Systematizing Genius: A Look at TRIZ Inventive Principles 16-20

Have you ever hit a wall with a technical problem where the solution seems impossible? We often attribute the breakthrough to a "stroke of genius," but what if there was a cheat sheet for innovation?

That is the premise behind TRIZ (a Russian acronym for the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). In a recent video from IdeaMechanics, we get a fascinating breakdown of five specific TRIZ principles that can help engineers, developers, and designers look at problems from entirely new angles.

The video argues that invention isn't just art—it's a skill based on patterns found in millions of patents [00:41]. Here is my technical review of the five principles covered in this explainer.

1. Principle 16: Partial or Excessive Action

Timestamp: [01:15]

Sometimes, hitting a target with 100% precision is resource-intensive or technically difficult. This principle suggests that the most efficient path is often to intentionally "overshoot" or "undershoot."

• The Concept: If you can't do exactly enough, do a little less or a little more.

• Real-world Example: The video uses the analogy of spray painting [01:39]. It is far easier to overspray the edges and mask them off than to paint a mathematically perfect line freehand.

2. Principle 17: Another Dimension

Timestamp: [02:07]

We often get stuck in "flat" thinking. This principle encourages moving from one-dimensional or two-dimensional logic into three-dimensional space.

• The Concept: If an object is in your way or space is limited, ask if you can tilt it, stack it, or use the other side.

• Real-world Example: A dump truck solves the unloading problem by tilting into a vertical dimension [02:40]. In electronics, we stack circuits to overcome the limitations of 2D board space.

3. Principle 18: Mechanical Vibration

Timestamp: [02:48]

Static force is not always the answer. This principle introduces rhythm and oscillation to a system to achieve what brute force cannot.

• The Concept: utilizing specific frequencies or vibrations to manipulate objects or matter.

• Real-world Example: The video highlights how kidney stones are shattered using focused ultrasonic vibrations rather than invasive surgery [03:24]. Even the quartz crystal in your watch relies on precise oscillation.

4. Principle 19: Periodic Action

Timestamp: [03:46]

This is the opposite of a steady, continuous push. It suggests replacing continuous actions with pulsed or intermittent ones.

• The Concept: Use pauses between pulses to perform other useful functions or to increase the impact of the action.

• Real-world Example: A siren uses a pulsing sound to grab attention better than a steady drone. In CPR, the pause between compressions is not wasted time—it is essential for rescue breaths [04:16].

5. Principle 20: Continuity of Useful Action

Timestamp: [04:31]

Interestingly, the final principle in this set is the mirror image of the previous one. It focuses on maximizing efficiency by eliminating all downtime.

• The Concept: Make every part of a system work at full potential, 100% of the time.

• Real-world Example: Modern inkjet printers print on both the forward and backward pass of the print head, turning what used to be "return time" into productive work [05:03].

The Verdict

This video is a concise and visually clear primer for anyone looking to expand their problem-solving toolkit. Whether you are debugging code, designing a mechanical part, or optimizing a workflow, these mental models help you stop waiting for inspiration and start engineering it.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/icfNX3k21bE

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