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Article

An Eco-Innovative Green Design Method using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving and Importance–Performance Analysis Tools—A Case Study of Marker Pen Manufacturing

by
Kai-Chao Yao
1,
Shu-Hua Huang
1,2,
Kuo-Yi Li
3,*,
Hsiu-Chu Hung
1,4,
Jing-Ran Xu
1,5,
Wei-Lun Huang
1,6,
Wei-Sho Ho
1,7,*,
Jiunn-Shiou Fang
1 and
Ying-Ju Tseng
1,8
1
Department of Industrial Education and Technology, National Changhua University of Education, Bao-Shan Campus, No. 2, Shi-Da Rd., Changhua City 500208, Taiwan
2
Labor Foundation, 3F.-3, No. 579, Sec. 1, Chongde Rd., Taichung City 404016, Taiwan
3
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, No. 57, Sec. 2, Zhongshan Rd., Taiping Dist., Taichung City 411030, Taiwan
4
Language Center, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411030, Taiwan
5
Sheng Jen Industrial Co., Ltd., No. 49, Aly. 2, Ln. 226, Sec. 1, Zhongzheng Rd., Changhua City 500004, Taiwan
6
Medical Affairs Office, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100225, Taiwan
7
NCUE Alumni Association, National Changhua University of Education, Jin-De Campus, No. 1, Jinde Rd., Changhua City 500207, Taiwan
8
Department of Child Care and Education, National Yuanlin Home-Economics and Commercial Vocational Senior High School, No. 56, Zhongzheng Rd., Yuanlin City 510005, Taiwan
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14414; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914414
Submission received: 23 August 2023 / Revised: 27 September 2023 / Accepted: 28 September 2023 / Published: 1 October 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design and Manufacturing Strategies)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
This study explores innovative designs for the cap of a marker pen, aiming to address the issues of cap loss and ink evaporation during marker pen usage. This study applies intrinsic safety, universal design and TRIZ as research methods. TRIZ has great potential to address most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to conflict-oriented problem solving for innovations. The principles of simplification, foolproof design, clarity of states, and tolerance from intrinsic safety were applied to prevent cap loss and minimize the risks associated with ink evaporation. The TRIZ methodology’s contradiction matrix was utilized to identify relevant inventive principles by improving parameters and avoiding worsening parameters, providing a reference basis for product structure design. Lastly, the principles of equitable use, simplicity, intuitiveness, and effortless design from universal design were employed to enhance the marker pen’s usability for the general public. This study creates a SERVQUAL questionnaire to compare the prototype of the designed pen cap with commercially available pen caps. It utilizes the two-dimensional quality model (Kano model) and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) for practical design analysis. Finally, the prototype structure is visualized using graphic software. The innovative design features of this study include the following. (1) Concealable pen tip: the sliding seal hides the pen tip inside the pen body when the pen core is slid upwards, preventing cap loss and ink drying. (2) Quick retractable function: using a pressing mechanism, the pen tip can be quickly retracted with a one-handed press and slide motion. (3) Replaceable pen core: the pen core can be replaced by disassembling the pen body, removing the old pen core, and inserting a new one, thereby extending the pen’s lifespan. (4) Satisfaction evaluation of the innovative pen cap design: through questionnaire surveys and cross-analysis using the IPA and the Kano model, this study assesses the product’s manufacturing and mass production value to reduce actual product development costs and time.

1. Introduction

In the highly competitive and ever-evolving design industry, there is a growing preference for media that can quickly and effectively showcase tangible results. Among various media options, the marker pen stands out as a prominent choice. The feature of a marker pen lies in its volatile pigments and sturdy tip, making it ideal for rapid and disposable drawings. The pronounced strokes of a marker pen can effectively convey the texture and material characteristics of objects. These qualities have established the marker pen as one of the most commonly used tools for rapid expression in the design field [1]. Due to its wide variety, comprehensive color range, fast application, strong texture, and excellent rendering capabilities, the marker pen has become a popular choice as a tool for color perspective representation. The marker pen’s capabilities extend from depicting grand architectural perspectives to capturing intricate details of everyday objects [2]. Marker pens are categorized into three types: oil-based, water-based, and alcohol-based. Water-based marker pens have strong water resistance, good coverage, and penetration capabilities. They can be used on various types of paper as well as other materials, making them more versatile in their applications. Alcohol-based marker pens also offer good coverage, but they have a higher level of volatility. Due to the volatile nature of the marker pen ink, it is advisable not to let the pen rest for too long during extended drawing sessions. After completing the use, it is important to immediately cap the pen to prevent ink evaporation [3].
Users often forget to put the cap back on when using a marker pen, which causes the ink in the pen tip to dry quickly due to prolonged exposure to air, rendering it unable to write and wasting the unused ink inside the pen body. In response to this problem, this study reviews the products and patents of markers, analyzes the features related to the integration of the pen body and cap, prevention of ink drying, and cap loss or forgetting to cover, and proposes an innovative design for a marker that addresses the issues of cap loss and ink drying. In conjunction with intrinsic safety, TRIZ, and universal design, this study systematically designs a marker pen with features to prevent cap loss and ink drying and demonstrates that this research approach is applicable to innovative designs of other products.

