Backpack Rake Vacuum With Leaf Mulching and Removable Bag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for collecting leaves and debris are cumbersome, expensive, or lack essential components like a rake, vacuum, or biodegradable bags, making efficient leaf cleanup difficult, especially in large areas like lawns and stadiums.
Innovation Solution
A combination rake/vacuum apparatus with a battery-driven brushless motor, shredding impeller, and biodegradable bags, allowing for efficient leaf collection and mulching directly on the user's back, using interchangeable rake heads and a vacuum system that mulches leaves and directs them into a removable bag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a lawn tractor with vacuum is used to collect leaves, then leaves can be collected and disposed of, but the device is expensive and requires a large vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the leaf collection system into separate functional components: a handheld rake for gathering leaves, a backpack-mounted vacuum unit for suction, and a removable collection bag for storage. This segmentation eliminates the need for a large lawn tractor while maintaining effective leaf collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum motor and collection bag are extracted from the traditional lawn tractor platform and placed in a compact backpack configuration. This extraction allows the system to function effectively without requiring a large vehicle, reducing both cost and complexity.
2Device complexity
If a simple rake is used to collect leaves, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the user must manually contain and transport leaves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges a rake with a vacuum system and collection bag into a single integrated apparatus. The rake portion gathers leaves while the vacuum simultaneously sucks them up into the collection bag, eliminating the need for manual leaf containment and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus serves multiple functions: the rake tines gather and flip leaves, the vacuum motor creates suction to lift leaves, and the collection bag stores the collected debris. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate tools for raking, collecting, and transporting leaves.
3Productivity
If a vacuum system with collection bag is used, then leaves can be collected and stored, but the bag is difficult to remove and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The collection bag is extracted as a separate, removable component from the vacuum housing. This allows users to easily detach a full bag and replace it with an empty one without disassembling the entire vacuum system, significantly improving operational convenience.
4Device complexity
If a backpack-mounted vacuum is used, then the system is more portable, but it lacks the functionality to mulch and dispose of leaves
Solution Approach 1:
The backpack vacuum is equipped with a shredding impeller that mulches collected leaves into small particles. This multi-functional capability allows the compact portable system to not only collect and store leaves but also process and dispose of them through mulching, eliminating the need for separate disposal equipment.
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, efficient, and cost-effective collection and disposal of leaves and debris, including biodegradable options, suitable for both residential and large event settings, with interchangeable rake heads and a versatile vacuum system.
Implementation Method 1
a battery-driven brushless motor-powered shredding impeller, which collects leaves with a rake, mulches them
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum unit contains a battery-driven brushless motor that turns an alloy or plastic shredding impeller... This redirection causes a vacuum to form in the input pipe which sucks leaves and other debris
Implementation Method 3
The shredding impeller has curved blades and redirect air from in input pipe to an exhaust pipe. This redirection causes a vacuum to form in the input pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A combination rake/refuse collector has a rake portion which traps leaves and other debris, a handle portion which contains a hollow tube, a connector portion which connects the hollow tube to a vacuum unit, and a storage/processing container. The vacuum unit and storage processing container are carried via a shoulder harness with two straps on the back of user. The vacuum unit sucks leaves and other debris collected by the rake portion, through the hollow tube and the connector portion, and directs them to the vacuum storage bag where they are shredded and exhausted into the leaf vacuum bag. The handle portion allows the user to direct the rake portion.