Backpack Blower Layout for Rear Air Intake and Weight Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backpack blowers, especially gas-powered ones, face inefficiencies due to limited air intake size and the need for fuel storage, which affects performance and environmental impact, while battery-powered blowers struggle with weight distribution and user fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered backpack blower design with a rear-mounted volute assembly and strategically positioned battery and motor housing to optimize air intake and balance mass, reducing torque forces and enhancing user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fan air intake is positioned on the side of the blower, then the blower can be compact, but the air intake vent size is limited which reduces airflow rate and blower performance
Solution Approach 1:
The volute assembly is inverted so that the fan air intake faces rearward instead of forward or sideways. This allows the air intake to be positioned at the rear of the blower where it can be much larger, thereby increasing the airflow rate while maintaining a compact overall design.
2Productivity
If the battery is positioned to optimize airflow, then air intake efficiency improves, but weight distribution becomes unbalanced increasing user fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The blower components are asymmetrically arranged with the volute assembly positioned on one side of the battery. This asymmetric configuration allows the air intake to be optimized for airflow while the counterbalancing effect of the volute assembly helps distribute the weight more evenly, reducing user fatigue.
3Power
If gas-powered blowers are used, then high power is achieved, but emissions are released and fuel storage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The internal combustion engine is replaced with an electric motor powered by a battery. This substitution eliminates the mechanical combustion process that produces emissions, while the electric motor provides sufficient power for the blower application without requiring fuel storage.
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 improves airflow efficiency, reduces user fatigue, and minimizes environmental impact by providing a balanced and efficient operation with a larger air intake area and better weight distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a fan member to generate air flow therethrough
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The battery- powered backpack blower includes a back support assembly including a back plate configured to permit a user to mount the blower to the user's back, and a volute assembly including a first volute portion and a second volute portion. The backpack blower further includes a housing assembly including a battery assembly and a motor assembly therein, the housing assembly is provided intermediate to the back assembly and the volute assembly.