TRIZ Patterns of Evolution of Technological Systems

 
#
Pattern
Stages / Examples
1 Technology follows a life cycle of birth, growth, maturity, decline. Stage 1. A system does not yet exist, but important conditions for its emergence are being developed.

A lot of manual attempts to fly fail.
Stage 2. A new system appears due to high-level of invention, but development is slow. Wright Brothers' biplane.
Stage 3. Society recognizes value of the new system. Military WWI biplane with speed 100 mph.
Stage 4. Resources for the original system concept end. Wood and rope frame planes reach limit.
Stage 5. Next generation of system emerges to replace original system. Metal frame monoplane
Stage 6. Some limited use of original system may coexist with new system. A limited use of biplanes still exists
2 Uneven development of subsystems resulting in contradictions. Subsystems have different life cycle curves. Primitive subsystems held back development of total system. Common mistake is to focus on the improvement of wrong subsystem. Developers focused on engine power instead of improving poor safety in old cars 
3 Increasing dynamism and controllability. Early automobiles were controlled by engine speed. Then manual gearbox, followed by automatic transmissions, and continuously variable transmissions.
4 Increasing complexity, followed by simplicity through integration.
  1. Stereo music systems have evolved from adding separate components such as speakers, AM/FM radio, cassette and CD players, etc. to integrated in "boom box."
  2. Modern computer suites includes word-processor, electronic spreadsheet, database, and other programs.
5 Matching and mismatching of parts. Assemblies are originally made from uncoordinated parts, followed by integrated designs, culminated by parts whose characteristics are changeable upon demand. Auto brakes.
6 Transition from macrosystems to microsystems At this stage we often use energy /information fields concept to achieve better performance or control. Development of cooking systems from wood burning stove to gas ranges , to electric ranges, to microwave ovens.
7 Decreasing human involvement with increasing automation.
  1. Development of clothes washing from washboard to washing machine with ringer, to automatic washing machine with automatic bleach and softener dispensers.
  2. Robot-based conveyers
8 System becomes a subsystem of a general system. One of the main TRIZ concepts of the Ideality

1. A microprocessor versus an individual transistor

2. A telephone with answering machine.
?
Back
Email: TRIZExperts@hotmail.com