Air conditioning blower

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning blowout device with high design quality. [Solution] An air conditioning blowout device (10) includes a housing (20) in which an air outlet (22) is formed, a fin body (30) provided inside the housing (20), and an illumination unit (60, 70) capable of illuminating the downstream end of the fin body (30). The downstream end of the fin body (30) is a decorated portion (35) illuminated by the illumination unit (60, 70). The pattern of the decorated portion (35) as seen by a viewer changes as the fin body (30) moves within the illumination range of the illumination unit (60, 70). The decorated portion (35) may have uneven portions (35a, 35b, 35c).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning blower device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique relating to an air conditioning blowout device used in a vehicle.

[0003] The air conditioning blowing device as shown in Patent Document 1 includes a housing having a blowing outlet formed at the downstream end, and a switching unit that is rotatably disposed near the blowing outlet and switches between an air blowing mode and an air blowing stop mode.

[0004] The switching unit has an opening that allows air to pass through and a blocking unit that blocks the flow of air. By rotating the switching unit, the opening or blocking unit faces the air outlet, allowing switching between air blowing mode and air blowing stop mode. The surface of the blocking unit facing the passenger compartment is decorated, enhancing the design. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-250356 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the air conditioning blowout device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when air blowing is stopped, the decorated blocking part faces the interior of the vehicle cabin, which provides a high level of design. On the other hand, when air blowing is in progress, the blocking part cannot be seen from inside the vehicle cabin, which reduces the design. In this respect, there is room for improvement.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning blowout device with a highly aesthetic design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a housing is provided with air blown into it, and an air outlet formed at a downstream end thereof with respect to the flow direction of the blown air as a reference, through which the air is blown out; a fin body provided displaceably inside the housing; an illumination unit capable of illuminating the downstream end of the fin body, a downstream end of the fin body serving as a decorative portion that is decorated and illuminated by the lighting portion; The air outlet has a substantially rectangular shape, When the direction parallel to the long side of the air outlet is defined as a first direction and the direction parallel to the short side, which is shorter than the long side, is defined as a second direction, the fin body is provided across the first direction and is positioned upstream of the air outlet and approximately in the center of the second direction in normal mode so as to be able to blow air, and by displacing the fin body upstream from the normal mode position, part of the flow path is blocked, thereby providing an air conditioning air outlet device which enters an air blowing stop mode in which air cannot be blown. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an air conditioning blowout device with excellent design can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning blowout device according to an embodiment, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the second fin mechanism shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram illustrating an air-blowing stop mode of the air-conditioning blower device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the pattern on the fin body in the normal mode, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the pattern on the fin body in the air-blowing stop mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] <Example> The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, the air conditioning blowout device 10 is used as a blowout device for a vehicle air conditioner. The air conditioning blowout device 10 is provided, for example, in the front part of the vehicle compartment, and blows air toward the occupants.

[0014] The air conditioning blowing device 10 has a housing 20 into which air is blown, a fin body 30 provided inside the housing 20, a first fin mechanism 40 that displaces the fin body 30 along the air blowing direction, a second fin mechanism 50 that swings the fin body 30 up and down (in a direction parallel to the short side of the air outlet), and lighting units 60, 70 that can illuminate the downstream end of the fin body 30 (see Figure 2 for the lighting unit 70).

[0015] Referring to Figure 2, housing 20 has inlet 21 through which blown air is introduced, outlet 22 that faces the interior of the vehicle and blows air toward the vehicle interior, narrow section 23 formed between inlet 21 and outlet 22 and having an area smaller than that of outlet 22, and inner wall sections 25 and 26 that extend from narrow section 23 to outlet 22 substantially parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of fin body 30.

[0016] Refer to Fig. 1. Air outlet 22 has a substantially rectangular shape. Hereinafter, a direction parallel to long side 22a of air outlet 22 (the vehicle width direction in this embodiment) will be referred to as a first direction, and a direction parallel to short side 22b, which is a side shorter than long side 22a (the up-down direction in this embodiment), will be referred to as a second direction.

[0017] In the case of the air conditioning blowout device 10 in which the air outlet 22 is long in the vertical direction, the first direction is the vertical direction and the second direction is the vehicle width direction (and / or the vehicle front-rear direction). Alternatively, the first direction may be the vehicle front-rear direction and the second direction may be the vertical direction (or the vehicle width direction).

[0018] The fin body 30 is provided across the first direction.

