Axial-Fan Blower Layout for Balanced Weight and Clear Air Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial-fan or in-line type blower designs face issues with battery placement, either obstructing air intake, requiring cumbersome harnesses and cables, or lacking removable batteries for efficient use and charging.
Innovation Solution
A blower design with a vertically aligned electric motor, rotatable fan, handle, and battery housing that positions the battery below the handle for balanced weight distribution and includes a battery housing that supports the blower when placed on the ground, maintaining the in-use position for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the battery is located at the rear of the blower where the air intake exists, then the battery placement is simple, but it obstructs the air intake
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is repositioned from the rear horizontal placement to a lower vertical position below the handle. This dimensional change in placement location eliminates the obstruction to air intake while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple repositioning rather than complex structural modifications
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the battery is placed on a user's back with a harness, then the air intake is not obstructed, but the device complexity increases due to harness and cable requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is extracted from the problematic rear placement and repositioned to a location below the handle. This extraction eliminates the need for external harnesses and cables while preventing air intake obstruction, thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The battery housing serves multiple functions: it houses the battery, provides structural support for the blower when placed on the ground, and positions the battery to prevent air intake obstruction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate harness and cable systems
3Device complexity
If the batteries are integrally secured in the handle, then the structure is simplified, but the battery cannot be removed for charging and continuous use with multiple batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into a removable battery unit and a battery housing. The battery can be easily removed from the housing for charging or replacement, while the housing remains integrally secured to the blower handle. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while enabling battery adaptability
4Ease of manufacture
If the center-of-gravity is not vertically aligned below the handle, then the manufacturing is easier, but moment forces increase on the user
Solution Approach 1:
The blower components are deliberately arranged in an asymmetric vertical alignment where the center-of-gravity is positioned directly below the handle. This asymmetric positioning creates a balanced weight distribution that reduces moment forces on the user during operation
5Device complexity
If the blower is not supported when placed on the ground, then the structure is simpler, but the blower housing is susceptible to scuffing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is designed to serve dual purposes: housing the battery and providing ground support for the blower. When the blower is placed on the ground, the battery housing contacts the surface, preventing the blower housing from scuffing while maintaining structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
An in-line blower having a housing with a substantially straight airflow path. A motor and fan are positioned within the airflow path, below the handle of the blower. A battery powers the motor, and is located below the housing so that the handle, motor and fan, and the battery are vertically aligned so the weight of the blower is aligned with the handle, and reduces moment forces acting thereon.