Louver rotation device and partition device

Abstract

To provide a louver rotation device and a partition device in which louvers are less likely to bend even when each device size is increased.SOLUTION: A louver rotation device includes a plurality of elongated louvers arranged in a vertical direction, a pair of support parts that rotatably support both longitudinal ends of the plurality of louvers, a rotation mechanism that links the plurality of louvers for synchronous rotations thereof, and a connecting unit that connects vertically adjacent louvers of the plurality of louvers at any position in a longitudinal direction. The connecting unit connects the vertically adjacent louvers in a tensioned state at least in an open / closed state in which the plurality of louvers are approximately horizontal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a louver rotation device used in partitions, windows, doors, grilles, etc., and to a partition device having the louver rotation device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Louver rotation devices have been known for use in windows of buildings, partitions of interior spaces, and the like, to adjust light, wind, temperature, sound, field of view, and the like.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a louver rotation device that arranges multiple louvers in parallel between door frames, fits caps housed in the door frames onto the ends of each louver, connects the caps with connecting plates, selects one of the caps as a pinion gear, fixes a guide member to the interior side of the door frame, slidably installs a slide member within the guide member that has a rack gear that meshes with the pinion gear, and rotates the louvers by sliding the slide member. A louver rotation device with this configuration can rotate multiple louvers synchronously. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-052386 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Such louver rotation devices can be suitably applied to partition devices such as folding doors and sliding doors. However, when the louver rotation device is applied to a large partition device, the longitudinal size of the louvers becomes large, which poses a problem of making the louvers more likely to bend.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a louver rotation device and a partition device in which the louvers are less likely to bend even when the device size is increased. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, a louver rotation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of long louvers arranged in a vertical direction, a pair of support members that rotatably support both longitudinal ends of the plurality of louvers, a rotation mechanism that links the plurality of louvers so that they rotate synchronously, and a connecting unit that connects adjacent vertical louvers of the plurality of louvers at any position in the longitudinal direction. The connecting unit connects the adjacent vertical louvers in a tensed state at least in an open / closed state in which the plurality of louvers are approximately horizontal.

[0008] With this configuration, at least in the open / closed state when the louvers are horizontal and most likely to bend, the connecting units are configured to connect adjacent louvers in a tensile state, making it difficult for the louvers to bend.

[0009] The connecting unit may connect the vertically adjacent louvers to each other at approximately the center of the louvers in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, the connecting unit is connected to the approximate center in the longitudinal direction where the bending of the louvers is greatest, so that the bending of the louvers can be made less likely to occur.

[0011] The connecting unit may have a connecting member that connects adjacent louvers to each other, and a connected portion that is attached to the louver and allows the connection position of the connecting member in the short direction of the louver to be moved according to the rotation angle of the louver.

[0012] This configuration prevents the connecting member from becoming tense when the louver is rotated, thereby preventing the rotation of the louver from being hindered.

[0013] The connecting member may have annular connecting portions at both ends thereof. In this case, the connected portions may be provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the louvers, respectively, and may have an arch shape to which the connecting portions are slidably connected.

[0014] With this configuration, the connection position of the louver can be moved smoothly in accordance with the rotation of the louver.

[0015] The connecting unit may include a pair of clip members that can be attached to the louver from the upper and lower sides of the louver, respectively. In this case, the connected portions may be formed on the pair of clip members, respectively.

[0016] According to this configuration, the connected portion can be retrofitted to an existing louver.

[0017] The louver may have shafts protruding from both longitudinal ends thereof, and a pinion gear may be formed on at least one of the shafts. In this case, the louver rotation device may further include a pair of base members rotatably supporting the shafts, and a movable member provided on at least one of the longitudinal ends of the louver, the movable member having a rack gear meshing with the pinion gear and sliding in response to rotation of the louver. In this case, the support member may be formed by vertically connecting a plurality of the base members, and the rotation mechanism may be formed by vertically connecting a plurality of the movable members.

[0018] This configuration can be suitably applied to a louver rotation device configured by connecting a plurality of louver units one above the other.

[0019] The louver rotation device may further include a frame having a pair of vertical frames to which the support parts are attached, an upper horizontal frame connecting the upper parts of the pair of vertical frames, and a lower horizontal frame connecting the lower parts of the pair of vertical frames. In this case, the connecting unit may further connect the upper frame and the uppermost louver.

[0020] With this configuration, by connecting the upper frame that forms the frame body to the top louver, it is possible to prevent bending of the top louver, which is the starting point of multiple louvers connected vertically by connecting members.

[0021] The louvers may be thin plate louvers.

[0022] According to this configuration, even when thin louvers are used, they are less likely to bend, so that the range of louver options that can be used can be expanded.

[0023] A partition device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises at least one louver rotation device as described above, and a runner provided at an upper end of the at least one louver rotation device and movably supported on a rail.

[0024] According to this configuration, a partition device equipped with the louver rotation device can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a louver rotation device and a partition device in which the louvers are less likely to bend even when the device size is increased. However, this effect does not limit the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a partition device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the rotation mechanisms of the partition device. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of rotation mechanisms of the partition device are connected to one another. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which louvers are attached to louver holders of the partition device. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line B-B. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along line E-E. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a clip member of the connecting unit of the partition device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connecting member of the connecting unit. [Figure 12] 3A and 3B are an enlarged front view and an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the connecting unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the rotational movement of the louver. [Figure 14] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the rotational movement of the louver. [Figure 15] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the operation of the connecting unit when the louver rotates. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a rotation holding portion of a partition device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] [Outline of the partition device] Fig. 1 is a front view of a partition device in this embodiment with the louvers fully open (horizontal), and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(A) shows the louvers fully open (horizontal), and Fig. 2(B) shows the louvers fully closed.

[0029] As shown in both figures, the partition device 100 of this embodiment divides one space (room, etc.) into multiple spaces (rooms, etc.) in a home, store, office, etc., and is installed, for example, between two parallel wall surfaces (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the wall surfaces.

[0030] The partition device 100 has an upper rail 11 supported on a ceiling surface C, a plurality of upper runners 12 that move along the inner wall of the upper rail 11, a plurality of louver rotation devices 10, a lower rail 13 laid on a floor surface F, and a plurality of lower runners 14 that move along the inner wall of the lower rail 13. The lower end of the partition device 100 may be detachable from the lower runner 14 (a connecting shaft that can slide the lower runner 14 can be released from the connection with the lower runner 14).

[0031] Although not shown, the partition device 100 is arranged in parallel in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) and is supported by the upper rail 11 and the lower rail 13 so that it can move (slide) relative to one another in the left-to-right direction (X direction), thereby allowing the opening (not shown) at the bottom of the upper rail 11 to be opened or closed.

[0032] Each of the multiple louver rotation devices 10 is configured to connect multiple louver units 1 in the vertical direction (Y direction) so that multiple louvers 2 can be rotated in synchronization. Each louver 2 is supported by the louver rotation device 10 via louver holders 9 attached to both ends of the louver 2 in the longitudinal direction (X) direction.

[0033] By opening and closing the louvers 2, it is possible to adjust lighting, ventilation, etc., within the space partitioned by the partition device 100. In this embodiment, the partition device 100 is configured by connecting, for example, two louver rotation devices 10 in the vertical direction (Y direction), but it is also possible to connect three or more louver rotation devices 10 in the vertical direction.

[0034] Of the two louver rotation devices 10, one above the other, an upper runner 12 is provided at the upper end of the upper louver rotation device 10, which is slidably accommodated on an upper rail 11, and a lower runner 14 is provided at the lower end of the lower louver rotation device 10, which is slidably accommodated on a lower rail 13.

[0035] Each louver rotation device 10 is supported by a frame body on the top, bottom, left, and right sides. Specifically, a pair of vertical frames 4 to which the above-mentioned multiple louver units 1 are attached is provided at the left and right ends of each louver rotation device 10, and an upper horizontal frame 3a and a lower horizontal frame 3b that connect the upper and lower ends of the pair of vertical frames 4 are provided at the top and bottom ends of each louver rotation device 10. In this embodiment, the lower horizontal frame 3b is not provided at the bottom end of the upper louver rotation device 10, and the upper horizontal frame 3a is not provided at the top end of the lower louver rotation device 10, and a middle frame 3c is provided between the two upper and lower louver rotation devices 10. The horizontal frames 3 and vertical frames 4 are formed of a metal such as aluminum, for example, but are not limited to this.

[0036] 1, a connecting unit 5 is provided, for example, approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction (X direction) of each louver 2, to connect adjacent louvers 2 in the vertical direction among the plurality of louvers 2 and prevent the louvers 2 from bending due to their own weight. The number and positions at which the connecting units 5 are provided are not limited to this, and the connecting units 5 may be provided at any multiple positions in the longitudinal direction (X).

