Wind direction adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a wind direction adjustment device with improved performance while reducing the number of components.SOLUTION: A wind direction adjustment device 1 includes: a case body 3 in which a ventilation passage 5 is sectioned; a fin 15 which is rotatably arranged in the ventilation passage 5 in the case body 3 and adjusts the wind direction according to the rotation; a valve 30 which is rotatably arranged in the direction that intersects the rotation direction of the fin 15 in the ventilation passage 5 in the case body 3 and can open and close the ventilation passage 5 in response to the rotation; and a link 35 which links the rotation of the valve 30 with the rotation of the fin 15 by operating with the rotation of the fin 15. The valve 30 has a link connection part 46 which is gear-connected to the link 35 and is rotated as the link 35 operates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind direction adjustment device including a valve capable of opening and closing an air passage.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an air conditioner used in a vehicle such as an automobile, there is a wind direction adjustment device for adjusting the blowing direction of the wind. The wind direction adjustment device 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] In such a wind direction adjustment device, there is known one including fins for adjusting the wind direction and a shut-off valve for opening and closing the air passage, in which the fins are rotated by an operation knob and the shut-off valve is operated by an operation dial (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In this configuration, since an operation knob and an operation dial are required, the mechanism is complicated, layout restrictions occur, and the designability is easily impaired.

[0005] Also, instead of a shut-off valve, there is known one in which a plurality of fins are overlapped with each other at the position where they are swung to the maximum to close the air passage (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0006] In this configuration, it is not easy to maintain the sealing of the air passage only by overlapping the fins, and it may be necessary to have a structure in which the fins have adhesiveness to the fin surfaces or a structure provided with a mechanism for biasing the fins in the pressing direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

[0008] As mentioned above, there is a desire to improve the performance of wind direction adjustment devices with a simpler configuration.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to provide a wind direction adjustment device that improves performance while reducing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1 comprises a case body that partitions an air passage inside; fins rotatably disposed in the air passage within the case body and adjusting the wind direction in accordance with the rotation; a valve rotatably disposed in the air passage within the case body in a direction intersecting the rotation direction of the fins and capable of opening and closing the air passage in accordance with the rotation; and a link that operates in conjunction with the rotation of the fins to link the rotation of the valve to the rotation of the fins, wherein the valve has a link connecting portion that is gear-connected to the link and rotates in accordance with the operation of the link.

[0011] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 2 is the wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit for rotating a fin, wherein the fin is rotatable in the operating direction of the operating unit.

[0012] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 3 is the wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the link is movable linearly in a direction along the rotation direction of the fin as the fin rotates, and the valve is rotated by a linear external force applied from the link side to the link connection portion as the link moves linearly.

[0013] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 4 is the wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the link has a gear that rotates according to the rotation angle of the fin, and the link connecting portion is a gear that meshes with the gear to rotate the valve.

[0014] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 5 is the wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of fins are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the case body, and the valves are arranged longitudinally along the longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the wind direction adjustment device described in claim 1, for example, it is not necessary to provide separate operating parts for operating the fins and for operating the valve, thereby reducing the number of parts, and the air passage can be easily sealed by the valve, thereby improving performance.

[0016] The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 2, in addition to the effects of the wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, allows the fins to be intuitively operated by operating the control unit, and when the fins rotate in response to the operation of the control unit, the valve can be rotated in conjunction with them. Therefore, the fins and the valve can be operated by a common control unit, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0017] According to the wind direction adjustment device of claim 3, in addition to the effects of the wind direction adjustment device of claim 1, the link allows the rotation of the valve to be easily linked to the rotation of the fins.

[0018] According to the wind direction adjustment device of claim 4, in addition to the effects of the wind direction adjustment device of claim 1, the link allows the rotation of the valve to be easily linked to the rotation of the fins.

[0019] According to the wind direction adjustment device of claim 5, in addition to the effects of the wind direction adjustment device of claim 1, a thin wind direction adjustment device can be constructed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the wind direction adjusting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a part of the link of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing the holding structure of the operation part in the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the operation of the fin and the valve of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. (a) shows the state where the fin of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device is swung maximally in one direction, (b) shows the neutral state of the fin, (c) shows the state where the fin is swung in the other direction, and (d) shows the closed state of the valve. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the wind direction adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing a part of the link of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing the operation of the fin and the valve of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device. (a) shows the state where the fin of the above-mentioned wind direction adjusting device is swung maximally in one direction, (b) shows the neutral state of the fin, (c) shows the state where the fin is swung in the other direction, and (d) shows the closed state of the valve.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] In Figure 6, 1 is an airflow adjustment device. The airflow adjustment device 1 is also called an air outlet, ventilator, register, etc., and adjusts the direction of airflow from an air conditioning system. To clarify the explanation below, the airflow adjustment device 1 is defined as having a front side, front side, or near side on the leeward side from which the air is blown out, and a rear side, back side, or far side on the opposite side, i.e., the windward side from which the air is received. The directions are defined as the left-right direction or width direction and the up-down direction when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the airflow adjustment device 1 is applied to an air conditioning system for a vehicle such as an automobile. The airflow adjustment device 1 may be placed in any position, but in the drawing, it is assumed that the arrow FR side is the front side, the arrow RR side is the rear side, the arrow L side is the left side, the arrow R side is the right side, the arrow U side is the top side, and the arrow D side is the bottom side. These directions are illustrated as examples only and may be changed as appropriate depending on the installation position and orientation of the airflow adjustment device 1.

