Control force adjustment device and wind direction adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a control force adjustment device which can stably set a rotational control force of a louver, and to provide a wind direction adjustment device including the control force adjustment device.SOLUTION: A control force adjustment device 12 includes: a transmission part 14 for transmitting rotation to a louver 10; a supported part 17 which is connected to the transmission part 14 and rotatably supported by a bearing part 16 at the other side; a fastening receiving part 25 connected to the supported part 17; a fastening member 30 which is fastened to the fastening receiving part 25 to hold the louver 10 on the bearing part 16 at the other side; and a pressure contact member 31 which is moved toward the louver 10 along a direction which is substantially parallel with a rotation axis A of the louver 10 by fastening the fastening member 30 to the fastening receiving part 25 to be placed in pressure contact with the bearing part 16 at the other side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating force adjusting device for setting a rotational operating force of an operated part, and a wind direction adjusting device provided with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an air conditioning device used in a vehicle such as an automobile, there is a wind direction adjusting device for adjusting the blowing direction of the air. The wind direction adjusting device is also called an air conditioning air blowing device, an air outlet, a ventilator, a register, etc., and is installed in each part of the vehicle such as an instrument panel or a center console part, and contributes to improving the comfort performance by air conditioning.

[0003] In such a wind direction adjusting device, a bearing hole that supports the rotation shaft of a louver that adjusts the wind direction by rotation is configured by a soft spacer, and the rotation torque of the louver is set by the sliding resistance between the rotation shaft and the bearing hole, improving the operability of the fin and enabling stable adjustment of the wind direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described operating force adjusting device, there is a limit to the adjustment range of the operating torque, and it is not easy to stabilize the operating torque due to dimensional variations caused by manufacturing tolerances and the influence of temperature.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an operating force adjusting device capable of stably setting the rotational operating force of an operated part, and a wind direction adjusting device provided with the same.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The operating force adjusting device according to claim 1 is an operating force adjusting device for setting the rotational operating force of an operated part, and includes a transmission part for transmitting rotation to the operated part, a supported part that is connected to this transmission part and is rotatably supported by a support part, a fastening receiving part that is connected to this supported part, a fastening member that holds the operated part to the support part by fastening to this fastening receiving part, and a pressing member that is pressed against a pressed part toward the operated part along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the operated part by the fastening of the fastening member to the fastening receiving part.

[0008] The operating force adjusting device according to claim 2 is the operating force adjusting device according to claim 1, and includes an intervening part that is formed separately from the operated part and the support part, is interposed between the operated part and the support part, and separates the operated part and the support part from each other.

[0009] The operating force adjusting device according to claim 3 is the operating force adjusting device according to claim 2, and the intervening part is covered by the operated part.

[0010] The operating force adjusting device according to claim 4 is the operating force adjusting device according to claim 1, and at least a part of the fastening receiving part, the fastening member, and the pressing member are located on the side opposite to the operated part with reference to the support part and in a position that is not visible in the use state.

[0011] The wind direction adjusting device according to claim 5 includes a ventilation passage, a louver that is an operated part for adjusting the wind direction blown out from the ventilation passage according to rotation, and the operating force adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for setting the rotational operating force of this louver.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the operating force adjusting device described in claim 1, by appropriately selecting the pressure contact member, it is possible to suppress variations in the pressure contact amount of the pressure contact member to the support portion caused by individual differences in parts of the pressure contact member or variations in the fastening torque of the fastening member. Therefore, the rotational operating force of the operated portion can be stably set without the need for strict management of dimensional tolerances of each part.

[0013] According to the operating force adjusting device described in claim 2, in addition to the effects of the operating force adjusting device described in claim 1, it is possible to surely prevent the directly contact between the operated portion and the support portion, and surely prevent the occurrence of problems caused by rubbing between the operated portion and the support portion due to the rotation of the operated portion.

[0014] According to the operating force adjusting device described in claim 3, in addition to the effects of the operating force adjusting device described in claim 2, since the operating force adjusting device is less visible from the side of the operated portion of the support portion, it is possible to prevent the degradation of the appearance.

[0015] According to the operating force adjusting device described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the operating force adjusting device described in claim 1, it is possible to prevent the generation of turbulent flow in the wind rectified by the operated portion by the fastening receiving portion, the fastening member, and the pressure contact member, and prevent the degradation of the appearance due to the exposure of the fastening receiving portion, the fastening member, and the pressure contact member when not adjusted by the operating force adjusting device.

