The Laws of System Evolution
Vladimir Petrov, ISRAEL. E-mail:
Abstract
This paper presents a system of the laws of technical system evolution.
1. INTRODUCTION
A research on developing the laws of technical evolution has been conducted by the author since 1973. Principal theoretical statements were formulated in 1984. As a foundation for the research, the laws of technical system evolution were selected which were originally developed by Genrich Altshuller, the author of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. [1], [2].
In addition to Altshuller, the following researchers contributed to study and developments the laws of technical system evolution: B.Goldowsky; B.Zlotin and A.Zusmann; Yu.Salamatov and I.Kondrakov; S.Litvin and V.Guerassimov; I.Vertkin; G.Ivanov; V.Petrov and E.Zlotin; M.Rubin; V.Fey; A.Pinyaev; I.Zakharov; V.Dubrov; G.Frenklakh; G.Ezersky; A.Bystritsky [5-40].
Form our point of view, until now, no unified vision of the laws of technical system evolution was available. All the above-mentioned authors presented generic and specific aspects of the laws. There are several systems available which describe the laws of technical system evolution. In our opinion, most successful are the systems developed by G. Altshuller; B. Zlotin and A. Zusmann; and Yu. Salamatov.
This paper presents a system of laws, which, in the opinion of the author, makes it possible to perform forecast of technology evolution more thoroughly and easier.
2. SYSTEM OF LAWS
2.1. General information
Evolution of all objects of material world including technological objects is governed by certain laws. Among the most general laws are the laws of dialectics (the law of the unity (interpenetration) of opposites; the law of transformation of quantity into quality; and the law of the negation of the negation).
A system of the laws of technical system evolution must have three levels: demands, functions and systems.
A hierarchy of the system of the laws developed by the authors is presented in Figure 1.
The laws of system evolution can be divided to two groups:
§ Laws of system organization (those which define viability of a system) and
§ Laws of system evolution (those which define how technical systems evolve).
2.2. Laws of dialectics in technology evolution.
Most general laws of the laws of dialectics are:
· The Law of the Unity (Interpenetration) of Opposites;
· The Law of Transformation of Quantity into Quality;
· The Law of the Negation of the Negation
The Law of the Unity (Interpenetration) of Opposites serves as a source for creation of all objects including material objects, where technical systems belong. The law defines one of the key TRIZ concepts: contradiction.
The Law of Transformation of Quantity into Quality defines a general mechanism of evolution. Quantitative changes in a system take place continuously accordingly the S-curve of evolution. When a certain limit of quantitative evolution is reached, a system experiences qualitative changes. Further evolution of the system starts according to a new S-curve. During this process, quantitative changes take place continuously whereas quantitative changes take place in discrete steps.
To imagine a full diagram of evolution of technical systems, it is necessary to take into account a so-called “line of life of a technical system”, a regularity defined by Genrich Altshuller [1, pp. 113-119].
An essence of the Law of the Negation of the Negation is that a process of progressive evolution consists of a series of relative repetitions, as if going through the same phases again and again. However, each repetition takes place at a higher level of evolution by using new elements, materials, and technologies. We can say, that in this case we have a spiral-shaped evolution. For example, fashion design is the most obvious example of spiral-shaped evolution.
2.3. Regularities of demand evolution
Knowing regularities of DEMAND evolution makes it possible to predict future demands. This, in turn, allows us to define what functions and systems will be needed to meet these new demands. This knowledge also makes it possible to discover radically new directions of technical system evolution (pioneering solutions).
The regularities of demand evolution are governed by the law of demand growth. A general trend of demand evolution states that meeting of demands evolves from meeting primitive demands to meeting intelligent and creative demands.
The regularities of demand evolution separate along the two directions: appearance of new demands and evolution of existing demands.
The demands can be met by available and new functions. Change of these functions, in turn, is governed by certain regularities as well.
Known functions can be delivered by the available systems or by creation of new systems.
New functions can be delivered by using the existing systems in a new context or by creating qualitatively new systems.
Among the laws of demand evolution are: idealization of demands, growths of dynamics of demands, coordination of demands, merging or specialization of demands.
Development of new demands is conducted in accord with a technique proposed by the author [5].
2.4. Regularities of function evolution
Let us study some regularities of FUNCTION evolution, for instance, poly-functionality and mono-functionality.
At the beginning of evolution, systems are created as poly-functional, or universal. At the final stage of evolution systems become more specific, and further evolve by separation of evolution of specific functions. As a result, the systems become mono-functional.
Regularities of poly- and mono-functionality are based on the mechanisms of expansion and convolution of functions.
The laws of function evolution are similar to the laws of demand evolution, however they should be regarded with respect to functionality: making functions more ideal (idealization of functions); growth of the degree of function dynamics; coordination of functions; transition to mono or poly-functionality.
Idealization of functions is achieved by increasing the degree of function dynamics, then by transition to mono- or poly-functionality and by further coordination of functions.
Regularities of expansion and convolution of functions are presented by the author in [11, 12].
3. THE LAWS OF SYSTEM ORGANIZATION
This group of laws governs a newly created system.
The laws of system organization define criteria of vitality for newly created technical systems
Among the main laws of the laws of system organization are: systemity; completeness of system parts; abundance of system parts; existence of links between system parts as well as between the system and its supersystem; minimal coordination of parts and parameters of a system.
A structure of the main laws of system organization is presented in Figure 2.
3.1. The law of systemity
Systemity is a coordinated interaction between all objects, including environment where the objects are located. This interaction must be fully balanced.
