Air conditioning register

Abstract

An air conditioning register (15) is provided with a retainer (16) and a barrel (41). The retainer (16) has a ventilation passage (35). The barrel (41) is disposed inside the retainer (16) and is tiltably supported in the retainer (16) by a barrel shaft (43). The barrel (41) is provided with a plurality of barrel fins (44) that extend at least in the axial direction and that are arranged in an opposing direction. Among the plurality of barrel fins (44), those positioned at both ends in the opposing direction are configured from a pair of end fins (45, 46). The barrel shaft (43) is disposed at the same position as a downstream end (47b) of the end fins (45, 46) of the barrel (41) when positioned in a barrel neutral position, or downstream of the downstream end (47b).

Description

Air-conditioning register

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

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

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

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

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

[0006] Then, when the barrel 105 is tilted about the barrel shaft 106, the inclination of the plurality of barrel fins 107 with respect to the central axis CL is changed. The air-conditioning air A1 flowing through the ventilation passage 102 is adjusted in the flow direction by flowing along the barrel fins 107 when passing through the barrel 105. The air-conditioning air A1 that has passed through the barrel 105 is blown out from the blowout port 103.

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-28228

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

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

[0010] An air conditioning register according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical retainer having a passage for conditioned air, the passage having an outlet at its downstream end in the direction of airflow, and having an outlet upstream region adjacent to the outlet, and a barrel disposed within the retainer and tiltably supported by the retainer by a barrel axis, wherein the direction in which the barrel axis extends is defined as the axial direction, and with respect to the axial direction, one of two mutually orthogonal directions is defined as the opposing direction, and the other as the depth direction, The barrel comprises a plurality of barrel fins that are arranged in the opposing directions and extend at least in the axial direction, and of the plurality of barrel fins, those located at both ends in the opposing directions are composed of a pair of end fins, and the barrel neutral position is defined as the position of the barrel when the depth direction of the barrel is parallel to the central axis of the air passage, the barrel axis is located at the same position as the downstream end in the flow direction of the end fins in the barrel at the barrel neutral position, or downstream of the downstream end.

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning register of one embodiment, a perspective view of an air conditioning register with the barrel in the barrel neutral position. Figure 2 is a front view of the air conditioning register of Figure 1, viewed from the downstream side in the direction of air conditioning airflow. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning register along line 3-3 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning register along line 4-4 in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air conditioning register in the above embodiment with the barrel in the first maximum tilt position. Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the air conditioning register in the above embodiment with the barrel in the second maximum tilt position. Figure 7 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 3, a partial plan cross-sectional view showing a modified example of an air conditioning register with the shim omitted, with some parts omitted. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the prior art, a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning register with the barrel in the barrel neutral position. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the prior art, a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning register with the barrel tilted from the barrel neutral position.

[0012] The following description will explain one embodiment of an air conditioning register with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following description, the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 (forward direction) will be referred to as the front, the reverse direction as the rear, and the height direction as the up and down direction. Furthermore, the vehicle width direction (left and right direction) will be defined based on the view of the vehicle 10 from the rear.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, an instrument panel 12 is provided in front of the front seats (driver's seat and passenger seat) of the vehicle 10 within the passenger compartment 11, and air conditioning registers 15 are incorporated in the central and side parts of the instrument panel in the left-right direction. The main function of these air conditioning registers 15 is to change the direction of the conditioned air A1 that is sent from the air conditioning unit and blown into the passenger compartment 11.

[0014] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the air conditioning register 15 comprises a retainer 16, a barrel 41 tiltably supported by the retainer 16 via a barrel shaft 43, and a plurality of upstream fins 51. Next, the details of each part constituting the air conditioning register 15 will be described.

[0015] <Retainer 16> The retainer 16 is for connecting the ventilation duct (not shown) of the air conditioning unit to an opening (not shown) provided in the instrument panel 12. The retainer 16 comprises an outer retainer portion 17, an inner retainer portion 21, and a bezel 27. The internal space of the retainer 16 constitutes a flow path for the air conditioning air A1 (hereinafter referred to as "ventilation passage 35").

