Wind direction adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a wind direction adjustment device which makes a wind direction control part hard to be seen and a wind direction easy to be seen.SOLUTION: A wind direction adjustment device 1 includes a case body 3 having an air passage 5 within it, a wind direction control part 21 operatively disposed in the air passage 5, a blind part 20 which blocks the case body 3 of the wind direction control part 21 from being seen from the outside, and a wind direction display part 50 which mechanically coordinates with the wind direction control part 21 to indicate a wind direction control direction from the blind part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow direction adjusting device including an airflow direction control section operably arranged in an air passage. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioners used in vehicles such as automobiles include airflow direction adjustment devices that adjust the direction of the air being blown out. Generally, airflow direction adjustment devices are provided with airflow direction control units such as fins, and adjust the airflow direction in the direction of operation of the airflow direction control units. Thus, a user can understand the adjusted airflow direction by visually checking the airflow direction control units. In recent years, airflow direction adjustment devices that make the airflow direction control units less visible from the passenger compartment have become known, with the aim of improving the design of the passenger compartment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-178581 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the above configuration, the trade-off for making the airflow direction control unit less visible is that it is difficult for the user to intuitively grasp the airflow direction by looking at the airflow direction control unit. Therefore, there is a need to make it easier to visually recognize the airflow direction even in a configuration in which the airflow direction control unit is less visible.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide an airflow direction adjusting device that can make the airflow direction easily visible while making the airflow direction control unit less visible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A wind direction adjustment device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a case body having an air passage therein, a wind direction control unit operably arranged in the air passage, a blind part that prevents the wind direction control unit from being seen from outside the case body, and a wind direction display unit that is mechanically linked to the wind direction control unit and indicates the wind direction control direction from the blind part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to make the wind direction control unit less visible while making the wind direction more visible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are plan views showing a part of the airflow direction adjustment device of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows the neutral state of another airflow direction control section, and (b) shows the state in which the other airflow direction control section is swung to the maximum in one direction. [Figure 2] 4A and 4B are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing a part of the same airflow direction adjusting device, in which FIG. 4A shows a neutral state of one airflow direction control section, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which one airflow direction control section is swung to the maximum in one direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the airflow direction adjustment device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the airflow direction adjustment device. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a part of an airflow direction adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the airflow direction adjustment device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of an airflow direction adjusting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a wind direction control device. The wind direction control device 1 is also called an air outlet, ventilator, register, or the like, and controls the direction of airflow from an air conditioner or the like. Hereinafter, for clarity, the windward side of the wind direction control device 1, from which air flows, is referred to as the front side, front side, or near side, and the opposite side, i.e., the windward side from which air flows, is referred to as the rear side, back side, or far side. The two-way direction, or width direction, as viewed from the front, and the up-down direction are defined. In this embodiment, the wind direction control device 1 is applied to an air conditioner for a vehicle such as an automobile. The wind direction control device 1 may be disposed in any position, but in the drawings, it is disposed so 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 top side, and the arrow D side is the bottom side. These directions are merely illustrated as examples and may be changed as appropriate depending on the installation location and orientation of the wind direction control device 1.

[0011] The airflow direction adjustment 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 this embodiment, the case body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction. In the example shown in the figure, the case body 3 is formed in a square cylindrical shape. An air passage 5 is enclosed inside the case body 3. The direction parallel to the central axis of the case body 3 is the air flow direction of the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the air flow direction of the air passage 5 is the front-rear direction, and air flows from the rear to the front. That is, in the air passage 5, the rear side is the upstream side in the air flow direction, and the front side is the downstream side in the air flow direction. Note that hereinafter, the upstream side in the air flow direction of the air passage 5 will be simply referred to as the upstream side, and the downstream side in the air flow direction will be simply referred to as the downstream side.