[0016] According to the wind direction adjusting device described in claim 5, it is possible to provide a wind direction adjusting device capable of easily and stably obtaining a desired operating feeling of the louver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] In FIGS. 1 and 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a wind direction adjusting device. The wind direction adjusting device 1, also called an air outlet, a ventilator, a register, etc., adjusts the blowing direction of the wind from an air conditioner or the like. Hereinafter, for the sake of clarity of explanation, the downwind side, which is the side where the wind blows out, is defined as the front side, the front side or the front side, and the opposite side, that is, the upwind side, which is the side that receives the wind, is defined as the rear side, the back side or the back side. The lateral direction or the width direction, which is the left-right direction when viewed from the front side, and the vertical direction are defined. In the present embodiment, the wind direction adjusting device 1 is applied to an air conditioner for a vehicle such as an automobile. The wind direction adjusting device 1 may be arranged at an arbitrary position, but in the drawings, it is assumed that the arrow FR side is the front side, the arrow RR side is the rear side, the arrow L side is the left side, the arrow R side is the right side, the arrow U side is the upper side, and the arrow D side is the lower side. These directions are merely illustrated as an example and may be appropriately changed depending on the installation position and installation direction of the wind direction adjusting device 1.

[0020] The wind direction adjusting device 1 includes a case body 3. The case body 3 is also called a duct. The case body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In the present embodiment, the case body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the case body 3 is formed in a rectangular tube shape. The case body 3 surrounds an air passage 5 inside. The direction parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis of the case body 3 is the ventilation direction of the air passage 5. In the present embodiment, the ventilation direction of the air passage 5 is the front-rear direction, and ventilation is performed from the rear to the front. That is, in the air passage 5, the rear side is the upstream side of the ventilation direction, and the front side is the downstream side of the ventilation direction.

[0021] The case body 3 has a predetermined length in the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage 5. In the present embodiment, the case body 3 is flat in the vertical direction and longitudinally formed in the left-right direction, that is, horizontally long. Therefore, the wind direction adjustment device 1 is formed in a horizontal and thin shape. An inlet for receiving air, that is, air-conditioning wind, into the ventilation passage 5 is formed at the rear end portion of the case body 3, and an outlet 7 for discharging the air-conditioning wind from the ventilation passage 5 is formed at the front end portion of the case body 3. A ventilation passage 5 communicating these is formed between the inlet and the outlet 7. The air-conditioning wind passes from the inlet to the outlet 7. The inlet and the outlet 7 are each horizontally long. Note that the case body 3 may be integrally formed or may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

[0022] A louver 10, which is an operating portion, is disposed on the case body 3. The louver 10, also called a fin or the like, adjusts the wind direction of the air-conditioning wind blown out from the outlet 7 of the ventilation passage 5 according to its rotation by rotating with respect to the case body 3. The louver 10 is formed in a plate shape in which one main surface and the other main surface are airfoil surfaces. In the present embodiment, the louver 10 is longitudinally formed in the left-right direction. The louver 10 may be inside the case body 3, that is, inside the ventilation passage 5, or may be at a position facing the outlet 7 outside the case body 3. In the illustrated example, the louver 10 is located in front of the outlet 7 outside the case body 3 and faces the outlet 7. The louver 10 may be single or plural. In the present embodiment, one louver 10 is set. The louver 10 is located at the middle portion in the short side direction of the outlet 7.

[0023] The louver 10 has both ends rotatably attached to the case body 3. In the present embodiment, one end of the louver 10 is attached to the case body 3 via a rotating portion, and the other end is attached to the case body 3 via an operating force adjusting device 12. Then, the louver 10 rotates in the lateral direction of the case body 3 or the ventilation passage 5, which is the vertical direction in the present embodiment, so as to adjust the wind direction in the vertical direction, which is the lateral direction of the case body 3 or the ventilation passage 5. When there are a plurality of louvers 10, the operating force adjusting device 12 only needs to be set for one louver 10, and for the remaining other louvers 10, both ends are attached to the case body 3 via a rotating portion and are configured to interlock and rotate in the same direction as one louver 10 by a link.

[0024] The rotating portion is rotatably supported by a rotation receiving portion. One of the rotating portion and the rotation receiving portion is a shaft portion, and the other is a hole portion or a concave portion. The rotation receiving portion is formed on one bearing portion 13 of the case body 3. One bearing portion 13 is a bearing member such as a side surface portion of the case body 3 or a spacer that is stacked on the side surface portion of the case body 3 and constitutes a part of the case body 3. In the present embodiment, one bearing portion 13 is integrally formed on the side surface portion of the case body 3 as a plate-shaped extending portion that extends forward with respect to the air outlet 7.

