Wind direction adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a wind direction adjustment device which can be configured to save a space.SOLUTION: A wind direction adjustment device includes: a ventilation passage; a first fin 14 which has a rotation axial line in a first direction crossing a ventilation direction of the ventilation passage, and is rotatably arranged; a second fin 15 which has a rotation axial line in a second direction crossing the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage and the first direction, and is rotatably arranged; a planetary gear mechanism 23 having an input element, a fixed element and an output element; a first link part 24 which connects the first fin 14 and the input element, and rotates the first fin 14 in response to the operation of the input element; a second link part 25 which connects the second fin 15 and the output element and rotates the second fin 15 according to the operation of the output element; and driving means for driving the input element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow direction adjusting device that rotates a plurality of fins using a driving means. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioners used in vehicles such as automobiles have airflow direction adjustment devices that adjust the direction of airflow. Airflow direction adjustment devices typically have vertical fins and horizontal fins. For example, to motorize the airflow direction adjustment device, it is conceivable to rotate the vertical fins and horizontal fins separately using motors. In this case, two motors are required, which increases the size and cost.

[0003] Therefore, a system is known in which bevel gears that rotate in response to driving force from a motor are meshed together, and the vertical fins and horizontal fins oscillate in accordance with the rotation of each bevel gear, thereby controlling the operation of the vertical fins and horizontal fins with a single motor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 4-113852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in this configuration, the bevel gears mesh three-dimensionally, so the installation space for the gear mechanism is large.

[0006] 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 be configured in a space-saving manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An air direction adjustment device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air passage, a first fin rotatably arranged with a rotation axis in a first direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage, a second fin rotatably arranged with a rotation axis in a second direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage and the first direction, a planetary gear mechanism having an input element, a fixed element, and an output element, a first link section connecting the first fin to the input element and rotating the first fin in response to the operation of the input element, a second link section connecting the second fin to the output element and rotating the second fin in response to the operation of the output element, and a drive means for driving the input element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a space-saving configuration can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a part of an airflow direction control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a state in which the rotation angle of the sun gear is increased from the state shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a state in which the rotation angle of the sun gear is further increased from the state shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a state in which the rotation angle of the sun gear is further increased from the state shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a sun gear of the wind direction adjustment device, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of a carrier of the wind direction adjustment device. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an airflow direction adjustment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In Figures 5 and 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a wind direction control device. The wind direction control device 1 is also called an air outlet, ventilator, register, etc., and controls the direction of wind blowing from an air conditioner or the like. Hereinafter, for clarity, the wind direction control device 1 will be referred to as the front, front side, or near side, and the opposite side, i.e., the windward side, which receives wind, will be referred to as the rear, back side, or far side. The two-way direction, or width direction, as viewed from the rear side, 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.

[0012] The airflow direction control 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, the case body 3 is formed in a rectangular 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 airflow direction of the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the airflow 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 airflow direction, and the front side is the downstream side in the airflow direction. The cross section of the air passage 5 perpendicular to the airflow direction is rectangular. In this embodiment, the case body 3 is long in the left-right direction and short in the up-down direction, that is, it has a horizontally elongated flat shape.

[0013] An inlet 6 is formed at the rear end of the case body 3 to receive air, i.e., conditioned air, into the ventilation path 5, and an outlet 7 is formed at the front end of the case body 3 to discharge the conditioned air from the ventilation path 5. An air passage 5 is formed between the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 to communicate these. The conditioned air passes from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7. In other words, the ventilation direction of the air passage 5 is the front-to-rear direction.

[0014] In this embodiment, the case body 3 has a storage section 8 that forms the rear part, i.e., the inlet 6 side, on the upstream side of the air passage 5, and a duct section 9 that forms the front part, i.e., the outlet 7 side, on the downstream side of the air passage 5.

[0015] The accommodation section 8 is narrower in the left-right and up-down directions than the duct section 9, and is formed to be continuous with the rear of the duct section 9. The duct section 9 is formed long in the left-right direction, i.e., long horizontally. The duct section 9 may be formed integrally with the installation position of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 in the vehicle, for example.

[0016] The case body 3 may be formed integrally or may be formed by combining a plurality of members. Furthermore, at least a portion of the case body 3 may be formed integrally with the installation portion of the airflow direction adjustment device 1.

[0017] In the illustrated example, the case body 3 is divided into one case part, a lower case (lower case) 10, and the other case part, an upper case (upper case) 11. For example, the lower case 10 integrally forms the lower part of the storage part 8 and the duct part 9, and the upper case 11 is a plate-like part that forms the upper part of the storage part 8.

