Wind direction adjusting device

Abstract

To provide a wind direction adjusting device capable of improving airtightness of blocking ventilation with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: The wind direction adjustment device 1 includes the first air distribution body 25 that has the rotation axis in the direction intersecting the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage 5 and is rotatable in one direction and the other direction opposite to the one direction, and the second air distribution body 26 that has the rotation axis in the direction intersecting the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage 5 and in the same direction as the first air distribution body 25 and is rotatable in the one direction and the other direction. The first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 are integrally rotated in the same direction to adjust the air direction, and the upstream end side of the first air distribution body 25 rotated in one direction from a state where the upstream end side of the second air distribution body 26 is in contact with the second contact portion 31 of the case body 3 is in contact with the first contact portion 30 of the case body 3 to close the ventilation path 5 and block the ventilation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind direction adjusting device that adjusts the wind direction using a wind distribution body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a wind direction adjusting device that adjusts the direction of airflow from an air conditioner in a vehicle such as an automobile. Among such wind direction adjusting devices, thin ones that have a short outer shape in the short side direction so that the air outlet is less noticeable are known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-138816 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-74891 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the airflow direction adjusting device described in Patent Document 1 requires both fins for adjusting the airflow direction and a shut valve for blocking ventilation, so it is not easy to reduce the number of parts.

[0005] Furthermore, the airflow direction adjustment device described in Patent Document 2 above uses three or more fins to adjust the airflow direction, and blocks ventilation by overlapping them, so there is a risk of air leaking through the gaps between the fins.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a wind direction adjusting device that has a simple configuration and can improve the airtightness of blocking ventilation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An air direction adjusting device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a case body defining an air passage therein, a first air distribution body located in the air passage and having a rotation axis in a direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage and rotatable in one direction and in another direction opposite thereto, and a second air distribution body located in the air passage and having a rotation axis in a direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage and in the same direction as the first air distribution body and rotatable in the one direction and the other direction, and the case body has an inner surface facing the air passage which is in contact with the first air distribution body. The air distribution body has a first abutment portion located on one side of the rotation direction of the first air distribution body and the second air distribution body, and a second abutment portion located on the inner surface on the other side of the rotation direction of the first air distribution body and the second air distribution body, and the first air distribution body and the second air distribution body rotate together in the same direction to adjust the wind direction, and the upstream end of the second air distribution body abuts against the second abutment portion, and the upstream end of the first air distribution body rotated in the one direction abuts against the first abutment portion, thereby blocking the air passage and cutting off ventilation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the airtightness of blocking ventilation can be improved with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a neutral state of an airflow direction adjusting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the airflow direction adjustment device is swung to the maximum in one direction. [Figure 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the airflow direction of the airflow direction adjustment device is swung to the other side to the maximum. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the ventilation of the airflow direction adjustment device is blocked. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing a neutral state of an airflow direction adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows one side and (b) shows the other side. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the airflow direction adjustment device is swung to the maximum in one direction. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the airflow direction of the airflow direction adjustment device is swung to the other side to the maximum. FIG. [Figure 10] 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the state in which the ventilation of the airflow direction adjusting device is blocked, where FIG. 4A shows one side and FIG. 4B shows the other side. 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 1, 5, and 6, 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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. That is, the inlet 6 is the upstream end of the air passage 5, and the outlet 7 is the downstream end of the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are both horizontally elongated.

[0014] 1, in the present embodiment, an inclined portion 10 is formed in the case body 3 at the downstream end of the air passage 5, i.e., at the portion defining the air outlet 7. The inclined portion 10 is inclined so as to gradually widen the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section from the downstream end side toward the upstream side.

[0015] Preferably, case body 3 has a constricted portion 11 formed in the middle between inlet 6 and outlet 7, i.e., in the middle of air passage 5, that locally narrows the cross-sectional area of ​​air passage 5 in the short direction. In the example shown, constricted portion 11 is located closer to the upstream end of air passage 5, i.e., closer to inlet 6, in the ventilation direction. In this embodiment, constricted portion 11 has an upstream inclined portion 13, an intermediate cylindrical portion 14 connected to upstream inclined portion 13, and a downstream inclined portion 15 connected to intermediate cylindrical portion 14, with upstream cylindrical portion 16 connected to the upstream side of upstream inclined portion 13 and downstream cylindrical portion 17 connected to the downstream side of downstream inclined portion 15.

[0016] The upstream inclined portion 13 is inclined so as to gradually widen the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section toward the upstream side.

[0017] The intermediate cylindrical portion 14 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and defines the air passage 5 in a uniform or approximately uniform shape.

