13 The other way round

Invert the action(s) used to solve the problem (e.g. instead of cooling an object, heat it).
  • To loosen stuck parts, cool the inner part instead of heating the outer part.
  • Bring the mountain to Mohammed, instead of bringing Mohammed to the mountain.

Make movable parts (or the external environment) fixed, and fixed parts movable.
  • Rotate the part instead of the tool.
  • Moving sidewalk with standing people.
  • Treadmill (for walking or running in place.)

Turn the object (or process) 'upside down'.
  • Turn an assembly upside down to insert fasteners (especially screws).
  • Empty grain from containers (ship or railroad) by inverting them.
TRIZ principe 13


The colour indicates the ranking of the proposed principle to solve the contradiction: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th.
This ranking reflects the frequency of occurrence of the principle in the analysed patents for this type of contradiction.
When a principle appears in first position, it means that it is statistically the most used in the patents studied for this type of problem.