Wind direction adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a wind direction adjusting device capable of appropriately adjusting a wind direction by using a simple constitution.SOLUTION: A case body 12 includes: an upstream part 22 positioned relatively on an upstream side of the wind; and a downstream part 23 positioned on a downstream side of the wind relative to the upstream part 22, and expanding in the shorter direction of the blow-out port 13 more than the upstream part 22. Fins 15 consist of: end part fins 32 and 32 on which a fixed end 32a is respectively positioned along an edge part in the longer direction of the blow-out port 13; and an intermediate fin 33 positioned between the end part fins 32 and 32. The end part fins 32 and 32 and the intermediate fin 33 rotate in the same direction by being interlocked to each other. Each end part fin 32 is arranged so as to cross a virtual line A in the passing direction of the wind along a narrowing section 25, in a state of being rotated to a downstream part 23 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind direction adjusting device including fins rotatably arranged at a blowout port through which wind passing through a case body blows out.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an air conditioner used in a vehicle such as an automobile, a wind direction adjusting device provided at a blowout port for blowing out wind is also called an air conditioning air blowing device, an air outlet, a ventilator, a register, etc., and is installed in each part of the vehicle such as an instrument panel or a center console part, contributing to the improvement of comfort performance by air conditioning.

[0003] As such a wind direction adjusting device, there is a thin type in which the height of the ventilation path is reduced. In the case of such a thin wind direction adjusting device, since the number of fins for adjusting the wind direction in the vertical direction is limited, it is not easy to appropriately adjust the wind direction. Therefore, among a pair of fins arranged sandwiching a fin at the central part provided with an operation knob, by rotating the fin in the direction in which the operation knob is rotated in the opposite direction to the other fins, a device that enables adjustment of the wind direction even with limitations on the height of the ventilation path and the number of fins is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the case of the above-described wind direction adjustment device, the structure becomes complicated, such as using a link with a special shape to make the rotation of the fins independent of the rotation directions of other fins, and thus there is a concern about an increase in manufacturing cost. In addition, when the fin provided with the operation knob is swung downward, the space between it and the fin arranged on the lower side and rotated in the opposite direction becomes narrow, so it is required to prevent the air volume from being impaired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a wind direction adjustment device capable of appropriately adjusting the wind direction with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1 includes a case body through which air passes inside, a longitudinal air outlet through which the air passing through the case body is blown out, and the short side direction of this air outlet to 3 and fins rotatably arranged in one direction. The case body includes a first part located relatively upstream of the wind, and a second part located downstream of the wind with respect to this first part, being expanded in the short side direction of the air outlet compared to the first part and not having a part where the cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the wind. The fins are composed of end fins each having a fixed end located along the longitudinal edge of the air outlet, and intermediate fins located between these end fins , one side's front recording end part fins is In the first part, it intersects with an imaginary line in the passing direction of the wind along the innermost surface position that is the narrowest in the short side direction of the air outlet In the state where it is in the first movement range of doing, the other end fin is in front of recorded second part inner surface to form a space for receiving a part of the wind from the upstream side In the state of being in the second movement range like this The respective end fins and the intermediate fin rotate in the same direction in conjunction with each other is.

[0008] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 2 is the wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, and is provided with a suppression part provided at at least one of the longitudinal edges of the air outlet to suppress air leakage between the fixed end of the end fin close to this edge.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the wind direction adjusting device described in claim 1, since each end fin and the intermediate fin are rotated in the same direction in conjunction with each other, one end fin rotates toward the second part side When doing and the other end fin inner surface rotates in a direction away from the second part. Therefore, one end fin is intersects with the virtual line of the passing direction of the wind along the inner surface position that is the narrowest in the short side direction of the air outlet in the first part In the state of being in the first movement range receives the wind flowing from the first part to the air outlet, and can rectify the wind between this end fin and the intermediate fin 、 and the other end fin is between the second part having no portion where the cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the wind to space In the second movement range that forms receives a part of the wind from the upstream side to generate a vortex, and this vortex changes the path of the wind flowing from the first part to the air outlet, and can be rectified between this end fin and the intermediate fin. Therefore, the wind direction can be appropriately adjusted with a simple configuration.

[0010] According to the wind direction adjusting device described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the wind direction adjusting device described in claim 1, the suppressing portion suppresses the wind leakage between the longitudinal edge of the air outlet and the fixed end of the end fin close to this edge, so that the wind direction can be adjusted more appropriately, and the generation of the wind cut noise caused by the wind leakage can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In FIGS. 1 to 4, reference numeral 10 denotes a wind direction adjusting device. The wind direction adjusting device 10 is for adjusting the direction of wind, that is, the wind direction, from, for example, an air conditioner provided in a vehicle such as an automobile. Although not shown, the wind direction adjusting device 10 is installed in an installation part such as an interior member of an automobile, for example, an instrument panel, a center console, an overhead console part, a center pillar, or a door trim.

