Nested Two-Piece Track System for Flush Sheathing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current two-piece track systems in building construction face challenges such as limited space for attaching exterior sheathing due to slot-dominated flanges, uneven track widths causing sheathing flare-outs, and difficulty in maintaining independent movement of inner tracks during installation, which can compromise wall stability and require cumbersome fire block arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece track system with a nested configuration where the outer track's width matches or is less than the inner track's width, featuring angled flanges and integrated intumescent materials for fire resistance, allowing for flush surface attachment and enhanced stability, along with a strap mechanism to secure tracks during installation and prevent separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slots are added to the flanges for stud attachment and movement, then stud attachment and movement capability are improved, but the area available for sheathing attachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first portion dedicated to slots for stud attachment and movement, and a second portion dedicated to sheathing attachment. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interference, resolving the contradiction between stud movement capability and sheathing attachment area.
2Ease of operation
If the outer track width is made larger than the inner track width, then ease of installation is improved, but the sheathing surface becomes uneven causing flare-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The track system employs asymmetric width configuration where the outer track width is designed to substantially match the inner track width, creating a flush surface. This asymmetric design (matching rather than exceeding) resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient installation clearance while maintaining uniform sheathing surface geometry.
3Reliability
If the inner track is allowed to move independently from the outer track, then seismic resilience is improved, but difficulty in maintaining position during installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temporary fasteners are used to preliminarily secure the inner track to the outer track during the installation phase. After installation is complete, these temporary fasteners are removed to allow independent seismic movement. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by providing positional stability during installation while enabling movement capability for seismic resilience.
4Ease of operation
If screws are used to hold tracks in place during installation, then ease of installation is improved, but the inner track movement capability is compromised if screws are not removed
Solution Approach 1:
Temporary fasteners are designed as disposable or temporary components that serve their purpose during installation and are then removed or discarded. These temporary fasteners provide installation stability without permanently compromising the track movement capability, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and movement adaptability.
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 system provides a stable, flush surface for exterior sheathing attachment, ensures independent movement of tracks for seismic resilience, and simplifies fire block installation with integrated intumescent materials, enhancing structural integrity and construction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first and second flanges has a free end opposite a respective one of the first side edge and second side edge. Each of the free ends defines a kick-out portion that extends in a direction opposite the web and away from the other kick-out portion. At least one heat-expandable intumescent strip is attached to the second track and extends lengthwise along an outer surface of one of the first and second flanges.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire-rated receiver channel includes at least one intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The receiver channel can nest with a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. In other arrangements, a track assembly includes two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall.