Air conditioning register

Abstract

This suppresses the deterioration in appearance caused by the end fins being visible through the air outlet. [Solution] The retainer 16 of the air conditioning register 15 has a passage 35 for the conditioned air A1. The passage 35 has an outlet 31 at its downstream end in the flow direction of the conditioned air A1, and an outlet upstream region 36 adjacent to the upstream side of the outlet 31. The barrel 41 of the air conditioning register 15 is arranged inside the retainer 16 and is tiltably supported by the retainer 16 by a barrel shaft 43. The barrel 41 has a plurality of barrel fins 44 that are arranged in opposing directions and extend at least axially. Of the plurality of barrel fins 44, those located at both ends in the opposing directions are composed of a pair of end fins 45, 46. The barrel shaft 43 is positioned at the same position as the downstream end 47b of the end fins 45, 46 in the barrel 41 at the barrel neutral position, or downstream of the downstream end 47b.

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning register that changes the direction of air conditioning air sent from an air conditioner and blown into a room.

Background Art

[0002] An instrument panel of a vehicle incorporates an air conditioning register that blows air conditioning air sent from an air conditioner into the passenger compartment. As one form of this air conditioning register, as shown in FIG. 8, an air conditioning register 100 including a retainer 101 and a barrel 105 is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The retainer 101 in the air conditioning register 100 has a cylindrical shape and has an air passage 102 for air conditioning air A1. The air passage 102 has an air outlet 103 at the downstream end in the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1 and has an upstream region 104 of the air outlet adjacent to a location on the upstream side of the air outlet 103. The barrel 105 is disposed within the retainer 101 and is tiltably supported by the retainer 101 by a barrel shaft 106.

[0004] Here, as shown in FIG. 9, in the barrel 105, the direction in which the barrel shaft 106 extends (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface) is defined as the axial direction. With respect to the axial direction, one of two directions perpendicular to each other in a perpendicular state is defined as the opposing direction, and the other is defined as the depth direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, in the retainer 101, the direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the central axis CL of the air passage 102 is defined as the axis-perpendicular direction.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 9, the barrel 105 includes a plurality of barrel fins 107 extending in the axial direction while arranged in the opposing direction. Among the plurality of barrel fins 107, those located at both ends in the opposing direction are constituted by a pair of end fins 108.

[0006] Then, as the barrel 105 is tilted about the barrel axis 106, the inclination of the multiple barrel fins 107 with respect to the central axis CL is changed. The conditioned air A1 flowing through the ventilation passage 102 has its flow direction adjusted as it passes through the barrel 105 and flows along the barrel fins 107. The conditioned air A1 that has passed through the barrel 105 is blown out from the outlet 103. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-28228 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Here, as shown in Figure 8, the barrel 105 is defined as the barrel neutral position when its depth direction is parallel to the central axis CL. In the conventional air conditioning register 100 described above, when the barrel 105 is in the barrel neutral position, both of the end fins 108 are located outside the upstream region 104 of the air outlet in the direction perpendicular to the axis (upper and lower sides in Figure 8). When a vehicle occupant views the air conditioning register 100 from the downstream side in the flow direction, the pair of end fins 108 are not visible or are difficult to see through the air outlet 103, resulting in a good appearance for the air conditioning register 100.

[0009] However, in the conventional air conditioning register 100 described above, when the barrel 105 is tilted from the barrel neutral position as shown in Figure 9, the downstream portion of the rear end fin 108 (upper side in Figure 9) in the tilting direction enters the outlet 103 and the outlet upstream region 104. Also, the upstream portion of the front end fin 108 (lower side in Figure 9) in the tilting direction enters the outlet upstream region 104. When the air conditioning register 100 is viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction, the end fins 108 are visible through the outlet 103, thus reducing the appearance of the air conditioning register 100. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This document describes various embodiments of air conditioning registers that address the above-mentioned problems. [Aspect 1] A cylindrical retainer having a passage for air conditioning air, the passage having an outlet at its downstream end in the direction of the air conditioning air flow, and having an outlet upstream region adjacent to the upstream side of the outlet, and a barrel disposed within the retainer and tiltably supported by the retainer by a barrel shaft, wherein the direction in which the barrel shaft extends is the axial direction, and with respect to the axial direction, one of two mutually orthogonal directions is the opposing direction and the other is the depth direction, the barrel is the opposing An air conditioning register comprising a plurality of barrel fins arranged in a direction and extending at least in the axial direction, wherein the barrels located at both ends in the opposing direction are composed of a pair of end fins, and the barrel neutral position is defined as the position of the barrel when the depth direction of the barrel is parallel to the central axis of the air passage, the barrel axis is located at the same position as the downstream end of the end fin in the flow direction of the barrel at the barrel neutral position, or downstream of the downstream end.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the barrel is tilted from its neutral position, the amount by which the end fins penetrate the upstream region of the outlet in a direction perpendicular to the axis varies depending on the position of the barrel axis in the direction of the air conditioning flow. The amount by which the end fins penetrate the upstream region of the outlet is less when the barrel axis is at the same position as the downstream end of the end fins in the flow direction of the barrel, or downstream of the downstream end, compared to when the barrel axis is located upstream of the downstream end of the end fins in the flow direction of the barrel in the neutral position.