[0012] The case body 3 has a predetermined length in the direction of airflow of the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the case body 3 is flat in the up-down direction and elongated in the left-right direction, i.e., horizontally elongated. Therefore, the airflow direction control device 1 is formed as a thin, horizontal type. That is, the cross section of the air passage 5 is substantially rectangular, with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction and the lateral direction in the up-down direction. An inlet 6 for receiving air, i.e., conditioned air, into the air passage 5 is formed at the rear end of the case body 3, and an outlet 7 for discharging the conditioned air from the air passage 5 is formed at the front end of the case body 3. An air passage 5 is formed between the inlet 6 and the outlet 7, communicating them, and the conditioned air passes from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7. In this embodiment, the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are both horizontally elongated.

[0013] Preferably, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the case body 3 is formed with a tubular portion (upstream tubular portion) 10 that divides the air passage 5 into a constant or approximately constant shape, an expansion portion 11 that connects to this tubular portion 10 and expands the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section from the upstream side to the downstream side, a tubular portion (downstream tubular portion) 12 that connects to this expansion portion 11 and divides the air passage 5 into a constant or approximately constant shape, and a contraction portion 13 that connects to this tubular portion 12 and contracts the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0014] The cylindrical portion 10 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The upstream end of the cylindrical portion 10 serves as the inlet 6. The cylindrical portion 10 has a range having a predetermined length in the direction of air flow of the air passage 5.

[0015] The expansion section 11 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape and is inclined in the ventilation direction of the air passage 5 from the cylindrical section 10 to the cylindrical section 12 so as to expand in the short direction of the cross section of the air passage 5, which in this embodiment is the vertical direction.

[0016] The cylindrical portion 12 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape and has a predetermined length in the direction of air flow of the air passage 5.

[0017] The contracted section 13 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape and is inclined so as to contract from the cylindrical section 12 to the downstream side of the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section of the air passage 5, which in this embodiment is the vertical direction. In other words, the contracted section 13 is located downstream of the expansion section 11 in the air passage 5. The downstream end of the contracted section 13 forms the air outlet 7.

[0018] The case body 3 may be formed as a single unit, or may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

[0019] 1 and 2, a screen 20 and an airflow direction control unit 21 are disposed inside the case body 3, i.e., in the airflow path 5. In this embodiment, the airflow direction control unit 21 operates, for example, rotates, relative to the case body 3 (airflow path 5), and adjusts the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet 7 in accordance with the rotation.

[0020] The blind portion 20 is arranged at the front side, that is, at least a portion of it is downstream relative to the air direction control portion 21, and is in a position that is visible from the air outlet 7. In this embodiment, the blind portion 20 is located between the expansion portion 11 and the contraction portion 13 of the case body 3 in the front-to-rear direction, which is the air flow direction of the air passage 5. In the example shown in the figure, the blind portion 20 is slightly spaced from the air outlet 7 on the upstream side of the air passage 5, and at least a portion of it is located inside the tubular portion 12.

[0021] The blinding portion 20 has a curved outer surface that forms a straightening surface. In this embodiment, the blinding portion 20 is columnar or cylindrical, and the outer surface forms a cylindrical straightening surface. The blinding portion 20 is located in the center of the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section (in this embodiment, the vertical direction), and its axial direction is aligned with the long direction of the cross section (in this embodiment, the horizontal direction). The diameter of the blinding portion 20 is set to be larger than the short dimension of the air outlet 7 (in this embodiment, the vertical dimension). Therefore, the blinding portion 20 is positioned so as to prevent the airflow direction control portion 21 from being seen from outside the case body 3 through the air outlet 7, and the airflow direction adjustment device 1 is configured as a so-called finless outlet, which appears as if it does not have the fin-shaped airflow direction control portion 21.

[0022] In this embodiment, the blinding part 20 is a rotating body also called a drum. The blinding part 20 is elongated in the axial direction and is disposed in the air passage 5 so as to be rotatable about its central axis as a rotation axis. That is, the blinding part 20 has rotating parts 23 at both ends along the central axis. Therefore, the blinding part 20 is disposed with its rotation axis aligned along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the air passage 5, which in this embodiment is the left-right direction, and is rotatable in the short direction of the cross section, i.e., the up-down direction. The rotating part 23 is rotatably held by a rotation receiving part. One of the rotating part 23 and the rotation receiving part is an axle, and the other is a hole or recess. In this embodiment, the rotating part 23 is an axle, and the rotation receiving part is a round hole or recess.