[0018] At least a part of the case body 3 may be integrally formed with the installation location of the airflow direction adjustment device 1.

[0019] Fins 13 are rotatably arranged on the case body 3. The fins 13, also called louvers, rotate relative to the case body 3 to adjust the direction of the conditioned airflow blown out from the air outlet 7 in accordance with the rotation. The fins 13 are formed in a plate shape with one main surface and the other main surface serving as a flow straightening surface. In the present embodiment, the fins 13 include a first fin 14 and a second fin 15. The first fin 14, also called a rear fin, is located upstream in the airflow direction of the air passage 5, while the second fin 15, also called a front fin, is located downstream in the airflow direction of the air passage 5. In the illustrated example, the first fin 14 is located within the case body 3, i.e., in the air passage 5, and is located, for example, in the accommodation section 8, and the second fin 15 is located, for example, in the duct section 9 and faces the air outlet 7. The second fin 15 may be located in the air passage 5 (in the duct section 9) or just before the air outlet 7 in the duct section 9.

[0020] The first fin 14 and the second fin 15 are rotatable in directions that intersect with each other, for example, perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the first fin 14 has a rotation axis in the up-down direction, which is a first direction, in the air passage 5, and is rotatable in the left-right direction, while the second fin 15 has a rotation axis in the left-right direction, which is a second direction, in the air passage 5, and is rotatable in the up-down direction. Note that the first fin 14 may be rotatable in the up-down direction and the second fin 15 may be rotatable in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the rotation directions of the first fin 14 and the second fin 15 may be set in any directions as long as they intersect with each other, depending on the arrangement posture of the air direction control device 1, etc.

[0021] There is no restriction on the number of first fins 14 and second fins 15, but in this embodiment, a plurality of first fins 14 are provided in the left-right direction of the air passage 5, and one second fin 15 is provided in the center of the air passage 5 in the up-down direction. The first fins 14 are connected to each other by link members 16 and are configured to rotate in the same direction in unison. The first fins 14 are arranged side by side at equal or approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction intersecting or perpendicular to the rotation axis. For example, the plurality of first fins 14 may overlap each other when rotated in at least one direction, thereby blocking airflow.

[0022] Fin 13 has a rotating portion 17. Rotating portion 17 is rotatably held by rotation receiving portion 18. One of rotating portion 17 and rotation receiving portion 18 is a shaft portion, and the other is a hole or a recess. In this embodiment, rotating portion 17 is a shaft portion, and rotation receiving portion 18 is a hole or a recess. Rotation receiving portion 18 is formed directly on case body 3, but is not limited to this, and may be formed on a member such as a spacer that is separate from case body 3. Rotation receiving portion 18 is provided with a first rotation receiving portion 19 that receives rotating portion 17 of first fin 14, and a second rotation receiving portion 20 that receives rotating portion 17 of second fin 15. First rotation receiving portion 19 is located in storage portion 8, and second rotation receiving portion 20 is located in duct portion 9.

[0023] The first fin 14 and the second fin 15 are rotated independently by an operating device 21. The operating device 21 is disposed outside the case body 3, i.e., outside the air passage 5. In the illustrated example, the operating device 21 is disposed on the left side of the case body 3.

[0024] The operating device 21 is electrically operated using a single driving means 22 as a driving source. The driving means 22 is an actuator that converts electric power into motive power, and in this embodiment, a motor that converts electric power into rotational force, particularly a stepping motor, is preferably used. For example, the driving means 22 is electrically connected to a control device (ECU) mounted on the vehicle, and the rotation direction and rotation angle thereof are controlled.

[0025] The drive means 22 is connected to the first fin 14 and the second fin 15 via a planetary gear mechanism 23, a first link portion 24, and a second link portion 25. The planetary gear mechanism 23 has an input element connected to the drive means 22, a fixed element, and an output element connected to the first link portion 24 and the second link portion 25. The input element, the fixed element, and the output element are positioned coaxially with one another, in this embodiment, with a rotation axis in the vertical direction, and rotate relative to one another in an interlocking manner. In this embodiment, the input element is a sun gear 26, the fixed element is an internal gear 27, and the output element is a carrier 28. A plurality of planetary gears 29 are rotatably mounted to the carrier 28, and the carrier 28 rotates in response to the rotation of the sun gear 26 so that the planetary gears 29 revolve in the same direction as the rotation of the sun gear 26. That is, the planetary gear mechanism 23 in this embodiment is a planetary type. The sun gear 26 and carrier 28 are positioned inside the cylindrical internal gear 27 , and each planetary gear 29 is meshed with the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27 .