[0025] The operating force adjusting device 12 shown in FIG. 1 sets the rotational operating force of the louver 10. The operating force adjusting device 12 includes a transmission part 14 for transmitting rotation to the louver 10. The transmission part 14 is attached to the louver 10 directly or indirectly and is integrally fixed to the louver 10. The transmission part 14 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis A of the louver 10. In the present embodiment, the transmission part 14 has portions with different distances from the central part (the position intersecting the rotation axis A in the present embodiment) in cross-section. In the illustrated example, the transmission part 14 has a square cross-sectional shape. The transmission part 14 is formed in a shaft shape or a column shape and has at least a part of a shape that gradually becomes thinner toward the tip end side. In the present embodiment, the transmission part 14 has a tapered shape that gradually becomes thinner from the base end part to the tip end part. The transmission part 14 is an insertion part that is fitted or press-fitted into a recess 15 opened at the other end of the louver 10 and is integrally connected to the louver 10.

[0026] Further, the operating force adjusting device 12 includes a supported part 17 that is rotatably supported by the other bearing part 16 which is a support part. In the present embodiment, the other bearing part 16 is a bearing member such as a side surface part of the case body 3 or a spacer that is stacked on the side surface part of the case body 3 and constitutes a part of the case body 3. In the present embodiment, the other bearing part 16 is integrally formed as a plate-shaped extension part that extends forward with respect to the air outlet 7 on the side surface part of the case body 3.

[0027] The supported part 17 is formed in a columnar shape and is rotatably inserted into a rotation receiving part 18 formed in the other bearing part 16. The rotation receiving part 18 is a round hole part formed along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. In the present embodiment, the rotation receiving part 18 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis A of the louver 10. In the illustrated example, the rotation receiving part 18 is formed through the other bearing part 16. The rotation receiving part 18 is located opposite to the other end of the louver 10. At least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the supported part 17 is arranged to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotation receiving part 18.

[0028] The supported part 17 is connected to the transmission part 14. In the present embodiment, the supported part 17 is integrally formed coaxially with the transmission part 14 via the intervening part 20. The intervening part 20 is formed in a flange shape or a collar shape between the supported part 17 and the transmission part 14. One end 20a of the intervening part 20 contacts the other end of the louver 10, and the other end 20b contacts the one surface, that is, the inner surface 16a, which is the surface on the louver 10 side of the other bearing part 16, around the rotation receiving part 18. In the present embodiment, the inner surface 16a of the other bearing part 16 is a surface that continues from the inner edge of the air outlet 7 and extends forward, and is a surface visible to a user such as an occupant. One end 20a of the intervening part 20 is a contact surface that basically does not slide in contact regardless of the rotation of the louver 10, and the other end 20b of the intervening part 20 is a sliding contact surface that slides in contact according to the rotation of the louver 10. Due to the thickness of the intervening part 20, the inner surface 16a of the other bearing part 16 and the other end of the louver 10 are separated from each other so that they are not in direct contact with each other. Therefore, in the connection between the louver 10 and the other bearing part 16, the other end 20b of the intervening part 20, which is a sliding contact surface, is interposed.

[0029] Preferably, the intervening part 20 is covered by the other end of the louver 10. In the illustrated example, an attachment recess 22 that covers the louver 10 side of the intervening part 20 is formed around the recess 15 at the other end of the louver 10 with which the intervening part 20 contacts. The attachment recess 22 has a larger width dimension or diameter dimension than the rotation receiving part 18. Since the transmission part 14 is inserted into the recess 15 of the louver 10 and the intervening part 20 is covered by the attachment recess 22, the one end side of the operating force adjusting device 12 including the transmission part 14 and the intervening part 20, that is, the part facing the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7, is covered so as to be invisible to the user.

[0030] In addition, the operating force adjusting device 12 includes a fastening receiving portion 25 for holding the louver 10 in the other bearing portion 16. The fastening receiving portion 25 is arranged along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. In the present embodiment, the fastening receiving portion 25 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis A of the louver 10. The fastening receiving portion 25 is connected to the supported portion 17. In the illustrated example, the fastening receiving portion 25 is coaxially continuous with the end portion of the supported portion 17 on the side opposite to the transmission portion 14. The fastening receiving portion 25, the supported portion 17, and the transmission portion 14 are integrally formed to form a shaft body 26. The tip portion, which is at least a part of the fastening receiving portion 25, is located on the other surface, that is, the outer surface 16b side of the other bearing portion 16 on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the other bearing portion 16, and is outside the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7. The shaft body 26 is formed of, for example, metal. In the illustrated example, the fastening receiving portion 25 is a male screw portion having a smaller diameter than the supported portion 17. Therefore, in the shaft body 26, a step portion 27 is formed between the end portion of the supported portion 17 on the side of the fastening receiving portion 25 and the outer shape of the fastening receiving portion 25.

