Blower Attachment Asymmetry Prevents Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trimmer attachments lack a secure and easy-to-use blower mechanism that prevents inversion and facilitates quick attachment and detachment for multi-functional operations like cutting, trimming, and blowing debris.

Innovation Solution

A blower attachment with inclined plates and fins that define channels for air flow, featuring a retainer assembly for secure engagement with the trimmer head, allowing for easy installation and removal, and ensuring proper orientation to prevent inversion and enhance operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a blower attachment is added to a trimmer head, then multi-functional operation is enabled, but the risk of inversion and improper orientation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functional operationVSAvoidproper orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blower attachment employs asymmetric design features including an asymmetric fin arrangement where fins are positioned at specific angular locations (e.g., 0°, 120°, 240°) rather than uniform distribution, and asymmetric channel geometries where inlet and outlet openings are positioned at distinct locations. This asymmetry creates a unique proper orientation that prevents inversion and ensures correct installation, thereby resolving the contradiction between enabling multi-functional operation and maintaining reliable proper orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented, then reliability is improved, but attachment and detachment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure engagementVSAvoidattachment and detachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a retainer assembly with multiple retainers that can independently engage with the trimmer head body, and a blower attachment body with corresponding engagement features. This segmentation allows for modular secure engagement where each retainer provides independent locking, ensuring reliability while allowing quick attachment by simply placing the attachment on the body and engaging the retainers simultaneously, thus reducing overall attachment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer assembly is designed with retainers that are pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage with the trimmer head body upon insertion. The preliminary positioning and spring mechanism ensure that secure engagement occurs automatically without requiring additional fastening operations, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing the time required for attachment and detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If fins and channels are designed for efficient air flow, then blower performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow efficiencyVSAvoidfins and channels structure

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blower attachment employs local quality optimization where fins are strategically positioned at specific locations (e.g., leading edges of channels) and have specific geometric properties (e.g., angle, height, spacing) tailored to local flow requirements. The channels are designed with optimized cross-sectional areas, entrance shapes, and exit configurations at different locations along the air path. This localized optimization achieves efficient air flow and high blower performance while keeping the overall device complexity manageable by avoiding unnecessary structural elements throughout the entire component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 quick and secure attachment/detachment of the blower attachment, ensuring proper orientation to prevent debris from being drawn in or expelled, enhancing operational efficiency and user convenience by allowing rapid switching between different trimmer functions.

Implementation Method 1

Each channel extends between the first plate and the second plate from a radially inner annular inlet opening to a radially outer outlet opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3536138B1Blower attachment for a trimmer head

Publication Date: 2021.06.02 TTI MACAO COMML OFFSHORE LTD

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AI summary

A blower attachment and an assembly for a trimmer. The blower attachment includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from and inclined with respect to the first plate, and a plurality of fins coupled between the first plate and the second plate. The adjacent fins defines channels therebetween. Each channel extends between the first plate and the second plate, from a radially inner annular inlet opening to a radially outer outlet opening.