[0037] [Louver unit details] Next, the louver unit 1 (louver rotation mechanism) of the partition device 100 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one louver unit 1 of the partition device 100. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of louver units 1 are connected. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a louver 2 is attached to a louver holder 9. Fig. 6 is a BB cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a CC cross-sectional view of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a DD cross-sectional view of Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is an EE cross-sectional view of Fig. 6.

[0038] As shown in these figures, each louver unit 1 has a louver 2, a pair of louver holders 9, a pair of base members 6, a pair of movable members 7, and a pair of cover members 8.

[0039] The louvers 2 are, for example, long, rectangular, thin wooden plates (for example, about 3 mm thick); for example, the slats of wooden blinds are used as the louvers 2, but they may also be made of metal such as aluminum. Louver holders 9 are detachably attached to both ends of each louver 2 in the longitudinal direction (X direction), and the louvers 2 are rotatably attached to the base member 6 via the louver holders 9. The louver holders 9 are formed with insertion openings 9A that open in the Z direction, which is the front-to-rear direction of the partition device 100, and the louvers are detachably attached through the insertion openings 9A. By using the louver holders 9, it is possible to configure the louver unit 1 by reusing existing louvers.

[0040] The louver holder 9 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and has a cylindrical shaft portion 91 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the louver 2. The base member 6 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and has a protruding support portion 61 that is inserted into the shaft portion 91 and rotatably supports the shaft portion 91. A pinion gear 92 is formed on the shaft portion 91.

[0041] The base member 6 is fixed to the vertical frame 4 using, for example, two upper and lower insertion holes 6A with screws. Each base member 6 is interconnected between multiple louver units 1 by an engagement protrusion 62 provided at its upper end and an engagement hole (not shown) provided at its lower end.

[0042] The cover member 8 has insertion holes 81 through which the support parts 61 of the base member 6 and the shaft parts 91 of the louver holder 9 can be inserted, and covers the movable member 7 between itself and the base member 6. The cover member 8 is fixed to the base member 6 with the movable member 7 inserted therebetween by using two upper and lower insertion holes 8A, for example, with screws.

[0043] Each movable member 7 is formed, for example, from a synthetic resin material, and is interconnected between multiple louver units 1 by an engagement hole 76 provided in the step portion at its upper end and an engagement protrusion 77 provided in the step portion at its lower end.

[0044] The movable member 7 is a part for transmitting the rotation of the pinion gear 92 caused by the rotation operation of the louver 2. It is stored between the vertical frame 4 and the cover member 8 (see Figure 8), receives the rotation of the pinion gear 92, slides in the vertical direction (Y direction), and transmits stress to other louver units 1 above and below.

[0045] The movable member 7 has an elongated opening 71 in the vertical direction (Y direction) that is opened along the sliding direction (Y direction) of the movable member 7. A rack gear 72 that meshes with the pinion gear 92 is formed on the inner surface on one side in the short direction (Z direction) of the opening 71. When the pinion gear 92 rotates due to the rotation operation of the louver 2, the rotational motion is transmitted to the rack gear 72 and converted into a sliding motion of the movable member 7 in the vertical direction (Y direction).

[0046] On the other side of the opening 71 in the short direction (Z direction), a holding portion 73 is provided that abuts against the pinion gear 92 when the louver 2 is not rotated, and is capable of holding the sliding position of the movable member 7 by its elastic force.

[0047] Specifically, the holding portion 73 is composed of an abutment portion 74 and a hollow portion 75. The abutment portion 74 is formed on the inner surface on the other side in the short direction (Z direction) of the opening 71 so as to abut against the pinion gear 92. The hollow portion 75 is formed in the up-and-down direction (Y direction) along the abutment portion 74 so as to apply the above-mentioned elastic force to the abutment portion 74. The abutment portion 74 is provided with, for example, a wavy uneven portion.

[0048] Unlike conventional louver rotation mechanisms, the rack gear 72 that meshes with the pinion gear 92 is provided on only one side of the inner surface of the opening 71, and the pinion gear 92 is intentionally made to interfere with the abutment portion 74 on the other side of the opening 71, and furthermore, by providing an uneven portion on the abutment portion 74, the louver 2 is prevented from rotating due to its own weight or a slight breeze, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, a hollow portion 75 along the contact portion 74 imparts elastic force to the contact portion 74 and serves as a clearance so that the contact portion 74 does not interfere with the rotation of the pinion gear 92 during rotation operation.

[0050] This makes it possible to hold the movable member 7 at any slide position and hold the louver 2 at any angle. Furthermore, the unevenness of the abutment portion 74 creates a clicking sensation when the louver 2 is rotated, allowing the user to know the amount of rotation of the louver 2 while rotating it. Note that it is not necessary to provide the holding portion 73 on all movable members 7. For example, by providing the holding portion 73 on only some of the movable members 7, it is possible to adjust the operating load when rotating the louver 2 so that it does not become too large.

[0051] [Details of the connecting unit] Next, the details of the connection unit 5 of the partition device 100 will be described. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view (Fig. 10(A)) and an assembly view (Fig. 10(B)) of the clip member of the connection unit 5. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view (Fig. 11(A)) and an assembly view (Fig. 11(B)) of the connection member of the connection unit 5. Fig. 12 is an enlarged front view (Fig. 11(A)) and an enlarged side cross-sectional view (Fig. 11(B)) of the connection unit 5.

[0052] As shown in these figures, the connection unit 5 has a pair of clip members 52 that can be attached and detached to the louver 2 from the upper and lower sides of the louver 2, respectively, and a long, flat connecting member 53 that connects adjacent upper and lower clip members 52 to each other. Each of the pair of clip members 52 has, for example, an engaging claw and an engaging portion that engages with the engaging claw. The pair of clip members 52 are formed by combining identical parts, and are attached to the upper and lower sides of the louver 2, respectively, by rotating one side 180 degrees around the X axis and overlapping the other side. Because the clip members 52 can be attached and detached to the louver 2, it is possible to retrofit the connection unit 5 to an existing louver.

[0053] On the surfaces of the clip members 52 (the upper surface of the upper clip member 52 and the lower surface of the lower clip member 52), for example, arch-shaped connectable portions 51 are formed. Also, annular connecting portions 54 are formed on both ends of the connecting member 53, and the clip members 52 and the connecting members 53 are connected by inserting the connectable portions 51 into the connecting portions 54.

[0054] The connected portion 51 has an arch shape, so that the connection position of the connecting member 53 in the short direction (Z direction) of the louver 2 can slide along the arch shape according to the rotation angle of the louver 2.

[0055] With this configuration, when the louvers 2 rotate, the connecting unit 5 connects adjacent louvers 2 vertically in a tensile state at a predetermined pitch at the center of each connected portion 51 (the apex of the arch) until the louvers 2 rotate a predetermined angle (e.g., 45°) from the approximately horizontal state, at which point the louvers 2 are most likely to bend.

[0056] On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the louver 2 exceeds the above-mentioned specified angle, the connecting member 53 slides along the connected portion 51 in the short direction (Z direction) of the louver 2, releasing the above-mentioned tension state, and play is generated in the connecting member 53 between the upper and lower louvers 2, so that the connecting member 53 does not hinder the shielding action of the louver 2.

[0057] 12, the connecting unit 5 has a connecting member 53a for connecting the upper horizontal frame 3a and the topmost louver 2 that is different from the connecting member 53a for connecting the louvers 2 together. The connecting member 53a has a connecting portion 54 at its lower end that connects to the connected portion 51 of the topmost louver 2, and an engaging portion 54a at its upper end that engages with a groove at the lower end of the upper horizontal frame 3a.

[0058] By connecting the upper horizontal frame 3a and the topmost louver 2 in this manner, it is possible to prevent bending of the topmost louver 2, which is the starting point of multiple louvers 2 connected vertically by the connecting unit 5.

[0059] [Partition device operation] Next, the operation of the partition device 100 configured as above will be described.

[0060] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the rotational movement of the louver 2, and FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the rotational movement of the louver 2. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view showing the movement of the connection unit 5 when the louver 2 rotates. FIG. 13(A) shows the fully open (horizontal) state of the louver 2, and FIG. 13(B) shows the fully closed state of the louver 2 (rotated approximately 75° from the horizontal state). FIG. 14(A) to (E) show how the louver 2 gradually rotates from the fully open (horizontal) state to the fully closed state. FIG. 15(A) shows the fully open (horizontal) state of the louver 2, FIG. 15(B) shows the state rotated approximately 45° from the horizontal state, and FIG. 15(C) shows the fully closed state.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when a user grips and rotates the louver 2 (louver holder 9), the rotation of the pinion gear 92 is transmitted to the rack gear 72, causing the rack gear 72 to slide up and down (Y direction).