[0031] In addition, the operating force adjusting device 12 includes a fastening member 30 which is a holding member for holding the louver 10 in the other bearing portion 16 by fastening to the fastening receiving portion 25. The fastening member 30 is formed separately from the shaft body 26. The fastening member 30 is arranged coaxially with the fastening receiving portion 25, is located on the outer surface 16b side of the other bearing portion 16 on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the other bearing portion 16, and is outside the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7. In the present embodiment, the fastening member 30 is a nut. The fastening member 30 can be fastened to the fastening receiving portion 25 up to a position where it directly or indirectly abuts against the step portion 27 which becomes the maximum fastening surface.

[0032] Further, the operating force adjusting device 12 includes a pressing member 31. The pressing member 31 is interposed between the fastening member 30 and the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16. By fastening the fastening member 30 to the fastening receiving portion 25, a pressing force for pressing the pressing member 31 against the pressed portion is set along a predetermined direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. Accordingly, a rotational resistance of the fastening member 30 is generated according to the pressing force, and the rotational operating force of the louver 10 is set. That is, the fastening member 30 is a setting member that is operated to set the rotational operating force, and the pressing member 31 is a resistance generating member that generates the rotational resistance of the fastening member 30. In the present embodiment, the pressing member 31 is a washer. That is, the pressing member 31 is formed in an annular shape and is inserted through the shaft body 26, for example, the fastening receiving portion 25, and the end portion of the supported portion 17 protruding from the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16. The pressing member 31 is located on the outer surface 16b side of the other bearing portion 16, which is on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the other bearing portion 16, and is outside the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the pressing member 31 is a flat washer having both an inner circumference and an outer circumference circular. In the illustrated example, the pressing member 31 is configured to be directly pressed against the louver 10 along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10 with respect to the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16, which is the pressed portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressing member 31 may be pressed against any pressed portion that is overlapped with the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16, for example.

[0034] Then, according to the material and thickness of the pressure contact member 31, the frictional force and operating feeling for obtaining the necessary rotational operating force of the louver 10 are set. In the present embodiment, for example, the pressure contact member 31 is made of a material that is more flexible than the other bearing portion 16. However, this is not the only case. The pressure contact member 31 may be improved in heat resistance by using spring members such as a spring washer or a wave washer that generates a repulsive force in the axial direction. Further, the pressure contact member 31 may be in direct contact with the stepped portion 27 of the fastening member 30 as shown in FIG. 1, or may be in indirect contact via the anti-loosening member 33 as shown in FIG. 2 when it is necessary to set a larger rotational operating force of the louver 10, for example.

[0035] The anti-loosening member 33 is a member that is inserted and removed singly or plurally between the pressure contact member 31 and the fastening member 30 as necessary. The anti-loosening member 33 is an anti-rotation member that suppresses loosening of the fastening of the fastening member 30 to the fastening receiving portion 25. In the present embodiment, the anti-loosening member 33 is a washer. That is, the anti-loosening member 33 of the present embodiment is formed in an annular shape and is inserted through the shaft body 26, for example, the fastening receiving portion 25, and the end portion of the supported portion 17 protruding from the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16. The anti-loosening member 33 is located on the outer surface 16b side of the other bearing portion 16 on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the other bearing portion 16, and is outside the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7. The anti-loosening member 33 has, for example, an outer diameter approximately equal to that of the pressure contact member 31.

[0036] Also, preferably, the anti-loosening member 33 is non-rotatably engaged with the supported portion 17 or the shaft body 26. The supported portion 17 has portions with different distances from the central portion (the position intersecting the rotation axis A in this embodiment) in cross-section. Since the outer peripheral surface of the supported portion 17 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotation receiving portion 18, the supported portion 17 has a portion having a diameter dimension substantially equal to that of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation receiving portion 18 and a portion having a shorter distance from the central portion (the position intersecting the rotation axis A in this embodiment). As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a flat portion 17a in a planar shape parallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the supported portion 17. And, since the inner peripheral portion of the anti-loosening member 33 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of this flat portion 17a, as shown in FIG. 2, the anti-loosening member 33 inserted into the supported portion 17 is non-rotatably engaged with the supported portion 17. The flat portion 17a shown in FIG. 3 may be singular or plural. For example, the flat portions 17a are formed at positions facing each other with respect to the central axis of the supported portion 17 or the central axis of the shaft body 26.

[0037] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer sides in the radial direction of the fastening member 30 and the pressure contact member 31 are surrounded by a protruding portion 34 formed on the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16. The protruding portion 34 is formed in an annular rib shape surrounding the rotation receiving portion 18.