[0026] The sun gear 26 is also called a main gear. The sun gear 26 is formed in a spur gear shape and is coaxially connected to the output shaft 32 of the drive means 22 via an adapter 31. In this embodiment, the sun gear 26 is directly driven by the drive means 22. The sun gear 26 is formed with a gear portion 33 that meshes with the planetary gears 29 and a first eccentric cam portion 34 that slides against the first link portion 24. In this embodiment, the gear portion 33 is formed at the top of the sun gear 26. The first eccentric cam portion 34 is formed below the gear portion 33 on the sun gear 26. In the example shown in the figure, the first eccentric cam portion 34 is formed at a position radially spaced from the central axis of the sun gear 26.

[0027] In this embodiment, the sun gear 26 includes a disk-shaped first main body portion 36 and a disk-shaped second main body portion 37, which are coaxially arranged. As shown in FIG. 6( a), the first main body portion 36 and the second main body portion 37 are formed to have the same or approximately the same diameter. In the illustrated example, the first main body portion 36 and the second main body portion 37 are stacked one on top of the other. The gear portion 33 is formed on the upper part of the first main body portion 36, and the first eccentric cam portion 34 is formed on the upper part of the second main body portion 37. In other words, the first eccentric cam portion 34 is located below the first main body portion 36. The first eccentric cam portion 34 may be formed above the gear portion 33 of the first main body portion 36, below the first main body portion 36, or elsewhere.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5 , the first link portion 24 connected to the first eccentric cam portion 34 is formed in an elongated shape. The first link portion 24 has a first sliding contact portion 40 at one end that connects to the first eccentric cam portion 34, and a first connecting portion 41 at the other end that connects to the first fin 14. One of the first sliding contact portion 40 and the first eccentric cam portion 34 is a convex portion, and the other is a concave portion or a hole. In this embodiment, the first eccentric cam portion 34 is a convex portion formed as a cylindrical protrusion, and the first sliding contact portion 40 is a hole. The first sliding contact portion 40 is formed in an elongated hole shape in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first link portion 24, or in this embodiment, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first eccentric cam portion 34 is rotatable within the first sliding contact portion 40 and is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the first sliding contact portion 40. In this embodiment, the first sliding contact portion 40 is located between the first main body portion 36 and the second main body portion 37 of the sun gear 26 and is located inside the internal gear 27 .

[0029] Furthermore, the first connection portion 41 is rotatably coupled to a first connection receiving portion 42 formed on the first fin 14. One of the first connection portion 41 and the first connection receiving portion 42 is a convex portion and the other is a concave portion or a hole portion. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 41 is a convex portion and is formed as a shaft portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the first link portion 24, that is, downward in this embodiment, and the first connection receiving portion 42 is a hole portion. The first connection portion 41 is located outside the internal gear 27. That is, the first link portion 24 is inserted into a first insertion hole portion 43 formed in the internal gear 27, and one end side, which is on the first sliding contact portion 40 side, is inside the planetary gear mechanism 23, and the other end side, which is on the first connection portion 41 side, is outside the planetary gear mechanism 23. Furthermore, first connection receiving portion 42 is formed on extension portion 44 that is connected to rotation portion 17 of any one of first fins 14 that protrudes downward from storage portion 8 of case body 3 through first rotation receiving portion 19 of rotation receiving portion 18, and extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of first fin 14. In other words, rotation portion 17 and extension portion 44 are formed by bending in an L-shaped crank shape. First connection receiving portion 42 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole that extends in the direction of presentation of extension portion 44, and first connection portion 41 is rotatable within first connection receiving portion 42 and is also slidable in the longitudinal direction of first connection receiving portion 42. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which extension portion 44 extends rearward from rotation portion 17.

[0030] The internal gear 27 is cylindrical and has a gear portion 46 on its inner circumferential surface that meshes with the planetary gear 29. A mounting portion 47 for fixing the internal gear 27 extends in a flange-like manner from the outer portion of the internal gear 27. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 47 extends in a flange-like manner from the lower end of the outer portion of the internal gear 27. A first insertion hole 43 is cut out and formed in the mounting portion 47 together with the outer portion of the internal gear 27. The mounting portion 47 is then placed on a fixing member 48 and fixed to the fixing member 48 with screws or the like.

