Speeding Up Innovative Design with TRIZ and Unlocking Rapid Breakthroughs

Introduction

Case Study: Innovative Aircraft Wing Design Using TRIZ

Background: In the aerospace industry, aircraft wing design plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance, fuel efficiency, and environmental impact of an airplane. A persistent challenge for engineers is to design wings that generate sufficient lift while minimizing weight and horizontal size. Traditional wing designs often struggle to strike an optimal balance between these conflicting requirements, which can limit the aircraft’s performance and market competitiveness.

Objective: The goal of this case study is to explore how the TRIZ methodology can be applied to identify and overcome the contradictions in aircraft wing design, leading to innovative, mature solutions that can be developed more rapidly compared to traditional design approaches.

Approach:

• Define the problem: The main challenge is to develop an aircraft wing design that provides adequate lift while minimizing weight and horizontal size.
• Identify the contradictions: The key conflicting parameters are lift generation (which needs to be improved) and wing size and weight (which need to be minimized).
• Apply the TRIZ methodology: Using the systematic TRIZ approach, including the contradiction matrix and inventive principles, we identify potential solutions that address the identified contradictions.

• Generate and refine potential solutions: Utilize the TRIZ inventive principles to brainstorm innovative wing designs and iteratively refine them based on testing and evaluation.

Application:  To ensure that we are using the proper contradictions when applying TRIZ, it’s essential to follow a systematic approach. Here are the steps to make sure we use the correct contradictions:

• Define the problem: Clearly describe the issue we are trying to solve, including any constraints, requirements, or limitations. Be as specific as possible to ensure we can identify the relevant contradictions.

• Identify the contradictions: Break down the problem into its conflicting parameters. Determine what parameters need to be improved and which ones could potentially worsen as a result. Be explicit about the relationship between these conflicting parameters.
• Choose relevant parameters from the TRIZ contradiction matrix: Look through the 39 engineering parameters listed in the contradiction matrix and select the ones that most closely represent the conflicting parameters in our problem. In some cases, we may need to consider multiple combinations of parameters to cover all aspects of the contradiction.
• Locate the intersections in the contradiction matrix: Find the intersections between the improving and worsening parameters we have chosen. These intersections will suggest the TRIZ inventive principles that can help resolve the contradictions.
• Analyze the suggested principles: Review the suggested TRIZ inventive principles and determine which ones are most relevant to our problem. It’s essential to have a deep understanding of each principle to be able to apply it effectively.
• Brainstorm solutions using the TRIZ principles: Use the selected TRIZ inventive principles as a guide to generate potential solutions for the problem. Combine and adapt the principles to develop innovative ideas that address the identified contradictions.
• Evaluate and refine the solutions: Assess the generated solutions based on their feasibility, effectiveness, and potential impact. Refine the solutions through iterative design and prototyping, testing them under various conditions to ensure that they resolve the identified contradictions.

• Iterate if necessary: If the initial set of selected parameters or principles does not provide a satisfactory solution, consider alternative parameter combinations or principles from the contradiction matrix. This may require revisiting the problem definition and identifying additional contradictions or aspects of the problem.

Let’s apply the first three steps of the systematic TRIZ approach to the problem of aircraft wings to ensure that we consider all relevant contradictions.

• Define the problem: The main issue is the contradiction between the need for a large wing surface area to generate lift and the need to reduce the wings’ horizontal size to prevent them from becoming too heavy. The goal is to find a wing design that provides sufficient lift while minimizing weight and horizontal size.
• Identify the contradictions: The primary conflicting parameters are lift generation (which needs to be improved) and wing size and weight (which need to be minimized). As these parameters conflict, it’s essential to explore various combinations of TRIZ parameters to cover all aspects of the contradiction.

• Choose relevant parameters from the TRIZ contradiction matrix: We’ll now look for multiple combinations of TRIZ engineering parameters that represent the conflicting parameters identified in our problem. Here are some possible combinations:

  a. Improving Parameter: Parameter 8 (Weight of moving object, representing lift) Worsening Parameter: Parameter 1 (Weight of stationary object, representing wing weight)

  b. Improving Parameter: Parameter 3 (Length of moving object, representing wing surface area) Worsening Parameter: Parameter 8 (Weight of moving object, representing wing weight)

  c. Improving Parameter: Parameter 2 (Weight of moving object, representing lift) Worsening Parameter: Parameter 7 (Use of energy by a moving object, representing wing size)

By selecting multiple combinations of TRIZ engineering parameters, we can ensure that we consider various aspects of the contradiction in our problem. This approach helps minimize the risk of missing an important contradiction when applying TRIZ to find innovative solutions.

Now that we have identified multiple combinations of TRIZ engineering parameters, we can proceed with steps 4 and 5 to locate the intersections in the contradiction matrix and analyze the suggested principles.

