Plastic Formwork Panel Edge Protector and Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plastic support structures for formwork panels face challenges in achieving high strength while maintaining low weight, and they are prone to edge damage during construction and handling due to the sensitivity of the formlining edge.

Innovation Solution

A support structure with edge protection and reinforcement made from different materials, such as metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic, integrated into the plastic main body to enhance load-bearing capacity and protect the formlining edge, which can be designed as a frame or strips and embedded within the plastic for added durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If plastic support structures are used for formwork panels, then weight is reduced and durability is improved, but strength is insufficient and edge protection is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of support structureVSAvoidstrength of support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic with metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic elements. The support structure uses a plastic main body reinforced with metal profiles or long fibers (≥5mm) distributed throughout the plastic mass, creating a hybrid composite that leverages the low weight and corrosion resistance of plastic while incorporating the high strength of metal or fiber reinforcements to achieve both weight reduction and increased strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing targeted reinforcement at critical locations rather than uniformly throughout the entire structure. Edge protectors made of metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic are specifically positioned at vulnerable edge areas of the formwork panel, while the central areas maintain the lightweight plastic construction. This localized reinforcement strategy increases strength where needed without unnecessarily increasing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic support structures are used for formwork panels, then manufacturing cost is reduced and recyclability is improved, but edge damage resistance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost of support structureVSAvoidedge damage during construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by integrating metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic edge protectors into the plastic support structure. These composite elements are specifically positioned at the edges of the formwork panel to provide enhanced protection against damage during construction and handling, while the majority of the structure remains plastic for cost-effective manufacturing and recyclability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating edge protectors made of durable metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic materials at the vulnerable edges of the formwork panel before construction activities begin. These pre-installed protective elements absorb and distribute impact forces during handling and assembly, preventing damage to the plastic support structure and formwork skin before such damage can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If reinforcement is added to plastic support structures, then load-bearing capacity is increased, but weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacity of support structureVSAvoidweight of support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic with metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic reinforcements. The use of long fibers (≥5mm) distributed throughout the plastic matrix creates a composite material that significantly increases load-bearing capacity while adding minimal weight compared to solid metal reinforcements. The fiber-reinforced plastic leverages the high strength-to-weight ratio of the fiber materials within the lightweight plastic matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating reinforcement materials at critical load-bearing areas and edge zones rather than uniformly throughout the entire support structure. Edge protectors and localized fiber concentrations are positioned where stresses are highest, allowing the structure to achieve adequate load-bearing capacity with minimal overall reinforcement, thus limiting weight increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If edge protection is added to the support structure, then edge damage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge damage protectionVSAvoidcomplexity of support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the edge protectors as integral components of the support structure rather than separate attachments. The metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic edge protectors are embedded within or firmly attached to the plastic main body during manufacturing, creating a unified structure. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps compared to detachable edge protection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a hybrid structure where metal or long fiber-reinforced plastic edge protectors are combined with the plastic support structure in a single integrated component. This composite construction allows the edge protection to be manufactured as part of the support structure itself, reducing assembly complexity while providing enhanced edge protection through the durable composite material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3947856B1Supporting structure of plastic construction for a formwork panel
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 POLYTECH GMBH
  • EP3947856B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3947856B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3947856B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Supporting structure of plastic construction for a formwork panel which has a supporting structure and a facing which is positioned on the front side of the supporting structure and which is attached to the supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure has two longitudinal edge supports and two transverse edge supports, characterized in that the supporting structure has a main body composed of plastic, to which the two longitudinal edge supports and the two transverse edge supports belong, and, in the region of the front sides of the two longitudinal edge supports and/or of the two transverse edge supports, an edge protector which is provided for protecting at least part of the edge of the facing after attachment thereof to the supporting structure, wherein the edge protector is composed of a material differing from the material of said supports of the supporting structure and has a region which projects forwards from the relevant said support; and/or in that the supporting structure has a main body composed of plastic, to which the two longitudinal edge supports and the two transverse edge supports belong, and, in the region of the front sides of the two longitudinal edge supports and/or of the two transverse edge supports, and/or in the region of the rear sides of the two longitudinal edge supports and/or of the two transverse edge supports, a reinforcement composed of a material differing from the material of said supports of the supporting structure.