[0031] In this embodiment, the fixed member 48 is a plate-shaped member. The driving means 22 is also attached to the fixed member 48. In the illustrated example, the driving means 22 is attached to the lower surface, which is one main surface of the fixed member 48, and the internal gear 27 is attached to the upper surface, which is the other main surface. A hole 50 is formed in the fixed member 48, and an adapter 31 of the driving means 22 is inserted into the hole 50. The fixed member 48 also has a driving means holding portion 51 that protrudes downward, and the lower end of the driving means holding portion 51 abuts against a plate-shaped mounting portion 52 that protrudes in a flange-like shape from the driving means 22 and is fastened to the mounting portion 52 with screws or the like. The fixed member 48 is fixed to the case body 3. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the fixed member 48 abuts against the lower end of a support portion 53 that extends downward from the lower case 10 and is fastened to the mounting portion 52 with screws or the like.

[0032] The planetary gears 29 are formed in the shape of spur gears. In this embodiment, the planetary gears 29 are formed to have a smaller diameter than the gear portion 33 of the sun gear 26. In the example shown in the figure, three planetary gears 29 are set, and are held by the carrier 28 so as to be evenly or approximately evenly spaced around the axis of the sun gear 26.

[0033] The carrier 28 is also called a sub gear. The carrier 28 is formed in a spur gear shape, or in a disk shape in this embodiment. The carrier 28 is coaxial or approximately coaxial with the sun gear 26 and is located above the sun gear 26 in this embodiment. The carrier 28 is a separate body from the sun gear 26. In this embodiment, the carrier 28 is formed in a disk shape with the same or approximately the same diameter as the sun gear 26. A holding portion 54 for pivotally mounting the planetary gear 29 is formed on the side of the carrier 28 facing the sun gear 26, or in the illustrated example, on the lower side. The holding portion 54 may be a hole or a shaft, but in this embodiment it is formed as a shaft and is also called a fixing pin, protrusion, or the like.

[0034] The carrier 28 is also formed with a rotating portion 56 for rotatably supporting the carrier 28 and a second eccentric cam portion 57 that comes into sliding contact with the second link portion 25. The rotating portion 56 is formed in the center of the carrier 28 on the side opposite to the sun gear 26 and the holding portion 54, or in the illustrated example, on the upper portion. The rotating portion 56 is rotatably held by a cover 60. The cover 60 is intended to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the planetary gear mechanism 23, and is formed in a plate shape with an outer diameter equal to or larger than the outer portion of the internal gear 27. In this embodiment, the cover 60 is in the shape of a disk with an outer diameter equal to or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the outer portion of the internal gear 27, and covers the upper end of the internal gear 27 to seal the sun gear 26, planetary gears 29, and carrier 28 inside the internal gear 27. Furthermore, a rotation receiving portion 61 that rotatably receives the rotation portion 56 of the carrier 28 is formed in the center of the cover 60. One of the rotation portion 56 and the rotation receiving portion 61 is a shaft portion, and the other is a hole or a recess. In this embodiment, the rotation portion 56 is formed as a shaft portion, and the rotation receiving portion 61 is formed as a round hole portion. The cover 60 is engaged with the internal gear 27 in any manner, such as by claw engagement.

[0035] Further, the second eccentric cam portion 57 is formed on the carrier 28 below the rotating portion 56. In the example shown in the figure, the second eccentric cam portion 57 is formed at a position radially spaced apart from the central axis of the carrier 28.

[0036] In this embodiment, the carrier 28 includes a first carrier body 63, which is a disc-shaped first output element body, and a second carrier body 64, which is a disc-shaped second output element body, arranged coaxially. As shown in FIG. 6( b), the first carrier body 63 and the second carrier body 64 are formed to have the same or approximately the same diameter. In the illustrated example, the first carrier body 63 and the second carrier body 64 are stacked one on top of the other. The pivoting portion 56 is formed on the upper part of the first carrier body 63, and the second eccentric cam portion 57 is formed on the upper part of the second carrier body 64. In other words, the second eccentric cam portion 57 is located below the first carrier body 63. The second eccentric cam portion 57 may be formed on the upper or lower part of the first carrier body 63.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5 , the second link portion 25 connected to the second eccentric cam portion 57 is formed in an elongated shape. In this embodiment, the second link portion 25 includes a second link portion main body portion 66 and a conversion portion 67, which are separate from each other. The second link portion main body portion 66 has a second sliding contact portion 68 connected to the second eccentric cam portion 57 formed at one end, and an intermediate connection portion 69 connected to the conversion portion 67 formed at the other end. One of the second sliding contact portion 68 and the second eccentric cam portion 57 is a convex portion, and the other is a concave portion or a hole portion. In this embodiment, the second eccentric cam portion 57 is a convex portion formed as a cylindrical protrusion, and the second sliding contact portion 68 is a hole portion. The second sliding contact portion 68 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole in a direction that intersects with, or in this embodiment is perpendicular to, the longitudinal direction of the second link portion main body 66 (second link portion 25), and the second eccentric cam portion 57 is rotatable within the second sliding contact portion 68 and is also slidable in the longitudinal direction of the second sliding contact portion 68. In this embodiment, the second sliding contact portion 68 is located between the first carrier main body 63 and the second carrier main body 64 of the carrier 28, and is located inside the internal gear 27.