[0023] The blinding portion 20 is formed of one or more members. In this embodiment, the blinding portion 20 is divided into two parts, an upstream member 20a and a downstream member 20b, each of which has a semi-cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape. In the illustrated example, the upstream member 20a and the downstream member 20b each have a plurality of rib-like reinforcing portions 25. The reinforcing portions 25 are formed in a semi-circular shape when viewed in the longitudinal or axial direction of the blinding portion 20 and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the blinding portion 20. As shown in FIG. 3 , the upstream member 20a and the downstream member 20b are fixed to each other and integrated by fitting a fixing portion 26 into a fixing receiving portion 27. The fixing portion 26 is, for example, a convex portion, and the fixing receiving portion 27 is, for example, a concave portion. The fixing portion 26 is formed on one of the upstream member 20a and the downstream member 20b, and the fixing receiving portion 27 is formed on the other of the upstream member 20a and the downstream member 20b. In the illustrated example, the fixing portions 26 are formed at the reinforcing portions 25 of the upstream member 20a and at the four corners of the downstream member 20b, and the fixing receiving portions 27 are formed at the four corners of the upstream member 20a and at the reinforcing portions 25 of the downstream member 20b.

[0024] In this embodiment, the airflow direction control unit 21 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a fin, which is also called an airflow direction control plate, plate, or louver. The airflow direction control unit 21 is formed in a plate shape with one main surface and the other main surface serving as a straightening surface. The airflow direction control unit 21 controls the airflow direction in the short-side direction and / or long-side direction of the cross section of the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the airflow direction control unit 21 includes one airflow direction control unit 30 that controls the airflow direction in the short-side direction of the cross section of the air passage 5, and another airflow direction control unit 31 that controls the airflow direction in the long-side direction of the cross section of the air passage 5. In the illustrated example, the one airflow direction control unit 30 is located upstream of the other airflow direction control unit 31, and is arranged, for example, from the cylindrical portion 10 to the extension portion 11. However, this is not limited to this, and the one airflow direction control unit 30 may be located downstream of the other airflow direction control unit 31.

[0025] The first airflow direction control unit 30 is an interlocking control unit that interlocks with the blind unit 20. The first airflow direction control unit 30 is arranged with its rotation axis aligned along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the air passage 5, which in this embodiment is the left-right direction, and is rotatable in the short direction of the cross section, i.e., up-and-down. In other words, the first airflow direction control unit 30 in this embodiment is a horizontal fin. In the example shown in the figure, the first airflow direction control unit 30 is formed in an elongated shape, has rotating units 34 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged in the air passage 5 with the rotating units 34 positioned in the left-right direction.

[0026] In this embodiment, one airflow direction control unit 30 is provided. In the illustrated example, the rotating unit 34 is located in the center of the one airflow direction control unit 30 in the short direction. The rotating unit 34 is held by a rotation receiving unit so that it can rotate and slide in the front-to-rear direction. One of the rotating unit 34 and the rotation receiving unit is a shaft, and the other is a hole or recess. In this embodiment, the rotating unit 34 is a shaft, and the rotation receiving unit is a long hole or recess along the ventilation direction of the air passage 5. The rotation receiving unit may be formed in the case body 3, or may be formed in a bearing unit or the like that is separate from the case body 3.

[0027] The first airflow direction control unit 30 and the blindfold unit 20 are connected via a connecting portion and a connecting receiving portion so that they rotate in opposite directions. That is, in FIG. 2 , when the blindfold unit 20 rotates clockwise, the first airflow direction control unit 30 rotates counterclockwise. The connecting portion may be formed integrally with either the first airflow direction control unit 30 or the blindfold unit 20, or may be a link body separate from the first airflow direction control unit 30 and the blindfold unit 20. Similarly, the connecting receiving portion may be formed integrally with the other of the first airflow direction control unit 30 or the blindfold unit 20, or may be a link body separate from the first airflow direction control unit 30 and the blindfold unit 20. As an example, the connecting portion is set at the tip of an arm extending from either one of the first airflow direction control unit 30 or the blind unit 20 toward the other, and the connecting receiving portion is set at the tip of an arm extending from either the other of the first airflow direction control unit 30 or the blind unit 20 toward the one, and they are rotatably connected to each other. These arms are arranged at any position that does not interfere with the rotation range of the other airflow direction control unit 31, such as both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blind unit 20, for example.

