40 inventive principles / #28
#28 Mechanics substitution
What it says
- Replace a mechanical system with an optical, acoustic, thermal or smell-based one.
- Use electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields to act on the object.
- Move from fixed to changing fields, or from unstructured to structured ones.
Examples
- Software
- Replace manual checks with automated monitors or rules.
- Business
- Replace paper forms with digital workflows.
- Engineering
- Touchless sensors instead of mechanical switches.
- Everyday life
- A motion-sensor light instead of a switch.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Mechanics substitution in 229 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Weight of moving object worsens Strength
- Improving Weight of moving object worsens Measurement accuracy
- Improving Weight of moving object worsens Manufacturing precision
- Improving Weight of moving object worsens Difficulty of detecting and measuring
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Strength
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Temperature
- Improving Weight of stationary object worsens Ease of manufacture
- Improving Length of moving object worsens Measurement accuracy