Application of I-TRIZ
for invention enhancement :Improvement of patent quality
through secondary problem solving

Shunsuke MIGITA (Patent attorney, Prezio IP Firm)
Yohei TAKAHASHI (Patent attorney, IRus IP Firm)

What is a secondary problem solving?
Primary problem solving→ Problems with a prior art
Secondary problem solving→ Underlying problems in the present
invention solving primary problem

What is a secondary problem solving?
A primary problem

It is difficult to shake a pot.

What is a secondary problem solving?
To solve the primary problem,the pot got a handle extended outward.
(This is called a frying pan.)a handle extended outward

But,
a secondary problem
The handle will be hot.

What is a secondary problem solving?
A wooden grip is attached to the handle.
→ A secondary problem solving

A wooden grip

Advantages of Secondary problem solving

Quality of patents
1. Economic value
2. Inventive step / non-obviousness
3. Enablement requirement(Written description)

Inventive step
Prior art : A
Present invention
Claim 1 : A + B (Means for a primary problem solving)
Embodiment : A + B + C (Means for a secondaryproblem solving)

Cited invention 1 : A + B
Cited invention 2 : A + C

Inventive step
Ａ+Ｂ+ＣＡ

Ａ
Ａ+Ｂ

Ａ+Ｂ
Ａ+Ｃ

Pattern 1 : Remarkable effectPattern 2 : Teach away

Ａ+Ｃ

Economic value
Secondary problem solving（ Improvement Patents ）Competitor
B

Primary problem solving（ Basic Patent ）Competitor
C
Competitor
AYour patentCompetitors can brake into your Basic Patent “Fort”

Advantages of TRIZ for Patent Attorneys
Patent Attorneys have:・ the Notion that “Invention = Combination ofStructural / Functional Elements” ; and・ Broad Knowledge over various Technical Fields.
→ Thinking skill suitable for utilizing TRIZ andSolving Secondary Problems of Original Invention.

Solving Secondary Problems is
Very Effective for:・ Obtaining Strong Patents; and・ Blocking Competitors

Case Study
Producing Pure Copper+
Electrolyte inpores
AnodePores+Ions+++Electrolyte+

CathodeSludge

In a electric refining process, electrolyte enters the small pores thathave developed on the surface of the copper sheets.
In storage, the electrolyte evaporates from the pores, interacting withmoisture presenting in the ambient air leaving unsightly spots on the surfaceof the copper.
To avoid this, the sheets are washed prior to storage. It increases
cost and requires additional time.

Process of Solving Problem with I-TRIZ (1/2)◆Project Initiation
1. Project Objectives
2. Importance of Situation◆Innovation Situation Questionnaire（ISQ）
1. Brief Description of Situation
2. Systems Approach
3. Resources, Constraints and Limitations◆Problem Formulation and Brainstorming
Constructing Cause-Effect Diagram (PF#1) of Whole
Situation
Eliminating Harmful Elements, Improving Useful Elements,and Resolving Contradictions.

Process of Solving Problem with I-TRIZ (2/2)◆Sorting Ideas (Building PF#2)
1. Grouping Ideas from the standpoint of functions.
2. Grouping Ideas from the standpoint of parts.
3. Identifying and solving Secondary Problems ofConcepts (Building PF#3)◆Combining Ideas into Concepts◆Evaluating Results

Case Study (Project Initiation)
1. Project Objectives
To keep the appearance of copper sheets
beautiful.
2. Problem to be Solved
To prevent spots on the surface.
To reduce time and cost for washing.

Case Study (Whole Situation Diagram PF#1)Bad appearance

In sytorage tillshipment

No moisturecontrol in storage

Long timeHigh cost

Spots form

Long time
Chenical reaction
between copper,
electrolyte and moisture

Washing copper
sheet

Good appearanceElectrolyte stays
in pores

Electrolyte goes
into pores

Refining copperwith electrolyte

Surface tension ofelectrolyte

Capillary action

Sulfate group inelectrolyte

Presense ofmoisture

Some force actsd
on electrolyte

Electrolyte
evaporates frompores

Pores form

Case Study (Examples of Direction for Solving Problem )•1. Find an alternative way to obtain Washing copper sheetthat offers the following: provides or enhances Good
appearance eliminates, reduces, or prevents Electrolyte stays
in pores does not cause Long time and High cost.