[0023] The airflow adjustment device 1 includes a case body 3. The case body 3 is also called a duct. The case body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the case body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the case body 3 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The ventilation passage 5 is enclosed inside by the case body 3. The direction parallel to the central axis of the case body 3 is the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage 5. In this embodiment, the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage 5 is in the front-rear direction, and air is vented from the rear to the front. That is, in the ventilation passage 5, the rear side is the upstream side in the ventilation direction, and the front side is the downstream side in the ventilation direction.

[0024] The case body 3 has a predetermined length in the ventilation direction of the ventilation passage 5. In this embodiment, the case body 3 is flattened in the vertical direction and elongated in the horizontal direction, that is, it is formed horizontally. Therefore, the airflow adjustment device 1 is formed in a horizontal, thin shape. The case body 3 integrally has a pair of end wall portions 6 that face each other across the central part of the ventilation passage 5, i.e., the central axis, and a pair of side wall portions 7 that connect these pair of end wall portions 6. The pair of end wall portions 6 face each other in the vertical direction, and the pair of side wall portions 7 face each other in the horizontal direction. The rear ends of the pair of end wall portions 6,6 and the pair of side wall portions 7,7 surround the inlet 8 that receives air, i.e., conditioned air, into the ventilation passage 5, and the front ends of the pair of end wall portions 6,6 and the pair of side wall portions 7,7 surround the outlet 9 that discharges conditioned air from the ventilation passage 5. In other words, the rear end of the case body 3 is an inlet 8 that receives conditioned air into the ventilation passage 5, and the front end of the case body 3 is an outlet 9 that blows conditioned air out from the ventilation passage 5. The ventilation passage 5 is formed between the inlet 8 and the outlet 9, connecting them. The conditioned air passes from the inlet 8 to the outlet 9. The inlet 8 and the outlet 9 are both elongated horizontally.

[0025] The case body 3 may be formed integrally or by combining multiple members. In this embodiment, the case body 3 has a case main body 11 and a finisher 12 which is a decorative member. The case main body 11 is the main body that constitutes the majority of the upstream side of the case body 3. The case main body 11 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape. The finisher 12 is attached to the front end, i.e., the downstream end, of the case main body 11. The finisher 12 is also called a panel and forms part of the design of the installation position of the wind direction adjustment device 1. The finisher 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that surrounds the air outlet 9.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, fins 15 are arranged inside the case body 3, i.e., in the ventilation passage 5. The fins 15, also called louvers, rotate relative to the case body 3, and in accordance with that rotation, they adjust the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet 9 (Figure 6). The fins 15 are formed in a plate shape with one main surface and the other main surface being a flow-straightening surface. The fins 15 have a rotating part 16. The rotating part 16 is rotatably held in a rotating receiving part 17 (Figure 6) formed in the case body 3. The fins 15 then rotate in the longitudinal direction of the case body 3 or the ventilation passage 5, thereby adjusting the airflow direction in the longitudinal direction of the case body 3 or the ventilation passage 5. In other words, in this embodiment, the fins 15 have rotating parts 16 at the top and bottom, each rotating part 16 is rotatably held in a rotating receiving part 17 (Figure 6) formed in each end wall 6 of the case body 3, and have flow-straightening surfaces on the left and right, allowing them to rotate in the left and right directions. The rotating part 16 and the rotating receiving part 17 (Figure 6) are such that one is a shaft and the other is a hole or recess. In this embodiment, the rotating part 16 is a shaft and the rotating receiving part 17 (Figure 6) is a round hole or recess.

[0027] In this embodiment, the fin 15 is located inside the case body portion 11 of the case body 3. That is, the fin 15 is located upstream of the air outlet 9. The rotation receiving portion 17 (Figure 6) is formed in the case body portion 11.

[0028] The fins 15 may be singular or plural. In this embodiment, multiple fins 15 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the case body 3. Preferably, the multiple fins 15 are arranged at equal or approximately equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the case body 3. In this embodiment, the fins 15 are arranged in alignment in the left-right direction. These multiple fins 15 are connected by link members and configured to rotate in the same direction in conjunction with each other. In the figure, for clarity of explanation, only one fin 15 located in the center is shown, and the other fins 15 are not shown.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the fin 15 is connected to an operating part 20, and the rotation of the fin 15 can be directly operated by a user such as a crew member via the operating part 20. If there are multiple fins 15, one of the fins, preferably the central fin 15, is connected to the operating part 20. The operating part 20 is an operating knob, and the fin 15 is rotatable in the operating direction of the operating part 20. In the illustrated example, the operating part 20 is movable in the left-right direction, and this left-right movement causes the fin 15 to rotate in the left-right direction. The operating part 20 is exposed from the air outlet 9 (Figure 6). In this embodiment, the operating part 20 is formed in a thin, elongated shape in the left-right direction. A connecting part 21 is formed on the operating part 20. The connecting part 21 is rotatably connected to a connecting receiving part 22 formed on the fin 15. The connecting part 21 and the connecting receiving part 22 are a shaft part on one side and a recess or hole part on the other. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 21 is a recess that is elongated in the front-rear direction between a pair of arm portions that protrude from the rear of the operating portion 20 toward the fin 15, and the connecting receiving portion 22 is a cylindrical shaft portion formed on the fin 15 parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0030] The operating section 20 is movably mounted on the downstream fin 24, which is an operating guide section. In the illustrated example, the operating section 20 is slidably mounted along the downstream fin 24. The downstream fin 24 is also called a downstream louver. The downstream fin 24 is formed in a plate shape with one main surface and the other main surface being a flow-straightening surface. The downstream fin 24 is positioned downstream of the fin 15 and has a flow-straightening surface in a direction that intersects or is perpendicular to the fin 15. In this embodiment, the downstream fin 24 is positioned with flow-straightening surfaces on the top and bottom. The downstream fin 24 is positioned longitudinally along the longitudinal direction of the case body 3. The downstream fin 24 has a restricting section 25 that restricts the range of movement of the operating section 20. The restricting section 25 is a stopper section that contacts the operating section 20 to prevent it from moving any further. The restricting section 25 is formed on the rear side of the downstream fin 24. In this embodiment, the restricting unit 25 is configured such that the range in which the fin 15 can be rotated by the operating unit 20 is wider to the right than to the left.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the operating part 20 is resisted from moving left and right by a leaf spring S, which is a biasing means, relative to the downstream fin 24. The leaf spring S is located inside the operating part 20 and, in the illustrated example, is elastically pressed against the upstream end face of the downstream fin 24. The leaf spring S provides resistance to movement to the operating part 20 through its elastic pressure. In addition, in this embodiment, the leaf spring S can maintain a predetermined position relative to the downstream fin 24 by elastically fitting or strongly interfering with a receiving portion W formed on the downstream fin 24.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, preferably, the downstream fin 24 is rotatably positioned in the case body 3 in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the rotational direction of the fin 15. The downstream fin 24 has a rotating portion 26. The rotating portion 26 is rotatably held by a rotating receiving portion formed in the case body 3. The downstream fin 24 rotates along a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the case body 3 or the air passage 5, thereby adjusting the airflow direction to a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the case body 3 or the air passage 5. In the illustrated example, the downstream fin 24 is rotatably positioned in the vertical direction. That is, in this embodiment, the downstream fin 24 has rotating portions 26 on the left and right, and each rotating portion 26 is rotatably held by a rotating receiving portion formed in each side wall portion 7 of the case body 3, and has a flow-straightening surface above and below, allowing it to rotate in the vertical direction. The rotating portion 26 and the rotating receiving portion are a shaft portion on one side and a hole or recess on the other. In this embodiment, the rotating part 26 is a shaft, and the rotating receiving part is a round hole or recess. The downstream fin 24 is rotatable along the direction of movement of the operating part 20. In other words, the downstream fin 24 rotates up and down integrally with the operating part 20 as the operating part 20 moves up and down.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the downstream fin 24 is located inside the finisher 12 within the case body 3. That is, the downstream fin 24 is positioned facing the outlet 9. The rotation receiving portion is formed in the finisher 12. In the illustrated example, one downstream fin 24 is set in the center of the vertical direction, which is the shorter direction of the outlet 9.

[0034] Furthermore, a valve 30, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is positioned inside the case body 3, i.e., in the ventilation passage 5. The valve 30 is a shut-off valve that opens and closes the ventilation passage 5 by rotating relative to the case body 3. The valve 30 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The valve 30 has an outer shape that is approximately the same as the cross-sectional shape of the ventilation passage 5. The valve 30 has a valve rotation part 31. The valve rotation part 31 is rotatably held in a valve rotation receiving part 32 (Figure 6) formed in the case body 3. The valve 30 opens and closes the ventilation passage 5 by rotating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the case body 3 or the ventilation passage 5. In other words, in this embodiment, the valve 30 has valve rotation parts 31 on the left and right, and each valve rotation part 31 is rotatably held in a valve rotation receiving part 32 (Figure 6) formed in each side wall 7 of the case body 3, and is rotatable in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rotation direction of the valve 30 intersects or is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the fin 15. The valve rotation portion 31 and the valve rotation receiving portion 32 (Figure 6) are, on the one hand, a shaft portion and on the other hand, a hole portion or a recess portion. In this embodiment, the valve rotation portion 31 is a shaft portion, and the valve rotation receiving portion 32 (Figure 6) is a round hole-shaped hole portion or recess portion.

[0035] The valve 30 is located upstream of the fin 15. In this embodiment, the valve 30 is located inside the case body 11 and near the inlet 8 (Figure 6) within the case body 3. The valve rotation receiving portion 32 (Figure 6) is formed in the case body 11.

