Electric umbrella - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tvtech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2014, 05:03:55 pm
content: Craziest idea I have ever seen...https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1243275397/air-umbrella?ref=nav_searchUmbrella with a propeller....almost $90000 reached of a $10000 goal??

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2014, 05:49:45 pm
content: I think it's a cool idea, but as a product it's practically worthless.To say nothing about weather (get it?) their product could actually work well even in heavy rain, hail, or snow, paying $100 or more for a fancy umbrella is absurd. Paying $100 or more for an umbrella that could easily leave you stranded because you didn't charge it is insane.15 minutes of use for umbrella-a and 30 minutes of use for umbrella-b and umbrella-c.Reliability is non-negotiable for an umbrella and this is just way too complicated to be reliable. Keeping anything charged is a nuisance, but charging an object that needs to be ready immediately without warning is just unusable. I would rather pay for one of those light up umbrellas from "Blade Runner".

author: godFather89
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2014, 05:51:58 pm
content: Also the noise that fan would make...

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2014, 06:14:41 pm
content: Can't be legit...At work, I have a compressor with 120psi air inside. It will produce enough airflow when sprayed out of an air nozzle to prevent water (coolant) penetrating the "beam" of air for a distance of about 6 inches.And that compressor runs at 220V/10A and does not generate enough airflow to run the air nozzle continously.You would need lots of CFM at a pretty substantial pressure to create an "air shield" over a person. From a lithium battery? no way. Maybe from a 10hp gas engine. Even then... maybe not....and the noise.

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2014, 06:29:08 pm
content: A 3d rendering, some white plastic pipes and a 3d animation video narrated by someonewho seems about to burst out laughing, can raise 90k$? Oh god...I've a lot to learn.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2014, 12:26:31 am
content: Cool, but useless on a windy rainy day.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2014, 07:33:49 pm
content: Seems like you would need to produce an awful amount of air flow to drive that water away which would mean a high RPM motor and lots of noise both from the motor and the itty bitty fan blade.I'd say it's a fail, but might be interesting to see how it goes.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2014, 09:16:22 pm
content: It will work great in summer.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2014, 09:28:39 pm
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on October 23, 2014, 06:14:41 pmPresumably they use a laminar flow.You'd think at some point in time someone will have tried to put an air curtain horizontally as a rain screen ... couldn't find anything though. Did find a patent for a horizontal air screen for busses though.http://www.google.com/patents/CN101797877A?cl=en

author: gregallenwarner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2014, 11:04:57 pm
content: I find the biggest problem with this device to be the new breed of a***ole who uses one of these and blows water right in the face of everybody he walks past.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2014, 11:07:30 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on October 26, 2014, 09:17:42 pmI skimmed the video and missed it too ... but they do actually seem to show it working at 2:25.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2014, 11:19:19 am
content: No test under real conditions. What about persons next to you? Will they appreciate the produced water spray? Or will use this device as a weapon against you?Alexander.

author: mux
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2014, 12:50:18 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on October 27, 2014, 11:42:32 amAs bullshit as it would be technically, putting solar cells on it (anywhere, it doesn't matter) would definitely have netted them at least 100k$ more. Marketing fail.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2014, 04:54:45 pm
content: The problem with a solar powered umbrella is well.. nevermind, makes perfect sense

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2014, 05:50:41 pm
content: YASP ! Yet Another Scam Projectthat's simply bullshitit won't work... you simply can't generate such an airflow with such a small device... you could compare that turbine/impeller/whatever in size to a car's turbocharger.. which is producing a shitload of airflow to feed the engine cylinders (but still not enough to produce this umbrella effect) while consuming lot's of horsepower extracted from the exhaust gasses.if those guys know how to achieve such a high energy and power density , then they should rather start doing business in the automotive industry.and the laminar flow... well... where are the elements supposed to make the flow laminar ?p.s. the only use-case would be to shove it up the author's ass and turn in to full power

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2014, 08:42:44 pm
content: delivery date is 14 months awaya ducted fan from a radio controlled plane would be able to move that much air....Of course, you won't be able to talk over the noise though....

author: (*steve*)
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 10:23:07 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on October 27, 2014, 04:54:45 pmNo problem at all.Make the solar panel a disc, supported in the middle, or even better a slight conical shape.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 05:40:43 pm
content: Quote from: AmmoJammo on October 27, 2014, 08:42:44 pmwhere is the proof of blowing fast moving water drops away ? sorry that ducted fan can't do the jobthat toy peaks around 100W of power... and actually you can blow away dirt and grass with you mouth alonethat's definitely not a proof of deflecting fast moving water drops.to make the umbreala effect (reliably blow away fast moving water in ALL DIRECTIONS) you would need much much more power (somewhere in the 10+ kilowatt range by rough guess).

author: tvtech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 06:08:02 pm
content: Hi GuysWhen I saw this invention I started thinking what is wrong with a normal umbrella that gazillions of people have used happily and effectively for yonks...No electrics, charging, complications...Does not make any sense at all

author: CaptCrash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 06:20:48 pm
content: Quote from: tvtech on October 28, 2014, 06:08:02 pmIt doesn't generate over $100,000 in pre sales when you say announce you are going to design one.I am a little concerned that they have missed the opportunity to add a bluetooth connection to an app for my phone that lets me know its raining. Maybe this can be a stretch goal for them.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 06:30:57 pm
content: Quote from: CaptCrash on October 28, 2014, 06:20:48 pmthe very first stretch goal should be to place the controller between the battery and the motor, not to the bottom of the thing and routing power cables all way up

author: macgyver0815
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2014, 11:13:28 pm
content: Watch out! This could be the beginning of the "Umbrella Corporation"...and you know how this will end

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 12:24:48 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on October 28, 2014, 12:57:26 pmAnd parabolic so you can catch the sun at all angles.Of course you will have to use everyday to ensure it's charged.

author: (*steve*)
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 12:51:11 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on October 29, 2014, 12:24:48 amIf you design the solar panel correctly the device will operate continuously, even with zero charge! And at night!

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 01:12:04 am
content: Quote from: (*steve*) on October 29, 2014, 12:51:11 amTrue and if we add mylar to the inside of the parabola it will double up as a solar cooker.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 02:32:56 am
content: Worse, you may be arrested for carrying this thing around. The thing will be heavy enough to be used as a weapon. Walk to a police officer with it and watch his reaction.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2014, 07:54:23 am
content: " Size control of the air "

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 10:14:19 am
content: Project failed in 2016:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1243275397/air-umbrella/posts/1468363But the posting says you can use your fund to buy a pair of electric shoes:https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/smart-and-powerful-shoes#/Doesn't look like many people did this

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 11:37:15 am
content: Related spoof kickstarter video:https://youtu.be/FZ0N_0YRZ3QDebunking video:https://youtu.be/-XwbLvhQnqA