Debris blower

Abstract

A debris blower (1) is disclosed, comprising a fan housing (3), a fan (5) configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing (3), an electric motor (7) configured to power the fan (5), and a first battery accommodation space (9) configured to accommodate a battery cell (10) for powering the electric motor (7). The debris blower (1) further comprises a first air cooling channel (11) fluidly connecting the first battery accommodation space (9) with the fan housing (3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery-powered debris blower. BACKGROUND

[0002] Debris blowers are tools that push air away from a nozzle to move debris, such as leaves, grass clippings, dust, etc. Debris blowers are sometimes referred to as leaf blowers, even though they can be used for different purposes. Debris blowers include a fan powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. Debris blowers are typically self-contained, hand-held units or backpack-mounted units with a hand-held nozzle. Some debris blowers can operate in an alternative mode of operation, producing suction at the nozzle instead of airflow away from the nozzle. Such debris blowers are sometimes referred to as vacuum debris blower / vacuum cleaners, or simply vacuum debris blower or leaf sucker.

[0003] Compared to debris blowers including a fan powered by an internal combustion engine, electric debris blowers, i.e. debris blowers including a fan powered by an electric motor, typically produce less noise, vibration and emissions. The fan of a debris blower operates at a high power level and the driving of the fan of a debris blower requires a large amount of energy. Therefore, the powering of the electric motor is a challenge associated with electric debris blowers. Typically, electric debris blowers include one or more batteries configured to power the electric motor of the debris blower. Such debris blowers can be referred to as battery-powered debris blowers. Battery-powered debris blowers are easy to use since they avoid the need for a power cord to provide power to the electric motor. However, the high power level of the electric motor puts demands on such one or more batteries. That is, the one or more batteries must preferably be designed to be able to supply the required current. Furthermore, the large current required to power the electric motor during operation of the debris blower generates a large amount of heat.

[0004] Furthermore, it is generally an advantage on today’s consumer market if a product, such as a debris blower, includes different features and functions, while the product has conditions and / or properties suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-effective manner. SUMMARY

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a debris blower comprising a fan housing, a fan configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing, an electric motor configured to power the fan, and a first battery accommodation space configured to accommodate a battery cell for powering the electric motor. The debris blower further comprises a first air cooling channel fluidly connecting the first battery accommodation space and the fan housing.

[0007] As the debris blower comprises the first air cooling channel fluidly connecting the first battery accommodation space and the fan housing, an efficient cooling of the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell arranged therein can be provided. I.e. as the first air cooling channel fluidly connects the first battery accommodation space and the fan housing, an airflow through the first battery accommodation space can be provided during operation of the debris blower using the airflow through the fan housing, thereby providing a cooling of the battery cell in a simple, efficient and reliable manner.

[0008] Further, as the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell arranged therein can be cooled using the airflow through the fan housing, the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell can be cooled in an energy efficient manner.

[0009] Further, as the debris blower can obtain an efficient cooling of the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell arranged therein, overheating of the battery cell can be avoided. Overheating of the battery cell can impair the battery cell or can at least reduce its lifetime. Thus, as the debris blower can obtain an efficient cooling of the battery cell, such impairment or lifetime reduction of the battery cell can be avoided.

[0010] Further, a simple and cost efficient solution is provided to cool the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell arranged therein, thereby avoiding the need for additional means, such as a separate fan or the like, to cool the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell. Thus, a debris blower is provided which can achieve an efficient cooling of the first battery accommodation space and the battery cell arranged therein, while the debris blower has conditions and characteristics which are suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost efficient manner.

[0011] Thus, a debris blower is provided which overcomes or at least alleviates at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. Thus, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

[0012] Optionally, the first air cooling channel comprises a first end portion located in the fan housing to provide air exhaust through the first end portion during operation of the dust blower. Thereby, the air flow through the first air cooling channel in a direction from the first battery accommodation space towards the first end portion can be provided in a more energy efficient manner, making use of the exhaust effect obtained by the air flow through the fan housing. Moreover, due to these features, the air flow through the first air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Thus, due to these features, the air flow through the first air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the dust blower.

