Updated on January 16, 2025

Algorithm for resolving physical contradictions

Algorithm for resolving physical contradictions is a problem-solving tool that provides a systematic access to the inventive principles for solving physical contradictions.

Overview

Several problem-solving tools can be used to solve physical contradictions; however, the algorithm is the most commonly applied. The choice of a specific approach leads to a corresponding set of inventive principles. These are the same inventive principles included in the contradiction matrix but grouped differently.

Once the appropriate set of inventive principles for a given contradiction is identified, a brainstorming session is conducted around them to propose specific solutions.

Approaches of resolving physical contradictions

The key approach to solving physical contradictions involves separating the conflicting requirements in space, time, relation, or direction. To achieve this, appropriate control questions are asked. This helps filter the methods for separating conflicting demands that are applicable in the given case. Separation at the system level is a slightly different approach. It is the only method that does not require asking any control questions and is recommended in each case.

If separating the conflicting requirements is not possible, satisfying both demands should be explored.

The final approach is to resolve the problem by completely bypassing the contradictory demands.

Separating and satisfying contradictory demands lead to specific sets of inventive principles; for bypassing any principle can be applied.

Problems should be modeled in multiple ways. The more problem models are created, the more solution models are generated, which in turn leads to a greater number of ideas.

Each specific physical contradiction represents a unique situation. In some cases, all approaches may work, while in others, only a few – or even just one – may be applicable. If conflicting requirements can be separated in different ways, it is worth exploring all possible variants. Even if separation yields good ideas, it is recommended to also consider satisfying and bypassing approaches.

Separating the contradictory demands

Separating is the most frequently used method. There are five ways to separate contradictory demands:

Separating in space

control question: where?

The approach is applicable if answering the control question reveals that the contradictory demands are applied to different places in space.
The recommended inventive principles to separate the contradictory demands in space:

  1. Divide the object into independent parts.
  2. Make the object easy to disassemble.
  3. Increase the degree of fragmentation or segmentation of the object.
  1. Separate any interfering parts or properties from the object, or single out the only necessary part (or property) of the object.
  1. Change the object’s structure from uniform to non-uniform, change the external environment (or external influence) from uniform to non-uniform.
  2. Ensure that each part of the object functions in conditions most suitable for its operation.
  3. Ensure that each part of the object fulfills a different and useful function.
  1. Place one object inside another; place each object, in turn, inside the other.
  2. Pass one part through a cavity in the other.
  1. Change the shape of the object from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
  2. If the object is asymmetrical, increase its degree of asymmetry.
  1. Move the object in two- or three-dimensional space.
  2. Use a multistory arrangement for the objects instead of a single-story arrangement.
  3. Tilt or re-orient the object, put it on its side.
  4. Use a different side of the given area.

Separating in time

control question: when?

It is applicable if answering the control question reveals that the contradictory demands are required at different moments in time.
The recommended inventive principles to separate the contradictory demands in time:

  1. If it is necessary to perform an action with both harmful and useful effects, a counteraction should be performed first to control the harmful effects.
  2. Create stresses in the object in advance to oppose known undesirable working stresses later on.
  1. Make any changes in the object (either fully or partially) before such changes are required.
  2. Pre-arrange objects so that they can be quickly activated without losing time delivering them.
  1. Prepare an emergency equipment beforehand to compensate for any objects that are not reliable.
  1. Allow changes (or design such changes) in the characteristics of the object, external environment, or process that optimize the object, or that optimize the operating conditions.
  2. Divide the object into parts capable of moving relative to each other.
  3. If the object (or process) is rigid or inflexible, make it movable or adaptable.
  1. Eliminate portions of the object that have fulfilled their function (discard by dissolving, evaporating, etc.) or modify these during the operation of the object. 
  2. Conversely, restore consumable parts of the object during the operation of the object.

Separating in relation (conditions)

control question: for whom / for what object?

This approach is applicable if answering the control question reveals that the contradictory demands are applied for different objects.

