Side defroster device

Abstract

This side defroster device is provided with: a blowout port that opens on an outer upper surface in a vehicle width direction of an instrument panel and blows out conditioned air toward a side window of a vehicle; a side defroster duct that extends from an air conditioner to the blowout port in the instrument panel and supplies the conditioned air from the air conditioner to the blowout port; and a fin that is installed at the blowout port and guides the conditioned air in a predetermined direction. The fin has a flat plate shape with a longitudinal direction thereof extending in the vehicle width direction, and also has a flat surface in at least a part of an upper surface or a lower surface thereof. The side defroster duct has an exit section that extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle toward the blowout port and is connected to the blowout port. A bottom wall surface of the exit section has an exit flat surface formed parallel to the flat surface of the fin near the blowout port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a side defroster device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a side defroster device in which a frame-shaped bezel member having fins is attached to an air outlet of an instrument panel. In such a side defroster device, the Coanda effect in which the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet is attracted to the surface of the instrument panel is suppressed by changing the direction of a part of the air flow upward by the vertical inner wall surface of the bezel member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the side defroster device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a part of the conditioned air collides with the vertical inner wall surface of the bezel member, the conditioned air having the intended flow rate blown out from the air outlet cannot be blown out toward the target set on the glass surface of the door glass. On the other hand, since the Coanda effect cannot be suppressed only by installing fins at the air outlet, the conditioned air cannot be blown out from the air outlet toward the target set on the glass surface of the door glass.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a side defroster device capable of blowing out conditioned air having an intended flow rate from an air outlet toward a target set on the glass surface of a door glass.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A side defroster device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an outlet opening on the outer upper surface of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction and blowing conditioned air toward the side window of the vehicle; a side defroster duct extending from the air conditioner within the instrument panel to the outlet and supplying the conditioned air from the air conditioner to the outlet; and a fin installed at the outlet and guiding the conditioned air in a predetermined direction, wherein the fin is a flat plate shape with its longitudinal direction extending in the vehicle width direction and has a flat surface on at least a part of its upper or lower surface; the side defroster duct has an outlet portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction toward the outlet and connected to the outlet; and the bottom wall surface of the outlet portion has an outlet plane formed parallel to the plane of the fin near the outlet.

[0007] According to the configuration described in (1) above, the conditioned air flowing along the outlet plane is straightened along the plane of fins provided parallel to the outlet plane and blown out toward a target set on the glass surface of the door glass. This makes it possible to blow out the air conditioner at the desired flow rate toward the target set on the glass surface of the door glass from the outlet.

[0008] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the bottom wall surface of the outlet portion has a raised portion formed near the air outlet, which rises up so as it approaches the air outlet, it approaches the upper wall surface opposite to the bottom wall surface, and the top of the raised portion is provided with the outlet plane, and the raised portion has a first inclined surface that slopes away from the upper wall surface from the downstream end of the outlet plane in the direction of air conditioner air discharge toward the air outlet, and a ridge is formed between the outlet plane and the first inclined surface.

[0009] According to the configuration of (2) above, the conditioned air flowing along the outlet plane is separated at the ridge and supplied to the fins. As a result, the air flowing along the outlet plane is less likely to be drawn to the first inclined surface, and the air flowing along the outlet plane can be smoothly supplied to the fins.

[0010] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) above, the fins are positioned such that, when viewed from the discharge direction, they coincide with the ridge line at the downstream end of the outlet plane in the discharge direction.

[0011] According to the configuration described in (3) above, the fins conceal the edges when viewed from the direction of discharge, creating a sense of continuity between the fins and the outlet plane, resulting in a better appearance.

[0012] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) or (3) above, the raised portion has a second inclined surface that slopes away from the upper wall surface from the upstream end of the outlet plane in the discharge direction toward the upstream side of the outlet portion in the discharge direction.

[0013] According to the configuration described in (4) above, the conditioned air flows along the second inclined surface, so the airflow gradually increases in speed and is supplied to the outlet plane. This allows the air that has flowed along the second inclined surface to be smoothly supplied to the outlet plane.

[0014] (5) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3) above, the fins are inclined toward the rear and upward of the vehicle in a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and are inclined so as to be gradually located forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction in a top view.

[0015] According to the configuration described in (5) above, the conditioned air supplied from the air conditioner to the outlet passes through the fins and is directed toward a target set on the glass surface of the front side door. This allows the desired flow rate of conditioned air to be blown out from the outlet toward the target set on the glass surface of the front side door.

