Prefabricated Wall Framing With Interlocking Tracks for Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prefabricated exterior wall panel installations from the interior of a building face challenges in waterproofing and safety, particularly when not at ground level, due to gaps allowing water infiltration and potential panel falls creating safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A framing assembly comprising a receiver and a bottom track with mating ridges, along with angle members, forms a watertight and secure installation by interlocking with the wall panel, preventing moisture and air ingress and panel falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If exterior wall panels are installed from the interior of a building using traditional methods, then installation speed and productivity are improved, but water infiltration occurs through gaps at the floor, head and edges of the panels
Solution Approach 1:
The system installs waterproofing components (receivers, tracks, and seals) before the wall panel is installed. The receivers are mounted to the building structure and the tracks are attached to the panel edges in advance, creating a pre-configured waterproofing system that prevents water infiltration during the installation process itself, eliminating the need for post-installation waterproofing work.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary components (receivers, tracks, and seals) that mediate between the wall panel and the building structure. These intermediary elements create a waterproof barrier that allows the panel to be installed from the interior while preventing direct water contact with gaps, thus resolving the contradiction between fast installation and waterproofing.
2Ease of operation
If exterior wall panels are installed from the interior of a building, then installation accessibility is improved, but the panels become unstable and may fall outward creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The receivers are pre-installed on the building structure and the tracks are pre-attached to the panel edges before installation. This preliminary configuration creates a stable interlocking system that prevents the panel from falling outward, while still allowing workers to safely install the panel from the interior of the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a nested structure where the track on the panel edge fits into the receiver mounted on the building structure. This nested arrangement provides mechanical interlocking that stabilizes the panel during interior installation, preventing it from extending too far outward and falling, while maintaining ease of installation from the interior.
3Ease of operation
If traditional installation methods are used without exterior access, then interior installation accessibility is improved, but waterproofing cannot be achieved without accessing the exterior
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproofing system is configured in advance with receivers mounted on the building structure and tracks attached to the panel edges before installation. This preliminary setup enables the entire waterproofing system to be installed from the interior without requiring exterior access, as all waterproofing components are positioned and secured before the panel is placed into its final position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses intermediary components (receivers, tracks, and seals) that enable waterproofing to be achieved from the interior. These intermediaries create a waterproof barrier between the panel and the building structure, allowing workers to install and seal the system without needing to access the exterior of the building.
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof and safety framing system is disclosed. The framing system includes a building defining an opening, a wall panel, and a framing assembly. The framing assembly includes receiver and a bottom track. The receiver is installed along an edge of the opening, with the receiver including a receiver bottom wall that defines a receiver ridge extending along a length of the receiver. The bottom track is attached to an edge of the wall panel and including a track bottom wall that defines a track ridge, with the receiver and the bottom track matingly engaging such that the bottom track overlays the receiver and the receiver ridge and the track ridge are proximal one another. The framing assembly is structured to prevent the wall panel from passing through the opening in a first direction.