• Locate the intersections in the contradiction matrix: Find the intersections between the improving and worsening parameters you have chosen. These intersections will suggest the TRIZ inventive principles that can help resolve the contradictions.

a. Intersection of Parameter 8 (Weight of moving object) and Parameter 1 (Weight of stationary object):

• Principle 2: Taking out
• Principle 8: Counterweight
• Principle 15: Dynamics

b. Intersection of Parameter 3 (Length of moving object) and Parameter 8 (Weight of moving object):

• Principle 1: Segmentation
• Principle 17: Another Dimension
• Principle 35: Parameter Changes

c. Intersection of Parameter 2 (Weight of moving object) and Parameter 7 (Use of energy by a moving object):

• Principle 5: Merging
• Principle 18: Mechanical Vibration
• Principle 29: Pneumatics and Hydraulics

• Analyze the suggested principles: Review the suggested TRIZ inventive principles and determine which ones are most relevant to your problem. Combine and adapt the principles to develop innovative ideas that address the identified contradictions.

  a. Principles from intersection a:

  • Principle 2: Taking out – Remove or separate unnecessary elements from the wing structure to reduce weight while maintaining lift.
  • Principle 8: Counterweight – Use counterweights or other balancing mechanisms to offset the weight of the wings and maintain lift.
  • Principle 15: Dynamics – Make the wing structure adaptable to changing flight conditions, such as a wing that can change shape or size depending on the required lift.

  b. Principles from intersection b:

  • Principle 1: Segmentation – Divide the wing into smaller, modular sections that can be assembled or disassembled as needed to control wing size and weight.
  • Principle 17: Another Dimension – Change the geometry of the wing by moving from a traditional planar wing design to an annular or closed-loop design, which could potentially reduce weight while maintaining lift.
  • Principle 35: Parameter Changes – Alter the physical properties of the wing, such as using materials with different densities or stiffness, to optimize lift generation and weight distribution.

  c. Principles from intersection c:

  • Principle 5: Merging – Integrate separate components, such as the wing and fuselage, into a single structure, which could lead to a more compact and efficient design.
  • Principle 18: Mechanical Vibration – Use vibrations or oscillations to control wing shape or airflow around the wing, potentially improving lift while reducing weight.
  • Principle 29: Pneumatics and Hydraulics – Utilize fluid mechanics principles, such as air pressure differences, to enhance the performance of the wing, potentially improving lift while reducing weight.

Let us focus on the following principles:

a. Principle 17 – Another Dimension: Change the geometry of the wing by moving from a traditional planar wing design to an annular or closed-loop design, which could potentially reduce weight while maintaining lift.

b. Principle 5 – Merging: Integrate separate components, such as the wing and fuselage, into a single structure, which could lead to a more compact and efficient design.

c. Principle 29 – Pneumatics and Hydraulics: Utilize fluid mechanics principles, such as air pressure differences, to enhance the performance of the wing, potentially improving lift while reducing weight.

Apply the suggested TRIZ principles to develop a solution: Using these principles, we can arrive at the ring wing concept, which involves utilizing a different dimension (annular wing) and merging the wing and fuselage components into a single structure. This design could also leverage fluid mechanics principles to enhance lift while minimizing weight.

Ring Wings

Ring wings, also known as annular wings or closed wings, present an alternative approach to addressing the contradiction between the need for a large wing surface to generate lift and the need to reduce the wings’ horizontal size to prevent them from becoming too heavy.

A ring wing is a continuous, closed-loop wing that encircles the fuselage of the aircraft. This design offers several potential benefits that could help resolve the identified contradiction:

• Enhanced lift: The ring wing’s unique shape can produce more lift per unit area compared to traditional wings. This increased lift efficiency could allow for a smaller overall wing area while maintaining the necessary lift for flight.
• Reduced weight: By enclosing the fuselage within the wing, the ring wing design could minimize the structural weight of the wing itself. The closed-loop structure distributes loads more evenly and reduces the need for additional support structures.
• Improved aerodynamic efficiency: The closed shape of the ring wing can help reduce induced drag by minimizing wingtip vortices, which are a significant source of drag in conventional wing designs. This reduction in drag could potentially lead to fuel savings and increased range.

• Compact size: The ring wing design could result in a more compact aircraft, with a reduced wingspan compared to conventional designs, making it more suitable for confined spaces or short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations.

Existent concepts

Such concepts are tested now by Boeing and Lockheed. You can see these concepts below:

By applying TRIZ principles, we have arrived at the ring wing concept as a potential solution to the contradiction between the need for a large wing surface to generate lift and the need to reduce the wings’ horizontal size to prevent them from becoming too heavy. You can explore the other principles proposed in this post and you might generate even more innovative concepts.

Conclusions

By applying the TRIZ methodology to the aircraft wing design problem, several potential solutions were generated. Some of these included:

• Annular or ring wings: This innovative design changes the geometry of the wing by moving from a traditional planar wing design to an annular or closed-loop shape, potentially reducing weight while maintaining lift.

• Integrated wing-fuselage structures: By merging separate components, such as the wing and fuselage, into a single structure, the overall design becomes more compact and efficient.

• Adaptive wing structures: Designing wings that can change shape or size depending on the required lift, making them adaptable to different flight conditions.

By following the TRIZ methodology, the development of these novel wing designs was significantly accelerated, leading to rapid breakthroughs that may have taken much longer to achieve using traditional design approaches. The case study demonstrates the power of TRIZ in overcoming complex contradictions and speeding up the innovation process, leading to disruptive solutions in aircraft wing design and beyond.

——————-

Credits: Stelian Brad