[0038] Furthermore, the intermediate connection portion 69 is rotatably connected to an intermediate connection receiving portion 71 formed on the conversion portion 67. One of the intermediate connection portion 69 and the intermediate connection receiving portion 71 is a convex portion and the other is a concave portion or a hole portion. In this embodiment, the intermediate connection portion 69 is a hole portion and is formed as an arc-shaped elongated hole in a direction intersecting, or in this embodiment perpendicular to, the longitudinal direction of the second link portion main body portion 66 (second link portion 25) and the longitudinal direction of the second sliding contact portion 68. The intermediate connection receiving portion 71 is a convex portion formed as a cylindrical protrusion portion and is rotatable within the intermediate connection portion 69 and slidable in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate connection portion 69. The intermediate connection portion 69 is located outward of the internal gear 27. That is, the second link main body 66 is inserted into the second insertion hole 73 formed in the internal gear 27, with one end side on the second sliding contact portion 68 side being inside the planetary gear mechanism 23 and the other end side on the intermediate connection portion 69 side being outside the planetary gear mechanism 23.

[0039] The second insertion hole 73 is formed by cutting out an outer portion of the internal gear 27. In this embodiment, the second insertion hole 73 and the first insertion hole 43 are offset in position in the circumferential and axial directions of the internal gear 27. For example, the first insertion hole 43 is located below the gear portion 46 of the internal gear 27, and the second insertion hole 73 is located above the gear portion 46 of the internal gear 27. In other words, the first insertion hole 43 and the second insertion hole 73 are located on opposite sides of the gear portion 46 in the axial direction of the internal gear 27. Furthermore, the second insertion hole 73 is located, for example, on the front side of the internal gear 27, and the first insertion hole 43 is located, for example, on the right side of the internal gear 27. In other words, the first insertion hole 43 and the second insertion hole 73 are offset by 90° in the circumferential direction.

[0040] The conversion portion 67 converts the direction of movement of the second link portion main body 66 into the rotational direction of the second fin 15. The conversion portion 67 is a crank body bent into an L-shape. An intermediate connection receiving portion 71 is formed at one end of the conversion portion 67, and a second connection portion 75 is formed at the other end of the conversion portion 67. The second connection portion 75 is connected to a second connection receiving portion 76 formed on the second fin 15. One of the second connection portion 75 and the second connection receiving portion 76 is a convex portion, and the other is a concave portion or a hole. In this embodiment, the second connection portion 75 is a concave portion formed as a cylindrical protrusion, and the second connection receiving portion 76 is a convex portion press-fitted into the second connection portion 75, so that the conversion portion 67 and the second fin 15 rotate integrally. The second connection receiving portion 76 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the rotation portion 17 of the second fin 15 and is exposed from the second rotation receiving portion 20 of the rotation receiving portion 18. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the conversion portion 67 is bent upward relative to the second link portion main body portion 66, and the intermediate connection receiving portion 71 is positioned below the second connection portion 75 (the rotation axis of the second fin 15).

[0041] Inside the case body 3, that is, in the ventilation path 5, a valve (shut valve) may be provided that rotates relative to the case body 3 to open and close the ventilation path 5 in response to the rotation.

[0042] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0043] 1 to 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 according to this embodiment. For clarity, these figures illustrate only the components related to the airflow direction adjustment operation, and only one representative first fin 14 is shown. Here, an example is shown in which the gear ratio between the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27 is 1:2, i.e., the speed transmission ratio is 3, and the positions of the first eccentric cam portion 34 and the second eccentric cam portion 57 are set so that the maximum swing angle position of the first fin 14 and the maximum swing angle position of the second fin 15 are synchronized. Therefore, this example shows that the second fin 15 makes one swing, i.e., one rotation of the carrier 28, for every three reciprocations of the first fin 14, i.e., every three rotations of the sun gear 26. However, the gear ratio between the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27 may be set arbitrarily, and the positions of the first eccentric cam portion 34 and the second eccentric cam portion 57 may be set arbitrarily so that the swing angle positions of the first fin 14 and the second fin 15 correspond to each other arbitrarily.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a state in which, for example, the first fin 14 is at the maximum swing angle position to the left, and the second fin 15 is at the maximum swing angle position above.

