Blower Protrusion for Faster Vacuum Switch Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blowers do not efficiently manage air flow when the exhaust or appliance flue is blocked, leading to delayed vacuum switch triggering and requiring higher power motors, which increases costs and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A blower design featuring a protrusion adjacent the static tap hole, which redirects air flow back towards the static tap hole when blocked, allowing for quicker pressure drop and enabling the use of lower power motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing blower design is used, then the blower can operate normally, but the vacuum switch triggering is delayed when exhaust or appliance flue is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is positioned adjacent to the static tap hole to pre-position the air flow path before blockage occurs. When blockage happens, the air flow is already directed toward the protrusion and can be quickly redirected back through the static tap hole, eliminating the need for the blower to build up significant negative pressure first.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the blocked exhaust path and the static tap hole. It provides a intermediate air flow path that redirects air back toward the static tap hole when the main exhaust path is blocked, enabling faster pressure equalization and quicker vacuum switch response.
2Reliability
If higher power motors are used to compensate for delayed vacuum switch triggering, then the vacuum switch can trigger eventually, but the power consumption and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion creates a self-regulating air flow system that automatically redirects air when blockage occurs. The air flow naturally follows the path of least resistance and is guided by the protrusion geometry, eliminating the need for additional power to force air through the system or to detect blockage conditions.
3Productivity
If a protrusion is added adjacent the static tap hole, then the vacuum switch triggers more quickly and lower power motors can be used, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is a localized geometric feature added only at the specific location adjacent to the static tap hole. It modifies the air flow characteristics only in the critical region where blockage detection occurs, without requiring changes to the overall blower architecture or other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion introduces an asymmetric geometric feature into the otherwise symmetric blower housing. This asymmetry creates a preferential air flow path that guides air toward the static tap hole when blockage occurs, providing functional advantage through simple geometric modification rather than complex mechanical systems.
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 blower design reduces the time it takes for negative pressure to decrease, triggering the vacuum switch more quickly in case of blockages, and allows for the use of lower power motors, thereby reducing costs and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A blower design featuring a protrusion adjacent the static tap hole, which redirects air flow back towards the static tap hole when blocked
Data Source
AI summary
A blower comprising a blower housing, a blower wheel, and a motor. The blower wheel is within the blower housing and has a plurality of blades. The motor is operatively connected to the blower wheel to rotate the blower wheel about an axis of rotation. The blower housing comprises a wall perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The wall has a static tap hole having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The static tap hole is positioned near an axial side of the blower wheel such that as the blower wheel rotates, any of the blades of the blower wheel passes the leading edge of the static tap hole before passing the trailing edge of the static tap hole. The wall comprises a protrusion protruding axially from the wall and toward the blower wheel. The protrusion is located adjacent the trailing edge of the static tap hole.