Portable In-Line Fluid Blower Radial-Axial Flow Path

Solution Overview

Problem

Designing a portable in-line fluid blower that is compact, lightweight, and cost-effective while maintaining adequate fluid flow volume and velocity, and allowing for interchangeable units on a common support.

Innovation Solution

A portable fluid blower with a housing defining a fluid flow path with multiple stages, including a first stage where fluid is accelerated radially outwardly and diverted to a second stage with fixed vanes guiding the flow axially, followed by a third and fourth stage where the flow converges to a downstream outlet, utilizing a rotary component with blades and a drive assembly for efficient fluid discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the housing is enlarged to generate adequate fluid flow volume and velocity, then the fluid flow performance is improved, but the device becomes less compact and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow volume and velocityVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple functional stages (first stage for radial acceleration, second stage for axial flow conversion, third stage for convergence) that work together to achieve efficient fluid flow. This segmentation allows each compartment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes multi-dimensional flow paths, transitioning from radial flow in the first stage to axial flow in the second stage, and then to convergent flow in the third stage. This dimensional transformation allows adequate fluid flow volume and velocity within a compact housing by efficiently utilizing three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the housing is enlarged to generate adequate fluid flow volume and velocity, then the fluid flow performance is improved, but the device becomes less compact and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow volume and velocityVSAvoidblower weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple functional stages (first stage for radial acceleration, second stage for axial flow conversion, third stage for convergence) that work together to achieve efficient fluid flow. This segmentation allows each compartment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes multi-dimensional flow paths, transitioning from radial flow in the first stage to axial flow in the second stage, and then to convergent flow in the third stage. This dimensional transformation allows adequate fluid flow volume and velocity within a compact housing by efficiently utilizing three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the in-line configuration is used to allow interchangeable components on a common support, then the adaptability is improved, but the housing must be enlarged to generate adequate fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterchangeable components capabilityVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The in-line configuration is designed with a universal support structure that can accommodate different interchangeable components (blower units, line trimmer heads, cutting blades). The housing and support system are engineered to maintain adequate fluid flow performance while providing versatility for various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into multiple functional stages (first stage for radial acceleration, second stage for axial flow conversion, third stage for convergence) that work together to achieve efficient fluid flow. This segmentation allows each compartment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves efficient fluid flow and discharge with a compact and lightweight structure, enabling extended reach and reduced user strain, while maintaining a reasonable price point and allowing for interchangeable components.

Implementation Method 1

accelerate fluid incoming at the inlet radially outwardly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

generate the pressurized fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8936434B2Portable in-line fluid blower

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 ECHO INC

AI summary

A portable fluid blower with a housing having a central axis and defining a fluid flow path extending axially between an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. A fan assembly has a rotary component that is operable to draw fluid into a first stage of the flow path and accelerate fluid incoming at the inlet radially outwardly to against a first housing surface portion that diverts the fluid to a second stage of the flow path. The second flow path stage is defined by facing second and third housing surface portions that cause the fluid to flow substantially fully axially in an annular space extending around the central axis between the first stage and a third stage. The fluid flows from the third stage to and through the downstream outlet.