The analysis of inventions shows that the development of all systems goes in the direction idealization, that is, an element or system decreases or disappears, but its function is preserved.
Bulky and heavy cathode-ray computer monitors are being replaced by light and flat liquid crystal monitors. The speed of the processor increases hundreds of times, but its size and power consumption do not increase. Cell phones are getting more complex, but their size is shrinking.
$ Think about idealizing money.
ARIZ elements
Consider the basic steps of the Algorithm for Solving Inventive Problems (ARIZ).
1. The beginning of the analysis is the compilation structural model TS (as described above).
2. Then the main thing is highlighted technical contradiction(TP).
technical contradictions(TP) are such interactions in the system when a positive action simultaneously causes a negative action; or if the introduction/strengthening of a positive effect, or the elimination/weakening of a negative effect, causes deterioration (in particular, unacceptable complication) of one of the parts of the system or the entire system as a whole.
To increase the speed of a propeller-driven aircraft, you need to increase the engine power, but increasing the engine power will reduce the speed.
Often, to identify the main TP, it is required to analyze causal chain(PSC) connections and contradictions.
Let's continue the PSC for the contradiction "an increase in engine power will reduce the speed." To increase engine power, it is necessary to increase the engine size, for which it is necessary to increase the mass of the engine, which will lead to additional fuel consumption, which will increase the mass of the aircraft, which will negate the gain in power and reduce speed.
3. Produced mental department of functions(properties) from objects.
In the analysis of any element of the system, we are not interested in it itself, but in its function, that is, the ability to perform or perceive certain influences. Functions also have a causal chain.
The main function of the engine is not to turn the screw, but to push the plane. We do not need the engine itself, but only its ability to push the plane. In the same way, we are not interested in a TV, but in its ability to reproduce an image.
4. Produced amplification of the contradiction.
The contradiction should be mentally strengthened, brought to the limit. A lot is everything, a little is nothing.
The mass of the engine does not increase at all, but the speed of the aircraft increases.
5. Are determined operational zone(OZ) and operational time(OV).
It is necessary to single out the exact moment in time and space at which the contradiction arises.
The contradiction between the mass of the engine and the aircraft occurs always and everywhere. The contradiction between people who want to get on a plane arises only at certain times (holidays) and at certain points in space (some flights).
6. Formulated perfect solution.
The ideal solution (or ideal end result) sounds like this: the X-element, without complicating the system at all and without causing harmful phenomena, eliminates the harmful effect during the operational time (OS) and within the operational zone (OZ), while maintaining a beneficial effect.
X-element replaces the gas stove. The function of the stove to heat food at home for several minutes remains, but there is no danger of gas explosion or gas poisoning. The X-element is smaller than the gas stove. X-element - microwave oven
7. Available resources.
To resolve the contradiction, resources are needed, that is, the ability of other already existing elements of the system to perform the function (impact) that interests us.
Resources can be found:
a) within the system
b) outside the system, in the external environment,
c) in the supersystem.
For transporting passengers on peak days, you can find the following resources:
a) inside the system - tighten the seating arrangement in the aircraft,
b) outside the system - put additional aircraft on flights,
c) in the supersystem (for aviation - transport) - to use the railway.
8. Applied methods separation of contradictions.
You can separate conflicting properties in the following ways:
- in space,
- in time,
- at the levels of the system, subsystem and supersystem,
– merging or dividing with other systems.
Prevention of collision of cars and pedestrians. In time - a traffic light, in space - an underpass.
Summing up the steps of ARIZ:
Structural model - Search for contradiction - Separation of properties from objects - Amplification of contradiction - Determination of a point in time and space - Ideal solution - Search for resources - Separation of contradictions
Modeling method "little men"
The "little men" modeling method (MMP method) is designed to remove psychological inertia. The work of the elements of the system involved in the contradiction is schematically represented in the form of a figure. A large number of "little men" act in the figure (a group, several groups, a "crowd"). Each of the groups performs one of the conflicting actions of the element.
If we imagine the engine of an aircraft in the form of two groups of men, then one of them will pull the aircraft forward and up (thrust), and the second - down (mass).
