Formwork Holding Element Centering Projections Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling formworks face difficulties in aligning and securing formwork panels with rounded corner areas due to mismatched centering projections and complex production requirements, leading to inefficient assembly and potential concrete penetration.

Innovation Solution

The use of centering projections with matching dimensions and shapes, rotated 90 degrees, and a connecting surface on a holding plate that allows non-positive engagement of formwork panels, enabling automatic alignment and secure positioning without undercuts, along with coupling means for support integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If centering projections are formed from narrow webs with empty spaces, then the holding plate structure is simple, but the formwork panels cannot be properly centered and aligned due to rounded corner areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding plate structure simplicityVSAvoidformwork panel alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The centering projections are designed with differentiated local qualities: the top surface provides a rounded bearing area for the formwork panel corner, while the sides feature flat or convex connecting surfaces that contact the inner edges of the corner. This local differentiation allows the projections to both support the panels and provide precise alignment, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If soft sheet-metal centering projections are used, then the production complexity is reduced, but the projections cannot withstand rough construction site operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering projection production simplicityVSAvoidcentering projection durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding plate is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid plate base with integrated centering projections that have optimized geometry. The projections are formed as substantial structural elements with adequate mass and stiffness to withstand construction operations, while maintaining integration with the holding plate for simplified production. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If centering projections are made with matching shapes and dimensions, then the formwork panels can be easily placed and aligned, but the production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformwork panel assembly easeVSAvoidcentering projection configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering projections utilize asymmetric geometry where the top surface differs from the side surfaces. The top surface is rounded to match the corner geometry of formwork panels for easy placement, while the sides have flat or convex connecting surfaces for alignment. This controlled asymmetry provides both ease of operation and manageable production complexity by using standardized projection units with consistent asymmetric features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Stability of the object's composition

If the centering projections are dimensioned to fully contact the formwork skin, then the support stability is improved, but the formwork panels cannot be easily inserted due to interference with edge webs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformwork support stabilityVSAvoidformwork panel insertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The centering projections apply local quality differentiation in their dimensional configuration: the top surface dimension is optimized to contact the formwork skin for stability, while the side dimensions with flat or convex connecting surfaces are optimized to clear the edge webs during insertion. This local dimensional differentiation resolves the contradiction between support stability and insertion ease by assigning different dimensional requirements to different locations on the projections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2183445B1Ceiling formwork having supporting means for formwork panels
Publication Date: 2014.06.11 PASCHAL WERK G MAIER
  • EP2183445B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2183445B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2183445B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a ceiling formwork (1) having formwork panels (2) comprising rectangular edge webs (3) horizontally disposed in the usage position, and supporting means, such as carriers (15) and/or supports (17) for said formwork panels (2), and a holding element (4) gripping the edge webs (3) of adjacent formwork panes (2) in the corner region, said element comprising centering protrusions (5) for the edge webs (3) of said formwork panels (2) and intersecting openings (6) that are open toward the top, extending horizontally between the centering protrusions (5) in the usage position, which are limited by lateral centering surfaces (7) of the centering protrusions (5). These lateral limitations or centering surfaces (7) of the openings (6) approximate each other from the top to the bottom at least up to a distance from each other that corresponds to the total thickness of two edge webs (3) of two formwork panels (2) in contact with each other in the usage position, wherein a groove-like intermediate space (12) may be provided beneath this closest approximation of the centering surfaces (7) as a continuation of the centering surfaces (7) in order to positively encompass the edges of the edge webs (3) of the formwork panels (2).