[0036] The rotation of the valve 30 is linked to the rotation of the fin 15 via the link 35. The link 35 is rotatably connected directly or indirectly to the valve 30 and the fin 15. In this embodiment, the link 35 is rotatably connected directly to the valve 30 and the fin 15, respectively. The link 35 is movable in a direction along the rotation direction of the fin 15, and is configured to rotate the valve 30 by transmitting an external force to the valve 30 side as the link 35 moves.

[0037] Link 35 is formed longitudinally. Link 35 is positioned in the ventilation passage 5 so as to have a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction. Link 35 is guided to move in the front-rear direction, which is a linear direction along the rotational direction of the fin 15, relative to the case body 3. In the example shown in Figure 6, link 35 is hermetically fitted into a guide portion 36 formed on one end wall portion 6 of the case body 3, for example, the upper end wall portion 6, and is movable in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the guide portion 36 is a linear groove formed in the end wall portion 6. In the illustrated example, the upper side of link 35 fitted into the guide portion 36 is exposed from the upper end wall portion 6 of the case body 3.

[0038] The guide portion 36 has link restricting portions 37 and 38 formed therein to restrict the range of movement of the link 35. The link restricting portions 37 and 38 are located on one end and the other end of the link 35 in the direction of movement. In this embodiment, the link restricting portions 37 and 38 are located apart from each other in the front and rear directions. In the illustrated example, the link restricting portions 37 and 38 protrude from the upper end base portion 6 of the case body 3 and cover the upper parts of the front and rear of the guide portion 36. The bracket 39, which is a stopper member integrally attached to the link 35, contacts the link restricting portions 37 and 38, thereby restricting the range of movement of the link 35. The bracket 39 is integrally attached to the upper part of the link 35 at the center in the longitudinal direction and protrudes from the guide portion 36 to the upper part of the end wall portion 6 of the case body 3 when the link 35 is fitted into the guide portion 36.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the link 35 has a fin-side connecting portion 41 that connects to the fin 15. The fin-side connecting portion 41 is formed at the front end, which is one end of the link 35. The fin-side connecting portion 41 protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the link 35. In this embodiment, the fin-side connecting portion 41 is a cylindrical pin that protrudes from the lower part of the link 35.

[0040] The fin-side connecting portion 41 is detachably connected to the link-side connecting receiving portion 42 formed on the fin 15. The link-side connecting receiving portion 42 is positioned on the opposite side from the connecting receiving portion 22 with respect to the rotating portion 16 of the fin 15. In this embodiment, the link-side connecting receiving portion 42 extends from the upper rear end of the fin 15. The link-side connecting receiving portion 42 contacts the fin-side connecting portion 41 from the rear at a predetermined position when the fin 15 has rotated a predetermined amount or more in one direction, and separates from the fin-side connecting portion 41 when the fin 15 has rotated in another direction from the predetermined position. In other words, the fin 15 and the link 35 are connected only within the range in which the fin 15 has rotated a predetermined amount or more in one predetermined direction, and are not connected at any other rotational position of the fin 15.

[0041] Preferably, the fin-side connecting portion 41 and the link-side connecting receiving portion 42 are connected by a spring 43, which is a link biasing means. The spring 43 biases the link 35 to one side in the direction of movement. In this embodiment, the spring 43 biases the link 35 backward. For example, the rear end of the spring 43 is inserted into a hole 35a formed along the longitudinal direction of the link 35 at the front end of the link 35, and the front end is held on the case body 3 side inside the link restricting portion 37 (Figure 6). The spring 43 basically biases the link 35 toward the position where the link-side connecting receiving portion 42 abuts against the fin-side connecting portion 41.

[0042] Furthermore, the link 35 has a valve-side connecting portion 45 that connects to the valve 30. In this embodiment, the valve-side connecting portion 45 is formed in a gear shape, for example, a spur gear shape. In this embodiment, the valve-side connecting portion 45 has gear teeth arranged sequentially in the longitudinal direction at the lower part of the link 35. The valve-side connecting portion 45 is formed at the front of the link 35, extending to the front end. In the illustrated example, the valve-side connecting portion 45 is formed on the entire lower part of the link 35 behind the bracket 39. Therefore, the rear part of the link 35 is in the shape of a rack gear.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the valve-side connecting portion 45 is directly gear-connected to the link connecting portion 46 formed on the valve 30. In other words, in this embodiment, the link connecting portion 46 is meshed with the valve-side connecting portion 45. The link connecting portion 46 is formed on one main surface of the valve 30. In this embodiment, the link connecting portion 46 is composed of gear teeth arranged on a part of the outer circumference of a semicircular projection 47 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to one main surface of the valve 30. In other words, the link connecting portion 46 is gear-shaped, for example, a cylindrical gear, with the rotation axis of the valve 30 as its axis. The valve-side connecting portion 45 and the link connecting portion 46 constitute an interlocking portion that links the opening and closing of the valve 30 to the rotation of the fin 15, that is, the operation of the operating portion 20.

[0044] The airflow adjustment device 1 is positioned with its inlet 8 connected to the air conditioning unit. The conditioned air from the air conditioning unit passes through the inlet 8 and the ventilation passage 5, is distributed by the fins 15 and the downstream fins 24, and is blown out from the outlet 9.

