Backpack Blower Starting Lever Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Backpack blowers powered by gasoline or petrol engines require operators to remove the device from their back to restart using a recoil starter, which is inefficient and inconvenient, especially when needing to restart frequently.

Innovation Solution

A starting assembly with a pivotable starting lever integrated into the backpack harness allows users to start the engine without removing the blower, utilizing a gear assembly and spring mechanism to build tension and overcome engine compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a recoil starter is used to start the engine, then the engine can be started, but the operator must remove the backpack before restarting, which is inconvenient and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of startingVSAvoidtime for doffing and re-donning backpack

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the starting function from the traditional ground-based recoil starter configuration and relocates it to the backpack harness itself. The starting assembly is integrated into the harness structure, allowing the operator to initiate engine starting while wearing the backpack by pulling on a cord that winds a spring through a reel mechanism built into the harness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a spring-loaded reel mechanism as an intermediary between the operator's pulling action and the engine's crankshaft. The spring accumulates energy when the cord is pulled and releases it to rotate the crankshaft, mediating the starting function in a way that eliminates the need to remove the backpack while enabling engine ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the blower is placed on the ground for starting, then the recoil starter can be operated easily, but the operator must repeatedly remove and put on the backpack for restarting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of recoil starter operationVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the starting function from the ground-based operation requirement and integrates it into the backpack harness system. The starting assembly becomes a separate, self-contained unit within the harness that provides all necessary starting components (reel, spring, cord) locally, eliminating the need for ground placement and enabling restarting while wearing the backpack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backpack harness is given multiple functions: it not only supports and positions the blower but also provides the engine starting capability. The starting assembly integrated into the harness makes the backpack a multi-functional device that combines carrying and engine ignition functions, eliminating the need for separate ground-based starting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a traditional recoil starter is used, then the starting mechanism is simple, but it requires the operator to access the starter from the ground level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of starting mechanismVSAvoidaccessibility of starting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions the starting mechanism from a ground-level horizontal operation to a backpack-integrated vertical/configuration change. The starting assembly is positioned on the backpack in a location that allows the operator to access and operate it while wearing the backpack, changing the spatial dimension and configuration of starting operation from ground-based to body-mounted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables easy and convenient engine starting without removing the blower from the user's back, improving operational efficiency and user experience by allowing repeated starts without the need for frequent doffing and re-donning.

Implementation Method 1

a spring assembly configured to accumulate tension responsive to rotation of the gear assembly and release the accumulated tension to turn the crank shaft of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring tension: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The starting lever may include a lever arm operably coupled to an axial member at a distal end of the axial member. The starting lever may be pivotable about an axis formed by the axial member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever pivot: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS11812703B2Backpack blower with improved starting mechanism

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

A starting assembly for a backpack blower may include a starting lever. The backpack blower may include an engine and a backpack harness configured to support the blower on a back of a user wearing the backpack harness. The starting lever may include a lever arm operably coupled to an axial member at a distal end of the axial member. The starting lever may be pivotable about an axis formed by the axial member by a user wearing the blower via the backpack harness to start the engine.