US20070265107A1

US20070265107A1 - Golf head and welding method thereof

Info

Publication number: US20070265107A1
Application number: US11/797,986
Authority: US
Inventors: Li-De Wang; Meng-Hsiu Tsai; Tze-Ching Yang; Ming-Hsieng Lu; Chih-Lun Lin
Original assignee: Metal Industries Research and Development Centre
Current assignee: Metal Industries Research and Development Centre
Priority date: 2006-05-12
Filing date: 2007-05-09
Publication date: 2007-11-15
Also published as: TW200742599A; TWI307286B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf head and a welding method thereof. In the welding method of the invention, a metal plate is disposed in an opening of a metal body, wherein the shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening. Subsequently, a first electrode and a second electrode contact a back surface of the metal body and a top surface of the metal plate respectively, wherein the shapes of the first electrode and the second electrode match those of the back surface and the top surface respectively. Finally, the first electrode and the second electrode output a current so as to weld the metal body and the metal plate by a resistance welding process. By utilizing the welding method, the welding speed can be significantly increased so as to increase the yield, and the welded joint can be stronger. Furthermore, the welded golf head has a high flatness so that the following manufacturing cost can be decreased.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf head and a welding method thereof, and more particularly to a golf head welded through a resistance welding method and a welding method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, they are schematic views of a conventional method of welding a golf head. Referring to FIG. 1A, firstly, a metal body 11 is provided, which has an opening 111 with a ring groove 112. Referring to FIG. 1B, next, a striking surface 12 is provided. The shape of the striking surface 12 matches that of the opening 111, and the striking surface 12 is disposed on the ring groove 112. Referring to FIG. 1C, finally, a fusion welding technique (e.g., plasma welding or laser welding) is used, and in the embodiment, a laser beam 131 emitted by a laser apparatus 13 is used for welding along a track formed along the metal body 11 and the striking surface 12, so that a relatively long welding time is required, and thus, the welding speed is relatively low. Therefore, the conventional method of welding the golf head has relatively low production efficiency. Furthermore, a tolerance is generated when the metal body 11 and the striking surface 12 are combined, which results in relatively large gaps. Alternatively, the deformation generated in the heat-affected zone during the welding process easily causes the problem of a poor welding quality.
In addition, in the conventional method of welding the golf head, an arc welding method is also used to weld the golf head. However, in the arc welding method, it must weld along the outline tracks of the metal body and the striking surface. Therefore, similarly, a relatively long welding time is required, which causes the welding speed to be reduced, and thus, the production efficiency is relatively poor. Furthermore, the arc welding technique can cause porosity and thermal cracks at welding positions, such that the strength for welding the golf head is affected.
As for the laser welding or the arc welding, a protruded weld is formed between the metal body and the striking surface after the welding process is finished, so that the time and manpower are required to perform the post processing of polishing the weld, and thus, the manufacturing cost is increased.
Consequently, there is an existing need for providing a golf head and a welding method thereof to solve the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to provide a golf head, which comprises a metal body and a metal plate. The metal body has an opening with a first welding surface. The shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening, and the metal plate has a second welding surface opposite to the first welding surface. At least one of the first welding surface and the second welding surface has at least one bump. The first welding surface and the second welding surface are welded by a resistance welding method.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a golf head, which comprises a metal body and a metal plate. The metal body has an opening with a first bevel. The shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening. The metal plate has a second bevel at the periphery, and the second bevel is disposed opposite to the first bevel. The first bevel and the second bevel are welded by the resistance welding method.
Again, another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of welding a golf head, which comprises: (a) providing a metal body having an opening and a back surface, wherein the opening has a first welding surface; (b) providing a metal plate, wherein the shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening, the metal plate has a second welding surface and a top surface, and the second welding surface is opposite to the first welding surface; (c) contacting the back surface of the metal body and the top surface of the metal plate with a first electrode and a second electrode respectively, wherein the shapes of the first electrode and the second electrode match those of the back surface of the metal body and the top surface of the metal plate respectively; and (d) conducting a current to the first electrode and the second electrode, to weld the first welding surface of the metal body and the second welding surface of the metal plate by the resistance welding method.
Again, another objective of the present invention is to provide a resistance welding method of two metal elements, which comprises: (a) providing a first metal element, having a first welding surface and a back surface; (b) providing a second metal element, having a second welding surface and a top surface, wherein the second welding surface is opposite to the first welding surface; (c) contacting the back surface of the first metal element and the top surface of the second metal element with a first electrode and a second electrode respectively, wherein the shapes of the first electrode and the second electrode match those of the back surface of the first metal element and the top surface of the second metal element respectively; and (d) conducting a current to the first electrode and the second electrode, to weld the first welding surface of the first metal element and the second welding surface of the second metal element by the resistance welding method.
The method of welding the golf head according to the present invention is achieved through a resistance welding method, and only one welding action is required. Therefore, the problem of the conventional fusion welding technique (e.g., plasma welding or laser welding) that it must weld along the weld and thus causing an overlong welding time is significantly improved. Therefore, the method of welding the golf head according to the present invention not only greatly enhances the welding speed, but also significantly increases the production efficiency. In addition, in the method of welding the golf head according to the present invention, the resistance welding method is used to make the metal body and the metal plate be mutually melted and combined, so as to eliminate the disadvantage of the conventional arc welding technique that the porosity and thermal cracks are generated at welding positions. Furthermore, the method of welding the golf head according to the present invention requires a low heat input, the deformation of work pieces is also relatively low, and there are no protruded weld, so that the golf head achieves a high flatness, and thus, the cost of the subsequent shaping and processing is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic views of a conventional method of welding a golf head;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a golf head according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the golf head according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a schematic view of a second welding surface having an annular flange according to the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a schematic view of the second welding surface having round protrusions according to the present invention;

