register
The air outlet design with orthogonal louvers and a concave groove or ridge structure addresses the challenge of maintaining airflow directivity and concealment, achieving controlled airflow direction despite the Coanda effect.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HOWA PLASTICS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Conventional air outlets in vehicle interiors, designed to be hidden by a protrusion, struggle with maintaining airflow directivity, particularly in the vertical direction, due to the Coanda effect causing airflow to adhere to the protrusion.
The design incorporates a front and rear movable louvers with orthogonal arrangements, a projection extending from the air outlet's upper edge, and a concave groove or ridge structure on the linear portion to disrupt the Coanda effect, allowing for controlled airflow directionality.
The solution ensures effective airflow directionality, both vertically and horizontally, while maintaining the air outlet's concealment from passenger view, by minimizing airflow adherence to the protrusion and enhancing directional control.
Smart Images

Figure JP2025030769_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Register
[0001] The technical field of the register described in this specification relates to a register used for an air outlet for ventilation or air conditioning in a vehicle interior such as an automobile, and is configured such that the air outlet is difficult to visually recognize from the line of sight of a passenger.
[0002] As a register for adjusting the air blowing in a vehicle interior, in a retainer forming an air passage, front fins and rear fins are arranged one behind the other and in a direction orthogonal to each other, and when blowing air from the air outlet, the angle of the front fins and the rear fins is changed to adjust the blowing direction of the air vertically and horizontally. A cross-fin type register is widely used. From the perspective of the aesthetic sense in the vehicle interior, there is a desire to make the air outlet difficult to see from the passenger while not impairing the function of the register. As a register that meets this desire, in Patent Document 1 below, a register is described that is installed at the lower part of a large instrument panel, has a protrusion provided forward from the upper edge of the air outlet, and the protrusion is integrated with the end of the instrument panel. This register is configured such that the air outlet is hidden by the protrusion and not visually recognized from the line of sight of the passenger.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-024555
[0004] However, the conventional register described in Patent Document 1 is installed at the lower part of the instrument panel, has a protrusion provided forward from the upper edge of the air outlet, and the protrusion is integrated with the end of the instrument panel. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, during blowing, due to the Coanda effect, the blowing acts such that the blowing adheres to the protrusion or flows along the protrusion. Even if the blowing is adjusted in the neutral direction or the downward direction, the blowing is less likely to change from the neutral direction to the downward direction. Therefore, this type of conventional register has a problem that it is difficult to obtain directivity according to the operating angle in the vertical direction.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a register that can obtain good directivity even in a structure provided with a protrusion protruding forward from the upper edge of the air outlet so that the air outlet is difficult to visually recognize from the line of sight of a passenger.
[0006] A register according to the embodiment of this specification is a register in which a front movable louver and a rear movable louver are arranged substantially orthogonally and front to back in an air passage within a retainer, wherein the air outlet for blowing out regulated air is formed to be long from left to right and short in the vertical opening width, and a projection is provided that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet and extends upward from the middle in the front to back direction, with the upper end connecting to the instrument panel, and below the projection, a linear portion for changing the airflow is provided along the left to right direction, and a groove portion that is concave upward is formed in the linear portion.
[0007] Here, the front and rear of the register are determined by the downstream side (vehicle interior side) within the air passage and the rear by the upstream side within the air passage, and the up, down, left, and right refer to the up, down, left, and right when viewed from the front to the rear. Furthermore, the instrument panel refers to the panel in a vehicle such as an automobile that houses various meters, air conditioning controls, audio or car navigation systems, airbags, etc.
[0008] According to the register according to the embodiment of this specification, a projection is provided on the upper edge of the air outlet that protrudes forward. Therefore, from the passenger's line of sight, the air outlet is hidden by the projection and is difficult to see. The airflow blown forward from the air outlet tends to adhere to or flow along the projection due to the Coanda effect. However, a groove is provided on the lower side of the projection, which is a linear portion that is concave upward, along the left-right direction. As a result, the airflow is disturbed by the groove. This makes it less likely for the Coanda effect to occur, where the airflow adheres to the projection that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet, and the airflow can be blown downwards effectively without being pulled upwards. In other words, according to the register according to the embodiment, even if the structure is such that the air outlet is difficult to see from the passenger's line of sight, good directivity can be obtained.