2. Literature Review

This study primarily explores the convenience and necessity of the body and cap of a marker pen, as well as how to address issues such as cap loss and ink drying. This study collects literature and data on marker pen varieties, pen case designs, ink compositions, etc., for analysis and as a reference for the research. Based on the analysis of the literature review, conceptual ideas are proposed, and innovative designs are developed using principles of intrinsic safety, TRIZ, the universal design, which serve as the foundation for the research design. And practical design analysis was conducted using IPA analysis and the Kano model.

2.1. Marker Pen Varieties

Currently, marker pens can generally be categorized into three types: oil-based, alcohol-based, and water-based. Different companies may have slightly different manufacturing methods for producing marker pens [4]. Types of marker pens are briefly presented in Table 1.

2.2. Intrinsic Safety

“Safety” is the most critical design decision factor from the beginning to the end of the design process [5,6]. The initial concept is known as intrinsic safety, which later evolved into inherent safety. The concept and principles of inherent safety design focus on the initial design phase and emphasize the elimination of hazards and minimization of risks. It is widely recognized as a design approach that aims to eliminate hazards and minimize risks [7,8,9]. Intrinsic safety design aims to reduce hazards and risks by eliminating the inherent hazards of machinery, equipment, or processes themselves, rather than relying on additional protective measures or management [10]. Intrinsic Safer Design (ISD) is a principle that can be applied to any project or facility to enhance its lifespan [11]. Incorporating ISD throughout the entire lifecycle of a project or facility yields positive impacts and further promotes safety in construction, along with other risk mitigation methods and strategies, making it the most effective approach to safety design [12].

2.3. TRIZ

The implementation of the UN SDGs inevitably involves trade-offs and contradictions. Of the various design strategies, TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving), is a unique one that can provide designers with the processes of repeatability, predictability, and reliability due to the fact of its structural and algorithmic characteristics [13,14,15]. TRIZ methodology has great potential to address most of the SDGs relevant to conflict-oriented problem solving for innovations [13,15]. TRIZ is a knowledge-based systematic problem-solving methodology that provides a systematic approach to finding technical solutions and enhancing innovation in technical systems [16,17,18]. TRIZ, which stands for the “Theory of Inventive Problem Solving,” is the Russian acronym for the theory. It was developed by G. Altshuller, a Soviet inventor who analyzed and studied over 400,000 patents, and in 1946, he proposed a problem-solving method based on innovative principles, which came to be known as TRIZ [19]. The TRIZ theory of innovative problem-solving is a set of tools used to guide creative thinking based on patent research. It enables the systematic derivation of novel innovative concepts to solve technical problems, ranging from simple to highly complex, or to create new inventions [20]. TRIZ for creative problem-solving is used to develop conceptual design solutions that are intended to determine the feasibility of implementing the concept in practice [21]. The interpretation of innovative products, processes, and services is a complex process that involves modern design and systems thinking. In order to achieve higher production efficiency in a competitive and rapidly changing world, scientific development must be followed, and in order to gain competitiveness, businesses need to develop new products or eliminate existing conflicting states. In such cases, TRIZ is one of the most effective scientific methods [22]. The nine major theories of TRIZ include the S-curve and eight laws of technical system evolution, the ideal final result, forty inventive principles, thirty-nine engineering parameters and the contradiction matrix, physical contradictions and four separation principles, substance-field modeling analysis, standard solutions for inventive problems, inventive problem-solving algorithms, and the scientific effects and effects knowledge base [23]. The six cognitive gaps play a crucial role in the process of applying TRIZ to service system design, providing support for the implementation of the TRIZ method [24]. For those seeking a more in-depth explanation of the TRIZ principles used here, we recommend Cameron’s book [25].

2.4. Universal Design

The purpose of universal design is to promote interaction between products and the environment, allowing users to effectively use the products without the need for additional adjustments. Universal design is a global movement that addresses the widest range of user needs and environmental considerations in product design and communication. In the 1950s, accessible space design emerged in Northern Europe and spread to mainland Europe, and later to the United States, and was primarily driven by the civil rights movement to ensure freedom of movement for people with disabilities and the introduction of accessible public space design. In the 1970s, American architect Michael Bednar introduced a new perspective, emphasizing that when environmental barriers are removed, everyone’s functional abilities improve. In 1977, Ronald Mace, through the Accessible Housing Center at North Carolina State University, introduced the term “universal design” with the concept of “design for all,” emphasizing that it should not be limited to specific groups but should be inclusive for everyone, ensuring that it is convenient for all people [26]. In the same year, the Center for Universal Design at the University of North Carolina proposed seven fundamental principles, including equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive operation, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size and space for approach and use. Additional principles include long-lasting use with economic feasibility, excellent quality and aesthetics, and safety for individuals and the environment [27,28]. Universal design is a design approach for products and elements in architectural spaces and facilities that can be used by everyone without exception. It is particularly important in public buildings and facilities, where each user can independently and comfortably carry out their activities optimally.

