Golf Club Head Bonding Fixture With Ratcheting Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for adhesively bonding parts of a golf club head are time-consuming, expensive, and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a head fixture with a bottom and top portion, featuring pressure applicators with ratcheting mechanisms and ribbed shafts, along with robotic arms for automated bonding, ensuring efficient and reliable adhesion of golf club head parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adhesively bonding methods are used for golf club head parts, then the bonding process can be performed with simple equipment, but the process is time-consuming and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies adhesive to the club head body and part surfaces, then immediately clamps them together in predetermined positions before the adhesive sets. This preliminary clamping action ensures proper alignment and maintains bonding pressure throughout the curing process, making the process both reliable and efficient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual bonding operations with an automated robotic system that precisely positions and clamps parts. The mechanical clamping mechanism with adjustable pressure applicators provides consistent, reliable bonding while reducing cycle time compared to conventional manual methods
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional adhesively bonding methods are used for golf club head parts, then the equipment can be simple, but the process is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system is divided into multiple independent pressure applicators that can be individually adjusted and positioned. Each applicator can be independently controlled to apply pressure to specific areas of the club head, allowing for precise and reliable bonding while maintaining manufacturing flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system and clamping fixture are designed to accommodate different club head configurations and part arrangements. The adjustable pressure applicators and programmable robotic positioning enable the same system to reliably bond various types of golf club head parts, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools
3Manufacturing precision
If pressure applicators with ratcheting mechanisms are used, then the bonding pressure can be maintained accurately, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratcheting mechanism on each pressure applicator automatically maintains clamping pressure once the robotic system positions the parts. The ratchet locks in the applied pressure without requiring continuous robotic intervention, allowing the system to maintain precise bonding pressure while reducing overall operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system pre-positions all pressure applicators and applies the required clamping pressure before the adhesive sets. The ratcheting mechanisms then maintain this predetermined pressure throughout the curing process, ensuring manufacturing precision without requiring complex real-time control systems
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 cost-effective, time-saving, and accurate method for adhesively bonding golf club head parts, applicable to various types of golf club heads, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Each one of the pressure applicators includes a ratcheting mechanism and a ribbed shaft engaged with the ratcheting mechanism such that, when the top portion is selectively attached to the bottom portion, the ribbed shaft is movable away from the body retainer into a position, associated with a pressure applied to the part of the golf club head by the ribbed shaft
Implementation Method 2
The ratcheting system further includes a spring engaged with the housing and biasing the housing into the first position
Implementation Method 3
The ratcheting mechanism includes a detent ball that is selectively movable into valleys defined between adjacent ones of the plurality of ribs to non-movably fix the ribbed shaft relative to the body retainer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a head fixture for adhesively bonding a part of a golf club head to a body of the golf club head. The head fixture includes a bottom portion, including a body retainer, and a top portion, selectively attachable to the bottom portion and including pressure applicators spaced apart about the top portion. Each one of the pressure applicators comprises a ratcheting mechanism and a ribbed shaft engaged with the ratcheting mechanism such that, when the top portion is selectively attached to the bottom portion, the ribbed shaft is movable away from the body retainer into a position, associated with a pressure applied to the part of the golf club head by the ribbed shaft, and the ribbed shaft is non-movably fixable, relative to the body retainer, in the position.