If we imagine a gas stove according to MMP, then one group of men will heat the kettle, and the second will burn the oxygen that the person needs.
$ Try to imagine money in the system of a market economy in the form of little men.
Techniques for resolving contradictions
Let's do a little exercise of the imagination. In the capitalist countries of the 19th century, there were internal class contradictions, the main of which was between the wealth of some groups of people (classes) and the poverty of others. Deep economic crises and depressions were also a problem. The development of the market system in the 20th century made it possible to overcome or smooth out these contradictions in the countries of the West.
TRIZ summarizes forty techniques for resolving contradictions. Let's see how some of them were applied to the system of "19th century capitalism".
Reception Reception
Separate the "interfering" part from the object (the "interfering" property) or, conversely, select the only necessary part (the desired property).
The interfering property is poverty, the necessary property is wealth. Poverty has been moved beyond the borders of the countries of the golden billion, wealth is concentrated within their borders.
Taking Preliminary Action
Perform the required change to the object in advance (in whole or at least in part).
The object is the consciousness of the poor and the exploited. If consciousness is processed in advance, then the poor will not consider themselves poor and exploited.
Reception "Pre-Planted Pillow"
Compensate for the relatively low reliability of the object with pre-prepared emergency means.
Creation of a system of social insurance and unemployment benefits, that is, emergency funds during crises.
Copy Reception
a) Instead of an inaccessible, complex, expensive, inconvenient or fragile object, use its simplified and cheap copies.
b) Replace an object or system of objects with their optical copies (images).
Instead of quality goods, you can sell cheap Chinese goods at the same prices. Instead of physical goods, sell television and advertising images.
Replacing Expensive Longevity with Cheap Fragility
Replace an expensive object with a set of cheap objects, while sacrificing some qualities (for example, durability).
According to economic theory, the cause of depressions and falling profits is a drop in demand. By making goods cheap and short-lived, the selling price can even be reduced. At the same time, profits will remain, and demand will be constantly maintained.
Hero of our time
Finishing with the technique and moving on to the next chapter, let's rejoice with the nameless hero our time, the author of the following work, found on the Internet. Compare what odes were devoted to in previous centuries.
Ode to Joy. From money.
I wake up smiling
And when I fall asleep, I smile
And when I dress, I smile
And undressing, smiling.
Everything in this life is good for me:
Sadness is light, effort is light,
Fine wines, delicious dishes,
Friends are honest, gentle friends.
Maybe someone won't believe
That they live like this in the white world.
What do you all want to check?
So be it, I'll tell you what's the matter.
Discovered a source of inspiration
Calling strongly, adamantly.
Its wonderful name is money,
Sounds fresh and sophisticated.
I love banknotes
Their sight, and smell, and rustle,
Get them without any fight
And give them attention.
How stupid I've been all these years
Having no cherished goal,
Suffered the wreckage and adversity,
Until the banknote is near!
I honestly pray to Mammon,
And I don't see any sin in that.
And I advise everyone reasonably
Forget Soviet slurry!
All are born for inspiration,
Everyone has the right to live in love,
Let's love brothers, our money.
Not our money - also glory!
How pure and clear is the meaning of money,
And is equivalent to itself
It will be the same on Monday
And the same will be on Sunday.
Now I love spending money.
And turn into any good,
And if suddenly I don’t have enough of them -
I will not load under the white flag!
Everything is just as happy and loud
I will call them, I will find them again
With the carefree ease of a child...
We have mutual love!
Chapter 2. Science and Religion.
It is necessary to pay for the implementation of useful functions of a technical system.
Payback Factors include various costs for the creation, operation and disposal of the system, everything that society must pay for obtaining this function, including all harmful functions created by the system. For example, among the factors of payment for the movement of people and goods by cars include not only the cost of materials and labor costs for manufacturing and operation, but also the harmful impact of the car on the environment both directly and in the process of its production (for example, metallurgical processes); the cost of building garages; space occupied by garages, factories and repair shops; loss of life in accidents, associated psychological shocks, etc.
