Mathematical Modelling and Formalization of TRIZ: Trimming for Product Design
Abstract
This work aims to formalize TRIZ modelling framework and trimming techniques through mathematical notations to lay the foundations for rigorous analysis of TRIZ as a Science of Innovation. Mathematical modelling has been employed to formalize the heuristic models of trimming. A case study was presented to demonstrate the use of the proposed modelling scheme. The paper has demonstrated the correlation of TRIZ modelling framework and trimming techniques with well-established mathematical fields such as Formal Logic, Set Theory and Graph Theory. It presents initial efforts in formalizing the functional analysis and trimming techniques as a rigorous formal approach. The acceptance of systematic innovation as a scientific discipline that can be supported by knowledge systems and can be connected to mathematical models remains a dream. This work provides directions for inquiry into this non-trivial endeavour. The value of this work will see future computational models for supporting systematic innovation. The real-life use case demonstrates the powers and gaps with regards to Genrich Altshuler’s modelling of product innovation using heuristics.