2.5. The Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA)

The Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) is a management and market research tool used to assess the importance and actual performance of products, services, or other items [29,30]. This analysis method is commonly used to understand customers’ specific product or service requirements and helps organizations optimize their operations and marketing strategies [31].
IPA is typically based on two main concepts:
(1)
Importance: This refers to the level of importance customers or users attach to specific attributes, functionalities, or characteristics. In IPA, importance is often measured through user surveys or questionnaires, such as asking customers to rate the importance of different product features [32];
(2)
Performance: This indicates the actual performance level of a product or service in specific attributes, functionalities, or characteristics. Performance is usually determined through testing or evaluation of the product or service, such as conducting tests on product features or assessing service quality through customer feedback [33].
The quadrants in IPA have the following meanings:
  • Quadrant I (keep up the good work): This is the most desirable situation and the goal an organization should strive for. These items are both highly important and perform excellently in the eyes of customers, indicating that the organization has successfully met customer needs. In this quadrant, the organization should continue to invest and maintain the high level of these items to ensure they retain a competitive edge and meet customer expectations.
  • Quadrant II (concentrate here): These items are considered improvement priorities for the organization as they are highly important to customers but currently perform below expectations. In this quadrant, the organization should focus on improving and enhancing these items to meet customer needs. This may involve improving product or service features, enhancing quality, or adding additional functionalities to meet customer expectations and desires;
  • Quadrant III (low priority): These items can be considered for reduced or discontinued investment as they are neither important nor perform well, having limited impact on customer satisfaction and organizational performance. In this quadrant, the organization can concentrate its resources and attention on more important and better-performing items to maximize customer satisfaction and performance;
  • Quadrant IV (possible overkill): These items are the organization’s competitive advantages, even though they are of relatively low importance to customers; their performance is outstanding. In this quadrant, the organization can further strengthen these items to make them distinctive features and enhance their market position. At the same time, the organization may consider reevaluating the value of these items to avoid overinvesting in less important aspects for customers.

3. Methodology

Based on the aforementioned objectives and related literature discussions, this research aims to develop innovative designs that allow the pen tip to extend by either rotating or pressing the cap. In order to achieve this goal, this study will utilize 40 invention principles (Table 2) [34] and 39 engineering parameters (Table 3) [35] from the TRIZ method to import the contradiction matrix for analysis, identify areas of improvement and problems to avoid deterioration, and conduct an innovative design study by combining intrinsic safety principles and universal design concepts.

3.1. Concealed Pen Tip

This research aims to explore innovative designs for concealing the pen tip of a marker pen. Focusing on innovative designs involving pressing and rotating the cap, the research will analyze the operational methods using the principles of intrinsic safety. The TRIZ method will then be employed to enhance the innovative design of the cap. Finally, the principles of universal design will be applied to make the cap’s operation more convenient.

3.1.1. An Innovative Design for a Concealed Pen Tip with Intrinsic Safety

Currently, marker pens require the cap to be removed before use. However, there are instances where the cap is forgotten or accidentally lost, leaving the pen tip exposed to the air and causing it to dry out and become unusable. To address this issue, this research focuses on the innovative design of a marker pen with a concealable pen tip. The design improvements will incorporate the principles of simplicity, foolproof design, and clear state from the field of intrinsic safety.
  • Simplicity: By applying the principle of simplicity from the eleven strategies of intrinsic safety, a single-handed operation of a press button will be used to slide the pen tip upwards, achieving the function of concealing the pen tip. This design modification for a marker pen with a concealable pen tip aligns with the principle of simplicity;
  • Foolproof Design: By applying the foolproof design principle from the eleven strategies of intrinsic safety, a single-handed operation of a press button to slide the pen tip upwards will be implemented. This ensures that the pen tip can be concealed without any confusion, thus meeting the requirements of a foolproof design;
  • Clear State: By implementing the principle of clear state from the eleven strategies of intrinsic safety, a well-defined button will be designed to provide users with a clear indication. This ensures that users can easily understand the operation and status of the pen tip, making the design of a marker pen with a concealable pen tip compliant with the principle of clear state.
By incorporating these improvements, the innovative design of a marker pen with a concealable pen tip will enhance usability and address the issues associated with exposing the pen tip unnecessarily.

3.1.2. An Innovative Design for a Concealed Pen Tip with TRIZ

To address the issue of marker pens being left exposed due to forgotten caps, this research focuses on an innovative design that conceals the pen tip. The TRIZ method, specifically the technical contradiction matrix with its 39 engineering parameters, is employed to identify the parameters for improvement (No. 02—weight of stationary objects, No. 16—duration of action by a stationary object, No. 35—adaptability or versatility) and parameters to avoid deterioration (No. 27—reliability, No. 33—ease of operation, No. 36—device complexity). The desired improvement and deterioration parameters are used to construct a technical contradiction matrix, as shown in Table 4.
A summary of the inventive principles corresponding to the technical contradiction matrix, ranked from most to least frequent, is as follows: No. 1 (segmentation) appears four times, followed by No. 6 (multi-functionality), No. 8 (weight compensation), No. 10 (preliminary action), No. 13 (the other way around), No. 15 (dynamic parts), No. 28 (mechanical interaction substitution), and No. 34 (discarding and recovering), each appearing two times. The remaining principles appear once.
To address the design challenge of concealing the pen tip in the marker pen, after analyzing the TRIZ method, several inventive principles have been selected below.
  • No. 1 (segmentation): Dividing the pen into the pen body and pen tip, allowing the pen tip to be hidden inside the pen body in an active state;
  • No. 8 (weight compensation): Maintaining a balance in the sealing plate for the pen tip during its extension and retraction;
  • No. 13 (the other way around): Changing the pushing action of the pen tip from the bottom to the side, increasing the range of movement of the pen tip within the pen body.

