Formwork Locking Arrangement with Partial Block Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing formwork elements in tunnel construction face challenges in utilizing residual material flow from supply lines after closing the blocking arrangement, leading to unnecessary disposal and increased costs due to unused filling material.

Innovation Solution

A formwork element with a blocking arrangement featuring a third operating position that partially blocks the passage, allowing remaining material flow to be redirected into the formwork element, utilizing a sliding element to press the material through the supply line and ensuring the sliding element gets caught, thus preventing it from entering the formwork, allowing the material to be reused.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blocking arrangement is closed to prevent material leakage, then the formwork element is sealed, but the remaining material in the supply line must be disposed of unused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is divided into multiple sections (first section with opening, second section blocking the passage, third section with retaining element) that can be positioned at different locations along the passage to create multiple operating positions, enabling selective material transfer while maintaining sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking arrangement is designed to be dynamically adjustable between different operating positions (open, partially blocked, closed) along the passage, allowing the system to adapt its sealing and material transfer characteristics based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the blocking arrangement is kept open to allow material flow, then the formwork element can be charged, but material may leak when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element can be positioned in advance at appropriate locations along the passage to prepare the system for either charging or sealing operations, preventing material leakage before it occurs by establishing the blocking position proactively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking element acts as an intermediary between the supply line and formwork element, controlling material flow by being positioned at different locations along the passage to either allow or prevent material transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If a sliding element is pressed through the supply line to transfer material, then residual material can be utilized, but the sliding element may enter the formwork

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial utilizationVSAvoidformwork integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The third section of the blocking element with the retaining element converts the potential harm of the sliding element entering the formwork into a benefit by capturing the sliding element and using it to push residual material into the formwork, then preventing the sliding element from entering the formwork cavity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element extracts or removes the sliding element from the material flow path after it has served its purpose of pushing residual material into the formwork, preventing the sliding element from entering the formwork cavity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3310978B1Locking arrangement and formwork element with such locking arrangement
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 KERN TUNNELTECHN
  • EP3310978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3310978B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a blocking assembly (1), comprising a passage (2) for a material flow, in which passage (2) a blocking element (3) having three segments (4, 5, 6) is arranged, which three segments (4, 5, 6) can be inserted into the passage (2) in three operating positions (BS1, BS2, BS3), wherein the first segment (4) completely opens the passage (2) in a first operating position (BS1), the second segment (5) completely closes the passage (2) in a second operating position (BS2), and the third segment (6) partially blocks the passage (2) in a third operating position (BS3).