[0012] Here, the amount to which the end fins penetrate the upstream region of the air outlet affects the appearance of the air conditioning register when viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction described above. As the amount of penetration increases, the amount of end fins visible through the air outlet increases, and the appearance deteriorates. In this respect, with the above configuration, as described above, the amount to which the end fins penetrate the upstream region of the air outlet is reduced, so the amount of end fins visible through the air outlet is reduced. Therefore, compared to the case where the barrel axis is located upstream of the downstream end of the end fins, the deterioration in the appearance of the air conditioning register due to the end fins being visible through the air outlet is suppressed.

[0013] [Aspect 2] In the retainer, the direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the central axis is defined as the orthoaxial direction, and the positions of both ends in the tilting range of the barrel are defined as the maximum tilt positions, the retainer is provided with a pair of end fin housing chambers at a location adjacent to the downstream portion of the upstream region of the outlet in the flow direction, on the outside in the orthoaxial direction, and when the barrel is in the barrel neutral position, the pair of end fins are located in the pair of end fin housing chambers, and when the barrel is in either of the maximum tilt positions, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins is located in the end fin housing chamber, as in [Aspect 1].

[0014] In this case, if the end fins are located in the upstream region of the outlet, the end fins will create airflow resistance, leading to increased pressure loss. In this regard, with the above configuration, when the barrel is in the barrel neutral position, both end fins are located within the end fin housing chamber. The end fin housing chamber is located outside the upstream region of the outlet in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Since the end fins do not enter the upstream region of the outlet, they are less likely to create airflow resistance and are less likely to cause an increase in pressure loss. Furthermore, when the air conditioning register is viewed from the downstream side in the direction of the air conditioning airflow, neither end fin is visible through the outlet, or only slightly visible. Therefore, the deterioration in appearance caused by the end fins being visible through the outlet is suppressed.

[0015] Furthermore, when the barrel is in either of its maximum inclination positions, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins is located within the end fin housing chamber. The amount of the end fins that enter the upstream region of the outlet is less than when no end fin housing chamber is provided. Therefore, the airflow resistance due to the end fins is smaller and the increase in pressure loss is suppressed compared to when no end fin housing chamber is provided. In addition, when the air conditioning register is viewed from the downstream side in the direction of the air conditioning airflow, the portion of each end fin that is visible through the outlet is small. Therefore, the deterioration in appearance due to the end fins being visible through the outlet is suppressed.

[0016] [Aspect 3] The air conditioning register according to [Aspect 2], wherein each of the pair of end fins comprises a fin body portion extending in both the axial direction and the depth direction, and a projection portion extending in the axial direction from the fin body portion and projecting outward in the opposing direction.

[0017] Air conditioning air flowing near the end fins tends to split and flow in opposite directions, towards the inside and outside of the fin body. If the end fins do not have protrusions, the air conditioning air flowing on the outside of the fin body will merge with the air conditioning air flowing on the inside of the fin body after passing through the fin body. During this merging, the air conditioning air flowing on the outside of the fin body interferes with the air conditioning air flowing on the inside of the fin body. This interference affects the directivity of the air conditioning air flowing on the inside of the fin body. As a result, the directivity of the air conditioning air blown out from the outlet may decrease.

[0018] In this regard, according to the above configuration, the protrusions of the end fins are located on the outside of the fin body in the opposing direction. The protrusions attempt to prevent the conditioned air from flowing on the outside of the fin body in the opposing direction. As a result, the amount of conditioned air flowing on the outside of the fin body in the opposing direction is reduced. The conditioned air that passes through the protrusions is added to the conditioned air that flows on the inside of the fin body in the opposing direction. However, as mentioned above, since the amount of conditioned air passing through the protrusions is reduced, the degree to which the conditioned air that flows on the outside of the fin body interferes with the conditioned air that flows on the inside of the fin body is reduced. The directivity of the conditioned air that flows on the inside of the fin body is less affected by the conditioned air that flows on the outside. As a result, the directivity of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet is improved compared to when no protrusions are provided.

[0019] [Aspect 4] When the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum inclination positions, the tip of the projection is located within the end fin housing chamber in the end fin located on the upstream side in the flow direction, as described in [Aspect 3].

[0020] According to the above configuration, when the barrel is in either of the maximum inclination positions, the tip of the projection of the end fin located on the upstream side in the flow direction is located within the end fin housing chamber. In this case, the gap between the tip of the projection and the wall surface of the end fin housing chamber in the direction perpendicular to the axis is small, so less conditioned air flows through that gap. Consequently, the amount of conditioned air flowing outside the fin body in the opposing direction is reduced. The degree to which the conditioned air flowing outside the fin body interferes with the conditioned air flowing inside is further reduced. The influence of the conditioned air flowing inside the fin body from the conditioned air flowing outside is further reduced. Therefore, the effect of improving the directionality of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet is further enhanced.

[0021] [Aspect 5] The plurality of barrel fins are composed only of the pair of end fins. When the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum tilt positions, when the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the part of the upstream end fin in the flow direction that enters the upstream region of the air outlet is D1, and the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the air outlet is D2, the dimension D1 is set to be 1 / 2 or more of the dimension D2. The air conditioner register according to any one of [Aspect 2] to [Aspect 4].

[0022] According to the above configuration, when the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum tilt positions, among the upstream end fins in the flow direction, the part that enters the upstream region of the air outlet tends to obstruct the flow of the air for air conditioning.

[0023] The air for air conditioning flowing between the part of the upstream end fin that enters the upstream region of the air outlet the most and the part of the downstream end fin that enters the upstream region of the air outlet the most is blown straight out from the air outlet without the flow direction being changed by the end fins. As this air for air conditioning increases, the directivity of the air for air conditioning changed by the end fins decreases.

[0024] In this regard, as in the above configuration, when the dimension D1 is set to be 1 / 2 or more of the dimension D2, there is little air for air conditioning that is blown straight out from the air outlet without the flow direction being changed by any of the end fins. Therefore, the directivity of the air for air conditioning changed by the end fins is less likely to decrease.

[0025] [Aspect 6] The barrel includes a pair of barrel wall portions located at both ends in the axial direction and connecting the plurality of barrel fins. A pair of barrel axes is provided. The pair of barrel axes protrude outward in the axial direction from the pair of barrel wall portions. The retainer includes a pair of retainer wall portions facing each other in the axial direction. The pair of barrel axes is rotatably supported by the pair of retainer wall portions. Inside the pair of barrel wall portions in the axial direction and outside the air outlet in the axial direction, a pair of shims is arranged. The pair of shims is attached to the retainer in a state of covering the pair of barrel wall portions. The air conditioner register according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 5].

[0026] According to the above configuration, the pair of shims covers the pair of barrel wall portions of the barrel from the inside in the axial direction. When the air conditioner register is viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction, the barrel wall portions are hidden by the shims, making it difficult to see the barrel wall portions. As a result, the deterioration of the appearance of the air conditioner register due to the visibility of the barrel wall portions through the air outlet is suppressed.

Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the appearance due to the visibility of the end fins through the air outlet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a view showing an air conditioner register according to an embodiment, and is a perspective view of the air conditioner register in which the barrel is located at the barrel neutral position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioner register of FIG. 1 viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction of the air conditioner air. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner register taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. <0000​​​​Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioning register in the above embodiment, where the barrel is located in the first maximum inclination position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioning register in the above embodiment, where the barrel is located at the second maximum inclination position. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 3, and is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example of an air conditioning register with the shim omitted, with some parts omitted. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a prior art diagram, which is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning register with the barrel in the barrel-neutral position. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the prior art, and is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning register in which the barrel is tilted from the barrel neutral position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] An embodiment of an air conditioning register will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following description, the direction of travel (forward direction) of vehicle 10 will be referred to as "front," the direction of reverse direction as "rear," and the height direction as "up and down." Furthermore, the direction of the vehicle width direction (left and right direction) will be defined based on the view of vehicle 10 from the rear.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, within the passenger compartment 11, an instrument panel 12 is provided in front of the front seats (driver's seat and passenger seat) of the vehicle 10, and air conditioning registers 15 are incorporated in the central and side parts of the instrument panel. The main function of these air conditioning registers 15 is to change the direction of the conditioned air A1 that is sent from the air conditioning unit and blown into the passenger compartment 11.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the air conditioning register 15 comprises a retainer 16, a barrel 41 tiltably supported by the retainer 16 via a barrel shaft 43, and a plurality of upstream fins 51. Next, the details of each part constituting the air conditioning register 15 will be described.

[0032] <Retainer 16> The retainer 16 connects the ventilation duct (not shown) of the air conditioning unit to an opening (not shown) provided in the instrument panel 12. The retainer 16 comprises an outer retainer portion 17, an inner retainer portion 21, and a bezel 27. The internal space of the retainer 16 constitutes a flow path for the air conditioning air A1 (hereinafter referred to as the "ventilation passage 35").

[0033] Here, regarding the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1, the direction closer to the air conditioning unit is referred to as "upstream," etc., and the direction further away from the air conditioning unit is referred to as "downstream," etc. Also, when explaining the positional relationship of each part of the air conditioning register 15, among the thickness directions of the retainer wall portions 37 and 38 of the retainer 16, which will be described later, the direction approaching the ventilation passage 35 is referred to as "inward," "inside," etc. Among the above thickness directions, the direction moving away from the ventilation passage 35 is referred to as "outward," "outside," etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the direction in which the barrel shaft 43 extends is defined as the "axial direction," and the direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the central axis CL of the ventilation passage 35 is defined as the "orthoaxial direction." The central axis CL is a hypothetical line in the ventilation passage 35 that passes through the central part in the axial direction and the central part in the orthoaxial direction. In this embodiment, the axial direction corresponds to the left-right direction, and the orthoaxial direction corresponds to the up-down direction.

[0035] The outer retainer portion 17 and the inner retainer portion 21 are both cylindrical in shape, with open upstream and downstream ends, and their axial dimensions being larger than their dimensions perpendicular to the axis. The inner retainer portion 21 is located inside the outer retainer portion 17. The open upstream end of the outer retainer portion 17 constitutes the inlet 18 for the conditioned air A1 supplied from the air conditioning unit via a ventilation duct.

