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Simple & Pragmatic Problem Solving
#45Chapter 5: Individual Creative Option Generation• Individual Creative Optionslogical Thinkingindividual and group Mode1-3 hours(medium)

Input-Output

From the book "Advanced Problem-Solving Toolbox: 115 Creative Plays" | Compiled & Edited by: Mojtaba Goudarzi, Open translation: Mehrshid Goudarzi
Executive Synopsis & Core Logic:

Accurately defining the expected input and output of the system and then discovering a chain of physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological phenomena to bridge the gap between them.

Operational Parameters & Specifications

Category
Individual Creative Options
Dominant Thinking
logical
Participation
individual and group
Estimated Timemedium
1-3 hours
Medium
Input Format
initial input situation, limiting conditions and desired final output
Output Format
idea generation
Key Application
Design of industrial mechanisms, automation without electricity consumption (passive energies), research and development (R&D) and equipment engineering.
Core Differentiator:

engineering and phenomenon-oriented approach (invention of General Electric Company) that organizes the invention process based on the fundamental laws of nature and energy transformations.

Quick Field Example:

Design of automatic solar shutters: converting input (radiation of light and heat) to output (shutter angle adjustment) through bimetallic expansion and gas thermal blowers.

Operational Benefits & Implementation Risks

Advantages & Value Creation:

Extraordinary structure in engineering, discovery of innovative solutions with high efficiency and minimum cost of parts, ability to integrate multiple phenomena.

Risks & Potential Trade-offs:

requires basic technical knowledge of the laws of physics and materials, and the time-consuming nature of laboratory evaluation of phenomena.

Real-World Organizational & Industry Scenarios

Mechanical and Energy Engineering: Conversion of exhaust waste heat to electricity or cooling in industrial systems.
Sustainable automated systems: design of automatic sensors and valves without the need for batteries and external power supply.
Chemical and pharmaceutical processes: definition of raw materials (input) and final pure compound (output) and design of optimal catalytic steps.

Strategic Rationale & Why to Apply

1Pure focus on functionality: Avoid prematurely locking the mind to traditional market mechanisms.
2Discovering cheap and durable solutions: Exploiting intrinsic material phenomena to replace vulnerable electronic boards.
3The possibility of combining hybrid systems: synergy of two natural phenomena to cover each other's weaknesses.
4Solving Impossible Engineering Problems: Guiding Engineers to Search for New Physical Phenomena in Basic Science Reference Books.

Conceptual Framework & Book Method Description

The Input-Output technique, developed by General Electric engineers, is a systematic way to devise mechanical and process solutions.

In this method, engineers consider the system in its simplest form as a "black box" into which a certain state of input (such as thermal energy, fluid, signal) enters and must be converted into a desired output (linear motion, angle change, temperature stabilization). The team then brainstorms all the physical, chemical, and mechanical phenomena that can make this state transition happen, without thinking about specific parts. Finally, the best phenomena or their combination are chosen as the invention mechanism.

Step-by-Step Real-World Implementation Scenario

Designing a solar smart shutter and shade system without the need for grid electricity at General Electric
1
Step 1: Accurate definition of system input and outputInput: the intensity of sunlight and heat during the day. Output: automatic mechanical opening and closing of shutters and adjustment of incoming light.
2
Step 2: Statistics of natural phenomena that transformIdentification of 3 scientific phenomena: 1) Asymmetric expansion of bimetallic strips (Bimetallic strips) 2) Expansion of trapped gases and thermal bellows (Thermal bellows) 3) Production of photovoltaic electricity and activation of solenoids.
3
Step 3: Mechanism engineering based on bimetallic blades and blowerusing gas expansion in a small cylinder that pushes the piston forward and changes the angle of the shutter layers as the day temperature increases.
4
Step 4: Designing a sustainable hybrid systemThe combination of the thermal blower to react to the ambient temperature with a small solar cell connected to the ventilation fan to maintain efficiency even on cloudy but hot days.
5
Step 5: Prototyping and Field ValidationThe canopy system without a single meter of cabling or batteries was successfully installed in 3 greenhouses, reducing ventilation energy costs by 45%.

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