[0038] And, in this embodiment, a covering portion 35 which is a bearing case is formed continuously with the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16. The covering portion 35 is a portion that covers at least the tip of the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressure contact member 31 and makes the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16 invisible to the user in the use state of the wind direction adjusting device 1. That is, the covering portion 35 covers the other end side of the operation force adjusting device 12, that is, the portion located outward with respect to the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7, so that it is invisible to the user. The tip of the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressure contact member 31 are included in the internal space surrounded by the covering portion 35 and the other bearing portion 16, and the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16 is located therein. Therefore, the outer surface 16b of the other bearing portion 16 is an invisible surface in the use state of the wind direction adjusting device 1.

[0039] The covering portion 35 is configured to be openable and closable. In the present embodiment, the covering portion 35 includes a covering portion main body 37 that is a case main body integrally formed with the other bearing portion 16, and a lid 38 separate from the covering portion main body 37. The covering portion 35 can be opened and closed by opening and closing an opening 39 formed in the covering portion main body 37 with the lid 37. In the illustrated example, the lid 38 is detachable from the opening 39 of the covering portion main body 37, and the covering portion 25 can be opened and closed by being detached from the covering portion main body 37. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lid 38 may be attached to the opening 39 via a hinge, a slide mechanism, or the like so as to be openable and closable with respect to the covering portion main body 37.

[0040] The opening 39 may be formed at any position of the covering portion main body 37, but in the present embodiment, it is formed at the upper part of the covering portion main body 37. Therefore, the covering portion main body 37 is formed in a wall shape that covers the portions in front of, below, behind, and on the side of the fastening member 30 and the pressure contact member 31, that is, the portions excluding the upper part, at a position outside the protruding portion 34.

[0041] The lid 38 is formed in a plate shape. The lid 38 is locked to the covering portion main body 37 in a state where the opening 39 is covered, for example, by a claw fitting structure or the like.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, preferably, the appearance of the covering portion 35 is formed so as to exhibit a design similar to or the same as the appearance of the design portion 40 set in the one bearing portion 13 on one end side of the louver 10.

[0043] Further, preferably, an operation unit 42 is disposed on the louver 10, and the rotation of the louver 10 can be directly operated by a user such as an occupant by the operation unit 42. The operation unit 42 is an operation knob, and the louver 10 is rotatable in the operation direction of the operation unit 42. In the illustrated example, the operation unit 42 is movable in the vertical direction together with the louver 10, and the louver 10 is rotated in the vertical direction by this vertical movement. The operation unit 42 protrudes greatly forward from the louver 10. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 42 is formed in a thin shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, on the rear side, that is, the upstream side, of the louver 10, one or a plurality of upstream louvers 44 are provided. The upstream louver 44 is disposed so as to be rotatable in a direction intersecting or orthogonal to the rotation direction of the louver 10, and adjusts the wind direction of the air-conditioning air blown out from the air outlet 7 of the air passage 5 according to the rotation. In the case of the present embodiment, as the upstream louver 44, one having a rotation axis in the vertical direction and rotatable in the horizontal direction is used. The rotation of the upstream louver 44 may be operated in conjunction with moving the operation unit 42 in the longitudinal direction of the louver 10. The operation unit 42 and the upstream louver 44 are not essential components, respectively.

[0045] Furthermore, inside the case body 3, that is, in the air passage 5, a shut valve that rotates with respect to the case body 3 and opens and closes the air passage 5 according to the rotation may be provided.

[0046] When assembling the wind direction adjusting device 1, the upstream louver 44 and the louver 10 are respectively assembled to the case body 3 so as to be rotatable. For the louver 10, after assembling the rotation part located at one end part to be rotatably received by the rotation receiving part of one bearing part 13, the transmission part 14 is inserted and fitted into the recess 15 at the other end part shown in FIG. 1, and the supported part 17 and the fastening receiving part 25 of the shaft body 26 are inserted from the inner surface 16a into the rotation receiving part 18 of the other bearing part 16, and are exposed from the outer surface 16b of the other bearing part 16 in the covering part 35 where the opening 39 is opened by the lid body 38.

[0047] Next, insert the pressing member 31 into the exposed supported portion 17 and the tip of the fastening receiving portion 25, and fasten the fastening member 30 to the tip of the fastening receiving portion 25 until it abuts against the stepped portion 27, thereby holding the other end of the louver 10 to the other bearing portion 16. By tightening the fastening member 30 until it abuts against the stepped portion 27 in this way, the pressing member 31 can be compressed at a fixed position to generate resistance. Therefore, the louver 10 is rotated using the operation portion 42 to check the operating load (rotation torque), and the thickness and material of the pressing member 31 are selected as necessary, and / or a loosening prevention member 33 (FIG. 2) is interposed between the fastening member 30 and the pressing member 31, so that the amount by which the pressing member 31 is pressed against the other bearing portion 16 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10 (thrust load), that is, the load, varies due to individual differences and dimensional tolerances of the fastening member 30, the pressing member 31, etc. is suppressed, and the rotation operating force (operating load) of the louver 10 is set to a constant or substantially constant stable value. When a large rotation operating force of the louver 10 is required, although there is concern that the resistance generated in the pressing member 31 also increases, resulting in a resistance in the loosening direction in the fastening member 30 and the fastening member 30 loosening, by interposing the loosening prevention member 33 shown in FIG. 2 between the fastening member 30 and the pressing member 31 and preventing the loosening prevention member 33 from rotating by the flat portion 17a (FIG. 3) of the supported portion 17, the effect of preventing rotation can be obtained, and the transmission of the force that attempts to loosen the fastening member 30 caused by the resistance generated in the pressing member 31 can be alleviated, suppressing the loosening of the fastening member 30.

