Search

Abstract Modern consumption patterns lead to massive waste, which poses challenges in storage and highlights the urgent need for more sustainable product development. Customer feedback on products plays a crucial role in product design, yet previous studies overlooked these invaluable insights. In response, this study introduces a novel systematic methodology that integrates the strengths of text mining, Quality Function Deployment (QFD), and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Text mining techniques are utilized to extract customer requirements from online platforms, while QFD is used to translate these requirements into technical specifications. By integrating the contradiction matrix from TRIZ theory with the triptych, technical conflicts are resolved. The design process for next-generation smart glasses is employed as an illustrative case to validate the proposed integrated innovation design approach. Analytical outcomes suggest that the introduced methodology can effectively address sustainable product design challenges and sets the stage for future advancements in smart glasses.

The shell-and-tube heat exchanger is an important equipment in various applications. However, the bundle vibration and low heat transfer efficiency are the main shortcomings. In this article, ANSYS platform was used to simulate and analyze the shell-and-tube heat exchanger, the natural frequency was calculated, and the dominant factors affecting the vibration were determined. The theory of inventive problem solving was used to design the heat exchanger for anti-vibration. The results show that the improved heat exchanger's natural frequency is much larger than the fluid excitation frequency, as a result, the resonance is avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global energy industrial sector is focused on and committed to supporting clean energy usage and reducing or eliminating the emission of greenhouse gases by 2050. The most preferred technological energy source is the hydrogen‐based energy source of the future. This study investigates challenges in the context of technical and non‐technical perspectives using one of the tools under the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). The TRIZ tool called S‐curve analysis helps assess the technological maturity of the hydrogen fuel cell at four stages: infant, growth, mature and decline, using specific indicators developed by the founder of TRIZ, Genrich Altshuller. The application of TRIZ expands the intervention strategies to successfully accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology towards the growth stage. Here, an S‐curve analysis application will be applied on the hydrogen fuel cell technologies patented in the selected country as a case study in automotive system innovation. The data of patent mapping can support the recommendations presented by TRIZ S‐curve analysis, and a proposal of intervention has been delivered to improve the growth of targeted country energy sectors through the strategic initiative of automotive technology evolution and revolution of the hydrogen fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing demand for simplification of frequently used products promotes innovation with simple mechanisms. In this study, an attempt is made by amalgamating FMEA, QFD, TRIZ, LCA, and fuzzy TOPSIS for the development of sustainable products. The methodology is executed to redesign a simple pressure relief valve (PRV) in an economic, sustainable, and innovative manner. The failure modes of PRV are considered in FMEA and ranked by their RPN. The environmental voice of the customer is imbibed in ECQFD to correlate with the engineering specifications and obtain the critical zones of improvement. Possible innovations of the existing design based on the design option selected from ECQFD are considered by analyzing the design feature contradictions, and solutions are addressed using the TRIZ matrix. Four CAD models of improved designs were created and subjected to sustainability analysis and fatigue life analysis. The redesigns were evaluated using fuzzy TOPSIS, an MCDM approach, to obtain an unbiased ranking based on multiple criteria supported by the result analysis and expert opinions. The final design was selected for prototyping. This approach provides a holistic approach for innovative product design and development and a simplified approach for an innovative redesign of an existing product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product innovation is often a process for improving existing products. Low-end disruptive innovation (LDI) enables a product to meet the most price-sensitive customers in the low-end market. The existing LDI methods are mainly based on unnecessary characteristics of disruptive innovations. Thus, they cannot easily identify and respond to the LDI design needs. This study proposes a hybrid method for the product LDI in two levels of the product design based on the summarized definition and essential characteristics of LDI. Feasible areas of the product LDI are determined using a hybrid relational function model to identify the maturity of dominant technologies. The technologies are identified through the technical search and evaluation of the feasible area for innovation to form an initial LDI scheme. Then, the product function is optimized using the trimming concept of theory of inventive problem solving based on the characteristics of LDI. The final LDI scheme is formed and evaluated based on the essential characteristics of the product LDI. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified in the design of a new dropping pill machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to identify trends in the use of property by entrepreneurs after the introduction of A. Harberger’s system and the complete digitalization of property relations.Methods: the article uses the methodology of the theory of inventive problem solving, which is used to assess the consequences of digitalization of property relations and the introduction of A. Harberger’s system.Results: having analyzed A. Harberger’s system, the author states that it is applicable only for the digitalization of property relations, since it provides maximum transparency of property rights, income generated by it, and the qualitative features of this property. A. Harberger’s system encourages the continuous transfer of property from one person to another, which can lead to a “no-property” regime. As a result, the entrepreneur’s property and profit-making techniques become publicly available, which undermines the foundations of entrepreneurship in the digital economy. Entrepreneurs find themselves in a property trap.Scientific novelty: in accordance with the methodology of the theory of inventive problem solving, the article identifies property objects classified by their functions: “engine”, “working body”, “transmission”, “computer”, and “energy source”. It is stated that the trends of technological improvement and digitalization turn the “computer” into the dominant factor of production, around which all production processes are built. This will increase its complexity, as well as the cost of purchasing and maintaining it. The production versatility of the “computer” will bring to the fore entrepreneurs who reduce the cost of the “computer” by providing its capacity for rent to the widest possible range of persons. As a result, today’s entrepreneurs will be transformed into administrators of access to the computer and into entrepreneurs of the non-digital, utility sector of the economy.Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used to develop measures to maintain business activity in the new conditions.