[0036] The bezel 27 is a component that constitutes the downstream end of the retainer 16. The bezel 27 is positioned adjacent to the downstream end of the outer retainer portion 17 and the downstream end of the inner retainer portion 21 on the downstream side. The bezel 27 has an air outlet 31 for the air conditioning air A1. The air outlet 31 is located at the downstream end of the ventilation passage 35 and faces the passenger compartment 11.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the retainer 16 has an upstream region 36 of the air outlet in the air passage 35, adjacent to the upstream side of the air outlet 31. The downstream end face of the bezel 27 constitutes the design surface 28 of the air conditioning register 15.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air outlet 31 consists of a pair of short sides 32 that face each other in the axial direction, and a pair of long sides 33 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis and are longer than each of the short sides 32. Due to the two short sides 32 and the two long sides 33, the air outlet 31 has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape that is more axially elongated than perpendicular to the axis.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ventilation passage 35 is surrounded by four retainer walls of the retainer 16. These four retainer walls consist of a pair of retainer walls 37 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and a pair of retainer walls 38 that face each other in the axial direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, in the inner retainer section 21, the downstream portions of each of the parts constituting the pair of retainer wall sections 37 are composed of bulging wall sections 22 and 24 that bulge outward in the direction perpendicular to the axis relative to the outlet upstream region 36. The bulging wall section 22 has a curved section 22a on its upstream side that curves to bulge outward (upward) on one side in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The space between the bulging wall section 22 and the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 constitutes the end fin housing chamber 23. The end fin housing chamber 23 is adjacent to the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The bulging wall section 24 has a curved section 24a on its upstream side that curves to bulge outward (downward) on the other side in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The space between the bulging wall section 24 and the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 constitutes the end fin housing chamber 25. The end fin housing chamber 25 is adjacent to the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 in a direction perpendicular to the axis. The end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are located on the outer sides of the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Each end fin housing chamber 23 and 25 is located adjacent to the outlet 31 on the upstream side in the flow direction.

[0041] <Barrel 41> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the barrel 41 is for changing the orientation of the conditioned air A1 blown out from the outlet 31 in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and is arranged as a downstream fin within the retainer 16. The barrel 41 has a pair of barrel wall portions 42 that face each other and are spaced apart in the axial direction.

[0042] The barrel shafts 43 described above are provided in pairs. The pair of barrel shafts 43 protrude outward in the axial direction from the pair of barrel wall portions 42. The pair of barrel shafts 43 are rotatably supported by the pair of retainer wall portions 38 of the retainer 16.

[0043] Here, in the barrel 41, one of the two mutually orthogonal directions, each perpendicular to the axial direction, is designated as the "opposing direction," and the other as the "depth direction." The barrel 41 is provided with a plurality of barrel fins 44 that are arranged in the opposing directions and extend in the axial direction and depth direction. Of the plurality of barrel fins 44, those located at both ends in the opposing directions are composed of a pair of end fins 45, 46. Each end fin 45, 46 is spanned between the two barrel walls 42. In other words, the pair of end fins 45, 46 are connected by a pair of barrel walls 42. In this embodiment, the plurality of barrel fins 44 are composed only of the pair of end fins 45, 46.

[0044] Here, as shown in Figure 4, the position of the barrel 41 when its depth direction is parallel to the central axis CL of the ventilation passage 35 is defined as the "barrel neutral position". Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the two positions at both ends of the barrel 41's tilting range are defined as the "maximum tilt positions". To distinguish between the two maximum tilt positions, as shown in Figure 5, the maximum tilt position when one (upper) end fin 45 is located upstream and the other (lower) end fin 46 is located downstream of the end fin 45 is defined as the "first maximum tilt position". As shown in Figure 6, the maximum tilt position when the other (lower) end fin 46 is located upstream and the one (upper) end fin 45 is located downstream of the end fin 46 is defined as the "second maximum tilt position".

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the pair of end fins 45 and 46 are formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane (not shown) that passes through the barrel axis 43 and is perpendicular to the opposing direction. Each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 is provided with a fin body portion 47 and a projection portion 48. The fin body portion 47 of each end fin 45 and 46 extends in both the axial direction and the depth direction. The fin body portion 47 is bent in the middle portion in the depth direction so as to protrude outward in the opposing direction. Therefore, the fin body portions 47 of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 are bent so as to protrude in opposite directions in the opposing direction. The downstream end 47b of each fin body portion 47 in the depth direction constitutes the downstream end of the end fin 45 and 46.

[0046] Each end fin 45, 46 projection 48 extends axially and protrudes outward in the opposing direction (upward or downward in Figure 4) from the downstream end 47b of the fin body 47. In this embodiment, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, each end fin 45, 46 projection 48 is inclined with respect to both the depth direction and the opposing direction such that the tip 48b is located slightly upstream of the base end 48a.

[0047] The pair of barrel shafts 43 are positioned at the same location as the downstream ends 47b of the end fins 45 and 46 in the barrel 41 in the barrel neutral position, or downstream of the downstream ends 47b, and upstream of the outlet 31. In this embodiment, the pair of barrel shafts 43 are positioned at the former location. The same location refers to the position on the imaginary line connecting the downstream end 47b of the end fin 45 and the downstream end 47b of the end fin 46.

[0048] Furthermore, in the air conditioning register 15, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, each part or all of the end fins 45, 46 are located at the following locations. The entire end fin 45 is located within the end fin housing chamber 23, and the entire end fin 46 is located within the end fin housing chamber 25.

