Trends of evolutions and patent analysis: An application in the household appliances field

This paper describes the results of an experience carried out in the field of systematic innovation. Its main goal has been to verify the validity of evolutionary laws introduced by TRIZ theory applying them to a complex industrial product. The product considered is a washing machine and particular attention has been focused on two sub-systems, the tub and the soap dispenser. The paper, first, describes the patent search activity carried out for both the whole washing machine and the specific subsystems; then their evolutions have been single out and compared with the evolution patterns coming from the formulation proposed by Savransky.