holes with plaster and then rub back to smooth

Principle 1 2nother dimension

• "ove into an additional dimension - %rom one to two - %rom two to three

o oiled telephone wire

o urved bristles on a brush

o 0i((a-bo7 with ribbed *as opposed to flat base

o Spiral staircase uses less floor area

o 6ntroduction of down and up slopes between stations on railway reduces overal

power re:uirements

• Bo %rom single store$ or la$er to m'lti-store$ or m'lti-la$ered

o 0layer with many D5s

o Stacked or multi-layered circuit boards

o Multi-storey office blocks or car-parks

• Incline an o!ect3 la$ it on its side9



o ars on road transporter inclined to save space

• 8se the Cther Side

o 0ress a groove onto both sides of a record

o Mount electronic components on both sides of a circuit board

o 0rint te7t around the rim of a coino 0aper clip - works by pressing both sides of paper together

Principle 1< "echanical viration

• /a'se an o!ect to oscillate or virate9

o 4lectric carving knife with vibrating blades

o Shake/stir paint to mi7 before applying

o ;ammer drill

o !ibration e7citer removes voids from poured concrete+

o

!ibrate during sieving operations to improve throughput+o Musical instrument

• Increase its %re.'enc$ *even 'p to the 'ltrasonic+

o Dog-whistle *transmit sound outside human range

o 8ltrasonic cleaning

o .on-destructive crack detection using ultrasound

• 8se an o!ects resonant %re.'enc$

o Destroy gallstones or kidney stones using ultrasonic resonance+

o )ottle cleaning by pulsing water et at resonant fre:uency of bottles

o 3uning forko 6ncrease action of a catalyst by vibrating it at its resonant fre:uency

• 8se pieoelectric virators instead o% mechanical ones

o Quart( crystal oscillations drive high accuracy clocks+

o 0ie(oelectric vibrators improve fluid atomisation from a spray no((le

o <ptical phase modulator

• 8se comined 'ltrasonic and electromagnetic %ield oscillations

o Mi7ing alloys in an induction furnace

o Sono-chemistryo 8ltrasonic drying of films = combine ultrasonic with heat source

Principle 1= Periodic action

• Instead o% contin'o's action3 'se periodic or p'lsating actions

o ;itting something repeatedly with a hammer

o 0ile drivers and hammer drills e7ert far more force for a given weight



o Replace a continuous siren with a pulsed sound+

o 0ulsed bicycle lights make cyclist more noticeable to drivers

o 0ulsed vacuum cleaner suction improves collection performance

o 0ulsed water et cutting

o 2)S car braking systems

• I% an action is alread$ periodic3 change the periodic magnit'de or %re.'enc$

o 6mprove a pulsed siren with changing amplitude and fre:uency+

o Dots and dashes in Morse ode transmissions

o 8se 2M, 9M, 01M to transmit information

• 8se pa'ses etween actions to per%orm a di%%erent action

o lean barrier filters by back-flushing them when not in use+

o 6nket printer cleans heads between passes

o )rush between suction pulses in vacuum cleaner+

o Multiple conversations on the same telephone transmission line+o 8se of energy storage means = e+g+ batteries, fly-wheels, etc

Principle &0 /ontin'it$ o% 'se%'l action

• /arr$ on wor# witho't a rea#9 2ll parts o% an o!ect operating

• constantly at full capacity

o 9lywheel stores energy when a vehicle stops, so the motor can keep running at

optimum power+o onstant output gas turbine in hybrid car, or 208 in aircraft, runs at highest

efficiency all the time it is switched on+o onstant speed / variable pitch propeller o Self-tuning engine = constantly tunes itself to ensure ma7imum efficiency

o ;eart pacemaker

o 6mprove composting process by continuously turning material

o ontinuous glass or steel production

• )liminate all idle or intermittent motion

o Self-cleaning / self-emptying filter eliminates down-time

o 0rint during the return of a printer carriage - dot matri7 printer, daisy wheel