3.1.3. An Innovative Design for a Concealed Pen Tip with Universal Design

A marker pen with a concealable pen tip is designed to be operated with one hand using a press mechanism to achieve concealable pen tip functionality. The TRIZ method’s 39 engineering parameters and 40 inventive principles serve as reference foundations. Finally, the design is improved using the principles of fair use, ease of use, and effort reduction from the universal design approach.
  • Fair Use: Applying the principle of fair use from the seven principles of universal design, the design utilizes a single-hand operation with a button to slide the pen tip upward, achieving concealable pen tip functionality. The size of the button is improved to accommodate users of various sizes, ensuring that the design aligns with the principle of fair use;
  • Ease of Use and Intuitive Operation: Applying the principle of ease of use and intuitive operation from the seven principles of universal design, the button is designed with a more prominent color to make it easily visible to users. The operation of concealing the pen tip becomes intuitive and straightforward, meeting the principle of ease of use and intuitive operation;
  • Effort Reduction: Applying the principle of effort reduction from the seven principles of universal design, the material and design of the button are improved to reduce weight, enabling users to operate the pen tip concealment quickly with less effort. This ensures that the design aligns with the principle of effort reduction.

3.2. Quick Retraction Function

After using a marker pen, it is easy to forget to reconnect the cap with the pen body or even misplace it, leading to the risk of volatile components in the pen tip. Therefore, a quick retraction function is designed to prevent the evaporation of the ink. The TRIZ method and universal design principles are employed to design the functionalities of opening and closing the pen cap.

3.2.1. An Innovative Design for a Quick Retraction Function with Intrinsic Safety

Traditional marker pens require the cap to be placed over the exposed pen tip and tightly rotated in a clockwise direction to achieve closure, which can be quite cumbersome. In order to improve this issue, this study focuses on the operation and closure of marker pens with a fast closure feature for the pen tip. The innovation design aims to incorporate essential safety principles such as simplification, foolproof design, and clear states.
  • Simplification: By employing the simplification strategy of essential safety, a single hand can operate a pressure button to slide the pen tip up and down, achieving a fast closure function. This innovative design for marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip conforms to the principle of simplification;
  • Foolproof Design: Utilizing the foolproof design strategy of essential safety, the fast closure function can be achieved by simply operating the pressure button with one hand to slide the pen tip up and down. This innovative design for marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip conforms to the principle of foolproof design;
  • Clear States: Applying the clear states strategy of essential safety, a prominently designed button is incorporated to allow users to easily understand the operational status at a glance. This innovative design for marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip conforms to the principle of clear states.

3.2.2. An Innovative Design for a Quick Retraction Function with TRIZ

Currently, when using a marker pen, the cap needs to be opened in order to use it, and it can only be closed when the cap is put back on. However, during the process of opening, there are instances where it becomes difficult to open the cap due to prolonged periods of non-use. If the cap is not put back on after use, the pen tip can dry out when exposed to air for an extended period of time. Both the opening and closing processes require more time, and quick closure is not possible. In order to address these issues, this study focuses on the innovative design of a marker pen with fast closure. The TRIZ method, specifically the 39 engineering parameters of the technical contradiction matrix, is utilized to identify the following parameters for improvement: No. 27 (reliability), No. 33 (ease of operation), and No. 38 (extent of automation). The parameters to be avoided from worsening are No. 15 (duration of action by a moving object), No. 35 (adaptability or versatility), and No. 36 (device complexity). The desired improvement and avoided worsening parameters are used to construct the technical contradiction matrix, as shown in Table 5.
Based on the analysis of the technical contradiction matrix, the most frequently occurring inventive principles are as follows, in descending order: No. 35 (parameter change) with four occurrences, No. 1 (segmentation) with three occurrences, and No. 3 (local quality), No. 8 (weight compensation), No. 13 (the other way around), No. 15 (dynamic parts), No. 24 (intermediary), and No. 25 (self-service) with two occurrences each, while the rest appear once.
To address the lack of fast closure in marker pens, several inventive principles were selected below after analyzing the TRIZ methodology.
  • No. 1—segmentation: The pen can be divided into the pen body, ink cartridge, and spring, allowing the ink cartridge to be in a movable state concealed within the pen body. The extension and retraction can be controlled by the spring;
  • No. 8—weight compensation: For the pen cartridge to be pushed out and retracted, a side latch mechanism should maintain a balanced state, ensuring that it latches precisely during extension;
  • No. 13—the other way around: The retraction of the pen cartridge can be achieved by pressing the side of the pen, initiating a quick retrieval of the cartridge.
By incorporating these inventive principles, an innovative design for marker pens with fast closure can be achieved.

3.2.3. An Innovative Design for a Quick Retraction Function with Universal Design

In the innovative design of a marker pen with a quickly retractable pen tip, a button mechanism is used for operation, allowing the pen tip to slide up and down within the pen body to achieve the fast closure function. The 39 engineering parameters and 40 inventive principles of the TRIZ method serve as reference foundations. Finally, improvements are made to the innovative design of marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip using the principles of universal design, including equitable use, simplicity and intuitiveness, and minimal physical effort.
  • Equitable Use: By applying the equitable use principle of the seven principles of universal design, the button mechanism is designed for easy pressing to enable quick closure of the pen tip. This ensures that all users can easily retract the marker pen, aligning with the principle of equitable use in the innovative design of marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip;
  • Simplicity and Intuitiveness: By incorporating the principle of simplicity and intuitiveness from the seven principles of universal design, modifications are made to the button design, using bright colors to make the button position clearly visible to users. Combined with a simple operation, the marker pen becomes easy to use and intuitive, conforming to the principle of simplicity and intuitiveness in the innovative design of marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip;
  • Minimal Physical Effort: By applying the principle of minimal physical effort from the seven principles of universal design, improvements are made to the material and design of the button mechanism to reduce its weight. Users only need to lightly press the button to achieve fast closure, minimizing physical effort. This aligns with the principle of minimal physical effort in the innovative design of marker pens with a quickly retractable pen tip.

