Portable Blower Cord Wrap With Onboard Retainer Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable debris blowers often require users to manually manage and store elongate electrical power cords, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming, as the cords are typically stored separately and need to be reattached each time the device is used.
Innovation Solution
A handheld blower with a housing featuring a cord winding surface and a tapered extension tube, combined with a cord retainer that forms a second winding surface, allowing the elongate cord to be securely wrapped and stored onboard the device, utilizing an interference fit to maintain the retainer's position and ensure cord tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power cord is stored separately from the blower, then the blower maintains a compact and simple design, but the user must manually manage and reattach the cord each time the device is used
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord is wound around a spool that is integrated into the blower housing. The spool is positioned within a recess in the housing, allowing the cord to be neatly stored onboard the device. This nesting approach enables the cord to be compactly contained within the blower's structure, eliminating the need for separate cord storage while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
2Loss of time
If the cord retainer is positioned to provide easy cord access, then the cord can be quickly attached and detached, but the retainer may interfere with the blower's compact form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The spool is pre-positioned in a recess in the housing with the cord already wound around it. The cord extends from the spool through a cord opening in the housing, so that when the blower is picked up, the cord is already in position and ready for use. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for the user to manually route or attach the cord each time the device is used, significantly reducing cord attachment time while maintaining a compact form factor.
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 convenient onboard storage and quick reattachment of the power cord, reducing user effort and improving operational efficiency by keeping the cord organized and readily available for use.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing an interference fit to maintain the retainer's position and ensure cord tension
Data Source
AI summary
A cord retainer and cord wrap system for use with a portable (e.g., handheld) electric blower, and a blower incorporating the same. The system may allow for storage of the cord onboard the blower when the latter is not in use. Embodiments of the invention may utilize a portion of the blower housing to form one winding surface for the cord. A second winding surface may be provided by a cord retainer that may be secured in place along the extension tube of the blower, e.g., via interference fit. Other embodiments may include two or more nozzles that may be selectively inserted into the extension tube to permit selective tuning of blower performance.