40 inventive principles / #14
#14 Spheroidality
What it says
- Use curves instead of straight lines, and spheres instead of cubes.
- Use rollers, balls and spirals.
- Switch from straight motion to rotation, or use centrifugal force.
Examples
- Software
- A ring buffer instead of an ever-growing queue.
- Business
- Circular, repeat-purchase models instead of one-off sales.
- Engineering
- Arches and domes carry load better than flat roofs.
- Everyday life
- A round-edged table that nobody bumps into.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Spheroidality in 83 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Length of moving object worsens Adaptability or versatility
- Improving Length of moving object worsens Productivity
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Length of moving object
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Device complexity
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Extent of automation
- Improving Volume of moving object worsens Reliability
- Improving Speed worsens Loss of energy
- Improving Force worsens Loss of energy