As already noted, technical systems are evolving. In TRIZ, the development of a technical system is understood as a process of increasing the degree of ideality (I), which is defined as the ratio of the sum of useful functions performed by the system (F p) to the sum of retribution factors (F r):
Of course, this formula reflects development trends only in a qualitative way, since it is very difficult to evaluate different functions and factors in the same quantitative units.
An increase in the ideality of technical systems can occur both within the framework of the existing constructive concept, and as a result of a radical change in the design, the principle of operation of the system.
Improving the ideality within the framework of the existing constructive concept is associated with quantitative changes in the system and is implemented both with the help of compromise solutions and by solving lower-level inventive problems, replacing some subsystems with other known ones.
The use of resources of technical systems is one of the important mechanisms for increasing the ideality, both general and particular.
In many cases, the resources necessary to solve the problem are available in the system in a usable form - ready resources. You just need to figure out how to use them. But there are often situations when the available resources can be used only after a certain preparation: accumulation, modification, etc. Such resources are called derivatives. Often, physical and chemical properties of existing substances are also used as resources that allow improving a technical system, solving an inventive problem - the ability to undergo phase transitions, change their properties, enter into chemical reactions, etc.
Let us consider the resources most frequently used in the improvement of technical systems.
Substance resources ready- these are any materials that make up the system and its environment, its products, waste, etc., which, in principle, can be used additionally.
Example 1 At the plant producing expanded clay, the latter is used as a filter pad for the purification of process water.
Example 2 In the north, snow is used as a filter pack for air purification.
Substance resources derivatives- substances obtained as a result of any impact on finished material resources.
Example. To protect pipes from destruction by sulfur-containing wastes from oil refinery production, oil is first pumped through the pipes, and then, by blowing hot air, the oil film remaining on the inner surface is oxidized to a varnish-like state.
Ready energy resources- any energy, the unrealized reserves of which are in the system or its environment.
Example. The table lamp shade rotates due to the convection airflow created by the heat of the lamp.
Energy resources derivatives- energy received as a result of conversion of ready energy resources into other types of energy, or changes in the direction of their action, intensity and other characteristics.
Example.
The light of the electric arc, reflected by a mirror attached to the welder's mask, illuminates the welding site.
Information resources ready- information about the system, which can be obtained with the help of stray fields (sound, thermal, electromagnetic, etc.) in the system or with the help of substances passing through the system or leaving it (products, waste).
Example. A known method of determining the grade of steel and the parameters of its processing by flying during the processing of sparks.
Derivative information resources - information obtained as a result of converting information unsuitable for perception or processing into useful information, as a rule, with the help of various physical or chemical effects.
Example. When cracks appear and develop in working structures, weak sound vibrations occur. Special acoustic installations capture sounds in a wide range, process them with the help of a computer, and with high accuracy assess the nature of the defect that has arisen and its danger to the structure.
Space resources ready - available in the system or its environment free, unallocated space. An effective way to use this resource is to use emptiness instead of matter.
Example 1 Natural cavities in the ground are used to store gas.
Example 2 To save space in the train car, the compartment door slides into the space between the walls.
Derived space resources- additional space resulting from the use of various kinds of geometric effects.
Example. The use of the Möbius strip makes it possible to at least double the effective length of any ring elements: belt pulleys, tapes, tape knives, etc.
Time resources ready- time intervals in the technological process, as well as before or after it, between processes, not previously used or used partially.
Example 1 In the process of transporting oil through the pipeline, it is dehydrated and desalted.
Example 2 A tanker carrying oil is simultaneously refining it.
Time resources derivatives- time intervals obtained as a result of acceleration, deceleration, interruption or transformation into continuous ongoing processes.
Example. Using fast or slow motion for fast or very slow motion.
Resources functional ready- the ability of the system and its subsystems to perform part-time additional functions, both close to the main ones, and new, unexpected (super effect).
Example. Aspirin has been found to be a blood thinner and therefore harmful in some cases. This property was used for the prevention and treatment of heart attacks.
Resources functional derivatives- the ability of the system to perform part-time additional functions after some changes.
Example 1 In a mold for casting parts from thermoplastics, the gate channels are made in the form of useful products, for example, letters of the alphabet.
Example 2 The crane, with the help of a simple device, lifts its crane blocks during repairs.