3.3. Replaceable Pen Core

To prevent the fingers or palm from coming into contact with the ink cartridge, an innovative design for a replaceable marker pen tip can be implemented. After replacing the cartridge, the used ink is immediately discarded. This design ensures that there is no need for manual contact with the ink cartridge, making it easier to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

3.3.1. An Innovative Design for a Replaceable Pen Core with Intrinsic Safety

In traditional marker pens, when the ink in the cartridge runs out or dries up, the options are to discard the pen or refill it, but discarding contributes to environmental concerns and refilling can lead to uneven ink distribution. To address this issue, improvements can be made to the design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores, focusing on the principles of simplification, foolproof design, and tolerance to enhance safety and usability.
  • Simplification: By applying the simplification strategy from the eleven essential safety strategies, the marker pen can be divided into two parts: Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B, along with the ink cartridge. Simply separate Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B to replace the ink cartridge, making it easy and straightforward to replace the cartridge in the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores;
  • Foolproof Design: Utilizing the foolproof design strategy from the eleven essential safety strategies, Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B are designed with a single locking mechanism to ensure proper alignment during assembly. This eliminates the possibility of incorrect or failed cartridge replacement, ensuring foolproof operation in the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores;
  • Tolerance: Employing the tolerance strategy from the eleven essential safety strategies, both Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B are made of durable plastic material that can withstand impact and pressure, preventing the shells from breaking or cracking. This tolerance enhances the longevity and reliability of the marker pen, conforming to the principle of tolerance in the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores.

3.3.2. An Innovative Design for a Replaceable Pen Core with TRIZ

To address the issue of unnecessary resource waste caused by discarding or refilling marker pens after use, this study focuses on the innovative design of replaceable marker pen cartridges. Using the TRIZ method’s technical contradiction matrix with 39 engineering parameters, the desired improvement parameters are identified as No. 12 (shape), No. 13 (stability of object’s composition), and No. 33 (ease of operation), while the parameters to be avoided from worsening are No. 27 (reliability), No. 32 (ease of manufacture), and No. 35 (adaptability or versatility). The desired improvement and avoided worsening parameters are used to construct the contradiction matrix, as shown in Table 6.
Based on the analysis of the technical contradiction matrix, the most frequently occurring inventive principles are as follows, in descending order: No. 1 (segmentation) with three occurrences, and No. 2 (separation), No. 15 (dynamic parts), No. 16 (partial or excessive actions), No. 17 (dimensionality change), No. 34 (discarding and recovering), No. 35 (parameter change), and No. 40 (composite materials) with two occurrences each, while the rest appear once.
To address the design challenges in replaceable marker pen cartridges, several inventive principles are selected below after analyzing the TRIZ methodology.
  • No. 1—segmentation: The marker pen is designed with separate components, including the pen body and the pen cartridge, where the cartridge contains the ink;
  • No. 15—dynamic parts: The pen cartridge is designed to be movable within the pen body, allowing for controlled extension and retraction;
  • No. 34—discarding and recovering: The ink cartridge and ink are designed to be disposable, enabling the user to replace the entire cartridge after use.
By incorporating these inventive principles, an innovative design for replaceable marker pen cartridges can be achieved, addressing the challenges of unnecessary waste and providing a convenient and efficient solution.

3.3.3. An Innovative Design for a Replaceable Pen Core with Universal Design

In the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores, the 39 engineering parameters and 40 inventive principles of the TRIZ method serve as a reference foundation. Improvements are made using the principles of universal design, including equitable use, simplicity and intuitiveness, and minimal physical effort.
  • Equitable Use: By applying the equitable use principle of the seven principles of universal design, the marker pen is divided into Pen Shell A, Pen Shell B, and the ink cartridge. The replacement of the cartridge involves simply separating Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B without the need for precise alignment at the junction. This design accommodates various users and ensures equitable use in the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores;
  • Simplicity and Intuitiveness: By incorporating the principle of simplicity and intuitiveness from the seven principles of universal design, Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B are joined together with a single locking mechanism, eliminating the possibility of incorrect assembly or difficulty in joining. This ensures that the replacement of the ink cartridge is simple and intuitive in the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores;
  • Minimal Physical Effort: By applying the principle of minimal physical effort from the seven principles of universal design, Pen Shell A and Pen Shell B are connected and separated with a single locking mechanism. Users only need to lightly press or release the mechanism to separate the two shells, making the connection and separation process effortless.
By incorporating these principles, the innovative design of marker pens with replaceable pen cores becomes user-friendly, intuitive, and efficient, providing a convenient and effortless experience for users.

3.4. Questionnaire Design

In this study, to demonstrate the value of the product, the SERVQUAL scale was employed as the research foundation. The questionnaire includes five major dimensions: tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. Therefore, the questionnaire design in this study was based on the SERVQUAL scale by Parasuraman et al. (1985) and the functional design of the marker pen [36]. Expert interviews were conducted with five professionals from the academic, manufacturing, and retail sectors to revise and adjust the questionnaire content. Additionally, the design was practically analyzed using the Kano model and IPA.