[0028] The other air direction control unit 31 is a non-interlocking control unit that is not interlocked with the blind unit 20. The other air direction control unit 31 is arranged with its rotation axis aligned with the short side of the cross section of the air passage 5, which in this embodiment is the vertical direction, and is rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the cross section, i.e., left and right. That is, the other air direction control unit 31 in this embodiment is a vertical fin. In the illustrated example, the other air direction control unit 31 is formed longitudinally and has rotating units 41 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged in the air passage 5 with the rotating units 41 positioned vertically. That is, the other air direction control unit 31 is arranged to be rotatable in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the rotation direction of the first air direction control unit 30. The rotating unit 41 is rotatably held by a rotation receiving unit. One of the rotating unit 41 and the rotation receiving unit is a shaft, and the other is a hole or recess. In this embodiment, the rotating unit 41 is a shaft, and the rotation receiving unit is a hole or recess. The rotation receiving portion may be formed in the case body 3, or may be formed in a bearing portion or the like that is separate from the case body 3.

[0029] In this embodiment, the other airflow direction control section 31 is formed with a recess 43 to avoid interference with the blind section 20. The recess 43 is formed as a cutout at the downstream end, i.e., the front end, of the other airflow direction control section 31, which is a position facing the blind section 20. The recess 43 has an arc shape at the position facing the outer peripheral surface of the blind section 20.

[0030] Furthermore, a recess 44 is formed in at least one of the other airflow direction control unit 31 and the first airflow direction control unit 30 to prevent them from interfering with each other. In this embodiment, the recess 44 is formed in the other airflow direction control unit 31. In the example shown in the figure, the recess 44 is formed as a notch in a position facing the first airflow direction control unit 30 in the other airflow direction control unit 31, in this embodiment at the rear end, which is the upstream end of the other airflow direction control unit 31, according to the rotation range of the first airflow direction control unit 30.

[0031] In this embodiment, a plurality of other air direction control units 31 are provided. Each other air direction control unit 31 includes a link unit 45, which is rotatably held by a link receiving unit formed on a link 46. The plurality of other air direction control units 31 are connected to each other by the link 46 so that they rotate in the same direction in unison with each other. While the example in which the link 46 is located outside the air passage 5 is illustrated, the link 46 may be located inside the air passage 5. One of the link unit 45 and the link receiving unit is an axle unit, and the other is a hole or recess. In this embodiment, the link unit 45 is an axle unit, and the link receiving unit is a hole or recess. Note that, for clarity of explanation, only one other air direction control unit 31 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0032] In this way, in the air direction adjustment device 1 in which the blind part 20 makes it difficult to see the air direction control part 21 from outside the case body 3, for example from the air outlet 7, the trade-off is that it is difficult for the user to intuitively know the air direction control direction by visually checking the orientation of the air direction control part 21. Therefore, the air direction adjustment device 1 is further provided with an air direction display part 50 that indicates the air direction control direction by the air direction control part 21, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0033] The wind direction display unit 50 is mechanically linked to the wind direction control unit 21 and shows the user the wind direction control direction via the air outlet 7 from the blind unit 20 to the downstream side, i.e., the front side, which is opposite the wind direction control unit 21.

[0034] In this embodiment, the wind direction display unit 50 has a moving unit 52, a connecting unit 53, and an interlocking unit 54 that connects the moving unit 52 and the connecting unit 53 together.

[0035] The moving unit 52 is located at least partially downstream of the blinding unit 20, i.e., on the front side, opposite the airflow direction control unit 21. The moving unit 52 is formed in the shape of a long piece extending in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the blinding unit 20. In this embodiment, the moving unit 52 is a display unit that indicates the airflow direction depending on its position. Also, in this embodiment, the moving unit 52 is a protruding unit that protrudes forward from the blinding unit 20. Therefore, the airflow direction display unit 50 in this embodiment can also function as an operation unit with which the user operates the airflow direction control unit 21 and / or the blinding unit 20, and the moving unit 52 can function as an operation knob with which the user operates the airflow direction control unit 21 and / or the blinding unit 20. However, it is not limited to this, and an operation unit that operates the airflow direction control unit 21 and / or the blinding unit 20 electrically using an actuator such as a motor may be provided separately from the airflow direction display unit 50, and the moving unit 52 may simply be used to indicate the airflow direction control direction.

