Selective Coating Jig with Movable Masking Bar for Airbag Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for coating cushioning articles, such as shoe midsoles or soles, face challenges in selectively applying coatings to specific areas while leaving others uncoated, particularly when using fluid-filled bags like airbags, where precise masking is required to ensure effective adhesion of additional components.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a jig with a movable bar and masking elements that can be adjusted to cover specific areas not to be coated, coupled with a carrier mechanism for precise positioning and coating application, allowing for selective coating of airbags used in footwear, ensuring that protrusions and other areas remain uncoated for better adhesion of other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional coating methods are used on airbags, then complete coating coverage is achieved, but adhesion of additional components is compromised due to coating on areas that should remain uncoated
Solution Approach 1:
Masking elements are positioned and secured to the airbag surface before the coating process begins. This preliminary masking action prevents coating material from adhering to specific areas (such as protrusions) that require direct coating application for optimal adhesion, thereby resolving the contradiction between coating coverage and adhesion reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag surface is segmented into coated and uncoated regions through the use of masking elements. These masking elements create distinct zones where coating is applied only to designated areas, allowing different surface treatments on different portions of the same component, thus achieving both selective coating precision and proper adhesion in critical areas
2Manufacturing precision
If masking elements are used to cover specific areas, then selective coating is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional masking and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The masking elements are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as coating barriers and as positioning references. The same masking structure that prevents coating on certain areas also helps align and position the airbag correctly in the coating fixture, thereby achieving selective coating without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The masking element positioning system is merged with the coating fixture structure. Rather than being separate components, the masking elements are integrated into the fixture itself, allowing the same structural elements to serve both masking and positioning functions, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining coating precision
3Ease of operation
If the bar is made movable to allow article placement, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability deteriorates during coating application
Solution Approach 1:
The bar is designed as a movable component that transitions between an open position (for easy article loading) and a closed/locked position (for stable coating application). This dynamic design allows the fixture to adapt its structural characteristics based on the operational phase, providing ease of operation during loading and stability during the coating process
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple closure settings are provided to vary masking distance, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple closure settings are pre-configured at fixed positions along the bar's travel path. Rather than requiring continuous adjustment mechanisms, the system provides discrete pre-set positions that can be selected based on the specific coating requirements, thereby achieving adaptability without the complexity of continuous adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for selectively applying a coating to portions of an article having at least one area that is not be coated. The system comprises a jig, with a platform for supporting article. The jig also has a bar that is moveable with respect to the platform and at least one masking element that is coupled to the bar and is configured to cover the at least one surface of the article that is not to be coated. The jig also has a first connection mechanism that defines a first mating element. The system also comprises at least one carrier that comprises a base and at least one second connection mechanism that defines a second mating element. The second mating element is mateable with the first mating element such that the jig is releasably coupled to the carrier upon mating the first and second mating elements.