Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Oxford, UK and Malden, USACAIMCreativity and Innovation Management0963-1690Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005.March 2005141ARTICLESGOAL SETTING THROUGH CONTRADICTION ANALYSISCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
GOAL SETTING THROUGH CONTRADICTION ANALYSIS
59
Goal Setting Through Contradiction
Analysis in the Bionics-Oriented
Construction Process
Bernd Hill
The goal setting of technical development tasks and the uncovering of contradictions at the
level of invention form the conditions for problem-solving. By including bionics in the
construction process, the technical designer and/or product developer receives a rich arsenal
of efficient biological structures as a suggestion for the problem solving. The way in which
living nature can be used to help in the search for solutions is demonstrated using the example
of the thermal insulation of house fronts.
Introduction
T
he use of TRIZ develops systematic
thought, directs the thought process in
a systematic and goal-orientated manner
and emphasizes the capacity for organized
thought. Building on this theory for the solution of inventive tasks, the author had developed a nature-orientated innovation strategy
(Hill, 1999), which contains significant elements of TRIZ and ARIZ in a further developed form, such as evolutionary laws for the
determination of the evolutionary status of the
selected representative embodying the state of
technology, and the problem of contradiction.
Comprehensive evaluation of patents by Altshuller confirms the theory that for all inventions, contradictions of a technical or physical
nature must be overcome.
According to Altshuller, requirements can
not be fulfilled by known solutions and physical effects simultaneously, so that a technicalphysical law stands in the way of the solution
required or sought.
With the nature-oriented innovation strategy, contradictions in their functional requirements are solved by means of biological
effective principles and structures. Although
biological evolution only appears to have
directness and does not pursue goals, developmental contradictions within the phylogenesis can be uncovered by the human capacity
for recognition, the resolution of which is
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directed towards the optimal fulfilment of life
functions and preservation of the species.
If product solutions with similar functional
requirements to those found in the natural
world are now generated, then biological
structures that have emerged through the
effects of the evolutionary process on the basis
of recognizable developmental contradictions
are also of significance for problem-solving. In
order to generate a product solution at the
level of invention, it is necessary to work
through the underlying contradictions in the
existing technology. Having done so, it is necessary to determine similar developmental
contradictions that have led to structure formation in the natural world.
Contradiction analysis and the functional
biological structure on which it is based form
the start point for problem-solving.
Bionics-oriented construction
Natural inventions, used for human technology, have often formed the start point for the
solution of technical problems. Human inventiveness has also, in many cases, produced
technical solutions that have turned out to
have already existed in the natural world for
millions of years. The cost and effort of development could be considerably reduced if
designers could use living nature as a source
of ideas in a systematic way.
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CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
The natural world exhibits an immense richness of multi-functional, self-organizing,
ecologically and economically effective
structures. Analysis of natural systems can
bring new perspectives to the solution of a
technical problem and promote solutions that
stand out in their use of external energy
sources, minimal use of materials and energy
or recycling-friendliness, for example. The
honeycomb structure of bee’s nests, as an
example, offers a perfect template for light,
stable and pressure-resistant constructions for
aircraft wings and honeycomb-core walls and
doors. A famous recent example is the selfcleaning ‘Lotus effect’, derived from the wax
papillae of the leaves of the lotus plant. This
effect is to be used in dirt-repellent building
facades, windows and car bodies. Velcro fasteners on shoes, bags, clothes and tarpaulins
borrow from the biological model of the burr.
Fin propellers, bulbous bows on ships and
riblet coatings (artificial shark skin) as biological solutions help reduce fuel consumption
and thereby reduce the environmental burden
of polluting substances.
Nature offers us a multitude of models for
the solution of technical problems. The scientific discipline of bionics1 established for this
purpose is a technology of the future. Nachtigall draws our attention to the fact that natural
constructions often have model features
around which technology can orientate itself.
If the natural world were to be systematically
investigated for such constructions, in some
areas of technology, faster progress could be
made and better, more reliable and more
sophisticated instruments could be created
(Nachtigall, 1986).