[0036] The connecting part 53 is located upstream of the blind part 20, i.e., on the rear side of the blind part 20, on the side of the blind part 20 that is the wind direction control part 21, and is connected to the wind direction control part 21. The connecting part 53 is formed at the position of the recess 43 so as to sandwich the other wind direction control part 31 in its thickness direction, i.e., in the rotation direction, and is slidable in the up and down direction, which is the rotation axis direction of the other wind direction control part 31, along the curve of the recess 43. In this embodiment, the connecting part 53 is connected to the other wind direction control part 31. In the example shown in the figure, the connecting part 53 is connected to any one of the multiple other wind direction control parts 31.

[0037] Interlocking unit 54 interlocks the movement of moving unit 52 with the operation of airflow direction control unit 21, or in this embodiment, with the rotation of another airflow direction control unit 31. Interlocking unit 54 includes an upstream interlocking unit 54a connected to connection unit 53 and a downstream interlocking unit 54b connected to moving unit 52, and these upstream interlocking unit 54a and downstream interlocking unit 54b are axially connected to each other so as to move moving unit 52 in the rotation direction of airflow direction control unit 21 (another airflow direction control unit 31).

[0038] The shaft connection structure between the upstream interlocking part 54a and the downstream interlocking part 54b may be configured arbitrarily as long as it links the moving part 52 with the connecting part 53, i.e., the other wind direction control part 31, but in this embodiment it has a connecting part 57 formed in the upstream interlocking part 54a and a connecting receiving part 58 formed in the downstream interlocking part 54b.

[0039] One of the connecting portion 57 and the connecting receiving portion 58 is an axle, and the other is a holding portion that holds the axle so that it can rotate and slide. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 57 is the axle, and the connecting receiving portion 58 is the holding portion. The connecting portion 57 is an axle that is parallel or approximately parallel to the rotation axis direction of the other airflow direction control portion 31. The connecting receiving portion 58 is formed in a bifurcated or fork-like shape that sandwiches the connecting portion 57 in the movement direction of the moving portion 52, which in this embodiment is the left and right direction, so that the connecting portion 57 can rotate around the axis and slide in the front and rear direction.

[0040] Furthermore, the movement of moving part 52 is guided by guide part 59. Guide part 59 extends in the direction of operation of airflow direction control part 21, in the left-right direction which is the rotation direction of other airflow direction control part 31 in this embodiment, i.e., along the longitudinal direction of blind part 20, and is inserted into downstream interlocking part 54b. Therefore, guide part 59 indirectly guides the movement of moving part 52 by guiding the movement of downstream interlocking part 54b.

[0041] In this embodiment, the interlocking portion 54 and the guide portion 59 are located inside the blind portion 20. In this embodiment, the interlocking portion 54 and the guide portion 59 are housed between the upstream member 20a and the downstream member 20b of the blind portion 20. The interlocking portion 54 is connected to the moving portion 52 and the connecting portion 53, at least a portion of which is located outside the blind portion 20, via openings 60, 61 formed in the blind portion 20. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the moving portion 52 is fitted into the opening 60, and the front portion of the connecting portion 53 is inserted into the opening 61, and the moving portion 52, the connecting portion 53, and the interlocking portion 54 are connected inside the blind portion 20.

[0042] The opening 60 is formed on the downstream side, i.e., the front side, of the screening section 20, opposite the airflow direction control section 21, and faces the air outlet 7. In this embodiment, the opening 60 is a downstream opening formed in the downstream member 20b. The opening 61 is formed on the upstream side, i.e., the rear side, of the screening section 20, which is the airflow direction control section 21 side. In this embodiment, the opening 61 is an upstream opening formed in the upstream member 20a. The openings 60, 61 are each shaped like an elongated slit in the longitudinal or axial direction of the screening section 20, and in this embodiment, are located between the reinforcing sections 25, 25 in the screening section 20.

