The Altshuller Institute for TRIZ Studies

The Altshuller Institute is a 501(c) (3) Non-Profit organization that exists for the benefit of those who:

know the TRIZ Methodology,
for those who want to learn TRIZ, and
wish to export TRIZ for the benefit of all mankind.

We are the only organization officially authorized by Genrikh Altshuller, the founder of TRIZ, to use his name. TRIZ (pronounced treez) is the Russian acronym for the "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving." TRIZ is a powerful methodolog, based on empirical data, that can provide solution concepts for a wide range of technical and non-technical problems.

Optimization of a Diesel Engine Software Control Strategy

Inside TRIZ

June 2010

Photo of Larry R Smith Madhav S. Phadke
Phadke Associates, Inc.
Colts Neck, NJ

Larry R. Smith
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI

Optimization of a Diesel Engine Software Control Strategy

This paper discusses optimization of software control strategy for eliminating “hitching" and “ringing” in a diesel engine powertrain. Slow- and high-amplitude oscillation of the entire vehicle powertrain under steady pedal position at idle is called "ringing," and similar behavior under cruise-control conditions is called "hitching." The intermittent nature of these conditions posed a particular challenge in arriving at proper design alternatives.

Zero-point-proportional dynamic S/N ratio was used to quantify vibration and tracking accuracy under six driving conditions, which represented noise factors. An L18 orthogonal array explored combinations of six software strategy control factors associated with controlling fuel delivery to the engine. The result was between 4 and 10 dB improvement in vibration reduction, resulting in virtual elimination of the hitching condition. As a result of this effort, a 12 repair per thousand vehicle reliability (eight million dollar warranty) problem was eliminated.

The Robust Design methodology developed in this application may be used for a variety of applications to optimize similar feedback control strategies.

TRIZ in Technology Education: Perceptions of Future Teachers

TRIZ Features

June 2010

Photo of John W. Stamey John W. Stamey, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Richard Peterson, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

TRIZ in Technology Education: Perceptions of Future Teachers

The support TRIZ provides for creativity during the invention process makes it ideally suited for the field of Technology Education. Technology education provides instruction in the content areas of manufacturing, communication, transportation and construction. As creativity has long been an important part of the technology education curriculum in middle schools and high schools, a study of the perceptions of TRIZ by future technology education teachers was seen to be a first step toward the introduction of TRIZ into the curriculum. A group of masters-level and doctoral-level students in Technology Education students at North Carolina State University received a TRIZ workshop which included training on the methodology as well as time to use the techniques to solve problems particular to technology education. This article reports the perceptions of future technology education teachers about TRIZ and its potential use in the classroom.

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