4. Product Design

This research investigates an innovative design for concealing the pen tip of a marker pen, aiming to address issues related to lost pen caps and prolonged exposure of the pen tip to air, which leads to ink drying out. Based on the previous analysis, an innovative design for a marker pen with a hidden pen tip and without the need for a cap was developed. The design consists of three main features: (1) concealed pen tip, (2) quick retraction function, and (3) replaceable pen core. After finalizing the prototype design, Inventor software (2017 version) was used for assembly simulations and drawings of the product components.
The marker pen with a fast retractable and replaceable pen refill consists of four main parts: pen body A, pen body B, pen core, and clip. Once these parts are assembled, the marker pen achieves the functionality of fast retraction and pen refill replacement. The external appearance of the marker pen with these features is illustrated in Figure 1, while the structural and exploded views of the marker pen are presented in Figure 2 and Figure 3, respectively. Let us now explain each of the four components in sequence:
  • Body: This component comprises pen body A and pen body B, which support the pen refill and the fastener. Therefore, considerations for material rigidity and structural strength were taken into account in the pen body’s design, as shown in Figure 4.
2.
Core: This component holds the ink and features a soft sliding plastic at the rear end, enabling smooth and fast movements. It is equipped with a push-button mechanism for easy activation. At the front end, there is a seal plate to prevent air exposure. The pen core is illustrated in Figure 5.
3.
Clip: This component controls the opening and closing of the sliding plastic and is one of the key elements in this product. To provide a clear description of the product’s detailed content, the research proceeds to explain the structure and operational features of the marker pen with a hidden pen tip, the marker pen with a fast retractable pen tip, and the marker pen with a replaceable pen refill.

4.1. Concealed Pen Tip

Conventional marker pens often face issues, like lost caps or uncapped pens, resulting in prolonged exposure of the pen tip to air, causing the ink to dry out. To address this problem, this study adopts a design with a concealable pen tip. TRIZ principles were applied as follows:
  • No. 1—segmentation: The pen is divided into the pen body and pen core, with the pen core being movable and hidden within the pen body;
  • No. 8—weight compensation: The sealing block for the pen tip should maintain a balance between the pen core being pushed out and retracted;
  • No. 13—the other way around: The pushing of the pen core is reversed from bottom to top, allowing for an increased range of movement within the pen body.
The marker pen is divided into three parts: the pen body, the pen core, and the pressing button. Using the pressing button, the pen core slides from the tip toward the opening. As the pen core extends and retracts within the pen body, a sealing block on the pen core covers the pen tip, creating a sealed space within the pen body to prevent air exposure. This design ensures that users need not worry about ink drying out and also achieves the function of concealing the pen tip, as shown in Figure 6.

4.2. Quick Retraction Function

When using a conventional marker pen, one needs to remove the cap to use it and cover the cap to retract the pen tip. The pen tip is often exposed, and the cap must be tightly twisted in a clockwise direction for closure, which can be quite cumbersome. It is also common to encounter difficulties in opening the cap after a long period of non-use. This study aims to solve these issues by designing a quick retractable marker pen.
Applying the TRIZ method, the following principles were used:
  • No. 1—segmentation: The pen is divided into the pen body, pen core, and spring, with the pen core being movable and hidden within the pen body. The spring controls its extension and retraction;
  • No. 8—weight compensation: To maintain balance while pushing out and retracting the pen core, a side latch is utilized to hold it securely in place when extended;
  • No. 13—the other way around: The pen core is retracted by pressing it from the side, ensuring a swift and rapid retraction.
This study employed inherent safety principles such as simplification, foolproof design, and clear states to address the aforementioned issues. Additionally, the universal design principles of equitable use, simplicity, and direct use were applied for improvement. The redesigned marker pen is divided into three parts: the pen body, the pen core, and the pressing button. Using the pressing button, the pen core extends and retracts within the pen body, achieving the function of quick and efficient retraction of the marker pen, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8.

4.3. Replaceable Pen Core

When the ink in a regular marker pen’s pen core runs out or dries up, it can only be discarded or refilled. Disposal creates environmental protection issues, while the refilling method often results in uneven distribution of ink and frequently leads to users staining their clothes. This study aims to address this problem by designing a replaceable marker pen core.
Applying the TRIZ method, the following principles were used:
  • No. 1—segmentation: The design separates the pen body from the pen core, with the pen core containing the ink;
  • No. 15—dynamization: The pen core can move and control its extension and retraction within the pen body;
  • No. 34—discarding and regenerating parts: The pen core and ink are designed to be disposable, allowing for easy replacement when used.
In addition, the principles of inherent safety, simplification, and foolproof design were applied to create a user-friendly product. Both pen shells, A and B, were made from plastic steel material to ensure they remained intact when subjected to impact and pressure. Lastly, universal design principles of equitable use, simplicity, and direct use were employed for improvement. The product allows users to disassemble the pen body, replace the pen core, and then reassemble it, achieving the function of replacing the pen core easily, as shown in Figure 9.

