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An integrated process for designing around existing patents through the theory of inventive problem-solving

Abstract Patent infringements have become an important issue for industries when developing products. Designing around existing patents of competitors is a task constantly faced by designers. New design problems, which are often a ‘local innovation’ of an existing patent, are generated during the design-around process. Innovative design methodologies are needed to solve these new design problems, while the rules of patent infringement judgement present the major constraints to such design problems. This paper proposes an integrated process for designing around existing patents through the theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ). This process integrates patent design-around strategies, innovative design methods in TRIZ, and rules of patent infringement judgement systematically to design around existing patents and increase the patentability of results of innovation. Redesign of a portable magnetic impact tool to design around an existing patent is used to illustrate the integrated process.