The identification of contradictions in Cliff: an automatized zipper prototype using the TRIZ method with Root Conflict Analysis (RCA+)

This paper presents preliminary results of our efforts performing the TRIZ method with Root Conflict Analysis (RCA+) to solve a particular issue related to the Cliff prototype. The Cliff is an automatized zipper project which designed to overcome the struggle faced by elderly, people with physical impairment, and ladies who have difficulties zipping the back-zipper dress. Cliff got stuck during its movement while moving on the jacket to automatically complete the zipping or unzipping processes. Engineering or design problems need to be analyzed systematically and scientifically to find the useful solution. Therefore, the TRIZ with the use of RCA+ method has been chosen to identify potential solution to solve the automatized zipper prototype problem. This method helps to graphically map all the causes and effects contributed to the traction problem of this automatized zipper which is summarized by the seven contradictions identified. The technical contradictions then are resolved using the TRIZ method based on the utilization of the Altshuller matrix. From the Altshuller matrix, 26 inventive principles are triggered as the potential solutions. After screening all the 26 principles, only 12 principles are suitable with the problems faced by the automatized zipper. The most promising inventive principles triggered are the segmentation, taking out, asymmetry, spheroidality-curvature, and replace the mechanical system. However, potential solutions such as hydraulics and thermal expansion are in conflict with strict safety and product semantics. From the analysis, we found that the TRIZ method with RCA+ is very useful to systematically approach the design problem of the automatized zipper. Further brainstorming will be conducted to improve the current prototype of the Cliff.