Bionics, as a way of designing technology
orientated towards the natural world, requires
the application of specific ways of thinking
and acting in its implementation. The formation of analogies is a basic method of bionics.
The formation of analogies is a means of inference through the transfer of problems for
which a solution is sought or systems which
are to be developed onto an analogous solved
problem or a system that has already been
realized. The conclusion of the analogy occurs
through the intellectual transfer of functional
characteristics of the as yet unknown,
unclearly formulated object sought (technical
system as goal) to the characteristics of the
analogous object (biological system as starting
point) (Hill, 1999).
The functional characteristics of the analogous system and those of the intellectually
anticipated object sought can be represented
as a conjunctive link.
So the characteristics that lie in A and those
that lie in B both belong to the average set D.
There is analogy (similarity) if at least one
characteristic belongs to both the set of the
analogous object and the set of the object
sought. The comparison of characteristic
sets includes all those characteristics that are
significant for the technical structure to be
realized.
With the aid of the analogy method, similarly functioning systems from the natural
world are analysed and their relevant structures or sub-structures abstracted in order to
discover the underlying principle.
The principle discovered in this way can,
through variation and/or combination of
structure elements, be used in a suitable technical solution on the basis of the requirements,
conditions and wants which are to be fulfilled.
To this extent, this means of proceeding
forms the basis for the increase in knowledge
Figure 1. The Essence of Analogy Formation
1
Bionics as a scientific discipline is the systematic
study of the technical implementation and application of constructions, processes and developmental
principles of biological systems (Neumann, 1993).
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Figure 2. Conjunctive Link
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005
GOAL SETTING THROUGH CONTRADICTION ANALYSIS
Abstraction step n
Effect/
Principle
Concretizing step 1
Concretizing step 2
Abstraction step 2
61
methodical means/
representational form
procedure steps
① aim determination
1.1
determination of the state of
the art and uncovering lack
Abstraction step 1
Concretizing step n
Analogy object:
Biological system
prepared technical
solution
Biological system
analysis
Technical system
synthesis
Figure 3. Bionic Thought and Action Process
(Orientation Model)
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005
systems analysis
- functional analysis
- structural analysis
1
2
3
4
determination of
effectiveness factors
1.2
determination of the evolution
conditions
evolution condition
table
- catalogs: evolution
regularities
evolution condition table
still to be passed through
evolution
evolution
trends
regularities
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
determination of
effectiveness factors
and first solutions
1.3
determination of effectiveness
factors and formulation of the
effectiveness functions
E = f (x1 … xn )
y1
1.4
list of the requirement matrix
and selection of relevant
contradictions
necessary to be able to shape the technology.
This cognitive route, which leads from the living notion (biological system or sub-system) to
the abstract idea (principle) and from there to
practice (technical solution), is the route not
just of cognition, but also that of the remodelling of reality.
A bionic thought and action process as
a general orientation model of bionicsorientated problem solving can be inferred
from these insights.
The bionic thought and action process provides important stages of abstraction and actualisation, in order to generate the basic
effective principle from the actual biological
system and then to transfer these across to the
relevant technical solution. This process is a
component of steps 2.2 to 2.4 of problemsolving in the strategy model of the bionicsorientated construction for systematic and
goal-orientated goal-setting and problem solving (see Figure 4).
In this model, goal setting is of the utmost
importance. Bio-strategic means of orientation
in the form of catalogues of laws of biological
evolution are used for the derivation of inventive tasks. It is also not about producing as
many variant solutions as possible, but rather
that the requirements for the task are made so
exaggerated that contradictions which can
lead to inventiveness in problem solving
become apparent.
To obtain starting points for solutions, various classes of analogy in the form of basic
functions are useful as catalogue pages for the
triggering of associations.