[0016] (6) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (5) above, the air outlet opens into an inclined surface of the instrument panel that gradually decreases in the vehicle height direction toward the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the fins are inclined so that, in a rear view, they gradually increase in the vehicle height direction from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside.

[0017] According to the configuration described in (6) above, the conditioned air supplied from the air conditioner to the outlet passes through the fins and is directed toward a target set on the glass surface of the front side door. This allows the desired flow rate of conditioned air to be blown out from the outlet toward the target set on the glass surface of the front side door.

[0018] (7) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3) above, the fins have a pair of front and rear outer edges in the direction of airflow of the conditioned air, and in a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the distance from the straight line connecting the pair of outer edges in the region from the center of the vehicle in the front-rear direction to the front outer edge is less than or equal to the distance to the surface facing upward in the vehicle height direction, with respect to the straight line connecting the pair of outer edges.

[0019] According to the configuration described in (7) above, in a longitudinal section view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the path length of the surface facing downward in the vehicle height direction can be made shorter than the path length of the surface facing upward in the region from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward. As a result, the velocity of the air flowing along the surface facing downward in the vehicle height direction can be made slower than the velocity of the air flowing along the surface facing upward in the region from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward.

[0020] (8) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3) above, the fins have a pair of outer edges in the direction of airflow of the conditioned air, and in a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the distance from the straight line connecting the pair of outer edges in the region from the center of the vehicle in the front-rear direction to the rear outer edge is less than or equal to the distance to the surface facing upward in the vehicle height direction, with respect to the straight line connecting the pair of outer edges.

[0021] According to the configuration described in (8) above, the mold division surface when resin molding the fins can be positioned forward in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction, thus improving the appearance of the fins.

[0022] (9) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3) above, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the fin is curved such that the lower surface bulges downward.

[0023] According to the configuration (9) above, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the path length of the surface facing the lower side in the vehicle height direction is longer than the path length of the surface facing the upper side. Therefore, the air flow along the lower-facing surface speeds up, and the air supplied to the fin can be blown out toward the upper side in the vehicle height direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, conditioned air with a desired flow rate can be blown out from the air outlet toward the target set on the glass surface of the door glass.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a side defroster device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an air outlet and at least one fin installed at the air outlet. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing a side defroster duct and an air conditioner. [Figure 4] It is a diagram schematically showing an outlet portion of a side defroster duct and at least one fin installed at the air outlet. [Figure 5] It is a sectional view taken along line V-V schematically showing an outlet portion of the side defroster duct shown in FIG. 4 and at least one fin installed at the air outlet. [Figure 6] It is a diagram schematically showing an air outlet and at least one fin installed at the air outlet. [Figure 7] It is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII schematically showing the air outlet shown in FIG. 6 and at least one fin installed at the air outlet. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged sectional view showing an example of the shape of at least one fin shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape of at least one fin. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. For example, expressions describing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," "concentric," or "coaxial" should not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent states of relative displacement with tolerances, or angles or distances that allow the same function to be achieved. Also, for example, expressions describing shapes such as square or cylindrical should not only represent geometrically precise shapes such as square or cylindrical, but also represent shapes including concave and concave parts, chamfered parts, etc., to the extent that the same effect can be achieved. On the other hand, expressions such as "equipped," "possess," "features," "includes," or "has" a single component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other components.

[0027] [Schematic configuration of a side defroster system] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a side defroster device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the side defroster device 1 is a device that blows conditioned air onto the door glass 104 of the front side door 102 of a vehicle to remove condensation that has formed on the inside of the door glass 104 and ensure the visibility of the door mirror 106 through the door glass 104.

[0028] The side defroster device 1 according to this embodiment includes air outlets 12 and 14 that open on the outer upper surface of the instrument panel 10 in the vehicle width direction, side defroster ducts 18 and 20 that extend from the air conditioner 16 to the air outlets 12 and 14 and supply conditioned air (air) from the air conditioner 16 to the air outlets 12 and 14, and fins 22 and 24 installed on the air outlets 12 and 14 that guide the conditioned air in a predetermined direction (a target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104).