[0018] The downstream inclined portion 15 is inclined so as to gradually widen the air passage 5 in the short direction of the cross section toward the downstream side.

[0019] The upstream cylindrical portion 16 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and defines the air passage 5 in a uniform or approximately uniform shape. The upstream end of the upstream cylindrical portion 16 serves as the inlet port 6.

[0020] Similarly, the downstream cylindrical portion 17 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and defines the air passage 5 in a uniform or approximately uniform shape. The downstream side of the downstream cylindrical portion 17 is connected to the inclined portion 10, and the downstream end of the inclined portion 10 forms the air outlet 7.

[0021] Therefore, the case body 3 is arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side, that is, from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7, in the order of the upstream cylindrical portion 16, the upstream inclined portion 13, the intermediate cylindrical portion 14, the downstream inclined portion 15, the downstream cylindrical portion 17, and the inclined portion 10.

[0022] In this embodiment, downstream cylindrical portion 17 is formed to have a larger cross-sectional area in the vertical direction of the cross section than upstream cylindrical portion 16. Furthermore, the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​constricted portion 11 is set to be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​air outlet 7. In other words, imaginary lines extending from the upper and lower edges of air outlet 7 in the ventilation direction are formed to pass through the inside of constricted portion 11.

[0023] The case body 3 may be formed integrally or may be formed by combining multiple case members. In this embodiment, the case body 3 is divided into an upstream side and a downstream side by an upstream case member 20 and a downstream case member 21. For example, the upstream case member 20 constitutes the upstream cylindrical portion 16, the upstream inclined portion 13, and the intermediate portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion 14, and the downstream case member 21 constitutes the intermediate portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion 14, the downstream inclined portion 15, the downstream cylindrical portion 17, and the inclined portion 10. However, the case body 3 may be formed by combining three or more members, and the division positions may be set arbitrarily.

[0024] 1 to 3, first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 are rotatably arranged inside the case body 3, i.e., in the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet 7 is adjusted in accordance with the rotation of the first and second air distribution members 25 and 26. In this embodiment, the first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 each have a rotation axis in the left-right direction, which is a direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage 5, and are horizontal fins or horizontal louvers that can rotate in the up-down direction, which is the short-side direction of the cross section of the air passage 5. In other words, the rotation of the first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 adjusts the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet 7 up and down.

[0025] The first air distribution body 25 is a first air distribution plate, and has a plate-shaped first air distribution body main body portion 25a and a first rotating portion 25b.

[0026] 1 and 5, first air distribution body main body 25a is a part that constitutes the rectifying surface and is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. In the example shown, first air distribution body main body 25a is a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction, has long sides on the upstream and downstream sides, and is disposed inside case body 3, i.e., inside air passage 5. Both left and right sides of first air distribution body main body 25a are located close to the inner surfaces of both left and right sides of case body 3.

[0027] The first pivoting portion 25b is a portion for supporting the first wind distribution body 25 so that it can pivot relative to the case body 3. The first pivoting portion 25b sets the rotation axis of the first wind distribution body 25. In this embodiment, the first pivoting portion 25b is located, for example, on the long side of the first wind distribution body main body 25a. Therefore, the rotation axis is set at the downstream end of the first wind distribution body 25.

[0028] Similarly, the second air distribution body 26 is a second air distribution plate, and has a plate-shaped second air distribution body main body portion 26a and a second rotating portion 26b.

[0029] The second air distribution body main body 26a is a part that constitutes the rectifying surface and is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. The second air distribution body main body 26a has the same or approximately the same outer shape and size as the first air distribution body main body 25a. In the example shown, the second air distribution body main body 26a is rectangular in shape that is long in the left-right direction, has long sides on the upstream and downstream sides, and is disposed inside the case body 3, i.e., in the air passage 5. The left and right side portions of the second air distribution body main body 26a are located close to the inner surfaces of the left and right side portions of the case body 3.

[0030] The second pivoting portion 26b is a portion for supporting the second wind distribution body 26 rotatably relative to the case body 3. The second pivoting portion 26b sets the rotation axis of the second wind distribution body 26. In this embodiment, the second pivoting portion 26b is located, for example, on the long side of the second wind distribution body main body portion 26a. Therefore, the rotation axis is set at the downstream end of the second wind distribution body 26.