• 13. Resolve the contradiction: Refining copper withelectrolyte shouldn't be provided to avoid Electrolyte goes
into pores.
•16. Find a way to eliminate, reduce, or prevent Pores form inorder to avoid Capillary action.

Case Study (Idea Categorizing Diagram PF#2)
Force electrolyte in pores tochemically react with something other than mositure.

Force electrolyte in pores tochemically react with something other thancopper.

Keep copper sheets
under pure water for awhile after electrolytic
process

Dry up with windRemove electrolyte andmoisture in vacume or low
pressure atmosphere
Heat copper
sheets remove
electrolyte away

Utilize chemical
reaction

Get spots off byreduction instorage

Flat out pores by polishing,griding or pressing thesurface

Coat te surface
with oil

Coating the surface of a copper
sheet with some materialcausing the reverse chemical
reaction or preventing the
problematic reaction

Apply some processing
on the surface of acopper sheet

Form a coating layer on thesurface of a copper sheet atthe electrolyte process, andthen remove the layer after
electrolyte evaporates away

Use high pressure water
jet to shorten washingtime
Removeelectrolyte frompores by washing

Washing withspecial washingliquidApply supersonic wave
to remove electrolyte

Remove electrolyte
fromn pores withoutwashing

Apply solvent
medium on thesurface

Melt the surface
to remove pores
Form a coating layer on thesurface of a copper sheet
at the electrolyte process

Apply reverse volage on
the electrodes at the dinal
stage of the erlectrolyticprocess

Freeze electrolyte

Blow electrolyteoff with air jet

Prevent pore
formation

Divide copper
sheet into one
part for pores toeasily form andthe other partnot.

Coat the surface of acopper sheet withsomething sucha as
sludge before pulling thesheet out of the pool,and then wash out thecoating

Case Study (Working on Secondary Problems PF#3)
Reduce spots

Prevent pores
forming

Reverse thevoltage at thefinal stage

Melt the surface
to remove pores

Cost of solvent
mediumHandling ofsolvent medium

Long process timeHigh voltage all
through theprocess

Reduce staying
electrolyte

Apply solvent
medium on thesurface

Low voltage all
through theprocess

Electric power
consumption
increases

Copper getsthinner

Pores increase

Case Study(Example of Direction for Solving Secondary Problem)
1. Find an alternative way to obtain Reverse the voltage at thefinal stage that offers the following: provides or enhances
Melt the surface to remove pores eliminates, reduces, orprevents Pores increase does not cause Copper gets thinnerand Electric power consumption increases.
2. Resolve the contradiction: Reverse the voltage at the finalstage should be provided to produce Melt the surface toremove pores and should be provided to counteract Pores
increase, and shouldn't be provided to avoid Copper getsthinner and Electric power consumption increases .

Case Study (Refined Idea)
Electrolytic processwith high electric voltage during the main stage,and low voltage at the final stage.
⇒ Preventing pores formation on the surface so thatthe electrolyte no longer stay on the surface,
to solve the original problem.
⇒ Preventing “getting thin” of copper sheets andelectric power consumption loss,
to solve the secondary problem.

Case Study （What We Learned)
For Obtaining High Quality Patents：
Whole Situation Diagram (PF#) and Idea Categorizing
Diagram (PF#2)⇒ Having an exhaustive set of elements and hierarchic
structure covering different detail levels of elements isimportant.
Diagram for Working on Secondary Problems (PF #3)⇒ Deep analysis on each element is importantFor Effective Cooperation of Patent Attorneys, Inventors
and Staff Members of IP branches.
Strength of Patent Attorneys:
・The notion of “Structural / functional elements” , and・Broad knowledge over various technical fields.
Strength of Inventors:
・Expertise in a specific technical field, and・Skill of applying technologies in other fields on a specific product.
Strength of Staff Members of IP Div.:・understanding of direction of the business, and・knowledge on marketing.
Teaming up those three parties’ strengths in a complementary orsynergistic manner is important.