[0009] Here, in the register described above, the protruding portion has a flat portion that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet and a curved portion that curves upward from the front end of the flat portion, and the flat portion is provided with the linear portion, and the portion in front of the linear portion is flat.
[0010] According to this, by providing the grooves of the linear section on the flat surface in front of the air outlet, the airflow can be appropriately changed, and the airflow direction can be effectively blown downwards without being pulled upwards.
[0011] Furthermore, in the above register, the planar length of the planar portion in the front-to-back direction changes across the left and right sides, and the groove portion of the linear portion changes in the vertical groove depth and / or front-to-back groove width in response to the change in planar length.
[0012] According to this, by changing the groove depth in the vertical direction and / or the groove width in the front-to-back direction in response to the lateral change in the planar length of the protruding portion, the groove can efficiently disrupt the airflow, thereby effectively reducing the Coanda effect where the airflow adheres to the planar portion. As a result, the register can achieve good directivity even if the planar length of the planar portion in the front-to-back direction changes from left to right.
[0013] Furthermore, in the above register, the linear portion may be configured such that a part of the linear portion has an arc-shaped ridge portion whose cross-section in the short direction bulges downward.
[0014] According to this, the air flowing through the ridged sections of the linear part undergoes the Coanda effect, and the direction of airflow is pulled upwards, thus partially increasing the upward directivity.
[0015] Furthermore, in the above register, the planar length of the planar portion in the front-to-back direction changes across the left and right sides, and the ridge portion of the linear portion changes in the vertical ridge height and / or front-to-back ridge width in response to the change in planar length.
[0016] According to this, by changing the ridge height in the vertical direction and / or ridge width in the front-to-back direction in response to the horizontal change in the planar length of the protruding portion, the air flowing through the linear portion on which the ridges are provided will exhibit a favorable Coanda effect, and the airflow direction will be pulled upward, thereby favorably enhancing the upward directivity. As a result, even if the register has a configuration in which the planar length of the planar portion in the front-to-back direction changes from left to right, good directivity can be achieved.
[0017] According to the register of this specification, even if a structure is provided in which a protrusion is provided that extends forward from the upper edge of the air outlet so that the air outlet is difficult to see from the passenger's line of sight, good directivity can be obtained.
[0018] Figure 1 shows a front view (A) and a perspective view (B) of the register of the first embodiment. Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the same register. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1, with Figure 4 showing the airflow direction in a neutral state and Figure 5 showing the airflow direction shifted downwards. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view (A) corresponding to the IVA-IVA cross-sectional view in Figure 1 and Figure 5 shows the IVB-IVB cross-sectional view (B) in Figure 4(A) of the second embodiment. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view (A) corresponding to the VA-VA cross-sectional view in Figure 1 and Figure 6 shows the VB-VB cross-sectional view (B) in Figure 1 of the second embodiment. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view (A) corresponding to the VIA-VIA cross-sectional view in Figure 1 and Figure 6(A) shows the VIB-VIB cross-sectional view (B) in Figure 6(A) of the third embodiment. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view (A) corresponding to the VIIA-VIIA cross-sectional view in Figure 1 and Figure 7 shows the VIIB-VIIB cross-sectional view (B) in Figure 1 of the third embodiment. Figure (A) corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line VIIIA-VIIIA in Figure 1, and Figure (B) corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line VIIIB-VIIIB in Figure 8(A) in the fourth embodiment. Figure (A) corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line IXA-IXA in Figure 1, and Figure (B) corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line IXB-IXB in Figure 1 in the fourth embodiment. Figure (E) corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line X-X in Figure 1 for a conventional register. Figure (A) corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line XI-XI in Figure 1 for another embodiment. Figures (A) to (E) show the cross-sectional views of the linear portion (groove) in the short-side direction for another embodiment. Figure (E) is a graph showing the directivity of the register of the first embodiment with respect to the fin setting angle.
[0019] (First Embodiment) The register according to the first embodiment of this specification will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope disclosed in the embodiments. The register according to the embodiment is located at the bottom of the instrument panel, and as shown in Figure 1(B), a bezel 2 is fitted to the front side of the air passage 11 of the retainer 1 through which the regulated air flows. The bezel 2 is provided with an air outlet 21 that is short in the vertical direction and long in the horizontal direction, and is elongated horizontally. Specifically, the air outlet 21 has an upper opening width OW : horizontal opening length = 20 : 150. A projection 3 is provided on the upper edge of the air outlet 21, with its upper end connected to the instrument panel, projecting forward. A front movable louver 5 for adjusting the airflow direction in the vertical direction is provided in the air passage 11, and a rear movable louver 6 for adjusting the airflow direction in the horizontal direction is provided in the air passage 11 behind the front movable louver 5.
