Debris Blower Fan Suspension for Noise and Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debris blowers, particularly those powered by electric motors, generate excessive noise and vibration, posing challenges in terms of user comfort and operational efficiency, and there is a need for cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A debris blower design featuring a fan assembly suspended via isolation elements, including circumferential and fan inlet/outlet isolation elements, which attenuate noise and vibration by reducing the transfer of these factors to the housing and ducts, while maintaining efficient airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the fan assembly is rigidly mounted to the housing and outlet duct, then structural stability and manufacturing simplicity are improved, but noise and vibration levels increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isolation elements as intermediary components between the fan assembly and the housing/outlet duct. These isolation elements act as mediators that decouple the fan assembly from rigid structural connections, thereby reducing noise and vibration transmission while maintaining structural integrity. The isolation elements are positioned at multiple locations including the outlet duct connection and housing mounting points to effectively break vibration paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is segmented into multiple isolated connection points rather than a single rigid connection. The fan assembly is mounted to the housing at separate locations using individual isolation elements, and the outlet duct connection is also isolated. This segmentation distributes and isolates vibration sources, preventing their transmission to the housing and reducing overall noise levels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If isolation elements are added to suspend the fan assembly, then noise and vibration are reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation elements are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide vibration isolation, noise reduction, and structural support for the fan assembly. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent avoids the need for separate vibration isolation mechanisms and support structures, thereby simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process while achieving the desired noise and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the viscoelastic properties of the isolation elements, which change their stiffness and damping characteristics based on frequency and temperature. This parameter change allows the isolation elements to effectively reduce noise and vibration across a broad frequency range without requiring complex active control systems or multiple different components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the fan assembly is completely suspended via isolation elements, then noise and vibration transfer to housing and outlet duct is minimized, but structural stability and airflow path integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation elements are pre-designed and pre-positioned to provide optimal isolation performance before the fan assembly is installed. The mounting structure incorporates predetermined isolation points that are engineered to maintain structural stability and airflow path integrity while providing vibration isolation. This preliminary design ensures that when the fan assembly is installed, the structural and airflow requirements are already satisfied by the isolation element configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies isolation elements at specific critical locations where vibration transmission occurs, rather than uniformly throughout the structure. The outlet duct connection and housing mounting points are identified as key isolation locations. At these local points, the isolation elements provide targeted noise and vibration reduction while maintaining overall structural stability and airflow path integrity in non-critical areas.
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 significantly reduces noise and vibration levels, enhances user comfort, and allows for cost-effective manufacturing by minimizing material usage and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one isolation element configured to reduce vibrations of the debris blower during operation
Implementation Method 2
only a fraction of the noise and vibration generated by the fan assembly will be transferred to the outlet duct during operation of the debris blower
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A debris blower (1) is disclosed comprising a housing (3), a fan assembly (5) arranged in the housing (3), an outlet duct (7), and at least one isolation element (9, 9', 9'', 9''') configured to reduce vibrations of the debris blower (1) during operation. The fan assembly (5) is suspended relative the outlet duct (7) completely via the at least one isolation element (9, 9', 9'', 9''').