[0016] Here, regarding the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1, the direction closer to the air conditioning unit is referred to as "upstream," etc., and the direction further away from the air conditioning unit is referred to as "downstream," etc. Also, when explaining the positional relationship of each part of the air conditioning register 15, among the thickness directions of the retainer wall portions 37 and 38 of the retainer 16, which will be described later, the direction approaching the ventilation passage 35 is referred to as "inward," "inside," etc. Among the above thickness directions, the direction moving away from the ventilation passage 35 is referred to as "outward," "outside," etc.

[0017] Furthermore, the direction in which the barrel shaft 43 extends is defined as the "axial direction," and the direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the central axis CL of the ventilation passage 35 is defined as the "orthoaxial direction." The central axis CL is a hypothetical line in the ventilation passage 35 that passes through the central part in the axial direction and the central part in the orthoaxial direction. In this embodiment, the axial direction corresponds to the left-right direction, and the orthoaxial direction corresponds to the up-down direction.

[0018] The outer retainer portion 17 and the inner retainer portion 21 are both cylindrical in shape, with their upstream and downstream ends open and their axial dimensions larger than their dimensions perpendicular to the axis. The inner retainer portion 21 is located inside the outer retainer portion 17. The open upstream end of the outer retainer portion 17 constitutes an inlet 18 for the conditioned air A1 supplied from the air conditioning unit via a ventilation duct.

[0019] The bezel 27 is a component that constitutes the downstream end of the retainer 16. The bezel 27 is positioned adjacent to the downstream end of the outer retainer portion 17 and the downstream end of the inner retainer portion 21 on the downstream side. The bezel 27 has an air outlet 31 for the air conditioning air A1. The air outlet 31 is located at the downstream end of the ventilation passage 35 and faces the passenger compartment 11.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the retainer 16 has an upstream region 36 of the air outlet in the air passage 35, adjacent to the upstream side of the air outlet 31. The downstream end face of the bezel 27 constitutes the design surface 28 of the air conditioning register 15.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air outlet 31 consists of a pair of short sides 32 that face each other in the axial direction, and a pair of long sides 33 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis and are longer than each of the short sides 32. Due to the two short sides 32 and the two long sides 33, the air outlet 31 has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape that is more axially elongated than perpendicular to the axis.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ventilation passage 35 is surrounded by four retainer walls of the retainer 16. These four retainer walls consist of a pair of retainer walls 37 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and a pair of retainer walls 38 that face each other in the axial direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, in the inner retainer portion 21, the downstream portions of each of the parts constituting the pair of retainer wall portions 37 are composed of bulging wall portions 22 and 24 that bulge outward in the direction perpendicular to the axis relative to the outlet upstream region 36. The bulging wall portion 22 has a curved portion 22a on its upstream side that curves to bulge outward (upward) on one side in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The space between the bulging wall portion 22 and the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 constitutes the end fin housing chamber 23. The end fin housing chamber 23 is adjacent to the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The bulging wall portion 24 has a curved portion 24a on its upstream side that curves to bulge outward (downward) on the other side in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The space between the bulging wall portion 24 and the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 constitutes the end fin housing chamber 25. The end fin housing chamber 25 is adjacent to the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 in a direction perpendicular to the axis. The end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are located on the outside of the downstream portion of the outlet upstream region 36 in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Each end fin housing chamber 23 and 25 is located adjacent to the outlet 31 on the upstream side in the flow direction.

[0024] <Barrel 41> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the barrel 41 is for changing the direction of the air conditioning air A1 blown out from the outlet 31 in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and is arranged as a downstream fin within the retainer 16. The barrel 41 has a pair of barrel wall portions 42 that face each other and are spaced apart in the axial direction.

[0025] The barrel shafts 43 described above are provided in pairs. The pair of barrel shafts 43 protrude outward in the axial direction from the pair of barrel wall portions 42. The pair of barrel shafts 43 are rotatably supported by the pair of retainer wall portions 38 of the retainer 16.