[0049] The upstream end 47a of each fin body 47 is located close to the upstream end of the bulging wall portions 22 and 24 in the direction of flow and perpendicular to the axis. The downstream end 47b of each fin body 47 is located near the center of the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 in the flow direction.

[0050] The tip 48b of each projection 48 is located slightly inward in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the bulging wall portions 22, 24. In the air conditioning register 15, as shown in Figure 5, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum tilt position, the end fins 45 and 46 are located in the following positions.

[0051] In the end fin 45, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located on the central axis CL, or on the bulging wall portion 24 side of the central axis CL, in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Consequently, in the end fin 45, the entire fin body 47 is located on one side (upper side) in the direction perpendicular to the axis within the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0052] The tip 48b of the projection 48 on the end fin 45 is located inside the end fin housing chamber 23 and close to the upstream end of the bulging wall portion 22. In the end fin 46, the majority of the fin body 47, excluding the downstream end 47b, is located within the end fin housing chamber 25.

[0053] In the end fin 46, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located slightly inward in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the bulging wall 24. • On the end fin 46, the projection 48 is located close to the bezel 27.

[0054] In the air conditioning register 15, when the barrel 41 is in the second maximum tilt position as shown in Figure 6, the end fins 45 and 46 are located in the following positions. In the end fin 46, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located on the central axis CL, or on the bulging wall portion 22 side of the central axis CL, in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Consequently, in the end fin 46, the entire fin body 47 is located on the other side (lower side) in the direction perpendicular to the axis within the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0055] The tip 48b of the projection 48 on the end fin 46 is located inside the end fin housing chamber 25 and close to the upstream end of the bulging wall portion 24. In the end fin 45, the majority of the fin body 47, excluding the downstream end 47b, is located within the end fin housing chamber 23.

[0056] In the end fin 45, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located at a point separated inward from the bulging wall 22 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. • On the end fin 45, the projection 48 is located close to the bezel 27.

[0057] As described above, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position or the second maximum inclination position, at least a portion of each end fin 45, 46 is located in the end fin housing chambers 23, 25.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position or the second maximum inclination position, the dimension of the portion of the upstream end fins 45, 46 that extends into the upstream region 36 of the outlet is defined as D1 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The dimension of the outlet 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, i.e., the length of the short side portion 32, is defined as D2. Then, in this embodiment, the dimension D1 is set to be at least half of the dimension D2.

[0059] <Upstream Fin 51> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multiple upstream fins 51 are positioned upstream of the barrel 41 in the air passage 35. Each upstream fin 51 is composed of a plate-like body extending perpendicular to the axis within the air passage 35. The multiple upstream fins 51 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4, each upstream fin 51 in the flow direction is provided with a fin shaft 52 in the middle portion, which is outward in the direction perpendicular to the axis and protrudes in opposite directions from one another. Each fin shaft 52 is supported in the inner retainer portion 21 by the portion that constitutes a pair of retainer wall portions 37. Each upstream fin 51 is tiltable in the axial direction about both fin shafts 52.

[0061] <Sim 54, 55> As shown in Figure 3, the air conditioning register 15 is equipped with a pair of plate-shaped shims 54 and 55. The pair of shims 54 and 55 are located on the axial side of the pair of barrel wall portions 42 and outside the outlet 31 in the same direction. The pair of shims 54 and 55 are attached to the retainer 16, covering the pair of barrel wall portions 42 from the axial side. More specifically, each shim 54 and 55 has an upstream mounting portion 56 extending upstream at its upstream end. The upstream mounting portion 56 of each shim 54 and 55 is inserted into the barrel 41 outside the outlet 31 in the axial direction. The upstream mounting portion 56 of each shim 54 and 55 is attached to the retainer wall portion 38 upstream of the barrel 41.

[0062] In this embodiment, a pair of shims 54 and 55 are used, each having a different shape in the intermediate portion in the flow direction. The intermediate portion of one shim 54 (the one on the right in Figure 3) in the flow direction extends straight along the central axis CL. In contrast, the intermediate portion of the other shim 55 (the one on the left in Figure 3) in the flow direction is curved so as to bulge inward in the axial direction. The downstream end 55b of the curved portion of the shim 55 is located further out in the axial direction than the upstream end 55a. This is because, when the flow direction of the conditioned air A1 is changed to the left by the upstream fin 51, the Coanda effect is used to direct the conditioned air A1 to flow along the curved portion of the shim 55. This allows the conditioned air A1 to be blown out from the outlet 31 to a wider area to the left in the axial direction.

[0063] <Operation of this embodiment> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the conditioned air A1 sent from the air conditioning unit to the inlet 18 of the air conditioning register 15 flows through the ventilation passage 35. In the ventilation passage 35, the conditioned air A1 passes through the upstream fins 51 and the barrel 41 in sequence. As the conditioned air A1 passes through the upstream fins 51, it flows along the upstream fins 51, thereby adjusting its flow direction in the axial direction (left-right direction). As the conditioned air A1 passes through the barrel 41, it flows along the end fins 45 and 46, thereby adjusting its flow direction in the direction perpendicular to the axis (up-down direction). After passing through the upstream fins 51 and the barrel 41, the conditioned air A1 is blown out from the outlet 31.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, each end fin 45, 46 is located in the corresponding end fin housing chambers 23, 25. Most of the conditioned air A1 flows between the fin bodies 47 of the pair of end fins 45, 46. Most of the conditioned air A1 is blown straight downstream from the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0065] Here, if the end fins 45 and 46 are located in the upstream region 36 of the outlet, the end fins 45 and 46 will act as airflow resistance, leading to an increase in pressure loss. This will reduce the strength of the air conditioning air A1 blown from the outlet 31, or shorten the reach of the air conditioning air A1.