[0014] The wind direction adjusting device 10 includes a case body 12 that forms an air passage 11 through which conditioned air passes inside, a finisher 14 that is an opening member having a longitudinal air outlet 13 and is attached to the case body 12, and three or more fins 15. Further, the wind direction adjusting device 10 may include upstream fins on the upstream side of the fins 15. Hereinafter, for the sake of clarity of explanation, the downstream side of the wind passing through the air passage 11, that is, the passenger side, is defined as the front side (in the direction of arrow FR), the upstream side is defined as the rear side (in the direction of arrow RR), one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 13 that intersects (is orthogonal to) the front-rear direction are defined as the left-right direction (in the directions of arrow L and arrow R), and one side and the other side in the short-side direction of the air outlet 13 are defined as the up-down direction (in the directions of arrow U and arrow D). However, these directions may be appropriately changed depending on the installation position and installation orientation of the wind direction adjusting device 10.

[0015] The case body 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The rear end portion of the case body 12 serves as an inlet 20 for receiving conditioned air from an air passage such as a duct into the air passage 11. Further, the case body 12 integrally includes an upstream portion 22 that is a first portion constituting the rear side, which is the upstream side, and a downstream portion 23 that is a second portion continuous with the front side of the upstream portion 22. In the present embodiment, two case bodies 12 are provided adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, but only one may be provided, or three or more may be provided adjacent to each other. Further, since the interiors of the respective case bodies 12 have basically the same shape, only one of the case bodies 12 will be described, and the description of the other case body 12 will be omitted.

[0016] The upstream portion 22 is located on the rear side which is the upstream side of the wind relative to the downstream portion 23. The upstream portion 22 is formed in a rectangular tube shape. In the illustrated example, it has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape from the inlet 20 to the front side, and the front end portion is formed to be constricted and opened toward the front side, that is, narrowed vertically. That is, the upstream portion 22 of the present embodiment has a constricted portion 25 where the front end is the narrowest position in the vertical direction. The constricted portion 25 is the narrowest position in the vertical direction in the ventilation passage 11 inside the case body 12. The constricted portion 25 is formed in a flat shape with a predetermined distance along the front-rear direction. Also, the vertical dimension of the constricted portion 25 is set to be larger than the vertical dimension of the air outlet 13. Further, the constricted portion 25 is formed continuously with the downstream portion 23. Note that the constricted portion 25 can be provided at any position of the upstream portion 22.

[0017] The downstream portion 23 constitutes the downstream side of the case body 12 in the present embodiment. That is, the downstream portion 23 is located continuously with the finisher 14. The downstream portion 23 is formed to be expanded in the vertical direction compared to the upstream portion 22. The downstream portion 23 of the present embodiment includes a first expanded portion 27 that constitutes the rear end portion of this downstream portion 23 and is expanded stepwise with respect to the constricted portion 25 of the upstream portion 22, a second expanded portion 28 that is continuous with the front end which is the downstream end of the first expanded portion 27 and gradually expands vertically toward the front side which is the downstream side, and a third expanded portion 29 that is continuous with the front end which is the downstream end of the second expanded portion 28 and constitutes the front end portion of the downstream portion 23. The first and third expanded portions 27, 29 each have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape larger than that of the upstream portion 22 in the present embodiment. The second expanded portion 28 is gradually expanded vertically at a substantially constant rate from the first expanded portion 27 to the third expanded portion 29 in the present embodiment. Also, the second expanded portion 28 is formed to extend long toward the front side in the lower portion with respect to the upper side of the case body 12. The third expanded portion 29 is adjacent to the finisher 14, is located in a position close to the air outlet 13 in the front-rear direction, and is wider than the air outlet 13 vertically and horizontally.

[0018] The air outlet 13 is formed through the finisher 14. The air outlet 13 has a pair of edges 13a, 13a vertically along the longitudinal direction and a pair of end portions 13b, 13b horizontally along the short-side direction, and is formed in a rectangular shape. The air outlet 13 of the present embodiment is formed for each case body 12, but one air outlet 13 continuous across a plurality of case bodies 12 may be formed.

[0019] The finisher 14 is a design member forming a part of, for example, an interior member of an automobile. The finisher 14 is formed in a plate shape and is integrally attached to the front end portion of the case body 12. The finisher 14 of the present embodiment is arranged to be inclined from the upper side to the lower side and from the rear side to the front side. In the present embodiment, one common finisher 14 is attached to a plurality of case bodies 12, but one finisher 14 may be attached to each case body 12.