[0031] In this embodiment, the rotation axes of first air distribution body 25 and second air distribution body 26 overlap and are aligned or substantially aligned with each other. Therefore, first rotating portion 25b and second rotating portion 26b are arranged coaxially. Furthermore, first air distribution body main body 25a and second air distribution body main body 26a are arranged stacked one on top of the other. The first rotating portion 25b and / or second rotating portion 26b are rotatably supported by rotation receiving portion 28 of case body 3.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the first rotating portions 25b are arranged spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and the second rotating portion 26b is formed to be positioned coaxially therebetween, and a series of rotating shafts that are substantially continuous from the first rotating portion 25b to the second rotating portion 26b in a direction intersecting the airflow direction in the air passage 5, which in this embodiment is the left-right direction, are configured at the downstream ends of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26. In this embodiment, the first rotating portion 25b is rotatably supported by the rotation receiving portion 28, but this is not limited thereto. The second rotating portion 26b may be arranged spaced apart from each other on the left and right, the first rotating portion 25b may be positioned coaxially therebetween, and the second rotating portion 26b may be rotatably supported by the rotation receiving portion 28. Alternatively, the first rotating portion 25b and the second rotating portion 26b may be adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and the first rotating portion 25b may be supported by one rotation receiving portion 28, and the second rotating portion 26b may be supported by the other rotation receiving portion 28.

[0033] The rotation receiving portion 28 may be a shaft portion, a hole portion, or a recess portion. In this embodiment, the rotation receiving portion 28 is formed as a hole portion that penetrates one side portion of the case body 3. One of the first rotation portion 25b and the second rotation portion 26b is supported integrally by the rotation receiving portion 28 via a connecting pin 29 that is a support member inserted into the rotation receiving portion 28. The rotation receiving portion 28 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.

[0034] In this embodiment, the rotation receiver 28 is formed near the center of the case body 3 in the up-down direction and toward the upstream side of the downstream case body 21 of the case body 3 in the air flow direction of the air passage 5. In the example shown, the rotation receiver 28 is located within the width of the downstream inclined portion 15 in the air flow direction of the air passage 5. Therefore, the first air director 25 and the second air director 26 are configured so that a portion of the first air director main body 25a and the second air director main body 26a are located within the constricted portion 11. Furthermore, the upstream ends of the first air director 25 (first air director main body 25a) and the second air director 26 (second air director main body 26a) extend further upstream of the air passage 5 than the constricted portion 11 (upstream inclined portion 13). As shown in Fig. 2, in the upstream inclined section 13, the upper side of the inner surface facing the air passage 5, which is on one side in the rotation direction of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, forms a first contact portion 30 against which the first air distribution body 25 can come into contact, and as shown in Fig. 3, the lower side of the inner surface facing the air passage 5, which is on the other side in the rotation direction of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, forms a second contact portion 31 against which the second air distribution body 26 can come into contact. The first contact portion 30 is formed in a planar shape and comes into planar contact with the upstream end side of the first air distribution body 25. Similarly, the second contact portion 31 is formed in a planar shape and comes into planar contact with the upstream end side of the second air distribution body 26.

[0035] 1 to 5, the first rotating part 25b and / or the second rotating part 26b are connected to a control part 33 for rotating the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26. The control part 33 is arranged outside the case body 3, that is, outside the air passage 5. In this embodiment, the control part 33 is arranged on the other side of the case body 3. The control part 33 may have any configuration as long as it can control the rotation of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, respectively, but in this embodiment, it is configured by a gear which is a driving part and a connecting body which is a driven part.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the control unit 33 has, as gears, a connecting gear 35, and a first toothed gear 36 and a second toothed gear 37 that are respectively meshed with the connecting gear 35. The control unit 33 also has, as connecting bodies, a first connecting body 38 that is connected to the first toothed gear 36, and a second connecting body 39 that is connected to the second toothed gear 37.

[0037] The connecting gear 35, the first toothed gear 36, and the second toothed gear 37 are each formed, for example, in the shape of a spur gear, and have a rotation axis in the left-right direction, that is, in the same direction as the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26. The first toothed gear 36 is meshed with the upper part of the connecting gear 35, and the second toothed gear 37 is meshed with the lower part of the connecting gear 35. Therefore, the first toothed gear 36 and the second toothed gear 37 rotate in the same direction. The connecting gear 35, the first toothed gear 36, and the second toothed gear 37 are rotatably supported, for example, by bearing portions 40, 41, and 42 formed in the case body 3, respectively.

[0038] The first toothed gear 36 is a part that controls the rotation of the first air distribution body 25, and the second toothed gear 37 is a part that controls the rotation of the second air distribution body 26. A first pin 43, which is a first cam pin and serves as a first connecting part, is provided on the first toothed gear 36 and protrudes in a direction parallel or approximately parallel to the rotation axis. The first pin 43 is formed, for example, at the tip of a first arm portion 44 that extends radially from the first toothed gear 36. Similarly, a second pin 45, which is a second connecting part, is provided on the second toothed gear 37 and protrudes in a direction parallel or approximately parallel to the rotation axis. The second pin 45 is formed, for example, at the tip of a second arm portion 46 that extends radially from the second toothed gear 37.