[0043] A shut valve may be provided inside the case body 3, that is, in the ventilation path 5, which opens and closes the ventilation path 5 in response to rotation relative to the case body 3.

[0044] 1(a) and 2(a), the air direction adjustment device 1 causes the conditioned air to flow from the upper and lower main surfaces of the horizontal first air direction control part 30 and the left and right main surfaces of the vertical second air direction control part 31, along the upper and lower outer peripheral surfaces of the blind part 20, and is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the blind part 20 and the inclination of the reduction part 13 to be blown out in the front direction from the air outlet 7. At this time, the moving part 52 is located, for example, in the center of the air outlet 7 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0045] 1(b), when moving unit 52 is slid, for example, to the right from the neutral state shown in FIG. 1(a), downstream interlocking unit 54b of interlocking unit 54 moves rightward along with moving unit 52 while being guided by guide unit 59. As a result, a rightward force is applied to upstream interlocking unit 54a of interlocking unit 54, which is pivotally connected to downstream interlocking unit 54b, connection unit 53 connected to upstream interlocking unit 54a, and another airflow direction control unit 31 connected to connection unit 53, causing the other airflow direction control unit 31 to rotate rightward around rotation unit 41. Thus, conditioned air is blown out of air outlet 7 in the rightward direction, which is the rotation direction of the other airflow direction control unit 31.

[0046] Note that the operation when the moving part 52 is slid leftward is basically the same as the operation shown in FIG. 1(b) except that the left-right direction is reversed, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] 2(b), when the moving unit 52 is operated, for example, upward from the neutral state shown in FIG. 2(a), the blinding unit 20 rotates clockwise around the rotating unit 23, i.e., the downstream side of the blinding unit 20 moves upward and the upstream side moves downward. Therefore, the first airflow direction control unit 30, which is rotatably connected to the blinding unit 20 at a position downstream of the rotating unit 23 via the connecting unit and the connecting receiver, is subjected to a downward force on the downstream side, and rotates around the rotating unit 34 in the opposite direction to the blinding unit 20, i.e., the counterclockwise direction in the figure, i.e., the downstream side of the first airflow direction control unit 30 moves downward and the upstream side moves upward. This rotation brings the upstream end of the first airflow direction control unit 30 close to the inner wall of the case body 3; in the illustrated example, it comes close to the upper inner wall of the case body 3, narrowing (blocking) the portion of the air passage 5 that connects the tubular unit 10 to the upper side of the expansion unit 11. Therefore, the air-conditioned air flows from the lower main surface of one airflow direction control section 30 along the lower outer peripheral surface of the blind section 20 close to the downstream end of one airflow direction control section 30, and is blown upward from the air outlet 7 along the lower outer peripheral surface of the blind section 20 and the slope of the reduction section 13.

[0048] Note that the operation when the moving part 52 is operated downward is basically the same as the operation shown in FIG. 2(b) except that the up-down direction is reversed, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] Therefore, by combining left-right wind direction control by rotating the other wind direction control unit 31 and up-down wind direction control by rotating the first wind direction control unit 30, the wind direction from the air outlet 7 can be controlled in any direction, and since the wind direction from the air outlet 7 coincides with the direction seen from the center of the air outlet 7 in the up-down, left-right directions of the moving unit 52 exposed on the downstream side of the blind unit 20, that is, the position corresponding to the neutral state of the wind direction control unit 21, it can be said that the position of the moving unit 52 of the wind direction display unit 50 visually displays the wind direction control direction by the wind direction control unit 21 (the first and other wind direction control units 30, 31).

[0050] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the wind direction display unit 50, which is mechanically linked to the wind direction control unit 21, indicates the wind direction control direction toward the outlet 7 on the downstream side, i.e., the front side, which is opposite the wind direction control unit 21 from the blind unit 20.Therefore, even though the blind unit 20 makes the wind direction control unit 21 difficult to see, the wind direction can be easily seen.