[0026] Here, in the barrel 41, one of the two mutually orthogonal directions, each perpendicular to the axial direction, is designated as the "opposing direction," and the other as the "depth direction." The barrel 41 is provided with a plurality of barrel fins 44 that extend in the axial direction and the depth direction, arranged in the opposing direction. Of the plurality of barrel fins 44, those located at both ends in the opposing direction are composed of a pair of end fins 45 and 46. Each end fin 45 and 46 is spanned between the two barrel walls 42. In other words, the pair of end fins 45 and 46 are connected by a pair of barrel walls 42. In this embodiment, the plurality of barrel fins 44 are composed only of the pair of end fins 45 and 46.

[0027] Here, as shown in Figure 4, the position of the barrel 41 when its depth direction is parallel to the central axis CL of the ventilation passage 35 is defined as the "barrel neutral position". Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the two positions at both ends of the barrel 41's tilting range are defined as the "maximum tilt positions". To distinguish between the two maximum tilt positions, as shown in Figure 5, the maximum tilt position when one (upper) end fin 45 is located upstream and the other (lower) end fin 46 is located downstream of the end fin 45 is defined as the "first maximum tilt position". As shown in Figure 6, the maximum tilt position when the other (lower) end fin 46 is located upstream and the one (upper) end fin 45 is located downstream of the end fin 46 is defined as the "second maximum tilt position".

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the pair of end fins 45 and 46 are formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane (not shown) that passes through the barrel axis 43 and is perpendicular to the opposing direction. Each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 is provided with a fin body portion 47 and a projection portion 48. The fin body portion 47 of each end fin 45 and 46 extends in both the axial direction and the depth direction. The fin body portion 47 is bent in the middle portion in the depth direction so as to protrude outward in the opposing direction. Therefore, the fin body portions 47 of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 are bent so as to protrude in opposite directions in the opposing direction. The downstream end 47b of each fin body portion 47 in the depth direction constitutes the downstream end of the end fin 45 and 46.

[0029] Each end fin 45, 46 projection 48 extends axially and protrudes outward in the opposing direction (upward or downward in Figure 4) from the downstream end 47b of the fin body 47. In this embodiment, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, each end fin 45, 46 projection 48 is inclined with respect to both the depth direction and the opposing direction such that the tip 48b is located slightly upstream of the base end 48a.

[0030] The pair of barrel shafts 43 are positioned at the same location as the downstream ends 47b of the end fins 45 and 46 in the barrel 41 in the barrel neutral position, or downstream of the downstream ends 47b, and upstream of the outlet 31. In this embodiment, the pair of barrel shafts 43 are positioned at the former location. The same location refers to the position on the imaginary line connecting the downstream end 47b of the end fin 45 and the downstream end 47b of the end fin 46.

[0031] Furthermore, in the air conditioning register 15, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, each part or all of each end fin 45, 46 is located in the following places: The entire end fin 45 is located within the end fin housing chamber 23, and the entire end fin 46 is located within the end fin housing chamber 25.

[0032] - The upstream end 47a of each fin body 47 is located close to the upstream end of the bulging wall portions 22 and 24 in the direction of flow and in the direction perpendicular to the axis. - The downstream end 47b of each fin body 47 is located near the center of the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 in the direction of flow.

[0033] - The tip 48b of each projection 48 is located slightly inward in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the bulging wall portions 22, 24. In the air conditioning register 15, as shown in Figure 5, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position, the end fins 45, 46 are located at the following positions.

[0034] - In the end fin 45, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located on the central axis CL, or on the bulging wall portion 24 side of the central axis CL, in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Accordingly, in the end fin 45, the entire fin body 47 is located on one side (upper side) in the direction perpendicular to the axis within the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0035] - The tip 48b of the projection 48 on the end fin 45 is located inside the end fin housing chamber 23 and close to the upstream end of the bulging wall portion 22. - On the end fin 46, most of the fin body portion 47, excluding the downstream end 47b, is located inside the end fin housing chamber 25.

[0036] - In the end fin 46, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located slightly inward in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the bulging wall 24. - In the end fin 46, the projection 48 is located close to the bezel 27.

[0037] In the air conditioning register 15, when the barrel 41 is in the second maximum inclination position as shown in Figure 6, the end fins 45 and 46 are located in the following positions: • In the end fin 46, the upstream end 47a of the fin body 47 is located on the central axis CL, or on the bulging wall portion 22 side of the central axis CL, in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Consequently, in the end fin 46, the entire fin body 47 is located on the other side (lower side) in the direction perpendicular to the axis within the upstream region 36 of the air outlet.

[0038] - The tip 48b of the projection 48 on the end fin 46 is located inside the end fin housing chamber 25 and close to the upstream end of the bulging wall portion 24. - On the end fin 45, most of the fin body portion 47, excluding the downstream end 47b, is located inside the end fin housing chamber 23.

[0039] - In the end fin 45, the upstream end 47a of the fin body portion 47 is located at a point spaced inward from the bulging wall portion 22 in a direction perpendicular to the axis. - In the end fin 45, the projection 48 is located at a point close to the bezel 27.

[0040] As described above, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position or the second maximum inclination position, at least a portion of each end fin 45, 46 is located in the end fin housing chambers 23, 25.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position or the second maximum inclination position, the dimension of the portion of the upstream end fins 45, 46 that extends into the upstream region 36 of the outlet is defined as D1 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. The dimension of the outlet 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, i.e., the length of the short side portion 32, is defined as D2. Then, in this embodiment, the dimension D1 is set to be at least half of the dimension D2.

[0042] <Upstream Fins 51> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multiple upstream fins 51 are positioned upstream of the barrel 41 in the air passage 35. Each upstream fin 51 is composed of a plate-like body extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis within the air passage 35. The multiple upstream fins 51 are positioned spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, each upstream fin 51 in the flow direction is provided with a fin shaft 52 in the middle portion, which is outward in the direction perpendicular to the axis and protrudes in opposite directions from one another. Each fin shaft 52 is supported in the inner retainer portion 21 by a portion that constitutes a pair of retainer wall portions 37. Each upstream fin 51 is tiltable in the axial direction about both fin shafts 52.

[0044] <Shims 54, 55> As shown in FIG. 3, the air-conditioning register 15 includes a pair of plate-shaped shims 54 and 55. The pair of shims 54 and 55 are located inside the pair of barrel wall portions 42 in the axial direction and outside the air outlet 31 in the same direction. The pair of shims 54 and 55 are attached to the retainer 16 in a state of covering the pair of barrel wall portions 42 from the inside in the axial direction. More specifically, each shim 54, 55 has an upstream attachment portion 56 extending upstream at its upstream end. The upstream attachment portions 56 of each shim 54, 55 are inserted into the barrel 41 outside the air outlet 31 in the axial direction. The upstream attachment portions 56 of each shim 54, 55 are attached to the retainer wall portion 38 on the upstream side of the barrel 41.

[0045] In the present embodiment, as the pair of shims 54 and 55, those having different shapes in the intermediate portions in the above flow direction are used. The intermediate portion of the shim 54 on one side (right side in FIG. 3) in the axial direction extends straight along the central axis line CL. On the other hand, the intermediate portion of the other shim 55 (left side in FIG. 3) in the above flow direction is curved so as to bulge inward in the axial direction. The downstream end 55b of the curved portion of the shim 55 is located outside in the axial direction than the upstream end 55a. This is to make the air-conditioning air A1 flow along the curved portion of the shim 55 by utilizing the Coandă effect when the flow direction of the air-conditioning air A1 is changed to the left by the upstream fins 51. By doing so, the air-conditioning air A1 is blown out from the air outlet 31 to a wider region on the left side in the axial direction.