Using the strategy model as a means of proceeding, the thought process that should lead
to an inventive solution is directed in a goaloriented manner. By proceeding in this way,
the designer organizes and improves the effectiveness of his thoughts. Through the support-
designation
........
yn
x1
requirement matrix
xn
1.5
designation of the paradoxes
demand
x1
x2
y
specify the ideal
trend
p a r a d o x
formulation of the task of development
with inventive goal
② solution identification
2.1
form
change transfer
Determination the contradicting
basic functions
demands of the underlying
store seperate support
basic functions
balk
connect
carry
2.2
Uncovering relevant
biological structures with
same or similar operation
characteristics
2.3
Compilation of relevant
structures in a table and a
derivative of first solutions
(principle solutions)
2.4
Transmission of the
determined solutions
into a technical solution
according to the requirements, conditions
(economic, technicaltechnological,
ecological, social…)
2.4.1
Varying and/or combining
relevant characteristics
2.4.2
Evaluation of solution
elements and/or
technical variants
orientation model:
biological basic
functions
material
energy
information
catalog sheets
structure catalog: forming material
body segment of a
pumpkin seed
sprout drives flight snake spreading
1
seed bowl
of ribs by
2
from each
muscle
3
other
power
4
analogy formation for releasing…
associations
biol. structure
1.
2.
3.
Initial
solution
Rotor blade
for wind wheel
size
number
gen. characteristics
A1
A2
A3
A4
remark possibilities
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5
A1B1 A1B2 A1B3
A2B1
solution
criteria variant I variant II variant III
4
3
5
4
2
2
costs
3
2
3
11
7
10
Insurance
of operation
2.5
Elaboration of the
technical solution
technical solution
table of biological
structure representations
association table
variation method:
- variation characteristics
- size
- number
- situation
- form
- material
- surface
- transaction type
- kind of conclusion
combination method
- morphologic tablet
- morphologic box
evaluation method
- point evaluation
- gradated evaluation
organization method
- organization rules
- design principles
- model method
Figure 4. Strategy Model for Goal Setting and
Problem Solving in the Bionics-Oriented Construction Process
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ing use of catalogues of evolutionary laws and
representations of biological structure, mental
barriers can be successfully overcome, powers
of imagination increased and creativity
promoted.
Goal setting for the use of
evolutionary laws and contradiction
The creative transfer of the orientation function – technology using the directional analogy with the natural world – to current
technological solutions (state of technology)
makes it possible to a limited extent to view
technology from the point of view of biological evolutionary laws. It is not about the direct
transfer of these laws to the state of technology, but rather, about gaining stimuli for
further development towards greater effectiveness and ecological efficiency. ‘The comparative analysis of biological and technical
evolution has demonstrated the existence of
many surprising analogies. We should not be
surprised that these analogies can be traced
back in part to the same evolutionary factors
and laws’ (Reichel, 1984).
Through the examination of analogy, the
opportunity arises to transfer insights regarding heuristically useful laws that are
abstractable, and thereby open to comparison
with technology. This makes it possible to
define the future direction of development of
the technological system being developed and
to arrive at promising directions for solutions.
We always therefore start from a point
that embodies the most developed state of
technology. The heuristic exploitation of
evolutionary laws characterizes the following
representation.
Evolutionary laws also serve to find factors
affecting effectiveness from the points of view
of manufacturer and user, to confirm the
developmental goals from the evolutionary
point of view and to discern rough initial starting points for solutions (Linde & Hill, 1993).
Figure 5. Examination of Evolutionary Status
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Factors affecting effectiveness are technicaleconomic parameters, such as material and
energy consumption, transport-economy, environmental friendliness, user-friendliness,
assembly time, efficiency, reliability and so on.
These parameters should be considered from
the points of view of both user and manufacturer. The basic aim is to raise the effectiveness
of a system. This depends on the parameter xj
described above.
E = f (x1 , x 2 , x 3 ,K xn )
(1)
Since the effectiveness of the system being
developed is to be increased in comparison
with the current state of technology, the values
of the parameters show an increase.