[0066] In this respect, in the barrel neutral position, both end fins 45 and 46 are housed within the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25. The end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are located outside the outlet upstream region 36 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Since the end fins 45 and 46 do not enter the outlet upstream region 36, they do not create airflow resistance and do not easily lead to an increase in pressure loss.

[0067] Furthermore, the amount to which the end fins 45 and 46 extend into the upstream region 36 of the air outlet affects the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 when viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction. As the amount of extension increases, the appearance deteriorates. In this embodiment, where both end fins 45 and 46 are housed within the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25, the end fins 45 and 46 do not extend into the upstream region 36 of the air outlet.

[0068] Therefore, when the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side, neither of the end fins 45, 46 are visible through the air outlet 31, or are only partially visible. When the barrel 41 is tilted from the neutral position described above toward the first maximum tilt position, as shown in Figure 5, the fin body 47 of the upper end fin 45 moves toward the upstream side in the flow direction and toward the inside in the direction perpendicular to the axis as a result of this tilting. Due to this movement, the fin body 47 becomes tilted with respect to the central axis CL such that it is located further inward toward the direction perpendicular to the axis as it moves upstream, that is, it becomes lower as it moves upstream. As a result of this tilting, the fin body 47 of the end fin 45 exits the end fin housing chamber 23 and enters the upstream region 36 of the outlet from above. Also, as a result of this tilting, the tip 48b of the projection 48 of the end fin 45 moves toward the upstream side and toward the inside in the direction perpendicular to the axis along the bulging wall 22. Furthermore, in the end fin 46, the fin body 47 moves toward the downstream side, exclusively within the lower end fin housing chamber 25. The fin body 47 is inclined with respect to the central axis CL such that it is located further inward in the direction perpendicular to the axis towards the downstream side, that is, it is higher towards the downstream side.

[0069] Of the air conditioning air A1, some of the air that flows near the end fins 46 flows along the inclined fin body 47 as described above, changing its flow direction diagonally upward and backward before being blown out from the outlet 31 in the same direction.

[0070] Furthermore, the conditioned air A1 flowing near the end fin 45 tends to split and flow both inside and outside the fin body 47 in opposing directions. If the end fin 45 does not have a projection 48, the conditioned air A1 that flows outside the fin body 47 will merge with the conditioned air A1 that flows inside the fin body 47 after passing through the fin body 47. The conditioned air A1 that flows outside the fin body 47 will interfere with the conditioned air A1 that flows inside the fin body 47. This interference will affect the directivity of the conditioned air A1 that flows inside the fin body 47. As a result, the directivity of the conditioned air A1 blown out from the outlet 31 may decrease.

[0071] In this respect, the end fins 45 and 46 of this embodiment are equipped with a projection 48 that protrudes outward from the fin body 47 in the opposite direction, in addition to the fin body 47. Each projection 48 attempts to prevent the conditioned air A1 from flowing outside the fin body 47. As a result, the amount of conditioned air A1 flowing outside the fin body 47 is reduced. The conditioned air A1 that has passed through the projection 48 is added to the conditioned air A1 that has flowed inside the fin body 47. However, as described above, since the amount of conditioned air A1 that passes through the projection 48 is reduced, the degree to which the conditioned air A1 that has flowed outside the fin body 47 interferes with the conditioned air A1 that has flowed inside the fin body 47 is reduced. The influence of the conditioned air A1 that has flowed inside the fin body 47 on its directivity from the conditioned air A1 that has flowed outside the fin body 47 is reduced.

[0072] In particular, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum tilt position, the tip 48b of the projection 48 of the end fin 45 is located close to the bulging wall 22. Because the gap between the tip 48b of the projection 48 and the bulging wall 22 is small, the conditioned air A1 has difficulty passing through the gap. The amount of conditioned air A1 flowing through the gap is small. The degree to which the conditioned air A1 flowing outside the fin body 47 interferes with the conditioned air A1 flowing inside the fin body 47 is further reduced. The influence of the conditioned air A1 flowing inside the fin body 47 on its directivity from the conditioned air A1 flowing outside the fin body 47 is further reduced. This situation also occurs when the barrel 41 is tilting from the barrel neutral position towards the first maximum tilt position. This is because the barrel 41 tilts while the tip 48b of the projection 48 is close to the bulging wall 22.

[0073] Furthermore, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 is located in the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25. The amount that the end fins 45 and 46 enter the outlet upstream region 36 is less than when the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are not provided. Therefore, the ventilation resistance due to the end fins 45 and 46 is smaller and the increase in pressure loss is suppressed compared to when the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are not provided. Also, when the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction of the air-conditioned air A1, the portion of each end fin 45 and 46 visible through the outlet 31 is smaller than when the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are not provided.