[0039] Any of the connecting gear 35, the first toothed gear 36, and the second toothed gear 37 is rotated by an external force. This external force may be applied manually by a user via an operating member such as a dial, or may be applied electrically via a drive unit (actuator) such as a motor. In this embodiment, the connecting gear 35 is a driving gear, and the first toothed gear 36 and the second toothed gear 37 are each a driven gear.

[0040] The first connecting body 38 is a first transmission member that is integrally connected to the first air distribution body 25 and transmits the rotation of the first toothed gear 36 to the first air distribution body 25. The first connecting body 38 has a first connecting portion 47 that is connected to the first rotating portion 25b of the first air distribution body 25, and a first guide portion 48 that is a first arm portion that is connected to the first toothed gear 36 via a first pin 43.

[0041] In the present embodiment, first connecting portion 47 is connected in a state where it is prevented from rotating to the other first rotating portion 25b of first air distribution body 25. In the example shown, first connecting portion 47 is formed in an axial shape, and is inserted from the other rotation receiving portion 28 into the inside of case body 3, i.e., into air passage 5, and connected to first rotating portion 25b. However, it is not limited to this, and first rotating portion 25b may be axial, and first connecting portion 47 may be a hole or a recess.

[0042] The first guide portion 48 is a portion that converts the rotation of the first toothed gear 36 into the rotation of the first connecting body 38, i.e., the first air distribution body 25. The first guide portion 48 is formed in the shape of a groove that extends linearly in the radial direction relative to the first connecting portion 47. In this embodiment, the first guide portion 48 is basically located above the first connecting portion 47.

[0043] The second connecting body 39 is a second transmission member that is integrally connected to the second air distribution body 26 and transmits the rotation of the second toothed gear 37 to the second air distribution body 26. The second connecting body 39 has a second connecting portion 51 that is connected to the second rotating portion 26b of the second air distribution body 26, and a second guide portion 52 that is a second arm portion that is connected to the second toothed gear 37 via a second pin 45.

[0044] In this embodiment, the second connection part 51 is connected to the second rotation part 26b of the second air distribution body 26 in a non-rotatable state through the other first rotation part 25b of the first air distribution body 25. In the example shown, the second connection part 51 is formed in an elongated shaft shape, and is inserted from the rotation receiving part 28 of the case body 3 through the first connection part 47 of the first linking body 38, into the inside of the case body 3, i.e., the air passage 5, and connected to the second rotation part 26b. The second connection part 51 is coaxial with the first connection part 47. However, the second rotation part 26b may be axial, and the second connection part 51 may be a hole or a recess.

[0045] The second guide portion 52 is a portion that converts the rotation of the second toothed gear 37 into the rotation of the second connecting body 39, i.e., the second air distribution body 26. The second guide portion 52 has a guide portion 52a formed in a groove shape that extends linearly in the radial direction relative to the second connecting portion 51 at its tip end, and a non-guide portion 52b that is continuous with the guide portion 52a and curved in an arc at its base end. The curved shape of the non-guide portion 52b has a radius of curvature that is the distance from the rotation axis of the second toothed gear 37 to the second pin 45. The non-guide portion 52b extends in a direction that intersects with the radial direction relative to the second connecting portion 51. In this embodiment, the second guide portion 52 is basically located below the second connecting portion 51.

[0046] In addition, the case body 3 may have one or more other air distribution bodies (vertical fins or vertical louvers) arranged upstream or downstream of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 to distribute air in a direction intersecting the air distribution direction of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, for example, in the left-right direction.

[0047] 1 , the airflow direction adjustment device 1 is located above and in front of the rotation axis of the first toothed gear 36 with the first pin 43 of the first toothed gear 36 fitted in the first guide portion 48 of the first connecting body 38, and is located below and in front of the rotation axis of the second toothed gear 37 with the second pin 45 of the second toothed gear 37 fitted in the guide portion 52a of the second guide portion 52 of the second connecting body 39. In this state, the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 overlap horizontally in the vertical center of the air passage 5, and the conditioned air flows along the upper rectifying surface of the first air distribution body main body 25a of the first air distribution body 25 and the lower rectifying surface of the second air distribution body main body 26a of the second air distribution body 26. At this time, the amount of conditioned air flowing through the upper part of the first air distribution body 25 and the lower part of the second air distribution body 26 becomes approximately equal, and therefore, at the downstream end of the air passage 5, approximately the same amount of conditioned air flows along the upper and lower slopes of the inclined portion 10, and as these air flows are blown out from the air outlet 7, their directions cancel each other out, and the conditioned air flows out in the forward direction.

