PLACE OF TRIZ IN METHODOLOGY OF INNOVATIVE DESIGNING
Sometimes users TRIZ are perplexed: why tools TRIZ did not give good result at the decision of the given problem?
Here are subjective reasons - the user has not of good knowledge in TRIZ, not enough experience of the decision of problems. The objective reasons of failures of the theory:
1. In the TRIZ there is no technique of use of TRIZ for the decision of real industrial problems. The author of TRIZ G.Al'tshuller never solved real problems of the industry. 99 % of examples in books of G.Al'tshuller are taken from patent fund. The patent fund is a secondary base of knowledge (in relation to the real industry). The main difference of the problem contained in the patent, from a real industrial problem is it cleanness from adventitious, minor data. The problem in the patent is well (clearly) determined. This problem was once analysed by the expert in the given area of engineering, in it there are not mistakes (if is, but is not many). Real industrial problems, as a rule, much more difficult and more confusing.
2. When TRIZ was created in the USSR was supposed - engineers (experts in the own area of knowledge) will learn theory , and they will use the received knowledge in the own narrow speciality. It is one of possible ways of usage of TRIZ. But now in Russia it is almost not used . Widely enough in Russia instruct of TRIZ students and schoolboys. But here the big problem - they have no sufficient professional knowledge about a solved problem. Therefore teachers give them a problem in a "prepared" kind - this is "school problems".
At the end of 80th years appeared organizations which were engaged in the decision of problems with the help of TRIZ in any branch of engineering. Practice of the decision real (instead of educational) problems has demanded to add of TRIZ to the general procedure of definition, the analysis and the decision of problems. It has resulted in inclusion of TRIZ in general system of innovative designing.
One of such systems: INNOVATIVE DESIGNING OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMSTM (IDTS).
The summary of works on innovational designing technological process.
1. Information stage.
1.1. A formulation of a starting initial situation.
The recommendation of TRIZ: impossible unconditionally to trust the description of a problem which the customer gives. All-inclusive gathering and the analysis of the information on production (existing, projected, alternative) is necessary. Delimitation of the project. A clear formulation of the purposes of the project (main goals, additional goals). A formulation of ñonstraints and interdictions for the project. A glossary of terms in this branch of engineering.
1.2. The description of stages of process: the purpose of existence of a stage, elements composing a stage (materials at an input and at an output), devices, operations), useful functions of elements, undesirable effects. That it is impossible to change. Where the limit of performance of function achieves. Whether key problems are determined at which decision will the purpose of the project is achieved. Whether there are "grey" zones. To specify borders of the project.
1.3. A level of performance of functions of elements (existing and required levels, a mark of functions with an insufficient level). The list of bad functions in process. The table: the actual name of the function, the generalized name of function.
1.4. Definition of progressive branches of engineering (the table: the generalized name of function - progressive branch of engineering). Criterion of a choice of branch of engineering: this function well should be carried out in this technical system. The sense of search - is better to solve a problem by use known technical principles than to solve a problem again. Any information may convert into useful at the subsequent stages of the project - there may be "a creative reaction" in a head of the inventor and isolated elements will incorporate in beautiful idea. Information search in conducting branches of engineering (patents, the scientific and technical literature, databases, use of knowledge of experts).
1.5. Structuring of information - extraction of effects (chemical, physical, mechanical, technological, geometrical). Drawing up of a matrix of effects along ways of the decision of a problem.
1.6. The analysis of effects and generation of the full list of effects (by analogy with available in a matrix, from bank of technical decisions, attraction of experts).
2. Analytical stage.
2.1. The analysis at the top hierarchical level.
2.1.1. Limiting factors of an existing mode, physical limits.
2.1.2. The elemental and structural analysis, compilation and the analysis of structural model of process.
2.1.3. The functional analysis: the table of functions, functional model of existing process, deductions along results of construction of functional model and ranking of functions.
2.1.4. The diagnostic analysis: definition of sources of undesirable effects in a technological process (elements of process - substances initial, substances intermediate and final, operations, devices and tools)
2.1.5. The analysis of cause-effect chains of occurrence of undesirable effects. Undesirable effects are connected with each other by cause-effect chains - one lack entails another, that, in turn, the third etc., in result the continuous chain is formed. It is necessary to aspire to eliminate key undesirable effect which stands right at the beginning of a chain - then other undesirable effects will disappear without additional efforts.