[0046] <Function of the present embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the air A1 for air conditioning sent from the air conditioner to the inlet 18 of the air conditioning register 15 flows through the ventilation path 35. In the ventilation path 35, the air A1 for air conditioning passes through the upstream fins 51 and the barrel 41 in order. When the air A1 for air conditioning passes through the upstream fins 51, the flow direction in the axial direction (left - right direction) is adjusted by flowing along the upstream fins 51. When the air A1 for air conditioning passes through the barrel 41, the flow direction in the direction orthogonal to the axis (up - down direction) is adjusted by flowing along the end fins 45 and 46. The air A1 for air conditioning that has passed through the upstream fins 51 and the barrel 41 is blown out from the blowout port 31.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, each of the end fins 45 and 46 is located in the corresponding end fin accommodation chambers 23 and 25. Most of the air A1 for air conditioning flows between the fin body portions 47 of the pair of end fins 45 and 46. Most of the air A1 for air conditioning blows straight out from the blowout port 31 to the downstream side without changing the flow direction in the direction orthogonal to the axis.

[0048] Here, if the end fins 45 and 46 are located in the upstream region 36 of the blowout port, the end fins 45 and 46 become a ventilation resistance, causing an increase in pressure loss. The blowing strength of the air A1 for air conditioning from the blowout port 31 decreases, or the reaching distance of the air A1 for air conditioning becomes shorter.

[0049] In this regard, in the barrel neutral position, both end fins 45 and 46 are housed in the end fin accommodation chambers 23 and 25 together. The end fin accommodation chambers 23 and 25 are located outside the upstream region 36 of the blowout port in the direction orthogonal to the axis. Since the end fins 45 and 46 do not enter the upstream region 36 of the blowout port, they are less likely to become a ventilation resistance and less likely to cause an increase in pressure loss.

[0050] Also, the amount by which the end fins 45 and 46 enter the upstream region 36 of the blowout port affects the appearance when the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side in the above - mentioned flow direction. As the amount of entry increases, the above - mentioned appearance deteriorates. In this embodiment where both end fins 45 and 46 are housed in the end fin accommodation chambers 23 and 25 together, the end fins 45 and 46 do not enter the upstream region 36 of the blowout port.

[0051] Therefore, when the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side, neither of the end fins 45, 46 is visible through the air outlet 31, or only slightly visible. When the barrel 41 is tilted from the barrel neutral position toward the first maximum tilt position, as shown in Figure 5, the fin body 47 of the upper end fin 45 moves toward the upstream side in the flow direction and toward the inside in the direction perpendicular to the axis. This movement causes the fin body 47 to be tilted with respect to the central axis CL so that it is located further inward toward the direction perpendicular to the axis as it moves upstream, that is, it becomes lower as it moves upstream. Along with the tilt, the fin body 47 of the end fin 45 comes out of the end fin housing chamber 23 and enters the air outlet upstream region 36 from above. Also, along with the tilt, the tip 48b of the projection 48 of the end fin 45 moves toward the upstream side and toward the inside in the direction perpendicular to the axis along the bulging wall 22. Furthermore, in the end fin 46, the fin body portion 47 moves downstream exclusively within the lower end fin housing chamber 25. The fin body portion 47 is inclined with respect to the central axis CL so that it is located further inward in the direction perpendicular to the axis as it moves downstream, that is, it becomes higher as it moves downstream.

[0052] Of the air conditioning air A1, some of the air that flows near the end fins 46 flows along the inclined fin body 47 as described above, changing its flow direction diagonally upward and backward before being blown out from the outlet 31 in the same direction.

[0053] Furthermore, the conditioned air A1 flowing near the end fin 45 tends to split and flow both inside and outside the fin body 47 in opposing directions. If the end fin 45 does not have a projection 48, the conditioned air A1 that flows outside the fin body 47 will merge with the conditioned air A1 that flows inside the fin body 47 after passing through the fin body 47. The conditioned air A1 that flows outside the fin body 47 will interfere with the conditioned air A1 that flows inside the fin body 47. This interference will affect the directivity of the conditioned air A1 that flows inside the fin body 47. As a result, the directivity of the conditioned air A1 blown out from the outlet 31 may decrease.