Nowadays, Lean supply chain managers are seeking Green implementation, which is no longer a choice but an obligation; to comply with government regulations about the environmental footprint, to preserve the image, and to satisfy customers. Although several research works have been conducted in the framework of Lean and Green, the relationship between both paradigms remains ambiguous at a conceptual level. The purpose of this research work is to provide managers and decisionmakers with a formal, relevant, and generalizable approach that explicit how to accurately assess Lean and Green coexistence. We propose an approach based on the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and Discrete Event Simulation technic (DES). Integrating this technic amounts to its ability to describe complex systems and their performance. Besides, DES is time-saving, cost-saving, and labor-saving. An academic case study is presented in order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach. The deployment of the approach revealed that Lean and Green aspects could be antagonists. Indeed, thinking Green is not necessarily Lean and vice versa, which supports that Lean Green supply chain challenges may surpass classic optimization techniques and methods; hence, its management requires innovative approaches. In this setting, our findings highlight the importance of integrating TRIZ. The developed framework in this research work stands out for its simplicity, flexibility, and generalizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic information professional postgraduate training is the mixed learning strategy used in the present educational era for a better utilization of e-resources in the field like data mining and data handling fields to develop a high-performance computing (HPC) systems which are quite inventive and useful to the society. The principle of combining the innovation practice in computing field is applicable in all teaching methodologies to provide a better training method to the mankind. The research is performed using statistical data collected from postgraduate students of 200 members in an educational institution and a correlation coefficient is used to calculate the hypothesis present in the survey. Inventive design based on theory of inventive problem solving is used to solve the classical problematic situations which will arise in the conflict on uncertain information. The purpose of research is to find the ways to recommend the methods to create active awareness in electronic information literacy for improvement of better utilization of resources. This research work addresses the issues in postgraduate training modes and the opportunities present in the HPC field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whole energy system requires renewables that scale and produce reliable, valuable energy at an acceptable cost. The key to increasing the deployment of ocean energy is bringing down development and operating costs. This paper proposes a structured approach to innovation in ocean energy systems that would spur innovation and expand the market for ocean energy. This approach can be used by a wide range of stakeholders—including technology and project developers and investors—when considering creating or improving designs. The Structured Innovation design tool within the DTOceanPlus suite is one of a kind beyond the current state-of-the-art. It enables the adaptation and integration of systematic problem-solving tools based on quality function deployment (QFD), the theory of inventive thinking (TRIZ), and the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) methodologies for the ocean energy sector. In obtaining and assessing innovative concepts, the integration of TRIZ into QFD enables the designers to define the innovation problem, identifies trade-offs in the system, and, with TRIZ as a systematic inventive problem-solving methodology, generates potential design concepts for the contradicting requirements. Additionally, the FMEA is used to assess the technical risks associated with the proposed design concepts. The methodology is demonstrated using high-level functional requirements for a small array of ten tidal turbines to improve the devices layout and power cabling architecture. The Structured Innovation design tool output comprises critical functional requirements with the highest overall impact and the least organisational effort to implement, along with appropriate alternative solutions to conflicting requirements.

