Climbing Formwork Positioning via Optical Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for adjusting climbing formworks during concrete structure erection are inefficient, relying on manual measurements and GPS, which are unreliable and time-consuming, especially for suspended formworks, and fail to accurately determine the correct position of the formwork.

Innovation Solution

A climbing formwork system equipped with multiple measuring units and a processing unit that generates a 3D data model of the form elements and casting segments to calculate and adjust the target spatial arrangement of the form elements, allowing for automatic or manual alignment to ensure accurate positioning and minimize manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurements and GPS are used for adjusting climbing formworks, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical measurement system. The measuring unit with camera and evaluation unit automatically captures images and calculates spatial arrangements, eliminating the need for manual measurements and GPS while significantly improving positioning accuracy and reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital 3D model (copy) of the actual spatial arrangement by capturing images and processing them through the evaluation unit. This digital representation allows for precise measurement and comparison with the target spatial arrangement without requiring physical manual measurement tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If GPS is used for determining formwork position, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates in suspended formworks due to satellite connection issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS satellite-based positioning with a local optical measurement system that captures images of the formwork and surrounding structures. This substitution eliminates dependency on satellite connections, ensuring reliable positioning even when the formwork is suspended and GPS signal is unavailable.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using visible reference points and structures in the environment as mediators for positioning. Instead of relying on satellite signals, the system uses images of known reference points to calculate the formwork's spatial arrangement, providing a reliable alternative in GPS-denied environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If extensive manual measurements are performed for each casting step, then the measurement precision can be maintained, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to perform self-measurement by automatically capturing images and calculating spatial arrangements without human intervention. The measuring unit and evaluation unit work autonomously to determine the actual spatial arrangement and compare it with the target arrangement, eliminating the need for manual measurements and significantly reducing adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows for continuous measurement and adjustment by capturing images at any stage of the casting process. The system can continuously monitor the formwork position and provide real-time feedback, enabling uninterrupted workflow and eliminating the need to stop construction for manual measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Measurement precision

If GPS receivers are used on suspended formworks, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to unreliable satellite connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS satellite-based positioning with a local optical measurement system that captures images and processes them to determine precise spatial arrangements. This substitution maintains low device complexity while dramatically improving positioning accuracy by using visual references that are always available in the construction environment.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3135840B1Climbing formwork
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 DOKA GMBH
  • EP3135840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135840B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3135840B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

A climbing formwork (1) for erection of a concrete structure (2) by successively casting a plurality of casting segments (14, 15, 16), the climbing formwork (1) comprising at least a first form element (4) for delimiting a cavity (6) to receive concrete for forming an uppermost casting segment, a first support structure (7) to support the first form element (4), characterized by a first measuring unit (10) for determining an actual spatial arrangement of the first form element (4), a second measuring unit (11) for determining a spatial arrangement of a first lower casting segment (14), a processing unit (17), the processing unit (17) being arranged for calculating a target spatial arrangement of the first form element (4) from the spatial arrangement of the first lower casting segment (14), the processing unit (17) further being arranged for determining a deviation between the actual spatial arrangement and the target spatial arrangement of the first form element (4).