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With increasing global competition, expediting the problem solving process has become crucial in the industry. Techniques such as Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and Axiomatic Design (AD) have been widely applied for this purpose. TRIZ and AD are very powerful tools with different but complementary strengths. A previously proposed synergistic approach based on TRIZ and AD enhances the individual strengths of these methods by using them within a common framework, thus providing a more powerful methodology for problem solving. In this paper, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the synergistic approach through a manufacturing related case-study. Considering the importance of validation of engineering models, a validation method for the synergistic approach is discussed based on review of design engineering validation literature.

Disruptive Innovation (DI) is an effective method for a new firm to enter mature market. According to the composing analysis of the technical system for the product, six kinds of typical state in the technical system process can be detected. In accordance with technology system evolution analysis, two kinds of evolutionary technologies — mainstream evolutionary technologies and laggard evolutionary technologies — can be detected. Then, the conditions for forecasting DI technologies are established. Based on evolution path lines of TRIZ, the potential DI can be forecasted. As a case study, the video game console system is investigated. The study shows that the adoption of TRIZ evolution theory in forecasting disruptive technologies of product is feasible.

This paper describes the application of a combination of TRIZ and Bass modeling to forecast the technology growth projections for one of the wearable devices, fitness trackers. For the TRIZ modeling, the fitness tracking system was divided into three subsystems and each was analyzed as per the technology trends from current literature. The subsystems’ combined assessment was then visualized via a radar plot. The analysis showed the technology to be in an emergent state with primary growth in the hardware and software subsystem areas. The Bass model showed the market peaking at eight and saturating in 15 years.

The United States Navy DDG-1000 shipbuilding program was drastically cut back in 2008 before the first ship of the class had been launched. The platform was deprecated by recent emerging threats from China using improved technologies that countered the DDG-1000 capabilities. The system development and capabilities are examined through the lenses of various systems engineering tools and project management frameworks. The analysis illustrates how system developmental rates can be used to introduce disruptions to a system in opposition.

Reverse Logistics Networks (RLNs) have grown in importance after return policies became compulsory. Lately, questions have been raised whether they effectively decrease environmental impact: efforts to optimize the eco-efficiency of RLNs through minimizing costs and emissions were deployed, but results are not advancing with the necessary speed. Alternatively, the eco-effectiveness (“doing the right thing” for the environment) approach emerges, promoting a supportive relationship, balancing environment and economy. This research aims to model the design (or redesign) process of eco-effective RLNs. There are numerous ecodesign tools focusing on product or service design, but an eco-effective design process conceived specifically for logistics design purposes is yet to be delivered. Research was carried out using the Design Science Research Methodology and an exemplification for the Poultry Industry was outlined to demonstrate how the process unrolls. The model was conceived using a combination of Upcycling, Industrial Symbiosis, TRIZ rationale and Collaboration for Sustainability. The proposed design process model will help the conception of more innovative, eco-effective logistics networks.

In the field of management, the determination of parameters for constructing a conflict management resolution is of primary concern. The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) is used in this study to resolve such conflicts, while TRIZ can also be applied to human resource management (HRM). Through a conflict management situation analysis and build a conflict resolving HRM matrix to resemble the TRIZ technical conflict-resolving matrix, we applied principles through the extracted event data and examined the feasibility of using the TRIZ in HRM cases, and analyzed the resolved management conflict parameters.

This study aims to develop a new methodology that meets the requirements of customers and the environment in a reliable process to recognize the important product’s requirements and accurately transform them into innovative product design concepts. The methodology proposes a novel way to integrate the Kano model, and QFDE and TRIZ methods to precisely capture stakeholder requirements, and transform them into product specifications for innovative products. The methodology consists of four steps. Step 1 starts with classifying the product’s requirements according to the Kano profiles and stakeholders’ requirements. In step 2, results from phase 1 serve as an important factor to determine improvement targets. Step 3 analyses the improvement challenges and selects the most relevant inventive principles to solve contradiction problems. Step 4 uses the selected inventive principles, with the help of relevant literature, to generate specific solutions that can satisfy the requirements. A case study in desk lamp improvement is used as an example to illustrate the proposed methodology. The specific solutions innovated from the methodology have benefits that fulfil the stakeholder requirements and are in line with proven references such as patents and journal papers. The results show that this methodology can accurately incorporate the important product requirements into the product design and help product designers to create innovative design concepts.

In the low-voltage distribution system, electrical equipment failure will terminate the provision of power to the client. This could lead to the power supply and distribution system malfunctioning, thereby causing a widespread power outage. In this paper, the typical failure mechanism of a low-voltage circuit breaker is first set out. Using the TRIZ theoretical method and analysis tool, improvements are made to the low-voltage circuit breaker such that its typical defects are mitigated. TRIZ is also used to conduct research into the typical failure modes and to put forward new ideas and tools for electrical equipment failure analysis. These serve as a valuable reference for future studies.

Innovative design has become a vital way in the research of new products, especially when we encounter difficulties in the design process. This paper is focused on the design of filling soil mechanism which is one indispensable part of the potted flowers transplanting production line. The function of the potted flowers transplanting production line is transplanting the flower seedlings (anthurium) from the 110mm diameter of small pot to the 170mm diameter of large pot. In this transplanting process, the filling soil mechanism is used to fill soil into the 170mm pot and mold a soil hole whose shape is as same as 110mm pot, the role of soil hole is to accommodate the flower seedling. On the basis of previous studies, it is found that the molded soil in 170mm pot will collapse. Thus, we carried out study to acquire the functional mechanism of the collapse of the molded soil hole in 170mm pot. In this study, the TRIZ contradiction method is applied to acquire more feasible mechanical structure and make the filling soil mechanism realize its function better. This article hopes to provide the innovative design of mechanical structure based on TRIZ, especially filling soil mechanism in the potted flowers transplanting production line, put forward a new train of thought for design work.

TRIZ theory was applied to the innovative research of machine tools. Based on TRIZ directed evolution and in accordance with several evolutional modes such as the increase of controllability and degree of automation, the evolution to microscopic level, high integration then simplification and the enhancement of idealized level, the development of key technologies for machine tools were reviewed. On this basis, the possible future structure of the machine tools was explored and the possible future development direction of the machine tools which included the improvement of controllability and degree of automation and the enhancement of idealized level was proposed in order to provide reference for the innovation and development of machine tools.

This study proposed a novel design of intelligent pacifier, in order to help the caretakers knowing when to feed the newborn infants or premature infants who do not have sufficient sucking ability. By adopting the inherent safety and TRIZ methods, the inherent safety analysis and design could effective prevent the injuries caused by improper feeding. Furthermore, Su-Fields Analysis was performed to identify the problems, and 76 Standard Solutions were used to find the possible design structure for systematic innovative design. The intelligent pacifier was designed with a distortion sensor to detect the changes of sucking ability and frequency of the infants. The data were transmitted via the wireless transmitter to a remote receiver, and the computing module of the intelligent pacifier would display the actual sucking force and frequency on the screen. Then, the caretakers could refer to the data and provide proper care for the infants.