[0020] In this specification, the orientation of the register is as shown in Figures 1(B) and 2, with the side of the retainer 1 having the air outlet 21 being the front and the side of the retainer 1 with the air intake 12 being the rear. Up, down, left, and right refer to the top, bottom, left, and right when the register is viewed from the front, and in the illustrations, F is front, B is rear, U is up, D is down, L is left, and R is right. Furthermore, the front may be referred to as the downstream side and the rear as the upstream side based on the adjusted airflow. In addition, the inside or outside may be referred to with respect to the retainer 1 with respect to the air passage 11.
[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the retainer 1, which serves as the housing for the register, is a roughly rectangular cylindrical housing with an internal ventilation passage 11. A front movable louver 5, equipped with two horizontal fins 50 for adjusting the airflow direction vertically, is located downstream (front) of the ventilation passage 11, and a rear movable louver 6, equipped with ten vertical fins 60 for adjusting the airflow direction horizontally, is located upstream (rear) of the louver 5. The horizontal fins 50 and vertical fins 60 are arranged in perpendicular directions.
[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the front movable louver 5 is constructed with two horizontal fins 50 arranged vertically in the left-right direction. Each horizontal fin 50 is pivotally supported on bearing plates 54 located on the left and right sides, via left and right support shafts 51, so as to be able to tilt up and down. Furthermore, a link bar 53 is connected to a connecting shaft 52 that extends rearward from the tip of the right support shaft 51 of each horizontal fin 50, creating a structure that allows the two horizontal fins 50 to change their orientation vertically in sync. The horizontal fins 50 of the front movable louver 5 are controlled by an electric motor (not shown) to control the vertical direction of the airflow. Note that the vertical direction of the airflow controlled by the horizontal fins 50 can also be controlled manually.
[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the rear movable louver 6 is constructed by arranging 10 vertical fins 60 side by side in a vertical direction behind the front movable louver 5. Each vertical fin 60 is pivotally supported on bearing plates 64 arranged vertically, via upper and lower support shafts 61, so as to be able to tilt from side to side. A link bar 63 is connected to a connecting shaft 62 provided at the rear of the upper side of each vertical fin 60, so that the 10 vertical fins 60 can change their orientation from side to side in sync. The vertical fins 60 of the rear movable louver 6 are controlled by an electric motor (not shown) to control the airflow direction in the left and right directions.
[0024] As shown in Figure 3, inclined surfaces 13 are provided on the upper and lower inner sides of the downstream side of the ventilation passage 11 to narrow the vertical opening width OW of the air outlet 21. As a result, the vertical opening width OW of the air outlet 21 is formed to be narrower than the vertical height of the ventilation passage 11.
[0025] As shown in Figures 1(B) and 3, the protruding portion 3 is provided projecting forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21 of the bezel 2, and is composed of a flat portion 31 formed substantially horizontally and extending forward from the air outlet 21, and a curved portion 32 extending from the front end of the flat portion 31 and curving upward. The upper end of the curved portion 32 is connected to an instrument panel (not shown). From the passenger's line of sight, the air outlet 21 is easily hidden and difficult to see by the flat portion 31 and the curved portion 32 of the protruding portion 3. The length of the flat portion 31 in the front-rear direction, PL, is set as a ratio of the opening width OW of the air outlet 21 to the opening width OW, with opening width OW:planar length PL = 20:40.
[0026] The protruding portion 3 has a flat portion 31 and a curved portion 32 that follows it. If nothing is provided on the flat portion 31, the airflow AF blown forward from the air outlet 21 will, for example as shown in Figure 10, adhere to or flow along the flat portion 31 and the curved portion 32 of the protruding portion 3 due to the Coanda effect. In this case, the vertical directionality of the horizontal fin 50 with respect to the vertical setting angle is as shown by the thin solid line (no linear portion) in the graph of Figure 13, and in particular, the airflow is shifted upward at the downward fin setting angle. In order to bring the directionality of the airflow AF closer to the vertical setting angle of the fin, the register of this embodiment is provided with a linear portion 4 on the flat portion 31 for changing the flow of the airflow AF.
