#3722 Applying all of TRIZ for a System Evaluation
#3722 Applying all of TRIZ for a System Evaluation
#3722 I want to evaluate every subsystem and component of a user-specified system, say a bicycle for examples. Describe how the many methods of TRIZ should be applied.
Of course. TRIZ offers a powerful, systematic framework to evaluate and improve any system, including a bicycle. Instead of random brainstorming, TRIZ uses a logical process to identify core problems and point toward inventive solutions.
The evaluation process focuses on identifying and resolving contradictions to move the system toward Ideality. The ideal bicycle would transport the rider instantly to their destination with no cost, no energy input, and no harmful effects. While unattainable, this concept provides a clear direction for improvement.
Here’s how the primary TRIZ methods would be applied to evaluate a bicycle, broken down by its subsystems.
## 1. Function and Component Analysis
This is the starting point. We map out every component and its function—both useful and harmful. The goal is to understand what the system does and what it shouldn't do.
Process:
List Components: Frame, wheels (rims, spokes, hubs, tires), drivetrain (pedals, cranks, chainrings, chain, cassette, derailleurs), braking system (levers, cables, calipers, pads), and control system (handlebars, saddle, seatpost).
Analyze Functions: For each component, define its primary useful function and any harmful or insufficient functions.
Trimming: After identifying functions, ask: "Can we eliminate this component while its useful function is still performed?"
Example: The Drivetrain
Useful Function: To transfer force from the rider's legs to the rear wheel. The derailleur's function is to change the gear ratio.
Insufficient Function: Mechanical energy is lost to friction in the chain and gears.
Harmful Functions: The chain requires lubrication (gets greasy), it wears out, it can break, and the derailleur is fragile and prone to misalignment.
Trimming Question: Can we transfer force without the chain and derailleur? This question leads directly to innovations like shaft drives or belt drives (which are cleaner and lower maintenance) and internal gear hubs (which protect the shifting mechanism from damage).
## 2. Cause-Effect Chain Analysis
This tool is used to drill down from a surface-level problem to its root cause. By repeatedly asking "Why?", we can uncover the fundamental issue that needs solving.
Process: Start with a problem and trace its causes backward.
Example: A Punctured Tire
Problem: The tire goes flat.
Why? ➡️ The inner tube was punctured.
Why? ➡️ A sharp object on the road penetrated the tire tread.
Why? ➡️ The tire material is not strong enough to resist all sharp objects.
Why? ➡️ Because the material also needs to be flexible and light to provide good grip and low rolling resistance.
This analysis reveals a core contradiction, which is the central focus of TRIZ.
## 3. Identifying and Solving Contradictions
This is the heart of TRIZ. A contradiction occurs when improving one parameter of a system worsens another. TRIZ provides specific tools to solve these without compromise.
Technical Contradictions
A technical contradiction is a classic engineering trade-off. "I want to improve X, but Y gets worse." We use the Contradiction Matrix and 40 Inventive Principles to solve these.
Example: The Bicycle Frame
Contradiction: We want to increase the strength of the frame (Improving Parameter) so it doesn't break, but this increases its weight (Worsening Parameter).
TRIZ Solution:
Map these to the 39 Engineering Parameters: Improving Feature is #14 Strength; Worsening Feature is #2 Weight of a Stationary Object.
Look at the intersection of these in the Contradiction Matrix. It suggests several Inventive Principles, including:
Principle #40: Composite Materials: Don't use a solid, uniform material. Use a composite like carbon fiber, which offers high strength for very low weight.
Principle #1: Segmentation: Instead of a solid beam, use a hollow tube. This maintains most of the strength while drastically reducing material and weight.
Principle #15: Dynamization: Design a frame that is rigid in one direction (for power transfer) but flexible in another (for comfort).
Physical Contradictions
A physical contradiction occurs when a single component needs to have opposite properties at the same time. "The object must be X and not-X." We solve these using the Separation Principles.
Example: The Bicycle Tire
Contradiction: The tire needs to be soft to grip the road surface, and it needs to be hard to resist punctures and wear.
TRIZ Solution (Separation Principles):
Separation in Space: Make the tire have different properties in different areas. The outer tread can be made of a soft, grippy rubber compound, while a layer underneath (a "puncture protection belt") can be made of a hard, dense material like Kevlar.
