contradiction-solver

<!-- Based on the TRIZ Contradiction Solver and 40 Inventive Principles Prompt Copyright (c) 2025 Jens Traeger Licensed under the MIT License — see LICENSE in the repository root. --> # TRIZ Contradiction Solver and 40 Inventive Principles Identify and solve engineering and physical contradictions using the Altshuller Matrix, Matrix 2003, and the 40 Inventive Principles. ## How this tool works (two-phase) This tool operates in two phases: **Phase 1 — Init (first call, no indices):** Call this tool with just the user's `query`. The response contains this methodology guide and the complete numbered parameter lists for both matrices. Use these lists to guide the user through parameter mapping. **Phase 2 — Calculate (second call, with indices):** After the user has confirmed the abstract TRIZ parameters, call this tool again with: - `matrix_type`: `"altshuller"` or `"matrix_2003"` - `improving_indices`: comma-separated 1-based parameter numbers for the improving side (e.g. `"9,14"`) - `worsening_indices`: comma-separated 1-based parameter numbers for the worsening side (e.g. `"25,33,19"`) The tool then computes all (improving × worsening) matrix intersections, scores the inventive principles (1st position = 100 pts, 2nd = 90 pts, 3rd = 80 pts, …), aggregates across all cells, and returns ranked principles with their names and sub-principles. **Important:** Physical contradictions do NOT require Phase 2 — solve them directly using the separation principles below. **Where the data comes from:** this skill keeps no `references/` folder. Both matrices and the 40 Inventive Principles are served live by the Matrix Analyzer and fetched by the tool: - `https://www.triz-consulting.de/MatrixAnalyzer/altschuller_matrix_bilingual.json` - `https://www.triz-consulting.de/MatrixAnalyzer/triz_matrix_2003_bilingual.json` - `https://www.triz-consulting.de/MatrixAnalyzer/inventive_principles_bilingual.json` Do not add local copies of them. A second copy ages silently, and the one that is actually used is the one on the website. --- ## Interaction flow 1. **Problem input.** Ask the user for a problem statement or contradiction. Wait for user input. 2. **Identify the contradiction type:** - **Engineering contradiction:** improving one parameter worsens another → "IF …, THEN …, BUT …" - **Physical contradiction:** a parameter must have two opposing values at once → "X must be [A] IN ORDER TO …, AND X must be [not-A] IN ORDER TO …" 3. **Engineering contradiction → follow the two-phase matrix flow:** a. Ask whether to use the **Altshuller Matrix** (39 classic parameters) or **Matrix 2003** (48 modern parameters). Recommend Matrix 2003 for modern technical systems. b. **Map concrete → abstract (multiple allowed):** From the Phase 1 parameter list, identify one or more abstract TRIZ parameters that match the user's concrete improving parameter. Then do the same for the worsening parameter. A single concrete parameter often maps to multiple abstract ones — this is expected and important. Example: Concrete worsening parameter: *"Ladekomfort"* → Altshuller abstract: 25 (Loss of time) + 33 (Ease of operation) + 9 (Speed) c. **Present and confirm** the proposed abstract parameters with the user before proceeding. d. **Call this tool (Phase 2)** with the confirmed parameter numbers. The tool calculates the lookup across all combinations and returns ranked inventive principles. e. **Present the results:** show the ranked principles, explain how each applies to the specific problem, and suggest concrete solution directions. 4. **Physical contradiction → solve directly (no matrix call needed):** Express the contradiction as: *"X must be [A] IN ORDER TO …, AND X must be [not-A] IN ORDER TO …"* Apply the four separation principles: - **Separation in Time** — A at one time, not-A at another - **Separation in Space** — A in one place, not-A in another - **Separation between Parts and Whole** — A at part level, not-A at system level - **Separation between Conditions** — A under one condition, not-A under another For each applicable separation, suggest inventive principles that realize it. 5. **No clear contradiction:** Apply the 40 Inventive Principles directly. Scan each principle for applicability, consider sub-principles and synonyms. --- ## Key definitions ### Engineering Contradiction Improving one system parameter causes deterioration of another. Format: "IF …, THEN …, BUT …" / "WENN …, DANN …, ABER …" Example: "IF the barrel of the muzzle-loader is long, THEN accuracy increases, BUT loading comfort decreases." ### Physical Contradiction A parameter must simultaneously take two opposing values, each justified by a different requirement. Format: "X must be [A] TO …, AND X must be [not-A] TO …" Example: "A boat must be wide TO prevent capsizing, AND it must be narrow TO go fast." ### Nomenclature - English: Altshuller Matrix, Inventive Principles - German: Altschuller-Matrix, Innovationsprinzipien --- ## 40 Inventive Principles — Quick Reference | # | EN | DE | |---|----|----| | 1 | Segmentation | Zerteilen | | 2 | Taking out | Extraktion | | 3 | Local quality | Lokale Qualität | | 4 | Asymmetry | Asymmetrie | | 5 | Merging | Zusammenführen | | 6 | Universality | Universalität | | 7 | Nested doll | Schachtelung | | 8 | Anti-weight | Gegengewicht | | 9 | Preliminary anti-action | Vorzeitige Gegenwirkung | | 10 | Preliminary action | Vorherige Wirkung | | 11 | Beforehand cushioning | Vorbeugungsmaßnahmen | | 12 | Equipotentiality | Äquipotentialität | | 13 | The other way round | Umkehrung | | 14 | Spheroidality — Curvature | Sphärizität | | 15 | Dynamics | Dynamisierung | | 16 | Partial or excessive action | Teil- oder Überwirkung | | 17 | Another dimension | Dimensionswechsel | | 18 | Mechanical vibration | Mechanische Schwingung | | 19 | Periodic action | Periodische Wirkung | | 20 | Continuity of useful action | Kontinuität der nützlichen Wirkung | | 21 | Skipping | Überspringen | | 22 | Blessing in disguise | Umwandlung von Nachteilen | | 23 | Feedback | Rückkopplung | | 24 | Intermediary | Vermittler | | 25 | Self-service | Selbstbedienung | | 26 | Copying | Kopieren | | 27 | Cheap short-living | Billige Kurzlebigkeit | | 28 | Mechanics substitution | Mechanikersatz | | 29 | Pneumatics and hydraulics | Pneumatik und Hydraulik | | 30 | Flexible shells and thin films | Flexible Hüllen und dünne Folien | | 31 | Porous materials | Poröse Materialien | | 32 | Color changes | Farbwechsel | | 33 | Homogeneity | Homogenität | | 34 | Discarding and recovering | Verwerfen und Wiederherstellen | | 35 | Parameter changes | Parameteränderung | | 36 | Phase transitions | Phasenübergang | | 37 | Thermal expansion | Wärmedehnung | | 38 | Strong oxidants | Starke Oxidationsmittel | | 39 | Inert atmosphere | Inertgas-Atmosphäre | | 40 | Composite materials | Verbundwerkstoffe |