Adjustable Electric Blower for Stable Fire Start-Up Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for accelerating combustion, such as bellows, are bulky, difficult to use, and often extinguish or disperse embers, making it challenging to quickly start charcoal grills and other fires safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An electric blower with a cylindrical housing and fan assembly that provides a low-velocity, high-volume airflow, allowing for secure attachment to a structure near the fire, with adjustable positioning and a removable power source, designed to safely and effectively accelerate combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional bellows are used to accelerate combustion, then air supply to the fire is increased, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical bellows system with an electric fan assembly that can be attached to a drill or other rotary power tool. The electric motor-driven fan eliminates the need for manual pumping action, making the device much easier to operate while maintaining high air delivery capability for combustion acceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the air delivery function into separate components: a fan assembly that can be independently attached to various power sources. This modular approach allows the same fan unit to be used with different drill or motor types, improving ease of operation and accessibility.
2Productivity
If traditional bellows are used to blow air on fire, then combustion is accelerated, but the fire may be extinguished or embers dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a controlled pneumatic air delivery system through a hollow shaft and discharge opening that positions air flow precisely at the fuel source. This controlled delivery method accelerates combustion without the chaotic, high-velocity bursts from bellows that can extinguish flames or scatter embers.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shaft and discharge opening act as an intermediary between the fan and the fire, controlling and directing the air flow in a focused, stable manner that promotes reliable combustion acceleration without disrupting the fire.
3Productivity
If high velocity air flow is used to accelerate combustion, then oxygen supply is increased, but ash and embers are blown away
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers air through a controlled pneumatic pathway that provides sufficient oxygen for rapid combustion while maintaining stable, non-dispersive flow characteristics that prevent embers and ash from being blown away.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow is concentrated locally at the discharge opening positioned at the fuel source, providing high oxygen delivery exactly where needed for combustion acceleration, while the overall flow velocity and direction are controlled to avoid disturbing embers and ash in other areas.
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 electric blower facilitates quicker fire start-up times for charcoal grills, fireplaces, and campfires by delivering a consistent, high volume of air without extinguishing the fire or generating embers, making it safer and more convenient than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The fan assembly is rotatable about the axis of rotation to induce air flow through the bore between the inlet opening and the outlet opening such that air is expelled from the outlet opening
Data Source
AI summary
A blower for use to provide combustion air to a fire (e.g., to assist in the lighting of a fire). The blower may include a cylindrical housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a bore extending between the inlet and the outlet. A fan and power source may be provided to induce air flow from the inlet opening and through the bore such that air is expelled from the outlet opening. The outlet air exiting the outlet opening may travel in a direction substantially parallel with a central axis of the cylindrical housing. The blower may be supported by an infinitely adjustable flexible member that may be manipulated to position the blower with respect to the fire to provide outlet air to the fire. The flexible member may be engaged with a clip to attach the blower to a structure adjacent to the fire.