Substance-field model

Substance-field model (Su-Field model, Su-Field) is an abstract model of a problem and potential solutions (when possible) formulated in terms of interactions between substances and fields.

Overview

Substance-field models (Su-Fields) are inspired by chemistry, specifically the way of representing molecules that reflects their composition and bonds. Similarly, Su-Fields aim to explain relationships and functions in technical systems.

Building substance-field models is performed within substance-field analysis.

Basic assumption in the approach is that a minimally functioning system must consist of 3 basic elements:
1. 2 substances (S), i.e., objects with a rest mass involved in the system, and
2. a field (F), i.e., entity without a rest mass that establishes an interaction between substances.

The substances are closely tied to the key problem that needs to be solved. They can refer to microscopic objects, single components, or the entire technical system. The field is typically one of the types selected from the MATChEM model.

Structure of a Su-Field

Usually, the model is depicted by a diagram where the substances (S) and the field (F) are shown as nodes, and the interaction is presented as connecting lines or arrows.

Symbols of interactions used in Su-Field models are similar to those used in function modeling for devices:

The examples can be as follows:

Types of Su-Fields

Although the substance-field models can represent both problems and (sometimes) solutions, these models are not the same, therefore they are differentiated into:

Su-Fields of problems

When modeling a problem with Su-Field, it is essential to include only those substances and fields that are directly related to the key problem requiring a solution.

Substance-field model of the problem may have 1, 2 or 3 elements. Building problem models with more than 3 elements, is incorrect.

The following types of Su-Fields are used to model problems:
1. incomplete Su-Field (needs to be completed),
2. insufficient, i.e. complete, but ineffective Su-Field (needs to be improved), and
3. harmful Su-Field (the harmful or excessive action has to be eliminated).

Incomplete Su-Field

Incomplete Su-Field is a Su-Field representing a model of a problem of lacking one substance, or a field, or substance and a field.

The examples of incomplete Su-Fields can be the following:

Insufficient Su-Field

Insufficient Su-Field is a Su-Field representing a problem model, which is complete but does not work.

The insufficient Su-Field usually models an issue emerging when substance 1 does not respond to the field generated by substance 2.

Harmful Su-Field

Harmful Su-Field is a Su-Field which represents a model, in which at least one interaction is harmful or excessive (excessive = normal + harmful excess).

Su-Fields of solutions

SuFields of solutions may have 3 or more elements.

Examples of solution models can be the following:
1. complete Su-Field,
2. complex Su-Field (internal and external),
3. chain Su-Field,
4. double Su-Field,
5. measurement Su-Field.

Complete Su-Field

Complete Su-Field represents a model of a solution in which at least two substances and a field are present to create a working technical system or a subsystem.

Complex Su-Field

Complex Su-Field is a complete Su-Field with an extra substance (often in the form of an additive) that readily responds to the existing field.

This type of models is used in class 1.1 (synthesis of Su-Fields), class 2 (development of Su-Fields), and class 4 (standard iInventive solutions for detecting and measuring).

NOTE! Complex Su-Fields should not be confused with the double and chain Su-Fields. These are different types of models.

Chain Su-Field

Chain Su-Field is a combination of two or more Su-Fields where one substance participates in two Su-Fields.

This type of models is used in class 2 (development of Su-Fields).

Double Su-Field

Double Su-Field is a Su-Field where two different fields provide interactions between the substances (one substance acts on the second substance with two fields).

This type of models is used in class 2 (development of Su-Fields).

Measurement Su-Field

Measurement Su-Field is a special type of a Su-Field which is used to present models of inventive problems where measurement or detection is required in terms of substance-field analysis. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only model with 2 fields and 1 substance (input field > substance > output field).

This type of models is used in class 4 (SISs for detecting and measuring).