printers, inket printers

o Digital storage media allow ?instant@ information accesso >ayaks use double-ended paddle to utilise recovery stroke

o omputer operating systems utilise idle periods to perform necessary

housekeeping tasks



Principle &1 R'shing thro'gh

o /ond'ct a process3 or certain stages o% it *e9g9 destr'ctile3 harm%'l or

haardo's operations+ at high speed

o 8se a high speed dentist5s drill to avoid heating tissue+

o ut plastic faster than heat can propagate in the material, to avoid deforming theshape+

o Shatter toffee with a hammer blow

o Drop forge

o 9lash photography

o Super-critical shaft = run through resonant modes :uickly

o )ikini wa7ing *ouchF

Principle && 5lessing in disg'ise

• 8se harm%'l %actors *partic'larl$3 harm%'l e%%ects o% the environment or

s'rro'ndings+ to achieve a positive e%%ecto 8se waste heat to generate electric power+

o Recycle scrap material as raw materials for another = e+g+ chipboard

o !accination

o "ower body temperature to slow metabolism during operations

o omposting

o 8se centrifugal energy in rotating shaft to do something useful = e+g+ seal, or

modulate cooling air o 8se pressure differences to help rather than hinder seal performance

• )liminate the primar$ harm%'l action $ adding it to another harm%'l action toresolve the prolem

o 2dd a buffering material to a corrosive solution *e+g+ an alkali to an acid, or vice

versao 8se a helium-o7ygen mi7 for diving, to eliminate both nitrogen narcosis and

o7ygen poisoning from air and other nitro7 mi7es+o 8se gamma rays to detect positron emissions from e7plosives+

• 2mpli%$ a harm%'l %actor to s'ch a degree that it is no longer harm%'l

o 8se a backfire to eliminate the fuel from a forest fire+

o 8se e7plosives to blow out an oil-well fire+

o "aser-knife cauterises skin/blood vessels as it cuts

• Principle &, Eeedac#

o Introd'ce %eedac# to improve a process or action

o 2utomatic volume control in audio circuits

o Signal from gyrocompass is used to control simple aircraft autopilots+



o 4ngine management system based on e7haust gas levels is more efficient than

carburettoro 3hermostat controls temperature accurately

o Statistical 0rocess ontrol - measurements are used to decide when to modify a

process

o 9eedback turns inaccurate op-amp into useable accurate amplifier o 6f feedback is already used, change its magnitude or influence in accordance with

operating conditionso hange sensitivity of an autopilot when within miles of an airport+

o hange sensitivity of a thermostat when cooling vs+ heating, since it uses energy

less efficiently when cooling+o 8se proportional, integral and/or differential control algorithm combinations

Principle &4 Intermediar$"ediator

• 8se an intermediar$ carrier article or intermediar$ process

o 0lay a guitar with a plectrum

o 8se a chisel to control rock breaking/sculpting process

o Dwell period during a manufacture process operation

• "erge one o!ect temporaril$ with another *which can e easil$ removed+

o Gloves to get hot dishes out of an oven

o Hoining papers with a paper clip

o 6ntroduction of catalysts into chemical reaction

o 2brasive particles enhance water et cutting

o )ou:uet garni in cooking

Principle & Sel%-Service

• 2n o!ect m'st service itsel% $ per%orming a'xiliar$ help%'l %'nctions

o 2 soda fountain pump that runs on the pressure of the carbon dio7ide used to

carbonate the drinks+ 6f it won@t fi(( it@s emptyFo ;alogen lamps regenerate the filament - evaporated material is re-deposited

o Self-aligning / self-adusting seal

o Self-cleaning oven / glass / material

o 2bradable materials used in gas turbines such that initial running-in ?cuts

optimum seals into lining

• 8se waste reso'rces3 energ$3 or s'stances

o 8se heat from a process to generate electricityB o-generation+

o 8se animal waste as fertili(er+

o 8se food and lawn waste to create compost+

o 8se pressure difference to reinforce seal action



Principle &7 /op$ing

• Replace unavailable, e7pensive or fragile obect with available or ine7pensive copies

