Hydraulic Switchable Magnet Assembly for Easy Formwork Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switchable magnetic devices require significant force to lift a magnet from a formwork base, necessitating the use of tools like levers, making operation cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A switchable magnetic device with a fluid-operated energy transfer mechanism, preferably hydraulic, that converts a small actuation force into a larger lifting force, allowing easy transition between interaction and release positions using a fluid-operated energy transfer mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnet assembly is used to fix formwork elements to a base plate through magnetic interaction, then the formwork element is securely fixed, but considerable force is required to lift the magnet from the base plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidlifting force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hydraulic mechanism comprising a pump cylinder and press cylinders connected via hydraulic lines. The pump cylinder pressurizes hydraulic fluid that is transmitted through lines to the press cylinders, which then exert lifting force on the magnet assembly. This hydraulic system enables force multiplication, allowing a small actuating force on the pump cylinder to generate sufficient lifting force to overcome the strong magnetic attraction holding the magnet assembly to the base plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If a threaded rod with engaging head is used to lift the magnet, then the magnet can be moved to raised position, but the operation requires tools and considerable effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidlifting force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic mechanism replaces the manual threaded rod operation with a fluid-powered system. The pump cylinder, operated by simple piston movement, generates hydraulic pressure that is transmitted to multiple press cylinders. This system provides mechanical advantage through fluid pressure multiplication, eliminating the need for threaded rods, engaging heads, and lever tools while significantly reducing the effort required to lift the magnet assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical threaded rod and lever system with a hydraulic system. Instead of using mechanical threads to convert rotational motion into linear lifting motion, the invention uses hydraulic fluid pressure to directly generate lifting force. This substitution simplifies the operation by eliminating complex mechanical components and reducing the physical effort needed to overcome magnetic attraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple magnet assemblies are used to fix formwork, then the formwork is securely held, but the time and effort to arrange and move them increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformwork stabilityVSAvoidarrangement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic mechanism integrates multiple press cylinders into a single coordinated system. All press cylinders are connected via hydraulic lines to the pump cylinder, allowing them to be actuated simultaneously by a single operator. When the pump cylinder is actuated, hydraulic pressure is distributed to all press cylinders at once, enabling simultaneous lifting of multiple magnet assemblies. This merging of operations into a unified hydraulic system maintains formwork stability while dramatically improving arrangement efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device simplifies the operation by reducing the required lifting force, enabling easy and efficient movement of multiple magnets simultaneously, thus saving time and effort in arranging formwork.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid-operated energy transfer mechanism, which is connected to the at least one magnet assembly in order to transfer a force to the at least one magnet assembly for at least partial transfer from the interaction position to the release position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic principle: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the magnet assembly is preferably in a magnetic connection with a magnetizable formwork base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4225543B1Switchable magnet device, and system comprising a housing and a switchable magnet device
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 B T INNOVATION GMBH
  • EP4225543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4225543B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a switchable magnet device (2), comprising: at least one magnet stack (4) that can be transferred between an interaction position in which the magnet stack (4) is magnetically functionally connected to the formwork support, preferably to a magnetisable formwork support, preferentially by contact with the formwork support, and a release position in which the magnetic functional connection between the formwork support and the magnet stack (4) is reduced, is preferably cancelled. For simple lifting of the magnet stack (4), the magnet device also comprises a fluid-driven power-transfer mechanism (5) that is coupled to the at least one magnet stack (4) in order to transmit a force to the at least one magnet stack (4) for at least partially transferring the at least one magnet stack (4) from the interaction position into the release position.