Search Published Literature
Published literature includes journals; conference proceedings; trade magazines; govern ment reports; market, consumer, and product information; and new product announcements. Literature searches are therefore very fertile sources of existing solutions.
Electronic searches are frequently the most efficient way to gather information from published literature. Searching the Internet is often a good first step, although the quality of the results can be hard to assess. More structured databases are available from online sources. Many databases store only abstracts of articles and not the full text and diagrams. A follow-up search for an actual article is often needed for complete information. The two main difficulties in conducting good database searches are determining the key words and limiting the scope of the search. There is a trade-off between the need to use more key words for complete coverage and the need to restrict the number of matches to a manage able number.
Handbooks cataloging technical information can also be very useful references for ex ternal search. Examples of such engineering references are Marks ' Standard Handbook of Mechanical Engineering, Perry 5• Chemical Engineers ' Handbook, and Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook.
The nailer team found several useful articles related to the subproblems, including articles on energy storage describing flywheel and battery technologies. ln a handbook they found an impact tool mechanism that provided a useful energy conversion concept.
Benchmark Related Products
In the context of concept generation, benchmarking is the study of existing products with functionality similar to that of the product under development or to the subproblems on which the team is focused. Benchmarking can reveal existing concepts that have been implemented to solve a particular problem, as well as information on the strengths and weaknesses of the competition.
At this point the team will likely already be familiar with the competitive and closely
re lated products. Products in other markets, but with related functionality, are more dif ficult to find. One of the most useful sources of this information is the Thomas Registe1; a directory of manufacturers of industrial products organized by product type. Often the hardest part of using the Thomas Register is finding out what related products are actually called and how they are cataloged. The Thomas Register database can be accessed via the Internet.
For the nailer, the closely related products included a single-shot gunpowder-actuated tool for nailing into concrete, an electrical solenoid-actuated tacker, a pneumatic nailer for factory use, and a palm-held multiblow pneumatic nailer. The products with related func tionality (in thi s case, energy storage and conversion) included air bags and the
sodiumazide propellant used as an energy source, chemical hand warmers for skiing, air rifles powered by carbon
dioxide cartridges, and portable computers and their battery packs. The team obtained and disassembled most of these related products in order to discover the general concepts on which they were based, as well as other, more detailed information , including, for example, the names of the suppliers of specific components.
External search is an important method of gathering solution concepts. Skill in conducting external searches is therefore a valuable personal and organizational asset. Thiability can be developed through careful observation of the world in order to develop a mental database of technologies and through the development of a network of profesional contacts. Even with the aid of personal knowledge and contacts, external search remains "detective work" and is completed most effectively by those who are persistent and resourceful in pursuing leads and opportunities.