[0054] In this respect, the end fins 45 and 46 of this embodiment are provided with a projection 48 that protrudes outward from the fin body 47 in the opposite direction, in addition to the fin body 47. Each projection 48 attempts to prevent the conditioned air A1 from flowing outside the fin body 47. As a result, the amount of conditioned air A1 flowing outside the fin body 47 is reduced. The conditioned air A1 that has passed through the projection 48 is added to the conditioned air A1 that has flowed inside the fin body 47. However, as described above, since the amount of conditioned air A1 that passes through the projection 48 is reduced, the degree to which the conditioned air A1 that has flowed outside the fin body 47 interferes with the conditioned air A1 that has flowed inside the fin body 47 is reduced. The influence of the conditioned air A1 that has flowed inside the fin body 47 on its directivity from the conditioned air A1 that has flowed outside the fin body 47 is reduced.

[0055] In particular, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum tilt position, the tip 48b of the projection 48 of the end fin 45 is located close to the bulging wall 22. Because the gap between the tip 48b of the projection 48 and the bulging wall 22 is small, the conditioned air A1 has difficulty passing through the gap. The amount of conditioned air A1 flowing through the gap is small. The degree to which the conditioned air A1 flowing outside the fin body 47 interferes with the conditioned air A1 flowing inside the fin body 47 is further reduced. The influence of the conditioned air A1 flowing inside the fin body 47 on its directivity from the conditioned air A1 flowing outside the fin body 47 is further reduced. This situation also occurs when the barrel 41 is tilting from the barrel neutral position towards the first maximum tilt position. This is because the barrel 41 tilts while the tip 48b of the projection 48 is close to the bulging wall 22.

[0056] Furthermore, when the barrel 41 is in the first maximum inclination position, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 is located in the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25. The amount that the end fins 45 and 46 enter the outlet upstream region 36 is less than when the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are not provided. Therefore, the ventilation resistance due to the end fins 45 and 46 is smaller and the increase in pressure loss is suppressed compared to when the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are not provided. Also, when the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1, the portion of each end fin 45 and 46 visible through the outlet 31 is smaller than when the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 are not provided.

[0057] When the barrel 41 is tilted from the barrel neutral position toward the second maximum tilt position, only the upstream end fin 45, 46 changes from end fin 45 to end fin 46. Therefore, the air conditioning register 15 performs the same function as when the barrel is tilted from the barrel neutral position toward the first maximum tilt position.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a pair of shims 54 and 55 cover a pair of barrel wall portions 42 of the barrel 41 from the inside in the axial direction. When the air conditioning register 15 is viewed from the downstream side in the flow direction, the pair of barrel wall portions 42 are hidden by the shims 54 and 55, making the barrel wall portions 42 difficult to see.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the first maximum inclination position, the fin body 47 of the upstream end fin 45 is located in the upstream region 36 of the air outlet. This end fin 45 attempts to obstruct the flow of the air conditioning air A1.

[0060] In the direction perpendicular to the axis, the conditioned air A1 flowing in the region between the upstream end 47a of the end fin 45 and the downstream end 47b of the end fin 46 is blown straight out from the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45 or 46.

[0061] The upstream end 47a of the end fin 45 is the portion of the end fin 45 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet. The downstream end 47b of the end fin 46 is the portion of the end fin 46 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the second maximum inclination position, the fin body 47 of the upstream end fin 46 is located in the upstream region 36 of the air outlet. This end fin 46 attempts to obstruct the flow of the air conditioning air A1.

[0063] In the direction perpendicular to the axis, the conditioned air A1 flowing in the region between the upstream end 47a of the end fin 46 and the downstream end 47b of the end fin 45 is blown straight out of the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45 or 46.

[0064] The upstream end 47a of the end fin 46 is the portion of the end fin 46 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet. The downstream end 47b of the end fin 45 is the portion of the end fin 45 that extends the most into the upstream region 36 of the outlet.