4.4. Combined Analysis of IPA and the Kano Model

In this study, we investigated the overall importance and satisfaction levels of oil-based pens across five dimensions. After statistical analysis, the average overall importance was found to be 4.212, and the average overall satisfaction was 3.628. The Kano model categorizes quality attributes into five dimensions: attractive quality, one-dimensional quality, must-be quality, indifferent quality, and reverse quality.
Based on the data collected from a total of 130 respondents, 66 were male and 64 were female. We also provided a brief description of the respondents’ relevant information based on age, education level, average monthly income, and occupation, as shown in Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13 and Figure 14.
The focus of this chapter’s analysis is to combine the distribution of service items in each quadrant of IPA with their corresponding Kano quality attributes for cross-analysis. Based on their importance, we use both models to identify service quality items that can enhance satisfaction and achieve the most effective impact on marker pen design. By combining these approaches, we aim to avoid overlooking service quality items with two-dimensional quality characteristics when using IPA alone or the limitation of neglecting importance when using only the Kano model. The results are summarized in Figure 15, and based on this chart, the items in the fourth quadrant will be prioritized for improvement.

5. Conclusions

Marker pens require the user to remove the cap before use, and if not careful, the cap can be easily lost, leading to the drying of the pen tip. The pen tip is typically exposed when in use, and after each use, the cap needs to be placed back on the pen tip and tightened clockwise, which can be cumbersome. When the ink in the pen tip is depleted or dried out, the pen is either discarded or refilled, with both options posing environmental concerns or potential issues with uneven ink distribution during refilling. In this study, intrinsic safety, TRIZ, and universal design are incorporated to address these challenges and enhance the functionality of marker pens. The following design features are proposed:
  • Concealed pen tip
By pressing a button or mechanism, the pen tip can be concealed within the pen body. A sealing barrier is introduced to isolate the air, preventing the need for a cap to protect the pen tip and reducing the risk of the pen tip drying out or the cap getting lost;
2.
Quick retraction of the pen tip
The pen tip can be retracted quickly by allowing the pen core to slide up and down within the pen barrel. This minimizes the time that the pen tip is exposed and simplifies the process of using and retracting the pen tip with a gentle press;
3.
Replaceable pen core
Introducing replaceable pen cores helps mitigate environmental concerns associated with discarding pens. It also eliminates the issue of uneven ink distribution that can occur when refilling the pen, as users can simply replace the pen core with a new one.
By implementing these design features, marker pens can minimize the time that the pen tip remains exposed, prevent cap loss, and enable quick retraction of the pen tip. This study employed an innovative approach to design a marker pen that not only addresses environmental concerns but also ensures consistent ink distribution during use. The research methodology used in this study can be extended to innovate the design of other products. Even when dealing with similar products, if the problems we aim to solve differ, applying the TRIZ method can lead to different innovative design outcomes. It is recommended that in the face of sustainability challenges in the future, a mindset of innovative design be considered for addressing issues related to the machine [18,37], engineering [38], design [17,39,40], systems [41,42], etc.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; methodology, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; software, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; validation, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; formal analysis, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; investigation, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; resources, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; data curation, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; writing—original draft preparation, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; writing—review and editing, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; visualization, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; supervision, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; project administration, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T.; funding acquisition, K.-C.Y., S.-H.H., K.-Y.L., H.-C.H., J.-R.X., W.-L.H., W.-S.H., J.-S.F. and Y.-J.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was partially supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, under grant No. NSTC 112-2410-H-018-030-MY3.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data used to support the findings of this study are included in the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to a number of anonymous reviewers for their careful reading of our manuscript and their many valuable comments and suggestions.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Innovative design of a marker pen.
Figure 1. Innovative design of a marker pen.
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Figure 2. Structural diagram of a marker pen.
Figure 2. Structural diagram of a marker pen.
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Figure 3. Exploded view of a marker pen.
Figure 3. Exploded view of a marker pen.
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Figure 4. Pen body description diagram.
Figure 4. Pen body description diagram.
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Figure 5. Pen core description diagram.
Figure 5. Pen core description diagram.
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Figure 6. Concealed pen tip concept illustration.
Figure 6. Concealed pen tip concept illustration.
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Figure 7. Illustration of a marker pen before opening.
Figure 7. Illustration of a marker pen before opening.
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Figure 8. Illustration of a marker pen after opening.
Figure 8. Illustration of a marker pen after opening.
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Figure 9. Replace pen core description diagram.
Figure 9. Replace pen core description diagram.