System resources× - new useful properties of the system or new functions that can be obtained by changing the links between subsystems or by a new way of combining systems.
Example. The manufacturing technology of steel bushings included turning them from a bar, drilling an internal hole and surface hardening. At the same time, microcracks often appeared on the inner surface due to quenching stresses. It was proposed to change the order of operations - first to sharpen the outer surface, then carry out surface hardening, and then drill out the inner layer of the material. Now the stresses disappear with the drilled material.
To facilitate the search and use of resources, you can use the resource search algorithm (Fig. 3.3).
The development of all systems goes in the direction of increasing the degree of ideality.
An ideal technical system is a system whose weight, volume and area tend to zero, although its ability to do work does not decrease. In other words, an ideal system is when there is no system, but its function is preserved and performed.
Despite the obviousness of the concept of "ideal technical system", there is a certain paradox: real systems are becoming larger and heavier. The size and weight of aircraft, tankers, cars, etc. are increasing. This paradox is explained by the fact that the reserves released during the improvement of the system are directed to increase its size and, most importantly, increase the operating parameters. The first cars had a speed of 15-20 km / h. If this speed did not increase, cars would gradually appear that are much lighter and more compact with the same strength and comfort. However, every improvement in the car (the use of more durable materials, increasing the efficiency of the engine, etc.) was aimed at increasing the speed of the car and what “serves” this speed (powerful braking system, strong body, enhanced depreciation) . To visually see the increase in the degree of ideality of the car, you need to compare a modern car with an old record car that had the same speed (at the same distance).
A visible secondary process (growth in speed, capacity, tonnage, etc.) masks the primary process of increasing the degree of ideality of the technical system. But when solving inventive problems, it is necessary to focus on increasing the degree of ideality - this is a reliable criterion for correcting the problem and evaluating the answer.
The laws of development of technical systems, on which all the main mechanisms for solving inventive problems in TRIZ are based, were first formulated by G. S. Altshuller in the book "Creativity as an exact science" (M.: "Soviet radio", 1979, p. 122-127), and later supplemented by followers.
Studying the (evolution) of technical systems over time, Heinrich Altshuller formulated the laws of development of technical systems, the knowledge of which helps engineers predict the ways of possible further product improvements:
- The law of increasing the degree of ideality of the system.
- Law of S-shaped development of technical systems.
- The law of dynamization.
- The law of the completeness of parts of the system.
- The law of through passage of energy.
- The law of advanced development of the working body.
- The law of transition "mono - bi - poly".
- The law of transition from macro to micro level.
The most important law considers the ideality of the system - one of the basic concepts in TRIZ.
The Law of Increasing the Degree of Ideality of a System:
The technical system in its development approaches ideality. Having reached the ideal, the system should disappear, and its function should continue to be performed.
The main ways to approach the ideal:
- increasing the number of functions performed,
- "collapse" into the working body,
- transition to the supersystem.
When approaching the ideal, the technical system first struggles with the forces of nature, then adapts to them and, finally, uses them for its own purposes.
The law of increasing ideality is most effectively applied to the element that is directly located in the zone of conflict or itself generates undesirable phenomena. In this case, an increase in the degree of ideality, as a rule, is carried out by using previously unused resources (substances, fields) available in the zone of the problem. The farther from the zone of conflict the resources are taken, the less it will be possible to move towards the ideal.
Law of S-shaped development of technical systems:
The evolution of many systems can be represented by a logistic curve showing how the pace of its development changes over time. There are three characteristic stages:
- "childhood". It usually goes on for a long time. At this moment, the system is being designed, it is being finalized, a prototype is being made, and preparations are being made for serial production.
- "bloom". It is rapidly improving, becoming more powerful and productive. The machine is mass-produced, its quality is improving and the demand for it is growing.
- "old age". At some point, it becomes more and more difficult to improve the system. Even large increases in appropriations are of little help. Despite the efforts of designers, the development of the system does not keep pace with the ever-increasing needs of man. It slips, treads water, changes its external shape, but remains the same, with all its shortcomings. All resources are finally selected. If at this moment we try to artificially increase the quantitative indicators of the system or develop its dimensions, leaving the previous principle, then the system itself comes into conflict with the environment and man. It starts doing more harm than good.