[0020] The fins 15 are also called horizontal louvers, front louvers, etc. End fins 32, 32 and intermediate fins 33 positioned between these end fins 32, 32 are set on the fins 15. In the present embodiment, the end fins 32 are a pair, one above the other, and one intermediate fin 33 is arranged between the end fins 32, 32. These end fins 32, 32 and the intermediate fin 33 are arranged to be rotatable in the same vertical direction in linkage with each other via a link.

[0021] Each end fin 32 has a thickness in the vertical direction and is formed to extend longitudinally in the left-right direction. Each end fin 32 of the present embodiment is formed such that the thickness gradually decreases from the fixed end 32a side that is rotatably supported to the free end 32b side that is a rotating end moving up and down. Each end fin 32 is located inside the case body 12 (ventilation passage 11) and is arranged such that the fixed ends 32a are respectively positioned along the longitudinal edge 13a of the air outlet 13. The fixed end 32a of each end fin 32 is located close to the longitudinal edge 13a of the air outlet 13. Also, in the present embodiment, the fixed end 32a of each end fin 32 is at a position that does not intersect the virtual line A in the front-rear direction, which is the passing direction of the wind along the narrowest constriction 25 in the vertical direction of the upstream portion 22 of the case body 12. That is, the fixed end 32a of each end fin 32 is displaced to the side of the longitudinal edge 13a of the air outlet 13 with respect to the virtual line A. The fixed end 32a of the upper end fin 32 is located below the upper virtual line A, and the fixed end 32a of the lower end fin 32 is located above the lower virtual line A. Further, at least one of the longitudinal edges 13a of the air outlet 13 close to the fixed end 32a of each end fin 32, in the present embodiment, the lower edge 13a, a rib 35 which is a suppression portion is formed. The rib 35 narrows the gap between the fixed end 32a of the end fin 32 and the finisher 14 and suppresses air leakage between the air outlet 13 and the fixed end 32a of the end fin 32. The rib 35 protrudes from the back surface of the finisher 14. Also, the free end 32b of each end fin 32 extends and is located on the rear side which is the upstream side with respect to the fixed end 32a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each end fin 32 is arranged to intersect the virtual line A in a state of being rotated such that the free end 32b side swings toward the downstream portion 23 side. For this reason, each end fin 32 can rotate to a position where, in a state of swinging toward the downstream portion 23 side, it faces the wind straight advancing from the upstream portion 22 to the air outlet 13 along the front-rear direction and receives this wind. That is, for each end fin 32, a rotation range (first rotation range) for intersecting the virtual line A and receiving and rectifying the wind and a rotation range (second rotation range) for rectifying the wind without intersecting the virtual line A are set.When one end fin 32 is in the first rotation range, the other end fin 32 is interlocked so as to be in the second rotation range.

[0022] Similar to the end fins 32, the intermediate fin 33 has a thickness in the vertical direction, is formed to extend longitudinally in the horizontal direction, and is formed such that the thickness gradually decreases from the fixed end 33a side, which is rotatably supported, to the free end 33b side, which is the rotating end that moves up and down. The intermediate fin 33 is arranged substantially parallel to the end fins 32. The intermediate fin 33 of the present embodiment is located at the center of the upper and lower end fins 32, 32. Further, the fixed end 33a of the intermediate fin 33 is arranged at the center in the vertical direction of the air outlet 13. Further, the free end 33b of the intermediate fin 33 extends and is located on the rear side, which is the upstream side with respect to the fixed end 33a. Furthermore, an operation knob 37 is attached to the intermediate fin 33. The operation knob 37 is a grip portion that a vehicle occupant or the like grips when rotating the fin 15. The operation knob 37 is located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate fin 33. Further, a fork portion 38, which is a connecting portion connected to the upstream fin, is formed on the operation knob 37. The fork portion 38 is rotatably connected to the rear portion of the operation knob 37, and in a state where the intermediate fin 33 is rotated in the vertical direction together with the operation knob 37, the front side rotates in the direction opposite to the intermediate fin 33 so as to maintain the connection with the upstream fin.

[0023] The upstream fin is also called a vertical louver, a rear louver, or the like. The upstream fin is disposed, for example, inside the upstream portion 22 of the case body 12. For example, a plurality of upstream fins are arranged in the horizontal direction intersecting the fin 15, and are arranged to be rotatable in the same horizontal direction in conjunction with each other via a link or the like. The upstream fin of the present embodiment is configured to be rotationally operated in the horizontal direction, for example, by sliding the operation knob 37 along the intermediate fin 33 in the horizontal direction.