[0062] When the user stops the rotation operation, the holding portion 73 abuts against the pinion gear 92, and the elastic force of the holding portion 73 (abutment portion 74 and hollow portion 75) holds the sliding position of the rack gear 72, thereby stopping the louver 2 at that position.

[0063] When the user rotates the louver 2 against the elastic force, the unevenness of the contact portion 74 causes the louver 2 to rotate gradually with a clicking sensation, and the louver 2 stops at the position where the user stopped the rotation operation.

[0064] As the louver 2 rotates from the horizontal state in Figures 13(A) and 14(A) to the fully closed state in Figures 13(B) and 14(E) (and then rotates in the opposite direction), the movable member 7 slides vertically, for example, by approximately 6.3 mm.

[0065] In this way, a portion of the movable member 7 elastically abuts against the pinion gear 92, thereby maintaining the sliding position of the movable member 7 when the louver 2 is not rotated. Furthermore, by providing a hollow portion 75 along the abutment portion 74 to facilitate elastic deformation of the abutment portion, it is possible to reliably maintain the angle when the louver is not rotated, while avoiding an increase in the operating load when the louver 2 is rotated.

[0066] As shown in Figure 15, while the louvers 2 are rotating, from the horizontal state (Figure 15(A)) in which the louvers 2 are prone to bending until they rotate approximately 45° (Figure 15(B)), the connecting members 53 support the lower louvers 2 of each louver 2 in a tensile state at the center of their connected portions 51, maintaining a predetermined pitch.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in the same figure (C), when the louver 2 is rotated to an angle where it is less likely to bend (an angle greater than 45°), the connecting member 53 gradually slides from the center of the connected part 51 to the end, so that even if the distance between the center points of adjacent louvers 2 becomes larger, the distance between the upper and lower connecting parts 54 becomes closer (creating play), and the connecting member 53 remains in a non-stretched state, so that the rotation operation can be performed without the connecting member 53 interfering with the rotation of the louver 2.

[0068] In this way, the connecting unit 5 connects adjacent louvers 2 in a tensed state at least in the open / closed state in which the louvers 2 are horizontal and most likely to bend, thereby making it difficult for the louvers 2 to bend even when the size of the partition device 100 is increased. Furthermore, by making the connecting member 53 slidable along the connected portion 51 when the louvers 2 rotate, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the louvers 2 from being hindered by the connecting member 53 when the louvers 2 are rotated to an angle at which they are least likely to bend.

[0069] [Variations] The partition device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the abutment portion 74 and the hollow portion 75 are shown as the retaining portion 73 that can retain the sliding position of the movable member 7 by elastic force when the louver 2 is not rotated. However, the retaining portion 73 is not limited to this configuration, and any structure may be used as long as it can retain the sliding position of the movable member 7 by the above-described elastic force. Figure 16 is a partial side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the retaining portion 73 of a partition device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] As shown in the same figure, in this embodiment, the louver unit 1 has, as a holding portion 73, the above-mentioned abutment portion 74 and elastic pieces 78 formed at both ends of the movable member 7 in the short direction (Z direction) so as to elastically slide against the inner wall of the cover member 8.

[0072] The elastic pieces 78 are, for example, but not limited to, two pairs of opposing cantilever-shaped arc-shaped pieces. Also, unlike the above-described embodiment, the contact portion 74 does not have an uneven portion, but it may have an uneven portion.

[0073] The elastic piece 78 elastically slides against the inner wall of the cover member 8, thereby applying an elastic force to the abutment portion 74 during rotation of the louver 2 from the horizontal (fully open) state shown in Figure 1(A) to the fully closed state shown in Figure 1(B), and acting as a clearance so that the abutment portion 74 does not interfere with the rotation of the pinion gear 92.

[0074] This allows the movable member 7 to be held at any slide position in the vertical direction (Y direction) when the louver 2 is not rotated.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the movable member 7 is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the louver 2. However, the movable member 7 may be provided at only one of the both ends.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, wooden slats are used as the louvers 2, which are attached to the louver holders 9 and are supported on the vertical frame 4 (base member 6) via the louver holders 9. However, the louver holders 9 are not essential, and the louvers 2 and the shaft portion 91 on which the pinion gear 92 is formed may be formed as an integral member.