This paper focuses on an investment decision-making process for sustainable development based on the profitability impact factors for overseas projects. Investors prefer to use the discounted cash-flow method. Although this method is simple and straightforward, its critical weakness is its inability to reflect the factor volatility associated with the project evaluation. To overcome this weakness, the Value-at-Risk method is used to apply the volatility of the profitability impact factors, thereby reflecting the risks and establishing decision-making criteria for risk-averse investors. Risk-averse investors can lose relatively acceptable investment opportunities to risk-neutral or risk-amenable investors due to strict investment decision-making criteria. To overcome this problem, critical factors are selected through a Monte Carlo simulation and a sensitivity analysis, and solutions to the critical-factor problems are then found by using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving and a business version of the Project Definition Rating Index. This study examines the process of recovering investment opportunities with projects that are investment feasible and that have been rejected when applying the criterion of the Value-at-Risk method. To do this, a probabilistic alternative approach is taken. To validate this methodology, the proposed framework for an improved decision-making process is demonstrated using two actual overseas projects of a Korean steel-making company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrastructure megaprojects straddle multiple stakeholder boundaries who have an interest in the project and are affected by the project. Multiple papers in the literature stress the need for holistic approaches to stakeholder engagement, as existing approaches only address the concerns of the noisy stakeholders. This research proposes an innovative approach in which Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is used for understanding stakeholder concerns, complemented by the use of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) for identifying innovative solutions to address conflicting stakeholder goals. The researchers simulated the stakeholder engagement of the Coimbatore metro rail project, in India, through a workshop setting in a classroom to check the feasibility of this approach for stakeholder engagement. The 15 participants of the workshop were divided into four groups representing different stakeholders of the project. Data was collected through participant observations by the authors and oral feedback from the participants. The results show that while SSM helped to capture the concerns and goals of each stakeholder, TRIZ helped to identify and dissolve conflicts among these goals through innovative solutions. The theoretical, practical and pedagogical contributions are highlighted.

This paper presents primary assumptions, origins and development of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) methodology. It also presents global application of the methodology and its impact on innovation by presenting original research into the interrelation between TRIZ implementation in a company and the increase in the number of patents obtained. Furthermore, it deals with the growing interest in TRIZ in Poland, and it describes events related to that. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes experience of developing a distance course «Theory of inventive problem solving» based on distance learning system «Kherson Virtual University» aimed at students of 4 course of specialty «PMSE. Physics».

Quality function deployment is a cross-functional decision-making tool that converts customer needs into technical attributes of new products. Fuzzy numbers are usually adopted to evaluate the customer need importance and the customer need–technical attribute relationships. However, the weighted normalized customer need–technical attribute relationship matrix is not always full rank. If the different fuzzy numbers of two technical attributes are defined as the fuzzy negative ideal solutions, both the closeness coefficients are 0, and the traditional technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution cannot prioritize the two technical attributes. Actually, the rankings of different fuzzy numbers are not identical. To solve this problem, we present a new technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution to prioritize technical attributes in the fuzzy quality function deployment. The fuzzy positive ideal solution, fuzzy negative ideal solution, and distance measurement of the new technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution are improved. As a result, the proposed method not only prioritizes various forms of numbers without considering the lower and upper limits, the median, and boundary interval but also deals with the nonfull rank matrix. Besides, the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving is used to solve technical conflicts which are identified by the line-fitting method. The prioritization results from the proposed method can help to reasonably allocate design and manufacturing resources. Finally, a case on phone shell is given to illustrate the application of the proposed quality function deployment method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass-customization (MC) is a hybrid of mass production and customization, and it offers potential solutions for problems in the apparel industry. This theoretical study contemplates on the contradicting concepts that are combined in the configuration of apparel MC. The study uses the segmentation principle of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving for an analysis framework. Terms for apparel MC including the levels of modularity and variety and the attributes of design and fit are clarified. This study provides a theoretically grounded explanation of how an effective implementation of apparel MC can solve existing problems in the ready-to-wear industry. To offer a managerial tool to identify an efficient scope of apparel MC, this study proposed structured categories of apparel MC in a matrix based on modularity and variety levels for the attributes of design and fit. Examples of the implementation of MC using the proposed matrix were also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Without creativity in design, there is no potential for innovation. This article investigates the role of contradictions in enhancing creativity in product design. Based on the inventive principles of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, this article presents a novel design method by integrating technical and physical contradiction analysis methods into the conceptual design activities of new product development. Although the importance of innovative design is widely recognised, there is a lack of systematic and effective design-thinking processes that can cover all conceptual design activities. To address this gap, this study presents a clear problem-solving model to aid innovative product design based on the contradiction-oriented concept. A case study is employed to illustrate the proposed method, and the results demonstrate that it can help designers produce more creative outcomes in product design. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Interdisciplinary learning is often limited to student groups which already have significant overlap in either their curricular content or whose day-to-day duties entail regular interactions. This is not generally the case for engineers and clinicians, and almost never the case for students of engineering and medicine. In this feasibility study, interdisciplinary learning outcomes were assessed in six teams comprising undergraduate engineering and medical students at a major Irish university. Three key factors differentiated the current study from complimentary approaches; (i) the module places undergraduate medical and engineering students in interdisciplinary teams, (ii) students are educated in a systematic methodology (TRIZ) of design and innovation, which is then applied to a clinical challenge and (iii) the present study places student learning outcomes as the primary mission of the module, rather than the project deliverables. Feedback from both students and clinical mentors was assessed using focus groups and individual interviews. The learning outcomes were convincingly imparted as evidenced by feedback, which was overwhelmingly positive from both students and clinicians. As an added benefit, the tangible outputs (e.g., prototype or software tool) from each of the 6 teams represented a worthy proof-of-concept, in some cases suitable for future research or commercial exploitation. This initial feasibility study highlights the potential benefits of a new structured methodology in to solving clinical problems in the context of interdisciplinary learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every technical system provides at least one useful function. A problem-solving tool called Substance-Field Analysis - which is a TRIZ tool - uses the concepts of function and interaction to identify and describe the evolutionary changes of a system, in order to transfer successful system transformations among different technical domains. This is, in fact, a knowledge-based tool for problem-solving. Paradoxically, no knowledge management approach seems to be linked to this tool. Consequently, this work proposes a function-oriented ontology tool, which combines the advantages of ontologies with the Substance-Field Analysis approach in order to guide creative effort while solving inventive problems also called innovation problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patents a great number of technical inventions are documented. Aided by the theory of inventive problem solving, such inventions can be analysed in a specific manner, which gives insight into inventors' thoughts. In particular, so-called inventive principles facilitate an investigation of thinking. To-date, there are 40 acknowledged inventive principles. In a case study, the field of solar cell modules was selected for an analysis. This paper will present: i) methodical aspects of the study; ii) results concerning the similarities and differences in thinking of Japanese and European engineers, measured by means of the types and frequency of inventive principles they used. A portfolio will show three different clusters. The presented method offers extensive knowledge analysis and also creation opportunities opens up also a strong link to strategic technology management, e.g., illustrating similar and different competencies of institutions in an early merger or acquisition phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The search for innovative solutions to support the growing need for cleaner industrial operations is an example of a problem solving process. Because Brazil is one of the largest milk producers, of which Rio Grande do Sul is one of the three largest producers inside Brazil, we emphasize that the dairy industry is important for the regional, national and global economy. This study used the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving to solve cleaner production problems, identify and develop opportunities within the dairy industry and serve as an innovative tool to search for ways to improve environmental efficiency. This research involved three companies with different sizes and characteristics and was based on the fundamental concepts and tools from the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. The aim of this study was to detect the critical processes in the industries of interest and to detail the features that influence the quality of the studied processes. The results show that this method can be considered as an alternative for resolving related cleaner production problems, especially when the availability of company data is scarce. Furthermore, we highlight the necessity for a feasibility analysis stage because Theory of Inventive Problem Solving does not include this phase within its methodology. These proposals are technically, environmentally and economically attractive and meet the needs of the studied companies. Hence, we conclude that the integration of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving and cleaner production is effective for generating inventive and sustainable solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The classical contradiction matrix (CM) and inventive principles (IPs) developed by Altshuller were based on patents from traditional industries in the 1950s. Evidences showed that the classical contradiction matrix and inventive principles are not quite suitable for newer hightechnology industries such as semiconductor industry due to the fact that the fundamental physics of operating principles are different. To date, no research has developed any CM and IP specifically suitable for the semiconductor industry. This research, as the first step of efforts develop to suitable CM and IP for semiconductor industry using patents from Chemical Mechanical Processing (CMP) equipment and processes in the semiconductor industry. By focusing on a particular industry, we can develop a more suitable CM and IP for that particular industry and with less number of patents needed to review. The results show that a newly established preliminary CM based on merely 120 patents from 1999 to 2008 can interpret 80% of the inventive principles in a set of new patents. This is a significant improvement over the original Altshuller's original CM which can only interpret 40% with 40,000 patents studied. In addition, during this study, two existing principles were revised to reflect a broader application and three new inventive principles were identified. The contributions of this research include: 1) Revising the traditional engineering parameters to be consistent with semiconductor industry including the addition of 7 new parameters; 2) Identifying 3 new IPs and modifying 2 IPs for CMP processes; 3) Establishing a triplet representation to model any patent to facilitate future analytical studies of the contradiction matrix and IPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axiomatic design (AD) and theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) are widely used in conceptual design. Both