[0029] The instrument panel 10 is a panel that constitutes part of the passenger compartment and refers to the entire panel that houses various meters, air conditioning switches, audio equipment, and the passenger-side airbag in front of the driver's seat. The instrument panel 10 is installed along the windshield 108 located at the front of the passenger compartment and has an inclined surface 26 that gradually decreases in the vehicle height direction toward the rear in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and an upright surface 28 that faces the driver's seat and passenger seat. The air outlets 12 and 14 are, for example, provided on the inclined surface 26, but may also be provided on the upright surface 28. The air outlets 12 and 14 are, for example, a pair, provided on the driver's side and the passenger's side, but this does not exclude cases where only the driver's side has an air outlet 12, or only the passenger's side has an air outlet 14. Also, for example, the instrument panel 10 has air outlets 30 and 32 that open on the upper center surface in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 10. The air outlets 30 and 32 are, for example, a pair, provided on the driver's side and the passenger's side, but this does not exclude cases where only the air outlet 30 is provided on the driver's side, or only the air outlet 32 ​​is provided on the passenger's side.

[0030] The air conditioning unit 16 is a device that controls heating, cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning inside the vehicle cabin, and is referred to as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning).

[0031] The side defroster ducts 18 and 20 are provided as a pair, one on the driver's side and one on the passenger's side. However, this does not exclude cases where only the driver's side has a side defroster duct 18, or only the passenger's side has a side defroster duct. Furthermore, the side defroster ducts 18 and 20 are located on the inside of the instrument panel 10 (forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction), outside the passenger compartment of the instrument panel 10. In addition, the side defroster ducts 18 and 20 are provided separately, but they may also be provided as a single unit.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an air outlet 14 and at least one fin 24 installed on the air outlet 14. The air outlet 14 and at least one fin 24 shown in Figure 2 are installed on the passenger side, but the air outlet 12 and at least one fin 22 installed on the driver's side have the same configuration and characteristics, so their description is omitted.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, at least one fin 24 is one or more in number and has a pair of outer edges in the extending direction of the outlet portion 42 described later, and has a flat surface 34 on at least a portion of the surface facing upward in the vehicle height direction (hereinafter referred to as the "upper surface"). At least one fin 24 is, for example, one of two or more fins installed in the air outlet 14, and the other fins are installed relative to this fin 24.

[0034] [Side defroster duct configuration] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the side defroster ducts 18, 20 and the air conditioner 16. As shown in Figure 3, the side defroster ducts 18, 20 have extending portions 36, 38 that extend along the width direction of the vehicle, and outlet portions 40, 42 that extend from the extending portions 36, 38 toward the outlets 12, 14 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are connected to the outlets 12, 14. For example, the side defroster ducts 18, 20 are provided with inlet portions 44, 46 that are connected to the air conditioner 16, and front defroster ducts 48, 50 that extend from the inlet portions 44, 46 toward the outlets 30, 32 are provided integrally with the side defroster ducts 18, 20. The front defroster ducts 48 and 50 are a pair and are provided on the driver's side and the passenger's side. However, if the air outlet 12 is provided only on the driver's side, the front defroster duct 48 is provided only on the driver's side, and if the air outlet 14 is provided only on the passenger's side, the front defroster duct 50 is provided only on the passenger's side.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the outlet 42 of the side defroster duct 20 and at least one fin 24 installed in the air outlet 14. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the outlet 42 of the side defroster duct 20 shown in Figure 4, along the VV line. The outlet 42 of the side defroster duct 20 and at least one fin 24 installed in the air outlet 14 shown in Figures 4 and 5 are installed on the passenger side, but the outlet 40 of the side defroster duct 18 and at least one fin 22 installed in the air outlet 30, which are installed on the driver's side, have the same configuration and characteristics, so their description is omitted.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the outlet portion 42 of the side defroster duct 20 has an outlet plane 52 formed parallel to a plane 34 provided on at least a portion of the upper or lower surface of at least one fin 24 installed in the air outlet 14.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, for example, on the bottom wall surface 54 of the inner wall surface of the outlet section 42, which faces upward in the vehicle height direction, a raised portion 56 is formed near the outlet 14, which rises up so as it approaches the outlet 14, it approaches the upper wall surface opposite the bottom wall surface 54. The raised portion 56 has an outlet plane 52 at its top, but is not limited to this, and the outlet plane 52 may also be provided on the bottom wall surface 54 of the outlet section 42.

