Table Tennis Table Locking Mechanism for Easy Plate Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table tennis tables with automatic safety devices for securing plate halves in playing and transport positions have cumbersome release mechanisms, making it difficult to unlock the plate halves in their transport position.
Innovation Solution
A release system comprising first and second locking devices with pivot joint mechanisms and handle bars connected to pull rods, allowing for easy release of locked plate halves by pivoting the handle bars to disengage locking heads from recesses, enabling smooth transition between playing and transport positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an automatic safety device with locking mechanism is provided to secure plate halves in playing and transport positions, then safety and reliability are improved, but the release mechanism becomes cumbersome and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically secures the plate halves when they reach the playing or transport position through gear-like coupling, without requiring manual intervention. The release mechanism is designed to be actuated by simple handle bar movement, allowing the system to self-lock while providing easy release through minimal user action.
Solution Approach 2:
A pull rod connected to the locking element serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates simple handle bar movement into the disengagement of locking heads from recesses. This intermediary component simplifies the release operation while maintaining the reliability of the automatic locking function.
2Productivity
If a gear-like coupling between plate halves is provided for automatic movement, then operational efficiency is improved, but the release mechanism becomes complicated in construction
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and release functions are segmented into distinct components: locking heads on the locking element, corresponding recesses in the frame, and a separate pull rod mechanism connected to handle bars. This segmentation allows the gear-like coupling to provide automatic operation while the simplified release mechanism can be independently designed for ease of construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The release function is extracted from the automatic locking mechanism by providing a separate, simple pull rod and handle bar assembly. This extracted release mechanism operates independently from the gear-like coupling, allowing both automatic operation efficiency and simple release construction to coexist.
3Reliability
If locking elements with pivot joint devices are used to secure plate halves, then reliability of locking is improved, but the number of components and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint device is merged with the locking element to form an integrated assembly. The bearing devices that provide the pivot function are combined with the locking element structure, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining the reliability of both the pivoting motion and the locking function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The table or board has board halves (3) swivelable between a hinged play position and a raised transport position. A frame (1) is connected with the board halves for supporting the halves against a floor i.e. gymnasium floor. A locking system locks the board halves in the play position and the transport position. A releasing system releases the halves and is connected with a locking equipment (4) and another locking equipment for releasing the halves in the transport position and the play position of the halves, respectively.