[0019] Referring to Figure 2, in normal mode, the fin body 30 is located between the narrow portion 23 and the air outlet 22 and approximately at the center of the air outlet 22 with respect to the second direction. The fin body 30 has a shape in which a substantially fan-shaped cross section extends in the first direction. The fin body 30 has a fin body pin portion 32 which is a pin formed at the upstream end and connected to the first fin mechanism 40, tapered portions 33, 33 which extend so as to widen downstream from the fin body pin portion 32, a connecting portion 34 formed in an arc shape so as to connect the downstream ends of these tapered portions 33, 33, and a decorative portion 35 which is overlaid on the connecting portion 34 and is illuminated by the lighting units 60, 70.

[0020] Although the connecting portion 34 is shown as being arc-shaped, it may be formed linearly. Furthermore, the tapered portion 33 and the connecting portion 34 may be integrated into one member.

[0021] The decorative portion 35 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic or glass. The decorative portion 35 has a plurality of uneven portions 35a to 35c formed unevenly on the surface facing the connecting portion 34. The uneven portions 35a to 35c each have a different depth at their deepest point. The uneven portions 35a to 35c are formed discontinuously in the first and second directions, and the depths of the uneven portions 35a to 35c vary.

[0022] The uneven portions 35a to 35c may be formed on the surface of the decorative portion 35, and in this case, the uneven portions 35a to 35c may not be formed on the surface of the decorative portion 35 facing the connecting portion 34.

[0023] The decorative portion 35 may be a smoky, semi-transparent member. The depth and shape of the plurality of uneven portions 35a to 35c may be uniform.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 1, the first fin mechanism 40 includes, for example, a first motor 41 which is a stepping motor that operates when energized, a 1-1 gear 42 which is a gear that rotates when the first motor 41 operates, a first shaft member 43 which is a shaft that passes through the 1-1 gear 42 and is rotatably supported by the housing 20, and a 1-2 gear 44 which is a gear fixed to each end of the first shaft member 43 and rotates when the 1-1 gear 42 rotates.

[0025] Referring to Figure 2, the first fin mechanism 40 further includes a 1-3 gear 45 that meshes with the 1-2 gear 44, and a rack portion 46 that meshes with the 1-3 gear 45 and converts rotational motion into linear motion. The rack portion 46 is connected to the fin body 30. The fin body 30 is connected to the rack portion 46 so that it can swing.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1, the gear provided on the first motor 41 is referred to as a first drive gear 41a for transmitting the driving force of the first motor 41.

[0027] It should be noted that a motor other than a stepping motor can also be used as the first motor 41. Furthermore, the gears 42, 44, and 45 (see FIG. 2 for the 1-3 gear 45) that transmit the driving force of the first motor 41 to the rack portion 46 may be configured with one or two gears, or may be configured with four or more gears.

[0028] Also see Figure 2. When the first motor 41 is activated based on information from the temperature sensor, an operation by the occupant, or the like, the 1-1 gear 42, the first shaft member 43, the 1-2 gear 44, and the 1-3 gear 45 rotate. This causes the rack portion 46 to displace along the airflow direction, and the fin body 30 to displace along the airflow direction. In other words, the fin body 30 displaces along the flow path.

[0029] Referring to Fig. 3, the second fin mechanism 50 includes, for example, a second motor 51 which is a stepping motor that operates when power is applied, a 2-1 gear 52 which is a gear that rotates when the second motor 51 operates, a sector gear 53 which is a sector gear that rotates when the 2-1 gear 52 rotates, a 2-2 gear 54 which meshes with the sector gear 53 and rotates when the sector gear 53 rotates, and a fin support portion 56 which can rotate in conjunction with the 2-2 gear 54 and can support the fin main body 30.

[0030] It should be noted that a motor other than a stepping motor can also be used as second motor 51. Furthermore, gears 52 to 54 that transmit the driving force of second motor 51 to fin support portion 56 may be configured with one or two gears, or may be configured with four or more gears. Furthermore, a sector gear does not have to be included.

[0031] The fin support portion 56 is connected to the fin body 30 in the normal mode and is displaced from the fin body 30 in the air-blowing stop mode. In other words, the fin body 30 is provided displaceable relative to the fin support portion 56 so that it is connected to the fin support portion 56 in the normal mode and is separated from the fin support portion 56 in the air-blowing stop mode.

[0032] When the second motor 51 is activated based on information from the temperature sensor, an operation by the occupant, or the like, the 2-1 gear 52, the 2-2 gear 52, the sector gear 53, the 2-3 gear 54, and the fin support portion 56 rotate. When the fin body 30 is in the normal mode in which it can blow air, the fin body 30 swings together with the fin support portion 56 in the second direction.