Separation on Condition: The property changes based on conditions. This leads to innovations like self-healing tires, which contain a liquid sealant that is fluid (soft) inside the tire but becomes solid (hard) when it is exposed to air during a puncture.
## 4. Applying the Laws of Technical System Evolution
TRIZ identifies predictable patterns in how technology evolves. By analyzing the bicycle against these laws, we can predict its next logical stage of development.
Law of Increasing Ideality: All systems evolve to become more effective, simpler, and have fewer harmful effects.
Bicycle Evaluation: The evolution from heavy steel frames to lightweight carbon fiber, or from complex, fragile derailleurs to robust internal gear hubs, follows this law. The next step would be an even simpler, more efficient, and maintenance-free drivetrain.
Law of Transition to the Micro-level: Systems tend to evolve by shifting from macro-level structures to micro-level structures.
Bicycle Evaluation: This is seen in material science. Instead of just "aluminum," we now have precisely engineered alloys. Tire compounds are designed at a molecular level with additives like graphene and silica to fine-tune grip and rolling resistance. Lubricants contain nano-particles to reduce friction.
Law of Increasing Dynamization: Systems evolve from being rigid to being flexible and adaptable.
Bicycle Evaluation: Early bikes were completely rigid. Now we have suspension systems that adapt to the terrain. Dropper seatposts allow the saddle height to be changed while riding. Electronic shifting systems can be programmed to adapt to a rider's preferences. The future suggests systems that automatically adjust suspension or gear ratios based on the terrain ahead.
By applying this suite of TRIZ tools, you can systematically evaluate every component of a bicycle, identify its core limitations, and generate a roadmap of innovative solutions that push it toward a more ideal state.
What about Ideal Final Result, 9 Boxes, Smart Little People, TRIZ 76 Standard Solutions, resources and x-factor?
Excellent question. These additional TRIZ tools move from the foundational methods into more advanced problem formulation and solution-finding techniques. They provide different lenses through which to view the system and uncover highly inventive solutions.
Here is how these methods would be applied to the evaluation of a bicycle.
## 5. Ideal Final Result (IFR)
The IFR is a powerful psychological tool that helps to break free from conventional thinking. It defines the ultimate best-case outcome of a function, typically by stating that the desired action occurs by itself, without introducing new components, costs, or harms.
Process: Formulate the IFR for a key problem, then work backward to see how existing resources can be used to approach this ideal state.
Example: Gear Shifting
Problem: Shifting gears requires cables, levers, and fragile derailleurs. It's a complex, external system that can fail.
IFR Formulation: "The bicycle selects the perfect gear ratio by itself, instantly, and without any shifting mechanism."
How it Guides Innovation: This statement forces us to move beyond improving the derailleur and instead ask: What in the system already knows the "perfect gear ratio"? The rider's effort (torque) and pedaling speed (cadence) do. This leads directly to the development of automatic and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) for bicycles. These systems use internal mechanisms (like planetary gears or shifting spheres) that respond directly to rider input or speed to adjust the ratio seamlessly, eliminating the traditional derailleur and moving closer to the IFR.
## 6. 9 Boxes (System Operator)
This is a powerful thinking tool that maps the system across time and scale. It prevents you from being trapped at one level of a problem by forcing you to consider its past and future, as well as the components it's made of (subsystem) and the larger system it belongs to (supersystem).
Process: Place your system in the center box and analyze the other eight.
Example: The Bicycle Brake
How it Guides Innovation: By looking at the "Future" column, we can see a clear evolutionary trend: the function (braking) is becoming more integrated and less complex at the system level. The 9 Boxes analysis predicts the move away from a separate, dedicated braking system toward one where the drive system (the motor on an e-bike) or another existing component performs the braking function, achieving the TRIZ goal of Trimming.
## 7. Smart Little People (or Subversion Analysis)
This method involves personifying the objects or fields within a problem. You imagine a team of "Smart Little People" (SLP) trying to carry out a function and describe the difficulties they face. This translates a complex physical or chemical problem into a more intuitive, human-scale one.
Process: Model the system at a micro-level with SLP and ask them what they need to succeed.
Example: A Wet Bicycle Chain
Problem: Water washes lubricant off the chain, leading to rust and high friction.
SLP Model: Imagine tiny people whose job is to carry little balls of lubricant and place them between the chain's rollers and pins.
Their Problem: When it rains, a "flood" of water washes them and their lubricant balls away. They can't hold on.