[0051] Basically, as shown in Figure 5, only the blind section 20 and part of the wind direction display section 50, in this embodiment the moving section 52, are visible from outside the case body 3 through the air outlet 7, and the wind direction control section 21 shown in Figure 1 etc. is difficult to see, so the wind direction control section 21 does not detract from the appearance and contributes to improving the design.

[0052] By making the screen portion 20 a rotating body that is rotatably arranged in the air passage 5 and has a curved outer surface, the directionality of the air conditioning wind flowing along the outer surface of the screen portion 20 can be improved by the Coanda effect caused by the curvature of this outer surface, particularly when wind direction is controlled by one wind direction control unit 30.

[0053] By connecting a moving part 52, at least a part of which is located on the opposite side of the blind part 20 from the wind direction control part 21, and a connecting part 53, which is located on the wind direction control part 21 side of the blind part 20 and is connected to the wind direction control part 21, with an interlocking part 54 and interlocking the movement of the moving part 52 with the operation of the wind direction control part 21, a configuration can be simply formed in which the wind direction can be seen depending on the position of the moving part 52.

[0054] Since the moving part 52 protrudes from the blind part 20, it is possible to operate the airflow direction control part 21 via the moving part 52, and the airflow direction adjustment device 1 can be configured simply.

[0055] By connecting the moving part 52 and the connecting part 53 by the interlocking part 54 located inside the blind part 20 through the openings 60, 61 provided in the blind part 20, the interlocking part 54 does not obstruct the wind direction of the air conditioning air and does not reduce the directionality.

[0056] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Note that the same components and functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] In this embodiment, the upstream interlocking portion 54a and the downstream interlocking portion 54b of the interlocking portion 54 are formed to overlap each other, and one is configured to slide relative to the other.

[0058] In the illustrated example, the downstream interlocking portion 54b is disposed on the front end of the upstream interlocking portion 54a. The interlocking receiving portion 58 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole in the front-rear direction.

[0059] When moving section 52 is slid left or right, downstream interlocking section 54b of interlocking section 54 slides left or right on upstream interlocking section 54a along with moving section 52, and a force is applied left or right to upstream interlocking section 54a of interlocking section 54, which is pivotally connected to downstream interlocking section 54b, connecting section 53 connected to upstream interlocking section 54a, and other airflow direction control section 31 connected to connecting section 53, causing other airflow direction control section 31 to rotate left or right about rotating section 41. Thus, conditioned air is blown out from air outlet 7 in the direction of rotation of other airflow direction control section 31.

[0060] The operation when the moving part 52 is operated in the up and down direction is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0061] Therefore, since the wind direction from the air outlet 7 coincides with the direction seen from the center of the air outlet 7 in the up, down, left, and right directions of the movable part 52 exposed on the downstream side of the blind part 20, that is, the position corresponding to the neutral state of the air direction control part 21, it can be said that the position of the movable part 52 of the air direction display part 50 visually displays the direction of air direction control by the air direction control part 21 (one and other air direction control parts 30, 31).

[0062] In this way, by having a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, such as the wind direction display unit 50 mechanically linked to the wind direction control unit 21 indicating the wind direction control direction from the blind unit 20, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the first embodiment, such as making the wind direction control unit 21 difficult to see while making the wind direction easier to see.

[0063] Furthermore, since the upstream interlocking portion 54a of the interlocking portion 54 functions as a guide portion that guides the movement of the downstream interlocking portion 54b, a separate guide portion is not required, and the wind direction display unit 50 can be configured more simply.

[0064] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that the same components and functions as those in the respective embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] In this embodiment, the wind direction display unit 50 has a light source 65 , and the light from this light source 65 is emitted from the opening 60 via the guide unit 59 .

[0066] A small light source such as an LED is preferably used as the light source 65. The light source 65 is arranged inside the blind portion 20. The light source 65 is electrically connected to a power supply unit on the vehicle body side via wiring 66 including a harness or the like. The wiring 66 is led out, for example, from one of the rotating portions 23 of the blind portion 20 to the outside of the blind portion 20 and the case body 3 (wind direction adjustment device 1).