[0038] For example, the outlet section 42 has an inclined surface 60 (first inclined surface 60) that slopes away from the upper wall surface from the downstream end of the outlet plane 52 toward the outlet 14, and a ridge line 62 is formed between the outlet plane 52 and the inclined surface 60. The ridge line 62 is provided parallel to at least the outer edge 64 on the ridge line side of a pair of outer edges 64, 66 of at least one fin 24. For example, if the pair of outer edges 64, 66 of at least one fin 24 are parallel to each other, the ridge line 62 is provided parallel to the outer edge 64 on the ridge line side and the outer edge 66 on the opposite side of the ridge line 62.

[0039] For example, the raised portion 56 has an inclined surface 68 (second inclined surface 68) that slopes away from the upper wall surface from the upstream end of the outlet plane 52 in the discharge direction toward the upstream side of the outlet portion 42 in the discharge direction.

[0040] [Fin configuration] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the air outlet 14 and at least one fin 24 installed on the air outlet 14. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII showing the air outlet 14 and at least one fin 24 installed on the air outlet 14 shown in Figure 6. The air outlet 14 and at least one fin 24 installed on the air outlet 14 shown in Figures 6 and 7 are installed on the passenger side, but the air outlet 12 and at least one fin 22 installed on the driver's side have the same configuration and characteristics, so their description is omitted.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, at least one fin 24 has a longitudinal axis LAX. When there are two or more fins 24, the longitudinal axes LAX of those fins 24 are arranged parallel to each other, but are not limited to this.

[0042] At least one fin 24 is positioned, for example, so as viewed from the discharge direction, that it coincides with the ridge line 62 at the downstream end of the outlet plane 52 in the discharge direction.

[0043] Furthermore, for example, when the air outlet 14 opens to the upper surface of the instrument panel 10, at least one fin 24 is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle and toward the information in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX (longitudinal cross section view), and in a top view, it is inclined such that the longitudinal axis LAX is gradually positioned forward in the vehicle's front-rear direction from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction. For example, when the air outlet 14 opens to the inclined surface 26 of the instrument panel 10, at least one fin 24 is inclined such that, in a rear view, the longitudinal axis LAX is gradually raised in the vehicle height direction from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when the air outlet 14 opens onto the inclined surface 26 of the instrument panel 10, it is possible to achieve both the fact that the longitudinal axis LAX of at least one fin 24 gradually inclins forward in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and that the longitudinal axis LAX of at least one fin 24 gradually increases in the vehicle height direction from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction, so there is no contradiction.

[0044] Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape of at least one fin 24 shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, for example, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX (longitudinal view), at least one fin 24 has a distance DT1 from the surface SF1 facing downward in the vehicle height direction to the surface SF2 facing upward, with respect to a straight line (chord) CHD connecting a pair of outer edges in the region AR1 from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward, and DT1 being less than or equal to the distance DT2 from the surface SF2 facing upward. For example, in the example shown in Figure 8, the base airfoil shape AF1 is set such that the lower and upper sides in the vehicle height direction are symmetrical with respect to the chord CHD as the axis of symmetry. In the actual airfoil shape AF2, in the region AR1 from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward, the surface SF1 facing downward in the vehicle height direction is deformed with respect to the chord CHD of the base airfoil shape AF1. This makes the distance DT1 to the surface SF1 facing downward in the vehicle height direction, with respect to the chord CHD of the base airfoil shape AF1, less than or equal to the distance DT2 to the surface SF2 facing upward.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX (longitudinal section view), in the region AR2 from the rearward outer edge of the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the distance DT3 to the surface SF3 facing downward in the vehicle height direction is less than or equal to the distance DT4 to the surface SF4 facing upward, with respect to the straight line (chord) CHD connecting the pair of outer edges. For example, in the example shown in Figure 8, the base airfoil shape AF3 is set so that the lower and upper sides in the vehicle height direction are symmetrical with respect to the chord CHD as the axis of symmetry. In the actual airfoil shape PL4, in the region AR2 from the rearward outer edge of the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the surface SF3 facing downward in the vehicle height direction is deformed with respect to the chord CHD of the base airfoil shape AF3, so that the distance DT3 to the surface SF3 facing downward in the vehicle height direction is less than or equal to the distance DT4 to the surface SF4 facing upward, with respect to the chord CHD of the base airfoil shape AF1.