[0033] The second fin mechanism 50 may be any mechanism that can displace the fin body 30 in the second direction. In other words, the second fin mechanism 50 may be a mechanism that moves the fin body 30 linearly in the second direction.

[0034] See Figure 2. Illumination sections 60, 70 are provided on both the lower and upper parts of fin body 30. When fin body 30 is displaced in the direction along the flow path and in the second direction, at least one of illumination sections 60, 70 always illuminates decorative section 35. Hereinafter, illumination section 60 located below fin body 30 will be referred to as lower illumination section 60, and illumination section 70 located above fin body 30 will be referred to as upper illumination section 70. Illumination sections 60, 70 are provided flush with inner wall sections 25, 26 and do not protrude toward the flow path side.

[0035] The illumination units 60 and 70 do not necessarily have to be provided on both the top and bottom sides, but may be provided on only one side, either the top or bottom, of the fin body 30.

[0036] The lower illumination section 60 has a light source 61 that is turned on when power is applied, and a light guide 62 that guides light from the light source 61 toward the decorative section 35. The light guide 62 is provided facing the entire fin body 30 along the first direction. A portion of the inner wall section 25 facing the tip of the light guide 62 is open. The position of the light source 61 and the shape of the light guide 62 can be changed as appropriate depending on the irradiation position and irradiation range.

[0037] The upper illumination section 70 has the same configuration as the lower illumination section 60. The upper illumination section 70 has a light source 71 that is turned on when power is applied, and a light guide 72 that guides light from the light source 71 toward the decorative section 35. The light guide 72 is provided facing the entire fin body 30 along the first direction. The portion of the inner wall section 26 facing the tip of the light guide 72 is open. The position of the light source 71 and the shape of the light guide 72 can be changed as appropriate depending on the irradiation position and irradiation range.

[0038] For example, LEDs can be used for the light sources 61 and 71. Furthermore, for example, acrylic can be used for the light guides 62 and 72.

[0039] Next, the operation of the air conditioning blowout device 10 will be described.

[0040] 2 shows the air conditioning blower device 10 in normal mode. In normal mode, the fin body 30 is located between the narrow portion 23 and the outlet 22 and approximately in the middle of the flow path with respect to the second direction. In normal mode, air blown from an air conditioner (not shown) is divided into upper and lower parts by the fin body 30 and blown out from the outlet 22 in the upper and lower directions.

[0041] The two split airflows are blown out from the air outlet 22 upward and downward, i.e., in directions away from each other, but because the air pressure in the central region (downstream of the decorative part 35) sandwiched between the two airflows drops, parts of the two airflows are drawn into the central region and bend toward each other. This causes the air to diffuse and can be blown over a wide area, including the central region.

[0042] See Figure 4. When switching from normal mode to air-blowing stop mode, first fin mechanism 40 is activated to displace fin body 30 upstream. When fin body 30 abuts against narrow portion 23, the flow path is blocked and air blowing is stopped. In other words, air is no longer blown out from air outlet 22.

[0043] When switching from the air-blowing stop mode to the normal mode, the first motor 41 is rotated in the reverse direction, which displaces the fin body 30 downstream, enabling air to be blown into the vehicle compartment.

[0044] The fin body 30 may be usable at any position between the position shown in the figure and the airflow stop position (between the most downstream position and the position where it abuts against the narrow portion 23).

[0045] Furthermore, as long as the fin body 30 can block the flow path and thereby stop the airflow, the fin body 30 does not have to abut on the narrow portion 23 .

[0046] Referring to Figure 3, when the fin body 30 is in the normal mode, the second fin mechanism 50 can be operated to swing the fin body 30. Depending on the orientation of the fin body 30, the proportion of the blown air passing above and below the fin body 30 changes, thereby changing the direction of the blown air.

[0047] As described above, in the air-blowing stopped mode, the fin body 30 is displaced upstream. At this time, the fin body 30 is misaligned with respect to the fin support portion 56. Even if the second fin mechanism 50 is activated during the air-blowing stopped mode, the fin body 30 does not swing.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 5A. Figure 5A shows the pattern of the decorative portion 35 that is visible to the occupant (viewer) in the normal mode. When the fin body 30 is displaced from this state to the position in the air-blowing stop mode, the way in which light hits the uneven portions 35a to 35c (see Figure 2) formed on the decorative portion 35 changes, and the pattern of the decorative portion 35 that is visible to the occupant changes as shown in Figure 5B. Furthermore, when the fin body 30 swings in the second direction, the pattern that appears to the occupant also changes.