[0048] Then, after fastening the fastening member 30 to the fastening receiving portion 25, attach the lid body 38 to cover the opening 39 with respect to the covering portion main body portion 37, covering and hiding the operation force adjusting device 12.

[0049] The completed wind direction adjustment device 1 adjusts the blowing direction, that is, the wind direction, from the air outlet 7 of the air-conditioning wind received from the air inlet into the ventilation passage 5 by operating the operation unit 42 shown in FIG. 4. That is, by moving the operation unit 42 in the vertical direction, the louver 10 is rotated in the vertical direction, and by moving the operation unit 42 in the direction along the louver 10, the upstream louver 44 is rotated in the left-right direction. The wind direction from the air outlet 7 is adjusted by the combination of the wind direction adjustment by the rotation of these louvers 10 and the upstream louver 44.

[0050] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a supported portion 17 rotatably supported by the other bearing portion 16 is connected to the transmission portion 14 for transmitting rotation to the louver 10, and a fastening receiving portion 25 is connected to the supported portion 17. By fastening the fastening member 30 to the fastening receiving portion 25, the louver 10 is held by the other bearing portion 16, and by this fastening, the pressing member 31 is pressed against the other bearing portion 16 along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. Thus, the louver 10 can be easily held against the other bearing portion 16 by fastening the fastening member 30, the assemblability is good, and by appropriately selecting the pressing member 31, variations in the pressing amount of the pressing member 31 against the other bearing portion 16 due to variations in the dimensions of parts associated with mass production, such as variations in the individual parts of the pressing member 31 and variations in the fastening torque of the fastening member 30, can be suppressed. Therefore, the rotational operating force of the louver 10, that is, the operating feeling, can be stably set without the need for strict management of the dimensional tolerances of each part.

[0051] For example, in a conventional example where the rotational operating force is set by the fitting between the rotating part and the rotation receiving part of the louver 10, when the louver 10 and the case body 3 are made of synthetic resin formed by injection molding, there are large variations in dimensions and they are also easily affected by temperature, making it difficult to keep the intersection of the rotational operating forces within a certain width. Also, in order to obtain an arbitrary rotational operating force, it is essential to modify the mold, which requires time and cost. In particular, in a design where the bearing parts 13 and 16 for rotatably receiving the louver 10 protrude forward with respect to the air outlet 7 as in the present embodiment, it is necessary to use a material with high strength and rigidity to prevent the deflection and breakage of the bearing parts 13 and 16. In the case of the conventional example, the torque variation due to the fitting between the rotating part and the rotation receiving part becomes sensitive due to the variation in the shaft diameter, and it becomes more difficult to manage these dimensions to adjust and manage the rotational operating force. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by selecting the dimensions and material of the pressure contact member 31, it becomes possible to easily set the rotational operating force arbitrarily at low cost and in a short time, and the setting range of the rotational operating force becomes wider.

[0052] By interposing an intervening part 20, which is formed separately from the louver 10 and the other bearing part 16, between the louver 10 and the other bearing part 16 to space them apart from each other, it is possible to surely prevent the louver 10 and the other bearing part 16 from coming into direct contact, and to surely prevent problems such as chipping, wear, or generation of abnormal noise caused by rubbing of the louver 10 and / or the other bearing part 16 due to the rotation of the louver 10. Also, by making the shaft body 26 having the intervening part 20 separate from the louver 10, it is possible to achieve the unification and stabilization of the shaft dimensions as compared with the case where the rotating part is integrally formed on the louver 10. In particular, by making the shaft body 26 made of metal, the dimensional accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where the shaft body 26 is made of synthetic resin.

[0053] Since the intervening portion 20 is covered by the louver 10, for example, the mounting recess 22, the operating force adjusting device 12 is less visible from the inner surface 16a side, which is the louver 10 side of the other bearing portion 16 and the air outlet 7 side in the present embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the appearance (appearance) of the air direction adjusting device 1, and it is difficult for the intervening portion 20 to generate a turbulent flow in the air-conditioning air passing through the ventilation passage 5.

