40 inventive principles / #19
#19 Periodic action
What it says
- Replace continuous action with periodic or pulsed action.
- Change the frequency of a periodic action.
- Use the pauses between pulses for another action.
Examples
- Software
- Batch jobs on a schedule instead of constant polling.
- Business
- Weekly check-ins instead of constant status updates.
- Engineering
- Pulsed welding; flashing warning lights.
- Everyday life
- Interval training.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Periodic action in 158 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Weight of moving object worsens Illumination intensity
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Illumination intensity
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Quantity of substance
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Adaptability or versatility
- Improving Length of moving object worsens Duration of action of moving object
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Force
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Use of energy by moving object
- Improving Area of moving object worsens Power