The recommended inventive principles to separate the contradictory demands in relation:

  1. Change the object’s structure from uniform to non-uniform, change the external environment (or external influence) from uniform to non-uniform.
  2. Ensure that each part of the object functions in conditions most suitable for its operation.
  3. Ensure that each part of the object fulfills a different and useful function.
  1. Move the object in two- or three-dimensional space.
  2. Use a multistory arrangement for the objects instead of a single-story arrangement.
  3. Tilt or re-orient the object, put it on its side.
  4. Use a different side of the given area.
  1. Instead of continuous action, use periodic or pulsating actions.
  2. If an action is already periodic, change the periodic magnitude or frequency.
  3. Use pauses between impulses to perform a different action.
  1. Make the object porous or add porous elements (inserts, coatings, etc.).
  2. If the object is already porous, use the pores to introduce a useful substance or function.
  1. Change the color of the object or its external environment.
  2. Change the transparency of the object or its external environment.
  1. Change from uniform to composite (multiple) materials.

Separating in direction

control question: in what direction?

It is applicable if answering the control question reveals that the contradictory demands are applied for different directions of action.

The recommended inventive principles to separate the contradictory demands in direction:

  1. Change the shape of the object from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
  2. If the object is asymmetrical, increase its degree of asymmetry.
  1. Instead of using rectilinear parts, surfaces, or forms, use curvilinear ones; change from flat surfaces to spherical ones; from cube-shaped (paralllelepiped) parts to ball-shaped structures.
  2. Use rollers, balls, spirals, domes.
  3. Go from linear to rotary motion; use centrifugal forces.
  1. Move the object in two- or three-dimensional space.
  2. Use a multistory arrangement for the objects instead of a single-story arrangement.
  3. Tilt or re-orient the object, put it on its side.
  4. Use a different side of the given area.
  1. Change the color of the object or its external environment.
  2. Change the transparency of the object or its external environment.
  1. Change the object’s physical state (e.g., to a gas, liquid, or solid).
  2. Change the concentration or consistency.
  3. Change the degree of flexibility.
  4. Change the temperature.
  1. Change from uniform to composite (multiple) materials.

Separating at the system level

There is no control question related to separation at the system level. This approach may always be applied

The recommended inventive principles to separate the contradictory demands at the system level:

  1. Divide the object into independent parts.
  2. Make the object easy to disassemble.
  3. Increase the degree of fragmentation or segmentation of the object.
  1. Bring closer together (or merge) identical or similar objects, assemble identical or similar parts to perform parallel operations.
  2. Make operations contiguous or parallel; bring them together in time.
  1. In any potential field, limit position changes (e.g., change operating conditions to eliminate the need to raise or lower objects in a gravity field).
  1. Make objects interacting with any given object of the same material (or material with identical properties).

Satisfying the contradictory demands

Satisfying contradictory demands is much less frequently used then separation.

As the name suggests, in this approach – similarly to separation – both demands are also met, but now simultaneously. Recommendations for this approach are often related to the use of so-called smart materials and scientific effects. 

The recommended inventive principles to satisfy the contradictory demands:

  1. Invert the action(s) taken to solve the problem (e.g., instead of cooling the object, heat it).
  2. Make movable parts (or the external environment) stationary, and stationary parts movable.
  3. Turn the object (or process) “upside down”.
  1. Replace mechanical means with sensory (optical, acoustic, taste or smell) means.
  2. Use electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields to interact with the object.
  3. Change from static to movable fields, from unstructured fields to structured.
  4. Use fields in conjunction with field-activated (e.g., ferromagnetic) particles.
  1. Change the object’s physical state (e.g., to a gas, liquid, or solid).
  2. Change the concentration or consistency.
  3. Change the degree of flexibility.
  4. Change the temperature.
  1. Use phenomena occurring during phase transitions (e.g., volume changes, loss or absorption of heat, etc.).
  1. Use thermal expansion (or contraction) of materials.
  2. If thermal expansion is being used, use multiple materials with different thermal expansion coefficients.
  1. Replace air with oxygen-enriched air.
  2. Replace enriched air with pure oxygen.
  3. Expose air or oxygen to ionizing radiation.
  4. Use ozonized oxygen.
  5. Replace ozonized (or ionized) oxygen with ozone.
  1. Replace a normal environment with an inert one.
  2. Add neutral parts, or inert additives to the object.

Bypassing the contradictory demands

Bypassing contradictory demands is the least used method of resolving physical contradictions. It is usually used when separating or satisfying contradictory demands doesn’t work.

The approach is based on changing the engineering system so that the physical contradiction becomes irrelevant and does not need to be resolved anymore, e.g. finding different ways of performing the desired function.

There are no inventive principles assigned to this method, which means that all principles can be applied.

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