As an example, consider a steam locomotive. At first, there was a rather long experimental stage with single imperfect copies, the introduction of which, in addition, was accompanied by the resistance of society. Then followed the rapid development of thermodynamics, the improvement of steam engines, railways, service - and the steam locomotive receives public recognition and investment in further development. Then, despite active financing, natural limitations were reached: maximum thermal efficiency, conflict with the environment, inability to increase power without increasing mass - and, as a result, technological stagnation began in the region. And, finally, steam locomotives were replaced by more economical and powerful diesel locomotives and electric locomotives. The steam engine reached its ideal - and disappeared. Its functions were taken over by internal combustion engines and electric motors - also imperfect at first, then rapidly developing and, finally, resting in development on their natural limits. Then another new system will appear - and so on endlessly.
The law of dynamization:
The reliability, stability and persistence of a system in a dynamic environment depend on its ability to change. The development, and hence the viability of the system, is determined by the main indicator: the degree of dynamization, that is, the ability to be mobile, flexible, adaptable to the external environment, changing not only its geometric shape, but also the shape of the movement of its parts, primarily the working body. The higher the degree of dynamization, the wider the range of conditions under which the system retains its function, in general. For example, in order to make an aircraft wing work effectively in significantly different flight modes (takeoff, cruising, flying at top speed, landing), it is dynamized by adding flaps, slats, spoilers, a sweep change system, and so on.
However, for subsystems, the law of dynamization can be violated - sometimes it is more profitable to artificially reduce the degree of dynamization of a subsystem, thereby simplifying it, and compensate for less stability / adaptability by creating a stable artificial environment around it, protected from external factors. But in the end, the total system (super-system) still receives a greater degree of dynamization. For example, instead of adapting the transmission to contamination by dynamizing it (self-cleaning, self-lubricating, rebalancing), it is possible to place it in a sealed casing, inside which an environment is created that is most favorable for moving parts (precision bearings, oil mist, heating, etc.)
Other examples:
- The resistance to the movement of the plow is reduced by 10-20 times if its plowshare vibrates at a certain frequency, depending on the properties of the soil.
- The excavator bucket, turning into a rotary wheel, gave rise to a new highly efficient mining system.
- An automobile wheel made of a hard wooden disc with a metal rim became movable, soft and elastic.
Law of completeness of system parts:
Any technical system that independently performs any function has four main parts - the engine, transmission, working body and control means. If any of these parts is absent in the system, then its function is performed by a person or the environment.
Engine - an element of a technical system, which is a converter of energy necessary to perform the required function. The energy source can be either in the system (for example, gasoline in the tank for the internal combustion engine of a car) or in the supersystem (electricity from the external network for the electric motor of the machine).
Transmission - an element that transmits energy from the engine to the working body with the transformation of its qualitative characteristics (parameters).
The working body is an element that transfers energy to the processed object and completes the required function.
Control means - an element that regulates the flow of energy to the parts of the technical system and coordinates their work in time and space.
When analyzing any autonomously operating system, whether it is a refrigerator, a watch, a TV or a pen, these four elements can be seen everywhere.
- Milling machine. Working body: cutter. Engine: machine motor. Everything that is between the electric motor and the cutter can be considered a transmission. Control means - a human operator, handles and buttons, or program control (machine with program control). In the latter case, software control "forced out" the human operator from the system.
The law of through passage of energy:
So, any working system consists of four main parts, and any of these parts is a consumer and an energy converter. But it is not enough to transform, it is also necessary to transfer this energy without loss from the engine to the working body, and from it to the object being processed. This is the law of the through passage of energy. Violation of this law leads to the emergence of contradictions within the technical system, which in turn gives rise to inventive problems.
The main condition for the efficiency of a technical system in terms of energy conductivity is the equality of the abilities of the parts of the system to receive and transmit energy.
- The impedances of the transmitter, feeder and antenna must be matched - in this case, the system is set to the traveling wave mode, the most efficient for power transmission. The mismatch leads to the appearance of standing waves and energy dissipation.