System requirements:
1. A system must be designated to meet a certain purpose.
2. A system must possess a certain structure, which provides the achievement of the purpose.
3. Relationships and interactions within the system and with its supersystem must provide a full balance, which means that there must be no negative effects caused by the relationships or the interactions.
4. Regularities of evolution of a given system as well as environment must be taken into account.
A system meets its purpose if the system achieves a general goal and delivers all required principal and auxiliary functions.
A system structure consists of the system itself, its subsystems, supersystem and environment.
A systemity is taken into account by the using the following laws:
§ Completeness and abundance of a system.
§ Minimal coordination (ensuring desired relationships and interferences).
3.2. The law of system completeness
The system completeness can be functional and structural.
Functional completeness must ensure delivery of a general goal of the system and correspond to the functional purpose of the system, and in the first place, to the main function of the system. This means that all principal and auxiliary functions must be fulfilled as well.
Structural completeness of the system must provide presence of all required elements and links in the system.
A main function of the system is provided by a main working unit of the system. Energy supply and control are the principal functions of the system. These functions are provided by an energy source and a system comprising a control unit. Most important among auxiliary functions are conversion and transport of energy and information.
As a conclusion, the law of system completeness describes the least but necessary set of system parts that provide minimal working behavior of the system. In general, the following parts are necessary:
§ Working unit.
§ Energy source and converter.
§ A system of control (control unit).
Energy transformation can be provided, for instance, by an engine whereas energy and information transport can be provided by transmission (links).
Also, a general case requires the following system parts: the working unit; energy to provide the working tool; and a system for control over the working unit.
3.3. The law of abundance
ABUNDANCE is a regularity which indicates that about 80% of work is delivered by approximately 20% of functions, elements and links in a system. When developing a system it is necessary to take into account, that in order to deliver the required work approximately 80% of auxiliary elements and links will be needed in addition to those main elements and links that are supposed to deliver a main function. These auxiliary elements and links will provide 20% of the work only. This results in the necessity to consider some extra consumption of material, energy and information when designing a new system (approximately 20% to deliver main function and 80% to deliver auxiliary functions).
The same ratio is valid for execution of any type of work. A major volume of work (80-90% of readiness) is fulfilled during 20% of time; and remaining 80% of time is required to finish the work completely.
Due to this, often the work is not fully completed.
Abundance can be functional and structural.
3.4. The law of existence of links.
This law was first formulated by G. Altshuller in the beginning of the 70th as the law of energy conductivity in a system (1).
The law of Altshuller is a particular case of the law of links, which was formulated by the author in the end of the 70th.
Without considering all possible links and influences a system can not be well-behaved. Moreover, the system can create ecological and other problems, negatively change environment, supersystem, human health, neighboring systems and so on.
Links (interrelations) and influences (interferences) can be of the following types:
1. By level
1.1. Between subsystems
1.2. Between system and subsystems
1.3. Between systems
1.4. Between system and supersystem
1.5. Between system and environment
2. By quality
2.1. Material
2.2. Energy
2.3. Informational
3. By type of interaction (field)
3.1. Gravitational
3.2. Mechanical
3.3. Thermal
3.4. Electromagnetic
3.5. Chemical
3.6. Biological
4. By remoteness
4.1. Direct
4.2. Remote
5. By type of control
5.1. Controllable
5.2. Non-controllable
6. By type of interaction
6.1. Planned
6.2. Accidental
7. By type of action
7.1. Necessary or desired
7.2. Non-necessary or non-desired
7.3. Indifferent.
Formulation and recognition of links is conducted with the use of special tables and in a sequence, which were developed by the author.
3.5. The law of coordination
A group of laws of technical system organization introduces minimal coordination which is needed to provide a minimal working behavior of a system. A minimal coordination is required to avoid negative interference between system parts.
Minimal coordination can be achieved at the levels of functions, structure and matching the structure and the functions. Coordination can be functional, structural and function-structural.
4. LAWS OF TECHNICAL SYSTEM EVOLUTION
4.1. A structure of laws of evolution
The laws of evolution define a general direction of technical system evolution. A structure of these laws is shown in Figure 3.
Main laws of technical system evolution are:
§ Increase of the degree of ideality.
§ Irregular evolution of system parts.
§ Increase of the degree of system dynamics.
§ Coordination.
§ Transition of a system to a supersystem.
4.2. The law of increase of the degree of ideality
A general direction of technology evolution is defined by the law of increasing the degree of ideality of technical systems. (Fig. 3).
In turn, general direction of making system more ideal is defined by the laws of Increase of the degree of system dynamics; Coordination; and Transition of a system to a supersystem.
An Absolutely Ideal System (which is impossible) is defined as a system which does not exist but all possible functions are delivered at the required moment of time in the required space with 100% of effectiveness, whereas there is no consumption of power, material, energy and information. Therefore, Absolutely Ideal System must deliver an infinite number of functions, at the required moment of time and in the required space without producing negative effects and the required expenses do not exist. The use of information is not regarded as expenses in case if information is available for free. A more ideal system always uses more free of charge information.
A degree of ideality can be expressed as:[1]
Where: I – the degree of ideality;
F – a function delivered of a positive effect;
P – negative effect, expenses;
i – a number of variable F;
j – a number of variable P.
Directions and paths of rising the degree of ideality
There are two directions of rising the degree of ideality:
· Shrinking of a zone of a given technical system: ideal technical system – working unit – function, which is delivered by the working unit. In this case, the system approaches zero.
· Expansion of a zone of consideration of a technical system: we consider a function of the system, a function of a supersystem and, finally, a demand. In this direction it is possible to consider alternative methods of meeting the recognized demand. In this way new solution principles can be suggested.