[0013] Optionally, the fan is arranged in the fan housing, and wherein the first air cooling channel comprises a first end portion located at a suction side of the fan housing. Thereby, the air flow through the first air cooling channel in a direction from the first battery accommodation space towards the first end portion can be provided in a simple, effective and reliable manner.

[0014] Optionally, the fan is configured to generate an air flow having a flow direction through the fan housing, wherein the first air cooling channel comprises a first end portion located in the fan housing, and wherein an opening direction of the first end portion is angled relative to the flow direction to provide the air flow through the first air cooling channel during operation of the dust blower. Thereby, the air flow through the first air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Thus, due to these features, the air flow through the first air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the dust blower.

[0015] Optionally, the angle between the flow direction and the opening direction of the first end portion is in a range of 5 degrees to 80 degrees or in a range of 25 degrees to 65 degrees. Thereby, the air flow through the first air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Thus, due to these features, the air flow through the first air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the dust blower.

[0016] Optionally, the dust blower comprises a first battery unit which is detachably arrangeable in the first battery accommodation space in a predetermined orientation to supply power to the electric motor. Thereby, a user-friendly dust blower is provided which is capable of obtaining an effective and reliable cooling of the first battery unit.

[0017] Optionally, the first air cooling channel comprises a second end portion located at the first battery receiving space, and wherein the first battery unit is a battery pack comprising a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the battery housing, wherein the battery housing comprises one or more openings configured to overlap with the second end portion when the first battery unit is arranged in the first battery receiving space in the predetermined orientation. Thereby, a debris blower is provided which is able to obtain an effective cooling of the battery cells of the first battery unit. This is because an air flow can be obtained around the battery cells of the first battery unit and to the second end portion of the first air cooling channel via the one or more openings of the battery housing.

[0018] Optionally, the battery housing comprises one or more additional openings arranged at a distance from the one or more openings configured to overlap with the second end portion. Thereby, a debris blower is provided which is able to obtain a further improved cooling of the battery cells of the first battery unit. This is because an air flow can be obtained into the housing through the one or more additional openings and around these battery cells and into the second end portion of the first air cooling channel via the one or more openings of the battery housing.

[0019] Optionally, the blower comprises a second battery receiving space configured to receive a battery unit for powering the electric motor and a second air cooling channel fluidly connecting the second battery receiving space with the fan housing. Thereby, a debris blower is provided which is able to obtain a cooling of the second battery receiving space and a battery unit arranged in the second battery receiving space using the air flow through the fan housing in a simple, effective and reliable manner.

[0020] Optionally, the first battery unit is detachably arranged in the second battery receiving space in the predetermined orientation for powering the electric motor. Thereby, a user-friendly debris blower is provided in which a user can arrange the same type of battery units in the first battery receiving space and the second battery receiving space.

[0021] Optionally, the second air cooling channel is spaced apart from the first air cooling channel. Thereby, a debris blower is provided in which the same and stable air flow rate can be provided between the first air cooling channel and the second air cooling channel independent of the number of battery units currently used. Thus, due to these features, the same and stable cooling can be provided between the first battery receiving space and the second battery receiving space in a manner independent of the number of battery units currently used.

[0022] Optionally, the second air cooling channel comprises a first end portion located in the fan housing to provide air discharge through the first end portion during operation of the air blower. Thereby, the air flow through the second air cooling channel in a direction from the second battery accommodation space towards the first end portion of the second air cooling channel can be provided in a more energy efficient manner, thereby exploiting the discharge effect obtained by the air flow through the fan housing. Moreover, due to these features, the air flow through the second air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Hence, due to these features, the air flow through the second air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the debris air blower.

[0023] Optionally, the fan is arranged in the fan housing, and wherein the second air cooling channel comprises a first end portion located at a suction side of the fan housing. Thereby, the air flow through the second air cooling channel in a direction from the second battery accommodation space towards the first end portion of the second air cooling channel can be provided in a simple, effective and reliable manner.