The first rule of energy conductivity of the system:
If the elements, when interacting with each other, form a system of conducting energy with a useful function, then in order to increase its performance, there must be substances with similar or identical levels of development at the points of contact.
The second rule of energy conductivity of the system:
If the elements of the system, when interacting, form an energy-conducting system with a harmful function, then for its destruction in the places of contact of the elements there must be substances with different or opposite levels of development.
- When hardening, the concrete adheres to the formwork, and it is difficult to separate it later. The two parts were in good agreement with each other in terms of the levels of development of the substance - both were solid, rough, motionless, etc. A normal energy-conducting system was formed. To prevent its formation, the maximum mismatch of substances is needed, for example: solid - liquid, rough - slippery, motionless - mobile. There may be several design solutions - the formation of a layer of water, the application of special slippery coatings, formwork vibration, etc.
The third rule of energy conductivity of the system:
If the elements, when interacting with each other, form an energy-conducting system with a harmful and useful function, then at the points of contact of the elements there must be substances whose level of development and physico-chemical properties change under the influence of any controlled substance or field.
- According to this rule, most of the devices in technology are made, where it is required to connect and disconnect energy flows in the system. These are various switching clutches in mechanics, valves in hydraulics, diodes in electronics and much more.
The law of advanced development of the working body:
In a technical system, the main element is the working body. And in order for its function to be performed normally, its ability to absorb and transmit energy must be no less than the engine and transmission. Otherwise, it will either break down or become inefficient, converting a significant part of the energy into useless heat. Therefore, it is desirable that the working body is ahead of the rest of the system in its development, that is, it has a greater degree of dynamization in terms of substance, energy or organization.
Often inventors make the mistake of stubbornly developing the transmission, control, but not the working body. Such equipment, as a rule, does not provide a significant increase in the economic effect and a significant increase in efficiency.
- The performance of the lathe and its technical characteristics remained almost unchanged over the years, although the drive, transmission and controls were intensively developed, because the cutter itself as a working body remained the same, that is, a fixed monosystem at the macro level. With the advent of rotating cup cutters, the productivity of the machine has risen sharply. It increased even more when the microstructure of the substance of the cutter was involved: under the influence of an electric current, the cutting edge of the cutter began to oscillate up to several times per second. Finally, thanks to gas and laser cutters, which completely changed the look of the machine, metal processing speeds never seen before have been achieved.
The law of transition "mono - bi - poly"
The first step is the transition to bisystems. This improves the reliability of the system. In addition, a new quality appears in the bisystem, which was not inherent in the monosystem. The transition to polysystems marks an evolutionary stage of development, in which the acquisition of new qualities occurs only at the expense of quantitative indicators. Expanded organizational possibilities for the location of similar elements in space and time allow them to make fuller use of their capabilities and environmental resources.
- A twin-engine aircraft (bisystem) is more reliable than its single-engine counterpart and has greater maneuverability (new quality).
- The design of the combined bicycle key (polysystem) has led to a significant reduction in metal consumption and a reduction in size in comparison with a group of individual keys.
- The best inventor - nature - duplicated especially important parts of the human body: a person has two lungs, two kidneys, two eyes, etc.
- Multilayer plywood is much stronger than boards of the same dimensions.
But at some stage of development, failures begin to appear in the polysystem. A team of more than twelve horses becomes uncontrollable, an aircraft with twenty engines requires a multiple increase in the crew and is difficult to control. The capabilities of the system have been exhausted. What's next? And then the polysystem again becomes a monosystem... But at a qualitatively new level. At the same time, a new level arises only under the condition of increasing the dynamization of parts of the system, primarily the working body.
- Recall the same bicycle key. When its working body was dynamized, i.e., the sponges became mobile, an adjustable wrench appeared. It has become a mono system, but at the same time able to work with many sizes of bolts and nuts.
- Numerous wheels of all-terrain vehicles turned into one movable caterpillar.
The law of transition from macro to micro level:
The transition from the macro to the micro level is the main trend in the development of all modern technical systems.
To achieve high results, the possibilities of the structure of matter are used. The crystal lattice is used first, then the associations of molecules, the single molecule, the part of the molecule, the atom, and finally the parts of the atom.
