2. Why have an invention design process? The invention design process The day’s exercise

3. A bit about the invention design process In product design is referred to as PREP (Peer-Review Evaluation Process) It seems complicated, but it is simple It has both individual and team components

4. Process by which 4 individuals develop ideas and then share them as a team … so that the team can select the best idea. The Invention Design Process helps obtain everyone ’ s input/buy-in and brings the team ’ s diversity of knowledge/ experience to bear on the issue. The process takes a team from many ideas to one idea to pursue. Invention Design Process

6. Invention project idea generation Information gathering Invention Statement Dissection of Invention Statement Concepting Concept Evaluation Research Test & Refine Build Prototypes Individual Thought

7. Invention project idea generation Information gathering Invention Statement Dissection of Invention Statement Concepting Concept Evaluation Research Test & Refine Build Prototypes Peer-Review

8. (Team of 4 people) Do “ the work ” (idea generation, research, drafting, experimentation, etc.) associated with that step in the invention design process 1.Pass your work to the team member on your left for him/her to review (continue until your work has gone full-circle) 2.Review others ’ comments on your work 3.Discuss the ideas and comments to identify the most important factors that will help the team select the best idea 4.Determine the best idea using the most important factors (weighted selection) … there can be only one! Proceed as individuals to do “ the work ” for the next step in the invention design process Peer-Review

9. Team selects: Watermelon ripeness evaluator Invention project idea generation Individual members of the team generate ideas: Watermelon ripeness evaluator Automatic potato-peeler Perpetual motion machine Think of problems and inventions that could address them… Peer’s comments: “There’s already an automatic potato peeler!”…“Doesn’t perpetual motion violate the laws of physics!?” Important factors: Uniqueness of idea, feasibility Potato-peeler and perpetual motion machine ruled-out! Peer-Review (Pass, Review, Discuss, Determine)

11. Peer-Review Invention project idea generation Information gathering Invention Statement Dissection of Invention Statement Concepting Concept Evaluation Research Test & Refine Build Prototypes

12. Invention Statement Dissection of Invention Statement Concepting Concept Evaluation Research Test & Refine Build Prototypes Peer-Review

13. Invention design step & explanation Sample individual work from Watermelon project

14. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result for Watermelon project

15. Total problem definition All components of the invention problem The Who, What, Where and How Much of the invention Sample individual work from Watermelon project Invention Statement “Shoppers would use it in the store.” “It has to be cheap!” “It should show how ripe a watermelon is.”

16. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result: Invention Statement for Project As a team, we will invent a portable, handheld watermelon ripeness evaluator to be used primarily by farmers and supermarkets. The durable, compact unit will be made for under $200, be battery powered, easy to operate, and will accurately (95% confidence interval) display the ripeness of any variety of watermelon in less than five seconds. Peer’s comments: “What does ‘cheap’ mean?”… “How will it show ripeness?”…“Will shoppers really use it?” Important factors: Cost, accuracy, size, output, aesthetics

17. Sample individual work from Watermelon project The WHATs: What are the approaches to achieving the main goal (what the invention does)? What actions are needed for each approach? Dissection of Invention Statement What are the different approaches to assess the ripeness of a watermelon and what are the required actions? Approach #1: Thumping 1.Thump 2.Pick-up sound/voltage 3.Analyze sound 4.Display result 5.Embodiment Approach #2: Weight v. size 1.Weigh 2.Measure 3.Display result 4.Embodiment

18. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result: Approach for Watermelon project Approach #2: Weight v. size is ruled-out for accuracy reasons Discuss/determine which approach (Thump or Weight) given important factors (cost, accuracy, size, output, aesthetics) and organize ideas of the actions that have to happen (the whats) for the invention to work for the selected approach Approach #1: Thumping 1.Thump 2.Pick-up sound/voltage 3.Analyze sound 4.Display result 5.Embodiment

19. The WHATs: a good way to divide up a team and tackle a complex project

20. Concepting Sample individual work from Watermelon project How can we THUMP a watermelon to assess its ripeness? Motor Pneumatic Solenoid Spring Finger The HOWs (solutions): How can the action be achieved? What are the HOWs to come-up with THE HOW?

21. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result for Watermelon project Pneumatic and Solenoid are ruled-out for cost reasons, and finger is ruled-out for accuracy reasons Motor and Spring are both possibilities Discuss/determine which solution is the best way to achieve the action. Which HOW, given important factors (cost, accuracy, size, output, aesthetics), is THE HOW

22. The WHATs and HOWs: all of them

23. Concept evaluation Sample individual work from Watermelon project Sketch and model of a motor to see how it would thump Sketch and model of a spring to see how it would thump Evaluation of solutions based on important factors (i.e.: potential beneficiary’s needs/end-customer requirements) Make sketches and models to see how different solutions would achieve desired action Employ experimentation & analysis (e.g.: bench experiments and weighted-selection charts) to select THE HOW.

24. Sample individual work from Watermelon project (continued) Weighted selection chart MotorSpring Cost (x2) 01 Accuracy 00 Size 01 Output 00 Aesthetics 0 Total 01

25. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result for thumping Spring Share results of experiments and analysis to determine which solution is the best way to achieve the action. Which HOW, given important factors (cost, accuracy, size, output, aesthetics), is THE HOW.

26. Research Sample individual work from Watermelon project Spring found that can perform desired action Motor found that can perform desired action (even though motor ruled-out in previous step, it was still researched) Search-out examples of your solution being used to perform the desired action or a similar action to determine if solution can be off- the-shelf or needs to be built from scratch Can include discussion with experts and end-customer

27. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result: Research for thumping Off-the-shelf spring available Share results of research to determine if the solution can be purchased or a unique design needs to be created.

28. Test & Refine Sample individual work from Watermelon project Risks for spring: Spring breaks Loss of manual dexterity to trigger spring Countermeasures for spring: Alternative solution (motor) Identify risks of solutions and countermeasures

29. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result: Testing and Refinement for thumping Spring is still viable Share results of risks/countermeasures research to determine if the solution is still viable

30. Build Prototypes Sample individual work from Watermelon project Parts are machined/ordered according to drawings and then assembled. Develop sketches for each module to be developed

31. Peer-Review & explanation Peer-Review result for Watermelon project Spring thumper performs as expected. Prototypes are tested, results are evaluated and refinements are made if necessary.

32. Invention design exercise Given the limited amount of time, this invention design exercise is significantly more restrictive than a normal invention design exercise. Your invention statement will be given to you and is also the only action (THE WHAT) your invention needs to perform. THE HOW is up to you. You will perform this exercise in teams (4 teams of 4, 2 teams of 3)

33. Invention Statement: Invent a taco shell carrier, using a single piece of 14x17 paper, that will allow for said taco shell to descend from a height of approximately 30 feet to ground level without breaking. Rules No adhesives You may cut & fold the sheet of paper The paper must remain one continuous sheet Use the invention design process and peer review!