[0027] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1(B) and 3, the linear portion 4 is formed along the left-right direction of the planar portion 31, in contact with the air outlet 21. As the planar portion 31 is concave upward, a rectangular (approximately U-shaped with a downward opening) angular groove portion 41 is formed extending from left to right. As shown in Figure 3(B), a portion of the airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 enters the groove portion 41 and flows in a different direction, thus being disturbed by the groove portion 41. This makes it less likely for the Coanda effect to occur, where the airflow AF sticks to the protruding portion 3 that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, and the airflow can be blown downward without being pulled upward. The airflow AF is detached from the protruding portion 3 and is not guided forward and upward, resulting in good directivity. In other words, according to the register of the first embodiment, even if a protruding portion 3 is provided that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21 so that the air outlet 21 is difficult to see from the passenger's line of sight, good directivity of airflow can be obtained. In Figure 3, the ratio of the length of the upper and lower opening width OW of the air outlet 21, the groove depth GH of the groove portion 41, and the groove width GW is set to opening width OW: groove depth GH: groove width GW = 20:10:10 when the opening width OW is 20.
[0028] Figure 13 is a graph showing the directivity measured with respect to the set angle of the horizontal fin 50 for a register of the first embodiment in which the groove depth GH and groove width GW of the groove portion 41 of the linear portion 4 were changed. The register has the upper and lower opening width OW of the air outlet 21 fixed at 20 mm, the left and right opening length at 150 mm, and the planar length PL of the planar portion 31 of the protruding portion 3 fixed at 40 mm, and the groove depth GH and groove width GW of the groove portion 41 were changed. For example, in the measurement results of a register with a larger groove depth GH, such as the groove portion 41 with a groove depth GH of 20 mm and a groove width GW of 5 mm shown by the thin long dashed line, the directivity tends to become nearly linear with respect to the downward set angle. Also, in the measurement results of a register with a larger groove width GW, such as the groove portion 41 with a groove depth GH of 10 mm and a groove width GW of 25 mm shown by the thick dashed line, the directivity tends to become nearly linear with respect to the upward set angle.
[0029] In the register of the first embodiment, a projection 3 is provided on the upper edge of the air outlet 21, which protrudes forward. As a result, the air outlet 21 is hidden from the passenger's line of sight by the projection 3 and is configured to be difficult to see. The airflow AF blown forward from the air outlet 21 tends to adhere to the projection 3 or flow along the projection 3 due to the Coanda effect. However, a linear, angular groove 41 is provided on the lower side of the projection 3, which is concave upward, and extends in the left-right direction. As a result, the airflow AF is disturbed by the groove 41. This makes it less likely for the Coanda effect to occur, where the airflow AF adheres to the projection 3 that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, and the airflow direction is not pulled upward, allowing for good downward airflow. In other words, in the register of the first embodiment, even with a structure in which a projection 3 is provided on the upper edge of the air outlet 21 so that the air outlet 21 is difficult to see from the passenger's line of sight, good directivity can be obtained.
[0030] (Second Embodiment) Next, a register according to the second embodiment of this specification will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4(A), the register according to the second embodiment is formed such that the length of the planar portion 31A and the protruding portion 3A in the front-rear direction decreases as you move from left to right in the left-right direction. The register according to the second embodiment has a shape that changes in the left-right direction to match the diversity of interior decorations in the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the shape of the groove portion 41A of the linear portion 4A is formed to change with respect to the left-right direction. The parts other than these are the same as those of the register according to the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used and their description is omitted. In the second embodiment, elements corresponding to the register of the first embodiment are indicated by adding "A" to the reference numeral of the first embodiment.
[0031] As shown in Figure 4(A), the register according to the second embodiment is formed such that the length of the planar portion 31A and the projection portion 3A in the front-to-back direction decreases as you move from left to right in the left-to-right direction. Depending on the planar length PL of the planar portion 31A in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the groove portion 41A of the linear portion 4A is formed such that the groove depth GH and groove width GW gradually decrease as you move from left to right in the left-to-right direction. Specifically, to the left of the approximate center in the left-to-right direction of the air outlet 21, as shown in Figure 5(A), the ratio of the length of the upper and lower opening width OW of the air outlet 21, the front-to-back planar length PL of the planar portion 31A, and the groove depth GH and groove width GW of the groove portion 41A is set to opening width OW:planar length PL:groove depth GH:groove width GW = 20:40:10:10 when the opening width OW is 20. On the other hand, on the right side of the air outlet 21 in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 5(B), the ratio of the vertical opening width OW of the air outlet 21, the front-to-back planar length PL of the planar section 31A, the groove depth GH of the groove section 41A, and the groove width GW of the groove section 41A was set to opening width OW:planar length PL:groove depth GH:groove width GW = 20:20:5:5, when the opening width OW is 20.
