Angled Backpack Leaf Blower Layout for Direct Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaf blower designs suffer from reduced efficiency due to air resistance caused by elbows or bends in the air path and are uncomfortable to wear due to the motor being positioned away from the user's back, increasing strain.
Innovation Solution
A backpack leaf blower design with a frame that positions the blower system at an angle, allowing direct air flow without elbows and placing the motor closer to the user's back for reduced strain and increased comfort, using a centrifugal blower system with a housing and impeller oriented to minimize air resistance and absorb vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air path includes elbows or bends to direct exhaust air, then the device can be compact in size, but air resistance increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the blower system so that the impeller's working plane forms an angle of 55-85 degrees with the back plate plane, creating a three-dimensional air flow path that eliminates the need for traditional horizontal elbows and bends. This angular configuration allows air to flow directly from the impeller through the housing to the nozzle without resistance-causing directional changes.
2Ease of operation
If the motor is positioned far from the user's back, then there is more space for air flow and cooling, but user strain increases and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the motor and impeller assembly at an angular orientation relative to the back plate, with the impeller's working plane forming 55-85 degrees with the back plate plane. This angular positioning allows the motor to be placed close to the user's back while maintaining adequate space for air intake and exhaust flow, thereby improving both comfort and airflow efficiency simultaneously.
3Productivity
If the blower system is oriented perpendicular to the back plate, then air flow path is simplified, but the device depth increases and becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric angular orientation of the blower system, with the impeller's working plane forming an optimized angle of 55-85 degrees with the back plate plane. This asymmetric configuration balances the competing requirements by simplifying the air flow path enough to maintain efficiency while limiting the device depth to remain compact and wearable.
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 design enhances efficiency by reducing air resistance and improves user comfort by aligning the motor's center of gravity with the user's back, making the leaf blower more effective and easier to carry.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller at least partially positioned within the chamber and having an axis of rotation
Data Source
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AI summary
A leaf blower (10) to be worn by a user. The leaf blower including a frame (14) having a back plate (26) defining a back plate plane (30), and a blower system coupled to the frame. The blower system (18) includes a housing (50) defining a chamber (68) and an impeller (48) at least partially positioned within the chamber (68) and having an axis of rotation (66). The housing (50) defines a working plane (70) substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (66) of the impeller (48), and the working plane (70) of the housing (50) forms an angle (C) with respect to the back plate plane (30) of between 55 degrees and 85 degrees.