[0048] 2, when the connecting gear 35 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral state shown in FIG. 1, the first toothed gear 36 and the second toothed gear 37 meshed with the connecting gear 35 each rotate in the opposite direction to the connecting gear 35, i.e., clockwise in the figure. Therefore, as the first pin 43 of the first toothed gear 36 moves downward, the first connecting body 38, in which the first pin 43 is fitted in the first guide portion 48, gradually rotates clockwise in the figure, and as the second pin 45 of the second toothed gear 37 moves rearward, the second connecting body 39, in which the second pin 45 is fitted in the guide portion 52a of the second guide portion 52, gradually rotates clockwise in the figure. As a result, the first air distribution body 25, which is integrally connected to the first connecting body 38, and the second air distribution body 26, which is integrally connected to the second connecting body 39, rotate integrally in the same direction, upward in the example shown in FIG. 2, while maintaining an overlapping state. As first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 rotate, the upper side of first air distribution member 25 becomes relatively narrower in air passage 5 and the lower side of second air distribution member 26 becomes relatively wider, so that the amount of conditioned air flowing along the upper flow straightening surface side of first air distribution member main body 25a of first air distribution member 25 is relatively smaller than the amount of conditioned air flowing along the lower flow straightening surface side of second air distribution member main body 26a of second air distribution member 26. In particular, at the position where the upstream end side of first air distribution member 25 abuts against first abutment portion 30, the upper side of first air distribution member 25 is blocked in air passage 5. Therefore, at the downstream end of air passage 5, the amount of conditioned air blowing upward from air outlet 7 along the lower slope of sloped portion 10 exceeds the amount of conditioned air blowing downward from air outlet 7 along the upper slope of sloped portion 10, so that the conditioned air is directed upward.

[0049] 3, when the connecting gear 35 is rotated clockwise from the neutral state shown in FIG. 1, the first toothed gear 36 and the second toothed gear 37 meshed with the connecting gear 35 each rotate in the opposite direction to the connecting gear 35, i.e., counterclockwise in the figure. Therefore, as the first pin 43 of the first toothed gear 36 moves upward, the first connecting body 38, in which the first pin 43 is fitted in the first guide portion 48, gradually rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and as the second pin 45 of the second toothed gear 37 moves forward, the second connecting body 39, in which the second pin 45 is fitted in the guide portion 52a of the second guide portion 52, gradually rotates counterclockwise in the figure. As a result, the first air distribution body 25, which is integrally connected to the first connecting body 38, and the second air distribution body 26, which is integrally connected to the second connecting body 39, rotate integrally in the same direction, downward in the example shown in FIG. 3, while maintaining an overlapping state. As first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 rotate, the upper side of first air distribution member 25 becomes relatively wider in air passage 5 and the lower side of second air distribution member 26 becomes relatively narrower, so that the amount of conditioned air flowing along the upper flow straightening surface side of first air distribution member main body 25a of first air distribution member 25 is relatively greater than the amount of conditioned air flowing along the lower flow straightening surface side of second air distribution member main body 26a of second air distribution member 26. In particular, when the upstream end side of second air distribution member 26 abuts against second abutment portion 31, the lower side of second air distribution member 26 is blocked in air passage 5. Therefore, at the downstream end of air passage 5, the amount of conditioned air blowing downward from outlet 7 along the upper slope of sloped portion 10 exceeds the amount of conditioned air blowing upward from outlet 7 along the lower slope of sloped portion 10, so that the conditioned air is directed downward.

[0050] Therefore, by combining vertical wind direction control by the first wind distribution body 25 and the second wind distribution body 26 with horizontal wind direction control by the other wind distribution bodies, the wind direction from the air outlet 7 can be controlled in any direction.

[0051] In other words, when controlling the wind direction (distributing air), the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 operate together and function as if they were a single air distribution body, and by changing the balance of the air volume passing above and below the air passage 5, the wind direction is adjusted, particularly in this embodiment by cooperating with the inclination of the inclined portion 10.

