40 Inventive Principles

The 40 Inventive Principles:

1. Segmentation

a. Divide an object into independent parts

b. Make an object sectional

c. Increase the degree of an object's segmentation

2. Extraction

a. Extract (remove or separate) a "disturbing" part or property from an object, or

b. Extract only the necessary part or property

3. Local Quality

a. Transition from a homogeneous structure of an object or outside environment/action to a heterogeneous structure

b. Have different parts of the object carry out different functions

c. Place each part of the object under conditions most favorable for its operation

4. Asymmetry

a. Replace a symmetrical form with an asymmetrical form.

b. If an object is already asymmetrical, increase the degree of asymmetry

5. Combining

a. Combine in space homogeneous objects or objects destined for contiguous operations

b. Combine in time homogeneous or contiguous operations

6. Universality

Have the object perform multiple functions, thereby eliminating the need for some other object(s)

7. Nesting

a. Contain the object inside another which, in turn, is placed inside a third object

b. Pass an object through a cavity of another object

8. Counterweight

a. Compensate for the object's weight by joining with another object that has a lifting force

b. Compensate for the weight of an object by interaction with an environment providing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic forces

9. Prior counter-action

a. Perform a counter-action in advance

b. If the object is (or will be) under tension, provide anti-tension in advance

10. Prior action

a. Carry out all or part of the required action in advance

b. Arrange objects so they can go into action in a timely matter and from a convenient position

11. Cushion in advance

Compensate for the relatively low reliability of an object by countermeasures taken in advance

12. Equipotentiality

Change the working conditions so that an object need not be raised or lowered.

13. Inversion

a. Instead of an action dictated by the specifications of the problem, implement an opposite action

b. Make a moving part of the object or the outside environment immovable and the non-moving part movable

c. Turn the object upside-down

14. Spheroidality

a. Replace linear parts or flat surfaces with curved ones; replace cubical shapes with spherical shapes

b. Use rollers, balls spirals

c. Replace a linear motion with rotating movement; utilize a centrifugal force

15. Dynamicity

a. Make an object or its environment automatically adjust for optimal performance at each stage of operation

b. Divide an object into elements which can change position relative to each other

c. If an object is immovable, make it movable or interchangeable

16. Partial or overdone action

If it is difficult to obtain 100% of a desired effect, achieve somewhat more or less to greatly simplify the problem

17. Moving to a new dimension

a. Remove problems with moving an object in a line by two-dimensional movement (i.e. along a plane)

b. Use a multi-layered assembly of objects instead of a single layer

c. Incline the object or turn it on its side

18. Mechanical vibration

a. Set an object into oscillation

b. If oscillation exists, increase its frequency, even as far as ultrasonic

c. Use the resonant frequency

d. Instead of mechanical vibrations, use piezovibrators

e. Use ultrasonic vibrations in conjunction with an electromagnetic field

19. Periodic action

a. Replace a continuous action with a periodic (pulsed) one

b. If an action is already periodic, change its frequency

c. Use pulsed between impulses to provide additional action

20. Continuity of a useful action

a. Carry out an action continuously (i.e. without pauses), where all parts of an object operate at full capacity

b. Remove idle and intermediate motions

21. Rushing through

Perform harmful or hazardous operations at very high speed

22. Convert harm into benefit

a. Utilize harmful factors or environmental effects to obtain a positive effect

b. Remove a harmful factor by combining it with another harmful factor

c. Increase the amount of harmful action until it ceases to be harmful

23. Feedback

a. Introduce feedback

b. If feedback already exists, reverse it

24. Mediator

a. Use an intermediary object to transfer or carry out an action

b. Temporarily connect an object to another one that is easy to remove

25. Self-service

a. Make the object service itself and carry out supplementary and repair operations

b. Make use of wasted material and energy

26. Copying

a. Use a simple and inexpensive copy instead of an object which is complex, expensive, fragile or inconvenient to operate.

b. Replace an object by its optical copy or image. A scale can be used to reduce or enlarge the image.

c. If visible optical copies are used, replace them with infrared or ultraviolet copies

27. Inexpensive, short-lived object for expensive, durable one

Replace an expensive object by a collection of inexpensive ones, forgoing properties (e.g. longevity)

28. Replacement of a mechanical system

a. Replace a mechanical system by an optical, acoustical or olfactory (odor) system

b. Use an electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic field for interaction with the object

c. Replace fields

1. Stationary fields with moving fields

2. Fixed fields with those which change in time

3. Random fields with structured fields

d. Use a field in conjunction with ferromagnetic particles

29. Pneumatic or hydraulic construction

Replace solid parts of an object by gas or liquid. These parts can use air or water for inflation, or use air or hydrostatic cushions

30. Flexible membranes or thin film

a. Replace traditional constructions with those made from flexible membranes or thin film

b. Isolate an object from its environment using flexible membranes or thin film

31. Use of porous material

a. Make an object porous or add porous elements (inserts, covers, etc.)

b. If an object is already porous, fill the pores in advance with some substance

32. Changing the color

a. Change the color of an object or its surroundings

b. Change the degree of translucency of an object or processes which are difficult to see

c. Use colored additives to observe objects or processes which are difficult to see

d. If such additives are already used, employ luminescent traces or tracer elements

33. Homogeneity

Make those objects which interact with a primary object out of the same material or material that is close to it in behavior.

34. Rejecting and regenerating parts

a. After it has completed its function or become useless, reject or modify (e.g. discard, dissolve, evaporate) an element of an object

b. Immediately restore any part of an object which is exhausted or depleted

35. Transformation of the physical and chemical states of an object

Change an object's aggregate state, density distribution, degree of flexibility, temperature

36. Phase transformation

Implement an effect developed during the phase transition of a substance. For instance, during the change of volume, liberation or absorption of heat.

37. Thermal expansion

a. Use a material which expands or contracts with heat

b. Use various materials with different coefficients of heat expansion

38. Use strong oxidizers

a. Replace normal air with enriched air

b. Replace enriched air with oxygen

c. Treat an object in air or in oxygen with ionizing radiation

d. Use ionized oxygen

39. Inert environment

a. Replace the normal environment with an inert one

b. Carry out the process in a vacuum

40. Composite materials

Replace a homogeneous material with a composite one

Last updated: November 23, 1998