[0049] The air conditioning blowout device 10 described above will be summarized below.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 2, first, air conditioning blowout device 10 has housing 20 into which air is blown and having outlet 22 formed at its downstream end from which the air is blown out based on the direction of flow of the blown air, fin body 30 provided displaceably inside housing 20, and lighting units 60, 70 capable of illuminating the downstream end of fin body 30. The downstream end of fin body 30 is decorated as decorative unit 35 that is illuminated by lighting units 60, 70.

[0051] Also refer to Figure 1. Air outlet 22 has a generally rectangular shape. If a direction parallel to long side 22a of air outlet 22 is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to short side 22b, which is a side shorter than long side 22a, is defined as a second direction, fin body 30 is provided across the first direction and is positioned upstream of air outlet 22 and approximately in the center of the second direction in normal mode so as to be able to blow air.

[0052] See Fig. 4. Furthermore, the fin body 30 is displaced upstream from the normal mode position (see Fig. 2) to block part of the flow path, thereby setting up an air-blowing stop mode in which air blowing is disabled.

[0053] See Figure 2. The downstream end of the fin body 30 is decorated as a decorative section 35 that is illuminated by lighting sections 60, 70. By displacing this fin body 30 along the flow path, the fin body 30 can be switched between a normal mode in which air can be blown and an air-blowing stop mode in which air cannot be blown (see Figure 4). Because the fin body 30 displaces along the flow path, the decorative section 35 is visible from the air outlet 22 whether it is in the normal mode position or the air-blowing stop mode position. This ensures a high level of design in both the normal mode and the air-blowing stop mode, thereby enhancing the design of the air conditioning blower device 10. This makes it possible to provide an air conditioning blower device 10 with a high level of design.

[0054] Second, in the first air conditioning blowout device 10, the housing 20 has a narrow section 23 that is smaller in area than the outlet 22, and the housing 20 is formed with inner wall sections 25, 26 that extend along the fin body 30 from the narrow section 23 to the outlet 22. This allows the air to be smoothly guided from the narrow section 23 to the outlet 22. In addition, reflected light illuminates the inner wall sections 25, 26, creating an indirect lighting effect.

[0055] Thirdly, the first or second air-conditioning blower device 10 has tapered portions 33, 33 whose width in the second direction increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the width in the second direction of the fin body 30 is smaller than the width of the short side 22b of the air outlet 22. This makes it possible to ensure a flow path from the narrow portion 23 to the air outlet 22 without further narrowing it.

[0056] If the area of ​​the air outlet 22 is small, the flow velocity will be high at the air outlet 22, which is closest to the occupant, and the area where the air hits the occupant will be small, resulting in a strong wind hitting the occupant. Without narrowing the area of ​​the air outlet 22, a narrow section 23 is formed on the upstream side, and the air is divided into two between the narrow section 23 and the air outlet 22 by the fin body 30 (tapered shape 33). The two divided airflows blow out from the air outlet 22 in directions that separate them from each other upward and downward, but part of the two airflows is drawn into the central region, so the wind is diffused and sent over a wide area including the central region. Therefore, the strength of the air hitting the occupant can be made just right, improving comfort.

[0057] Fourth, any one of the first to third air volume blowing devices 10 includes a first fin mechanism 40 that displaces the fin body 30 along the air blowing direction. The fin body 30 can be moved to a more accurate position.

[0058] Fifth, in the fourth air conditioning blower device 10, the first fin mechanism 40 has a first motor 41 that generates a driving force in a rotational direction when energized, gears 42, 44, 45 (see FIG. 1 for gear 42) that rotate when first motor 41 is activated, and a rack portion 46 that converts the rotational motion of these gears 42, 44, 45 into linear motion and is connected to the fin body 30. This allows the fin body 30 to be moved to a more accurate position.

[0059] See Fig. 3. Sixth, the air conditioning blower device 10 is any one of the first to fifth air conditioning blower devices 10, further comprising a second fin mechanism 50 for displacing the fin body 30 in a second direction. By displacing the fin body 30 in the second direction, the direction of air blowing can be adjusted.

[0060] Seventh, in the sixth air conditioning blower device 10, the second fin mechanism 50 has a second motor 51 that generates a driving force in a rotational direction when energized, gears 52 to 54 that rotate when the second motor 51 is operated, and a fin support part 56 that can rotate in conjunction with the gears 52 to 54 and can support the fin body 30. This allows the fin body 30 to be moved to a more accurate position.