[0046] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape of at least one fin 24 shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 9, for example, at least one fin 24 is curved such that the surface SF5 facing downward in the vehicle height direction (bottom surface) bulges downward in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX (longitudinal cross-sectional view).

[0047] [Effects of side defroster devices] According to the side defroster device 1 of this embodiment, the air (conditioned air) flowing along the outlet plane 52 is straightened along the planes of the fins 22 and 24 which are provided parallel to the outlet plane 52, and blown out toward a target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102. As a result, a predetermined flow rate of conditioned air can be blown out from the outlets 12 and 14 toward the target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102.

[0048] For example, if the outlet plane 52 is located at the top of a raised portion 56 that protrudes into the duct from the bottom wall surface 54 of the outlet portion 42, the airflow of the conditioned air is accelerated at the outlet plane 52, and the accelerated conditioned air is supplied to the fins 22 and 24. This allows the desired flow rate of conditioned air to be blown out from the outlets 12 and 14 so that it reaches the target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102.

[0049] For example, by providing a first inclined surface 60 at the outlet sections 40 and 42, a ridge line 62 is provided at the downstream end of the outlet plane 52, and if the ridge line 62 is provided parallel to at least the outer edge on the ridge line side of the outer edges of a pair of fins 22 and 24 that extend in the direction of the outlet sections 40 and 42, the conditioned air flowing along the outlet plane 52 is separated at the ridge line 62 and supplied to the fins 22 and 24. As a result, the conditioned air flowing along the outlet plane 52 is less likely to be drawn towards the bottom wall surface 54, and the conditioned air flowing along the outlet plane 52 can be smoothly supplied to the fins 22 and 24.

[0050] For example, if at least one fin 24 is positioned so as to overlap with the ridge line 62 at the downstream end of the outlet plane 52 when viewed from the discharge direction, the fin 24 hides the ridge line 62, creating a sense of continuity between the fin 24 and the outlet plane 52, resulting in a better appearance.

[0051] For example, if the outlets 40 and 42 have a second inclined surface 68, the conditioned air flows along the second inclined surface 68, so the flow of the conditioned air gradually increases in speed and is supplied to the outlet plane 52. This allows the conditioned air that has flowed along the second inclined surface 68 to be smoothly supplied to the outlet plane 52.

[0052] For example, if the longitudinal axis LAX of at least one fin 22,24 is arranged to gradually incline forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction, the conditioned air supplied from the air conditioner 16 to the outlets 12,14 passes through the fins 22,24 and is rectified toward a target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102. This allows the desired flow rate of conditioned air to be blown out from the outlets 12,14 toward the target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102.

[0053] For example, if the air outlets 12 and 14 open into the inclined surface 26 of the instrument panel 10, and the longitudinal axis LAX of at least one fin 22 or 24 is arranged to gradually increase in the vehicle height direction from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside, then the conditioned air supplied from the air conditioner 16 to the air outlets 12 and 14 passes through the fins 22 and 24 and is rectified toward a target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102. This allows the desired flow rate of air to be blown out from the air outlets 12 and 14 toward the target TG set on the glass surface of the door glass 104 of the front side door 102.