o 6mitation ewellery+

o 2stroturf

o rash test dummy

• Replace an o!ect3 or process with optical copies

o Do surveying from space photographs instead of on the ground+

o Measure an obect by scaling measurements from a photograph+

o !irtual reality / !irtual mock-ups/electronic pre-assembly modelling

• I% visile optical copies are 'sed3 move to in%rared or 'ltraviolet copies

o Make images in infrared to detect heat sources, such as diseases in crops, or

intruders in a security system+o

8se 8! as a non-destructive crack detection methodo 8! light used to attract flying insects into trap

Principle & /heap short-living o!ects

• Replace an expensive o!ect with a m'ltiple o% inexpensive o!ects

compromising certain .'alities3 s'ch as service li%e

o Disposable nappies/paper-cups/plates/cameras/torches/etc

o Matches versus lighters

o 3hrow-away cigarette lighters

o Sacrificial coatings/components

Principle &< Replacement o% mechanical s$stem

• Replace a mechanical s$stem with a sensor$ one

o Replace a physical barrier with an acoustic one *audible to animals+

o 2dd a bad smell to natural gas to alert users to leaks

o 9inger-print/retina/etc scan instead of a key

o !oice activated telephone dialing

• 8se electric3 magnetic and electromagnetic %ields to interact with the o!ect

o

3o mi7 % powders, electrostatically charge one positive and the other negative+o 4lectrostatic precipitators separate particles from airflow

o 6mprove efficiency of paint-spraying by oppositely charging paint droplets and

obect to be painted+o Magnetic bearings

o 9ield activated switches

• Replace stationar$ %ields with moving3 'nstr'ct'red %ields with str'ct'red



o 4arly communications used omni-directional broadcasting+ 1e now use

antennas with very detailed structure of the pattern of radiation+o Magnetic Resonance 6maging *MR6 scanner

• 8se %ields in con!'nction with %ield-activated *e9g9 %erromagnetic+ particles

o ;eat a substance containing ferromagnetic material by using varying magneticfield+ 1hen the temperature e7ceeds the urie point, the material becomesparamagnetic, and no longer absorbs heat+

o Magneto-rheological effect = uses ferromagnetic particles and variable magnetic

field to alter the viscosity of a fluido 9erro-magnetic catalysts

o 9erro-fluids = e+g+ Magnetic oil = stay attached to surfaces re:uiring lubrication

Principle &= Pne'matics and h$dra'lics

• 8se gas and li.'id parts o% an o!ect instead o% solid parts *e9g9 in%latale3 %illed

with li.'ids3 air c'shion3 h$drostatic3 h$dro-reactive+

o 3ransition from mechanical to hydraulic or pneumatic drive

o 6nflatable furniture/mattress/etc

o Gel filled saddle adapts to user

o ;ollow section <-rings

o ;overcraft

o Gas bearings

o 2coustic panels incorporating ;elmholt( resonators

Principle ,0 Elexile memranes and thin %ilms

• 8se %lexile shells and thin %ilms instead o% three-dimensional str'ct'res

o 8se inflatable *thin film structures+

o 3aut-liner trucks

o 3arpaulin car cover instead of garage

o Store energy in stretchable bags = accumulators in a hydraulic system

• Isolate the o!ect %rom its external environment 'sing %lexile memranes

o )ubble-wrap

o )andages/plasters

o 3ea bag

Principle ,1 Poro's materials

• "a#e an o!ect poro's or add poro's elements *inserts3 coatings3 etc9+

o Drill holes in a structure to reduce the weight+



o avity wall insulation

o 3ranspiration film cooled structures

o 9oam metals

o 8se sponge-like structures as fluid absorption media

• I% an o!ect is alread$ poro's3 'se the pores to introd'ce a 'se%'l s'stance or%'nction