[0054] Since at least a part of the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressing member 31 are on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the other bearing portion 16, it is possible to prevent the turbulent flow from being generated in the air-conditioning air rectified by the louver 10 by the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressing member 31. And since at least a part of the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressing member 31 are in positions where they are not visible and inaccessible in the use state by the covering portion 35, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the appearance (appearance) due to the exposure of the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressing member 31 during non-adjustment by the operating force adjusting device 12 (the use state of the air direction adjusting device 1), and it is also possible to prevent a change in the rotation operating force caused by an incorrect operation of the fastening member 30.

[0055] Further, since the covering portion 35 can open and close the opening 39 by the lid body 38, in the state where the opening 39 is opened, the fastening member 30 and the pressing member 31 can be exposed to easily adjust the rotation operating force, and in the state where the opening 39 is closed, at least a part of the fastening receiving portion 25, the fastening member 30, and the pressing member 31 can be made invisible. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both easy adjustment of the rotation operating force and improvement of the appearance during non-adjustment.

[0056] And by setting the rotation operating force of the louver 10 of the air direction adjusting device 1 by the operating force adjusting device 12, it is possible to provide an air direction adjusting device 1 that can easily and stably obtain a desired operating feeling of the louver 10.

[0057] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Regarding the same configurations and operations as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0058] In this embodiment, a plurality of louvers 10 are provided, and these louvers 10 are configured to interlock and rotate in the same direction with each other via a link 50.

[0059] Both ends of each louver 10 are rotatably attached to the case body 3 via a rotating portion 52. The rotating portion 52 is rotatably supported by a rotation receiving portion 18. In this embodiment, the rotating portion 52 is a shaft portion and the rotation receiving portion 18 is a round hole portion, but the rotating portion 52 and the rotation receiving portion 18 may be such that either one is a shaft portion and the other is a hole portion or a concave portion.

[0060] Further, any one of the louvers 10 is rotatably attached to a link 50, which is a support portion, by an operating force adjusting device 12, and the remaining other louvers 10 are rotatably attached to the link 50 by a link rotating portion. The link rotating portion is rotatably supported by a link rotation receiving portion formed on the link 50. The link rotating portion and the link rotation receiving portion are such that one is a shaft portion and the other is a hole portion or a concave portion. The link rotating portion and the link rotation receiving portion have an axial direction in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10.

[0061] In this embodiment, the transmission portion 14 is integrally connected to the louver 10, for example, by hot press fitting or insert molding. In this way, by integrating the transmission portion 14 with the louver 10, a strong holding force can be obtained even against a force that pushes the link 50 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10.

[0062] Also, the supported portion 17 is rotatably inserted into a rotation receiving portion 54 formed on the link 50. The rotation receiving portion 54 is formed along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. In this embodiment, the rotation receiving portion 54 is separated from the rotation axis A of the louver 10 and is located parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. In the illustrated example, the rotation receiving portion 54 is formed through the link 50.

[0063] Furthermore, the intervening portion 20 is interposed between the other end of the louver 10 and the link 50 and is sandwiched between the louver 10 and the link 50. One end 20a of the intervening portion 20 contacts the other end of the louver 10, and the other end 20b contacts one surface, i.e., the inner surface 50a, which is the surface of the link 50 on the louver 10 side, around the rotation receiving portion 54 of the link 50. Due to the thickness of the intervening portion 20, the inner surface 50a of the link 50 and the other end of the louver 10 are separated so that they are not in direct contact with each other. Therefore, in the connection between the louver 10 and the link 50, the other end 20b of the intervening portion 20, which is the sliding contact surface, is interposed.

[0064] Also, in the present embodiment, the fastening receiving portion 25 is arranged away from the rotation axis A of the louver 10 and along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10. The tip portion, which is at least a part of the fastening receiving portion 25, is located on the other surface, i.e., the outer surface 50b side, of the link 50, which is on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the link 50.

[0065] Furthermore, the fastening member 30 is arranged coaxially with the fastening receiving portion 25 and is located on the outer surface 50b side of the link 50, which is on the side opposite to the louver 10 with respect to the link 50.

[0066] The pressing member 31 is interposed between the fastening member 30 and the outer surface 50b of the link 50. In response to the fastening of the fastening member 30 to the fastening receiving portion 25, the pressing member 31 is directly or indirectly pressed against the fastening member 30 and the outer surface 50b of the link 50 along a predetermined direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10, thereby generating a rotational resistance of the fastening member 30 according to the pressing force. In the present embodiment, the pressing member 31 is configured to be directly pressed against the louver 10 along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10 with respect to the outer surface 50b of the link 50, which is the surface to be pressed. However, it is not limited to this, and the pressing member 31 may be pressed against any surface to be pressed, such as being overlapped on the outer surface 50b of the link 50.

