Formwork Element Reinforcement Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional formwork elements require a large number of connecting elements to fix wire structures, making them heavy and expensive, as they need to be spaced every 15 cm to form a ring around reinforcing bars, increasing the complexity and cost of the reinforcement cage setup.

Innovation Solution

The reinforcement component features latching elements for connection to formwork elements and a longitudinal web with laterally protruding webs, allowing wire structures to be connected between these elements, reducing the need for additional connecting elements and enabling efficient positioning of reinforcing bars with a skeleton structure that allows even concrete distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connecting elements are spaced every 15 cm to form a ring around reinforcing bars, then wire structures can be properly fixed, but the number of connecting elements increases to 15 for a 2 m formwork element, making it heavy and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliability of wire structuresVSAvoidweight of formwork element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces reinforcement components as intermediary elements between the connecting elements and wire structures. These components have receptacles that accept wire structures and are attached to connecting elements, allowing wire structures to be fixed at intermediate positions without requiring additional connecting elements at every 15 cm interval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement components extend in the longitudinal direction between connecting elements, utilizing the space dimension along the formwork length. By positioning these components at intermediate locations and attaching wire structures to them, the system achieves proper wire structure fixation without increasing the number of transverse connecting elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If 15 connecting elements are used for a 2 m formwork element to fix wire structures, then wire structures can be properly positioned, but the complexity and cost of the reinforcement cage setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of reinforcing barsVSAvoidcomplexity of reinforcement cage setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into three main components: connecting elements (attached to formwork panels), reinforcement components (intermediate elements with receptacles), and wire structures (for tying reinforcing bars). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function, simplifying the overall setup process while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement components are pre-equipped with receptacles designed to accept wire structures. This preliminary preparation allows for quick and accurate positioning of reinforcing bars and wire structures during assembly, reducing on-site complexity and improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Weight of stationary object

If the number of connecting elements is reduced to 4 for a 2 m formwork element, then the formwork element becomes lighter and less expensive, but wire structures cannot be properly fixed at required intervals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of formwork elementVSAvoidease of wire structure connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement components serve multiple functions: they are attached to connecting elements to provide structural support, and simultaneously provide receptacles for fixing wire structures at intermediate positions. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain ease of wire structure connection while using fewer connecting elements, thus reducing weight.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2716839B1Formwork element
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 HOLZMANN
  • EP2716839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2716839B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2716839B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The formwork element (2) has laterally spaced formwork boards (4) that are interconnected by several connectors (6). A filling material is filled in a formwork space (8).A reinforcing cage is provided in the formwork space for the fixation of reinforcing bars. A reinforcement component (10) is inserted into an interstice portion between the two adjacent connectors. A retainer (16) is provided for the attachment of a reinforcement cage forming wire structure.