The purpose of the analysis: how technological process was designed and whence undesirable effects (including an insufficient level of performance of functions) have appeared.
Logic of construction of model:
● End-product dictates the certain set of components.
● Chosen components define a kind and a sequence of operations.
Operations define devices and tools.
● Owing to application of the accepted elements (substances, operations and devices) arise undesirable effects - it is necessary define up to a source of occurrence.
● Cause-effect chain should contain: substance on an input - operation - the device (tool) - substance on an output - undesirable effect (if it is).
Semantic net of technological process represents set of cause-effect chains, in which on an input initial components, on an output - an end-product.
Elements of a semantic net:
- Used substances in a product,
- Used technological operations,
- Used devices and technological materials,
- Undesirable effects from used substances, devices or operations,
- Key source of undesirable effects (substance, the device, operation),
- General (systemic) undesirable effect for technical system,
- Main lack of technical system,
- Way of occurrence of the main lack.
2.2. The analysis at the inferior hierarchical level.
The analysis of a problem at a macro-level, as a rule, has shown, that the main lack of technical system is caused by two types of undesirable effects:
● harmful functions,
● an insufficient level of performance of functions (a level of performance of function - a ratio between actual and desirable by values of characteristics of performance of function).
Sequence of the analysis at a micro-level the same, but objects - particles, molecules, atoms.
The purpose of the analysis: to investigate the reasons of occurrence of harmful functions and the reasons of an insufficient level of performance of functions..
This is necessary for to understand and formulate set of the reasons inducing the main lack of TS.
The understood set of the reasons will allow to solve the main question in the project: what problem to solve - maxi-or a mini-problem?
According to TRIZ exists two ways of the decision of a problem:
1. The decision of a maxi-problem - existing "bad" system to replace on new system.
2. The decision of a mini-problem when there is a search for ways of such improvement of existing system at which exception of lack does not demand the big expenses.
In TRIZ always search for the decision of the second problem.
And only if not will be solved of mini-problems, only in this case require solving of maxi-problem.
Transition to a maxi-problem occurs for "old" TS (which tens and hundreds years were improved, for example, papermaking the machine) more often. In such TS seldom it is possible to find the decision of a mini-problem. The note: the decision here is understood as improvement which would increase of MUF (main useful function) in 1,5-2-3 and more (usual for TRIZ the approach). If the purpose of the project is the increase of MUF on 5-10 %, the decision of a mini-problem probably and for "old" TS.
Transition to a mini-problem is preceded the detailed analysis of streams of substances (for example, liquids, streams of particles, gases etc.) and/or fields (an electric current, a magnetic field, stream of heat and so forth). During the analysis build models of these streams.
Making of list of special undesirable effects - presence of harmful streams (carrying out harmful functions), parasitic streams (any sort of outflow and losses), and also "grey zones" - areas in which the behaviour of a stream does not give in to calculation.
The choice of parameters of such zones (at creation of technological process) is usually bad proved, as this was made or approximately, or on the basis of the limited quantity of experiences and consequently these zones contain significant resources for perfection of object.
Such undesirable effects - revealed on a microlevel - becomes mini-problems.
Logic of construction of model at a micro-level
● here necessary to show a technological stream of processing of a product;
● tools operate on substances and here appear undesirable effects;
● is necessary to trace the reasons of their occurrence up to key undesirable effect;
● if such reasons remain not clear (i.e. the key undesirable effect is in "gray zone" of process), it is necessary to make information search (part 2) for their explanation:
- in the scientific and technical literature,
- with experts,
- statement of series of experiments;
if after an explanation of the reasons the way of exception of undesirable effect unobvious - this problem turns into inventive problem.
2.3. The analysis of Substance-Field Resources (SFR) and ideal designing.
Ideal system - the basic concept of TRIZ
The formulation of the law:
● Development of all systems occurs in a direction of increase of a extent of ideality.
● Ideal TS - it is system, at which weight, sizes, consumed energy (WSE) aspire to zero, but its ability to perform work not decrease.
In a limit: the ideal system which is not present, but function is kept and performed.
But for performance of function it requires only material object therefore for the disappeared (idealized) system other systems (the adjacent TS, Super- or Subsystems) should carry out this function.
That is the part of systems will be transformed so that to carry out also additional functions - functions of the disappeared systems. "Nonnative" function accepted to performance may be similar own then this is simply increase MUF of the given system; if functions do not coincide - this is an increase of quantity of functions of system.