o 8se a porous metal mesh to wick e7cess solder away from a oint+

o Store hydrogen in the pores of a palladium sponge+ *9uel tank for the hydrogen

car - much safer than storing hydrogen gaso Desiccant in polystyrene packing materials

o Medicated swabs/dressings

Principle ,& /olo'r change

• /hange the colo'r o% an o!ect or its external environment

o 8se safe lights in a photographic darkroom+

o 8se colour-changing thermal paint to measure temperature

o 0lastic spoon which changes colour when hot - for baby food

o 3emperature-sensitive dyes used on food product labels to indicate when desired

serving temperature has been achieved+o 4lectro chromic glass

o "ight-sensitive glasses

o amouflage

o Da((le camouflage used on 1orld 1ar # shipso 4mploy interference fringes on surface structures to change colour *as in

butterfly wings, etc

• /hange the transparenc$ o% an o!ect or its external environment9

o 8se photolithography to change transparent material to a solid mask for

semiconductor processing+o "ight-sensitive glass

• In order to improve oservailit$ o% things that are di%%ic'lt to see3 'se colo'red

additives or l'minescent elements

o 9luorescent additives used during 8! spectroscopy

o 8! marker pens used to help identify stolen goods

o 8se opposing colours to increase visibility = e+g+ butchers use green decoration

to make the red in meat look redder

• /hange the emissivit$ properties o% an o!ect s'!ect to radiant heating



o 8se of black and white coloured panels to assist thermal management on space

vehicles+o 8se of parabolic reflectors in solar panels to increase energy capture+

o 0aint obect with high emissivity paint in order to be able to measure its

temperature with a calibrated thermal imager

Principle ,, Fomogeneit$

• C!ects interacting with the main o!ect sho'ld e o% same material *or material

with identical properties+9o ontainer made of the same material as its contents, to reduce chemica

reactionso 9riction welding re:uires no intermediary material between the two surfaces to be

oined+o 3emporary plant pots made out of compostable material

o ;uman blood transfusions/transplants, use of bio-compatible materials

o Make ice-cubes out of the same fluid as the drink they are intended to coolo Hoin wooden components using *wood dowel oints+

Principle ,4 Discarding and Recovering

• 2%ter completing their %'nction *or ecoming 'seless+ re!ect o!ects3 ma#e them

go awa$3 *discard them $ dissolving3 evaporating3 etc+ or modi%$ d'ring theprocess

o Dissolving capsule for medication+

o )io-degradable containers, bags, etc+

o asting processes = lost-wa7, sand, etc+

o During firing of a rocket, foam protection is used on some elementsE this

evaporates in space when shock-absorbance is no longer re:uired

• Restore cons'male 'sed 'p parts o% an o!ect d'ring operation

o Self-sharpening blades = knives / lawn-mowers etc

o Strimmer dispenses more wire automatically after a breakage+

o Self-tuning automobile engines

o 0ropelling pencil

o 2utomatic rifle

Principle , Parameter /hange

• /hange the ph$sical state *e9g9 to a gas3 li.'id3 or solid+

o 3ransport o7ygen or nitrogen or petroleum gas as a li:uid, instead of a gas, to

reduce volume



• /hange the concentration or densit$9

o "i:uid soap

o 2bradable linings used for gas-turbine engine seals

• /hange the degree o% %lexiilit$9o !ulcani(e rubber to change its fle7ibility and durability+

o ompliant brush seals rather than labyrinth or other fi7ed geometry seals

• /hange the temperat're or vol'me

o Raise the temperature above the urie point to change a ferromagnetic

substance to a paramagnetic substance+o ooking/baking/etc+

• /hange the press're9

o

0ressure cooker cooks more :uickly and without losing flavours+o 4lectron beam welding in a vacuum+

