Anchor Rod Lead-Through Sealing for One-Sided Formwork

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete formwork systems require access to both sides for sealing anchor rods, limiting one-sided anchoring capabilities and complicating the setup of two-sided formwork configurations.

Innovation Solution

A sealing arrangement featuring a tubular or ring-shaped sealing element with a cylindrical and conical section, which is inserted from the back through an anchor hole in the formwork skin, expands to create a hermetic seal when emerging on the front side, allowing for one-sided anchoring and secure passage of anchor rods without needing access to the opposing formwork element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional sealing arrangements are used for anchor rods, then both sides of the formwork must be accessible for sealing, but this limits one-sided anchoring capabilities and complicates setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-sided anchoring capabilityVSAvoidaccess requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is inverted in its installation sequence: it is first inserted through the formwork skin from the accessible side along with the anchor rod, then later turned inside out from the front side to its final sealing position. This inversion allows the sealing function to be achieved from one side only, resolving the contradiction between one-sided anchoring capability and access requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is preliminarily positioned on the anchor rod before insertion, and initially inserted through the formwork skin during anchor rod installation. This preliminary positioning allows the sealing element to be in place before the formwork is stripped, enabling one-sided operation and simplifying the setup process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the sealing element is inserted through the anchor hole with the anchor rod, then sealing is achieved from one side, but the sealing element must be able to expand and turn inside out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-sided sealing operationVSAvoidsealing element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element incorporates dynamic characteristics through its ability to expand radially and turn inside out. The conical section allows radial expansion when pressed against the front side of the formwork skin, while the flexible membrane enables the turning inside out motion. This dynamic behavior allows simple one-sided insertion to achieve complex sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element uses a flexible membrane structure that can deform and turn inside out. This flexible shell design allows the sealing element to be inserted in a compact form through the anchor hole and then transformed into its final sealing configuration, reducing structural complexity while enabling one-sided operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the sealing element expands to create a hermetic seal, then concrete leakage is prevented, but the sealing element must have specific geometric features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing element geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element has different geometric features in different locations: a conical section for expansion and sealing, a cylindrical section for insertion, and a membrane portion for turning inside out. This local differentiation of geometry provides hermetic sealing where needed while maintaining simplicity in other areas, achieving reliable sealing without excessive overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element changes its geometric parameters dynamically: the conical section expands radially when pressed against the formwork skin to create a hermetic seal, and the membrane portion changes its configuration during the turning inside out process. These parameter changes enable reliable sealing functionality with a relatively simple geometric design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables secure sealing of anchor rod passages through formwork skins from the backside, preventing concrete leakage and facilitating easier setup and removal of formwork systems, including the use of threaded rods with continuous threads for recoverable anchoring.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing element is inserted from the back through an anchor hole in the formwork skin, expands to create a hermetic seal when emerging on the front side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3574167B1Sealing a lead-through of a anchor rod through a panel formwork element

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MEVA SCHALUNGS SYST

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to sealing a lead-through of an anchor rod (2) through a panel formwork element (1). For one-sided anchoring, the invention proposes a cladding tube (11), a sealing element (10), and a sliding tube (9), which are arranged on the anchor rod (2) and, together with the anchor rod (2) are pushed through the panel formwork element (1) from a rear side, such that the sealing element (10) emerges from the panel formwork element (1) on a front side and, after the anchor rod (2) has been pulled back slightly, seals off between the cladding tube (11) and the panel formwork element (1).