[0045] When the sun gear 26, driven by the driving means 22 (shown in FIG. 5), rotates from this state to a position, for example, clockwise in the figure, the first eccentric cam portion 34 assumes a circumferential position corresponding to the rotation angle of the sun gear 26, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, in that order. The first eccentric cam portion 34 slides on the first sliding contact portion 40 of the first link portion 24, causing the first link portion 24 to be positioned further to the left as the rotation angle of the sun gear 26 increases. The first connecting portion 41 of the first link portion 24 slides on the first connecting receiving portion 42, causing the extension portion 44 to rotate to a position further to the right of the first fin 14. In the illustrated example, the first fin 14 is in a neutral position when the sun gear 26 has rotated a quarter of a turn, or 90°, as shown in FIG. 2, and the first fin 14 is in a maximum swing angle position to the right when the sun gear 26 has rotated half a turn, or 180°, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, from the position where the sun gear 26 has rotated 180°, the greater the rotation angle of the sun gear 26, the more rightward the first link portion 24 becomes, and the first fin 14 is positioned rotated to the left as shown in Figure 4. When the sun gear 26 has rotated once, that is, 360°, the first fin 14 returns to the maximum swing angle position to the left as shown in Figure 1. In other words, the wind direction controlled by the first fin 14 is determined according to the rotation position of the sun gear 26, and when the sun gear 26 rotates continuously, the first link portion 24 continuously reciprocates left and right, and the connection between the first link portion 24 and the extension portion 44 causes the first fin 14 to rotate (swing) left and right.

[0046] Furthermore, depending on the rotation angle of the sun gear 26, the planetary gears 29 meshing with the gear portion 33 of the sun gear 26 and the gear portion 46 of the internal gear 27 each take a position rotated (spinned) in the opposite direction to the sun gear 26, and the carrier 28 to which these planetary gears 29 are pivotally mounted takes a position rotated (revolved) together with the planetary gears 29 in the same direction as the sun gear 26, causing the second eccentric cam portion 57 to take a circumferential position corresponding to the rotation angle of the carrier 28. Thus, the second eccentric cam portion 57 slides on the second sliding contact portion 68 of the second link portion main body 66 of the second link portion 25, and the position of the second link portion main body 66 becomes more rearward as the rotation angle of the carrier 28 increases, and the intermediate connection portion 69 of the second link portion main body 66 slides on the intermediate connection receiving portion 71 of the conversion portion 67, causing one end of the conversion portion 67 to take a position rotated rearward, causing the second fin 15 to be positioned downward. 2, 3, and 4, when the sun gear 26 rotates three-quarters of a turn from 0° to 270°, the carrier 28 is rotated one-quarter of a turn, or 90°, and the second fin 15 is in a neutral position. As the carrier 28 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the sun gear 26, the second fin 15 swings downward when the rotation angle of the carrier 28 increases. When the sun gear 26 rotates one and a half turns, or 540°, the carrier 28 is rotated 180°, and the second fin 15 is in the maximum downward swing angle position. When the sun gear 26 rotates an angle greater than 540°, the second fin 15 is rotated upward. When the sun gear 26 rotates three turns, or 1080°, the carrier 28 is rotated one turn, or 360°, and the second fin 15 returns to the maximum upward swing angle position shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the wind direction controlled by the second fin 15 is determined according to the rotational position of the carrier 28 in response to the rotation of the sun gear 26, and when the sun gear 26 and the carrier 28 rotate continuously, the second link main body 66 continuously moves back and forth in the forward and backward directions, and the connection between the second link main body 66 and the conversion part 67 causes the second fin 15 to rotate (swing) in the upward and downward directions.

[0047] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the wind direction control device 1 uses a planetary gear mechanism 23, and the first fin 14 and the second fin 15 have rotation axes that intersect with each other. The first fin 14 and the input element of the planetary gear mechanism 23 are connected by a first link 24, and the second fin 15 and the output element of the planetary gear mechanism 23 are connected by a second link 25. The input element of the planetary gear mechanism 23 is driven by the drive means 22, thereby allowing the first fin 14 and the second fin 15 to be rotated using a single drive means 22. Since the wind direction control device 1 can be configured by stacking the elements in the axial direction while meshing the elements with each other in a planar manner, the meshing precision of the elements is good, there is little rattle, and assembly is easy compared to when bevel gears are used, and the configuration is space-saving and inexpensive. In particular, in the case of an electrically operated wind direction control device 1, the drive means 22, harness, gears, etc. are arranged in a narrow space, so a space-saving configuration is advantageous in layout.

