Backpack leaf blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaf blower designs suffer from reduced efficiency due to air flow resistance caused by elbows or bends in the air path and are uncomfortable to wear due to the motor's distance from the user's back, increasing strain.
Innovation Solution
A backpack leaf blower design with a motor positioned at an angle between 5-35 degrees relative to the back plate and a blower system angle of 55-85 degrees, allowing direct air flow without elbows and positioning the motor's center of gravity closer to the user's back for comfort and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the motor is positioned far away from the user's back, then the blower system can be designed with conventional configurations, but the strain on the user increases and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is repositioned from a conventional horizontal arrangement to an angled configuration (5-35 degrees) relative to the back plate, utilizing the vertical dimension along the user's spine. This dimensional change allows the motor to be closer to the user's back while maintaining functional clearance, resolving the contradiction between conventional configuration and user comfort.
2Volume of moving object
If elbows or bends are included in the air path, then the blower system can be compact, but air flow resistance increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air path is reconfigured to extend along the vertical dimension parallel to the user's spine rather than using horizontal elbows or bends. This dimensional reorientation allows the air path to be elongated without increasing horizontal footprint, eliminating the need for bends while maintaining compact overall dimensions and improving air flow efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the motor is repositioned closer to the user's back, then user comfort and strain reduction improve, but the blower system configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The motor positioning is defined by specific angular parameters (5-35 degrees relative to the back plate) rather than complex spatial arrangements. This parameter-based specification simplifies the configuration by reducing it to controllable angular measurements, making the complex positioning task manageable through defined geometric constraints.
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 reduces air resistance, increasing efficiency and comfort by aligning the motor with the user's spine, reducing strain and improving usability.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller at least partially positioned within the chamber and having an axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A leaf blower (10) to be worn by a user. The leaf blower (10) including a frame (14) having a back plate (26) defining a back plate plane (30) and a blower system (18) coupled to the frame (14). The blower system (18) includes a motor (46) having drive shaft, the drive shaft (64) defining an axis (66), and the axis (66) forms an angle (B) with respect to the back plate plane (30) between about 5 degrees and about 35 degrees.