Heated Formwork Panel With Feedback Control for Concrete Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing formwork systems for concrete curing require longer durations due to the use of low-carbon concretes, leading to increased construction time and costs, and existing heated formwork solutions are not flexible or efficient in adapting to different construction needs.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained heated formwork element with integrated heating, temperature sensing, and control units that allow for flexible adaptation to construction conditions, ensuring uniform heating and precise temperature control of concrete curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heated formwork is used to accelerate concrete curing, then curing time is reduced and productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to integrated heating and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heating elements, temperature sensors, and control units into an integrated formwork panel system. The heating elements are embedded within the panel structure itself, and the control unit is mounted on the panel, creating a self-contained system that accelerates curing while managing complexity through unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit automatically regulates heating power based on temperature sensor feedback without requiring external intervention. The system monitors concrete temperature and adjusts heating element power consumption autonomously, enabling self-service operation that simplifies deployment despite the system's complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If low-carbon concrete is used to reduce environmental impact, then sustainability is improved, but curing time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 emissionsVSAvoidcuring speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the concrete curing environment by applying controlled heating through embedded heating elements. This allows low-carbon concrete to achieve adequate curing strength in reduced time by maintaining optimized temperature conditions throughout the curing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors continuously monitor concrete temperature and provide feedback to the control unit, which adjusts heating element power accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that heat is applied efficiently to accelerate curing of low-carbon concrete without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If control unit is integrated on the formwork panel, then ease of operation is improved and setup is simplified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup easeVSAvoidpanel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives power input, processes temperature data from sensors, regulates heating element power, and can communicate system status. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated unit mounted on the panel, the system improves ease of operation while managing complexity through functional integration.

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

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 enables efficient and flexible temperature regulation of concrete curing, reducing construction time and costs by optimizing formwork removal schedules and ensuring uniform concrete hardening.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element, in particular a heating fleece, heating wire, or heating tube, is arranged between the panel core and the workpiece side and is configured to heat the formwork skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the at least one temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature on the workpiece side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

the control unit is configured to regulate a heating power of the heating element as a function of a temperature measured by the temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4675062A1Heatable formwork element and formwork system for concreting structural parts
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 DOKA GMBH
  • EP4675062A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675062A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP4675062A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heated formwork element for concreting structural components, comprising the following components: a formwork panel with a formwork skin, a heating element, a panel core, and at least one temperature sensor, wherein a surface of the formwork skin forms a workpiece side of the formwork panel which comes into contact with concrete during intended use of the heated formwork element, wherein the heating element, in particular a heating fleece, heating wire, or heating tube, is arranged between the panel core and the workpiece side and is configured to heat the formwork skin, wherein the panel core absorbs and/or supports a mechanical load acting on the heated formwork element, and wherein the at least one temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature on the workpiece side;and a control unit which can be connected to or is connected to the temperature sensor for signal transmission and which has a switching regulator for the heating element, wherein the control unit is configured to regulate the heating power of the heating element as a function of a temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and wherein the control unit is arranged, in particular mounted, on a side of the formwork element facing away from the formwork skin on the formwork panel or another component of the formwork element. Furthermore, the invention relates to an associated formwork system and a method for regulating a concrete temperature during the concreting of structural components by means of a heated formwork element or by means of a formwork system.