Modular Formwork Dummy With Rotatable Wedges For Regular Concrete Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional formwork dummies, such as telescopic and adjustable mannequins, face issues like irregular surface finishes and increased storage and transportation complexities due to multiple sizes and parts, leading to higher costs and labor times in constructing buildings with poured concrete structures.

Innovation Solution

A modular formwork dummy with corner elements, junction elements, and rotatable wedges that allow for adjustable dimensions without discontinuities, reducing the need for multiple sizes and minimizing part loss during transport, featuring a shaft and wedges that move between filling and retracted positions for smooth surface creation and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If telescopic elements are used in formwork dummies, then the dimensions can be adjusted to different sizes, but the surface finish becomes irregular due to discontinuities in the molding surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of dimensionsVSAvoidsurface finish regularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The formwork dummy is divided into modular components: corner elements, connecting elements, and intermediate elements. Each component has standardized finishing faces that ensure continuous, regular surface finishes when assembled. This segmentation allows dimensional adjustment through assembly configuration rather than telescopic mechanisms, maintaining surface regularity while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple fixed-size mannequins are used to create different opening sizes, then each size can be precisely formed, but storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening size precisionVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy is segmented into standardized corner and connecting elements that can be reconfigured to create multiple opening sizes. This modular approach allows a single set of components to replace multiple fixed-size dummies, significantly reducing storage space while maintaining precision through standardized finishing faces and dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components serve multiple functions: corner elements can be positioned at different locations, connecting elements can be arranged in various configurations, and intermediate elements can be added or removed. This universality allows the same components to create multiple different opening sizes, eliminating the need for separate fixed-size dummies for each application.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent intermediate elements are used to adjust mannequin dimensions, then various sizes can be achieved, but the risk of losing parts during transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional adjustabilityVSAvoidpart retention during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Intermediate elements are designed to nest within the corner elements or connecting elements when not in use. This nesting arrangement keeps all components organized and contained within a compact space during transport and storage, eliminating the risk of losing independent intermediate elements while maintaining the ability to assemble various configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Area of stationary object

If adjustable mannequins with multiple components are used, then storage space is reduced, but the complexity of assembly and transportation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy is segmented into standardized corner and connecting elements with uniform connection mechanisms. This standardization simplifies assembly procedures despite the modular nature, as each component interfaces with others through consistent connection methods. The segmentation into manageable modules actually reduces complexity compared to trying to transport and store multiple complete fixed-size dummies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 modular design enables efficient creation of reservations with a regular surface finish, reduces storage needs, and simplifies handling and transportation by allowing the same mannequin to adapt to various dimensions without additional tools or extensions, thereby lowering construction costs and time.

Implementation Method 1

The wedge or wedges are mounted for rotation on the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4229254B1Modular formwork dummy
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 APOVIC
  • EP4229254B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4229254B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4229254B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular formwork dummy (1) comprising: - corner elements (2) having at least one finishing face (21) facing towards the exterior of the modular dummy (1); - at least two joining elements (3) that each connect two corner elements (2), wherein two joining elements (3) each incorporate a modular extension (4), the modular extension (4) comprising: - a shaft (41) coupled at each of its ends to one of the corner elements (2), forming a space (E) to be filled in between, - at least one block (42) that has a formwork face and is mounted on the shaft (41) so as to be movable between: - a filling position, in which the formwork face and the finishing face of one of the corner elements (2) extend in one and the same finishing plane, filling the space to be filled (E); - a retracted position.