[0024] Optionally, the fan is configured to generate an air flow having a flow direction through the fan housing, wherein the second air cooling channel comprises a first end portion located in the fan housing, and wherein an opening direction of the first end portion is angled with respect to the flow direction to provide the air flow through the second air cooling channel during operation of the air blower. Hence, the air flow through the second air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Therefore, due to these features, the air flow through the second air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the debris air blower.

[0025] Optionally, an angle between the flow direction and the opening direction of the second end portion is in a range of 5 degrees to 80 degrees or in a range of 25 degrees to 65 degrees. Thereby, the air flow through the second air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Therefore, due to these features, the air flow through the second air cooling channel can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the debris air blower.

[0026] Optionally, the air blower comprises a second battery unit which is detachably arrangeable in the second battery accommodation space in a predetermined orientation to power the electric motor. Thereby, a user-friendly debris air blower is provided which is capable of obtaining an effective cooling of the second battery accommodation space and the second battery unit.

[0027] Optionally, the second air cooling channel comprises a second end portion located at the second battery receiving space, and wherein the second battery unit is a battery pack comprising a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the battery housing, wherein the battery housing comprises one or more openings configured to overlap with the second end portion of the second air cooling channel when the second battery unit is arranged in the second battery receiving space in a predetermined orientation. Thereby, a debris blower is provided which is able to obtain an effective cooling of the battery cells of the second battery unit. This is because an air flow can be obtained around the battery cells and to the second end portion of the second air cooling channel via the one or more openings of the battery housing.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Numerous aspects of the application, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 a perspective view of a debris blower according to some embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 a cross-section through the debris blower shown in Figure 1

[0032] Figure 3 an enlarged view of the cross-section shown in Figure 2

[0033] Figure 4 a battery unit according to some embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 a cross-section through the battery unit shown in Figure 4

[0035] Figure 6 a perspective view of a debris blower according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Aspects of the application will now be more fully described. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for purposes of brevity and / or clarity.

[0037] Figure 1 ​​​​A perspective view of a debris blower 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. According to the shown embodiment, the debris blower is a self-contained backpack mounted type debris blower 1. According to other embodiments, the debris blower as referred to herein can be another type of self-contained portable type debris blower, such as a handheld type debris blower.

[0038] As further explained herein, the debris blower 1 is an electrically powered debris blower comprising a fan powered by an electric motor. The fan is configured to generate an airflow from an air intake 4 of the debris blower 1 to an air outlet tube 6. The debris blower 1 can comprise a nozzle unit having a handle, wherein the nozzle unit is arrangeable to the air outlet tube 6 as shown in Figure 1 Thereby, a user can use the debris blower 1 to move substances, such as leaves, grass clippings, dust, etc., by activating the debris blower 1 and directing the nozzle unit towards the substances. For reasons of brevity and clarity, the nozzle unit is not shown in Figure 1

[0039] According to the shown embodiment, the debris blower 1 comprises a first battery accommodation space 9 and a second battery accommodation space 29. Each of the first battery accommodation space 9 and the second battery accommodation space 29 is configured to accommodate a battery unit for powering the electric motor, as further explained herein.

[0040] Figure 2 A cross-section through the debris blower 1 as shown in Figure 1 is shown. As Figure 2 shown, the debris blower 1 comprises a fan housing 3 and a fan 5 arranged in the fan housing 3. The fan 5 is configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing 3 in a direction from the air intake 4 towards the air outlet tube 6. Further, the debris blower 1 comprises an electric motor 7 configured to power the fan 5. According to the shown embodiment, the electric motor 7 is configured to rotate the fan 5 about an axis of rotation ax by powering the fan 5. The cross-section in Figure 2 lies in a plane comprising this axis of rotation ax. According to the shown embodiment, the fan 5 is configured to generate an airflow having a flow direction fd through the fan housing 3, wherein the flow direction fd is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation ax of the fan 5.

[0041] In Figure 2 , the first battery accommodation space 9 and the second battery accommodation space 29 are shown. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be seen, each of the first battery accommodation space 9 and the second battery accommodation space 29 comprises an electrical contact 12, 32 for connecting to an electrical contact of a battery unit for powering the electric motor 7.

