DEBRIS BLOWER

Abstract

A debris blower (1) is disclosed comprising a fan housing (3), a fan (5) configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing (3), an electric motor (7) configured to power the fan (5), and a first battery accommodation space (9) configured to accommodate a battery unit (10) for supply of electricity to the electric motor (7). The debris blower (1) further comprises a first air cooling channel (11) fluidly connecting the first battery accommodation space (9) and the fan housing (3).

Claims

1. A debris blower comprising: a fan housing, a fan configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing, an electric motor configured to power the fan, a first battery accommodation space configured to accommodate a battery unit for supply of electricity to the electric motor, and a first air cooling channel fluidly connecting the first battery accommodation space and the fan housing.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the first air cooling channel comprises a first end portion positioned in the fan housing to provide an ejection of air through the first end portion during operation of the blower.

3. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the fan is arranged in the fan housing, and wherein the first air cooling channel comprises a first end portion positioned at a suction side of the fan housing.

4. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the fan is configured to generate an airflow having a flow direction through the fan housing, wherein the first air cooling channel comprises a first end portion positioned in the fan housing, and wherein the first end portion has an opening direction angled relative to the flow direction to provide a flow of air through the first air cooling channel during operation of the blower.

5. The blower according to claim 4, wherein an angle between the flow direction and the opening direction of the first end portion is within the range of 5 to 80 degrees.

6. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the blower comprises a first battery unit removably arrangeable at a predetermined orientation in the first battery accommodation space to supply electricity to the electric motor.

7. The blower according to claim 6, wherein the first air cooling channel comprises a second end portion at the first battery accommodation space, and wherein the first battery unit is a battery pack comprising a battery housing and a number of battery cells arranged in the battery housing, wherein the battery housing comprises one or more openings configured to superimpose the second end portion when the first battery unit is arranged at the predetermined orientation in the first battery accommodation space.

8. The blower according to claim 7, wherein the battery housing comprises one or more further openings arranged at a distance from the one or more openings being configured to superimpose the second end portion.

9. The blower according to claim 6, wherein the blower comprises a second battery accommodation space configured to accommodate a battery unit for supply of electricity to the electric motor, and a second air cooling channel fluidly connecting the second battery accommodation space and the fan housing.

10. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the first battery unit is removably arrangeable at a predetermined orientation in the second battery accommodation space to supply electricity to the electric motor.

11. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the second air cooling channel is separate from the first air cooling channel.

12. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the second air cooling channel comprises a first end portion positioned in the fan housing to provide an ejection of air through the first end portion during operation of the blower.

13. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the fan is arranged in the fan housing, and wherein the second air cooling channel comprises a first end portion positioned at a suction side of the fan housing.

14. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the fan is configured to generate an airflow having a flow direction through the fan housing, wherein the second air cooling channel comprises a first end portion positioned in the fan housing, and wherein the first end portion has an opening direction angled relative to the flow direction to provide a flow of air through the second air cooling channel during operation of the blower.

15. The blower according to claim 14, wherein an angle between the flow direction and the opening direction of the second end portion is within the range of 5 to 80 degrees.

16. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the blower comprises a second battery unit removably arrangeable at a predetermined orientation in the second battery accommodation space to supply electricity to the electric motor.

17. The blower according to claim 16, wherein the second air cooling channel comprises a second end portion at the second battery accommodation space, and wherein the second battery unit is a battery pack comprising a battery housing and a number of battery cells arranged in the battery housing, wherein the battery housing comprises one or more openings configured to superimpose the second end portion of the second air cooling channel when the second battery unit is arranged at the predetermined orientation in the second battery accommodation space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a debris blower according to some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section through the debris blower illustrated in FIG. 1,

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the cross section illustrated in FIG. 2,

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a battery unit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section through the battery unit illustrated in FIG. 4, and

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a debris blower according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3 with a first battery unit and a second battery unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a debris blower 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. According to the illustrated embodiments, the debris blower is a self-contained backpack mounted debris blower 1. According to further embodiments, the debris blower, as referred to herein, may be another type of self-contained portable debris blower, such as a handheld debris blower.

[0038] As is further explained herein, the debris blower 1 is an electrically powered debris blower comprising a fan powered by an electric motor. The fan is configured to generate an airflow from an air inlet 4 to an air outlet pipe 6 of the debris blower 1. The debris blower 1 may comprise a nozzle unit with a handle, wherein the nozzle unit is arrangeable to the air outlet pipe 6 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this manner, a user can utilize the debris blower 1 for moving matter such as leaves, grass cuttings, dust, and the like by activating the debris blower 1 and directing the nozzle unit towards the matter. The nozzle unit is not illustrated in FIG. 1 for the reason of brevity and clarity.

[0039] According to the illustrated embodiments, the debris blower 1 comprises a first battery accommodation space 9 and a second battery accommodation space 29. Each of the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 is configured to accommodate a battery unit for supply electricity to the electric motor, as is further explained herein.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section through the debris blower 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. As indicated in FIG. 2, the debris blower 1 comprises a fan housing 3 and a fan 5 arranged in the fan housing 3. The fan 5 is configured to generate an airflow through the fan housing 3 in a direction from the air inlet 4 towards the air outlet pipe 6. Moreover, the debris blower 1 comprises an electric motor 7 configured to power the fan 5. According to the illustrated embodiments, the electric motor 7 is configured to power the fan 5 by rotating the fan 5 around a rotation axis ax. In FIG. 2, the cross section is made in a plane comprising the rotation axis ax. According to the illustrated embodiments, the fan 5 is configured to generate an airflow having a flow direction fd through the fan housing 3, wherein the flow direction fd is substantially parallel to the rotation axis ax of the fan 5.

[0041] In FIG. 2, the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 are indicated. As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each of the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 comprises electrical contacts 12, 32 for connection to electrical contacts of a battery unit for supply of electricity to the electric motor 7.

[0042] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the debris blower 1 comprises first air cooling channel 11. The first air cooling channel 11 fluidly connects the first battery accommodation space 9 and the fan housing 3. That is, as indicated in FIG. 2, the first air cooling channel 11 comprises a first end portion 13 positioned in the fan housing 3 and a second end portion 15 positioned at the first battery accommodation space 9. In this manner, the airflow through the fan housing 3 can generate an airflow through the first air cooling channel 11 so as to provide a cooling of the first battery accommodation space 9 and a battery unit arranged therein, as is further explained herein.

[0043] According to the illustrated embodiments, the first end portion 13 is positioned in the fan housing 3 to provide an ejection of air through the first end portion 13 during operation of the blower 1, thus utilizing an ejection effect on the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 obtained by the airflow through the fan housing 3. Accordingly, due to these features, an airflow is obtained through the first air cooling channel 11 in a direction from the first battery accommodation space 9 towards the first end portion 13. Since the ejection effect is utilized, the air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 is obtained without significantly disturbing the airflow through the fan housing 3 and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Accordingly, due to these features, the air flow through the first air cooling channel 11 can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the debris blower 1.

[0044] Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 2, according to the illustrated embodiments, the debris blower 1 comprises second air cooling channel 31. The second air cooling channel 31 fluidly connects the second battery accommodation space 29 and the fan housing 3. That is, as indicated in FIG. 2, the second air cooling channel 31 comprises a first end portion 33 positioned in the fan housing 3 and a second end portion 35 positioned at the second battery accommodation space 29. In this manner, the airflow through the fan housing 3 can generate an airflow through the second air cooling channel 31 so as to provide a cooling of the second battery accommodation space 29 and a battery unit arranged therein.

[0045] According to the illustrated embodiments, the first end portion 33 is positioned in the fan housing 3 to provide an ejection of air through the first end portion 33 during operation of the blower 1, thus utilizing an ejection effect on the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 obtained by the airflow through the fan housing 3. Accordingly, due to these features, an airflow is obtained through the second air cooling channel 31 in a direction from the second battery accommodation space 29 towards the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31. Since the ejection effect is utilized, the air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 is obtained without significantly disturbing the airflow through the fan housing 3 and without causing a significant pressure drop therein. Accordingly, due to these features, the air flow through the second air cooling channel 31 can be obtained without significantly reducing the operational efficiency of the debris blower 1.

[0046] According to the illustrated embodiments, the second air cooling channel 31 is separate from the first air cooling channel 11. In this manner, equal and stable flow rates of air can be provided between the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 which are independent of the number of battery units currently used. Accordingly, due to these features, an equal and stable cooling can be provided between the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 in a manner independent of the number of battery units currently used. That is, since the second air cooling channel 31 is separate from the first air cooling channel 11, the flow rate of air through the first air cooling channel 11 is independent of whether a battery unit is arranged in the second battery accommodation space 29, and vice versa.

[0047] Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the second air cooling channel 31 is designed to provide a flow rate of air being equal to the flow rate of air through the first air cooling channel 11 when a battery unit is arranged in each of the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29. In this manner, an equal cooling is provided of two battery units each arranged in a battery accommodation space 9, 29 of the debris blower 1.

[0048] According to the illustrated embodiments, the first end portions 13, 33 of the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 are positioned at a suction side 3′ of the fan housing 3. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first end portions 13, 33 of the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 are positioned upstream of the fan 5 seen in the flow direction fd. According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, one or both of the first end portions 13, 33 of the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 may be positioned at a pressure side 3″ of the fan housing 3, i.e. downstream of the fan 5 seen in the flow direction fd.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the cross section illustrated in FIG. 2. As is indicated in FIG. 3, the first end portion 13 of the first air cooling channel 11 has an opening direction d1 angled relative to the flow direction fd. According to the illustrated embodiments, an angle a1 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d1 of the first end portion 13 is approximately 45 degrees. Due to the angle a1, an improved ejection effect is provided on the first end portion 13 which assists in providing the flow of air through the first air cooling channel 11 during operation of the blower 1 in a manner having a low impact on the airflow through the fan housing 3. According to further embodiments, the angle a1 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d1 of the first end portion 13 may be within the range of 5 to 80 degrees, or within the range of 25 to 65 degrees.

[0050] Moreover, as is indicated in FIG. 3, the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 has an opening direction d2 angled relative to the flow direction fd. According to the illustrated embodiments, an angle a2 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d2 of the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 is approximately 45 degrees. Due to the angle a1, an improved ejection effect is provided on the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 which assists in providing the flow of air through the second air cooling channel 31 during operation of the blower 1 in a manner having a low impact on the airflow through the fan housing 3. According to further embodiments, the angle a2 between the flow direction fd and the opening direction d2 of the first end portion 33 of the second air cooling channel 31 may be within the range of 5 to 80 degrees, or within the range of 25 to 65 degrees.

[0051] The opening directions d1, d2 of the first end portions 13, 33 may be defined as directions d1, d2 coinciding with flow directions of air through the respective the first end portions 13, 33 obtained when air is forced through the first and second end portions 13, 33 and there is no flow of air through the fan housing 3 generated by the fan 5.

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates a battery unit 10, 10′ according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. According to the illustrated embodiments, the battery unit 10, 10′ is a battery pack comprising a battery housing 19 and a number of battery cells arranged in the battery housing 19, as is further explained herein. Therefore, throughout this disclosure, the wording “battery unit” may be replaced by the wording “battery pack”. The battery unit 10, 10′ comprises electrical contacts arranged to mate with electrical contacts 12, 32 of the first or second battery accommodation space 9, 29, indicated in FIG. 1, when the battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged in the first or second battery accommodation space 9, 29. In this manner, the battery unit 10, 10′ can supply electricity to the electric motor 7 via the electrical contacts 12, 32 of the first or second battery accommodation space 9, 29, indicated in FIG. 2. The battery unit 10, 10′ is thus removably arrangeable at a predetermined orientation in the first battery accommodation space 9 and in the second battery accommodation space 29 to supply electricity to the electric motor. The electrical contacts of the battery unit 10, 10′ are not indicated in FIG. 4 for the reason of brevity and clarity.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section through the battery unit 10, 10′ illustrated in FIG. 4. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the battery unit 10, 10′ comprises a number of battery cells 21 arranged in the battery housing 19. The battery unit 10, 10′ may comprise rechargeable battery cells 21, such as for example lithium-ion battery cells. The battery cells 21 are arranged at a distance from each other such that gaps are formed between adjacent battery cells 21 of the battery unit 10, 10′.

[0054] The following is explained with simultaneous reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. As can be seen in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5, the battery housing 19 comprises a set of openings 23. The openings 23 are configured to superimpose the second end portion 15, 35 of the first or second air cooling channel 11, 31 when the battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged at a predetermined orientation in the first or second battery accommodation space 9, 29. That is, the openings 23 are configured to superimpose the second end portion 15 of the first air cooling channel 11 when the battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged at the predetermined orientation in the first battery accommodation space 9, indicated in FIG. 2. Likewise, the openings 23 are configured to superimpose the second end portion 35 of the second air cooling channel 31 when the battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged at the predetermined orientation in the second battery accommodation space 29, indicated in FIG. 2.

[0055] Moreover, as is indicated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the battery housing 19 comprises a set of further openings 25 arranged at a distance from the set of openings 23 being configured to superimpose a second end portion 15, 35 of an air cooling channel 11, 31. According to the illustrated embodiments, the set of further openings 25 are arranged at an opposite side of the battery unit 10, 10′ as compared to the set of openings 23 being configured to superimpose a second end portion 15, 35 of an air cooling channel 11, 31. In this manner, an air flow fx is obtained through the battery housing 19 when the battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged in a battery accommodation space 9, 29 and the debris blower 1 is operated. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, an air flow fx is obtained into the battery housing 19 via the further openings 25 and out from the battery housing 19 via the set of openings 23 into a second end portion 15, 35 of an air cooling channel 11, 31 into which the battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged. Accordingly, due to these features, an efficient cooling is provided of the battery cells 21 of the battery unit 10, 10′ and an overheating of the battery unit 10, 10′ is avoided in an efficient manner.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a debris blower 1 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3 comprising a first battery unit 10 and a second battery unit 10′. The first battery unit 10 is removably arranged at a predetermined orientation in the first battery accommodation space 9 and the second battery unit 10′ is removably arranged at a predetermined orientation in the second battery accommodation space 29. According to the illustrated embodiments, the first and second battery units 10, 10′ are of identical design. Therefore, the battery unit 10, 10′ illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 can be referred to as a first battery unit 10 as well as a second battery unit 10′.

[0057] As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the respective first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 comprises an open face. Moreover, as is indicated in FIG. 1, each of the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 comprises recesses 14, 34 provided in a delimiting wall of the battery accommodation space 9, 29. The recesses 14, 34 are arranged on an opposite side of the respective first and second battery accommodation space 9, 29 as compared to the second end portion 15, 35 at the battery accommodation space 9, 29, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The recesses 14, 34 are configured to superimpose the further openings 25 of the battery unit 10, 10′ illustrated in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6. The recesses 14, 34 functions as air inlet apertures when a battery unit 10, 10′ is arranged in the battery accommodation space 9, 29. In this manner, it is ensured that air can flow in an efficient manner into the further openings 25 of the battery unit 10, 10 via the recesses 14, 34 of the respective battery accommodation space 9, 29.

[0058] As explained herein, according to the illustrated embodiments, the debris blower 1 comprises two battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 and two air cooling channels 11, 31. However, according to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the debris blower 1 may comprise another number of battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 and air cooling channels 11, 31, such as one, three, four, or the like. According to such embodiments, the battery accommodation space/spaces and the air cooling channel/channels may comprise the same features, functions, and advantages, as the first and second battery accommodation spaces 9, 29 and first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 described herein.

[0059] Moreover, as explained herein, according to the illustrated embodiments, an airflow is generated in a direction from the second end portion 15, 35 towards the first end portion 13, 33 of the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31. However, according to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the first end portion 13, 33 of the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31 may be designed, and/or adapted, to generate an airflow in a direction from the first end portion 13, 33 towards the second end portion 15, 35 through the first and second air cooling channels 11, 31.

[0060] Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the debris blower 1 is operable with suction at the nozzle instead of an air flow exiting the nozzle. This may be achieved by running the fan 5 in an opposite operational direction as described with reference to FIG. 1, or by changing the flow path through the blower to create a reversed flow direction at the nozzle. According to such embodiments, the debris blower 1 may also be referred to as a debris blower/vacuum, or simply debris vacuum or leaf vacuum.

[0061] The wording “substantially parallel to”, as used herein, may encompass that the angle between the items referred to is less than 7 degrees.

[0062] It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0063] As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.