[0045] The wind direction adjustment device 1 of this embodiment can blow conditioned air in any direction by combining air distribution in the left-right direction by the fins 15 and air distribution in the up-down direction by the downstream fins 24.

[0046] First, regarding the vertical airflow distribution, when a user such as an occupant grasps the control unit 20 and moves it vertically, the downstream fin 24 rotates vertically in conjunction with the control unit 20, causing the conditioned air to be straightened vertically along the straightening surface of the downstream fin 24 and blown out vertically from the outlet 9.

[0047] Furthermore, for lateral airflow, the user, such as an occupant, can grasp the control unit 20 and slide it left or right, causing the fins 15 to rotate left or right. The conditioned air is then rectified along the rectifying surface of the fins 15 in a left-right direction and blown out from the outlet 9 in a left-right direction.

[0048] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5(b), when the operating unit 20 is located in the center of the downstream fin 24 in the left-right direction, that is, when the fin 15 is in the neutral position, the conditioned air travels straight through the air passage 5 along the straightening surface of the fin 15 to the outlet 9, and is blown out from the outlet 9 in the forward direction along the axial direction of the case body 3, that is, the airflow direction of the air passage 5.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(a), when the operating unit 20 is slid to the left from the neutral position along the downstream fin 24, the downstream side of the fin 15 connected to the operating unit 20 moves to the left, and the fin 15 rotates clockwise around the rotating part 16 in the figure. Figure 5(a) shows the maximum sliding state to the left, that is, the state in which the fin 15 is swung to the maximum left, when the operating unit 20 has moved until it contacts the left regulating part 25. As a result, the conditioned air is rectified to the left along the rectifying surface of the fin 15 within the air passage 5 and blown out to the left from the outlet 9.

[0050] In these neutral positions and when swung to its maximum leftward position, the link-side connecting receiver 42 of the fin 15 and the fin-side connecting portion 41 of the link 35 are separated from each other, and the link 35 is in its rearmost position due to the biasing force of the spring 43. Therefore, the valve 30 does not move in conjunction with the rotation of the fin 15, and the valve 30 maintains the state in which the air passage 5 is open.

[0051] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5(c), when the operating unit 20 is slid to the right along the downstream fin 24 from the neutral position, the downstream side of the fin 15 connected to the operating unit 20 moves to the right, and the fin 15 rotates counterclockwise around the rotating part 16 in the figure. As a result, the conditioned air is rectified to the right along the rectifying surface of the fin 15 within the air passage 5 and blown out to the right from the outlet 9.

[0052] At this time, the link-side connecting receiver 42 does not come into contact with the fin-side connecting portion 41 of the link 35 until the fin 15 rotates to a predetermined rotation position, for example, until it is swung to its maximum position to the right. Therefore, the valve 30 does not move in conjunction with the normal rotation of the fin 15 to the right, and the valve 30 maintains the state in which the ventilation passage 5 is open.

[0053] Then, from the state shown in Figure 5(c), as shown in Figure 5(d), when the operating part 20 is slid further to the right along the downstream fin 24, that is, when the operating part 20 is overstroked to the right, the link-side connecting receiver 42 pushes the fin-side connecting part 41 as the fin 15 rotates further, and the movement of the link 35 is linked to the rotation of the fin 15. In the illustrated example, the more the fin 15 moves counterclockwise from a predetermined rotation position, the more the link-side connecting receiver 42 pushes the fin-side connecting part 41 forward, causing the link 35 to slide forward along the guide part 36 against the biasing force of the spring 43. As the link 35 rotates further, the valve-side connecting part 45 of the link 35 moves forward, and the valve 30, to which the link connecting part 46 is gear-connected to this valve-side connecting part 45, rotates in conjunction, closing the vent passage 5 according to its rotation angle. Figure 5(d) shows the maximum slide state to the right, where the operating part 20 has moved until it contacts the right-side restricting part 25, that is, the fin 15 has been overstroked further to the right than the normal maximum airflow direction adjustment position on the right side. At least in this state, the valve 30 is in a position to completely or almost completely close the air passage 5. In this position, as shown in Figure 4, the leaf spring S elastically fits against the receiving part W, so that the operating part 20 maintains its position against the biasing force of the spring 43 and the valve 30 maintains the closed state of the air passage 5.

[0054] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the rotation of the fins 15, which are rotatably positioned in the ventilation passage 5 within the case body 3, is linked to the rotation of the valve 30, which is rotatably positioned in the ventilation passage 5 within the case body 3 in a direction intersecting the rotation direction of the fins 15. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide separate operating parts for operating the fins 15 and for operating the valve 30, for example. This reduces the number of parts, while the valve 30 can easily maintain the airtight seal of the ventilation passage 5, thereby improving performance.

[0055] In particular, in this embodiment, since the link 35 is gear-connected to the fin 15 and valve 30, a simpler configuration can be achieved, making assembly to the case body 3 easier.

