Formwork Stop Anchor Identification Through Threaded Rod Marking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current anchoring systems for climbing formwork cannot clearly identify the type of locking anchor after it has been set in concrete, making it difficult to determine the load-bearing capacity and type of anchoring system used.

Innovation Solution

The anchoring element features a locking anchor with a threaded rod that has a visible marking and a viewing opening, allowing the end face of the threaded rod to be visible from the outside, enabling identification of the locking anchor type even after it is embedded in concrete. The coupling element is designed with a coaxial anchor and coupling bore, and a limiting element prevents over-screwing, ensuring the locking anchor is not inserted too deeply or superficially.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking anchor is embedded in concrete to serve as a permanent anchoring system, then the anchoring system provides stable load-bearing capacity, but the type and specifications of the locking anchor become undetectable from the outside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoididentification of locking anchor type
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inspection opening as an intermediary element that allows visual access to the marking on the threaded rod's end face. This opening acts as a mediator between the embedded locking anchor (which needs to remain in concrete for reliability) and the need for external identification. Through this opening, the marking serves as a visible indicator of the locking anchor type without requiring the anchor itself to be exposed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the locking anchor's identification information through the marking on the end face of the threaded rod. This marking is a simplified visual indicator that conveys the type and specifications of the locking anchor, allowing identification without exposing the entire anchor. The marking serves as a copy of the essential identification data that can be viewed through the inspection opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of repair

If the coupling element is designed to be removable for recovery and reuse, then resource efficiency is improved, but the connection between the locking anchor and formwork may become less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery and reuse of coupling elementVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the anchoring system into two distinct segments: a permanent locking anchor that remains embedded in the concrete and provides stable load-bearing capacity, and a removable coupling element that can be detached and reused. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function optimally - the locking anchor ensures connection stability while the coupling element enables recovery and reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle to the coupling element, which is designed to be temporarily used and then removed for reuse on subsequent formwork levels. The locking anchor, in contrast, is designed to remain permanently embedded. This selective recovery approach maintains connection stability through the permanent anchor while enabling resource efficiency through the reusable coupling element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3645808B1Stop anchor
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 DOKA GMBH
  • EP3645808B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3645808B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3645808B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an anchoring element which is intended for fastening a climbing formwork on a concrete body and comprises a stop anchor and a coupling element, wherein the stop anchor has a head and a threaded rod with an external thread, the coupling element being a round elongate body having a base, a lateral surface and a front, and wherein the coupling element has an anchor bore which extends axially inwards from the base and has an internal thread, which meshes with the external thread of the threaded rod. According to the invention, provision is made for the end side of the threaded rod to have a marking, and for a viewing opening to be provided at the inner end of the anchor bore, it therefore being possible for the end side of the threaded rod accommodated in the anchor bore to be visible from the outside.