Insulating Concrete Form with Adjustable Tie Couplings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional insulating concrete form systems face difficulties in withstanding shipping and assembly pressures while allowing for easy disassembly and correction of mistakes during construction, as they lack sufficient structural integrity and often require excessive force for disassembly.

Innovation Solution

The insulating concrete form apparatus features a pair of panels connected by semi-rigid molded plastic webs with adjustable ties and protrusions, allowing for reversible stacking and easy connection of reinforcing bars, and includes a coupling system with pins and channels for secure yet easy adjustment and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional foam panels are connected with simple connectors, then assembly is easier, but the structure cannot withstand shipping and pouring pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is pre-assembled with the foam panel during manufacturing, with anchor members already embedded in the foam and the tie positioned in place. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and connection strength without requiring complex field assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connector system combines multiple materials: foam insulation panels, rigid plastic ties, and metal anchor members. This composite approach allows each material to contribute its strengths—the foam provides insulation and formwork, the plastic tie provides flexibility and corrosion resistance, and the metal anchors provide structural strength to withstand pouring pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If individual panels connect with insufficient structure, then shipping and handling damage is reduced, but the form cannot withstand concrete pouring pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping damageVSAvoidpouring pressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design allows the tie to pivot and adjust during concrete pouring to accommodate panel movement and pressure changes. The connection maintains structural integrity under load while allowing necessary dynamic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If too much force is required for disassembly, then structural integrity is maintained, but correction of mistakes becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddisassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tie acts as an intermediary element between the foam panel and the anchor members, providing a mechanism that can be easily manipulated for disassembly while maintaining strong connections during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If panels are stacked without alignment features, then assembly is faster, but stacking precision and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidstacking alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions and recesses are molded directly into the foam panels during manufacturing, so the alignment features are self-contained and do not require separate components or complex alignment procedures during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment features use simple geometric protrusions and recesses that are easy to manufacture and replicate across all panels, ensuring consistent alignment without requiring complex or varied features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS11248383B2Insulating concrete form apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 STRONGHOLD INSULATION SYST INC

AI summary

An insulating concrete form system uses a stacked arrangement of foam panels to receive pourable concrete to construct a concrete wall of a building structure. Webs located in the panels hold the panels in parallel spaced relation. The webs have laterally extending ties. The ties have one or more projecting members having arms extending into grooves adapted to receive rebar. Outwardly extending truss member are used to fasten multiple webs during shipping. Couplings releasably connect the ties to end portions of the web and allow the ties to be moved along the length of the end portions as desired.