[0052] Furthermore, when blocking the ventilation of the air passage 5, as shown in Figure 3, the upstream end of the second air distribution body 26 is in contact with the second abutment portion 31, and the connecting gear 35 is further rotated clockwise as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the first pin 43 of the first toothed gear 36 rotates counterclockwise and moves forward relative to the first connection portion 47 of the first connecting body 38. From this position, the first connecting body 38, whose first pin 43 is engaged with the first guide portion 48, begins to rotate clockwise in the figure, and the first air distribution body 25 gradually rotates upward. On the other hand, although the second toothed gear 37 also rotates counterclockwise, the second pin 45 of the second toothed gear 37 is located in the non-guide portion 52b of the second guide portion 52 of the second connecting body 39, and therefore the second toothed gear 37 rotates freely relative to the second connecting body 39, and the second air distributor 26 maintains a state in which its upstream end abuts against the second contact portion 31 without being linked to the rotation of the second toothed gear 37. Therefore, the first air distributor 25 moves upward relative to the second air distributor 26, and the upstream end of the first air distributor 25 gradually closes the upper side of the air passage 5, thereby adjusting the air volume, and at the position where the first air distributor 25 abuts against the first contact portion 30, the first air distributor main body portion 25a, the first rotating portion 25b, the second air distributor main body portion 26a, and the second rotating portion 26b close the air passage 5 and block the air passage 5, thereby blocking the airflow.

[0053] That is, when controlling the air volume (when blocking ventilation), the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 operate independently to function as shut valves.

[0054] Thus, according to the first embodiment, first air distribution body 25 and second air distribution body 26 rotate integrally in the same direction to adjust the air direction, and the upstream end of second air distribution body 26 rotates upward from a state in which it abuts against second abutment portion 31 to abut against first abutment portion 30, thereby blocking air passage 5 and shutting off ventilation, so that adjustment of air direction and air volume is possible with first air distribution body 25 and second air distribution body 26. Therefore, compared to a conventional example in which, for example, a shut valve for shutting off ventilation is provided separately from the air distribution body, the number of parts can be reduced, a simple configuration can be achieved, and air distribution performance and ventilation blocking performance can be obtained.

[0055] Furthermore, in conventional examples where ventilation is blocked by stacking, for example, three or more air distribution bodies, gaps are likely to occur between the air distribution bodies, making it difficult to achieve airtightness, whereas in this embodiment, ventilation is blocked by abutting the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 with the first abutment portion 30 and the second abutment portion 31, thereby improving the airtightness of the ventilation blocking.

[0056] Furthermore, since the first abutment portion 30 and the second abutment portion 31 abut in a planar manner against the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, the amount of air leaking from the gap between the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 and the first abutment portion 30 and the second abutment portion 31 can be reduced when blocking ventilation.

[0057] Furthermore, since the first and second air distribution bodies 25 and 26 abut against the first and second abutment portions 30 and 31 from the upstream side, when ventilation is blocked, the force of the air conditioning wind from the upstream side pushing the first and second air distribution bodies 25 and 26 downstream acts in a direction that further increases airtightness, thereby maintaining a good blocking state.

[0058] By forming an inclined section 10 in the case body 3 that is formed in an expanding shape from the downstream end of the air passage 5 toward the upstream side in the rotation direction of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, when adjusting the wind direction, the wind direction control by the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 can be combined with the inclination of the inclined section 10, thereby further improving the wind distribution performance.

[0059] In addition, the inclined portion 10 allows the air outlet 7 to be narrowed in the rotation direction of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, which in this embodiment is in the vertical direction, making it difficult to see the inside of the air passage 5 of the air direction adjustment device 1 from the air outlet 7, improving the appearance.

[0060] Since the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 each have a rotation axis on the downstream end side and are arranged so that their rotation axes overlap, the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 can block the air passage 5 not only at the first air distribution body main body portion 25a and the second air distribution body main body portion 26a, but also at the position of the rotation axis on the downstream end side, i.e., the first rotation portion 25b and the second rotation portion 26b.

[0061] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. 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.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first connecting body 38 and the second connecting body 39 are each formed as gears, and the control unit 33 is made up of a plurality of gears. For example, the control unit 33 is made up of gears 55a and 55b and double rack gears 56a and 56b. The gear 55a and the double rack gear 56a form one set for the first air distribution body 25, and the gear 55b and the double rack gear 56b form one set for the second air distribution body 26. These sets are provided on one side and the other side of the case body 3.

[0063] Gears 55a and 55b are formed, for example, in the shape of spur gears with teeth on some parts, and have a rotation axis in the left-right direction, that is, in the same direction as first air distribution body 25 and second air distribution body 26. Gears 55a and 55b are located on the same axis, and are driven gears that are rotated in the same direction when an external force is applied via the same operating member or drive unit.