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Figure 10. Bar chart of gender distribution.
Figure 10. Bar chart of gender distribution.
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Figure 11. Bar chart of age distribution.
Figure 11. Bar chart of age distribution.
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Figure 12. Bar chart of education level distribution.
Figure 12. Bar chart of education level distribution.
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Figure 13. Bar chart of average monthly income distribution.
Figure 13. Bar chart of average monthly income distribution.
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Figure 14. Bar chart of occupational distribution.
Figure 14. Bar chart of occupational distribution.
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Figure 15. Cross-tabulations of IPA and the Kano model.
Figure 15. Cross-tabulations of IPA and the Kano model.
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Table 1. Types of marker pens.
Table 1. Types of marker pens.
TypesFeatures
Fine-tip MarkerTypically equipped with a metal tip and available in various ink colors such as black, blue, red, green, etc. Suitable for general writing and signing purposes.
HighlighterCharacterized by its ability to display fluorescent colors; used for emphasizing key points or underlining text.
Oil-based PencilA pen containing oil-based ink within a wooden casing; provides writing effects similar to traditional pencils without the issue of smudging or fading.
Marker for Non-Absorbent SurfacesThe ink of this marker is designed for writing on non-absorbent surfaces, such as glass, plastic, leather, etc., and it is resistant to wiping or smudging.
Marker for Absorbent SurfacesThe ink of this marker is suitable for absorbent surfaces, such as paper, wood, etc., providing clear and long-lasting writing effects.
Oil Painting BrushSpecifically designed for oil painting, the brush tip is adaptable to thick and heavy strokes in oil painting techniques.
Table 2. Summary of the 40 invention principles [34].
Table 2. Summary of the 40 invention principles [34].
1. Segmentation11. Beforehand Cushioning21. Skipping31. Porous Material
2. Tanking Out12. Equipotentiality22. Convert Harm into Benefit32. Changing the Colour
3. Local Quality13. Do it in Reverse23. Feedback33. Homogeneity
4. Asymmetry14. Spheroidality–Curvature24. Intermediary34. Discarding and Recovering
5. Merging15. Dynamicity25. Self-Service35. Transformation of Properties
6. Universality16. Partial or Excessive Actions26. Copying36. Phase Transition
7. Nested Doll17. Transition into a New Dimension27. Cheap, Short-Lived Objects37. Thermal Expansion
8. Anti-Weight18. Mechanical Vibration28. Replacement of Mechanical System38. Accelerated Oxidation
9. Prior Anti-Action19. Periodic Action29. Pneumatics and Hydraulics39. Inert Environment
10. Preliminary Action20. Continuity of Useful Action30. Flexible Shells or Thin Films40. Composite Materials
Table 3. Summary of the 39 engineering parameters [35].
Table 3. Summary of the 39 engineering parameters [35].
1. Weight of Moving Object11. Stress or Pressure21. Power31. Object-Generated Harmful Factors
2. Weight of Stationary Object12. Shape22. Loss of Energy32. Ease of Manufacture
3. Length of Moving Object13. Stability of the Object’s Composition23. Loss of Substance33. Ease of Operation
4. Length of Stationary Object14. Strength24. Loss of Information34. Ease of Repair
5. Area of Moving Object15. Duration of Action by a Moving Object25. Loss of Time35. Adaptability or Versatility
6. Area of Stationary Object16. Duration of Action by a Stationary Object26. Quantity of Substance/the Matter36. Device Complexity
7. Volume of Moving Object17. Temperature27. Reliability37. Difficulty of Detecting and Measuring
8. Volume of Stationary Object18. Illumination Intensity28. Measurement Accuracy38. Extent of Automation
9. Speed19. Use of Energy by Moving Object29. Manufacturing Precision39. Productivity
10. Force20. Use of Energy by Stationary Object30. External Harm Affects the Object
Table 4. Contradiction matrix for a concealable pen tip.
Table 4. Contradiction matrix for a concealable pen tip.
Avoid Deterioration Parameters
Want to Improve Parameters		27. Reliability33. Ease of Operation36. Device Complexity
2. Weight of stationary objects10, 2806, 1301, 10
08, 0301, 3226, 39
16. Duration of action by a stationary object34, 2701
06, 40
35. Adaptability or versatility35, 1315, 3415, 29
08, 2401, 1637, 28
Table 5. Contradiction matrix for a quick retraction function.
Table 5. Contradiction matrix for a quick retraction function.
Avoid Deterioration Parameters
Want to Improve Parameters		15. Duration of Action by a Moving Object35. Adaptability or Versatility36. Device Complexity
27. Reliability02, 3513, 3513, 35
03, 2508, 2401
33. Ease of operation29, 0315, 3432, 26
08, 2501, 1612, 17
38. Extent of automation06, 0927, 0415, 24
01, 3510
Table 6. Contradiction matrix for a replaceable pen core.
Table 6. Contradiction matrix for a replaceable pen core.
Avoid Deterioration Parameters
Want to Improve Parameters		27. Reliability32. Ease of Manufacture35. Adaptability or Versatility
12. Shape10, 4001, 1501, 32
162917, 28
13. Stability of object’s composition 35, 3035, 19
34, 02
33. Ease of operation17, 2715, 3402, 05
08, 4001, 1612
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Yao, K.-C.; Huang, S.-H.; Li, K.-Y.; Hung, H.-C.; Xu, J.-R.; Huang, W.-L.; Ho, W.-S.; Fang, J.-S.; Tseng, Y.-J. An Eco-Innovative Green Design Method using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving and Importance–Performance Analysis Tools—A Case Study of Marker Pen Manufacturing. Sustainability 2023, 15, 14414. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914414

AMA Style

Yao K-C, Huang S-H, Li K-Y, Hung H-C, Xu J-R, Huang W-L, Ho W-S, Fang J-S, Tseng Y-J. An Eco-Innovative Green Design Method using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving and Importance–Performance Analysis Tools—A Case Study of Marker Pen Manufacturing. Sustainability. 2023; 15(19):14414. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914414

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yao, Kai-Chao, Shu-Hua Huang, Kuo-Yi Li, Hsiu-Chu Hung, Jing-Ran Xu, Wei-Lun Huang, Wei-Sho Ho, Jiunn-Shiou Fang, and Ying-Ju Tseng. 2023. "An Eco-Innovative Green Design Method using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving and Importance–Performance Analysis Tools—A Case Study of Marker Pen Manufacturing" Sustainability 15, no. 19: 14414. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914414

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