[0032] As shown in Figure 5(B), the airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 is disturbed by the angular groove 41A which is concave above the linear portion 4A. This makes it less likely for the Coanda effect to occur, where the airflow AF adheres to the protruding portion 3A that extends forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, and allows for good downward airflow without the airflow direction being pulled upward. The planar length PL of the flat portion 31A is formed to become shorter in the front-rear direction as you move from left to right in the left-right direction, and approximately proportionally, the groove 41A is formed so that the groove depth GH and groove width GW become shorter as you move from left to right in the left-right direction. By making the groove depth GH and groove width GW approximately proportional to the planar length PL of the groove 41A, the Coanda effect of the airflow AF adhering to the protruding portion 3A can be efficiently reduced.
[0033] According to the register of the second embodiment, the airflow AF is separated from the protruding portion 3A by the groove portion 41A of the linear portion 4A and is not guided forward and upward, thus providing good directivity. In other words, even if the planar portion 31A and the protruding portion 3A are formed such that their length in the front-to-back direction decreases as they move from left to right in the left-to-right direction, good directivity can be obtained.
[0034] (Third Embodiment) Next, a register according to the third embodiment of this specification will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6(A), the register according to the third embodiment is formed such that the length of the planar portion 31B and the protruding portion 3B in the front-to-back direction decreases as you move from left to right in the left-to-right direction. Accordingly, the shape of the linear portion 4B is formed to change with respect to the left-to-right direction. The parts other than these are the same as those of the register according to the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used and their description is omitted. In the third embodiment, elements corresponding to the register of the first embodiment are indicated by adding "B" to the reference numeral of the first embodiment.
[0035] As shown in Figure 6(A), the register according to the third embodiment is formed such that the length of the planar portion 31B and the projection portion 3B in the front-rear direction decreases from left to right in the left-right direction. Depending on the planar length PL of the front-rear length of the planar portion 31B, as shown in Figures 6(B) and 7(A) and (B), in the area from approximately the center to the left in the left-right direction where the length of the planar portion 31B in the front-rear direction is long, the linear portion 4B has a groove portion 41B formed where the planar portion 31B is concave upwards. The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 is disturbed by the groove portion 41B as it flows. As a result, the Coanda effect, in which the airflow AF adheres to the projection portion 3B that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, is less likely to occur, and the airflow can be blown downwards effectively without being pulled upwards. The ratio of the length of the groove depth GH and the groove width GW of the groove portion 41B was set as follows: when the opening width OW is 20, the ratio of opening width OW:groove depth GH:groove width GW = 20:10:10.
[0036] On the other hand, in the left-right direction from approximately the center to the right, where the length of the flat section 31B in the front-rear direction gradually decreases, the linear section 4B forms a ridged section 42B in which the flat section 31B bulges downward in an arc shape. As shown in Figure 7(B), the ridged section 42B causes the airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 to exhibit the Coanda effect, and the direction of airflow is pulled upward, thereby increasing the upward directivity. The ratio of the length of the ridge height RH and the ridge width RW of the ridged section 42B was set to opening width OW: ridge height RH: ridge width RW = 20:2:10, when the opening width OW is 20.
[0037] The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 extending from approximately the center to the left in the left-right direction is disturbed by the groove portion 41B (similar to the airflow AF in Figure 3(B)). As a result, the Coanda effect, where the airflow AF adheres to the protruding portion 3B that extends forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, is less likely to occur, and the airflow direction is not pulled upward, allowing for good downward airflow. The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 extending from approximately the center to the right in the left-right direction experiences a Coanda effect due to the ridge portion 42B, as shown in Figure 7(B), and the airflow direction is pulled upward. As a result, the register of the third embodiment can blow air well downward on the left side and blow air well upward on the right side, allowing for good airflow both vertically and horizontally. In other words, according to the register of the third embodiment, even if the length of the planar portion 31B and the protruding portion 3B decreases from left to right in the left-right direction, good directivity can be obtained over the vertical direction.