[0064] The double rack gears 56a, 56b are transmission members that transmit the rotation of the gears 55a, 55b to the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26. The double rack gears 56a, 56b are formed in an oval ring shape and are located below the first connecting body 38 and the second connecting body 39, with the gears 55a, 55b disposed inside them. The double rack gear 56a is formed with a first toothed portion 60a that meshes with the first connecting body 38 and a second toothed portion 61a that meshes with the gear 55a, located above and below the gear 55a in a linear position in the front-to-rear direction, and a third toothed portion 62 that meshes with the gear 55a, located below the gear 55a in a linear position in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, the double rack gear 56b has a first toothing portion 60b that meshes with the second connecting body 39 and a second toothing portion 61b that meshes with the gear 55b formed above and below the gear 55b, and no toothing portion is formed below the gear 55b.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one or more other air distribution bodies (vertical fins or vertical louvers) 64 are arranged downstream of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 in the air passage 5 to distribute air in a direction intersecting the air distribution direction of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26, for example, in the left-right direction.

[0066] In the illustrated example, the case body 3 is divided into an upstream case body 20 and a downstream case body 21 at the position of the rotation axis of the other air distribution body 64 in the downstream cylindrical portion 17.

[0067] 7(a) and 7(b), the gears 55a and 55b are meshed with the second teeth 61a and 61b of the double rack gears 56a and 56b located directly above them. In this state, the first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 are horizontally stacked in the vertical center of the air passage 5, and the conditioned air flows along the flow straightening surface at the top of the first air distribution member main body 25a of the first air distribution member 25 and the flow straightening surface at the bottom of the second air distribution member main body 26a of the second air distribution member 26. At this time, the amounts of conditioned air flowing through the top of the first air distribution member 25 and the bottom of the second air distribution member 26 are approximately equal. As a result, approximately equal amounts of conditioned air flow along the upper and lower slopes of the inclined portion 10 at the downstream end of the air passage 5. As a result, the directions of these air flows cancel each other out when they are blown out from the air outlet 7, and the conditioned air is blown out in a forward direction.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 8, when gears 55a and 55b are rotated rearward from the neutral state shown in Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b), double rack gears 56a and 56b, whose second toothing portions 61a and 61b mesh with gears 55a and 55b, move rearward. As a result, first connecting body 38 and second connecting body 39, which are meshed with first toothing portions 60a and 60b, rotate rearward in the opposite direction to gears 55a and 55b. As a result, first air distribution body 25, which is integrally connected to first connecting body 38, and second air distribution body 26, which is integrally connected to second connecting body 39, rotate integrally in the same direction, upward in the example shown in Fig. 8, while maintaining an overlapping state. As first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 rotate, the upper side of first air distribution member 25 becomes relatively narrower in air passage 5 and the lower side of second air distribution member 26 becomes relatively wider, so that the amount of conditioned air flowing along the upper flow straightening surface side of first air distribution member main body 25a of first air distribution member 25 is relatively smaller than the amount of conditioned air flowing along the lower flow straightening surface side of second air distribution member main body 26a of second air distribution member 26. In particular, at the position where the upstream end side of first air distribution member 25 abuts against first abutment portion 30, the upper side of first air distribution member 25 is blocked in air passage 5. Therefore, at the downstream end of air passage 5, the amount of conditioned air blowing upward from air outlet 7 along the lower slope of sloped portion 10 exceeds the amount of conditioned air blowing downward from air outlet 7 along the upper slope of sloped portion 10, so that the conditioned air is directed upward.

[0069] 7(a) and 7(b), when gears 55a and 55b are rotated forward, as shown in FIG. 9, double rack gears 56a and 56b, whose second toothing portions 61a and 61b are meshed with gears 55a and 55b, move forward. Therefore, first connecting body 38 and second connecting body 39, which are meshed with first toothing portions 60a and 60b, rotate forward in the opposite direction to gears 55a and 55b. As a result, first air distribution body 25, which is integrally connected to first connecting body 38, and second air distribution body 26, which is integrally connected to second connecting body 39, rotate integrally in the same direction, downward in the example shown in FIG. 9, while maintaining an overlapping state. As first and second air distribution members 25 and 26 rotate, the upper side of first air distribution member 25 becomes relatively wider in air passage 5 and the lower side of second air distribution member 26 becomes relatively narrower, so that the amount of conditioned air flowing along the upper flow straightening surface side of first air distribution member main body 25a of first air distribution member 25 is relatively greater than the amount of conditioned air flowing along the lower flow straightening surface side of second air distribution member main body 26a of second air distribution member 26. In particular, when the upstream end side of second air distribution member 26 abuts against second abutment portion 31, the lower side of second air distribution member 26 is blocked in air passage 5. Therefore, at the downstream end of air passage 5, the amount of conditioned air blowing downward from outlet 7 along the upper slope of sloped portion 10 exceeds the amount of conditioned air blowing upward from outlet 7 along the lower slope of sloped portion 10, so that the conditioned air is directed downward.

