The Evolution of Innovation - TRIZ Trends and Bionics

Abstract

The bachelor thesis in hand compares biological and technical innovation strategies and analyses potential connexions between ‘The Theory of Inventive Problems Solving – TRIZ’ and ‘Bionics’.

The analysis focuses mainly on the ‘Seven Pillars’ and ‘TRIZ Trends’ of the innovation philosophy ‘Systematic Innovation’ as well as on Darwin’s theory of evolution and the ‘Ten Principles of Biological Design’ of bionics.

Consequently analogies and differences between biological and technical strategies are identified, descriptive examples are presented and the relevance of these perceptions for human innovation strategies is evaluated.

As a result the combination of bionical and TRIZ-based techniques is recommended as a basis for a holistic, evolutionary-oriented human innovation strategy.

Zusammenfassung

Die vorliegende Bachelor-Arbeit befasst sich mit biologischen sowie technischen Problemlösungsstrategien und hat zum Ziel, mögliche Verbindungen zwischen der Theorie des erfinderischen Denkens (kurz TRIZ) und dem Fachgebiet Bionik zu eruieren und zu analysieren.

Die Analyse konzentriert sich einerseits auf die ‚Sieben Säulen’ sowie die ‚TRIZ- Trends’ der Innovationsmethodik ‚Systematic Innovation’ und andererseits auf das Konzept der biologischen Evolution nach Darwin sowie die ‚Zehn Prinzipien biologischen Designs’ der Bionik.

Es werden Gemeinsamkeiten wie auch Unterschiede biologischer und technischer Strategien herausgearbeitet, entsprechende Beispiele angeführt und es wird versucht, die Relevanz dieser Erkenntnisse für humane Innovationsstrategien zu beurteilen.

Als Resultat wird die Kombination bionischer und TRIZ-basierter Problemlösungs- ansätze als mögliche Grundlage für eine ganzheitliche, evolutionsorientierte humane Innovationsstrategie dargestellt.

Table of Contents

1.  An Introduction to Evolution  01

2.  The Theory of Inventive Problems Solving  02

2.1  Systematic Innovation  03

2.2  Forecast of Technological Evolution with TRIZ Trends  05

2.3  Examples for TRIZ Trends  07

2.3.1  Space Segmentation and Surface Segmentation  07

2.3.2  Action Coordination  09

2.3.3  Boundary Breakdown  09

2.3.4  Mono-Bi-Poly (Similar) (Various) (Increasing Differences)  10

2.4  Evolutionary Trend Radar Plots  11

3.  Bionics  12

3.1  Evolution The Biological Strategy to Innovation  13

3.2  Ten Principles of Biological Design  14

3.2.1  Integrated Construction and Optimisation of the Whole  15

3.2.2  Multifunctionality Instead Of Monofunctionality  16

3.2.3  Environmental Fine-Tuning  17

3.2.4  Saving Energy and Usage of Solar Energy  18

3.2.5  Limited Duration and Complete Recycling  20

3.2.6  Cross Linking Instead Of Linearity  21

3.2.7  Development by Try and Error Process  22

4.  Conclusion  24

Table of Figures

1.0  General TRIZ Process  02

1.1  The Seven Pillars of SI  04

1.2  Development of Systems Shown as S-Curve  06

1.3  Each Stage of a Trend Represents a New S-Curve  06

1.4  Trend Space Segmentation  07

1.5  Trend Space Segmentation Shown with Bricks  08

1.6  Trend Surface Segmentation  08

1.7  Trend Action Coordination  09

1.8  Trend Boundary Breakdown  10

1.9  Trend Mono-Bi-Poly  10

2.0  Trend Mono-Bi-Poly (Various)  

  with Printer Scanner Copier Fax Card Reader  10

2.1  Evolutionary Potential Radar Plot  11

2.2  Egg Shell of Blowfly  16

2.3  Space-Time-Interface Shown with 9 Windows  17

2.4  Different Types of Fungi  20

Table of Abbreviations

  ARIZ Algorithm for Inventive Problems Solving  

  DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid  

  ESS Evolutionary Stable Strategy  

  IFR Ideal Final Result  

  QFD Quality Function Deployment  

  SI Systematic  Innovation

  TIPS Theory of Inventive Problems Solving  

  TRIZ Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadatch  

1. An Introduction to Evolution

Under ever-changing conditions evolution, the gradual proceeding of development 1 , is the key to survival. This is true for biological, living systems as well as for technical, economic systems.

Living systems reproduce. This reproduction is no accurate copying process, it is deficient. Errors, so called mutations, occur by chance. Mutations are evaluated by natural selection, only the fittest survive. Therefore significant and fit mutations result in new species.

This process was primarily described by Charles Darwin in his work ‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’ in 1895 (see bibliography). Without knowing anything about genetics or DNA, Charles Darwin formulated a breakthrough concept which is still quite controversial. To describe the evolution of living creatures as an “... outcome of nothing but a cascade of algorithmic processes feeding on chance” 2 is still not easily accepted, especially from a religious point of view.

In economy the term of use is innovation, not species. New ideas and concepts which prove to be successful are called innovations. The evaluator here is the market. Due to the globalisation of markets innovations become a necessity for companies in order to survive.

The resources of nature are vast, the resources of economy are not. The evolution of innovation by mere chance is possible, but not efficient enough. If resources are limited, creativity needs systematic proceeding.

Suggestions how to innovate creatively and systematically are offered by the Theory of Inventive Problems Solving.

1 Bibliographisches Institut & F.A. Brockhaus AG (1997): Duden. Das Fremdwoerterbuch. Germany, Mannheim / Berchtesgaden. Page 242. Translation by Author.

2 Dennett, Daniel C. (1995): Darwin’s Dangerous Idea. Evolution and the Meanings of Life. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks. Page 59.

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2. The Theory of Inventive Problems Solving

TIPS, the Theory of Inventive Problems Solving, better known under the Russian acronym TRIZ (Teoriya Resheniya Izobretatelskikh Zadatch), was developed by Genrikh Altshuller, a Russian engineer and scientist.

Starting in 1946, an analysis of millions of patents showed certain patterns within the development of technical systems. Based on these results TRIZ states that technical evolution is not a random process, but is controlled by objective laws. These laws can be used consciously to reassess technical systems. Consequently TRIZ offers an algorithmic approach to invention. 3

The basic idea of TRIZ is outlined in figure 1.0. There is a generic problem behind every specific problem and therefore a generic solution, which has to be translated into a specific solution. Put into simple words it means that “... someone somewhere has already solved your problem” 4 .

Figure 1.0 – General TRIZ Process 5

3 Compare Langevin, Richard: aitriz.org: Altshuller Institute for TRIZ Studies. Online: URL: http://www.aitriz.org [Status 2007-05-06] 4 Compare Barry, Katie / Domb, Ellen / Slocum, Michael S.: TRIZ. What is TRIZ. Online: URL: http://www.triz-journal.com/archives/what_is_triz/ [Status 2007-05-02] 5 Mann, Darrell L (2002): Hands on Systematic Innovation. Belgium. Page 18.

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