1. WHAT IS “TRIZ” ? A Russian acronym:
Theoria Resheneyva Isobretatelskehuh Zadach
(Theory of Solving Problems Inventively)

2. OBJECTIVES Familiarize you with the basic concepts of TRIZ
Change the way you think about problems
Help your team develop more ideas faster
Help your team develop their own original solutions

3. WHAT IS “TRIZ” ? General Solutions General Problem
Broader context
General Problem
Specific Problem
Solution to Specific
Problem
General Solutions 3 2
Abstraction 1
Analogy 4

4. This is what the process looks like in practice
Define the problem
Generalize it / Characterize it
Look for generalized solution/approach
2 key tables in TRIZ
Make it your own

5. Where did TRIZ come from?
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7. BASIC CONCEPTS

8. Key Terms SYSTEMS evolve toward IDEALITY irreversibly
Resolving CONTRADICTIONS as they evolve
PATTERNS OF INVENTION are recognized and used
Somebody, sometime, somewhere has already solved your problem or one similar to it.
Creativity in this context means finding that solution and adapting it to the current problem.

9. What is a SYSTEM?
Anything that performs a function is a technical system:
Drive system
Control system
Flag raising system – from block party
Block harvester – from block party
Can you think of any?

10. Law of Ideality – for any system
Systems tend to become more reliable, simple, effective — more ideal over time.
Every improvement moves a system closer to Ideal
It costs less
requires less space
wastes less energy, etc.
We can typically judge how inventive/Ideal something is
The further it is from Ideal, the more complex it will be — and visa versa
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11. “I want to improve the robots reach”
For example:
“I want to improve the robots reach”
“when I increase the length to improve reach, it gets heavier”
This is a contradiction TRIZ can help to resolve
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13. How to Use It

14. The Three Steps Analyze the technical system
Determine the elements of the technical system
Identify the origin of the problem
Identify the characteristics that need to be improved
State a technical contradiction
Which characteristic needs to be improved?
Which characteristic will get worse as a result?
Resolve the technical contradiction using the TRIZ principles
This is the hardest part
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15. Two options for changing a characteristic or resolving a contradiction
Improve an already existing positive characteristic
Example: Increase the speed of a boat(the technical system) from 10 knots to 30 knots
Eliminate(neutralize) a negative characteristic. A system may produce a useful function while at the same time generate a harmful action.
Example: Eliminate motor noise produced by increased boat speed
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17. Step 1 – Analyze System (example from Ring It Up)
Determine the elements of the technical system
Identify the characteristics that need to be improved
Robot lifter
Score during end game
frame
motor
Support robots
Provide power
Describe how the technical system works
Lift alliance partner 16”
39 - productivity

18. Step 2 – State Contradiction
Decide which option to use
Increase a positive characteristic
Decrease a negative characteristic
39 - productivity
Which characteristic needs to be improved?
2 - weight
Adding robot lifting capability
Which characteristic will get worse as a result?
increases weight
Formulate a Technical Contradiction

19. Two paths for resolving a technical contradiction:
Step 3 – Resolve the Contradiction
Two paths for resolving a technical contradiction:
Use the contradiction matrix to locate the most the most effective principles
2. Read every principle and choose the most appropriate one
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20. Step 3 – Contradiction Matrix1
This tells you what principles to look up 2

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23. Examples of how our team has used TRIZ

24. Coming up with the contradiction
2012/2013 “Ring it Up” (improving an already existing characteristic)
Coming up with the contradiction
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

25. Finding an applicable principle
2012/2013 “Ring it Up” (improving an already existing characteristic)
Finding an applicable principle

26. Divide an object into elements - capable of changing position relative to one another
Robot lifter
“suitcase”
Vertical position
Hinged
Horizontal position
Lifter fully extended

27. Coming up with the contradiction
2013/2014 “Block Party” (eliminate a negative characteristic)
Coming up with the contradiction
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

28. Finding an applicable principle
2013/2014 “Block Party” (eliminate a negative characteristic)
Finding an applicable principle

29. Lifting bar we present to partner
Nesting – one object is placed inside another
most robots can lift themselves, but cannot occupy the same space under the bar on the ramp
Nested until end game
SODA bar
Provides a pull-up or lift from bar from our robot to alliance partner
Nested inside our robots lifting device
Automatically deploys when lifter pulls on bar
extended
Lifting bar on ramp
Lifting bar we present to partner

30. Lamborghini shock is horizontal
From Cascade Effect
Why – Pushrod Suspension?
Normal shocks are too tall and are vertical, makes treadpods much too tall
Normal vertical
Lamborghini shock is horizontal
With pushrod suspension shock lays down horizontal
Now shock can fit inside of the treadpod
TOD II

31. FTC TEAM
Get here faster!
Today!
Length of season

32. References Textbook used: Other useful links:
Genrich Altshuller. “40 Principles, TRIZ Keys to Technical Innovation,” Technical Innovation Center, Inc.
Other useful links: