Air-conditioning register

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning resister which achieves improvement of design so as to make an internal structure invisible.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning register (100) includes: a cylindrical retainer (30) including a retainer inner wall (30W) defining a retainer ventilation passage (30S), and a retainer opening (306) provided at a downstream end of the retainer ventilation passage (30S); and a lid member (60) provided in the retainer (30) and having an exposed surface (606) exposed from the retainer opening (306) and a retainer facing surface which faces the retainer opening (306) to define an air outlet with the retainer opening (306).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning registers. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an air conditioning register in which horizontal blades for adjusting the vertical direction of airflow and vertical blades for adjusting the horizontal direction of airflow are arranged crossing each other at the front opening of a frame that blows out air supplied from a duct (for example, Patent Document 1). In this register, multiple horizontal blades are arranged spaced apart at equal intervals from each other, and multiple vertical blades are arranged adjacent to the rear of the horizontal blades. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-138750 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional technology has a problem in that structures inside the register, such as the vertical blades located behind the horizontal blades, are visible between the horizontal blades that are spaced apart from each other, which impairs the design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an air-conditioning register comprising: a cylindrical retainer having a retainer inner wall that defines a retainer ventilation passage and a retainer opening provided at a downstream end of the retainer ventilation passage, and a cover member provided inside the retainer, the cover member having an exposed surface that is exposed from the retainer opening and a retainer facing surface that faces the retainer opening and defines an air outlet between the retainer opening and the retainer opening. According to this form of air-conditioning register, by exposing the cover member from inside the retainer through the retainer opening, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning register with improved design, as the internal structure is not easily visible. (2) In the air-conditioning register of the above aspect, the retainer opening may have one side and another side opposing the one side, and the retainer opposing surface may define, as the air outlets, a first air outlet between the retainer opening and the one side, and a second air outlet between the retainer opening and the other side. According to the air-conditioning register of this embodiment, by providing the air outlets in two locations, it is possible to expand the range in which the airflow is blown out from the air-conditioning register. (3) In the air-conditioning register of the above embodiment, the first air outlet and the second air outlet may be configured so that the direction of the airflow blown out of the first air outlet and the direction of the airflow blown out of the second air outlet intersect with each other. With this type of air-conditioning register, the flow direction of the airflow blown out from the air-conditioning register can be adjusted by the simple method of adjusting the balance of the airflow flow rates by merging the airflows blown out from the first and second air outlets. (4) The air-conditioning register of the above embodiment may further include a first retainer ventilation passage defined between a first retainer inner wall that is continuous with one side of the retainer opening and the cover member and communicating with the first air outlet, a second retainer ventilation passage defined between a second retainer inner wall that is continuous with the other side of the retainer opening and the cover member and communicating with the second air outlet, and a diversion portion disposed inside the retainer for divert- ing the retainer ventilation passage into the first retainer ventilation passage and the second retainer ventilation passage. With this type of air-conditioning register, air can be blown out from multiple outlets, including the first outlet and the second outlet, without having to provide separate sources of air-conditioning air for the first retainer ventilation passage and the second retainer ventilation passage. (5) In the air-conditioning register of the above embodiment, the cover member may be configured to be rotatable inside the retainer, and the rotation may be switchable between a first rotation state in which a first opposing area between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member is increased while maintaining a first ventilation path distance between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member, and a second rotation state in which the first opposing area is reduced while maintaining the first ventilation path distance, and the second opposing area is increased while maintaining the second ventilation path distance. According to the air-conditioning register of this aspect, the flow rate of the airflow from each of the first air outlet and the second air outlet can be adjusted by the simple method of rotating the cover member. (6) In the air-conditioning register of the above embodiment, the diverter section may be switchable between a first diverter state in which the opening of the flow path communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage is reduced and the opening of the flow path communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage is increased, and a second retainer diverter state in which the opening of the flow path communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage is increased and the opening of the flow path communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage is reduced. According to this form of air-conditioning register, the direction of the airflow blown out from the air-conditioning register can be switched by the simple method of adjusting the flow rate of the flow path communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage and the flow path communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage. (7) In the air-conditioning register of the above aspect, a first distance between one side of the retainer opening at the first air outlet and the retainer facing surface may be greater than a second distance between the other side of the retainer opening at the second air outlet and the retainer facing surface. Further, the air-conditioning register may include a flange portion that is continuous with the one side of the retainer opening and protrudes toward an outside of the retainer. According to the air-conditioning register of this embodiment, even if the opening of the first air outlet is made large, the flange portion makes it difficult to see from the outside. (8) In the air-conditioning register of the above embodiment, a first distance between one side of the retainer opening at the first air outlet and the retainer opposing surface, and a second distance between another side of the retainer opening at the second air outlet and the retainer opposing surface may be the same. According to the air-conditioning register of this embodiment, the two air outlets are symmetrical, so that the design of the air-conditioning register can be improved. (9) In the air-conditioning register of the above embodiment, the cover member may be configured to be slidable inside the retainer, and may be switchable, by the sliding, between a first sliding state in which a first ventilation path distance between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member is increased while maintaining the size of a first opposing area between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member, and a second sliding state in which the first ventilation path distance is decreased while maintaining the size of the first opposing area, and the second ventilation path distance is increased while maintaining the size of the second opposing area. According to the air-conditioning register of this aspect, the amount of air flowing through each of the first air outlet and the second air outlet can be adjusted by the simple method of sliding the cover member. (10) The air-conditioning register of the above embodiment may further include a flat first fin provided in the first retainer ventilation passage and configured to be rotatable around a central axis that intersects with the first retainer inner wall, and a flat second fin provided in the second retainer ventilation passage and configured to be rotatable around a central axis that intersects with the second retainer inner wall. According to the air-conditioning register of this type, the flow direction of the airflow from the first air outlet and the flow direction of the airflow from the second air outlet can be switched by the simple method of rotating the first fins and the second fins. (11) In the air-conditioning register of the above aspect, the exposed surface may be a curved surface that is convex toward an outside of the air-conditioning register. According to the air-conditioning register of this embodiment, the exposed surface is formed as a curved surface, so that the design of the air-conditioning register can be improved. (12) In the air-conditioning register of the above aspect, a distance between the retainer opening and the retainer opposing surface at the air outlet may be equal to or greater than 1 millimeter and equal to or less than 10 millimeters. According to the air-conditioning register of this embodiment, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning register that has a good balance between design and the flow rate of the air blown out. The present disclosure may be realized in various forms other than an air-conditioning register, for example, a method for manufacturing an air-conditioning register, a mobile body including an air-conditioning register, an air-conditioning device, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of an air-conditioning register according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an air-conditioning register; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of each part of the air-conditioning register. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of each part of the lid member. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view of the VV position in Figure 2. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow direction of air conditioning air inside an air conditioning register in a neutral state. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the results of a simulation of the air flow velocity in an air-conditioning register in a neutral state. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow direction of air in an air-conditioning register in a first rotation state. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the results of a simulation of air flow velocity in an air-conditioning register in a first rotation state. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an air-conditioning register according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10 . [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic direction of air flow within an air-conditioning register in a neutral state. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow direction of air in the air-conditioning register in a first flow division state. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an air-conditioning register according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14 . [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the direction of air flow in an air-conditioning register in a neutral state. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the results of a simulation of the air flow velocity in an air-conditioning register in a neutral state. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a simulation result of the flow speed of the air-conditioning register in the first flow division state. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a simulation result of the flow velocity of the air-conditioning register in the second flow division state. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of air flow inside a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning register. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of an air-conditioning register 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The air-conditioning register 100 is installed, for example, in the cabin of a moving body such as a vehicle. In the example of FIG. 1, the air-conditioning register 100 is incorporated, for example, in an instrument panel 10 near a steering wheel 12 of the vehicle. The air-conditioning register 100 blows out conditioned air supplied through an air duct from an air conditioner (not shown) provided in the vehicle into the cabin. Note that X, Y, and Z shown in FIG. 1 and each of the figures following FIG. 1 represent three spatial axes that are mutually orthogonal. In this specification, the directions along these axes are also referred to as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. When specifying the direction, the positive direction is represented by "+" and the negative direction is represented by "-", and positive and negative signs are used in combination to indicate the direction, and the direction in which the arrow in each figure points is represented as the + direction, and the opposite direction is represented as the - direction. In this disclosure, an example will be described in which the X direction coincides with the vehicle width direction, the +X direction coincides with the right direction when the vehicle is viewed from behind, the -X direction coincides with the left direction, the Y direction coincides with the vehicle's traveling direction, the +Y direction coincides with the reverse direction, and the -Y direction coincides with the forward direction. The Z direction coincides with the vertical direction, the +Z direction coincides with the vertical downward direction, and the -Z direction coincides with the vertical upward direction. However, each direction does not limit the orientation in which the air-conditioning register 100 is arranged.

[0009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the air-conditioning register 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the air-conditioning register 100 includes a retainer 30, a bezel 20, a cover member 60, an exposed surface 606, a first air outlet 101, and a second air outlet 102.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of each part of the air-conditioning register 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the retainer 30 is a cylindrical structure in which a retainer ventilation passage 30S is formed. The retainer 30 has a first wall portion 302, a second wall portion 304, and a side wall portion 303. The first wall portion 302 is a vertically upper wall surface constituting the retainer 30. The second wall portion 304 is a vertically lower wall surface. The side wall portion 303 connects the first wall portion 302 and the second wall portion 304. The side wall portion 303 is provided with a fitting hole 308 for fitting with a protrusion portion 646 provided on the cover member 60, as described later. The inner wall surfaces of the walls 302, 303, and 304 are collectively referred to as a "retainer inner wall 30W". The retainer inner wall 30W defines the retainer ventilation passage 30S. The inner wall surface of the first wall portion 302 is also referred to as a "first retainer inner wall 302W," and the inner wall surface of the second wall portion 304 is also referred to as a "second retainer inner wall 304W."

[0011] As shown in FIG. 3, a retainer opening 306 is formed at one end of the retainer 30, and an inlet 305 is formed at the other end. The inlet 305 receives air supplied from an air conditioner of the vehicle. The retainer opening 306 is located at the downstream end of the retainer ventilation passage 30S and is arranged to face the vehicle interior. The retainer opening 306 communicates with the inlet 305 via the retainer ventilation passage 30S. The retainer opening 306 has a generally rectangular shape that is long along the vehicle width direction. One of the long sides of the retainer opening 306 is also called the "first side 306s1" and the other side is also called the "second side 306s2". In this embodiment, the first side 306s1 is arranged on the upper side in the vertical direction and is continuous with the first retainer inner wall 302W of the retainer inner wall 30W. The second side 306s2 is arranged facing the first side 306s1 on the lower side in the vertical direction. The second side 306s2 is continuous with a second retainer inner wall 304W of the retainer inner wall 30W.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, when the cover member 60 described later is housed inside the retainer 30, a slit-shaped first air outlet 101 is formed between the first side 306s1 and the cover member 60 along the first side 306s1, and a slit-shaped second air outlet 102 is formed between the second side 306s2 and the cover member 60 along the second side 306s2. As shown by an arrow AR in FIG. 2, air for air conditioning supplied from an air conditioner (not shown) flows into the retainer ventilation passage 30S from the inlet 305 and is blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 into the vehicle cabin. In this disclosure, in the flow direction of the air for air conditioning, a position closer to the air conditioner with respect to a predetermined reference position is also referred to as "upstream" or "upstream side", and a position farther from the air conditioner is also referred to as "downstream", "downstream side", "front" or "front side".

[0013] The cover member 60 is a hollow structure through which the air for air conditioning can flow. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 60 is formed with a first slit 602 communicating with the first air outlet 101 and a second slit 604 communicating with the second air outlet 102. The cover member 60 has a substantially cylindrical external shape and is disposed in the retainer ventilation passage 30S so that the axial direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the cover member 60 is disposed in the retainer ventilation passage 30S near the retainer opening 306 so as to cover the retainer opening 306 from inside the retainer 30. The retainer opening 306 is covered with the cover member 60, so that the internal structure of the air-conditioning register 100 cannot be seen from the outside. In addition, "the lid member 60 covers the retainer opening 306" means that the lid member 60 covers the retainer opening 306 to the extent that the internal structure of the air-conditioning register 100 cannot be seen from the outside, and allows flow paths for air-conditioning air, such as the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102, to be formed between the lid member 60 and the retainer opening 306.

[0014] The exposed surface 606 is a portion of the cover member 60 that is exposed through the retainer opening 306. The exposed surface 606 can be decorated, for example, for the purpose of improving design. "Decoration" means adding a decorative element. Decoration can include, for example, painting, plating, printing, coloring, surface treatment, surface processing, and addition of decorative members. Decoration may be performed during the manufacture of the air-conditioning register 100, or may be performed by a user of the vehicle or the air-conditioning register 100.

[0015] The bezel 20 is a frame in which a bezel opening 206 is formed. The bezel opening 206 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vehicle width direction, and in this embodiment, is formed so as to substantially match the shape of the retainer opening 306. The bezel 20 is connected to the downstream end of the retainer 30 so that the bezel opening 206 overlaps with the retainer opening 306, and an exposed surface 606 is exposed from the bezel opening 206. As a result, the bezel 20, together with the exposed surface 606, constitutes the design surface of the air-conditioning register 100 in a front view.

[0016] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of each part of the lid member 60. As shown in Fig. 4, the lid member 60 is formed by assembling a front wall portion 62, an upper wall portion 63, a lower wall portion 64, fins 66, and a flow dividing portion 68 together.

[0017] The front wall portion 62 functions as a wall surface on the front side of the cover member 60. The front wall portion 62 includes a front surface 626 and an axis fitting portion 628. The axis fitting portion 628 is provided on the back surface of the cover member 60, which is the opposite side to the front surface 626, and the flow dividing portion 68 is fitted therein. The front surface 626 is formed of a curved surface that is convex toward the outside of the air-conditioning register 100. The front surface 626 has a straight edge 623 located at its upper end and a straight edge 624 located at its lower end. A part of the front surface 626 is exposed from the retainer opening 306, and the other part faces the retainer inner wall 30W. The surface of the front surface 626 exposed from the retainer opening 306 functions as an exposed surface 606. The surface of the cover member 60 that faces the retainer inner wall 30W is also called the "retainer facing surface."

[0018] The upper wall portion 63 functions as the upper wall surface of the lid member 60. The upper wall portion 63 includes an upper surface portion 632 and two side wall portions 634 continuous with both ends of the upper surface portion 632. The upper surface portion 632 is formed with the same number of fitting holes 638 for fitting with the protrusions 662 provided on the fins 66 as the number of the fins 66. A linear edge 632E is formed on the front side of the upper surface portion 632. When the lid member 60 is formed, the edge 632E is spaced apart from and faces the edge 623 of the front wall portion 62. As a result, a first slit 602 shown in FIG. 3 is formed between the edge 632E and the edge 623.

[0019] The lower wall portion 64 functions as a lower wall surface of the lid member 60. The lower wall portion 64 includes a lower surface portion 642 and two side wall portions 644 continuous with both ends of the lower surface portion 642. The lower wall portion 64 has fitting holes 648 for fitting with the protrusions 662 provided on the fins 66, the number of which is the same as the number of the fins 66. A linear end edge 642E is formed on the front side of the lower surface portion 642. When the lid member 60 is formed, the end edge 642E faces the end edge 624 of the front wall portion 62 and is spaced apart from it. As a result, a second slit 604 shown in FIG. 3 is formed between the end edge 642E and the end edge 624.

[0020] An upper end 644T of each of the two side walls 644 is joined to a lower end 634B of a side wall 634 of the upper wall 63. A protrusion 646 that protrudes toward the outside of the cover member 60 is formed on each of the upper ends 644T. The protrusion 646 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and fits into a fitting hole 308 formed in the side wall 303 of the retainer 30. As a result, the cover member 60 is supported in the retainer ventilation passage 30S so as to be rotatable around the central axis AX.

[0021] The fins 66 switch the direction of the airflow blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 between left and right along the vehicle width direction. The fins 66 are housed inside the cover member 60. The fins 66 include a protruding portion 662, a first fin 664, a second fin 665, an axis portion 666, and a connecting portion 668.

[0022] The first fin 664 and the second fin 665 are substantially flat plate-shaped members having an outer diameter shape corresponding to the shape of the flow channel in the cover member 60. The first fin 664 and the second fin 665 are attached to the shaft portion 666 so that their surfaces can rotate around a central axis AX2, which is the axial direction of the shaft portion 666. In this embodiment, the first fin 664 and the second fin 665 are integrally formed with one shaft portion 666 and a connecting portion 668, and share the central axis AX2. The first fin 664 and the second fin 665 may be separate bodies, and the central axes may be set separately.

[0023] The protrusions 662 are disposed at the upper and lower ends of the shaft portion 666. The protrusions 662 have a generally cylindrical shape and fit into the fitting hole 638 of the upper wall portion 63 and the fitting hole 648 of the lower wall portion 64. As a result, the fin 66 is supported inside the cover member 60 so as to be rotatable around the central axis AX2 of the shaft portion 666. In this embodiment, the central axis AX2 coincides with the vertical direction. However, the central axis AX2 is not limited to the vertical direction, and may be configured to be in any direction that intersects with the first retainer inner wall 302W and the second retainer inner wall 304W.

[0024] The connecting portion 668 functions as a so-called link mechanism for rotating the shaft portion 666. In this embodiment, for example, the connecting portion 668 can be connected to the front wall portion 62. In this case, the connecting portion 668 moves along the vehicle width direction by moving the front wall portion 62 back and forth along the vehicle width direction. The back and forth movement of the connecting portion 668 is transmitted to the shaft portion 666, so that the shaft portion 666 rotates around the central axis AX2. The rotation of the shaft portion 666 switches the surface directions of the first fin 664 and the second fin 665. As a result, the flow direction of the air inside the cover member 60 is switched left and right along the vehicle width direction. The connecting portion 668 may be connected to an operation lever (not shown) instead of the front wall portion 62.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, the flow diverting portion 68 is a shaft member that is long along the vehicle width direction. The flow diverting portion 68 divides the flow path inside the cover member 60 into two directions. The flow diverting portion 68 includes a support recess 682 for rotatably supporting the shaft portion 666 of the fin 66, and a protrusion 684. The flow diverting portion 68 is assembled to the shaft fitting portion 628 of the front wall portion 62 with the shaft portion 666 inserted into the support recess 682.

[0026] The flow dividing section 68 has two inclined surfaces, a first inclined surface 683 and a second inclined surface 685, which are connected to each other with the protruding portion 684 as an apex. The protruding portion 684 is disposed on the upstream side of the retainer air passage 30S. As a result, the flow dividing section 68 is disposed in the retainer air passage 30S in a state where it protrudes toward the inlet 305. By forming the flow dividing section 68 to have a shape that protrudes in one direction, it is possible to divide the flow path into upper and lower flows while suppressing an increase in flow path resistance. The cross-sectional shape of the flow dividing section 68 is not limited to a triangle, and may be various shapes such as a flat plate shape, a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a hexagon, an octagon, or other polygonal shape. In the case where the retainer air passage 30S has two flow paths that correspond individually to the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102, the flow dividing section 68 may be omitted. In contrast, in the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, by providing a diversion section 68, the flow path can be diverted to the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 with a simple configuration without having to provide a complex flow path in the retainer air passage 30S.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the VV position in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows the air-conditioning register 100 in a neutral state. The "neutral state" refers to a state in which the internal structure of the air-conditioning register 100 is configured so that the flow rate of air blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the flow rate of air blown out from the second air outlet 102 are substantially equal. In this embodiment, the internal structure of the air-conditioning register 100 can be switched by adjusting the orientation of the cover member 60 by rotating the cover member 60, as described later. Note that in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6 and 8 described later, the cross-sectional structures of the front wall portion 62 and the flow dividing portion 68 are simplified to facilitate understanding of the technology.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the neutral state is formed by the internal structure of the air-conditioning register 100 being in a so-called mirror symmetric state in which the internal structure is vertically symmetric with respect to the Y direction including the central axis AX. The orientation of the cover member 60 in the neutral state is a direction DT1 that approximately coincides with the Y direction. The "orientation of the cover member 60" can be defined, for example, by a straight line DT connecting the midpoint CP of the front surface 626 of the cover member 60 and the central axis AX. The "midpoint CP of the front surface 626" can be defined, for example, by using a position on the front surface 626 where the straight-line distance to the end side 623 and the straight-line distance to the end side 624 approximately coincide with each other.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, inside and around the cover member 60, a flow path is formed to guide the air for conditioning flowing in from the inlet 305 to the first outlet 101 and the second outlet 102. Specifically, inside the cover member 60, a first internal flow path 601 is formed between the first inclined surface 683 of the flow dividing section 68 and the upper surface portion 632, and a second internal flow path 603 is formed between the second inclined surface 685 and the lower surface portion 642. The first internal flow path 601 communicates with the first slit 602, and the second internal flow path 603 communicates with the second slit 604. A first retainer ventilation path 612 and a second retainer ventilation path 614 are formed outside the cover member 60. First retainer ventilation passage 612 is a flow passage defined between first retainer inner wall 302W and front surface 626 of cover member 60, and second retainer ventilation passage 614 is a flow passage defined between second retainer inner wall 304W and front surface 626. First retainer ventilation passage 612 communicates with first slit 602 and first air outlet 101, and second retainer ventilation passage 614 communicates with second slit 604 and second air outlet 102.

[0030] 5, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of first retainer inner wall 302W and second retainer inner wall 304W is a substantially arc shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of cover member 60. As a result, the flow path inside and around cover member 60 has the following features (1)-(3).

[0031] (1) A first distance T10 between a first side 306s1 of the first air outlet 101 and the front surface 626 and a second distance T20 between a second side 306s2 of the second air outlet 102 and the front surface 626 are configured to be approximately the same size. In other words, the opening width of the first air outlet 101 and the opening width of the second air outlet 102 are approximately the same.

[0032] From the viewpoint of achieving a good balance between the design of the air-conditioning register 100 and the flow rate of the air blown out, the first distance T10 in the first air outlet 101 is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. If the first distance T10 is greater than 10 mm, for example, the first air outlet 101 becomes easily visible, and there is a concern that the design of the air-conditioning register 100 may be reduced. If the first distance T10 is smaller than 1 mm, there is a concern that the flow resistance becomes excessively high, and a sufficient flow rate of the first air outlet 101 may not be obtained with air-conditioning air of a general flow rate and flow velocity. To achieve a better balance between the design and the flow rate of the air, the first distance T10 is more preferably 3 mm or more and 9 mm or less.

[0033] (2) First air-passage distance T1 between first retainer inner wall 302W and front surface 626 is substantially constant over the entire area of ​​first retainer air-passage 612. Also, second air-passage distance T2 between second retainer inner wall 304W and front surface 626 is substantially constant over the entire area of ​​second retainer air-passage 614. With this configuration, even if cover member 60 is rotated, first air-passage distance T1 and second air-passage distance T2 do not change.

[0034] (3) First air-passage distance T1 and second air-passage distance T2 are configured to be substantially the same as each other. In other words, the flow path height of first retainer air-passage 612 and the flow path height of second retainer air-passage 614 are substantially the same. By having the above features (1)-(3), it is possible to easily adjust the balance between the flow rate, flow speed, etc. of the air blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the air blown out from the second air outlet 102.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the blowing direction DS1 of the air blown out from the first blowing outlet 101 and the blowing direction DS2 of the air blown out from the second blowing outlet 102. The "blowout direction of the air" means the macroscopic flow direction of the air at the position of the blowing outlet. The blowing direction DS1 of the air can be determined, for example, by a tangent to the position of the first side 306s1 of the first retainer inner wall 302W in a cross-sectional view, or a tangent to the surface of the lid member 60 facing the position, and the blowing direction DS2 can be determined by a tangent to the second side 306s2 of the second retainer inner wall 304W, or a tangent to the surface of the lid member 60 facing the position. In this embodiment, the blowing direction DS1 and the blowing direction DS2 are configured to intersect with each other at an intersection IS shown in FIG. 5, and thus the air blown out from the first blowing outlet 101 and the air blown out from the second blowing outlet 102 are configured to join in the vicinity of the front surface 626.

[0036] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic flow direction of air conditioning air inside the air conditioning register 100 in a neutral state. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a simulation result of the flow speed of the air flow in the air conditioning register 100 in a neutral state. When air from the air conditioning device is supplied to the air conditioning register 100, as shown by arrows S11 and S21 in FIG. 6, the air conditioning air that flows from the inlet 305 into the retainer ventilation passage 30S flows to the protruding portion 684 of the flow dividing portion 68, and is divided into the first internal flow path 601 and the second internal flow path 603 by the protruding portion 684 as shown by arrows S12 and S22. By rotating the shaft portion 666 by operating the fin 66 to switch the surface direction of the first fin 664 and the second fin 665, the flow direction of the air after the flow dividing as shown by the arrows S12 and S22 can be switched between left and right along the vehicle width direction.

[0037] Air flowing through first internal flow path 601 is sent out to the outside of cover member 60 through first slit 602, and as shown by arrow S13, flows through first retainer ventilation passage 612. Similarly, air flowing through second internal flow path 603 is sent out to the outside of cover member 60 through second slit 604, and as shown by arrow S23, flows through second retainer ventilation passage 614.

[0038] Here, in the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in the neutral state, the first facing area and the second facing area are configured to be substantially the same. The "first facing area" refers to the area of ​​the region where the first retainer inner wall 302W and the front surface 626 of the cover member 60 face each other. The "second facing area" refers to the area of ​​the region where the second retainer inner wall 304W and the front surface 626 face each other. In other words, in the air-conditioning register 100 in the neutral state, the flow path length W11 of the first retainer ventilation passage 612 and the flow path length W21 of the second retainer ventilation passage 614 are configured to be substantially the same. In addition, by configuring in combination with the above-mentioned features (1)-(3), in the neutral state, the flow path resistance of the first retainer ventilation passage 612 and the flow path resistance of the second retainer ventilation passage 614 are configured to be substantially the same. As a result, in the neutral state, the flow rates and the like of the air blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the air blown out from the second air outlet 102 can be made substantially the same.

[0039] As indicated by arrows S14 and S24, the air blown out from first air outlet 101 and second air outlet 102 to the outside of retainer 30 flows over the surface of front surface 626 due to the Coanda effect, and joins together on the surface of front surface 626 or at a position separated from the surface of front surface 626 due to separation. As indicated by arrows S14 and S24, the air that joins together in a state where the flow rates and the like are approximately the same flows toward the front of air-conditioning register 100 in a substantially horizontal direction as indicated by arrow S200.

[0040] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic flow direction of air conditioning air inside the air conditioning register 100 in the first rotation state. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a simulation result of the flow speed of the air flow in the air conditioning register 100 in the first rotation state. In the air conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the direction of the air blown out can be adjusted up and down along the vertical direction by rotating the cover member 60. For example, a user can adjust the direction of the air by rotating the cover member 60 in the up and down direction by manually operating the exposed surface 606. The cover member 60 may be rotated by an operating lever via a link mechanism connected to the cover member 60, not limited to the manual operation of the exposed surface 606. When the cover member 60 is rotated to the upper side shown by the arrow D20, the direction of the cover member 60 is switched from the direction DT1 shown in FIG. 5 to the direction DT2. As a result, the air conditioning register 100 can be set to the first rotation state shown in FIG. 8.

[0041] In the first rotation state, compared to the neutral state, the first ventilation passage distance T1 of first retainer ventilation passage 612 shown in Fig. 5 is maintained, and the flow path length is extended from flow path length W11 to flow path length W12. Also, the second ventilation passage distance T2 of second retainer ventilation passage 614 is maintained, and the flow path length is shortened from flow path length W21 to flow path length W22. In other words, the first rotation state is a state in which, compared to the neutral state, the flow path resistance is increased by the amount that the flow path length of first retainer ventilation passage 612 is lengthened, and the flow path resistance is decreased by the amount that the flow path length of second retainer ventilation passage 614 is shortened.

[0042] As shown by arrows S31 and S41 in Fig. 8, when the air conditioning air that has flowed from the inlet 305 into the retainer ventilation passage 30S flows to the protruding portion 684 of the flow dividing portion 68, the air is divided into the first internal flow passage 601 and the second internal flow passage 603 by the protruding portion 684 as shown by arrows S32 and S42, and is guided to the first slit 602 and the second slit 604. The air flowing through the first internal flow passage 601 is sent out from the first slit 602 to the outside of the cover member 60, and flows through the first retainer ventilation passage 612 in a state in which the flow passage length is extended as shown by arrow S33. The air flowing through the second internal flow passage 603 is sent out from the second slit 604 to the outside of the cover member 60, and flows through the second retainer ventilation passage 614 in a state in which the flow passage length is shortened as shown by arrow S43.

[0043] In the first rotation state, the flow rate of air blown out from second air outlet 102 indicated by arrow S44 becomes larger than that in the neutral state in response to a decrease in flow path resistance, and becomes larger than the flow rate of air blown out from first air outlet 101 indicated by arrow S34. Therefore, the joining point of air from first air outlet 101 and air from second air outlet 102 is above the neutral state. As a result, as indicated by arrow S202 in Figures 8 and 9, the air blown out from air-conditioning register 100 flows upward relative to the horizontal direction, i.e., in a direction at an elevation angle.

[0044] Although not shown, in the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the cover member 60 is rotated downward from the neutral state to a second rotation state, so that the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100 into the vehicle cabin can be directed downward from the neutral state. The second rotation state can be formed, for example, by rotating the cover member 60 to a state in which the first rotation state is turned upside down with respect to the direction DT1. In the second rotation state, the flow path length is shortened while maintaining the first air passage distance T1 of the first retainer air passage 612, and the flow path length is extended while maintaining the second air passage distance T2 of the second retainer air passage 614, compared to the neutral state. As a result, the flow path resistance is reduced by the amount of the shortened flow path length in the first retainer air passage 612, and the flow path resistance is increased by the amount of the extended flow path length in the second retainer air passage 614, compared to the neutral state. As a result, the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100 can be made to flow downward from the horizontal direction, that is, toward a direction at a depression angle.

[0045] As described above, the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical retainer 30 having a retainer inner wall 30W that defines a retainer ventilation passage 30S and a retainer opening 306 provided at the downstream end of the retainer ventilation passage 30S, and a lid member 60 that is disposed inside the retainer 30. The lid member 60 includes an exposed surface 606 that is exposed from the retainer opening 306, and a retainer facing surface that faces the retainer opening 306 and defines an air outlet between the retainer opening 306 and the retainer opening 306. By exposing the lid member 60 from inside the retainer 30 through the retainer opening 306, it is possible to obtain an air-conditioning register 100 with improved design, in which the internal structure is not easily visible.

[0046] According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the retainer opening 306 has a first side 306s1 and a second side 306s2 opposing the first side 306s1. The front surface 626, which serves as the retainer opposing surface, defines a first air outlet 101 between the first side 306s1 and the front surface 626, and a second air outlet 102 between the first side 306s1 and the second side 306s2. By providing air outlets in two locations, the range in which airflow is blown out from the air-conditioning register 100 can be expanded.

[0047] According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 are configured so that the air outlet direction DS1 of the air blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the air outlet direction DS2 of the air blown out from the second air outlet 102 intersect with each other at an intersection IS. By merging the air blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102, the flow direction of the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100 can be easily adjusted by a simple method of adjusting the balance of the air flow rates of the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102.

[0048] Air-conditioning register 100 of the present embodiment further includes a diverter section 68 that is disposed inside retainer 30 and divides retainer air passage 30S into first retainer air passage 612 and second retainer air passage 614. With this configuration, it is possible to cause air to flow to the multiple air outlets of first air outlet 101 and second air outlet 102 with a simple configuration without forming two flow paths that individually communicate with first retainer air passage 612 and second retainer air passage 614 and without providing separate air-conditioning air supply sources for first retainer air passage 612 and second retainer air passage 614.

[0049] According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the cover member 60 is configured to be rotatable inside the retainer 30. By rotating the cover member 60, it is possible to switch between a first rotation state in which the first opposing area is increased while maintaining the first ventilation path distance T1, thereby increasing the flow resistance of the first retainer ventilation path 612, and the second opposing area is decreased while maintaining the second ventilation path distance T2, thereby decreasing the flow resistance of the second retainer ventilation path 614, and a second rotation state in which the first opposing area is decreased while maintaining the first ventilation path distance T1, thereby decreasing the flow resistance of the first retainer ventilation path 612, and the second opposing area is increased while maintaining the second ventilation path distance T2, thereby increasing the flow resistance of the second retainer ventilation path 614. The flow rate of air from each of the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 can be adjusted by a simple method of rotating the cover member 60. When air from the first air outlet 101 and air from the second air outlet 102 are joined together, the flow direction of the joined air can be switched by the simple method of rotating the cover member 60. In addition, since the air flow direction can be adjusted by the balance between the flow rate of the first air outlet 101 and the flow rate of the second air outlet 102 that are to be joined together, the flow direction of the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100 can be adjusted over a wider range than with conventional techniques that use fins or the like.

[0050] According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the first distance T10 between the first side 306s1 of the retainer opening 306 in the first air outlet 101 and the retainer facing surface and the second distance T20 between the second side 306s2 in the second air outlet 102 and the retainer facing surface are the same. By configuring the opening width of the first air outlet 101 and the opening width of the second air outlet 102 to be the same, it is easy to equalize the flow rate of the airflow from each air outlet. In addition, the two air outlets are symmetrical, which can improve the design of the air-conditioning register 100.

[0051] The air-conditioning register 100 of the present embodiment includes a flat first fin 664 provided in the first retainer ventilation passage 612 and configured to be rotatable about an axis intersecting the first retainer inner wall 302W, and a flat second fin 665 provided in the second retainer ventilation passage 614 and configured to be rotatable about an axis intersecting the second retainer inner wall 304W. By a simple method of rotating the first fin 664 and the second fin 665, the air flow direction of the first air outlet 101 and the air flow direction of the second air outlet 102 can be switched between left and right in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the exposed surface 606 is configured with a curved surface that is convex toward the outside of the air-conditioning register 100. By configuring the exposed surface 606 with a curved surface, it is possible to improve the design of the air-conditioning register 100. In addition, the airflows blown out from the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 can be easily made to join in the vicinity of the exposed surface 606 by utilizing the Coanda effect, and the flow rate and blowing direction of the airflow from the air-conditioning register 100 can be stably adjusted.

[0053] According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the first distance T10 at the first air outlet 101 and the second distance T20 at the second air outlet 102 are set to be 1 millimeter or more and 10 millimeters or less. Therefore, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning register 100 that has a good balance between the design of the air-conditioning register 100 and the flow rate of the air blown out.

[0054] B. Second embodiment: FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an air-conditioning register 100b according to the second embodiment. The air-conditioning register 100b of the second embodiment differs from the air-conditioning register 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a cover member 60b instead of the cover member 60 and further includes an operation lever 40, but the other configurations are similar. In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the cover member 60 is supported rotatably within the retainer air passage 30S. In contrast, in this embodiment, the cover member 60b is fixed within the retainer air passage 30S, and the adjustment of the flow rate of air from the first air outlet 101b and the second air outlet 102b is realized by operating the flow dividing section 68b using the operation lever 40, as described later.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in Fig. 10. Fig. 11 shows the air-conditioning register 100b in a neutral state. The neutral state of the air-conditioning register 100b is formed by the internal structure being mirror-symmetric with respect to the Y direction including the central axis AX, as in the first embodiment.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 11, the cover member 60b includes a front wall portion 62b, fins 66b, and a flow dividing portion 68b. The cover member 60b differs from the cover member 60 shown in the first embodiment in that the cover member 60b does not include an upper wall portion 63, a lower wall portion 64, a first slit 602, and a second slit 604. A first retainer ventilation passage 612b and a second retainer ventilation passage 614b are formed on the outside of the cover member 60b. The first ventilation passage distance T12 of the first retainer ventilation passage 612b and the second ventilation passage distance T22 of the second retainer ventilation passage 614b are approximately the same, and the flow passage length W31 of the first retainer ventilation passage 612b and the flow passage length W41 of the second retainer ventilation passage 614b are approximately the same. That is, the first retainer ventilation passage 612b and the second retainer ventilation passage 614b are configured to have substantially the same flow path resistance. Note that the configurations of the first air outlet 101b and the second air outlet 102b are similar to those of the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 shown in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The front wall portion 62b is common to the front wall portion 62 shown in the first embodiment in that it has a front surface 626 with a similar cross-sectional shape, but differs in that it does not have a shaft fitting portion 628. The front wall portion 62b is fixed to the retainer inner wall 30W by a fixing device (not shown).

[0058] The fin 66b rotates around the central axis AX2 inside the cover member 60b. The fin 66b has a different shape from the fin 66 shown in the first embodiment, but the other functions and configurations are similar. In this embodiment, the upper end protrusion 662 of the fin 66b is fitted into the fitting hole 302T of the first retainer inner wall 302W instead of the fitting hole 638 of the upper wall portion 63, and the lower end protrusion 662 is fitted into the fitting hole 304T of the second retainer inner wall 304W instead of the fitting hole 648 of the lower wall portion 64. The rotation of the fin 66b can be adjusted, for example, by operating an operating lever (not shown).

[0059] The diverting portion 68b is a plate-like member that is long along the vehicle width direction. The upstream end of the diverting portion 68b functions as a protruding portion 684, and divides the retainer air passage 30S into upper and lower parts. In the example of FIG. 12, the diverting portion 68b is disposed in the retainer air passage 30S such that the surface direction of the diverting portion 68b is in a direction DT3 that substantially coincides with the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the orientation of the diverting portion 68b can be determined by the surface direction of the diverting portion 68b.

[0060] In this embodiment, a first internal flow path 601b is formed between an upper surface of the flow dividing portion 68b and the first retainer inner wall 302W, and a second internal flow path 603b is formed between a lower surface of the flow dividing portion 68b and the second retainer inner wall 304W. The first internal flow path 601b communicates with the first air outlet 101b via a first retainer ventilation passage 612b, and the second internal flow path 603b communicates with the second air outlet 102b via a second retainer ventilation passage 614b.

[0061] The diverter 68b is supported by the retainer inner wall 30W so as to be rotatable around a central axis AX set near the downstream end of the diverter 68b, as shown by an arrow AG2 in FIG. 11. The diverter 68b is connected to the operating lever 40 shown in FIG. 10 by a link mechanism (not shown). By operating the operating lever 40 in the up-down direction shown by an arrow AG1 in FIG. 10, the diverter 68b can be rotated around the central axis AX. This allows the diverter 68b to be switched between a first diverting state in which the protruding portion 684 is close to the first retainer inner wall 302W and a second diverting state in which the protruding portion 684 is close to the second retainer inner wall 304W. The first diverting state is a state in which the opening degree of the first internal flow passage 601b communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage 612b is reduced, and the opening degree of the second internal flow passage 603b communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage 614b is increased. The second flow division state is a state in which the opening degree of the first internal flow path 601b is increased, and the opening degree of the second internal flow path 603b is decreased.

[0062] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a typical flow direction of the air conditioning air inside the air conditioning register 100b in the neutral state. In the air conditioning register 100b in the neutral state, the opening degree of the first internal flow path 601b and the opening degree of the second internal flow path 603b by the flow dividing portion 68b are substantially the same. As shown by arrows S51 and S61 in Fig. 12, the air conditioning air that has flowed from the inlet 305 into the retainer air passage 30S flows to the protruding portion 684 of the flow dividing portion 68b, and is then divided into the first internal flow path 601b and the second internal flow path 603b by the protruding portion 684 as shown by arrows S52 and S62.

[0063] The air flowing through first internal flow passage 601b flows through first retainer ventilation passage 612b as shown by arrow S53. The air flowing through second internal flow passage 603b flows through second retainer ventilation passage 614b as shown by arrow S63. The flow passage resistance of first retainer ventilation passage 612b and second retainer ventilation passage 614b are approximately the same, and the flow rate of the airflow blown out from first outlet 101b and the flow rate of the air blown out from second outlet 102b are approximately the same.

[0064] As indicated by arrows S54 and S64, the air blown out from first air outlet 101b and second air outlet 102b to the outside of retainer 30 flows over the surface of front surface 626 due to the Coanda effect, and merges on the surface of front surface 626 or at a position separated from the surface of front surface 626 due to separation. The merged air flows toward the front of air-conditioning register 100b in a substantially horizontal direction, as indicated by arrow S204.

[0065] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the air flow direction inside the air-conditioning register 100b in the first flow division state. When the flow division portion 68b is rotated upward as indicated by the arrow D21 by operating the operating lever 40, the surface direction of the flow division portion 68b is switched from the direction DT3 to the direction DT4. As a result, the first flow division state shown in Fig. 13 can be achieved.

[0066] As shown by arrows S71 and S81, the air for air conditioning flows up to protruding portion 684 of diverter portion 68b. The air that reaches protruding portion 684 flows into first internal flow path 601b with the flow rate reduced by diverter portion 68b as shown by arrow S32, and flows into second internal flow path 603b with the flow rate increased as shown by arrow S42. As shown by arrow S73, the air that flows into first internal flow path 601b flows through first retainer ventilation passage 612b, and as shown by arrow S83, the air that flows into second internal flow path 603b flows through second retainer ventilation passage 614b.

[0067] In the first branch state, the flow rate of air sent to the second retainer ventilation passage 614b is greater than that in the neutral state, and is greater than the flow rate of air sent to the first retainer ventilation passage 612b. Therefore, the flow rate of air blown out from the second air outlet 102b indicated by the arrow S84 is greater than the flow rate of air blown out from the first air outlet 101b indicated by the arrow S74. Therefore, the joining point of the air from the first air outlet 101 and the air from the second air outlet 102b is higher than in the neutral state. As a result, as indicated by the arrow S206 in FIG. 13, the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100b is directed upwards than in the neutral state.

[0068] Although not shown, in the air-conditioning register 100b of this embodiment, the air-conditioning register 100b can be blown into the vehicle cabin in a more downward direction than in the neutral state by operating the operating lever 40 to rotate the diverter 68b downward from the neutral state to a second diverter state. The second diverter state can be formed, for example, by rotating the diverter 68b to a state in which the first diverter state is upside down with respect to the direction DT3. In the second diverter state, the opening degree of the first retainer ventilation passage 612b is increased to increase the flow rate, and the opening degree of the second retainer ventilation passage 614b is decreased to decrease the flow rate, compared to the neutral state. As a result, the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100 can be made to flow downward, i.e., along a direction at a depression angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0069] According to the air-conditioning register 100b of this embodiment, the flow dividing section 68b can be switched between a first flow dividing state in which the opening degree of the first internal flow passage 601b communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage 612b is reduced and the opening degree of the second internal flow passage 603b communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage 614b is increased, and a second retainer flow dividing state in which the opening degree of the first internal flow passage 601b is increased and the opening degree of the second internal flow passage 603b is reduced. Instead of switching the flow passage resistance inside the air-conditioning register 100b, the direction of the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100b can be switched by a simple configuration in which the flow dividing section 68b adjusts the flow rates of the first internal flow passage 601b and the second internal flow passage 603b.

[0070] C. Third embodiment: 14 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an air-conditioning register 100c according to the third embodiment. The air-conditioning register 100c of the third embodiment differs from the air-conditioning register 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a cover member 60c instead of the cover member 60 and a bezel 20c instead of the bezel 20, but otherwise has the same configuration. In this embodiment, the cover member 60c is fixed inside the retainer air passage 30S like the cover member 60b shown in the second embodiment, and the flow rate of air from the first air outlet 101c and the second air outlet 102c is adjusted by operating the flow dividing portion 68c described later.

[0071] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XV-XV position in Fig. 14. Fig. 15 shows the air-conditioning register 100c in a neutral state. The neutral state of the air-conditioning register 100c can be achieved by aligning the direction of the diverter 68c substantially with the Y direction. In this embodiment, the direction of the diverter 68c can be determined, for example, by a straight line DT5 connecting the tip of the protrusion 684 and the rotation axis AX5 of the diverter 68c.

[0072] 15, the cover member 60c includes a front wall portion 62c, fins 66c, and a flow dividing portion 68c. The cover member 60c differs from the cover member 60 shown in the first embodiment in that it does not include an upper wall portion 63, a lower wall portion 64, a first slit 602, or a second slit 604. A first retainer ventilation passage 612c and a second retainer ventilation passage 614c are formed on the outside of the cover member 60c.

[0073] The front wall portion 62c is common to the front wall portion 62 shown in the first embodiment in that it has a front surface 626, but differs in that it does not have a shaft fitting portion 628. The front wall portion 62c is fixed to the retainer inner wall 30W by a fixing device (not shown).

[0074] The fin 66c is composed of a first fin 664 and a second fin 665, which are separate bodies, and each has a central axis AX3, AX4 shown in FIG. 15. The connecting portion 668c connects the first fin 664 and the second fin 665, and synchronizes the rotation directions of the fins with each other. The connecting portion 668c has a long flat plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 14, the connecting portion 668c extends to the outside of the air-conditioning register 100c, and is connected to an operation lever (not shown) outside the air-conditioning register 100c. The first fin 664 and the second fin 665 rotate around the central axis AX3, AX4 by sliding the connecting portion 668c along the vehicle width direction by operating the operation lever. As a result, the direction of the air blown out from the first air outlet 101c and the second air outlet 102c is switched left and right along the vehicle width direction.

[0075] The flow dividing portion 68c has two inclined surfaces, a first inclined surface 683 and a second inclined surface 685. The first inclined surface 683 and the second inclined surface 685 are connected to each other with the tip of the protruding portion 684 as an apex. The first inclined surface 683 defines a first internal flow path 601c between the first inclined surface 683 and the first retainer inner wall 302W, and the second inclined surface 685 defines a second internal flow path 603c between the first inclined surface 683 and the second retainer inner wall 304W. The first internal flow path 601c communicates with the first outlet 101c via the first retainer ventilation passage 612c, and the second internal flow path 603c communicates with the second outlet 102c via the second retainer ventilation passage 614c.

[0076] As shown by an arrow AG3 in FIG. 15, the diverter 68c is supported by the retainer inner wall 30W so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis AX5 located downstream of the diverter 68c. The diverter 68c can be rotated around the rotation axis AX5 by, for example, operating an operating lever (not shown). This allows the diverter 68c to switch the retainer ventilation passage 30S between a first diverter state in which the protruding portion 684 is close to the first retainer inner wall 302W and a second diverter state in which the protruding portion 684 is close to the second retainer inner wall 304W. The first diverter state is a state in which the opening degree of the first internal flow path 601c is reduced and the opening degree of the second internal flow path 603c is increased. The second diverter state is a state in which the opening degree of the first internal flow path 601c is increased and the opening degree of the second internal flow path 603c is reduced. According to the air-conditioning register 100c of this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the direction of the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100c can be switched by a simple method of adjusting the flow rate using the flow dividing section 68c.

[0077] In the air-conditioning register 100c of this embodiment, the first retainer ventilation passage 612c and the second retainer ventilation passage 614c have a structure that is asymmetrical in the top and bottom, and the internal structure is not mirror-symmetrical with respect to the Y direction. Specifically, the flow paths and the like within the air-conditioning register 100c have the following characteristics (4)-(6).

[0078] (4) The first distance T13 at the first air outlet 101c and the second distance T23 at the second air outlet 102c are set to be different from each other. Specifically, the first distance T13 is set to be larger than the second distance T23, and the opening width of the first air outlet 101c is set to be larger than the opening width of the second air outlet 102c. In the example of FIG. 15, the first distance T13 is 10 mm, and the second distance T23 is 5 mm. Although not shown in the figure, the first air outlet 101c and the second air outlet 102c are configured so that their blowing directions intersect in front of the front surface 626. (5) The total length W51 of the first internal flow passage 601c and the first retainer ventilation passage 612c is greater than the total length W61 of the second internal flow passage 603c and the second retainer ventilation passage 614c. In other words, in the flow passages after the flow is divided by the flow dividing section 68c, the flow passage to the first outlet 101c is longer than the flow passage to the second outlet 102c. (6) In the flow path after the flow is divided by the flow dividing portion 68c, the average value of the height 612h of the flow path to the first outlet 101c is greater than the average value of the height 614h of the flow path to the second outlet 102c.

[0079] The above features (4)-(6) are set values ​​derived to make the flow resistance of the flow path up to the first outlet 101c and the flow resistance of the flow path up to the second outlet 102c in the flow path after the flow is divided by the flow dividing unit 68c approximately equal. By having the above features (4)-(6), even if the air-conditioning register 100c has a top-bottom asymmetric structure as in this embodiment, the flow rate of the air blown out from the first outlet 101c and the flow rate of the air blown out from the second outlet 102c in the neutral state can be made approximately equal.

[0080] The bezel 20c is different from the bezel 20 shown in the first embodiment in that it includes a flange 210. As shown in FIG. 15, the flange 210 is a portion continuing from the first side 306s1 of the retainer opening 306. The flange 210 has a shape that protrudes from the first side 306s1 toward the outside of the air-conditioning register 100c. By configuring in this way, the first air outlet 101c becomes difficult to be seen by the user, so that even if the opening width of the first air outlet 101c is formed large as in this embodiment, the first air outlet 101c can be made difficult to be seen, and the internal structure of the air-conditioning register 100c can be prevented from being seen by the user in the vehicle cabin. The flange may be formed on the retainer 30 instead of the bezel 20c.

[0081] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow direction of the air conditioning air inside the air conditioning register 100c in the neutral state. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the simulation result of the flow speed of the air flow in the air conditioning register 100c in the neutral state. In the air conditioning register 100c in the neutral state, the opening degree of the first internal flow path 601c by the flow dividing portion 68c is approximately the same as the opening degree of the second internal flow path 603c. As shown by arrows S91 and S101 in FIG. 16, the air conditioning air that flows from the inlet 305 to the retainer ventilation passage 30S flows to the flow dividing portion 68c, and is divided into the first internal flow path 601c and the second internal flow path 603c by the protruding portion 684 as shown by arrows S92 and S102.

[0082] The air flowing through first internal flow path 601c is sent to first retainer ventilation passage 612c as shown by arrow S93, and the air flowing through second internal flow path 603c is sent to second retainer ventilation passage 614b as shown by arrow S103. The flow path resistances of first retainer ventilation passage 612c and second retainer ventilation passage 614c are approximately the same, and the flow rate of air blown out from first outlet 101c and the flow rate of air blown out from second outlet 102c are approximately the same.

[0083] The air blown out from the second air outlet 102c flows over the surface of the front surface 626 due to the Coanda effect, and merges with the air blown out from the first air outlet 101c on the surface of the front surface 626, or at a position separated from the surface of the front surface 626 due to separation. The merged air flows toward the front of the air-conditioning register 100c substantially along the Y direction, as shown by the arrow S208 in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17.

[0084] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a simulation result of the flow speed of the airflow in the air-conditioning register 100c in the first flow division state. The first flow division state can be formed by switching the direction of the flow division section 68c to a direction DT6 above the direction DT5 shown in Fig. 17. In the first flow division state, the flow rate from the second air outlet 102c is greater than the flow rate from the first air outlet 101c, so that the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100c flows more upward than in the neutral state, as shown by the arrow S210 in Fig. 18.

[0085] 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a simulation result of the flow speed of the airflow in the air-conditioning register 100c in the second branch state. The second branch state can be formed by switching the direction of the branch section 68c to a direction DT7 that is lower than the direction DT5. In the second branch state, the flow rate from the first air outlet 101c is greater than the flow rate from the second air outlet 102c, so that the air blown out from the air-conditioning register 100c flows more downward than in the neutral state, as shown by the arrow S212 in FIG. 19.

[0086] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow direction of the airflow in a vehicle 80 equipped with the air-conditioning register 100c of this embodiment. FIG. 20 shows a driver HM operating the vehicle 80 in the driver's seat 82. The air-conditioning register 100c can adjust the flow direction of the airflow by balancing the flow rate of the first air outlet 101c and the flow rate of the second air outlet 102c. Therefore, compared with the conventional technology in which the flow direction of the airflow is adjusted by a horizontal blade, the flow direction of the airflow can be adjusted in a wide range. In general, an air-conditioning register using a horizontal blade can adjust the flow direction from an elevation angle of about 30 degrees to a depression angle of about 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction HZ. In contrast, the air-conditioning register 100c of this embodiment can adjust the flow direction from an elevation angle of about 60 degrees shown by angle θ10 in FIG. 20 to a depression angle of about 35 degrees shown by angle θ12, or in a range of angles greater than this.

[0087] For example, when cold air is blown out from the air-conditioning register 100c to cool the inside of the vehicle 80, the airflow with an elevation angle of 30 degrees hits the head HH of the driver HM directly, which may cause discomfort to the driver HM. In contrast, as shown by the arrow S300, the airflow with an elevation angle of 60 degrees realized by the air-conditioning register 100c of this embodiment can be blown out toward the ceiling 80T of the vehicle 80 without hitting the head HH of the driver HM directly. The cold air that reaches the ceiling 80T spreads into the vehicle cabin along the ceiling 80T, for example, and as shown by the arrow S302, becomes a downflow due to the characteristics of the cold air, cooling the entire vehicle cabin. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent discomfort to the driver HM, and the downflow from the upper part of the vehicle cabin can uniformly cool the vehicle cabin.

[0088] Also, for example, when hot air is blown out from the air conditioning register 100c to warm the inside of the vehicle 80, it is difficult to blow it toward the knees HN of the driver HM or the lower legs below the knees HN with an airflow with a depression angle of 30 degrees. In contrast, as shown by the arrow S310, if the airflow has a depression angle of 35 degrees or more, hot air can be blown toward the knees HN and the lower legs. In this case, the lower legs can be directly heated. Also, as shown by the arrow S400, when hot air is supplied from a heating device provided on the bottom surface 80B of the vehicle 80 to warm the toes of the driver HM, the airflow with a depression angle of 35 degrees or more functions as an air curtain, so that the rise of the hot air from the heating device can be suppressed and the hot air can be stagnated near the lower legs of the driver HM, as shown by the arrow S402.

[0089] D. Other embodiments: (D1) In the above first embodiment, the cover member 60 rotates inside the retainer 30 to switch between a first rotation state in which the first opposing area between the first retainer inner wall 302W and the cover member 60 is increased while maintaining the first ventilation path distance T1 and the second opposing area between the second retainer inner wall 304W and the cover member 60 is decreased while maintaining the second ventilation path distance T2, and a second rotation state in which the first opposing area is decreased while maintaining the first ventilation path distance T1 and the second opposing area is increased while maintaining the second ventilation path distance T2. In contrast to this, the cover member 60 may be configured to be able to adjust the flow rates of the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 by sliding, for example, up and down in the vertical direction inside the retainer 30. For example, by sliding the cover member 60 downward in the vertical direction, the cover member 60 is disposed at a position closer to the second retainer inner wall 304W than to the first retainer inner wall 302W, thereby establishing a first sliding state in which the first ventilation path distance between the first retainer inner wall 302W and the cover member 60 is increased while maintaining the size of the first opposing area between the first retainer inner wall 302W and the cover member 60, and the second ventilation path distance between the second retainer inner wall 304W and the cover member 60 is decreased while maintaining the size of the second opposing area between the second retainer inner wall 304W and the cover member 60. Furthermore, by sliding the cover member 60 upward in the vertical direction, a second sliding state can be established in which the first ventilation path distance is decreased while maintaining the size of the first opposing area, and the second ventilation path distance is increased while maintaining the size of the second opposing area. According to the air-conditioning register 100 of this embodiment, the flow rate of the airflow from each of the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 can be adjusted by the simple method of sliding the cover member 60.

[0090] (D2) In each of the above embodiments, an example has been shown in which the air-conditioning register 100 is provided with two air outlets, the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102. However, for example, only one of the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 may be provided. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning register 100 with improved design.

[0091] (D3) In the above first embodiment, an example was shown in which the lid member 60 was cylindrical. However, the lid member 60 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be any columnar body such as a polygonal prism, or may be a sphere. When the lid member 60 is a polygonal prism, the exposed surface 606 may be any one of the planes of the polygonal prism, or may be two or more planes including a corner.

[0092] (D4) In each of the above embodiments, an example was shown in which the retainer opening 306 is rectangular. However, the retainer opening 306 is not limited to a rectangle, and may have any geometric shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. Also, in each of the above embodiments, an example was shown in which the shape of the bezel opening 206 matches the shape of the retainer opening 306, but this is not limiting, and the shape of the bezel opening 206 and the shape of the retainer opening 306 do not have to match. In this case, the shape of the exposed surface 606 may also be any shape according to the retainer opening 306.

[0093] (D5) In the above embodiments, the first side 306s1 and the second side 306s2 of the retainer opening 306 are arranged along the vehicle width direction. In contrast, the air-conditioning register 100 may be arranged such that the first side 306s1 and the second side 306s2 of the retainer opening 306 are inclined at any angle, including perpendicular, to the vehicle width direction, such as arranged so that the first side 306s1 and the second side 306s2 intersect with the vehicle width direction.

[0094] (D6) In each of the above embodiments, the first side 306s1 and the second side 306s2 are linear, but they are not limited to being linear and may be curved in various ways, such as a circular arc, or may be wavy in various shapes. The same applies to the first air outlet 101 and the second air outlet 102.

[0095] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention column can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10...instrument panel, 20, 20c...bezel, 30...retainer, 30S...retainer ventilation passage, 30W...retainer inner wall, 40...operating lever, 60, 60b, 60c...cover member, 62, 62b, 62c...front wall portion, 63...upper wall portion, 64...lower wall portion, 66...protruding portion, 66, 66b, 66c...fins, 68, 68b, 68c...diverter portion, 80B...bottom surface, 80T...ceiling, 82...driver's seat, 100, 100b, 100c... Air conditioning register, 101, 101b, 101c...first air outlet, 102, 102b, 102c...second air outlet, 206...bezel opening, 210...flange portion, 302...first wall portion, 302T...fitting hole, 302W...first retainer inner wall, 303...side wall portion, 304...second wall portion, 304T...fitting hole, 304W...second retainer inner wall, 305...inlet, 306...retainer opening, 306s1...first side, 306s2...second side, 308... Fitting hole, 601, 601b, 601c...first internal flow passage, 602...first slit, 603, 603b, 603c...second internal flow passage, 604...second slit, 606...exposed surface, 612, 612b, 612c...first retainer ventilation passage, 612h...height, 614, 614b, 614c...second retainer ventilation passage, 614h...height, 623...end edge, 624...end edge, 626...front surface, 628...shaft fitting portion, 632...upper surface, 632E ...edge, 634...side wall portion, 634B...lower end, 638...fitting hole, 642...lower surface portion, 642E...edge, 644...side wall portion, 644T...upper end, 646...projection portion, 648...fitting hole, 662...projection portion, 664...first fin, 665...second fin, 666...shaft portion, 668, 668c...connection portion, 682...support recess, 683...first inclined surface, 684...projection, 685...second inclined surface, CP...midpoint, HH...head, HM...driver, HN...knee

Claims

1. An air conditioning register, a cylindrical retainer having a retainer inner wall that defines a retainer ventilation passage and a retainer opening provided at a downstream end of the retainer ventilation passage; a cover member provided inside the retainer, the cover member having an exposed surface exposed from the retainer opening, and a retainer facing surface facing the retainer opening to define an air outlet between the retainer opening and the exposed surface; Air conditioning register.

2. 2. The air conditioning register according to claim 1, The retainer opening has one side and another side opposite to the one side, The retainer facing surface defines, as the air outlets, a first air outlet between the retainer facing surface and one side of the retainer opening, and a second air outlet between the retainer facing surface and the other side of the retainer opening. Air conditioning register.

3. 3. The air conditioning register according to claim 2, The first air outlet and the second air outlet are configured so that a direction of an airflow blown out from the first air outlet and a direction of an airflow blown out from the second air outlet intersect with each other. Air conditioning register.

4. 3. The air conditioning register according to claim 2, a first retainer ventilation passage defined between the cover member and a first retainer inner wall that is continuous with one side of the retainer opening and communicates with the first air outlet; a second retainer ventilation passage defined between the cover member and a second retainer inner wall that is continuous with another side of the retainer opening and communicates with the second air outlet; a dividing portion disposed inside the retainer for dividing the retainer ventilation passage into the first retainer ventilation passage and the second retainer ventilation passage; Air conditioning register.

5. 5. The air conditioning register according to claim 4, The cover member is The retainer is configured to be rotatable within the retainer, The rotation can be switched between a first rotation state in which a first opposing area between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member is increased while maintaining a first ventilation path distance between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member, and a second rotation state in which the first opposing area is decreased while maintaining the first ventilation path distance, and the second opposing area is increased while maintaining the second ventilation path distance. Air conditioning register.

6. 5. The air conditioning register according to claim 4, The diverter section is switchable between a first diverter state in which an opening degree of the flow passage communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage is reduced and an opening degree of the flow passage communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage is increased, and a second diverter state in which an opening degree of the flow passage communicating with the first retainer ventilation passage is increased and an opening degree of the flow passage communicating with the second retainer ventilation passage is reduced. Air conditioning register.

7. 7. The air conditioning register according to claim 6, a first distance between one side of the retainer opening at the first air outlet and the retainer opposing surface is larger than a second distance between the other side of the retainer opening at the second air outlet and the retainer opposing surface; The retainer further includes a flange portion that is continuous with one side of the retainer opening and protrudes toward the outside of the retainer. Air conditioning register.

8. The air-conditioning register according to claim 5 or 6, a first distance between one side of the retainer opening at the first air outlet and the retainer opposing surface, and a second distance between the other side of the retainer opening at the second air outlet and the retainer opposing surface are equal to each other. Air conditioning register.

9. 5. The air conditioning register according to claim 4, The cover member is The retainer is configured to be slidable inside the retainer, The sliding can be switched between a first sliding state in which a first ventilation path distance between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member is increased while maintaining the size of a first opposing area between the first retainer inner wall and the cover member, and a second sliding state in which the first ventilation path distance is decreased while maintaining the size of the first opposing area, and the second ventilation path distance is increased while maintaining the size of the second opposing area. Air conditioning register.

10. 5. The air conditioning register according to claim 4, a first fin having a flat plate shape and provided in the first retainer ventilation passage and configured to be rotatable around a central axis intersecting the first retainer inner wall; a flat second fin provided in the second retainer ventilation passage and configured to be rotatable around a central axis intersecting the second retainer inner wall; Air conditioning register.

11. 2. The air conditioning register according to claim 1, The exposed surface is a convex curved surface toward the outside of the air-conditioning register. Air conditioning register.

12. 2. The air conditioning register according to claim 1, A distance between the retainer opening and the retainer opposing surface at the air outlet is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Air conditioning register.

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