The 40 Principles

40 principle(s)

1. 01SegmentationDivide an object into independent parts, make it easy to disassemble, or increase its degree of…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
2. 02Taking OutSeparate an interfering part or property from an object, or conversely single out the only part or property…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
3. 03Local QualityChange a structure or environment from uniform to non-uniform, make each part operate under the conditions…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
4. 04AsymmetryReplace a symmetrical form with an asymmetrical one, or increase the degree of an existing asymmetry. A…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
5. 05MergingBring identical or similar objects together in space, or make similar operations run together and in…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
6. 06UniversalityMake one object or part perform several functions so that other parts can be eliminated. A single universal…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
7. 07Nested DollPlace one object inside another, and that one inside a third, and so on. Alternatively, let one object pass…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
8. 08Anti-weightCompensate for the weight of an object by combining it with something that provides lift, or by making it…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
9. 09Preliminary Anti-actionIf an action will have both useful and harmful effects, perform a counter-action in advance to neutralize…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
10. 10Preliminary ActionCarry out a required change to an object, fully or partially, before it is needed. Arrange objects in…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
11. 11Beforehand CushioningPrepare emergency or backup means in advance to compensate for the relatively low reliability of an object…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
12. 12EquipotentialityChange the operating conditions so that an object no longer has to be raised or lowered in a gravity field…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
13. 13The Other Way RoundInvert the action normally used to solve the problem, or reverse the roles of moving and fixed parts.…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
14. 14Spheroidality / CurvatureReplace straight lines and flat surfaces with curves, and cubes with spheres; use rollers, balls, and…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
15. 15DynamicsLet the characteristics of an object, its environment, or a process change so they are optimal at every…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
16. 16Partial or Excessive ActionsIf it is hard to achieve exactly 100% of a desired effect with a given method, deliberately do slightly less…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
17. 17Another DimensionEscape the constraints of a single line or plane by using a second or third dimension: move the object in…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
18. 18Mechanical VibrationSet an object oscillating or vibrating to do useful work. If it already oscillates, raise the frequency…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
19. 19Periodic ActionReplace a continuous action with a periodic, pulsed one. If the action is already periodic, change its…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
20. 20Continuity of Useful ActionCarry the useful work on continuously, with every part of the system working at full load all the time…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
21. 21SkippingCarry out a harmful, dangerous, or costly operation at very high speed so that the damaging effect has no…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
22. 22Blessing in DisguiseTurn a harmful factor or situation into a useful one. Use a harm to achieve a positive effect, combine two…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
23. 23FeedbackIntroduce feedback: measure the output of a process and feed that information back to regulate it. If…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
24. 24IntermediaryUse an intermediary object or process to carry out or transfer an action. Alternatively, temporarily attach…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
25. 25Self-serviceMake an object serve itself by carrying out its own auxiliary and maintenance functions. In parallel, make…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
26. 26CopyingInstead of using an object that is unavailable, expensive, or fragile, use a simpler and inexpensive copy of…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
27. 27Cheap Short-living ObjectsReplace an expensive, durable object with a set of cheap, short-lived ones, deliberately trading longevity…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
28. 28Mechanics SubstitutionReplace a mechanical means — contact, moving parts, rigid linkages — with a sensory field (optical…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
29. 29Pneumatics and HydraulicsUse gaseous or liquid parts of an object in place of solid ones — inflatable, liquid-filled, air-cushion…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
30. 30Flexible Shells and Thin FilmsUse flexible shells and thin films in place of bulky three-dimensional structures, and use them to isolate…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
31. 31Porous MaterialsMake an object porous, or add porous elements such as inserts and coatings. If the object is already porous…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
32. 32Color ChangesChange the color or the transparency of an object or its surroundings. To make things that are hard to see…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
33. 33HomogeneityMake objects that interact with a given object out of the same material, or a material with matching…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
34. 34Discarding and RecoveringDiscard parts of an object once they have done their job, by dissolving, evaporating, or otherwise removing…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
35. 35Parameter ChangesChange a parameter of the object: its physical state, its concentration or consistency, its degree of…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
36. 36Phase TransitionsUse the physical phenomena that occur during a change of state — such as volume change or the absorption and…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
37. 37Thermal ExpansionUse the expansion or contraction of materials with temperature to produce motion, force, or a tight fit.…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
38. 38Strong OxidantsIntensify a process by supplying a more reactive agent — enriching the air with oxygen, using pure oxygen…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
39. 39Inert AtmosphereReplace the normal, reactive surroundings with an inert one so that unwanted reactions cannot happen, or add…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology
40. 40Composite MaterialsChange from a uniform material to a composite one, combining two or more constituents with different…account_balanceprecision_manufacturingcoffeestorefrontterminalneurology