[0056] By making the fin 15 rotatable in the operating direction of the operating unit 20 that rotates the fin 15, the fin 15 can be intuitively operated by operating the operating unit 20. Furthermore, when the fin 15 rotates in response to the operation of the operating unit 20, the valve 30 can be rotated in conjunction with it. Thus, the fin 15 and the valve 30 can be operated by a common operating unit 20, simplifying the configuration.

[0057] Furthermore, when the ventilation passage 5 is closed by the valve 30, conditioned air does not flow through the ventilation passage 5, so there is no need to rotate the fins 15. Therefore, even if the opening and closing of the valve 30 is linked to the operation of the fins 15 using the operating unit 20, there will be no inconvenience in operating the fins 15 by the operating unit 20.

[0058] By making the link 35 movable linearly in a direction along the rotational direction of the fin 15, and configuring the valve 30 to be rotated by an external force applied to the link connection portion 46 from the link 35 side as the link 35 moves linearly, the rotation of the valve 30 can be easily linked to the rotation of the fin 15 by the link 35.

[0059] Since link 35 is gear-connected to the link connection portion 46 and to the valve-side connection portion 45, the rotation angle of the valve 30 corresponding to the external force from the fin 15 side can be set simply by changing the gear ratio of these components. Therefore, the amount of operation of the operating portion 20, that is, the swing angle of the fin 15, which is required for the valve 30 to open and close the air passage 5, can be easily adjusted with a simple configuration.

[0060] Furthermore, since there is no need to add any components to the downstream fin 24, there is no need to thicken the downstream fin 24 with elastomer or the like, thus not compromising the design, and it is also possible to use it in combination with a core material for reinforcing the downstream fin 24.

[0061] A thin airflow adjustment device 1 can be constructed by arranging multiple fins 15 in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the case body 3, and arranging the valves 30 longitudinally along the longitudinal direction.

[0062] Thus, according to this embodiment, a thin, compact, and simple wind direction adjustment device 1 can be provided.

[0063] Furthermore, since structures such as the link 35 and the link connecting part 46 can be housed inside the case body 3, they are less likely to be damaged during assembly or transportation.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the link 35 is linked to the fin 15 that is directly rotated by the operating unit 20. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and if there are multiple fins 15, the link 35 may be linked to other fins 15 that rotate in conjunction with the fin 15 that is directly rotated by the operating unit 20.

[0065] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Note that components and operations similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0066] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment, a plurality of fins 15 are connected by a link member 50 so as to rotate in the same direction relative to each other, and the link 35 has a link body 51 and a gear 52.

[0067] The link member 50 is formed in a longitudinal shape and is arranged with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction in which the fins 15 are aligned. The link member 50 includes a connecting rotating support portion 56 that rotatably holds a connecting rotating portion 55 formed on the fin 15 at a position away from the rotating portion 16. The connecting rotating portion 55 and the connecting rotating support portion 56 are a shaft portion and a hole portion or recess portion, respectively. In this embodiment, the connecting rotating portion 55 is a shaft portion and the connecting rotating support portion 56 is a round hole portion or recess portion. The connecting rotating portion 55 is formed parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the fin 15.

[0068] The link body 51 is directly connected to the fin 15. The link body 51 is formed in an elongated shape and has a fin-side connecting portion 57 at one end that connects to the fin 15, and a valve-side connecting portion 58 at the other end that is cam-connected to the gear 52. Preferably, the link body 51 is located outside the case body 3, i.e., the ventilation passage 5. In this embodiment, the link body 51 is located above the case body 3.

[0069] In this embodiment, the fin-side connecting portion 57 is formed as a shaft portion that protrudes in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link body portion 51, and is connected to the rotating portion 16a of one of the fins 15. In the illustrated example, the fin-side connecting portion 57 protrudes downward from the link body portion 51. As a result, the link body portion 51 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the fin 15. In this embodiment, the rotating portion 16a is formed in a cylindrical or boss shape and is set on a fin 15 different from the fin 15 on which the connecting portion 21 of the operating portion 20 is formed. However, the rotating portion 16a may also be set on the fin 15 on which the connecting portion 22 is formed.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the valve-side connecting portion 58 is formed as a camshaft that protrudes in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link body portion 51. In the illustrated example, the valve-side connecting portion 58 protrudes upward from the link body portion 51. In other words, the valve-side connecting portion 58 protrudes in the opposite direction to the fin-side connecting portion 57.

[0071] The gear 52 shown in Figures 7 to 9 is gear-connected, or meshed, with the link connecting portion 46. A bevel gear is preferably used as the gear 52. The gear 52 has a gear rotating portion 60. The gear rotating portion 60 is rotatably held in a gear rotating support portion formed in the case body 3 or the like, and is rotatable in the front-rear direction. The gear rotating portion 60 and the gear rotating support portion are a shaft portion on one side and a hole portion or recess on the other. In this embodiment, the gear rotating portion 60 is the shaft portion, and the gear rotating support portion is a round hole-shaped hole portion or recess. The gear 52 is formed in a fan shape with the gear rotating portion 60 as the center, and the gear teeth formed on the outer peripheral edge are located on one side of the case body 3, for example, on the left side.

