Adjustable Holding Device for Concrete Wall Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding devices for concrete components in formwork troughs require manual effort and are inefficient, especially when dealing with small wall elements on large formwork tables, leading to unfavorable leverage conditions and potential damage to the produced wall elements due to the need for extensive support rods or recesses for retaining bolts.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with adjustable securing means distributed over the peripheral edge of the formwork tray, which are positioned on the edge formwork elements and can be locked or unlocked to securely hold the wall element in place during inversion and release it for ejection, using a combination of rigid plates and guide grooves or magnet-integrated elements with drive devices for automated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual holding devices are used for small wall elements on large formwork tables, then the wall elements can be held in place, but unfavorable leverage conditions cause excessive physical effort and potential damage to the wall elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of wall elementVSAvoidphysical effort required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is segmented into multiple distributed securing means (7) positioned at different locations around the formwork tray perimeter. Each securing means independently holds a portion of the wall element, distributing the mechanical load and eliminating unfavorable leverage conditions that would occur with single-point manual holding devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical holding system is replaced with an automated securing means that can be driven by drive devices (12). This substitution eliminates the need for manual physical effort while maintaining reliable holding of the wall element during inversion and ejection processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If extensive support rods or retaining bolts with recesses are used to hold wall elements, then the wall elements can be securely held during inversion, but the wall elements are damaged or interfered with by the support structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding during inversionVSAvoiddamage to wall element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful support structures (extensive support rods, retaining bolts with recesses) are extracted and replaced with securing means (7) that have minimal overlap with the wall element. The securing means achieve reliable holding during inversion through their distributed positioning and mechanical design without requiring intrusive support structures that would damage or interfere with the wall element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using extensive support structures that interfere with the entire wall element, the securing means (7) are positioned at specific local locations around the perimeter. Each securing means provides localized holding action with minimal overlap, preventing damage while maintaining secure holding during the inversion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable securing means are used distributed over the peripheral edge, then the wall element can be securely held and easily released, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking and unlocking capabilityVSAvoidnumber of securing means and drive devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing means (7) are designed with universal functionality to perform both locking and unlocking operations. Each securing means can be independently actuated by drive devices (12) to transition between locked and unlocked states, providing adaptability for different operational requirements while using a standardized design that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing means (7) are designed to be adjustable and movable between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different operational states (holding during inversion, releasing for ejection) while the modular design of multiple identical securing means simplifies the overall device complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures secure holding and easy release of wall elements during inversion and ejection, minimizing physical strain and preventing damage by allowing minimal overlap and avoiding interference with built-in parts, thus improving production efficiency and quality.

Implementation Method 1

magnet-integrated elements with drive devices for automated operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3939759B1Holding device for fixing concrete components in a mould
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SOMMER ANLAGENTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3939759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3939759B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3939759B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a holding device (1) for fixing concrete components in a mold for horizontally producing wall elements (2) from concrete in a formwork tray (3), characterized by several securing means (7) distributed over the circumferential edge closure of the formwork tray (3), which are positioned on the upper sides of the edge formwork elements (6, 6a, 6b) and which are adjustably mounted on the edge formwork elements (6, 6a, 6b) between a locking position (8.1), in which the respective securing means (7) overlaps the wall element (2) on its free wall surface opposite the formwork table (4) and an unlocking position (8.2), in which the respective securing means (7) completely releases the free wall surface of the wall element (2).