[0042] As in Figure 2 ​As can be seen in Figure 2 Fig. 1, the debris blower 1 comprises a first air cooling channel 11. The first air cooling channel 11 fluidly connects the first battery accommodation space 9 with the fan housing 3. That is, as can be seen in Fig. 1, the first air cooling channel 11 comprises a first end portion 13 located in the fan housing 3 and a second end portion 15 located at the first battery accommodation space 9. Thereby, the air flow through the fan housing 3 can generate an air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 to provide cooling of the first battery accommodation space 9 and the battery cells arranged therein, as will be further explained herein.

[0043] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first end portion 13 is located in the fan housing 3 to provide an exhaust of air through the first end portion 13 during operation of the blower 1, thus exploiting the exhaust effect on the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 obtained by the air flow through the fan housing 3. Thereby, due to these features, an air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 in a direction from the first battery accommodation space 9 towards the first end portion 13 is obtained. Since the exhaust effect is exploited, the air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 is obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing 3 and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Thereby, due to these features, the air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the debris blower 1.

[0044] Figure 2 Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 2 Fig. 1, according to the illustrated embodiment, the debris blower 1 comprises a second air cooling channel 31. The second air cooling channel 31 fluidly connects the second battery accommodation space 29 with the fan housing 3. That is, as can be seen in Fig. 1, the second air cooling channel 31 comprises a first end portion 33 located in the fan housing 3 and a second end portion 35 located at the second battery accommodation space 29. Thereby, the air flow through the fan housing 3 can generate an air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 to provide cooling of the second battery accommodation space 29 and the battery cells arranged therein.

[0045] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first end portion 33 is located in the fan housing 3 to provide for air to be discharged through the first end portion 33 during operation of the dust blower 1, thus exploiting the discharge effect on the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 obtained by the air flow through the fan housing 3. Due to these features, therefore, an air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 is obtained in a direction from the second battery accommodation space 29 towards the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31. Since the discharge effect is exploited, the air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 is obtained without significantly interfering with the air flow through the fan housing 3 and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Due to these features, therefore, the air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 can be obtained without significantly reducing the operating efficiency of the dust blower 1.

[0046] According to the illustrated embodiment, the second air cooling channel 31 is spaced apart from the first air cooling channel 11. Thereby, the same and stable air flow rate can be provided between the first air cooling channel 11 and the second air cooling channel 31 independently of the number of battery cells currently in use. Due to these features, therefore, the same and stable cooling can be provided between the first battery accommodation space 9 and the second battery accommodation space 29 in a manner independent of the number of battery cells currently in use. That is, since the second air cooling channel 31 is spaced apart from the first air cooling channel 11, the flow rate of air through the first air cooling channel 11 is independent of whether battery cells are arranged in the second battery accommodation space 29 or not, and vice versa.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, when each of the first battery accommodation space 9 and the second battery accommodation space 29 is arranged with battery cells, the second air cooling channel 31 is designed to provide the same flow rate of air as the flow rate of air through the first air cooling channel 11. Thereby, the two battery cells arranged in the battery accommodation spaces 9, 29, respectively, of the dust blower 1 are cooled identically.

[0048] According to the illustrated embodiment, the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 and the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 are located at the suction side 3’ of the fan housing 3. That is, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 and the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 are located upstream of the fan 5 when viewed in the flow direction fd. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, one or both of the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 and the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 can be located at the pressure side 3” of the fan housing 3, i.e. downstream of the fan 5 when viewed in the flow direction fd.

[0049] Figure 3An enlarged view of the section shown in Figure 2 As shown in Figure 3 The opening direction d1 of the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 is angled with respect to the flow direction fd. According to the shown embodiment, the angle a1 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d1 of the first end portion 13 is about 45 degrees. Due to the angle a1, an improved discharge effect is provided on the first end portion 13, which facilitates to provide an air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 during operation of the blower 1 in a way that has a low impact on the air flow through the fan housing 3. According to other embodiments, the angle a1 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d1 of the first end portion 13 can be in the range of 5 to 80 degrees or in the range of 25 to 65 degrees.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3 The opening direction d2 of the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 is angled with respect to the flow direction fd. According to the shown embodiment, the angle a2 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d2 of the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 is about 45 degrees. Due to the angle a1, an improved discharge effect is provided on the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31, which facilitates to provide an air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 during operation of the blower 1 in a way that has a low impact on the air flow through the fan housing 3. According to other embodiments, the angle a2 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d2 of the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 can be in the range of 5 to 80 degrees or in the range of 25 to 65 degrees.