[0072] Furthermore, the gear 52 is provided with an interlocking receiving portion 62 that receives the valve-side connecting portion 58. In this embodiment, the interlocking receiving portion 62 is a cam groove and is formed to penetrate the gear 52 in the thickness direction. The interlocking receiving portion 62 is provided with a wind direction control range 62a and an interlocking range 62b.

[0073] The wind direction control range 62a is the range in which the rotation of the link body 51 and the gear 52 are not linked. In other words, the wind direction control range 62a is the range in which the link 35 is not linked to the rotation of the fin 15, and sets a range in which the fin 15 can be rotated without closing the air passage 5 with the valve 30. The wind direction control range 62a is formed in an arc shape with the gear 52 in its initial position, centered on the fin-side connecting portion 57 of the link body 51, that is, the rotating portion 16a of the fin 15 connected to the link body 51.

[0074] The interlocking range 62b is the range in which the gear 52 is interlocked with the rotation of the link body 51. The interlocking range 62b is formed in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis of the gear 52. The interlocking range 62b is formed in an arc shape along the outer edge of the gear 52 and extends from one end of the wind direction control range 62a in a direction intersecting the wind direction control range 62a. The interlocking range 62b and the wind direction control range 62a are smoothly connected to each other.

[0075] In this embodiment, the link connecting portion 46, which is gear-connected to the gear 52, is a gear formed separately from the valve 30, and is integrally connected to the valve 30 so that it can rotate integrally in the same direction as the valve 30. A bevel gear is preferably used as the link connecting portion 46. The link connecting portion 46 includes a valve connecting portion 64 that is connected to the valve rotating portion 31 of the valve 30. The valve connecting portion 64 and the valve rotating portion 31 have a shaft portion on one side and a hole portion or recess on the other. In this embodiment, the valve connecting portion 64 is formed as a shaft portion, and the valve rotating portion 31 is formed as a cylindrical or boss shape having a hole portion or recess. The link connecting portion 46 is formed in a fan shape with the valve connecting portion 64 as the center, and the gear teeth formed on the outer peripheral edge are located on the upper part of the case body 3 and mesh with the gear teeth of the gear 52 located on one side of the case body 3.

[0076] Furthermore, the airflow adjustment device 1 of this embodiment allows for the blowing of conditioned air in any direction by combining the left-right airflow distribution by the fins 15 and the up-down airflow distribution by the downstream fins 24, in response to the operation of the control unit 20. The up-down airflow distribution is the same as in the first embodiment, so its explanation will be omitted.

[0077] As shown in Figure 10(b), when the operating unit 20 is located in the center of the downstream fin 24 in the left-right direction, that is, when the fin 15 is in the neutral position, the conditioned air travels straight through the air passage 5 along the straightening surface of the fin 15 to the outlet 9, and is blown out from the outlet 9 in the forward direction along the axial direction of the case body 3, that is, the airflow direction of the air passage 5.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10(a), when the operating unit 20 is slid to the left from the neutral position along the downstream fin 24, the downstream side of the fin 15 connected to the operating unit 20 moves to the left, and as this fin 15 rotates clockwise around the pivot 16 in the figure, the other fins 15 connected by the link member 50 also rotate in the same direction, maintaining parallel or approximately parallel positions to each other. Figure 10(a) shows the operating unit 20 in its maximum leftward slide state, that is, the state in which the fin 15 is swung to its maximum leftward position. As a result, the conditioned air is rectified to the leftward direction along the rectifying surface of the fin 15 within the air passage 5 and blown out to the left from the outlet 9.

[0079] As the fin 15 rotates clockwise, the link body 51 of the link 35 also moves clockwise around the fin-side connecting portion 57, causing the valve-side connecting portion 58 to rotate clockwise around the fin-side connecting portion 57. At this time, the gear 52 of the link 35 is in its initial position, and the valve-side connecting portion 58 moves along the airflow adjustment range 62a at the interlocking receiving portion 62 of the gear 52. Therefore, the rotation of the gear 52 does not occur in conjunction with the rotation of the link body 51, and the gear 52 maintains the same posture and initial position as when the fin 15 is in the neutral position. Consequently, the valve 30, whose link connecting portion 46 is meshed with the gear 52, also does not move in conjunction, and the valve 30 maintains the state in which the air passage 5 is open.

[0080] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10(c), when the operating unit 20 is slid to the right along the downstream fin 24 from the neutral position, the downstream side of the fin 15 connected to the operating unit 20 moves to the right, and the fin 15 rotates counterclockwise around the rotating unit 16 in the figure, causing the other fins 15 connected by the link member 50 to also rotate in the same direction, maintaining parallel or approximately parallel positions to each other. As a result, the conditioned air is rectified to the right along the rectifying surface of the fin 15 within the air passage 5 and blown out to the right from the outlet 9.

