Sciknow Publications Ltd.
JMIR 2013, 1(1):24-26 DOI: 10.12966/jmir.05.05.2013
Journal of Mechanics & Industry Research ©Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Application of TRIZ to Solve Automotive Headlight Problem Vijay S. Gadakh 1,* and Mahesh B. Mawale2 1 Production Engineering Department, Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India- 422 608 2 Mechanical Engineering Department, Kavikulguru Institute of Technology & Science, Ramtek, Maharashtra-441 106, India *Corresponding author (
[email protected])
Abstract – During the past several years many techniques has been developed in the area of automobile sector. All these techniques are aimed at improving the quality of a product/service. The focus is on subjectivity rather than objectivity. The objective of this study is to provide automatic turning headlights which are connected with the steering of automobile so that headlights will turn in accordance with front wheel for proper visibility to the driver on curve road with a solution suggested by the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving Technique (TRIZ) method. TRIZ is a method that is used successfully to solve the problems arising during the process of product development. This method is evaluated from automobile point of view using Su-Field analysis (a TRIZ tool). Keywords – TRIZ, Su-Field Analysis, Automatic Turning Headlights, Product Development
1. Introduction Contradictions are conflicting situations inside a system which restrict the functionality of the system. Contradictions and conflicts are difficult dilemmas to people, thus they often feel confused and trapped when facing contradictions. However, contradictions and conflicts are often the starting point of innovation and creation. There are types of different contradictions in our daily life that are of various aspects and are uncomputable. Working actively on how to solve these contradictions and conflict, people have obtained more in-depth understanding of the origin and nature of contradiction, and thus have developed methods to solve the different contradictions and conflicts. To solve the contradictions and conflict in the engineering field, Altshuller determined the general engineering contradiction and conflict solving pattern, and developed solutions of innovative principles. He argued that problem solving is the opportunity for innovation and creation. TRIZ innovative method seeks to eliminate conflict [1]. The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving Technique (TRIZ) method is an effective tool especially when used for solving problems of product development [2]. According to TRIZ, the designer’s primary goal is to satisfy the people; not developing elegant technical articles [3]. TRIZ has been developed by Genrich S. Altshuller and his followers in a private section of the former Soviet Union for over 50 years. It is a philosophy in technology, a methodology for reorganizing science and technology from the technology side, a technique for innovation,
and a huge system of knowledge base of technology reorganized in such a perspective, altogether at the same time. Its knowledge base and its technique are now provided as software tools, much advanced and comfortably operable on personal computers. In short, TRIZ provides excellent principles (or models) and concrete tools for 'creative thinking' in the whole range of technology [4]. The paper is organized as follows. In section 2 the TRIZ approach is explained. In section 3 the methodology for the adaptation of the TRIZ method into automobile headlight problem is presented.
2. The TRIZ approach [3] The fundamental of TRIZ is that “the problem we facing now, has been faced by many people at different times at different places, and most likely has been solved in different ways”. The TRIZ approach is “find your solution from those solutions” (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. The TRIZ approach
3. Definition of the problem According to German automaker Opel over 80% of all road
Journal of Mechanics & Industry Research (2013) 24-26
accidents occurs in darkness and bad weather condition, which was a compelling enough reason for its engineer to put their efforts into developing the next generation of intelligent lightening system. The primary goal is to improve and so achieve a significant increase in road safety and driving comfort [5]. In this study automobile headlight problem is considered and is solved using TRIZ method. In a conventional automobile car, the headlight structure is located on the front end of the vehicle (Fig. 2). When driving at night or in a dark area, the light beam forward so that the driver can see the front area, but when the driver wants to turn towards left or right side of the road, the headlight beams still straight forward and the light will not beam at the left or right side. When the driver is turning to the other side, there will be a short period that the driver does not get enough light to see ahead, as a result of which the driver cannot see the barrier at the left or right side, which is dangerous for driving and will cause an accident (Fig. 3). For this reason, some improvements upon the conventional headlight structure to avoid this inconvenience and danger, i.e., an automatic turning headlight structure that makes driving safer and increases the driver’s vision at night.
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the system problem and avoid psychological inertia. Su-Field modeling approach is to transfer any complex problem in a set of fundamental elements which explore the greater details of problem and catches the right element. The desired function is output from a substance (S1) caused by another object/substance (S2) with the help of Field (F). A field represents a source of energy, and is usually identified by the type of energy employed, such as mechanical, chemical, thermal, etc. From Fig. 5, two substances and field are necessary and sufficient to define working of a technical system. The term substance (S) refers to a material object of any level of complexity and can be single element or a complex system. It can be used at macro as well as micro level [3]. System Automobile car Sub-system Chassis, Cooling System, Engine, Transmission, Breaking System, Suspension System, Lightening System, etc. Focus System Lightening System (includes front headlight, Back headlight, Wiring, Batteries, etc.)
Figure 4. Decomposition of system The problem is now transformed into objectivity. Objective is to turn the headlights. Figure 2. Conventional arrangement of headlight
Figure 5. Su-Field Analysis
Figure 3. Conventional automobile headlight beam spread area 3.1. Development This model is developed by using top down approach (Fig. 4). But there is no objectivity when we talk about top-down or bottom-up approach. Now the current automobile problem is solved by Su-Field or S-Field or Su-Field Analysis, a tool of TRIZ. The top-down or bottom-up approach can be used in conjunction with Su-Field. Su-Field modeling helps to purify
3.2. Scientific Effects Those who involved in the product development process have to: • Utilize the existing knowledge available in the various fields of engineering. • Find the new ways to perform the same function. “Design can never be taught it can only be learnt”. Creative problem solving needs a little bit knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc. An ordinary engineer usually knows about 100 effects where there are 10,000 scientific effects available in the literature [3].
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Vijay S. Gadakh and Mahesh B. Mawale: Application of TRIZ to Solve Automotive Headlight Problem
4. Results
Acknowledgment
By using appropriate available technology the problem is now solved as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.
The authors would like to thank Dr. A. M. Kuthe, VNIT, Nagpur and Dr. Vijay Bapat, (IDC), IIT Mumbai for their valuable guidance in the one day programme on Objectivity in Subjectivity (OIS) held on 03 Nov. 2008 at VNIT, Nagpur.
References [1]
[2]
Fig. 6. modifying steps [3]
[4]
[5]
Figure 7. Modified arrangement of headlight
Y. L. Lai, J. H. Chen, and J. P. Hung, “A Study on the Application of TRIZ to CAD/CAM System”, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 38, 149-153, 2008. D. Akay, A. Demray, and M. Kurt, “Collaborative Tool for Solving Human Factors Problems in the Manufacturing Environment: The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving Technique (TRIZ) Method”, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 46, No. 11, 2913-2925, 2008. V. S. Gadakh, and M. B. Mawale, “Lecture notes on Product Design and Development”, M. Tech. CAD/CAM, 3rd Sem. 2008, VNIT, Nagpur. (Unpublished). T. Nakagawa, “Problem Solving Methodology for Innovation: TRIZ/USIT. Its Philosophy, Methods, Knowledge Bases, and Software Tools”, in First Symposium on Knowledge Creation Support Systems, 27-28 Feb. 2004, at JAIST (Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Hokuriku), Kanazawa, Japan. G. R. Nikhade, and Y. M. Sonkhaskar, “Design and fabrication of adjustable headlight for automobile”, in Proc. Int. Conf. on Advances in Mechanical and Building sciences in 3rd millennium, VIT University, 13-16 December 2009, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India.
