Automated Hydraulic Form Lifting with Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulically lifted concrete form systems for elevator cores lack precision, safety, and efficiency due to reliance on manual measurements, water level systems prone to inaccuracies, and labor-intensive methods, leading to potential safety hazards and inaccuracy in lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A form control and monitoring system that coordinates multiple hydraulic cylinders using sensors and a control unit to measure and adjust the position of lift apparatus, ensuring precise and automatic lifting by calculating deviations and pausing or stopping actuators outside a predefined tolerance range, thereby ensuring even and accurate lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual measurement methods are used to coordinate lifting, then the system is simpler to operate, but the lifting precision and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors to detect form position and a microprocessor to calculate and control hydraulic cylinder extension, thereby eliminating human error in measurement while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position of the form and provide feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the hydraulic cylinders in real-time to maintain precise leveling and coordination during the lifting process
2Reliability
If water level systems are used for leveling, then the system can provide continuous level indication, but the reliability and accuracy deteriorate due to line damage and operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water level system with an electronic sensor-based measurement system that uses electrical signals instead of liquid columns, eliminating problems associated with water lines such as kinking, clogging, freezing, and evaporation while maintaining continuous level indication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the essential function of level measurement from the problematic water level system and implements it through independent electronic sensors at each lifting point, removing the vulnerable interconnected water lines while preserving the continuous monitoring capability
3Productivity
If multiple hydraulic cylinders are coordinated simultaneously, then the lifting speed and productivity improve, but the control complexity and difficulty of maintaining precision increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives continuous feedback from sensors monitoring the position of each hydraulic cylinder and the form structure, automatically adjusting cylinder extension rates to maintain synchronization and precision while coordinating multiple cylinders operating simultaneously at high speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual coordination of multiple hydraulic cylinders with an automated electronic control system that uses a microprocessor to calculate and regulate the extension of each cylinder based on real-time sensor data, thereby simplifying the control process while enabling precise coordination of multiple cylinders operating in parallel
Data Source
AI summary
A self-raising form control system and method is provided that that may be used to form elevator shafts and other vertical building structures. The apparatus includes one or more form elements for defining an area to receive a formable material, such as concrete. Each element is attached to the form structure. A lift apparatus is provided for lifting the form elements. The lift apparatus comprises a measurement device for measuring the position of said lift apparatus relative to a fixed point. The lift apparatus is connected to the form structure. A control unit is provided for controlling the lift apparatus. The control unit is signal connected to the measurement device and is signal connected to the lift apparatus.