Disappearance of systems and increase MUF or quantities of carried out functions - two sides of the general process of idealization.
Therefore is difference of two kinds of idealization of systems. What kind of idealization is required to be used for development given TS?
2.3.1. The formulation of Ideal Final Result (IFR)
IFR - the basic reception of idealization of systems.
In the beginning of the decision of inventive problems it is not known how indeed to provide idealization of system, but always there is an opportunity to formulate the ideal decision, an imagined final result.
IFR formulate under the simple scheme: one of elements of "ill" place of system or an environment eliminates harmful (unnecessary, superfluous) action, keeping ability to make useful action.
Typical record of formulation IFR: the X-element, absolutely not complicating system not evoke the harmful phenomena, eliminates (indicate harmful action), keeping ability of the tool to make (indicate useful action).
But how to find of X-element among the big quantity of elements of system?
2.3.2. The analysis of Substance-Field Resources (SFR) and their mobilization.
The basic method of search of a X-element - the analysis of substance-field resources.
Resources are all that else vacant (idle) in self of technical system, and in its nearest environs.
Sequence of search of a X-element:
à) define resources;
á) exactly define what they should do;
â) utilize available in TS free-of-charge resources;
ã) If it does not decide of problem to mobilize resources;
ä) and only if it does not decide of problem - to insert new elements.
Drawing up of the list of resources (intra-systemic, outside-systemic, super-systemic).
Formulation of problems arising when insert of SFR into TS.
If the problem is not solved when insert of resource - procedure of mobilization of resources must will be carried out.
The basic means of mobilization of resources - reference books of effects (of physical, of chemical and of geometrical). Information search (part 3) must be carried out.
Formulate of problems which arise in process of mobilization of SFR.
2.3.3.Inserting of new elements into system.
Inserting of new elements into system is a step back from Ideal Final Result (IFR):
● 1 step aback from IFR - Insert into technological process of one new element (substance, a field, a simple element),
● 2 steps aback from IFR - Insert into technological process of a new subsystem (device) for realization of a new physical principle,
● 3 steps aback from IFR - Insert into technological process of two subsystems (devices),
Etc.
Formulation of problems which appear at inserting of new elements into TS .
2.4. The list of key problems.
2.4.1. The list of key problems for realization of ideal model.
2.4.2. The list of key problems for realization of model "1 a step aback from IFR".
2.4.3. The list of key problems for realization of model "2 of a step aback from IFR".
2.4.4. The list of key problems for realization of model "3 of a step aback from IFR".
The list of key problems includes questions:
● unevident for experts, paradoxical, which may propel of them to strong (audacious) decisions of problems,
● not reflected at information stage,
I.e. intended first of all for the inventor which aimed at essentially new decisions.
Meanwhile, the purposes of the project may be achieved and without the invention - it not single aim of work at project. Therefore it is possible to use as well the ready decisions found at an information stage - direct transferal of the up-to-date experience from other branch of technology.
3. Conceptual stage.
For successful performance of a conceptual stage it is necessary to carry out information search (part 4) with the purpose to find data on elements (substances, devices, operations) in accordance with attributes formulated in key problems.
What key problems to solve? The answer simple: all!
Explanation.
● the decision of one problem may remove all other problems,
● some decisions may be incorporated into one strong decision,
● some decisions may give birth other problems - such chain of problems will be result as the most effective decision,
the part of problems is nonsolvable in principle, but even attempt of their decision is useful to development of creative abilities.
How to solve problems? Key problems formulated as questions are initial (inventive) situations for formulation of inventive problems or of design problems.
Inventive problems - which contain technical contradictions.
Design problems do not contain the technical contradiction.
Modes of the decision of problems.
Mode of the decision of inventive problems - the resolution of conflict (of technical contradiction) so that at improvement of one characteristic (of one part) of system was not worsened other characteristic (or part) of system.
Solved inventive problem is an answer to a question: how to receive profit and loses nothing from it?
Mode of solving design problem - modification of characteristic (of part) of system into the necessary side on the basis of scientific or engineering knowledge. There are no contradictions - nothing prevents change of functioning of system.
Solution of design problem is an answer to a question: how to receive required function from available or new elements?