[0074] When the barrel 41 is tilted from the barrel neutral position toward the second maximum tilt position, only the upstream end fin 45, 46 changes from end fin 45 to end fin 46. Therefore, the air conditioning register 15 performs the same function as when the barrel is tilted from the barrel neutral position toward the first maximum tilt position.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a pair of shims 54 and 55 cover a pair of barrel wall portions 42 of the barrel 41 from the inside in the axial direction. When the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction, the pair of barrel wall portions 42 are hidden by the shims 54 and 55, making the barrel wall portions 42 difficult to see.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the first maximum inclination position, the fin body 47 of the upstream end fin 45 is located in the upstream region 36 of the air outlet. This end fin 45 attempts to obstruct the flow of the air conditioning air A1.

[0077] In the direction perpendicular to the axis, the conditioned air A1 flowing in the region between the upstream end 47a of the end fin 45 and the downstream end 47b of the end fin 46 is blown straight out from the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45 or 46.

[0078] The upstream end 47a of the end fin 45 is the portion of the end fin 45 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet. The downstream end 47b of the end fin 46 is the portion of the end fin 46 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the second maximum tilt position, the fin body 47 of the upstream end fin 46 is located in the upstream region 36 of the air outlet. This end fin 46 attempts to obstruct the flow of the air conditioning air A1.

[0080] In the direction perpendicular to the axis, the conditioned air A1 flowing in the region between the upstream end 47a of the end fin 46 and the downstream end 47b of the end fin 45 is blown straight out from the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45 or 46.

[0081] The upstream end 47a of the end fin 46 is the portion of the end fin 46 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet. The downstream end 47b of the end fin 45 is the portion of the end fin 45 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0082] In all of the above cases, as the amount of conditioned air A1 flowing between the portion of the end fin 45 that most penetrates the upstream region 36 of the air outlet and the portion of the end fin 46 that most penetrates the upstream region 36 of the air outlet increases, the directivity of the conditioned air A1 is reduced.

[0083] In this regard, as described above, if dimension D1 is set to 1 / 2 or more of dimension D2, there is less conditioned air A1 that is blown straight out of the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45, 46. It is difficult to reduce the directivity of the conditioned air A1 that has been altered by the end fins 45, 46.

[0084] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) As shown in Figure 4, the barrel axis 43 is positioned at the same location as the downstream end 47b of the end fins 45 and 46 on the barrel 41, which is in the barrel neutral position.

[0085] Therefore, the deterioration in the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 due to the end fins 45 and 46 being visible through the air outlet 31 can be suppressed. (2) As shown in Figure 4, the retainer 16 is provided with a pair of end fin housing chambers 23, 25 located adjacent to the downstream portion of the upstream region 36 of the outlet on the outside in the direction perpendicular to the axis. When the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, the pair of end fins 45, 46 are located in the pair of end fin housing chambers 23, 25. When the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position or the second maximum inclination position, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins 45, 46 is located in the end fin housing chambers 23, 25.

[0086] Therefore, the increase in pressure loss caused by the end fins 45 and 46 entering the upstream region 36 of the air outlet can be suppressed. In addition, the deterioration of the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 due to the end fins 45 and 46 being visible through the air outlet 31 can also be suppressed in this respect.

[0087] (3) As shown in Figure 4, each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 has a fin body portion 47 that extends in both the axial and depth directions, and a projection portion 48 that extends in the axial direction and protrudes outward from the fin body portion 47 in the opposite direction.

[0088] Therefore, compared to the case where the protrusion 48 is not provided, the directivity of the air conditioning air A1 blown out from the outlet 31 can be improved. (4) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the first maximum tilt position or the second maximum tilt position, the tip 48b of the projection 48 of the upstream end fins 45 and 46 is located inside the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25.

[0089] Therefore, the gap between the tip 48b of the projection 48 and the bulging wall portions 22, 24 can be reduced, and the amount of conditioned air A1 flowing through that gap can be reduced. As a result, the effect of (3) above, which improves the directivity of the conditioned air A1, can be enhanced.

[0090] (5) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, dimension D1 is set to be 1 / 2 or more of dimension D2. Therefore, the amount of conditioned air A1 blown straight out of the outlet 31 can be reduced without the flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45 or 46. This suppresses the reduction in the directivity of the conditioned air A1 that is altered by the end fins 45 or 46.

[0091] (6) As shown in Figure 3, a pair of shims 54 and 55 are positioned on the inner side in the axial direction of the pair of barrel wall portions 42, and on the outer side of the outlet 31 in the axial direction. Therefore, the deterioration in the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 due to the barrel wall portion 42 being visible through the air outlet 31 can be suppressed.

[0092] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0093] (Matters concerning retainer 16) In Figure 4, one or both of the pair of end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 may be omitted.

[0094] (Matters concerning Barrel 41) In Figure 4, the barrel axis 43 may be positioned downstream of the downstream ends 47b of the end fins 45 and 46 on the barrel 41, which is in the barrel neutral position. This modification also provides the same effects as the embodiment described above, in which the barrel axis 43 is positioned at the same location as the downstream ends 47b of the end fins 45 and 46.

[0095] The barrel 41 may have one or more additional fins extending axially and in depth between the pair of end fins 45, 46. The position of the projection 48 of each end fin 45, 46 in the depth direction may be changed. That is, the projection 48 may protrude outward in the opposite direction from a point upstream of the downstream end 47b of the fin body 47.

