One-Sided Formwork Panel Positioning With Watertight Spacers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing formwork systems for concrete walls require access from both sides, necessitating auxiliary structures and increasing construction time and cost, while lacking a secure and simple watertight connection.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a threaded bar, blind nut, spacers with elastic material lips, and a tightening nut system that allows formwork panel positioning from one side, ensuring secure and watertight connections using PVC and elastomeric polymer components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional formwork systems are used requiring access from both sides of the wall, then secure connection and stability are achieved, but construction time increases and auxiliary structures are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidneed for auxiliary structures
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional formwork connection approach by enabling one-sided access. Instead of requiring workers to access both sides of the wall to secure formwork panels, the system uses a threaded bar that passes through the panel and is secured with a nut and washer assembly accessible from a single side, eliminating the need for bilateral access and auxiliary structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the connection mechanism from the traditional two-sided system and consolidates it into a one-sided operation. The threaded bar, nut, and washer assembly are designed to be installed and secured from a single access point, removing the requirement for auxiliary structures on the opposite side of the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of time

If one-sided access is used for formwork positioning, then construction time and cost are reduced, but secure and watertight connection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction timeVSAvoidconnection security and tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a composite connection system combining a threaded bar (metal), a nut (metal), and a washer with elastomeric polymer material. The elastomeric component provides sealing and watertight connection capabilities while the metal components ensure structural security. This composite approach maintains connection reliability while enabling one-sided access installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the connection parameters by using a threaded fastening system with elastomeric sealing elements. The threaded bar allows for adjustable positioning and secure tightening from one side, while the elastomeric material provides compression sealing to ensure watertight connection. This parameter change enables both time efficiency and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If simple connection systems are used for formwork panels, then ease of installation is improved, but watertight connection and joint sealness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidjoint tightness and sealness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system combines simple metal fastening components (threaded bar and nut) with elastomeric polymer sealing material. The metal parts provide easy installation through threaded fastening, while the elastomeric washer ensures watertight sealing. This composite design achieves both operational simplicity and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric washer acts as an intermediary between the metal fastening components and the formwork panel. It mediates between the mechanical fastening action and the sealing requirement, providing both the simple installation characteristic of mechanical fasteners and the watertight seal characteristic of elastomeric materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates one-sided positioning of formwork panels, reducing construction time and cost by eliminating the need for auxiliary structures and ensuring joint tightness and panel width consistency.

Implementation Method 1

the first stop comprises a elastic material lip that provides the second end with a truncated cone shape and is configured to receive a bushing of the cylindrical central body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the second stop comprises a elastic material lip that provides the first end with a truncated cone shape and is configured to receive a bushing of the cylindrical central body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4685312A1Device for the positioning of formwork panels for the construction of a concrete wall
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ENCOFRADOS J ALSINA SA
  • EP4685312A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685312A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4685312A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Device for the positioning of a first formwork panel (100) and a second formwork panel (101) for the construction of a concrete wall comprising a first flat sheet (3), a blind nut (4) configured to receive one end of a threaded bar (1); a first spacer (6), a cylindrical central body (10), a second spacer (12), a front plate (16) configured so that the threaded bar (1) comprises a second sheet (18) for the support of a second formwork panel (101); a tightening nut (19) and a handle (20) configured to facilitate the positioning and fixing of the tightening nut (19), with truncated cone-shaped bushings (11); the first and second stop have an elastic material lip (9) configured to receive a bushing (11) of the cylindrical central body (10).