The main mistake of solver: attempt of solving of inventive problem by mode for solving of design problem (without the permission of the technical contradiction), search of the compromise between contradictory properties. The decision he seek over formula: "How many is allowable to lose in one properties to win in others properties". Frequently such attempts prove be unsuccessful and after several passes of idea along a vicious circle this problem is throwing off how not have solutions.
Thus, for the decision of key problems define of problem as inventive or design - it is necessary.
3.1. Transformation of an initial situation to a problem and its decision. Step 1 - transition from result towards property.
The decision of a problem is a change of any element of system (improvement existing or insert new) for making required action:
To imagine how much is necessary to change an element it is necessary to go along this chain by reverse course - from required result to necessary property.
3.2. Transformation of an initial situation to a problem and its decision. A step 2 - imaginary action.
The purpose is specified in the formulation of a key problem - wherefore generate some change in system.
It will be result of the decision of a problem.
Example: How necessary to change a surface of a siccative drum (Yankee) for an intensification of process of drying?
Required result - acceleration of drying of a cloth. Object of action - particles of water between fibres. What action should be to these particles of water to be they quickly disintegrate up to smallest particles, molecules and flew from cloth?
It is the important point of the decision of a problem: if you can not present this action, there is no sense to consider at random contrived answers. It is better to take up other problem.
To present this action is necessary as possible more in detail: at a micro-level, on a physical basis. By it is necessary to train. It is the important element of inventive thinking.
3.3. Transformation of an initial situation to a problem and its decision. Step 3 - use Modeling with Little Creatures (MLC).
This step is necessary so as to visually present, what should do particles of substance in Operational Zone of TS.
MLC clearly allows to see ideal action ("that it is necessary to make") without physics ("how to make it ").
3.4. Transformation of an initial situation to a problem and its decision. Step 4 - transition from imagined action to a physic-technical embodiment
To replace Little Creatures with physical and technical elements (substances, fields, operations).
Such transition should base:
● on own knowledge,
● on knowledge received at an information stage,
on knowledge of experts.
It is necessary to use:
● indexes of effects,
● directories,
● encyclopedias,
● banks of technical decisions.
At each person:
● their own life,
● their own the volume and a level of knowledge,
● their own the "picture of the world",
Therefore imagined actions in Operational Zone, and also their physical and technical embodiments may not coincide at different inventors - from here different answers to the same problems.
But all answers are very close, they make dense group because all of them are focused on IFR, on increase of a degree of ideality of system.
3.5. Transformation of an initial situation into a problem and its decision. Step 5 - definition such as a problem.
If the found change in system completely clearly and not present obstacles for its realization it is design problem and for its decision is required design elaboration. If at attempt to carry out the found change (improvement of property or of part) systems something is worsened in system it is inventive problem and for its decision is required to formulate the technical contradiction in the beginning.
3.6. Transformation of an initial situation into problem and its decision with help of tools of TRIZ.
What tools of TRIZ use for the decision of problems?
● For search of idea of the answer (required action): standards on the decision inventive problems. At use of standards it is not necessary to formulate the technical contradiction (the contradiction will be solved automatically).
● For decision of the formulated contradictions: receptions, ARIZ.
● For search of idea of a physic-technical embodiment: the index of effects, bank of technical decisions.
3.7. The general list of ideas - a result of information stage, analytical stage, conceptual stage.
3.8. Ranking of ideas.
3.8.1. A formulation of criteria of an estimation of ideas and concepts:
● should take into account achievement of the purpose of the project,
● should take into account restrictions along the project,
● should take into account features of the experimental period (reliability, simplicity and and small time),
● should take into account requirements for the equipment (presence of the supplier, the minimal changes of the purchased equipment, sizes).
3.8.2. Parting of criteria into two groups
Constant criteria - its should correspond to any idea or the concept (for example, productivity of process). They are no sense to include in the table of ranking.
Variable criteria - they may have different value at different ideas; they must will be included in the table of ranking for comparison.
3.8.3. A choice of a measure (weight) of criteria of an estimation of ideas and concepts
Usually apply a binary ("black-and-white") code to an estimation of ideas:
YES - the idea corresponds to criterion (value at 1 unit),
NO - the idea does not correspond to criterion (value at 0 unit).
However some criteria (limiting process of decision making along the project) may play the important role in destiny of ideas. They need more thin comparative estimation (take stock of "gray semitones").
3.8.2. Drawing up of the table of ranking of ideas.
Ideas dispose according to a rank.