[0065] In all of the above cases, as the amount of conditioned air A1 flowing between the portion of the end fin 45 that most penetrates the upstream region 36 of the outlet and the portion of the end fin 46 that most penetrates the upstream region 36 of the outlet increases, the directivity of the conditioned air A1 is reduced.

[0066] In this regard, as described above, if dimension D1 is set to 1 / 2 or more of dimension D2, then less of the conditioned air A1 is blown straight out of the outlet 31 without its flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45 or 46. This makes it difficult to reduce the directivity of the conditioned air A1 that has been altered by the end fins 45 or 46.

[0067] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) As shown in Figure 4, the barrel shaft 43 is positioned at the same location as the downstream end 47b of the end fins 45 and 46 on the barrel 41, which is located in the barrel neutral position.

[0068] Therefore, the deterioration of the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 due to the end fins 45 and 46 being visible through the air outlet 31 can be suppressed. (2) As shown in Figure 4, the retainer 16 is provided with a pair of end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 at locations adjacent to the downstream portion of the upstream region 36 of the air outlet on the outside in the direction perpendicular to the axis. When the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, the pair of end fins 45 and 46 are located in the pair of end fin housing chambers 23 and 25. When the barrel 41 is in the first maximum tilt position or the second maximum tilt position, at least a portion of each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 is located in the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25.

[0069] Therefore, the increase in pressure loss caused by the end fins 45 and 46 entering the upstream region 36 of the air outlet can be suppressed. In addition, the deterioration of the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 due to the end fins 45 and 46 being visible through the air outlet 31 can also be suppressed in this respect.

[0070] (3) As shown in Figure 4, each of the pair of end fins 45 and 46 has a fin body portion 47 that extends in both the axial and depth directions, and a projection portion 48 that extends in the axial direction and protrudes outward from the fin body portion 47 in the opposite direction.

[0071] Therefore, compared to the case where the projection 48 is not provided, the directivity of the air conditioning air A1 blown out from the outlet 31 can be improved. (4) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the first maximum tilt position or the second maximum tilt position, the tip 48b of the projection 48 is located inside the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 of the end fins 45 and 46 located on the upstream side.

[0072] Therefore, the gap between the tip 48b of the projection 48 and the bulging wall portions 22, 24 can be reduced, and the amount of conditioned air A1 flowing through that gap can be reduced. As a result, the effect of (3) above, which improves the directivity of the conditioned air A1, can be enhanced.

[0073] (5) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, dimension D1 is set to be 1 / 2 or more of dimension D2. Therefore, the amount of conditioned air A1 blown straight out from the outlet 31 can be reduced without the flow direction being changed by either of the end fins 45, 46. This suppresses the reduction in the directivity of the conditioned air A1 that is altered by the end fins 45, 46.

[0074] (6) As shown in Figure 3, a pair of shims 54 and 55 are positioned on the inner side in the axial direction of the pair of barrel wall portions 42, and on the outer side of the air outlet 31 in the axial direction. This prevents a decrease in the appearance of the air conditioning register 15 due to the barrel wall portions 42 being visible through the air outlet 31.

[0075] <Examples of Modifications> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following examples of modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0076] (Matters concerning retainer 16) In Figure 4, one or both of the pair of end fin housing chambers 23 and 25 may be omitted.

[0077] (Matters concerning barrel 41) In Figure 4, the barrel shaft 43 may be positioned downstream of the downstream end 47b of the end fins 45 and 46 in barrel 41, which is located in the barrel neutral position. This modification also provides the same effects as the above embodiment in which the barrel shaft 43 is positioned at the same location as the downstream end 47b of the end fins 45 and 46.

[0078] - The barrel 41 may have one or more additional fins extending axially and in the depth direction between the pair of end fins 45, 46. - The position of the projection 48 of each end fin 45, 46 in the depth direction may be changed. That is, the projection 48 may protrude outward in the opposite direction from a point upstream of the downstream end 47b of the fin body 47.