[0096] The projections 48 of each end fin 45, 46 may protrude from the fin body 47 in a direction perpendicular to the axis when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position. In this case, the base end 48a and the tip end 48b are located at the same location in the depth direction.

[0097] As shown in Figure 4, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, at least one of the pair of end fins 45, 46 may have a portion of it, more precisely the inner portion in the opposing direction, extending into the outlet upstream region 36.

[0098] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the first or second maximum tilt position, the tip 48b of the projection 48 on the upstream end fins 45 and 46 may be located in the outlet upstream region 36 instead of within the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25.

[0099] • At least one of the pair of end fins 45, 46 may be composed solely of the fin body portion 47, with the projection 48 omitted. When the barrel 41 is tilted to the first or second maximum tilt position, dimension D1 may be set to less than half of dimension D2.

[0100] (Matters concerning Sim 54 and 55) At least one of the pair of shims 54 and 55 may be omitted. Figure 7 shows an example of a modification in which both shims 54 and 55 are omitted.

[0101] In Figure 3, the shapes of the pair of shims 54 and 55 may be changed to shapes that are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis CL. (others) The above-described air conditioning register is also applicable to air conditioning registers that have an outlet where the dimension perpendicular to the axis is longer than the dimension in the axial direction.

[0102] Furthermore, the above-described air conditioning register is also applicable to air conditioning registers in which the axial direction (or direction perpendicular to the axis) is inclined with respect to both the horizontal and vertical planes. The above-mentioned air conditioning register can also be applied to air conditioning registers located in places other than the instrument panel 12 within the vehicle compartment 11, such as on the dashboard.

[0103] The above-mentioned air conditioning register can be widely applied, not limited to the vehicle 10, as long as it can change the direction of the conditioned air A1 sent from the air conditioning unit and blown into the room, at least by the barrel 41. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 15…Air conditioning register 16…Retainer 23, 25… End Fin Containment Chambers 31…Air outlet 35...Ventilation duct 36…Air outlet upstream area 37, 38... Retainer wall section 41… Barrel 42... Barrel wall section 43... Barrel axis 44… Barrel Fin 45, 46… End fins 47...Fin main body 48...Protrusion 48b...tip 54, 55… Sim A1...Air for air conditioning CL…Center axis line D1, D2... Dimensions

Claims

1. A cylindrical retainer having a passage for conditioned air, wherein the passage has an outlet at its downstream end in the direction of airflow, and has an outlet upstream region adjacent to the outlet, and a barrel disposed within the retainer and tiltably supported by the barrel shaft, In the barrel, if the direction in which the barrel axis extends is defined as the axial direction, and one of two mutually orthogonal directions perpendicular to the axial direction is defined as the opposing direction, and the other as the depth direction, The barrel comprises a plurality of barrel fins that are arranged in the opposing directions and extend at least in the axial direction, In an air conditioning register, among the plurality of barrel fins, those located at both ends in the opposing direction are composed of a pair of end fins, When the barrel's position is defined as the barrel's neutral position, such that the depth direction of the barrel is parallel to the central axis of the ventilation passage, The barrel axis is an air conditioning register located at the same position as the downstream end of the end fin in the flow direction of the barrel, or downstream of the downstream end, in the barrel at the barrel's neutral position.

2. In the retainer, if the direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the central axis is defined as the orthoaxial direction, and the positions of both ends within the tilting range of the barrel are defined as the maximum tilt positions, The retainer is provided with a pair of end fin housing chambers at a location adjacent to the downstream portion of the upstream region of the outlet in the flow direction, on the outside in the direction perpendicular to the axis, The air conditioning register according to claim 1, wherein when the barrel is in the barrel neutral position, the pair of end fins are located within the pair of end fin housing chambers, and when the barrel is in either of the maximum inclination positions, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins is located within the end fin housing chambers.

3. The air conditioning register according to claim 2, wherein each of the pair of end fins comprises a fin body portion extending in both the axial direction and the depth direction, and a projection portion extending in the axial direction, which protrudes outward from the fin body portion in the opposing direction.

4. The air conditioning register according to claim 3, wherein when the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum inclination positions, the tip of the projection is located within the end fin housing chamber of the end fin located on the upstream side in the flow direction.

5. The plurality of barrel fins are composed only of the pair of end fins, The air conditioning register according to claim 2, wherein when the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum tilt positions, if D1 is the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the portion of the upstream end fin in the flow direction that extends into the upstream region of the outlet, and D2 is the dimension of the outlet in the direction perpendicular to the axis, then dimension D1 is set to be 1 / 2 or more of dimension D2.

6. The barrel comprises a pair of barrel wall portions located at both ends in the axial direction and connecting the plurality of barrel fins, A pair of barrel shafts is provided, and the pair of barrel shafts protrude outward in the axial direction from the pair of barrel walls. The retainer comprises a pair of retainer walls that face each other in the axial direction, The pair of barrel shafts are rotatably supported by the pair of retainer walls, A pair of shims are arranged on the inner side of the pair of barrel walls in the axial direction, and on the outer side of the outlet in the axial direction. The air conditioning register according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pair of shims are attached to the retainer while covering the pair of barrel wall portions.

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