[0061] See FIG. 2. Eighth, in the air conditioning blower device 10 of any one of the first to seventh embodiments, the decorative portion 35 is formed with a plurality of uneven portions 35a-35c of different depths, and as the fin body 30 displaces along the air blowing direction, the pattern of the decorative portion 35 as seen by a viewer changes (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). As the fin body 30 displaces, the position of the decorative portion 35 illuminated by the lighting units 60, 70 changes. Because the decorative portion 35 is formed with a plurality of uneven portions 35a-35c of different depths, the change in illuminated position changes the direction of light reflection. As a result, the pattern appears to change to a viewer. As the pattern changes as the fin body 30 displaces, the design is further improved. As the amount of light reflected by the inner wall portions 25, 26 also changes, the design of the air conditioning blower device 10 as a whole is also improved.

[0062] Ninth, in the air conditioning blower device 10 of any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the decorative portion 35 is formed with a plurality of uneven portions 35a-35c of different depths, and as the fin body 30 displaces along the second direction, the pattern of the decorative portion 35 as seen by a viewer changes. As the fin body 30 displaces, the position of the decorative portion 35 illuminated by the lighting units 60, 70 changes. Because the decorative portion 35 is formed with a plurality of uneven portions 35a-35c of different depths, the change in illuminated position changes the direction of light reflection. As a result, the pattern appears to change to a viewer. As the pattern changes as the fin body 30 displaces, the design is improved. As the amount of light reflected by the inner wall portions 25, 26 also changes, the design of the air conditioning blower device 10 as a whole is also improved.

[0063] The air conditioning blowout device according to the present invention may be provided not only in the front part of the vehicle compartment but also in the console, ceiling, pillar, or the like.

[0064] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited, the present invention is not limited to the examples. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The air conditioning blowout device of the present invention is suitable for use in an air conditioning system for a passenger vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10…Air conditioning blowout device 20…Housing 22...air outlet, 22a...long side, 22b...short side 23…Narrow part 25, 26...Inner wall 30...Fin body 33...Tapered section 35...decorative portion, 35a to 35c...concave and convex portions 40...First fin mechanism 41...First motor 42...1-1 gear (gear) 44...1-2 gear (gear) 45...1-3 gear (gear) 50...Second fin mechanism 51...Second motor 52...2-1 gear (gear) 53...Second gear (gear) 54...2-2 gear (gear) 56...Fin support part 60...Lower lighting section (lighting section) 70...Lower lighting section (lighting section)

Claims

1. a housing into which air is blown and having an air outlet formed at a downstream end thereof based on the direction of flow of the blown air; a fin body provided displaceably inside the housing; an illumination unit capable of illuminating the downstream end of the fin body, a downstream end of the fin body serving as a decorative portion that is decorated and illuminated by the lighting portion; The air conditioning blowout device, wherein the pattern of the decorative portion visible to a viewer changes as the fin body moves within the illumination range of the lighting portion.

2. The air conditioning blower device according to claim 1 , wherein the decorative portion has an uneven portion formed thereon.

3. the housing has a narrow portion whose area is smaller than the area of ​​the air outlet, The air conditioning blower device according to claim 1 , wherein an inner wall portion is formed inside the housing, the inner wall portion extending along the fin body from the narrow portion to the blowout port.

4. The air outlet has a substantially rectangular shape, When a direction parallel to a long side of the air outlet is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to a short side that is shorter than the long side is defined as a second direction, 2. The air conditioning blowing device according to claim 1, wherein the fin body has a tapered portion whose width in the second direction increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the width of the fin body in the second direction is smaller than the width of the short side of the blowing outlet.

5. The air conditioning blower device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first fin mechanism that displaces the fin body along the air blowing direction.

6. 6. The air conditioning blower device according to claim 5, wherein the first fin mechanism includes a first motor that generates a driving force in a rotational direction when energized, a gear that rotates when the first motor is activated, and a rack portion that converts the rotational motion of the gear into linear motion and is connected to the fin body.

7. The air outlet has a substantially rectangular shape, 6. The air conditioning blower device according to claim 5, further comprising a second fin mechanism for displacing the fin body in a second direction, where a direction parallel to a long side of the blower outlet is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to a short side that is shorter than the long side is defined as a second direction.

8. 8. The air conditioning blower device according to claim 7, wherein the second fin mechanism comprises: a second motor that generates a driving force in a rotational direction when energized; a gear that rotates when the second motor is activated; and a fin support portion that can rotate in conjunction with the gear and that can support the fin body.

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