Their Solution Ideas:
"We need umbrellas!" This translates to a chain cover or fully enclosed drivetrain.
"We need a lubricant that is sticky and waterproof!" This points toward developing hydrophobic, wax-based, or ceramic lubricants that repel water.
"We don't want to carry lubricant at all. What if the chain links themselves were slippery?" This leads to the use of self-lubricating materials or special coatings (like Teflon) for chain components.
## 8. 76 Standard Solutions
This is a systematic tool for solving problems that have been modeled using Su-Field Analysis. A Su-Field model breaks a problem down into two "Substances" (S1, S2) and a "Field" (F) that acts between them. Once modeled, you can consult one of the 76 Standard Solutions—a classified list of proven inventive solutions for common Su-Field problem types.
Process: Model the problem as a Su-Field interaction and apply the corresponding Standard Solution.
Example: Rider's Hands Getting Numb
Problem: Vibrations from the handlebars make the rider's hands numb.
Su-Field Model:
S1: Road
S2: Handlebars/Rider's Hands
F: Mechanical Field (Vibration)
This is an incomplete or harmful system. We want to reduce the harmful effect of the field.
Applying a Standard Solution: We look to Class 2: Methods for Improving a System.
Standard 2.2.3: Add a neutralizing or counteracting Field.
Innovation: This standard prompts us to introduce a system that actively cancels the vibrations. This leads to active suspension systems or vibration-damping materials built directly into the handlebars or frame. These materials absorb the vibration energy (the harmful field) and convert it into a tiny amount of heat, effectively protecting the rider.
## 9. Resources
In TRIZ, "Resources" include any substance, energy, space, time, information, or function that is available in or around the system but is not being fully utilized. The core principle is to solve a problem using what you already have before adding something new.
Process: Systematically list all available resources and brainstorm how they can be used to perform a function or solve a problem.
Example: Underutilized Resources on a Bicycle
Kinetic Energy (Momentum): Normally wasted as heat during braking. Solution: On an e-bike, use regenerative braking to convert this energy back into electricity to charge the battery.
Hollow Space in the Frame: The tubes of the frame are empty. Solution: Use this space for integrated storage of tools, pumps, or batteries (as seen in many modern e-bikes), eliminating the need for external bags.
The Rider: The rider produces heat and biometric data. Solution: Integrate sensors into the handlebars or saddle to monitor heart rate or power output without extra devices. Future concepts could use rider-generated heat to power small electronics.
Air (Wind): The air moves past the rider. Solution: While mostly a source of drag, it could potentially be used to power small devices via a mini-turbine, or its flow could be managed to create stabilizing forces.
## 10. X-Factor
The X-Factor refers to harnessing a subtle, hidden, or previously unknown property of a substance or field to achieve a function. It's about discovering an unseen resource.
Process: When faced with a difficult contradiction, ask: "Is there a hidden property of the system or its environment that changes under certain conditions?"
Example: Frame Materials
Problem: A frame needs to be strong but also comfortable (able to damp vibrations). These are conflicting properties.
Known Factors: Steel is strong but heavy. Aluminum is light but often stiff and harsh.
X-Factor: The anisotropic nature of carbon fiber composites. Anisotropic means the material has different properties in different directions. This was the hidden "X-Factor." Engineers learned that by precisely orienting the layers ("layup") of carbon fiber, they could make a frame tube that was incredibly stiff and resistant to twisting forces from pedaling (laterally), yet simultaneously compliant and able to absorb road vibrations vertically. This resolved the stiffness vs. comfort contradiction without compromise by exploiting a subtle property of the material itself.
So, given all of this, provide a checklist and work flow to evaluate systems in this manner
Of course. Here is a practical checklist and workflow that synthesizes the TRIZ methods into a structured process for evaluating any system.
## TRIZ System Evaluation Checklist ✅
This checklist provides the key steps to follow. Use it as a quick guide to ensure all major analytical stages are covered.
Phase 1: System Analysis & Definition
[ ] 1. Define the System and its Main Function: Clearly state the system's boundaries and its primary purpose.
[ ] 2. Define the Ideal Final Result (IFR): What is the ultimate, perfect outcome? (e.g., "The function happens by itself.") Use this as your guiding star.
[ ] 3. Conduct Function and Component Analysis:
[ ] List all components of the system.
[ ] For each component, identify its useful, insufficient, and harmful functions.