[0067] Also, the anti-loosening member 33 is inserted singly or plurally between the pressure contact member 31 and the fastening member 30 as required.

[0068] The operating force adjusting device 12 is arranged together with the link 50 in a notch 55 formed at one end of the louver 10. The notch 55 is formed, for example, at the rear part of the louver 10 at one end of the louver 10. In the present embodiment, the operating force adjusting device 12 is located between the notch 55 of the louver 10 and the other bearing portion 16 and is in a position facing the air passage 5 or the air outlet 7.

[0069] Then, one of the plurality of louvers 10 is integrally formed with the transmission portion 14 of the shaft body 26. The supported portion 17 of the shaft body 26 is inserted into the rotation receiving portion 54, the pressure contact member 31 is inserted into the fastening receiving portion 25, and the fastening member 30 is fastened to the fastening receiving portion 25 to connect one louver 10 to the link 50. Then, it is assembled to the case body 3 together with the remaining other louvers 10 connected to the link 50, and the louvers 10 are interlockingly rotated using the operation portion 42 to check the operating load (rotation torque). As required, the thickness and material of the pressure contact member 31 are selected, and / or an anti-loosening member 33 is interposed between the fastening member 30 and the pressure contact member 31, so that the amount (thrust load) by which the pressure contact member 31 is pressed against the link 50 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the louver 10, that is, the load, varies due to individual differences and dimensional tolerances of the fastening member 30, the pressure contact member 31, etc. is suppressed, and the rotation operating force (operating load) of the louver 10 is set to a constant or substantially constant stable value.

[0070] Thus, in the case of a configuration in which a plurality of louvers 10 are interlockingly rotated by a link 50, even if the operating force adjusting device 12 is applied not at the position where the louver 10 is connected to the other bearing portion 16 (the rotating portion 52 and the rotation receiving portion 18), but at the position where the louver 10 is connected to the link 50, by appropriately selecting the pressure contact member 31, variations in the pressure contact amount of the pressure contact member 31 against the other bearing portion 16 due to variations in the dimensions of parts such as individual differences in parts of the pressure contact member 31 and variations in the fastening torque of the fastening member 30 associated with mass production can be suppressed, and the rotational operating force of the louver can be stably set. Thus, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0071] In recent years, with the change in the design of automobile interiors, there has been an increasing number of designs in which the operation portion 42 protrudes significantly into the vehicle interior. Accordingly, there is a need to increase the strength of the link 50. By applying a metal shaft body 26 with excellent strength to the connection between the louver 10 and the link 50, the strength problem can be solved. Further, since the rotational operating force of the louver 10 can be set at the position of the link 50, there is no need to set the rotational operating force at the position of the rotating portion of the louver 10.

[0072] Note that in each embodiment, the wind direction adjusting device 1 is not limited to being for automobiles and may be used for any other arbitrary applications.

[0073] Further, the operating force adjusting device 12 is not limited to setting the rotational operating force of the louver 10 of the wind direction adjusting device 1, and may also set the rotational operating force of any rotatable operated portion.

Industrial Applicability

[0074] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, as a wind direction adjusting device for air conditioning in automobiles and an operating force adjusting device for adjusting the rotational operating force of the louver thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0075] 1 Wind direction adjusting device 5 Air passage 10 Louver as the operated portion 12 Operating force adjusting device 14 Transmission part 16 Support part and the other bearing part which is the part to be pressure - welded 17 Part to be supported 20 Intermediate part 25 Fastening receiving part 30 Fastening member 31 Pressure - welding member 50 Link which is the support part and the part to be pressure - welded A Rotation axis

Claims

1. An operating force adjusting device for setting a rotational operating force of an operated part, comprising: a transmission part for transmitting rotation to the operated part; a supported part connected to the transmission part and rotatably supported by a support part; a fastening receiving part connected to the supported part; a fastening member for holding the operated part on the support part by fastening to the fastening receiving part; a pressing member that is pressed against a pressed contact part toward the operated part along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the operated part by fastening of the fastening member to the fastening receiving part; An operating force adjusting device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The operating force adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising an intervening part that is formed separately from the operated part and the support part, is interposed between the operated part and the support part, and separates the operated part and the support part from each other.

3. The operating force adjusting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the intervening part is covered by the operated part.

4. The operating force adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the fastening receiving part, the fastening member, and the pressing member are located on the side opposite to the operated part with reference to the support part and in a position that is not visible in the used state.

5. A ventilation passage; a louver which is an operated part for adjusting the wind direction blown out from the ventilation passage according to rotation; the operating force adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for setting the rotational operating force of the louver; An air direction adjusting device characterized by comprising the above.

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