[0038] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a register according to the fourth embodiment of this specification will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. As shown in Figure 8(A), the register according to the fourth embodiment is formed such that the length of the planar portion 31C and the protruding portion 3C in the front-rear direction decreases as you move from left to right in the left-right direction. The register according to the fourth embodiment has a shape that changes in the left-right direction to match the diversity of interior decorations in the vehicle interior. Accordingly, the shape of the linear portion 4C is formed to change with respect to the left-right direction. The parts other than these are the same as the register according to the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used and their description is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, elements corresponding to the register of the first embodiment are indicated by adding "C" to the reference numeral of the first embodiment.
[0039] As shown in Figure 8(A), the register according to the fourth embodiment is formed such that the length of the planar portion 31C and the protruding portion 3C in the front-to-back direction decreases as you move from left to right in the left-to-right direction. As shown in Figures 8(B) and 9(A), in the area from approximately the center to the left in the left-to-right direction, where the length of the planar portion 31C in the front-to-back direction is long, the linear portion 4C has a groove portion 41C formed in which the planar portion 31C is concave upwards. The ratio of the length of the groove depth GH and the groove width GW of the groove portion 41C is set to opening width OW:groove depth GH:groove width GW = 20:10:10 when the opening width OW is 20.
[0040] The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 is disturbed by the groove 41C. As a result, the Coanda effect, in which the airflow AF adheres to the protrusion 3C that extends forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, is less likely to occur, and the airflow can be blown downwards effectively without being pulled upwards.
[0041] On the other hand, in the left-right direction from approximately the center to the right, where the length of the flat section 31C in the front-rear direction gradually decreases, the linear section 4C forms a ridge section 42C where the flat section 31C bulges downward in an arc shape, as shown in Figures 8(B) and 9(B). The ridge section 42C is configured such that the ridge width RW gradually decreases from left to right, as shown in Figure 8(A). In contrast, in order to maintain the adhesion effect (Coanda effect), the ridge height RH is configured to slightly increase from left to right, as shown in Figure 8(B). Specifically, the ratio of the length of the ridge height RH and ridge width RW on the left side of the ridge section 42C is set to opening width OW: ridge height RH: ridge width RW = 20:2:10, when the opening width OW is 20. The ratio of the length of the ridge height RH and ridge width RW on the right side of the ridge section 42C was set to opening width OW: ridge height RH: ridge width RW = 20:3:7, where the opening width OW is 20. The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 by the ridge section 42C exhibits a Coanda effect, and the direction of airflow is pulled upward, thereby increasing the upward directivity.
[0042] The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 extending from approximately the center to the left in the left-right direction is disturbed by the groove portion 41C (similar to the airflow AF in Figure 3(B)). As a result, the Coanda effect, where the airflow AF adheres to the protruding portion 3C that extends forward from the upper edge of the air outlet 21, is less likely to occur, and the airflow direction is not pulled upward, allowing for good downward airflow. The airflow AF blown from the air outlet 21 extending from approximately the center to the right in the left-right direction experiences a Coanda effect due to the ridge portion 42C, as shown in Figure 9(B), and the airflow direction is pulled upward. As a result, the register of the fourth embodiment can blow air well downward on the left side and blow air well upward on the right side, allowing for good airflow both vertically and horizontally. In other words, according to the register of the fourth embodiment, even if the length of the planar portion 31C and the protruding portion 3C decreases from left to right in the left-right direction, good directivity can be obtained over the vertical direction.
[0043] (Other Embodiments) In the registers of the first to fourth embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the linear portion 4 is provided along the left - right direction of the flat portion 31 so as to contact the air outlet 21. However, as shown in FIG. 11, it can also be provided at a distance DI forward from the air outlet 21. In this case, the distance DI can be up to the length of the opening width OW of the air outlet 21. By providing the linear portion 4 at a distance DI forward from the air outlet 21, the register can effectively change the air flow.
[0044] In the registers of the first to fourth embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7(A), and 9(A), the groove portion 41 has a substantially rectangular cross - section in the short - hand direction (substantially U - shaped with an opening downward) where the flat portion 31 is recessed upward. However, the cross - section in the short - hand direction can also be a substantially trapezoidal shape shown in FIG. 12(A), a substantially V - shaped shape shown in FIG. 12(B), a substantially U - shaped shape shown in FIG. 12(C), a substantially M - shaped shape shown in FIG. 12(D), or a substantially M - shaped shape with an arc in the center of the M - shape shown in FIG. 12(E).