[ ] Look for opportunities for Trimming (eliminating components whose function can be performed by another).
[ ] 4. Identify All Available Resources: Systematically list unused or underutilized substances, energy, space, information, and time in and around the system.
Phase 2: Problem Identification & Formulation
[ ] 5. Select a Key Problem: Choose a significant harmful or insufficient function identified in Step 3.
[ ] 6. Find the Root Cause: Use Cause-Effect Chain Analysis (the "5 Whys") to trace the problem to its fundamental origin.
[ ] 7. Formulate the Core Contradiction:
[ ] Is it a Technical Contradiction (Improving A worsens B)? State it clearly.
[ ] Is it a Physical Contradiction (An object needs opposite properties, C and not-C)? State it clearly.
Phase 3: Systematic Solution Generation
[ ] 8. Apply TRIZ Solution Tools:
[ ] For Technical Contradictions: Use the Contradiction Matrix to find the 3-4 recommended Inventive Principles. Brainstorm solutions based on these principles.
[ ] For Physical Contradictions: Apply the Separation Principles (in Space, Time, or on Condition) to brainstorm solutions.
[ ] (Optional) Model the problem using Su-Field Analysis and consult the 76 Standard Solutions.
[ ] 9. Broaden Concepts with Creative Tools:
[ ] Revisit the IFR: How do the generated solutions move the system closer to the ideal?
[ ] Use Smart Little People (SLP) to model the problem at a micro-level and uncover new insights.
Phase 4: Concept Selection & Future Development
[ ] 10. Evaluate Solution Concepts: Review the ideas generated. Do they make use of available Resources? Are they simple and elegant?
[ ] 11. Check Against Laws of Evolution: Does the proposed solution follow predictable trends (e.g., increasing ideality, dynamization, moving to the micro-level)? This helps validate if the solution is a true evolutionary step.
[ ] 12. Select and Refine the Final Concept: Choose the most promising solution for further development.
## TRIZ Evaluation Workflow
This workflow shows how the checklist steps connect in a logical, iterative process. It's not strictly linear; you may need to loop back as you gain new insights.
1. Define & Analyze
Start with your system (e.g., a bicycle). Define its Main Useful Function ("transport a person") and the Ideal Final Result ("The person is transported instantly with no bicycle").
Perform a deep Function Analysis on all components. This is your primary source for identifying problems. At the same time, create a list of all available Resources.
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2. Isolate a Problem
From your function analysis, select a key Harmful Function (e.g., "the chain creates grease") or Insufficient Function (e.g., "brakes perform poorly in the wet").
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3. Find the Root Cause & Formulate the Contradiction
Use Cause-Effect Chain Analysis on the problem. This will almost always lead you to a fundamental conflict or trade-off.
Decision Point: Classify this conflict.
Is it a Technical Contradiction? (e.g., "Increasing brake pad friction to improve stopping power worsens the durability of the pad.") ➡️ Go to Step 4A.
Is it a Physical Contradiction? (e.g., "The brake pad must be soft to grip the disc and hard to resist wear.") ➡️ Go to Step 4B.
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4A. Solve Technical Contradiction
Identify the Improving and Worsening parameters from the 39 Engineering Parameters.
Use the Contradiction Matrix to get recommendations from the 40 Inventive Principles.
Brainstorm concrete solutions based on these principles (e.g., Principle #40: Composite Materials suggests using a composite brake pad with hard particles in a soft matrix). ➡️ Go to Step 5.
4B. Solve Physical Contradiction
Apply the Separation Principles:
Separate in Space: Can the pad be soft in one part and hard in another? (e.g., layered materials).
Separate in Time: Can the pad be soft when braking and hard otherwise? (Less applicable here).
Separate on Condition: Can the pad's properties change with temperature?
Brainstorm concrete solutions. ➡️ Go to Step 5.
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5. Refine and Validate Solutions
Gather all the potential solutions you've generated.
Filter them using these questions:
Does the solution utilize untapped Resources?
Does it move the system closer to the IFR?
Does it align with the Laws of Technical System Evolution (e.g., does it make the system simpler or more dynamic)?
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6. Final Concept Selection
Choose the most robust, elegant, and practical solution for implementation. This is your final, innovative concept derived from a logical and repeatable process. 🏆
From <https://gemini.google.com/app/> Google Gemini 2.5 Pro
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