Explanation:
● ranking of ideas and concepts - subjective process (as well as any expert estimations), therefore at occurrence of the new data, conclusions or arguments of an estimation may greatly vary .
● Sense of ranking of ideas - to reduce quantity of made concepts, but thus to not lose valuable ideas.
3.9. Recommendations for transfer of the selected ideas into stage of experiments.
Some ideas may be insufficiently proved. Therefore is required simple experiment which will show practicability or an impracticability of idea. Here the rank of idea define sequence of its experimental testing - in the beginning make testing of ideas with supreme rank.
3.10. Formulation (creation) of concepts - the description of decisions of problems.
The concept - more detailed and more exact description of the idea which will be of implantation into technological process.
Explanation:
● Not all ideas of 1-st rank are necessary for making in the concept - the part from them is in detail considered at the previous stages, the part became obvious to experts.
● Some strongest ideas should be made in the concept even with their small rank. Strong ideas - the basic product of a conceptual stage. They are valuable in themselves:
- as an example of creativity,
- as analogue for the future decisions of other problems,
- as the possible prototype of pioneer technologies (in future).
Usual sequence of description of the concept:
The name.
The summary.
1. Situation of this day, description of a problem.
2. Offers.
2.1. Method of the decision.
2.2. The offered decision, the scheme and its description.
2.3. Substantiation of the decision (results of experiments if they are known).
3. Advantages of the concept.
4. Lacks of the concept.
5. Conclusions.
How to make concepts?
Work at the concept includes two parts:
● insert of ideas into available technological process with consideration of all entrance and output parameters (what is on an input and what we want to receive on an exit of process); approximate definition of parameters of the required equipment;
● search of potential suppliers of the equipment, gathering of the information on issued equipment, interrogation of experts of firms (of suppliers) about opportunities of use of the equipment for achievement of the purpose of the project.
Explanation:
● Main objective of a conceptual stage - exact creation best (final) concept (or small group of concepts), which completely solved problem and maintained all requirements and restrictions. I.e. the final filtration of ideas is necessary.
● On creation of final concept will be influence of factors of the most various and casual character.
● Only the exact and quickly found information provides success of such creation.
● It Is necessary to use all accessible means for gathering the information (electronic databases on manufacturers of the goods and services, prospectuses of firms, trips on a place "where it already works" - may be in other branches of technology, contacts with experts - especially from firms - potential suppliers of the equipment).
3.11. Synthesis of concepts in the generalized decisions.
Ideas are a building material for formation of concepts. Two ways of generation of concepts are possible:
1-st way: direct development and detailed elaboration of one idea;
Almost all ideas easily incorporate with each other because:
- They are received on the basis of idealization of system and have characteristics intimate to ideality ,
- The processes embodied in them have the same entrance and output parameters.
Search of generalized (final, main) concept transact among concepts of 2-nd generation. It should be the strongest synthesis-concept of the decision of a problem because:
- Ideas are based on different physical effects, and at their simultaneous influence on one object occurs, as a minimum, addition of actions (effects which deny each other, certainly, do not incorporate in one concept);
- Sometimes such mutual amplification of action may be disproportionate big (more, than the sum of actions) this is a desired systemic effect, it gives jump in increase of useful function without appreciable increases of expenses; as a rule, it is the ideal decision.
3.12. Ranking of concepts.
3.12.1. The full list of concepts accepted to ranking.
3.12.2. Criteria of comparison of concepts.
It is necessary to offer criteria for a final choice of concepts proceeding from the following conditions:
- The undesirable effect should be liquidated at place of its occurrence,
- The set of the necessary equipment should be minimal,
- The equipment should be industrial or easily made.
3.12.3. The table of ranged concepts.
3.12.4. The list of concepts of 1-st rank:
3.12.5. Algorithm of realization of concepts
3.12.6. Conclusions about results of a conceptual stage.
4. The conclusion to the project.
Whether the purposes of the project are achieved.
Usually all received ideas and concepts can be divided into three groups:
1-ÿ group: ideas which might simply and quickly embed in existing process
2-ÿ group: ideas based on new physical principles - for projected manufactures
3-ÿ group: trail-blazer ideas for the future manufactures
5. Appendices to the project.
Methods and results of experiments. Calculations. The list of sources (the literature, sites in the Internet, catalogues, prospectuses, experts).
The list and summaries of ideas and concepts not inserted in tables of ranking (which were rejected at a preliminary analysis stage).