- In pursuit of carrying capacity at the end of the piston era, aircraft were equipped with six, twelve or more engines. Then the working body - the screw - nevertheless moved to the micro level, becoming a gas jet.
Sourced from wikipedia.org
— laws that determine the beginning of the life of technical systems.
Any technical system arises as a result of the synthesis of individual parts into a single whole. Not every combination of parts gives a viable system. There are at least three laws that must be met in order for the system to be viable.
A necessary condition for the fundamental viability of a technical system is the presence and minimum performance of the main parts of the system.
Each technical system must include four main parts: engine, transmission, working body and control body. The meaning of Law 1 lies in the fact that for the synthesis of a technical system, these four parts and their minimum suitability for performing the functions of the system are necessary, because an operable part of the system itself may turn out to be inoperative as part of a particular technical system. For example, an internal combustion engine, while operable on its own, is inoperable when used as a submersible submarine engine.
Law 1 can be explained as follows: a technical system is viable if all its parts do not have "twos", and "estimates" are made according to the quality of work of this part as part of the system. If at least one of the parts is rated "two", the system is not viable even if other parts have "fives". A similar law in relation to biological systems was formulated by Liebig in the middle of the last century (“the law of the minimum”).
From law 1 follows a very important consequence for practice.
For a technical system to be controllable, at least one of its parts must be controllable.
“To be controlled” means to change properties in the way that the one who manages needs it.
Knowledge of this corollary makes it possible to better understand the essence of many problems and more correctly evaluate the solutions obtained. Take, for example, problem 37 (ampoule sealing). A system of two uncontrollable parts is given: the ampoules are generally uncontrollable - their characteristics cannot (unprofitable) be changed, and the burners are poorly controllable according to the conditions of the problem. It is clear that the solution of the problem will consist in introducing one more part into the system (su-field analysis immediately suggests that this is a substance, and not a field, as, for example, in problem 34 about the coloring of cylinders). What substance (gas, liquid, solid) will not let fire go where it should not go, and at the same time will not interfere with the installation of ampoules? The gas and the solid disappear, leaving the liquid, water. Let us put the ampoules into the water so that only the tips of the capillaries rise above the water (AS No. 264 619). The system gains controllability: you can change the water level - this will ensure a change in the boundary between the hot and cold zones. You can change the temperature of the water - this guarantees the stability of the system during operation.
A necessary condition for the fundamental viability of a technical system is the through passage of energy through all parts of the system.
Any technical system is an energy converter. Hence the obvious need to transfer energy from the engine through the transmission to the working body.
The transfer of energy from one part of the system to another can be real (for example, a shaft, gears, levers, etc.), field (for example, a magnetic field) and real-field (for example, energy transfer by a stream of charged particles). Many inventive problems are reduced to the selection of one or another type of transmission, the most efficient under given conditions. Such is Problem 53 of heating a substance inside a rotating centrifuge. There is energy outside the centrifuge. There is also a “consumer”, it is located inside the centrifuge. The essence of the task is to create an "energy bridge". Such "bridges" can be homogeneous and heterogeneous. If the type of energy changes during the transition from one part of the system to another, this is an inhomogeneous "bridge". In inventive problems, one often has to deal with just such bridges. Thus, in problem 53 on heating a substance in a centrifuge, it is advantageous to have electromagnetic energy (its transfer does not interfere with the rotation of the centrifuge), while thermal energy is needed inside the centrifuge. Of particular importance are the effects and phenomena that allow you to control the energy at the exit from one part of the system or at the entrance to another part of it. In problem 53, heating can be provided if the centrifuge is in a magnetic field, and, for example, a ferromagnetic disk is placed inside the centrifuge. However, according to the conditions of the problem, it is required not only to heat the substance inside the centrifuge, but to maintain a constant temperature of about 2500 C. No matter how the energy extraction changes, the temperature of the disk must be constant. This is ensured by the supply of an "excessive" field, from which the disk takes energy sufficient to heat up to 2500 C, after which the substance of the disk "self-shuts off" (passing through the Curie point). When the temperature drops, the disk “self-switching on” occurs.
The corollary of Law 2 is of great importance.
In order for a part of a technical system to be controllable, it is necessary to ensure energy conductivity between this part and the controls.
