Drop-Stitch Concrete Formwork With Inflatable Shoring Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies utilizing drop stitch materials for forming structures are limited in their applications and struggle to maintain a container structure's configuration when filled with building materials like cement or concrete.

Innovation Solution

A building assembly using a fillable container structure made of drop stitch fabrics, supported by an inflatable shoring structure, which maintains the container's shape and rigidity during filling with building materials, and is later removable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If drop stitch materials are used to maintain forms during structure formation, then rigidity and strength under high pressure are improved, but application scope remains limited and narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity and strengthVSAvoidapplication scope
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the application of drop stitch materials from traditional high-pressure inflatable structures to vertical concrete construction forms. The container structure serves multiple functions: maintaining form during concrete pouring, supporting vertical walls and roofs, and enabling various building configurations, thereby achieving multi-functionality and broader adaptability while preserving the material's strength characteristics

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

2Device complexity

If container structure is filled with building material without additional support, then structure formation is simplified, but container configuration cannot be maintained under filling pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure formation processVSAvoidcontainer configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The shoring structure is inflated and positioned in advance to provide support before the concrete filling process begins. This preliminary action ensures the container maintains its configuration throughout the filling operation, preventing deformation while keeping the overall process relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional forms are used for vertical structures, then construction is straightforward, but flexibility in creating various building configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction straightforwardnessVSAvoidbuilding configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shoring structure is designed as an inflatable system that can be dynamically adjusted in size, shape, and configuration. This allows the same basic system to adapt to different building requirements (walls, roofs, various floor plans) while maintaining ease of deployment and construction through the inflation/deflation mechanism

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

Enables the formation of vertical structures such as roofs, ceilings, and walls by maintaining the container's shape and rigidity until the building material hardens, allowing for efficient construction of buildings and multi-story structures.

Implementation Method 1

a shoring structure that supports the container structure when the container structure is filled with the building material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

filled with a building material, such as cement or concrete... when the container structure is filled with the building material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHardening: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4288612B1Concrete building construction using supported, fillable structures
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 AUTOMATIC CONSTR INC
  • EP4288612B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4288612B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4288612B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A building structure assembly for use with constructing buildings (e.g., dwellings, offices, and so on) is described. In some embodiments, the building structure assembly includes a fillable container structure formed of a drop stitch fabric or material, and a removable shoring structure configured to position the container structure in a desired configuration when filled by building material, such as cement or concrete. In some cases, the container structure can include reinforcement components, which move into suitable positions when the container structure is filled with the building material.