Ring Magnet Marking for Concrete Slab Measurement Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for marking measuring points in poured concrete ceilings for air conditioning systems often result in lost or visible marks due to protruding nails, which can cause rust stains and interfere with plaster application.

Innovation Solution

A device using ring-shaped permanent magnets fastened to the formwork with a coaxial plastic sleeve and constriction to support a fastening pin, allowing easy detachment and retention, ensuring the magnets remain flush with the concrete surface after pouring, and can be detected through a magnetic locating ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nails are driven into the formwork to mark measuring points, then the marking bodies remain in the concrete slab after formwork removal, but the nail tips protrude and interfere with plaster application or get severed causing loss of marking points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking point retentionVSAvoidplaster application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful part (protruding nail tips) is extracted from the system by replacing nails with ring magnets that are detached from the formwork along with the formwork itself, leaving only the concrete slab with embedded marking points. The ring magnets are removed together with the formwork, eliminating the protrusion problem while maintaining marking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A plastic sleeve with constriction acts as an intermediary between the ring magnet and the formwork. The constriction provides a predetermined separation point that allows the fastening pin to be detached with the formwork, ensuring clean removal of the marking body support structure while leaving the ring magnet embedded in the concrete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If nails are shortened after plaster application to avoid interference, then plaster application is facilitated, but the marking points formed by nails are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplaster applicationVSAvoidmarking point information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The ring magnet serves as a temporary marking device that is discarded (removed with the formwork) after serving its purpose. Unlike permanent nails that cause problems, the ring magnet is designed to be temporary and removable, leaving a clean marking point in the concrete without protruding elements that would interfere with plastering or get damaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If ring magnets are used to mark measuring points, then marking bodies remain visible through recesses after formwork removal, but the magnets must be precisely positioned and fastened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking point visibilityVSAvoidfastening mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function and the marking function are merged into a single integrated device. The ring magnet is combined with the plastic sleeve and fastening pin assembly, allowing precise positioning during formwork attachment and automatic embedding at the correct depth when the formwork is removed. The constriction in the plastic sleeve ensures proper positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

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

Enables accurate and durable marking of measuring points without disrupting the plaster layer, preventing rust stains and ensuring precise positioning of air conditioning components.

Implementation Method 1

ring-shaped permanent magnets that can be fastened to a formwork

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

corresponding locating rings are concentrically attracted through the plaster layer by the ring-shaped permanent magnets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2871305B1Method for marking a measurement point in a cast concrete ceiling
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 KE KELIT KUNSTSTOFFWERK GMBH
  • EP2871305B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method for marking a measuring point in a cast concrete slab (2) is described, wherein the formwork (1) for the concrete slab (2) is provided with a marking element (3) for the measuring point depicted on the formwork (1) before the concrete slab (2) is cast. In order to advantageously fix the marking element (3), it is proposed that the marking element (3) comprises at least one permanent magnet (4) and is detachably attached to the formwork (1).