Formwork Support with Hydraulic Damper for Constant Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing formwork support devices fail to maintain a constant lowering speed during the removal of formwork structures, leading to uneven sagging and potential safety hazards, especially when multiple supports are used under varying vertical loads.

Innovation Solution

A formwork support device equipped with a brake unit and hydraulic linear damper that ensures a substantially constant lowering speed of the upper support part from the support position to the stripping position, independent of the vertical load, using a spindle with an external thread and a bearing element with an internal thread, and a flow control valve with a pressure compensator for load compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing formwork support devices are used without a braking unit, then the structure is simpler, but the lowering speed varies under different vertical loads causing uneven sagging and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelowering speed consistencyVSAvoidsupport device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hydraulic linear damper with a flow control valve and pressure compensator to regulate the lowering speed of the upper support part. The hydraulic system maintains constant lowering speed independent of vertical load variations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity by introducing a controlled hydraulic mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the hydraulic system, specifically using a flow control valve to regulate fluid flow rate and a pressure compensator to maintain constant pressure. These parameter changes enable the lowering speed to remain substantially constant regardless of load variations, achieving reliable controlled lowering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple formwork supports are used to support formwork structures, then the load distribution is better, but the uneven lowering speed causes sagging in some areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformwork structure stabilityVSAvoiddowntime for formwork removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic linear damper incorporates a pressure compensator that provides feedback control. The pressure compensator automatically adjusts the hydraulic flow to maintain constant lowering speed, ensuring all formwork supports lower uniformly. This feedback mechanism prevents sagging and maintains structural stability during the lowering process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the lowering speed is not controlled, then the operation is faster, but the dismantling process is hindered and safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelowering operation smoothnessVSAvoidtime for formwork stripping
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic linear damper enables continuous, smooth lowering motion at a substantially constant speed. The flow control valve and pressure compensator work continuously to maintain steady descent, preventing jerky movements and ensuring smooth operation throughout the entire lowering process from support position to stripped position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for safe and even lowering of formwork props across different vertical loads, preventing sagging and facilitating smooth dismantling by maintaining a consistent lowering speed, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a flow control valve with a pressure compensator for load compensation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic flow control: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a spindle with an external thread and a bearing element with an internal thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded fastening: Screw

Implementation Method 3

a braking unit which is designed to slow down the lowering of the upper support part to a substantially constant lowering speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4026962B1Formwork support, formwork support device and method for moulding a shuttering assembly
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 DOKA GMBH
  • EP4026962B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4026962B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4026962B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

Formwork support (2) comprising - an upper support part (10), - a lower support part (11) and - a lowering device (16) for lowering the upper support part (10) from a supported position to a stripped position, wherein the lowering device (16) comprises a braking unit (17) which is configured to slow the lowering of the upper support part (10) between the supported position and the stripped position to a constant lowering speed, which lowering speed is independent of a vertical load, wherein the lowering device (16) comprises a spindle (22) and a bearing element (24), wherein the braking unit (17) comprises a mechanical or electrical brake (27) for slowing the relative movement between the spindle (22) and the bearing element (24), wherein the brake (27) is configured to increase a braking force proportional to an increase in the rotational speed of the spindle (22),to slow down the relative movement and thus keep the relative rotational movement of the spindle (22) in the bearing element (24) constant, wherein the lowering device (16) is arranged completely inside the upper (10) or lower support part (11).