Parallelogram Striking Tool for Controlled Formwork Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of formwork panels from bridgeheads and bridge pier heads is challenging due to adherence to concrete after setting, often requiring uncontrolled hammer blows or crane assistance, leading to damage and safety risks for personnel.

Innovation Solution

A striking tool with a base element, striking element, and struts forming a parallelogram configuration, equipped with an actuation mechanism allowing simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion, which engages with formwork elements or beams to safely detach them from concrete surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If uncontrolled hammer blows are used to loosen support elements, then the formwork can be detached from concrete, but damage occurs to the concrete surface and component failure or wear may result

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformwork removal speedVSAvoidconcrete surface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The striking tool employs a dynamic striking element that can be actuated to deliver controlled blows to the formwork panel, enabling progressive detachment without the uncontrolled damage of traditional hammer blows. The dynamic actuation mechanism allows precise application of force to separate the panel from concrete while preserving the concrete surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The striking tool serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the formwork panel. Instead of using direct uncontrolled hammer blows, the tool provides a controlled intermediary mechanism that delivers precise striking forces through the actuated striking element, thereby protecting the concrete surface from damage while still achieving formwork removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If crane assistance is used to detach formwork panels, then safe removal is achieved, but enormous danger arises for staff personal and concrete surface damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonnel safetyVSAvoidconcrete surface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The striking tool enables self-service formwork removal by providing a portable, manually actuated mechanism that can be operated directly by personnel on the construction site. This eliminates the need for crane assistance and the associated safety risks to personnel while also avoiding concrete surface damage through controlled striking action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The striking tool acts as an intermediary device that replaces the dangerous crane operation. Instead of using a crane to lift and detach panels (which creates safety hazards and concrete damage), the tool provides a controlled intermediary striking mechanism that safely separates the formwork from concrete without endangering personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the formwork panel is supported by support elements during concreting, then proper support is provided, but difficult release occurs after concreting due to load and adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformwork support stabilityVSAvoidformwork release difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The striking tool provides a dynamic actuation mechanism that can be engaged with the formwork panel to deliver controlled striking forces. This dynamic action overcomes the adhesion and load constraints that make manual release difficult, enabling easy detachment while maintaining support stability during the concreting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tool enables preliminary action by allowing the formwork panel to be detached before the concrete fully cures or while still under load. The controlled striking mechanism can overcome the adhesion forces and release the panel early, avoiding the difficulty of release that occurs after complete setting, while maintaining structural stability during the concreting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables controlled and safe detachment of formwork panels from concrete without causing damage, reducing personnel risk and operational expenditure by facilitating efficient removal processes.

Implementation Method 1

the actuation mechanism comprises a threaded spindle configured to cause lateral motion of the striking element relative to the base element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3951117B1Formwork system and method
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 PERI GMBH
  • EP3951117B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3951117B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3951117B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A striking tool (10) having a base element (12) and a striking element (16) configured to engage with a formwork panel. The striking tool (10) has a plurality of struts (18), wherein the base element (12), the striking element (16), and the plurality of struts (18) define a parallelogram configuration and an actuation mechanism (20) configured to cause relative motion between the base element (12) and the striking element (16).