FIG. 2E is a schematic view of the second welding surface having elongated bumps according to the present invention;

FIG. 2F is a schematic view of a first welding surface having bumps according to the present invention;

FIG. 2G is a schematic view of the first welding surface and the second welding surface having bumps according to the present invention;

FIG. 2H is a schematic view of the first welding surface and the second welding surface having a solder there-between according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a golf head according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the golf head according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a schematic view of a second bevel having an annular flange according to the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a schematic view of the second bevel having round protrusions according to the present invention;

FIG. 3E is a schematic view of the second bevel having elongated bumps according to the present invention;

FIG. 3F is a schematic view of a first bevel having bumps according to the present invention;

FIG. 3G is a schematic view of the first bevel and the second bevel having bumps according to the present invention;

FIG. 3H is a schematic view of the first bevel and the second bevel having a solder there-between according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a golf head according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the golf head according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of the combined golf head according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of the welding of the golf head according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, they are schematic views of a golf head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The golf head 2 comprises a metal body 21 and a metal plate 22. The metal body 21 has an opening 211 with a first welding surface 212. In the embodiment, the first welding surface 212 is configured to have a right angle. The shape of the metal plate 22 matches that of the opening 211. The metal plate 22 is a striking surface, and has a second welding surface 221 opposite to the first welding surface 212. The second welding surface 221 has at least one second bump 222. In the embodiment, the second bump 222 is an annular flange, as shown in FIG. 2C. In other applications, the second bump 222 can also be a round protrusion, as shown in FIG. 2D, or an elongated bump, as shown in FIG. 2E.
It should be noted that, the first welding surface 212 can also have at least one first bump 213, as shown in FIG. 2F. Alternatively, the first bump 213 and the second bump 222 can also be formed on the first welding surface 212 and the second welding surface 221 respectively, as shown in FIG. 2G. The first bump 213 and the second bump 222 can also be a round protrusion or an elongated bump.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2H, a solder 23 can also be coated between the first welding surface 212 and the second welding surface 221, that is, the solder 23 is coated on the first welding surface 212, or coated on the second welding surface 221, or coated on both the first welding surface 212 and the second welding surface 221. In order to cater to the metal property of the golf head 2, the solder 23 is preferably selected from a group consisting of nickel, silver, copper, aluminum, or any alloy combination thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, they are schematic views of a golf head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The golf head 3 comprises a metal body 31 and a metal plate 32. The metal body 31 has an opening 311 with a first bevel 312. The shape of the metal plate 32 matches that of the opening 311. The metal plate 32 has a second bevel 321 disposed opposite to the first bevel 312. The difference between the golf head 3 of the second embodiment and the golf head 2 of the first embodiment of FIG. 2A is that, the opening 311 has the first bevel 312 (whereas the first welding surface 212 of the opening 211 is configured to have a right angle in the first embodiment).
In the embodiment, the second bevel 321 has at least one second bump 322, which is an annular flange, as shown in FIG. 3C. In other applications, the second bump 322 can also be a round protrusion, as shown in FIG. 3D, or an elongated bump, as shown in FIG. 3E. In addition, the first bevel 312 can also have at least one first bump 313, as shown in FIG. 3F. Alternatively, the first bump 313 and the second bump 322 can also be simultaneously formed on the first bevel 312 and the second bevel 321 respectively, as shown in FIG. 3G. The first bump 313 and the second bump 322 can also be a round protrusion or an elongated bump.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3H, a solder 33 can also be coated between the first bevel 312 and the second bevel 321, that is, the solder 33 is coated on the first bevel 312, or on the second bevel 321, or on both the first bevel 312 and the second bevel 321. In order to cater to the metal property of the golf head 3, the solder 33 is preferably selected from a group consisting of nickel, silver, copper, aluminum, or any alloy combination thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, they are schematic views of a golf head according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The golf head 4 comprises a metal body 41 and a metal plate 42. The difference between the golf head 4 of the third embodiment and the golf head 3 of the second embodiment of FIG. 3A merely lies in that the second bevel 421 does not have any bumps, which thus will not be described herein in detail.
Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5B, they are schematic views of a method of welding a golf head according to the present invention. Only the golf head 2 of the first embodiment of FIG. 2A is set as an example for illustration herein. The welding method is also suitable for the golf head 3 of the second embodiment of FIG. 3A and the golf head 4 of the third embodiment of FIG. 4A. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 5A, firstly, the second welding surface 221 is disposed opposite to the first welding surface 212, such that the metal body 21 is pre-combined and fixed with the metal plate 22. Referring to FIG. 5B, then, a first electrode 51 and a second electrode 52 are used to contact a back surface 214 of the metal body 21 and a top surface 223 of the metal plate 22 respectively. Next, a current is conducted to the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52, so as to weld the first welding surface 212 of the metal body 21 and the second welding surface 221 of the metal plate 22 by a resistance welding method.
The shapes of the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52 are particularly designed in order to match the shapes of the back surface 214 of the metal body 21 and the top surface 223 of the metal plate 22 respectively, so as to control the pressure, voltage, and current applied on the metal body 21 and the metal plate 22 during the resistance welding process. Once the current is conducted, a contact interface between the metal body 21 and the metal plate 22 generates joule heats due to the interface resistance. The generated joule heats are used to melt the first welding surface 212 of the metal body 21 and the second welding surface 221 of the metal plate 22, and then, the metal body 21 and the metal plate 22 are welded and jointed by using the pair of electrodes to apply a pressure thereon.
The method of welding the golf head according to the present invention is achieved through the resistance welding method, only one welding action is required, and thus, the time required to weld one golf head (including the time required for the electrode to apply a pressure, the time for conducting a current, the time for welding, and for removing the electrodes) is extremely short. Therefore, the method of welding the golf head according to the present invention can truly relieve the problem of the conventional fusion welding technique (e.g., plasma welding or laser welding) that it must weld along the weld and thus causing an overlong welding time, and thus, the welding speed is greatly enhanced, and the production efficiency is greatly increased.
In addition, in the method of welding the golf head according to the present invention, the resistance welding method is used to make the metal body and the metal plate be mutually melted and combined with each other, so as to eliminate the disadvantage of the conventional arc welding technique that porosity and thermal cracks are generated at welding positions. Furthermore, the method of welding the golf head according to the present invention requires a low heat input, the deformation of work pieces is also relatively low, and there are no protruded weld, so that the golf head achieves a high flatness, and thus, the cost of the subsequent shaping and processing is reduced.
It should be noted that, in the above embodiments, the resistance welding method applied to the golf head is taken as an example for illustration, and actually, it is not limited to being applied for welding the golf head, but also can be applied for welding any two metal elements. Herein, the shapes of the first and second electrodes also match those of a back surface of the first metal element and a top surface of the second metal element respectively. Next, the first electrode and the second electrode are used to contact the back surface of the first metal element and the top surface of the second metal element respectively. Then, a current is conducted to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the metal elements are welded by the resistance welding method, so as to achieve the above efficacy in a similar way.
While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art. The embodiments of the present invention are therefore described in an illustrative but not restrictive sense. It is intended that the present invention may not be limited to the particular forms as illustrated, and that all modifications that maintain the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf head, comprising:

a metal body, having an opening with a first welding surface; and

a metal plate, wherein the shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening, the metal plate has a second welding surface opposite to the first welding surface, at least one of the first welding surface and the second welding surface has at least one bump, and the first welding surface and the second welding surface are welded by a resistance welding method.

2. The golf head according to claim 1, further comprising a solder coated on at least one of the first welding surface and the second welding surface.

3. The golf head according to claim 2, wherein the solder is selected from a group consisting of nickel, silver, copper, aluminum, or any alloy combination thereof.

4. The gold head according to claim 1, wherein the first welding surface has at least one first bump.

5. The gold head according to claim 1, wherein the second welding surface has at least one second bump.

6. The gold head according to claim 1, wherein the first welding surface has at least one first bump, and the second welding surface has at least one second bump.

7. A golf head, comprising:

a metal body, having an opening with a first bevel; and

a metal plate, wherein the shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening, the metal plate has a second bevel at the periphery, the second bevel is disposed opposite to the first bevel, and the first bevel and the second bevel are welded by a resistance welding method.

8. The gold head according to claim 7, wherein the first bevel has at least one first bump.

9. The gold head according to claim 7, wherein the second bevel has at least one second bump.

10. The gold head according to claim 7, wherein the first bevel has at least one first bump, and the second bevel has at least one second bump.

11. The gold head according to claim 7, further comprising a solder coated on at least one of the first bevel and the second bevel.

12. The gold head according to claim 11, wherein the solder is selected from a group consisting of nickel, silver, copper, aluminum, or any alloy combination thereof.

13. A resistance welding method of a golf head, comprising:

(a) providing a metal body, having an opening and a back surface, wherein the opening has a first welding surface;

(b) providing a metal plate, wherein the shape of the metal plate matches that of the opening, the metal plate has a second welding surface and a top surface, and the second welding surface is opposite to the first welding surface;

(c) contacting the back surface of the metal body and the top surface of the metal plate with a first electrode and a second electrode respectively, wherein the shapes of the first electrode and the second electrode match those of the back surface of the metal body and the top surface of the metal plate respectively; and

(d) conducting a current to the first electrode and the second electrode, to weld the first welding surface of the metal body and the second welding surface of the metal plate by the resistance welding method.

14. The welding method according to claim 13, wherein the step (a) further comprises a step of forming at least one first bump on the first welding surface.

15. The welding method according to claim 13, wherein the step (b) further comprises a step of forming at least one second bump on the second welding surface.

16. The welding method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of forming at least one first bump on the first welding surface and forming at least one second bump on the second welding surface before step (c).

17. The welding method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of coating a solder on at least one of the first welding surface and the second welding surface before step (c).

18. A resistance welding method of two metal elements, comprising:

(a) providing a first metal element, having a first welding surface and a back surface;

(b) providing a second metal element, having a second welding surface and a top surface, wherein the second welding surface is opposite to the first welding surface;

(c) contacting the back surface of the first metal element and the top surface of the second metal element with a first electrode and a second electrode respectively, wherein the shapes of the first electrode and the second electrode match those of the back surface of the first metal element and the top surface of the second metal element respectively; and

(d) conducting a current to the first electrode and the second electrode, to weld the first welding surface of the first metal element and the second welding surface of the second metal element by the resistance welding method.

19. The welding method according to claim 18, wherein the step (a) further comprises a step of forming at least one first bump on the first welding surface.

20. The welding method according to claim 18, wherein the step (b) further comprises a step of forming at least one second bump on the second welding surface.

21. The welding method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of forming at least one first bump on the first welding surface and forming at least one second bump on the second welding surface before step (c).

22. The welding method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of coating a solder on at least one of the first welding surface and the second welding surface before step (c).