[0048] In this embodiment, the planetary gear mechanism 23 has the sun gear 26 as the input element, the internal gear 27 as the fixed element, and the carrier 28 to which the planetary gear 29 that meshes with the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27 is pivotally attached as the output element, thereby functioning as a planetary type planetary gear mechanism 23 and being able to efficiently convert the operation of the drive means 22 into the operation of the first fin 14 and the second fin 15.

[0049] Furthermore, by changing the gear ratio between the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27, the combinations of rotation angles of the first fins 14 and the second fins 15 become more diverse, enabling a variety of winds to be blown out. Moreover, the combinations of rotation angles of the first fins 14 and the second fins 15 can be easily controlled not only by the gear ratio between the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27, but also by controlling the rotation of the drive means 22 with an on-board control device or the like.

[0050] Furthermore, the planetary gear mechanism 23 uses an internal gear 27, and by covering the internal gear 27 fixed to the fixed member 48 with a cover 60, the portion where the planetary gear 29 meshes with the sun gear 26 and the internal gear 27 is not exposed, thereby preventing foreign matter from getting caught. Moreover, the portion that rotatably supports the carrier 28 also serves as the cover 60, simplifying the configuration.

[0051] The sun gear 26 is configured by coaxially arranging a first main body portion 36 having a gear portion 33 and a second main body portion 37 having a first eccentric cam portion 34 to which the end of the first link portion 24 is slidably connected, and by forming a second eccentric cam portion 57 on the carrier 28 to which the end of the second link portion 25 is slidably connected, the rotation of the sun gear 26 can be easily converted into the movement of each link portion 24, 25 by the sliding of each eccentric cam portion 34, 57 and the end of each link portion 24, 25.

[0052] Furthermore, by configuring the sun gear 26 with the first main body portion 36 and the second main body portion 37, the first eccentric cam portion 34 can be easily positioned in a position that does not interfere with the meshing of the gear portion 33 and the planetary gear 29.

[0053] By attaching the drive means 22 to the bottom surface, which is one main surface, of the plate-shaped fixed member 48 and attaching the fixed element of the planetary gear mechanism 23, in this embodiment the internal gear 27, to the top surface, which is the other main surface, the single fixed member 48 can be used efficiently and the drive means 22 and internal gear 27 can be arranged in a space-saving manner.

[0054] By configuring the second link portion 25 as comprising a second link portion main body portion 66 having one end connected to the output element, in this embodiment the carrier 28, and a conversion portion 67 which connects the other end of this second link portion main body portion 66 to the second fin 15 and converts the direction of movement into the rotational direction of the second fin 15, the second link portion 25 for converting the rotation of the carrier 28 into the rotation of the second fin 15 can be configured simply.

[0055] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] The airflow direction adjustment device 1 of the second embodiment is exemplified as a dual-type airflow direction adjustment device having a plurality of case bodies 3, for example, a pair. That is, the case bodies 3 include one case body 3a and another case body 3b. In the illustrated example, the one case body 3a and the other case body 3b are arranged side by side. One air passage 5a is formed in the one case body 3a, and another air passage 5b is formed in the other case body 3b. One first fin 14a and one second fin 15a are rotatably arranged in the one air passage 5a, and another first fin 14b and another second fin 15b are rotatably arranged in the other air passage 5b. Hereinafter, configurations similar to those of the first embodiment are indicated in the drawings with the same reference numerals with the suffixes a and b, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0057] One first fin 14a and one second fin 15a, and the other first fin 14b and other second fin 15b are driven by operation device 21. Operation device 21 is disposed, for example, between one case body 3a and the other case body 3b.

[0058] The operating device 21 is provided with a plurality of planetary gear mechanisms 23 driven by one driving means 22. These planetary gear mechanisms 23 are configured to work in conjunction with one another, with the output element of one planetary gear mechanism 23 functioning as the input element of another planetary gear mechanism 23.

[0059] Planetary gear mechanisms 23i, 23j, and 23k are arranged coaxially or approximately coaxially in the airflow direction adjustment device 1 of this embodiment. In the example shown in the figure, planetary gear mechanisms 23i to 23k are stacked one on top of the other and connected to one another vertically.

