Table tennis ball storage device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table tennis ball storage devices are inconveniently designed, requiring players to frequently stop play to collect errant balls and refill the storage device, as they typically have openings too far apart and are too long to accommodate a sufficient number of balls in a two-dimensional arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A compact table tennis ball storage device with two openings, one designed for easy filling and the other for easy removal, allowing balls to be arranged in two dimensions, with a hinged door and sloping bottom surface to facilitate quick access and efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If balls are arranged in one single row in prior art devices, then the device can accommodate sufficient balls for continuous play, but the device becomes relatively long and requires openings to be far apart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging balls in a single row (one-dimensional arrangement) to arranging balls in a two-dimensional pattern within the storage chamber. This dimensional change allows sufficient ball capacity to be achieved without increasing the length of the storage device, as balls are organized in multiple rows and columns rather than a single linear sequence.
2Quantity of substance
If two openings are provided far apart in prior art devices, then sufficient balls can be stored, but filling and removal operations become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the filling opening and removal opening in close proximity to each other on the storage device. This merging of functional openings into a localized area allows users to perform both filling and removal operations at the same location, significantly improving operational convenience compared to prior art where openings were far apart.
3Reliability
If a hinged door is added to control ball access, then ball security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage device into separable components: a fixed storage chamber and a movable hinged door. This segmentation allows the door to be independently attached or removed, providing ball security when needed while maintaining relative structural simplicity. The door acts as a separate functional element that can be integrated into the existing storage chamber design.
Data Source
AI summary
Table tennis ball storage devices provide a convenient place to store and retrieve table tennis balls during a game of table tennis. The ball storage device has an inner storage volume for receiving and retaining table tennis balls that is accessible from two openings, one designed to place table tennis balls into the storage volume and a second designed for removing table tennis balls. The first opening may be conveniently located on a playing end of a table tennis table and the second opening may be located on either the left or right side of the table tennis table. The first opening has a different shape than the second opening.