TABLE OF CONTENTS (Counterweight)
Compensate for the weight of an object by combining it with another object that provides a lifting force.
| Balloons help temporarily suspend a cable over the river. |
|
 |
Compensate for the weight of an object with aerodynamic or hydrodynamic forces influenced by the outside environment.
| Paint brush with floating handle. |
|
 |
Compensate for any negative attribute of a system with opposing forces available in its environment. [2]
| Ocean water from wave action against the hull is used to cool a tanker carrying easily vaporized liquids. |
 |
Principle Number: 8
Principle Name: Counterbalance
Principle Description:
Compensate for equivalents and create uniform distribution.
Hints on Usage:
Look for ways to oppose or balance. Look for ways to "make matters right." Find a contrary action to alleviate an effect. Determine where in the system are correctable defects and process losses. Find ways to create a uniform distribution. Look for ways to increase the function of other parts of the system by applying an effect to an impaired section or an unimpaired part.
Mechanical uses of the counterbalance principle, such as equivalent offsetting weights, are the most commonly used. Explore compensations to offset an undesired action (like weight or force) in the existing system/supersystem/environment by lifting or effecting with air, gravity, fluids, etc.
Don't be limited to applying this principle to mechanical issues only. Look also at applying this principle to business issues, interpersonal relationships, or other disciplines such as chemistry. Examine ways to atone for, balance, redeem, annul, negate, neutralize, redress, and...