[0051] The opening direction d1, d2 of the first end portion 13, 33 can be defined as the direction d1, d2 which coincides with the flow direction of the air obtained through the respective first end portion 13, 33 when the air is forced through the first end portion 13 and the second end portion 33 and there is no air flow through the fan housing 3 generated by the fan 5.

[0052] Figure 4 A battery unit 10, 10’ according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. According to the shown embodiment, the battery unit 10, 10’ is a battery pack comprising a battery housing 19 and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the battery housing 19 as explained further herein. Hence, throughout the present disclosure, the word “battery unit” can be replaced by the word “battery pack”. The battery unit 10, 10’ comprises electrical contacts arranged to match the electrical contacts 12 of the first battery receiving space 9 or the electrical contacts 32 of the second battery receiving space 29 as shown in Figure 1 Hence, the battery unit 10, 10’ can be connected to the electrical contacts 12 of the first battery receiving space 9 or the electrical contacts 32 of the second battery receiving space 29 viaFigure 2 The electrical contact 12 of the first battery accommodation space 9 or the electrical contact 32 of the second battery accommodation space 29 supplies power to the electric motor 7. Thus, the battery unit 10, 10’ is detachably arranged in the first battery accommodation space 9 and in the second battery accommodation space 29 in a predetermined orientation to supply power to the electric motor. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the electrical contact of the battery unit 10, 10’ is not shown in Figure 4 .

[0053] Figure 5 A cross-section through the battery unit 10, 10’ shown in Figure 4 is shown. As can be seen in Figure 5 , the battery unit 10, 10’ comprises a plurality of battery cells 21 arranged in a battery housing 19. The battery unit 10, 10’ can comprise rechargeable battery cells 21, for example lithium-ion battery cells. These battery cells 21 are arranged at a distance from each other such that a gap is formed between adjacent battery cells 21 of the battery unit 10, 10’.

[0054] The following is explained with simultaneous reference to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 . As can be seen in Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the battery housing 19 comprises a set of openings 23. When the battery unit 10, 10’ is arranged in the first battery accommodation space 9 or in the second battery accommodation space 29 in the predetermined orientation, the openings 23 are configured to overlap with the second end portion 15 of the first air cooling channel 11 or with the second end portion 35 of the second air cooling channel 31. That is, when the battery unit 10, 10’ is arranged in the first battery accommodation space 9 in the predetermined orientation, the openings 23 are configured to overlap with the second end portion 15 of the first air cooling channel 11, as shown in Figure 2 . Likewise, when the battery unit 10, 10’ is arranged in the second battery accommodation space 29 in the predetermined orientation, the openings 23 are configured to overlap with the second end portion 35 of the second air cooling channel 31, as shown in Figure 2 .

[0055] Further, as can be seen in Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the battery housing 19 comprises a set of additional openings 25 arranged at a distance from the set of openings 23 configured to overlap the second end portion 15, 35 of the air cooling channel 11, 31. According to the shown embodiment, the set of additional openings 25 is arranged at the side of the battery cell 10, 10' opposite to the set of openings 23 configured to overlap the second end portion 15, 35 of the air cooling channel 11, 31. Thereby, when the battery cell 10, 10' is arranged in the battery accommodation space 9, 29 and the debris blower 1 is operated, an air flow fx through the battery housing 19 is obtained. I.e. according to the shown embodiment, the obtained air flow fx enters into the battery housing 19 via the additional openings 25 and flows out of the battery housing 19 into the second end portion 15, 35 of the air cooling channel 11, 31 via the set of openings 23, wherein the battery cell 10, 10' is arranged. Thus, due to these features, an effective cooling of the battery cells 21 of the battery cell 10, 10' is provided and thereby an overheating of the battery cell 10, 10' is avoided.

