Folding Table-Tennis Table Locking for Precise Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile table-tennis table systems fail to simultaneously achieve precise positioning, reliable locking/unlocking, and easy operation for folding/unfolding of playing surfaces, especially in transitioning between storage and playing positions.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with vertical uprights and guidance elements that allow sliding and pivoting motion, combined with a locating system using a handle and cam profile to precisely control the movement and locking of playing surfaces, enabling easy and intuitive assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a locking system is designed to ensure precise positioning and reliable locking of playing surfaces, then positioning precision and locking reliability are improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance element automatically engages with the locating system at predetermined positions during the folding/unfolding motion. The locating fingers and locating holes provide automatic positioning without requiring manual intervention, achieving precise positioning while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance element acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the playing surfaces and the vertical uprights. It provides both guidance during motion and positive locking at predetermined positions, simplifying the overall locking system while ensuring positioning precision.
2Reliability
If the locking system is made robust and secure to prevent accidental unfolding, then locking reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance element transitions between dynamic and static states automatically. During folding/unfolding, it slides dynamically along the vertical uprights. At predetermined positions, it automatically locks statically through the locating system. This dynamic behavior provides both secure locking and easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating system with fingers and holes provides automatic locking without requiring manual intervention. The guidance element self-locks at predetermined positions during motion, ensuring reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the guidance element allows free movement for easy folding/unfolding, then ease of operation is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance element provides guided motion with controlled degrees of freedom. It allows free sliding movement along the vertical uprights during folding/unfolding operations, but automatically constrains to precise predetermined positions through the locating system, achieving both ease of operation and positioning precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple locking points are provided for precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locating system is segmented into multiple locating holes in the vertical uprights and corresponding locating fingers on the guidance element. This segmentation allows precise positioning at multiple predetermined locations while maintaining a simple overall structure through modular repetition of the same components.
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 solution allows for precise positioning and reliable locking/unlocking of playing surfaces, facilitating easy operation and reducing the risk of accidental unfolding, making the table-tennis table installation accessible to novice users.
Implementation Method 1
the guidance element is designed to slide along the vertical upright
Implementation Method 2
connected so as to pivot on at least one playing surface
Implementation Method 3
the profiles of the adjacent edges of these two tubular elements constituting a cam profile designed to convert the angular motion of the handle into longitudinal motion of the locating finger
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a table-tennis table that includes two playing surfaces and a support structure for these two playing surfaces, where this support structure includes a structure for folding the two playing surfaces between a playing position, in which the playing surfaces are horizontal and aligned, and a storage position in which they are vertical and adjacent to each other. On either side of the two playing surfaces, the support structure includes at least one vertical upright. For each vertical upright, the folding structure includes a guidance element which is designed to slide along the vertical upright, which is connected so as to pivot on at least one playing surface, and which is fitted with a locating system used to lock the said guidance element at either of two heights on the vertical upright, one corresponding to the playing position, and the other to the storage position, and an operating handle for the location system which is designed to unlock the guidance element for passage from one position to the other.