[0079] - The projections 48 of each end fin 45, 46 may protrude from the fin body 47 in a direction perpendicular to the axis when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position. In this case, the base end 48a and the tip end 48b are located at the same location in the depth direction.

[0080] As shown in Figure 4, when the barrel 41 is in the barrel neutral position, at least one of the pair of end fins 45, 46 may have a portion of it, more precisely, the inner portion in the opposing direction, extending into the outlet upstream region 36.

[0081] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the barrel 41 is tilted to the first or second maximum tilt position, the tip 48b of the projection 48 on the upstream end fins 45 and 46 may be located in the outlet upstream region 36 instead of inside the end fin housing chambers 23 and 25.

[0082] - For at least one of the pair of end fins 45, 46, the projection 48 may be omitted, and it may consist only of the fin body portion 47. - When the barrel 41 is tilted to the first maximum tilt position or the second maximum tilt position, dimension D1 may be set to less than half of dimension D2.

[0083] (Regarding shims 54 and 55) At least one of the pair of shims 54 and 55 may be omitted. Figure 7 shows an example of a modification in which both shims 54 and 55 are omitted.

[0084] - In Figure 3, the shapes of the pair of shims 54 and 55 may be changed to shapes that are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis CL. (Other) - The above air conditioning register is also applicable to air conditioning registers that have an outlet whose dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis is longer than its dimension in the axial direction.

[0085] Furthermore, the above-mentioned air conditioning register is also applicable to air conditioning registers in which the axial direction (or direction perpendicular to the axis) is inclined with respect to both the horizontal and vertical planes. The above-mentioned air conditioning register is also applicable to air conditioning registers installed in locations other than the instrument panel 12 within the vehicle compartment 11, for example, on the dashboard.

[0086] The above-mentioned air conditioning register can be widely applied, not limited to a vehicle 10, as long as it can change the direction of the conditioned air A1 sent from the air conditioning unit and blown into the room, at least by the barrel 41.

Claims

1. An air conditioning register comprising: a cylindrical retainer having an air passage for conditioned air, wherein the air passage has an outlet at its downstream end in the direction of air flow, and has an outlet upstream region adjacent to the outlet on the upstream side; and a barrel disposed within the retainer and tiltably supported by the retainer by a barrel axis, wherein the barrel has a plurality of barrel fins that are aligned in the opposing direction and extend in the axial direction, and one of two mutually orthogonal directions perpendicular to the axial direction is defined as the opposing direction, and the other as the depth direction, wherein the barrel has a plurality of barrel fins that are aligned in the opposing direction and extend in the axial direction at least, wherein the barrel fins located at both ends in the opposing direction are composed of a pair of end fins, wherein the barrel's position when the depth direction of the barrel is parallel to the central axis of the air passage is defined as the barrel neutral position, The barrel axis is an air conditioning register located at the same position as the downstream end of the end fin in the flow direction of the barrel, or downstream of the downstream end, in the barrel at the barrel's neutral position.

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

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

4. When the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum inclination positions, the tip of the projection is located within the end fin housing chamber in the upstream end fin in the flow direction, according to claim 3.

5. The air conditioning register according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the plurality of barrel fins are composed only of the pair of end fins, and when the barrel is tilted to any of the maximum inclination positions, if the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the portion of the upstream end fin in the flow direction that extends into the upstream region of the outlet is D1, and the dimension of the outlet in the direction perpendicular to the axis is D2, then dimension D1 is set to be 1 / 2 or more of dimension D2.

6. The air conditioning register according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the barrel comprises a pair of barrel wall portions located at both ends in the axial direction and connecting the plurality of barrel fins, a pair of barrel shafts are provided, the pair of barrel shafts protruding outward in the axial direction from the pair of barrel wall portions, the retainer comprises a pair of retainer wall portions facing each other in the axial direction, the pair of barrel shafts are rotatably supported by the pair of retainer wall portions, a pair of shims are arranged on the inside of the pair of barrel wall portions in the axial direction and outside the air outlet in the axial direction, and the pair of shims are attached to the retainer so as to cover the pair of barrel wall portions.

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