E≠ = f (x1 ≠, x 2 ≠, x 3 ≠,K xn ≠)
(2)
Each effectiveness factor xj is in turn dependent on physical or geometric variables yk.
x j ≠ = f (y k ≠ or y k Ø)
(3)
Using these physical or geometric parameters,
contradictions between the requirements can
be found from a table of requirements. Effectiveness factors are target values, which show
positive increases and are directly connected
to the directions of increase or decrease of the
y system parameter.
Functional requirements for problem solving are derived from the y system parameter.
The functional requirements are assigned to
the appropriate basic function (forming, transforming, storing, blocking, connecting, transferring of materials, energy and information).
These provide the starting point for the determination of significant biological structures
from the catalogues (see step 2.2 in the
Figure 6. Contradictions as core element of goal
setting
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GOAL SETTING THROUGH CONTRADICTION ANALYSIS
strategy model). These insights are demonstrated below by means of an example.
Recognition, formulation and
resolution of contradictions
Contradictions are uncovered by the human
capacity for recognition in both the natural
world and in technology. Ultimately, it comes
down to increasing the effectiveness of the system. The effectiveness of biological structures
is understood as the inter-relationship
between maximization of the ‘survival function’ and the related computed minimization
of energy use and biomass, with the survival
function being designated as a complete function and including necessary sub-functions of
reproduction, feeding, defence, movement,
nest or burrow-building, information capture,
processing and transmission and so on. This
state of affairs represents a cost-benefit relationship that consists of keeping the cost in
materials and energy in the carrying out of
life-functions with regard to autogenesis as
low as possible. Evolution often moves in the
direction of higher effectiveness and it can be
characterized by the effectiveness factors
mentioned above such as reliability, stability,
speed, sensitivity, tear-resistance, spatial
requirements, energy use, use of materials, the
ability to regenerate warmth and so on. These
‘performance parameters’ of biological systems are implemented through efficient structures. Through the effect of the evolution
process, these structures are always constructed as well as they need to be and generally perform multiple functions Æ principle of
multi-functionality. For this reason, a single
effectiveness factor is rarely fully optimized.
There can never be an absolute optimum, since
certain life functions can change as a result of
changing environmental conditions or adaptation to new habitats. For this reason, biological
systems seek a phylogenetic compromise
within the framework of the actual conditions
and the totality of the environmental demands
placed upon them.
For example, if a blade of grass becomes too
long as a result of growth disorders, it will
break. Although a longer blade of grass will be
able to take in more sunlight than a shorter
blade, since it would have a larger surface, it
will be quicker to break under the effects of the
wind. Here too, the evolutionary process tends
towards a compromise between the contradictory pressures – a blade of grass which has sufficient length and effective resistance to
kinking as a result of a good arrangement of
materials.
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005
63
There is therefore a contradiction between
the actual prerequisites of achieving the goal
of increasing effectiveness set and the actual
unreliability of achieving this goal with these
given prerequisites. That biological structures
are suitable for the resolution of contradictions
should not surprise us. Biological structures
also fulfil contradictory requirements.
During the evolution of bears and the splitting-off of the polar bear from the bear evolutionary tree, a contradiction can be recognized,
which, through the action of the evolutionary
process, has led to a more efficient structure of
significance for the new habitat. The requirements of life in the new habitat were connected with increasing the amount of heat
produced and a change in fur colour. A brown
coat proved suitable for heat production, but
unsuitable for melting into the white surroundings in the northern polar regions.
If the progressive trend that leads to minimization of materials or to a maintenance of
the same quantity of materials alongside a
reduction in energy consumption in heat generation is followed, it can be seen that the
difference in temperature between body temperature and body-like isolation chambers is
slight. This is, however, only possible because
polar bear hairs are hollow and serve as light
channels, which allow the black skin to be
warmed through absorption (resolution of
contradiction).
The light-channel system of the polar bear
coat can be interpreted as a contradiction
between the requirements of having a white
coat for camouflage and simultaneously of
using the available sunlight. These insights are
stored in catalogue systems for problem solving. Through the complete function storage,
transferable structures are arrived at as a starting point for solutions for technical heat insulation systems.