[0056] Figure 6 A perspective view of the debris blower 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 A perspective view of the debris blower 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The battery cell 10, 10' shown in

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 6 The respective first battery accommodation space 9 and second battery accommodation space 29 comprises an opening face. Furthermore, as Figure 1 shown, each of the first battery accommodation space 9 and second battery accommodation space 29 comprises a recess 14, 34 provided in the delimiting wall of the battery accommodation space 9, 29. The recess 14, 34 is arranged at the side of the respective first battery accommodation space 9 and second battery accommodation space 29 opposite to the second end portion 15, 35 at the battery accommodation space 9, 29, as can be seen in Figure 1 Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 ​The additional openings 25 of the battery units 10, 10' overlap. When the battery units 10, 10' are arranged in the battery accommodation spaces 9, 29, the recesses 14, 34 serve as air inlet holes. Thereby, it is ensured that air can flow into the additional openings 25 of the battery units 10, 10 in an effective manner via the recesses 14, 34 of the respective battery accommodation spaces 9, 29.

[0058] As explained herein, according to the illustrated embodiment, the debris blower 1 comprises two battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 and two air cooling channels 11, 31. However, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the debris blower 1 can comprise other numbers of battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 and air cooling channels 11, 31, such as one, three, four, etc. According to such embodiments, one or more battery accommodation spaces and one or more air cooling channels can comprise the same features, functions and advantages as the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 and the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 described herein.

[0059] Furthermore, as explained herein, according to the illustrated embodiment, an air flow is generated from the second end portion 15 of the first air cooling channel 11 and the second end portion 35 of the second air cooling channel 31 in a direction towards the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel and the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel. However, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 and the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 can be designed and / or adapted to generate an air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 and the second air cooling channel 31 in a direction from the first end portions 13, 33 towards the second end portions 15, 35.

[0060] Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the debris blower 1 can be operated by suction at the nozzle instead of air flow out of the nozzle. This can be achieved by running the fan 5 in a direction opposite to the direction of operation described with reference to Figure 1 Fig. 1, or by changing the flow path through the blower to create an opposite flow direction at the nozzle. According to such embodiments, the debris blower 1 can also be referred to as a suction debris machine / vacuum cleaner, or simply as a vacuum debris or vacuum leaf collector.

[0061] As used herein, the expression "substantially parallel to" can encompass an angle between the items in question of less than 7 degrees.

[0062] It should be understood that the foregoing is a description of various example embodiments and that the application is defined solely by the claims that follow. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the example embodiments can be modified somewhat and that different features of the example embodiments can be combined to produce embodiments other than those described herein.

[0063] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," "contains," "containing," or variations thereof, are open-ended and do not mean that the process includes, comprises, or contains only the stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions, but can include one or more of them as well as other features, elements, steps, components, or functions.

Claims

1. A debris blower (1) comprising: - a fan housing (3); - a fan (5) configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing (3); - an electric motor (7) configured to power the fan (5); - a first battery accommodation space (9) spaced apart from the fan housing by a distance and configured to accommodate a battery unit for powering the electric motor (7); - a second battery accommodation space (29) spaced apart from both the first battery accommodation space and the fan housing and configured to accommodate a battery unit for powering the electric motor (7); and - a plurality of ducts, one of the plurality of ducts having one end connected to the first battery accommodation space (9) and the other end extending into an interior of the fan housing (3) to define a first air cooling channel (11) fluidly connecting the first battery accommodation space (9) and the fan housing (3), another of the plurality of ducts having one end connected to the second battery accommodation space (29) and the other end extending into the interior of the fan housing (3) to define a second air cooling channel (31) fluidly connecting the second battery accommodation space (29) and the fan housing (3). The first air cooling channel (11) comprises a first end portion (13) in the fan housing (3) to provide air expelled through the first end portion (13) of the first air cooling channel during operation of the blower (1).

2. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The fan (5) is arranged in the fan housing (3), and wherein the first air cooling channel (11) comprises a first end portion (13) at a suction side (3’) of the fan housing (3).

3. The blower (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The fan (5) is configured to generate an airflow having a flow direction (fd) through the fan housing (3), wherein the first air cooling channel (11) comprises a first end portion (13) in the fan housing (3), and wherein an opening direction (dl) of the first end portion (13) of the first air cooling channel is angled relative to the flow direction (fd) to provide the airflow through the first air cooling channel (11) during operation of the blower (1).

4. The blower (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein An angle (al) between the flow direction (fd) and the opening direction (dl) of the first end portion (13) of the first air cooling channel is in a range of 5 degrees to 80 degrees.

5. The air blower (1) according to claim 4, wherein The blower (1) comprises a first battery unit (10) which is detachably arrangeable in the first battery accommodation space (9) in a predetermined orientation to power the electric motor (7).

6. The blower (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein ​ 7. The air blower (1) according to claim 6, wherein The first air cooling channel (11) comprises a second end portion (15) at the first battery accommodation space (9), and wherein the first battery unit (10) is a battery pack comprising a battery housing (19) and a plurality of battery cells (21) arranged in the battery housing (19), wherein the battery housing (19) comprises one or more openings (23) configured to overlap with the second end portion (15) of the first air cooling channel when the first battery unit (10) is arranged in the first battery accommodation space (9) in a predetermined orientation.

8. The air blower (1) according to claim 7, wherein The battery housing (19) comprises one or more additional openings (25) arranged at a distance from the one or more openings (23) configured to overlap with the second end portion (15) of the first air cooling channel.

9. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The air blower (1) comprises a first battery unit (10) which is detachably arrangeable in the first battery accommodation space (9) in a predetermined orientation to power the electric motor (7), and wherein the first battery unit (10) is detachably arrangeable in the second battery accommodation space (29) in a predetermined orientation to power the electric motor (7).

10. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The second air cooling channel (31) is spaced apart from the first air cooling channel (11).

11. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The second air cooling channel (31) comprises a first end portion (33) in the fan housing (3) to provide air exhausted through the first end portion (33) of the second air cooling channel during operation of the air blower (1).

12. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The fan (5) is arranged in the fan housing (3), and wherein the second air cooling channel (31) comprises a first end portion (33) at a suction side (3’) of the fan housing (3).

13. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The fan (5) is configured to generate an airflow having a flow direction (fd) through the fan housing (3), wherein the second air cooling channel (31) comprises a first end portion (33) in the fan housing (3), and wherein an opening direction (d2) of the first end portion (33) of the second air cooling channel is angled relative to the flow direction (fd) to provide an airflow through the second air cooling channel (31) during operation of the air blower (1).

14. The air blower (1) according to claim 13, wherein An angle (a2) between the flow direction (fd) and the opening direction (d2) of the first end portion (33) of the second air cooling channel is in a range of 5 degrees to 80 degrees.

15. The air blower (1) according to claim 1, wherein The air blower (1) comprises a second battery unit (10’) which is detachably arrangeable in the second battery accommodation space (29) in a predetermined orientation to power the electric motor (7).

16. The air blower (1) according to claim 15, wherein The second air cooling passage (31) includes a second end portion (35) at the second battery accommodation space (29), and wherein the second battery unit (10') is a battery pack including a battery case (19) and a plurality of battery cells (21) arranged in the battery case (19), wherein the battery case (19) includes one or more openings (23) configured to overlap with the second end portion (35) of the second air cooling passage (31) when the second battery unit (10') is arranged in the second battery accommodation space (29) in a predetermined orientation.

17. The air blower (1) according to claim 4, wherein An angle (a1) between the flow direction (fd) and an opening direction (d1) of the first end portion (13) of the first air cooling passage is in a range of 25 degrees to 65 degrees.

18. The air blower (1) according to claim 13, wherein An angle (a2) between the flow direction (fd) and an opening direction (d2) of the first end portion (33) of the second air cooling passage is in a range of 25 degrees to 65 degrees.

Images