[0081] As the fin 15 rotates counterclockwise, the link body 51 of the link 35 also moves counterclockwise around the fin-side connecting portion 57, causing the valve-side connecting portion 58 to rotate counterclockwise around the fin-side connecting portion 57. At this time, the gear 52 of the link 35 is in its initial position, and the valve-side connecting portion 58 moves along the airflow adjustment range 62a at the interlocking receiving portion 62 of the gear 52. Therefore, the rotation of the gear 52 does not move in conjunction with the rotation of the link body 51, and the gear 52 maintains the same posture and initial position as when the fin 15 is in the neutral position. Consequently, the valve 30, whose link connecting portion 46 is meshed with the gear 52, also does not move in conjunction, and the valve 30 maintains the state in which the air passage 5 is open.

[0082] Then, from the state shown in Figure 10(c), as shown in Figure 10(d), when the operating unit 20 is slid further to the right along the downstream fin 24, that is, when the operating unit 20 is overstroked to the right, the valve-side connecting part 58 moves to the interlocking range 62b at the interlocking receiving part 62 of the gear 52 as the fin 15 rotates further, causing the gear 52 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the link body 51 from its initial position. As a result, the link connecting part 46, which is meshed with the gear 52, rotates due to the external force applied from the gear 52 side as the gear 52 rotates, and the valve 30, which is integrally connected to the link connecting part 46, also rotates in conjunction, closing the air passage 5 according to its rotation angle. Figure 10(d) shows the maximum slide state of the operating unit 20 to the right, that is, the state in which the fin 15 has been overstroked further to the right from the normal maximum airflow direction adjustment position on the right. At least in this state, the valve 30 is in a position to completely or almost completely close the air passage 5.

[0083] Thus, according to the second embodiment, by linking the rotation of the fins 15, which are rotatably arranged in the ventilation passage 5 within the case body 3, with the rotation of the valve 30, which is rotatably arranged in the ventilation passage 5 within the case body 3 in a direction intersecting the fins 15, the same configuration as the first embodiment can be achieved, such as improving performance while suppressing the number of parts.

[0084] Furthermore, by engaging the gear 52 of the link 35, which rotates in accordance with the rotation angle of the fin 15, with the link connecting part 46 that rotates the valve 30, the rotation of the valve 30 can be easily linked to the rotation of the fin 15 by the gear 52 of the link 35 and the link connecting part 46. Moreover, by simply changing the gear ratio between the gear 52 and the link connecting part 46, the amount of rotation of the gear 52, that is, the rotation angle of the valve 30 corresponding to the external force from the fin 15 side, can be set.

[0085] Furthermore, since the fin 15 and the gear 52 are connected using the valve-side connecting portion 58 of the link body portion 51, which is the camshaft, and the interlocking receiving portion 62 of the gear 52, which is the cam groove, the range in which the gear 52 interlocks with the rotational range of the fin 15 can be easily set according to the shape of the interlocking receiving portion 62.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the link connecting portion 46 is configured to rotate integrally with the valve 30, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. The rotation of the link connecting portion 46 may be arbitrarily linked to the rotation of the valve 30 using a gear train or the like.

[0087] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the valve 30 is configured to rotate when the fin 15 is swung to the right by a predetermined angle or more. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the arrangement and shape of each part may be reversed left and right to configure the valve 30 to rotate when the fin 15 is swung to the left by a predetermined angle or more.

[0088] Furthermore, although the wind direction adjustment device 1 is described as horizontal, it can be similarly configured as a vertical device with its longitudinal direction being vertical. In that case, by making the fins 15 rotatable vertically and the valve 30 rotatable horizontally, and by rotating the arrangement of each embodiment described above by 90° when viewed from the front, it becomes possible to achieve the same effects as each embodiment described above.

[0089] Furthermore, the wind direction adjustment device 1 is not limited to automobiles, but may be used for any other purpose. [Industrial applicability]

[0090] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, as an airflow direction adjustment device for the air conditioning system of an automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Wind direction adjustment device 3 Case Body 5. Ventilation channel 15 fins 20 Control section 30 valves 35 links 46 Link connection section 52 gears

Claims

1. A case body that partitions the ventilation passage inside, This case body includes fins that are rotatably positioned in the aforementioned ventilation passage and adjust the airflow direction according to the rotation, The aforementioned case body includes a valve that is rotatably positioned in the ventilation passage in a direction intersecting the rotation direction of the fins, and which can open and close the ventilation passage in accordance with the rotation, The device comprises a link that operates in conjunction with the rotation of the fin, thereby linking the rotation of the valve to the rotation of the fin, The valve has a link connecting portion that is gear-connected to the link and rotates in accordance with the movement of the link. A wind direction adjustment device characterized by the following features.

2. It is equipped with an operating part for rotating the fins, The fin is rotatable in the operating direction of the operating section. The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a wind direction adjustment device.

3. The link is capable of moving linearly in a direction along the rotational direction of the fin as the fin rotates. The valve is rotated by a linear external force applied from the link side to the link connection as the link moves linearly. The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a wind direction adjustment device.

4. The link has a gear that rotates according to the rotation angle of the fin. The link connecting portion is a gear that meshes with the aforementioned gear to rotate the valve. The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a wind direction adjustment device.

5. Multiple fins are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the case body. The valves are arranged longitudinally along the longitudinal direction. The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a wind direction adjustment device.

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