Table tennis top and material
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table tennis tables are heavy, difficult to store, and sensitive to weather conditions due to materials like high density fiberboard and aluminum plating, requiring a permanently attached frame, which complicates shipping, lifting, and storage.
Innovation Solution
A table tennis apparatus with a three-layered fiberglass-reinforced structural material (FRSM) table top, using rivets and aluminum plates for attachment, and foldable legs that directly connect to the table top, eliminating the need for a supporting frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high density fiberboard or thick aluminum plating is used for table top, then strength and stability are improved, but weight increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining aluminum plating with high strength adhesive bonding to achieve both strength and reduced weight. The aluminum plating provides structural integrity while the adhesive bonding eliminates the need for heavy traditional fastening systems, creating a lightweight yet strong table top assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the permanently attached supporting frame from the table design. By using self-supporting table top panels with integrated leg mounting, the frame structure is extracted and eliminated, significantly reducing overall weight and improving portability while maintaining structural strength through the composite table top construction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanently attached frame is used for support, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and storage difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the table structure into separable components: the table top panels and the legs are designed as distinct modules that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The table top panels themselves are segmented into multiple sections that can be joined together, allowing for both structural stability during use and easy separation for storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static permanently attached frame to a dynamic assembly system where legs can be quickly attached and detached from the table top panels. This dynamic design allows the table to be stable during play but easily reconfigured for storage, eliminating the complexity of permanent frame attachment while maintaining structural integrity during use.
3Ease of manufacture
If HDF material is used for table top, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but weather resistance and deformation resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vulnerable HDF material with aluminum plating composite structure. The aluminum plating provides inherent weather resistance and dimensional stability while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient manufacturing processes. The composite construction with adhesive bonding achieves both durability against environmental factors and economic viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from organic HDF (hydrophilic and weather-sensitive) to inorganic aluminum plating (hydrophobic and weather-resistant). This parameter change fundamentally improves resistance to moisture, temperature variations, and UV exposure while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modern aluminum forming and bonding technologies.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If aluminum plating is used for table top, then weather resistance is improved, but bounce height and playing performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-layer composite structure where aluminum plating is bonded to a core material that provides the necessary playing surface characteristics. This composite construction allows the aluminum to provide weather resistance while the underlying layers maintain the proper bounce height and ball response required for professional table tennis performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the table top structure. The aluminum plating layer provides weather resistance and structural stability, while the bonded core material provides the elastic properties necessary for proper ball bounce. This local differentiation of material qualities allows simultaneous achievement of weather resistance and playing performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A table tennis apparatus including a table top made out of a fiberglass reinforced structural material (FRSM). The table tennis apparatus includes a pair of tables. Each table includes a table top having a three-layered composite panel made up of FRSM. The table top receives aluminum plates at its sides. Further, the table top receives mounting brackets at its bottom surface. The mounting brackets include male members that extend perpendicularly to the mounting brackets and fold over the mounting brackets. The table top rests at a height from the ground and allows its top surface to act as a playing surface for playing table tennis.