o !acuum packing of perishable goods

• /hange other parameters

o Shape memory alloys/polymers

o 8se urie point to alter magnetic properties

o 3hi7otropic paints/gels/etc

o 8se high conductivity materials = e+g+ carbon fibre

Principle ,7 Phase transition

• 8se phenomena o% phase transitions *e9g9 vol'me changes3 loss or asorption o%

heat3 etc9+9

o "atent heat effects in melting / boiling

o Soak rocks in water, then free(ing causes water to e7pand = thus opening

fissures in rock, making it easier to breako ;eat pumps use the heat of vapori(ation and heat of condensation of a closed

thermodynamic cycle to do useful work+o !olume e7pansion during water-to-steam transition

o

Superconductivity

Principle , Thermal expansion

• 8se thermal expansion3 or contraction3 o% materials9

o 9it a tight oint together by cooling the inner part to contract, heating the outer

part to e7pand, putting the oint together, and returning to e:uilibrium+o Metal tie-bars used to straighten buckling walls on old buildings+



o 3hermal switch/cut-out+

o Shape memory alloys/polymers+

o Shrink-wrapping

• 8se m'ltiple materials with di%%erent coe%%icients o% thermal expansion9

o )i-metallic strips used for thermostats, etco 3wo-way shape memory alloys+

o 0assive blade tip clearance control in gas turbine engines+

o ombine materials with positive and negative thermal e7pansion coefficients to

obtain alloys with (ero *or specifically tailored e7pansion properties = e+g+ cerro-tru alloy used in the mounting and location of fragile turbine blade componentsduring manufacture operations

Principle ,< 2ccelerated oxidation

• Replace common air with ox$gen-enriched air9

o Scuba diving with .itro7 or other non-air mi7tures for e7tended endurance

o 0lace asthmatic patients in o7ygen tent

o .itrous o7ide inection to provide power boost in high performance engines

• Replace enriched air with p're ox$gen9

o ut at a higher temperature using an o7y-acetylene torch+

o 3reat wounds in a high pressure o7ygen environment to kill anaerobic bacteria

and aid healing+o ontrol o7idation reactions more effectively by reacting in pure o7ygen

• )xpose air or ox$gen to ioniing radiation9o 0ositive ions formed by ioni(ing air can be deflected by magnetic field in order to

*e+g+ reduce air resistance over an aerodynamic surfaceo 6rradiation of food to e7tend shelf life

o 8se ioni(ed air to destroy bacteria and sterili(e food

• 8se ionied ox$gen9

o Speed up chemical reactions by ionising the gas before use

o Separate o7ygen from a mi7ed gas by ionising the o7ygen

•

Replace oonised *or ionised+ ox$gen with oone9o <7idisation of metals in bleaching solutions to reduce cost relative to hydrogen

pero7ideo 8se o(one to destroy micro-organisms and to7ins in corn

o <(one dissolved in water removes organic contaminants from ship hulls

Principle ,= Inert atmosphere



• Replace a normal environment with an inert one

o 0revent degradation of a hot metal filament by using an argon atmosphere+

o M6G/36G welding

o 4lectron beam welding conducted in a vacuum

o !acuum packaging

o 9oam to separate a fire from o7ygen in air

• 2dd ne'tral parts3 or inert additives to an o!ect

o .aval aviation fuel contains additives to alter flash point

o 2dd fire retardant elements to titanium to reduce possibility of titanium fire

o 2dd foam to absorb sound vibrations = e+g+ hi-fi speakers

Principle 40 /omposite materials

o /hange %rom 'ni%orm to composite *m'ltiple+ materials

o

2ircraft structures where low weight and high strength are re:uiredo omposites in golf club shaft

o oncrete aggregate

o Glass-reinforced plastic

o 9ibre-reinforced ceramics

o ;ard / soft / hard multi-layer coatings to improve erosion properties

triz - inventive tool

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