In problems of measurement and detection, one can speak of information conductivity, but it often comes down to energy, only weak. An example is the solution of problem 8 on measuring the diameter of a grinding wheel working inside a cylinder. The solution of the problem is facilitated if we consider not information, but energy conductivity. Then, to solve the problem, it is necessary first of all to answer two questions: in what form is it easiest to bring energy to the circle and in what form is it easiest to withdraw energy through the walls of the circle (or along the shaft)? The answer is obvious: in the form of electric current. This is not yet a final solution, but a step has already been taken towards the correct answer.
A necessary condition for the fundamental viability of a technical system is the coordination of the rhythm (frequency of oscillations, periodicity) of all parts of the system.
Examples of this law are given in Chapter 1.
The development of all systems goes in the direction of increasing the degree of ideality.
An ideal technical system is a system whose weight, volume, and area tend to zero, although its ability to do work does not decrease. In other words, an ideal system is when there is no system, but its function is preserved and performed.
Despite the obviousness of the concept of "ideal technical system", there is a certain paradox: real systems are becoming larger and heavier. The size and weight of aircraft, tankers, cars, etc. are increasing. This paradox is explained by the fact that the reserves released during the improvement of the system are used to increase its size and, most importantly, increase the operating parameters. The first cars had a speed of 15–20 km/h. If this speed did not increase, cars would gradually appear that are much lighter and more compact with the same strength and comfort. However, every improvement in the car (the use of more durable materials, increasing the efficiency of the engine, etc.) was aimed at increasing the speed of the car and what “serves” this speed (powerful braking system, strong body, enhanced depreciation) . To visually see the increase in the degree of ideality of the car, you need to compare a modern car with an old record car that had the same speed (at the same distance).
A visible secondary process (increase in speed, capacity, tonnage, etc.) masks the primary process of increasing the degree of ideality of the technical system. But when solving inventive problems, it is necessary to focus specifically on increasing the degree of ideality - this is a reliable criterion for correcting the problem and evaluating the answer received.
The development of parts of the system is uneven; the more complex the system, the more uneven the development of its parts.
The uneven development of parts of the system is the cause of technical and physical contradictions and, consequently, inventive problems. For example, when the tonnage of cargo ships began to grow rapidly, the power of the engines increased rapidly, but the means of braking remained unchanged. As a result, the problem arose: how to slow down, say, a tanker with a displacement of 200 thousand tons. This task still does not have an effective solution: from the beginning of braking to a complete stop, large ships manage to travel several miles ...
Having exhausted the possibilities of development, the system is included in the supersystem as one of the parts; at the same time, further development takes place at the level of the supersystem.
We have already spoken about this law.
It includes laws that reflect the development of modern technical systems under the influence of specific technical and physical factors. The laws of "statics" and "kinematics" are universal - they are valid at all times and not only in relation to technical systems, but also to any systems in general (biological, etc.). "Dynamics" reflects the main trends in the development of technical systems in our time.
The development of the working organs of the system goes first at the macro- and then at the micro-level.
In most modern technical systems, the working bodies are "pieces of iron", for example, aircraft propellers, car wheels, lathe cutters, excavator bucket, etc. It is possible to develop such working organs within the macro level: the "pieces of iron" remain "pieces of iron", but become more perfect. However, a moment inevitably comes when further development at the macro level is impossible. The system, while retaining its function, is fundamentally restructured: its working organ begins to operate at the micro level. Instead of "pieces of iron", the work is carried out by molecules, atoms, ions, electrons, etc.
The transition from the macro to the micro level is one of the main (if not the main) trends in the development of modern technical systems. Therefore, when teaching how to solve inventive problems, special attention should be paid to the consideration of the "macro-micro" transition and the physical effects that implement this transition.
The development of technical systems goes in the direction of increasing the degree of su-field.
The meaning of this law lies in the fact that non-su-field systems tend to become su-field, and in su-field systems the development goes in the direction of transition from mechanical to electromagnetic fields; increasing the degree of dispersion of substances, the number of bonds between elements and the responsiveness of the system.
Numerous examples illustrating this law have already been encountered in solving problems.