Figure 7. Determination of Contradiction in a Biological System
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Figure 8. Polar bear hair functions as a light channel with the sub-functions of light scattering, luminescence and total reflection (after Tributsch, 1990)
Figure 10. Transparent Heat Insulation (Stumpf
& Voß, 2003)
Figure 11. Active Heat Insulation (Stumpf & Voß,
2003)
Figure 9. Determination of Contradictions, Building Facade (with TUP)
Normal heat-insulation systems are aimed
at minimizing heat loss through radiation
from the outer surfaces of buildings using
insulating materials. On the basis of this
understanding of the polar bear’s skin and fur,
transparent heat insulation (TUP) was developed. If this is defined as the state of technology, a low level of efficiency is recognizable.
For the amount of heat arises:
Q = m◊c◊Dt
(4)
With a higher temperature difference dt
between the ambient temperature and the
temperature on the inside of the buildings
outer surface, the expenditure for Q will be
very large.
To resolve this contradiction, the integrated
biological system of polar-bear fur and skin
was used as the basic solution for the systematic variation. The start point for a solution
from the natural world could be reached
through variation of the mechanism. Solarwarmed water with a low temperature on the
inside of the outer wall of buildings obstructs
the transport of heat from the inside to the
outside.
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Dt on the inside of the outer wall is very
small and so, therefore, is the quantity of heating Q. Conductions of just 0.5 to 0.8 W/m2 of
cooling area obstruct the transport of heat to
the outside and allow a doubling of the duration of solar panel utilization.
The application of the nature-orientated
innovation strategy with core elements of
evolutionary laws and contradictions for goal
setting and solution catalogues yields new
opportunities and possibilities for strategic
product development.
Conclusions
Newer investigations of Tributsch confirm
that dispersion, total reflexion and luminescence are basic functions of the polar bear hair.
If the hair of the polar bear is energized with a
short-wave UV laser, you can find a wide
luminescence maximum in it, while in comparison the hair of a white pony does not show
such features. But of course still further basic
research is necessary, to get more deeply into
this problem.
However, living nature as a source of inspiration supplies lots of interesting suggestions
for solving technical problems for every practically active engineer.
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005
GOAL SETTING THROUGH CONTRADICTION ANALYSIS
References
Altshuller, G.S. (1984) Erfinden – Wege zur Lösung
technischer Probleme. Verlag Technik, Berlin.
Hill, B. (1999) Naturorientierte Lösungsfindung –
Entwickeln und Konstruieren nach biologischen Vorbildern. Export Verlag, Renningen-Malmsheim.
Linde, H.-J. and Hill, B. (1993) Erfolgreich erfinden.
Hoppenstedt Verlag, Darmstadt.
Nachtigall, W. (1986) Biostrategie – Eine Überlebenschance für unsere Zivilisation. dtv GmbH & Co.,
München.
Neumann, P.C. (1993) Technologieanalyse Bionik. VDI
Verlag, Düsseldorf.
Reichel, R. (1984) Dialektisch-materialistische
Gesetzmä ßigkeiten der Technikevolution. Urania
Verlag, Berlin.
Stumpf, H.-G.; Voß, B. (2003) Bionik – Transfer aus
der Natur: Ein Vortrag zur Nutzung niedrigster
Temperaturen aus Solaranlagen zur Verringerung/
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005
65
Beseitigung des Transmissionswärmeverlustes von
Bauteilen. Steinfurt.
Tritutsch, H. (1990) Light collection and solar sensing
through the polar bear pelt. Solarenergy.
Bernd Hill is active as a Professor for technology and didactics in the area of physics
at the University of Münster in Germany. In
his research, he concerns himself with innovation strategies, technical creativity and
systematic and applied bionics. He is one of
the representatives of the bionics authority
net in Germany. It is his task to develop education conceptions to the bionics and to integrate the applied bionics into product
development processes.
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