[0024] Next, the operation of one embodiment will be described.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, when the fin 15 is in the neutral position in the rotation direction, each end fin 32 and intermediate fin 33 are positioned along the front-rear direction, and the air received from the air inlet 20 into the ventilation passage 11 is rectified along the upstream fin and fin 15, and blows out linearly from the air outlet 13.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, when the fin 15 is swung to one side in the vertical direction, for example, upward, the lower end fin 32 rotates to the downstream part 23 side and intersects with the virtual line A, so that the air going straight on the lower side of the upstream part 22 is rectified by the lower end fin 32 and blows out upward from the air outlet 13 through the space between the lower end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33. Also, since the upper end fin 32 rotates in a direction away from the downstream part 23, a part of the air going straight through the upstream part 22 forms a vortex V between the upper end fin 32 and the downstream part 23. Therefore, most of the air going straight on the upper side of the upstream part 22 is blocked by the vortex V and changes its path, and blows out upward from the air outlet 13 through the space between the upper end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33.

[0027] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, when the fin 15 is swung to the other side in the vertical direction, for example, downward, the upper end fin 32 rotates to the downstream part 23 side and intersects with the virtual line A, so that the air going straight on the upper side of the upstream part 22 is rectified by the upper end fin 32 and blows out downward from the air outlet 13 through the space between the upper end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33. Also, since the lower end fin 32 rotates in a direction away from the downstream part 23, a part of the air going straight through the upstream part 22 forms a vortex V between the lower end fin 32 and the downstream part 23. Therefore, most of the air going straight on the lower side of the upstream part 22 is blocked by the vortex V and changes its path, and passes through the space between the lower end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33 and blows out from the air outlet 13 towards downward.

[0028] Thus, according to one embodiment, in order to rotate each end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33 in the same direction in conjunction with each other, when one end fin 32 is rotated toward the downstream portion 23, the other end fin 32 rotates in a direction away from the downstream portion 23. Therefore, one end fin 32 is positioned at a position intersecting with an imaginary line A in the passing direction of the wind along the constriction 25, which is the narrowest inner surface position in the lateral direction of the air outlet 13 in the upstream portion 22. Thus, the wind flowing from the upstream portion 22 to the air outlet 13 is received, and the wind can be rectified between this end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33. At the same time, the other end fin 32 generates a vortex V in the space between it and the downstream portion 23, and this vortex V changes the path of the wind flowing from the upstream portion 22 to the air outlet 13, enabling rectification between this end fin 32 and the intermediate fin 33. Therefore, the wind direction can be appropriately adjusted with a simple configuration without adopting a complicated configuration such as rotating one end fin 32 and the other end fin 32 in opposite directions to each other.

[0029] In addition, since the fixed end 32a of each end fin 32 is located at a position where it does not intersect the imaginary line A, a large space can be taken between the end fin 32 and the downstream portion 23. Therefore, when the fin 15 is swung up and down, the vortex V generated between the end fin 32 and the downstream portion 23 can be enlarged, and the wind direction of the straight-through wind can be effectively changed by the vortex V, enabling more appropriate adjustment of the wind direction.

[0030] Furthermore, by suppressing the wind leakage between the longitudinal edge portion 13a of the air outlet 13 and the fixed end 32a of the end fin 32 close to this edge portion 13a by the rib 35, the wind direction can be adjusted more appropriately, and the generation of wind noise caused by wind leakage can be suppressed.

[0031] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the wind direction adjusting device 10 is also applicable, for example, for the passengers of the rear seat provided at the rear end of the console box.

[0032] The number of intermediate fins is not limited to one, and two or more intermediate fins may be provided according to the height of the ventilation passage 11.

[0033] The rib 35 may be provided at the upper longitudinal edge 13a of the air outlet 13, or may be provided at the upper and lower edges 13a respectively.

Industrial Applicability

[0034] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, as an air direction adjusting device for an automobile air conditioner.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0035] 10 Air direction adjusting device 12 Case body 13 Air outlet 13a Edge 15 Fin 22 Upstream part which is the first part 23 Downstream part which is the second part 32 End fin 32a Fixed end 33 Intermediate fin 35 Rib which is a suppressing part A Virtual line

Claims

1. A case body through which air passes; A longitudinal air outlet through which air that has passed through the case body is blown out; The air outlet has three fins arranged rotatably in a short side direction of the air outlet, The case body is A first portion located relatively upstream of the wind; a second portion located downstream of the first portion, enlarged in a short-side direction of the air outlet compared to the first portion, and not including a portion whose cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air outlet, The fins are comprised of end fins whose fixed ends are located along the longitudinal edges of the air outlet, and intermediate fins located between these end fins, and the end fins and the intermediate fin rotate in the same direction in conjunction with each other so that when one end fin is in a first rotation range that intersects with an imaginary line in the direction of air passing along the narrowest inner surface position in the lateral direction of the air outlet in the first portion, the other end fin is in a second rotation range that forms a space between the end fin and the inner surface of the second portion to receive a portion of the air from the upstream side. A wind direction adjustment device characterized by the above.

2. The air outlet is provided with a suppression portion provided on at least one of the longitudinal edges of the air outlet, and suppresses air leakage between the edge and the fixed end of the end fin adjacent to the edge.

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

Images