[0070] Therefore, by combining vertical wind direction control by the first wind distribution body 25 and the second wind distribution body 26 with horizontal wind direction control by the other wind distribution bodies, the wind direction from the air outlet 7 can be controlled in any direction.

[0071] In other words, when controlling the wind direction (distributing air), the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 operate together and function as if they were a single air distribution body, and by changing the balance of the air volume passing above and below the air passage 5, the wind direction is adjusted, particularly in this embodiment by cooperating with the inclination of the inclined portion 10.

[0072] Furthermore, when blocking the ventilation of the ventilation passage 5, as shown in Fig. 9, when the gears 55a and 55b are rotated further forward from the maximum downward swing state in which the upstream end side of the second air distribution body 26 abuts against the second abutment portion 31, as shown in Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 10(b), the gears 55a and 55b disengage from the second meshing portions 61a and 61b. When the gear 55a has rotated about half a turn, it meshes with the third meshing portion 62 of the double rack gear 56a located below it, causing the double rack gear 56a to move rearward, and as a result, the first connecting body 38 rotates rearward, causing the first air distribution body 25 to gradually rotate upward. On the other hand, because double rack gear 56b does not have a meshing portion below gear 55b, gear 55b rotates freely relative to double rack gear 56b, so double rack gear 56b does not move any further, and second air distribution body 26 maintains a state in which its upstream end abuts second contact portion 31 without being linked to the rotation of gear 55b. Therefore, first air distribution body 25 moves upward away from second air distribution body 26, and the upstream end of first air distribution body 25 gradually closes the upper side of air passage 5, thereby adjusting the air volume, and at the position where first air distribution body 25 abuts first contact portion 30, first air distribution body main body portion 25a, first rotating portion 25b, second air distribution body main body portion 26a, and second rotating portion 26b close air passage 5 and block ventilation.

[0073] That is, when controlling the air volume (when blocking ventilation), the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 operate independently to function as shut valves.

[0074] In this way, the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 rotate integrally in the same direction to adjust the wind direction, and the upstream end of the second air distribution body 26 rotates upward from a state in which it is in contact with the second abutment portion 31, and the upstream end of the first air distribution body 25 then abuts against the first abutment portion 30, blocking the air passage 5 and blocking the air.By having a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the first embodiment, such as improving the airtightness of the air blocking with a simple configuration.

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 33 controls the operation of the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 by the meshing of the gears 55a, 55b and the double rack gears 56a, 56b, making it possible to make the control unit 33 simpler and more reliable.

[0076] In each embodiment, the first air distribution body 25 is arranged above the air passage 5 and the second air distribution body 26 is arranged below it, but the configuration may be reversed.

[0077] Furthermore, the rotation direction of the first air distribution member 25 and the second air distribution member 26 is not limited to the up-down direction, but may be any direction that intersects with the ventilation direction, such as the left-right direction.

[0078] Furthermore, the control unit 33 may be configured in any way as long as it can control the first air distribution body 25 and the second air distribution body 26 to rotate together in the same direction when distributing air, and to rotate relatively in directions away from each other when ventilation is blocked.

[0079] Furthermore, the airflow direction adjustment device 1 is not limited to being used in automobiles, and may be used for any other purposes. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] 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]

[0081] 1 Wind direction adjustment device 3 Case body 5. Ventilation channel 10 Slope 25 First Wind Body 26 Second Wind Body 30 First contact part 31 Second contact part

Claims

1. a case body defining an air passage therein; a first air distribution body located in the air passage, having a rotation axis in a direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage and capable of rotating in one direction and in another direction opposite thereto; a second air distribution body located in the air passage, having a rotation axis in a direction intersecting the air flow direction of the air passage and in the same direction as the first air distribution body, and capable of rotating in the one direction and the other direction; The case body is A first contact portion located on the inner surface facing the air passage on the one side in the rotation direction of the first air distribution body and the second air distribution body; a second contact portion located on the inner surface on the other side of the rotation direction of the first air distribution body and the second air distribution body, The first and second air distribution bodies rotate integrally in the same direction to adjust the air direction, and the upstream end of the first air distribution body rotates in one direction from a state in which the upstream end of the second air distribution body abuts against the second abutment part, and the upstream end of the first air distribution body abuts against the first abutment part, thereby blocking the air passage and cutting off the airflow. A wind direction adjustment device characterized by:

2. The case body has an inclined portion formed in a manner expanding from the downstream end of the air passage toward the upstream side in the rotation direction of the first air distribution body and the second air distribution body.

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

3. The first and second air distribution bodies each have a rotation axis on the downstream end side, and are arranged so that their rotation axes overlap.

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

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