[0077] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the louver rotation mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a horizontal louver rotation device in which multiple louvers 2 each long in the horizontal direction (X direction) are aligned in the vertical direction (Y direction). However, the louver rotation mechanism according to the present invention can also be applied to a vertical louver rotation device in which multiple louvers 2 each long in the vertical direction (Y direction) are aligned in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting member 53 of the connecting unit 5 is formed in a long, flat plate shape. However, this is not limited thereto and may be formed, for example, as a string-like member. Furthermore, the connecting member 53 is configured such that its connecting position can be moved according to the rotation angle of the louver 2 by the arch-shaped connected portion 51. However, the connecting member 53 may be fixed in position without moving according to the rotation angle of the louver 2. In this case, the connecting unit 5 may be configured, for example, such that a long, plate-like or string-like member having engaging or engaging portions at the upper and lower ends engages with or engages with an engaged or engaged portion provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the clip member 52. Furthermore, the clip member 52 may not be a pair of separable upper and lower members as in the above-described embodiment, but may be, for example, a flat, ring-like member through which the louver 2 can be inserted.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting unit 5 has a connecting member 53a for connecting the upper horizontal frame 3a and the topmost louver 2, which is different from the connecting member 53a for connecting the louvers 2. However, the connecting member 53a may be omitted by forming only the topmost louver from a rigid, unbending material rather than a bending material such as the thin wooden slats described above.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the louver rotation device 10 is applied to the partition device 100. However, the louver rotation device 10 can also be applied to other fixtures such as doors, interior windows, and grilles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...Louver unit 2...Louver 3...Horizontal frame 4...Vertical frame 5...Connecting unit 6...Base member 7... Movable parts 8...Cover member 9...Louver holder 10...Louver rotation device 11...Upper rail 12...Upper runner 13...Lower rail 14...Lower runner 51...Connected part 52...Clip member 53...Connecting member 54...Connection part 61...Support part 62…Engagement protrusion 71...Opening 72...Rack gear 73...Holding part 74...Abutting part 75...Cavity part 76...Engagement hole 77…Engagement protrusion 78...Elastic piece 81...Through hole 91...Shaft 92...Pinion gear 100...Partition device Ceiling surface…C Floor…F

Claims

1. A plurality of long louvers arranged in the vertical direction; a pair of support portions that rotatably support both longitudinal end portions of the plurality of louvers; a rotation mechanism that links the plurality of louvers so that they rotate synchronously; a connecting unit that connects adjacent louvers in the vertical direction among the plurality of louvers at any position in the longitudinal direction; Equipped with The connecting unit connects the vertically adjacent louvers together in a tensioned state at least in an open / closed state in which the plurality of louvers are substantially horizontal. Louver rotation device.

2. The louver rotation device according to claim 1, The connecting unit connects the vertically adjacent louvers to each other at approximately the center of the louvers in the longitudinal direction. Louver rotation device.

3. The louver rotation device according to claim 1, The connecting unit has a connecting member that connects the adjacent louvers to each other, and a connected portion that is attached to the louvers and allows the connecting position of the connecting member in the short-side direction of the louvers to be moved according to the rotation angle of the louvers. Louver rotation device.

4. The louver rotation device according to claim 3, the connecting member has annular connecting portions at both ends thereof, The connected portions are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the louver, respectively, and have an arch shape to which the connecting portions are slidably connected. Louver rotation device.

5. The louver rotation device according to claim 4, the connecting unit has a pair of clip members that can be attached to the louver from the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the louver, respectively; The connected portions are formed on the pair of clip members, respectively. Louver rotation device.

6. The louver rotation device according to claim 1, The louver has a shaft portion protruding from each of both longitudinal ends thereof, and a pinion gear is formed on at least one of the shaft portions; The louver rotation device is a pair of base members that rotatably support the shaft portion; a movable member provided at least at one end of the louver in the longitudinal direction, the movable member having a rack gear meshing with the pinion gear, and sliding in response to a rotational operation of the louver; Further comprising: the support portion is configured by connecting a plurality of the base members vertically, The rotation mechanism is configured by connecting a plurality of the movable members vertically. Louver rotation device.

7. The louver rotation device according to claim 1, The support member further includes a frame body having a pair of vertical frames to which the support portion is attached, an upper horizontal frame connecting the upper portions of the pair of vertical frames, and a lower horizontal frame connecting the lower portions of the pair of vertical frames, The connecting unit further connects the upper frame and the uppermost louver. Louver rotation device.

8. The louver rotation device according to claim 1, The louvers are thin plate louvers. Louver rotation device.

9. At least one louver rotation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a runner provided at an upper end of the at least one louver rotation device and movably supported on a rail; A partition device comprising:

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