Triangular Assembly Jig for Shrink-Wrapped Golf Balls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assembling novelty golf items with spherical components, such as stacked golf balls and poker chip markers, is challenging due to the need for precise alignment and holding of components for shrink-wrapping, as existing methods struggle to maintain the components in position effectively during the application of heat.
Innovation Solution
An assembly jig with a triangular arrangement of posts and a pillar, along with a movable third post and boom, is used to securely position and align the components, allowing for the placement of a shrink-wrap sleeve and application of heat to secure the items together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple holding method is used for spherical components during shrink-wrapping, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and alignment of components deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly jig is divided into multiple functional segments: a base structure with triangular post arrangement for positioning, a separate boom component for applying shrink-wrap, and adjustable clamping mechanisms. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the spherical components to be precisely positioned and held during the shrink-wrapping process without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The triangular arrangement of posts acts as an intermediary structure between the spherical components and the base platform. These posts provide contact points that maintain the spherical objects in precise alignment while allowing the shrink-wrap to be applied uniformly. The posts mediate the positioning function without requiring direct complex constraints on the spherical surfaces.
2Reliability
If multiple posts and a boom are added to improve component holding, then the manufacturing precision and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The posts are designed with varying local qualities: the first and second posts have different heights to accommodate different component sizes, and the third post is selectively movable to provide localized support when needed. This local differentiation allows the jig to reliably hold various configurations of spherical components without requiring a uniformly complex structure throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The third post is designed to be selectively movable between different positions, allowing the assembly jig to adapt its structure dynamically based on the specific assembly task. When additional support is needed for stability, the third post can be positioned accordingly; when not needed, it can be moved away to simplify the structure. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
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 assembly jig effectively holds the components in precise alignment, enabling secure shrink-wrapping of golf balls and markers, ensuring a stable and efficient assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The holding portion may comprise a magnet embedded in or attached to a lower surface of the holding portion
Implementation Method 2
The assembly jig may further comprise a magnet embedded in or attached to a top surface of the pillar
Implementation Method 3
applying heat to the sleeve to shrink the sleeve, thereby securing the ball marker and the plurality of golf balls together
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly jig comprises a platform, first and second parallel posts projecting from the platform, and a pillar projecting from the platform in a position equidistant from each of the posts and forward of an imaginary line between the posts such that the posts and the pillar are in a triangular arrangement. The pillar is shorter than the posts.