[0060] Planetary gear mechanism 23i is composed of sun gear 26 as an input element, internal gear 27i as a fixed element, and carrier 28i as an output element having planetary gears 29i, planetary gear mechanism 23j is composed of carrier 28i as an input element forming a sun gear, internal gear 27j as a fixed element, and carrier 28j as an output element having planetary gears 29j, and planetary gear mechanism 23k is composed of carrier 28j as an input element forming a sun gear, internal gear 27k as a fixed element, and carrier 28k as an output element having planetary gears 29k. Therefore, carrier 28i serves as part of planetary gear mechanism 23i and planetary gear mechanism 23j, and carrier 28j serves as part of planetary gear mechanism 23j and planetary gear mechanism 23k.

[0061] In this embodiment, one first eccentric cam portion connected to one first link portion 24a is formed on the sun gear 26, another first eccentric cam portion connected to the other first link portion 24b is formed on the carrier 28i, one second eccentric cam portion connected to one second link portion 25a is formed on the carrier 28j, and another second eccentric cam portion connected to the other second link portion 25b is formed on the carrier 28k. Note that the one first eccentric cam portion, the other first eccentric cam portion, the one second eccentric cam portion, and the other second eccentric cam portion may be selectively formed on any one of the sun gear 26, the carrier 28i, the carrier 28j, and the carrier 28k.

[0062] By configuring in this manner, as in the first embodiment, the rotation angles of carriers 28i, 28j, 28k are changed by drive means 22 in accordance with the rotation angle of sun gear 26, and these changes in rotation angles are converted into changes in the rotation angles of first fins 14a, 14b and second fins 15a, 15b via first link portions 24a, 24b and second link portions 25a, 25b.

[0063] Therefore, the wind direction adjustment device 1, which can rotate one first fin 14a and one second fin 15a, and the other first fin 14b and the other second fin 15b using one driving means 22, can be constructed by stacking elements in the axial direction while meshing the elements together in a planar manner.As a result, compared to when bevel gears or the like are used, for example, the meshing precision between the elements is good, there is little rattle, assembly is easy, and the configuration can be space-saving and inexpensive, and similar effects can be achieved as in the first embodiment.

[0064] In each embodiment, the planetary gear mechanism 23 has the internal gear 27 as the fixed element, the sun gear 26 as the input element, and the carrier 28 as the output element, but this is not limited to this, and the fixed element may be the sun gear 26 or the carrier 28, and the input element may be the internal gear 27.

[0065] 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]

[0066] 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]

[0067] 1 Wind direction adjustment device 5. Ventilation channel 14 First Fin 15 Second Fin 22 Driving means 23 Planetary gear mechanism 24 First link 25 Second link 26 Sun gear, which is the input element 27 Internal gear as fixed element 28 Carrier, the output element 29 Planetary Gear 33 Gear section 34 First eccentric cam part 36 First body part 37 Second body part 48 Fixing member 57 Second eccentric cam part 66 Second link body 67 Conversion Unit

Claims

1. A ventilation channel; a first fin that is rotatably arranged with a rotation axis in a first direction that intersects with the air flow direction of the air passage; a second fin rotatably arranged with a rotation axis in a second direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage and the first direction; a planetary gear mechanism having an input element, a fixed element, and an output element; a first link portion that connects the first fin and the input element and rotates the first fin in response to an operation of the input element; a second link portion that connects the second fin and the output element and rotates the second fin in response to an operation of the output element; a driving means for driving the input element; A wind direction adjustment device comprising:

2. The input element is the sun gear, The fixed element is an internal gear; The output element is a carrier to which a planetary gear that meshes with the sun gear and the internal gear is pivotally attached.

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

3. the sun gear is configured by coaxially arranging a first main body portion having a gear portion and a second main body portion having a first eccentric cam portion to which an end portion of the first link portion is slidably connected, The carrier has a second eccentric cam portion to which an end of the second link portion is slidably connected.

3. The wind direction adjusting device according to claim 2.

4. The drive means is attached to one main surface of a plate-shaped fixing member, and the fixed element of the planetary gear mechanism is attached to the other main surface of the plate-shaped fixing member.

4. The airflow direction adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the airflow direction adjusting device is a wind direction adjusting device.

5. The second link portion is a second link body having one end connected to the output element; a conversion part that connects the other end of the second link part main body part to the second fin and converts the direction of movement to the rotation direction of the second fin.

4. The airflow direction adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the airflow direction adjusting device is a wind direction adjusting device.

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