[0054] For example, if at least one fin 22,24, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX, in the region AR1 from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward, the distance DT1 to the surface SF1 facing downward in the vehicle height direction is less than or equal to the distance D2 to the surface SF2 facing upward, with respect to the straight line (chord) CHD connecting the pair of outer edges, then in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX, in the region AR1 from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward, the path length of the surface SF1 facing downward in the vehicle height direction can be made shorter than the path length of the surface SF2 facing upward. As a result, in the region AR1 from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge facing forward, the velocity of the air conditioning air flowing along the surface SF1 facing downward in the vehicle height direction can be made slower than the velocity of the air conditioning air flowing along the surface SF2 facing upward.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, for example, if at least one fin 22,24 is such that, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX, in the region AR2 from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the rear outer edge, the distance D3 to the surface SF3 facing downward in the vehicle height direction is less than or equal to the distance D4 to the surface SF4 facing upward, with respect to the straight line (chord) CHD connecting the pair of outer edges, the mold parting surface when resin molding the fins 22,24 can be positioned forward in the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, thereby improving the appearance of the fins 22,24.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9, for example, if at least one fin 22, 24 is curved such that the surface SF5 facing downward in the vehicle height direction bulges downward in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAX, the path length of the surface SF5 facing downward in the vehicle height direction becomes longer than the path length of the surface SF6 facing upward. As a result, the airflow along the downward-facing surface SF5 becomes faster, and the airflow supplied to the fins 22, 24 can be blown out upward in the vehicle height direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Side defroster device 10 Instrument Panel 12,14 Air outlet 16 Air conditioner 18,20 Side defroster duct 22,24 Fins 26 Slope 28 Erection surface 30,32 Air outlet 34 plane 36,38 Extension 40,42 Exit section 44,46 Entrance 48,50 Front defroster duct 52 Exit plane 54 Bottom wall surface of the outlet section 56 Ridge 60 Slope (1st slope) 62 Ridge 64,66 Outer edge 68 Slope (second slope) 102 Front side door 104 Door glass 106 Door mirror 108 Windshield LAX Longitudinal axis AR1: The area from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the outer edge in the forward direction. AR2: The area from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the rear outer edge. CHD: A straight line (wing chord) connecting a pair of outer edges. SF1 Surface facing downwards in the vehicle height direction SF2 Surface facing upwards in the vehicle height direction SF3 Surface facing downwards in the vehicle height direction SF4 Surface facing upwards in the vehicle height direction SF5 Surface facing downwards in the vehicle height direction SF6 Surface facing upwards in the vehicle height direction DT1: Distance from the chord to the surface facing downwards in the vehicle height direction. Distance from the DT2 chord to the surface facing upward in the vehicle height direction. Distance from the DT3 chord to the surface facing downwards in the vehicle height direction. Distance from the DT4 chord to the surface facing upward in the vehicle height direction. AF1 base wing shape AF2 Actual wing shape AF3 base wing shape AF4 Actual wing shape TG Target set on the glass surface

Claims

1. An air outlet is located on the upper outer surface of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction, and blows conditioned air towards the vehicle's side windows. Within the instrument panel, a side defroster duct extends from the air conditioner to the air outlet and supplies the conditioned air from the air conditioner to the air outlet, A fin installed at the aforementioned outlet guides the conditioned air in a predetermined direction, A side defroster device comprising, The fin has a flat plate shape with its longitudinal direction extending in the vehicle width direction, and has a flat surface on at least a part of its upper or lower surface. The side defroster duct has an outlet portion that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction toward the air outlet and is connected to the air outlet. The bottom wall surface of the outlet portion has an outlet plane formed parallel to the plane of the fin in the vicinity of the outlet. The bottom wall surface of the outlet portion has a raised portion formed near the outlet, which rises as it approaches the outlet and approaches the upper wall surface opposite the bottom wall surface. The raised portion has an outlet plane at its top and a first inclined surface that slopes away from the upper wall surface from the downstream end of the outlet plane in the direction of air conditioner air discharge toward the outlet. A ridge is formed between the outlet plane and the first inclined surface. The raised portion has a second inclined surface that slopes away from the upper wall surface from the upstream end of the outlet plane in the discharge direction toward the upstream side of the outlet portion in the discharge direction. Side defroster device.

2. (delete)

3. The fin is positioned such that, when viewed from the discharge direction, it coincides with the ridge line at the downstream end of the outlet plane in the discharge direction. The side defroster device according to claim 1.

4. (delete)

5. The fins, in a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, are inclined toward the rear and upward of the vehicle, and in a top view, are inclined so as to be gradually positioned forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside. The side defroster device according to claim 1 or 3.

6. The aforementioned air outlet opens onto an inclined surface of the instrument panel that gradually slopes downward in the vehicle height direction toward the rear in the vehicle's front-rear direction, The fins, when viewed from the rear, are inclined so as to gradually increase in height in the vehicle height direction from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside. The side defroster device according to claim 5.

7. The fins have a pair of outer edges in the direction of airflow, and in a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in the region from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the front outer edge, the distance from the straight line connecting the pair of outer edges to the surface facing downward in the vehicle height direction is less than or equal to the distance to the surface facing upward. The side defroster device according to claim 1 or 3.

8. The fins have a pair of outer edges in the direction of airflow, and in a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in the region from the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction to the rear outer edge, the distance from the straight line connecting the pair of outer edges to the surface facing downward in the vehicle height direction is less than or equal to the distance to the surface facing upward. The side defroster device according to claim 1 or 3.

9. In a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the fin is curved such that its lower surface bulges downward. The side defroster device according to claim 1 or 3.

Images