[0045] In the registers of the first to fourth embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, two horizontal fins 50 of the front movable louver 5 are arranged vertically side by side, and ten vertical fins 60 of the rear movable louver 6 are arranged horizontally side by side. However, the horizontal fins 50 can be arranged 1 to 4 vertically side by side, and the vertical fins 60 can be arranged 1 to 20 horizontally side by side. By changing the number of the horizontal fins 50 and the number of the vertical fins 60, the ratio of the upper - lower opening width OW to the left - right opening length of the air outlet 21 of the register can be changed.
[0046] In the register of the second embodiment, the groove portion 41A is formed such that the groove depth GH and the groove width GW gradually become shorter from left to right in the left - right direction. However, a configuration can also be adopted in which the groove portion 41A is not formed from a certain point (for example, from the position where the ninth vertical fin 60 in the left - right direction is arranged).
[0047] In the register of the third embodiment, the length of the planar portion 31B and the projection portion 3B in the front-rear direction decreases as you move from left to right in the left-right direction. From approximately the center to the left in the left-right direction, the linear portion 4B has a groove portion 41B formed in which the planar portion 31B is concave upward from the bottom surface. From approximately the center to the right in the left-right direction, the linear portion 4B has a ridge portion 42B formed in which the planar portion 31B bulges downward in an arc shape. The third embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the length of the planar portion 31B and the projection portion 3B in the front-rear direction is formed to be approximately equal across the left and right sides. From approximately the center to one side in the left-right direction, the linear portion 4B has a groove portion 41B formed in which the planar portion 31B is concave upward. From approximately the center to the other side in the left-right direction, the linear portion 4B has a ridge portion 42B formed in which the planar portion 31B bulges downward in an arc shape. Furthermore, the linear portion 4B can also have multiple grooves 41B or ridges 42B, such as having a ridge 42B between two grooves 41B or a groove 41B between two ridges 42B.
[0048] 1 Retainer 2 Bezel 3 Projection 3A Projection 3B Projection 3C Projection 4 Linear section 4A Linear section 4B Linear section 4C Linear section 5 Front movable louver 6 Rear movable louver 11 Ventilation passage 12 Air intake port 13 Inclined surface 21 Air outlet 31 Plane section 31A Plane section 31B Flat part 31C Flat part 32 Curved part 32A Curved part 32B Curved part 32C Curved part 41 Groove part 41A Groove part 41B Groove part 41C Groove part 42B Ridge part 42C Ridge part 50 Horizontal fin 51 Support shaft 52 Connection shaft 53 Link bar 54 Bearing plate 60 Vertical fin 61 Support shaft 62 Connecting shaft 63 Link bar 64 Bearing plate AF Airflow DI Distance GH Groove depth GW Groove width OW Opening width PL Planar length RH Ridge height RW Ridge width
Claims
1. A register characterized in that a front movable louver and a rear movable louver are arranged substantially orthogonally and front to back within a ventilation passage in a retainer, the air outlet for blowing out regulated air is formed to be long from left to right and short in the vertical opening width, a projection is provided that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet and extends upward from the middle in the front to back direction, with the upper end connecting to the instrument panel, a linear portion for changing the airflow is provided on the lower side of the projection along the left to right direction, and a groove portion that is concave upward is formed in the linear portion.
2. The register according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion has a flat portion that protrudes forward from the upper edge of the air outlet and a curved portion that curves upward from the front end of the flat portion, and the flat portion is provided with the linear portion, and the portion in front of the linear portion is flat.
3. The register according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the planar portion in the front-to-back direction changes across the left and right sides, and the groove portion of the linear portion changes in the vertical groove depth and / or front-to-back groove width in the groove portion in response to the change in the planar length.
4. The register according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the linear portion has an arc-shaped ridge portion in a part of the linear portion, the cross section of which bulges downward in the short direction.
5. The register according to claim 4, characterized in that the length of the planar portion in the front-to-back direction changes across the left and right sides, and the height of the ridge portion in the vertical direction and / or the width of the ridge portion in the front-to-back direction of the linear portion changes in response to the change in the planar length.