of them have limitations, however. We presented an integrated model of these two methods to increase the efficiency and quality of the problem solving process for conceptual design. AD is used for systematically defining and structuring a problem into a hierarchy. Sometimes, the design matrix is coupled in AD which indicates the functional requirements are coupled. TRIZ separation principles can be used to separate non-independent design parameters, which provide innovative solutions at each hierarchical level. We applied the integrated model to the heating and drying equipment of bitumen reproduction device. The result verifies that the integrated model can work very well in conceptual design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The independence axiom in axiomatic design (AD) states that the smaller functional dependency, the better system performance. This paper aims to develop an effective and widely applicable method for uncoupling design. First, the relationships, compatibilities, and possibility of integration between AD and systematic inventive thinking (SIT) are analysed. According to the analysis, a new uncoupling method based on SIT is proposed. Next, the detailed uncoupling steps of this method are explained and a strategy to upgrade an old system or develop new systems based on an existing one is proposed in terms of this uncoupling method. Then, an example of solving vibration and noise problem of flushing facility is used to illuminate this method. Finally, a discussion of the proposed uncoupling method and the possible extension of this method with theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) are presented. This proposed uncoupling method is different from the conventional approaches, which avoids measuring functional dependency, harmonizing parameters, or searching substitutable technological ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term ‘robust design’ denotes various engineering methods intended to make a product's function more consistent despite variations in the environment, manufacturing, deterioration, and customer use patterns. Most robust design methods are employed at the detailed design stage, but the benefits derived may be significantly higher if efforts are made earlier in the design process so that the design concept itself is inherently capable of being made robust. To make progress toward these ends, we studied a large number of inventions documented by US patents that claimed robustness as a key advantage over the prior art. We grouped these patents on the basis of the general strategies they employed. We found that the strategies can be usefully organized via the P-diagram. This paper will describe a few of these strategies by means of examples and explain the relationship of the strategies to the P-diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Function and principle innovation is the ultimate innovation of a product. To achieve Function and principle innovation design of mechanical products, a new process model of function and principle solving is proposed, based on TRIZ and FA. In this model, abstraction of general function, confirmation of principle solution to general function, and functional decomposition were included in FA. Confirmation of principle solution to general function was the premise of functional decomposition. To provide a dependable pattern for functional decomposition, a new functional analysis method was put forward based on the generalized process function along with the introduction of the input constraint function; and its five-decomposition-steps were also presented. To provide powerful support for innovation design tools in principle solution, some TRIZ tools in the model were imbedded, such as Su-field Analysis, Scientific Effects, and Contradiction Solving Principles so as to boost up the innovation of principle solution. As a case study, an innovative design of paint-bottling machine has been achieved with application of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whole energy system requires renewables that scale and produce reliable, valuable energy at an acceptable cost. The key to increasing the deployment of ocean energy is bringing down development and operating costs. This paper proposes a structured approach to innovation in ocean energy systems that would spur innovation and expand the market for ocean energy. This approach can be used by a wide range of stakeholders—including technology and project developers and investors—when considering creating or improving designs. The Structured Innovation design tool within the DTOceanPlus suite is one of a kind beyond the current state-of-the-art. It enables the adaptation and integration of systematic problem-solving tools based on quality function deployment (QFD), the theory of inventive thinking (TRIZ), and the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) methodologies for the ocean energy sector. In obtaining and assessing innovative concepts, the integration of TRIZ into QFD enables the designers to define the innovation problem, identifies trade-offs in the system, and, with TRIZ as a systematic inventive problem-solving methodology, generates potential design concepts for the contradicting requirements. Additionally, the FMEA is used to assess the technical risks associated with the proposed design concepts. The methodology is demonstrated using high-level functional requirements for a small array of ten tidal turbines to improve the devices layout and power cabling architecture. The Structured Innovation design tool output comprises critical functional requirements with the highest overall impact and the least organisational effort to implement, along with appropriate alternative solutions to conflicting requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrastructure megaprojects straddle multiple stakeholder boundaries who have an interest in the project and are affected by the project. Multiple papers in the literature stress the need for holistic approaches to stakeholder engagement, as existing approaches only address the concerns of the noisy stakeholders. This research proposes an innovative approach in which Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is used for understanding stakeholder concerns, complemented by the use of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) for identifying innovative solutions to address conflicting stakeholder goals. The researchers simulated the stakeholder engagement of the Coimbatore metro rail project, in India, through a workshop setting in a classroom to check the feasibility of this approach for stakeholder engagement. The 15 participants of the workshop were divided into four groups representing different stakeholders of the project. Data was collected through participant observations by the authors and oral feedback from the participants. The results show that while SSM helped to capture the concerns and goals of each stakeholder, TRIZ helped to identify and dissolve conflicts among these goals through innovative solutions. The theoretical, practical and pedagogical contributions are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]