[0067] The guide portion 59 is made of a light guide, and one end of the guide portion 59 is disposed opposite the light source 65. The guide portion 59 is positioned opposite the rear side of the opening 60, which is the upstream side.

[0068] The moving section 52 is configured, for example, so that at least a portion thereof is formed from a material having light-blocking properties, and has at least a portion thereof that blocks light from being emitted from the guide section 59. In this embodiment, the entire moving section 52 is formed from a material having light-blocking properties. In this embodiment, the moving section 52 does not necessarily have to protrude from the opening 60.

[0069] Therefore, when the moving part 52 moves left and right in response to the left and right rotation of the other wind direction control part 31, at least a portion of the light emitted from the opening 60 through the guide part 59 is blocked only at the position of the moving part 52, so it can be said that the wind direction control direction by the other wind direction control part 31 of the wind direction control part 21 is indirectly displayed so as to be visible due to the position of the wind direction display part 50 that is blocked by the moving part 52.

[0070] Furthermore, when the blind section 20 rotates vertically in response to the vertical rotation of one wind direction control section 30, the position of the light emitted from the opening 60 also moves vertically, and it can be said that the position of this light visually displays the wind direction control direction by one wind direction control section 30 of the wind direction control section 21.

[0071] In this way, in the wind direction display unit 50, in which the moving unit 52 moves in mechanical interlocking with the wind direction control unit 21, the wind direction control direction is indicated from the blind unit 20 by blocking part of the light from the light source 65 that is guided by the guide unit 59 and emitted from the opening 60 according to the position of the moving unit 52, and by having a configuration similar to that of each embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as each embodiment, such as making the wind direction easier to see while making the wind direction control unit 21 harder to see.

[0072] Furthermore, the wind direction display unit 50 displays the wind direction control direction using light from the light source 65, which is expected to further improve the design.

[0073] In each embodiment, an example has been given in which an air outlet 7 is formed in the case body 3 and the concealing portion 20 is arranged inside the air passage 5, but this is not limited to this. For example, the concealing portion 20 may be a finisher that covers the downstream end of the case body 3, and the opening 60 of the concealing portion 20 may be the air outlet 7.

[0074] Furthermore, the first and second airflow direction control sections 30, 31 of the airflow direction control section 21 are not limited to plate-shaped fins, and may be configured, for example, by connecting a plurality of flaps.

[0075] Furthermore, the airflow direction adjustment device 1 is not limited to being used in automobiles, but may be used for any other purposes. [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] The present invention can be suitably used as, for example, a wind direction adjusting device for an air conditioner in an automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Wind direction adjustment device 3 Case body 5. Ventilation channel 20 Blindfold Section 21 Wind direction control unit 50 Wind direction display section 52 Mobile Unit 53 Connection 54 Interlocking part 59 Guide part 60,61 Opening 65 Light source

Claims

1. a case body having an air passage therein; a wind direction control unit operably disposed in the air passage; a blindfold portion that prevents the airflow direction control unit from being seen from outside the case body; a wind direction display unit that is mechanically linked with the wind direction control unit and indicates the wind direction control direction from the blind unit; A wind direction adjustment device comprising:

2. The blind part is a rotating body that is rotatably disposed in the ventilation passage and has a curved outer surface.

2. The airflow direction adjusting device according to claim 1.

3. The wind direction display is a moving unit at least a part of which is located on the opposite side of the airflow direction control unit with respect to the blind unit; a connection part located on the wind direction control part side with respect to the blind part and connected to the wind direction control part; a linking unit that connects the moving unit and the connecting unit and links the movement of the moving unit with the operation of the airflow direction control unit; 3. The wind direction adjusting device according to claim 2.

4. The blindfold has openings on the airflow direction control device side and the opposite side, The interlocking part is located inside the blind part and connects the moving part and the connecting part through the opening.

4. The wind direction adjusting device according to claim 3.

5. The wind direction display is a light source located inside the blind; a guide portion that is located inside the blind portion and movably guides the interlocking portion, The guide portion is a light guide body that causes light from the light source to exit from an opening on the opposite side of the airflow direction control portion of the blind portion, At least a part of the moving part has light-blocking properties.

5. The airflow direction adjusting device according to claim 4.

Images