Abstract: Innovative theories and methods are required as guides to implement a new design. The theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) is a mature one widely used as a reference in design process. This paper examines the characteristics of design objects and their design principles through a case study of the flow intake-outlet of a pumped storage power station. Aimed at the design tasks specified in the feasibility study and preliminary design of this system, a TRIZ innovation method is adopted to construct an analysis model for it. We analyze the characteristics of the structures to be modeled, their interconnection, the forces on them, their interaction and constraints on the flows. Then we solve the conflicts encountered in the design process using function analysis, cause-effect chain analysis, trimming, resources analysis, and size-time-cost innovative thinking methods based on the TRIZ theory. After the design of the optimized intake-outlet structures is obtained, it is further analyzed by the industry requirements and applied to the real project. The key contents are revealed in the design process of the intake-outlet, showing the TRIZ innovation system effective and useful to engineering designs.

Key words: theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ), innovative approach, pumped storage power station, intake-outlet, system analysis, functional analysis