Motor-Driven Fan Cooling for Electric Pruners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motorized pruners often suffer from overheating due to inadequate cooling, leading to reduced performance and user discomfort, with existing heat sinks increasing size and not providing sufficient cooling during prolonged use.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a fan to cool the motor, driven by the electric motor actuating the cutting tool, eliminating the need for a dedicated cooling motor and reducing bulkiness, with the fan capable of operating in both directions to optimize airflow and minimize noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a passive heat sink is used to cool the motor, then the cooling function is provided, but the size of the shears increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor coolingVSAvoidshears size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor serves dual functions: actuating the cutting tool and driving the cooling fan. The motor's own rotational motion is utilized to power the fan, eliminating the need for a separate cooling mechanism and reducing overall device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling function is merged with the motor's actuation function. The fan is directly coupled to the motor shaft, combining the motor's primary function (tool actuation) with the cooling function through a single integrated component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If a passive heat sink is used to cool the motor, then the cooling function is provided, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient during prolonged use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor cooling efficiencyVSAvoidprolonged use performance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fan operates periodically whenever the motor is activated for cutting operations. This periodic operation provides active cooling during high-heat generation periods, improving cooling efficiency compared to passive heat sinks while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The motor automatically drives the cooling fan during its operation, creating a self-regulating cooling system that activates when needed (during motor use) and provides sufficient cooling power without external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If a dedicated motor is added to drive the fan, then the cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidmotor architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is designed to perform multiple functions: actuating the cutting tool through the transmission mechanism and driving the cooling fan simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated cooling motor, reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor's actuation function and cooling fan drive function are merged into a single component system. The motor shaft directly drives both the cutting tool mechanism and the cooling fan, simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution enhances cooling efficiency by up to 30%, reduces the pruner's size and weight, improves user comfort, and simplifies the architecture while maintaining effective ventilation and noise reduction.

Implementation Method 1

a fan arranged to cool said motor electric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3864955A1Secateurs with forced ventilation
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 INNOVATION FAB COMML INFACO
  • EP3864955A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3864955A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3864955A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a portable electric power pruner comprising a cutting tool (504) and an electric motor (202) for operating said cutting tool (504). Furthermore, the portable electric power pruner includes a fan (302) arranged to cool said electric motor (202).