AU2020223654B2

AU2020223654B2 - Ventilation device

Info

Publication number: AU2020223654B2
Application number: AU2020223654A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shotaro KUDO
Original assignee: Sahara KK
Current assignee: Sahara KK
Priority date: 2019-08-26
Filing date: 2020-08-25
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-25
Also published as: KR102437346B1; JP7390020B2; AU2020223654A1; CN112443255A; KR20210024972A; JP2021036121A; CN112443255B

Abstract

A ventilation device provided with a function of being closed by wind pressure and a function of being opened and closed manually with one actuating plate. The actuating plate is disposed on an outdoor side of a dividing wall of a device body having ventilation openings formed therein. The actuating plate is rotated as it is being slid by an action of a cam mechanism. The cam mechanism includes a first cam portion disposed in the device body and a second cam potion disposed in the actuating plate. A slider slidably supported by the device body is connected to the actuating plate via a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a first engagement portion disposed in the slider and a second engagement portion disposed in the actuating plate. The actuating plate is biased in an opening direction by a spring, and is arranged to be closed by wind pressure. The actuating plate is slid by a manually operating mechanism via the slider and the connecting mechanism. I/ ID 4 1 2a 3a 8b 8 2b -5 72 2c 8a -3b FI14 2 1d FIG. 1

Description

I/ ID

4 1

2a

3a

8b 8 2b -5

72 2c 8a -3b

FI14 2 1d

FIG. 1

VENTILATION DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation device that can be closed by wind pressure and can also be opened and closed manually.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The ventilation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 to be described later includes an elongated device body that has a dividing wall having ventilation openings formed therein, a first actuating plate that is slidably supported by the device body on an indoor side of the dividing wall and that opens and closes the ventilation openings and a manually operating mechanism for manually opening and closing the first actuating plate. The ventilation device further includes a second actuating plate rotatably supported by the device body on an outdoor side of the dividing wall and a spring that holds the second actuating plate in an open position away from the dividing wall. When wind and rain get heavier while the ventilation device is left unmanned with the first actuating plate in an open state realized by the manually operating mechanism, the second actuating plate is pushed by a wind pressure and brought to be contacted with the dividing wall against a force of the spring to close the ventilation openings. Thus, the wind and rain can be prevented from entering into a room.

[0003] The ventilation device disclosed in Patent Document 2 to be described later includes an elongated device body that has a dividing wall having ventilation openings formed therein, an actuating plate that is rotatably supported by the device body and that opens and closes the ventilation openings as it is being rotated and a temperature-sensitive actuator. The temperature-sensitive actuator is formed as a unit including a slider slidably supported by the device body, a movable cam slidably supported by the slider and a shape-memory alloy spring and a bias spring that are disposed in the slider and that bias the movable cam in opposite directions. When the movable cam is moved according to the temperature, the actuating plate engaged with the movable cam is rotated to open or close the ventilation opening. The ventilation device further includes a manually operating mechanism for sliding the whole unit of the temperature-sensitive actuator to cause the actuating plate to be closed.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT PATENT DOCUMENT

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Patent Application Publication No. W02015/198416 Patent Document 2: International Patent Application Publication No. W02013/128658

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] The ventilation device according to Patent Document 1 is provided with a function of closing by wind pressure and a function of manually opening and closing. However, it requires two actuating plates. The ventilation device according to Patent Document 2 is not provided with a function of closing the actuating plate by wind pressure.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0006] To solve the problems mentioned above, the present invention provides a ventilation device including a device body including a dividing wall having a ventilation opening formed therein; an actuating plate disposed on an outdoor side of the dividing wall, the actuating plate including a shaft portion rotatably and slidably supported by the device body, the ventilation opening being opened and closed accompanying the rotation of the actuating plate; a cam mechanism disposed on an outdoor side of the actuating plate, the cam mechanism rotating the actuating plate accompanying the sliding of the actuating plate; a slider supported by the device body so as to be slidable in a sliding direction of the actuating plate; a connecting mechanism connecting the actuating plate and the slider in such a manner as to allow the rotation of the actuating plate; a manually operating mechanism disposed in the device body and connected to the slider, the manually operating mechanism acting to slide the slider by manual operation for sliding the actuating plate via the connecting mechanism; a spring biasing the actuating plate in an opening direction; the cam mechanism including a first cam portion disposed in the device body and a second cam portion disposed in the actuating plate; the second cam portion disposed facing an indoor side of the first cam portion; and the second cam portion being moved in a direction away from the first cam portion when the actuating plate is rotated to a closing direction against a force of the spring due to a wind pressure.

[0007] According to the features mentioned above, a function of closing by wind pressure and a function of opening and closing by manual operation are realized with only one actuating plate.

[0008] Preferably, the connecting mechanism includes a first engagement potion disposed in the slider and a second engagement portion protruded from the actuating plate in an indoor direction and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are connected so as to be relatively movable in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the actuating plate and relatively immovable in the sliding direction. According to the features mentioned above, the structure of the connecting mechanism can be simplified.

[0009] Preferably, the spring is disposed between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. According to the features mentioned above, a force of the spring can be surely transmitted to the actuating plate since the spring is moved together accompanying the sliding of the actuating plate. Further, since the force of the sprig is transmitted to the actuating plate via the connecting mechanism, the structure for transmitting the force can be simplified.

[0010] More preferably, the first engagement portion has a receiving space, the second engagement portion is received in the receiving space, the spring is received in the receiving space, the spring is a tension coil spring, one end of the spring is hooked to the first engagement portion and the other end of the spring is hooked to the second engagement portion. According to the features mentioned above, the structure of the connecting mechanism and the structure for transmitting the force of the spring can be further simplified.

[0011]

Preferably, the first cam portion includes a cam surface facing the actuating plate, the second cam portion is an abutment portion protruded from the actuating plate in an outdoor direction to be contacted with the cam surface.

[0012] More preferably, the cam mechanism is disposed in a vicinity of the shaft portion. According to the features mentioned above, the actuating plate can be opened and closed by a relatively small displacement of the second cam portion.

[0013] In one specific aspect of the present invention, the first engagement portion is an engagement block that is a separate component from the slider, the engagement block is supported by the slider so as to be slidable in the sliding direction, a shape memory alloy spring and a bias spring are disposed in the slider and bias the engagement block in opposite directions along the sliding direction, and the engagement block, the shape-memory alloy spring and the bias spring constitute a temperature-sensitive actuator. According to the features mentioned above, the temperature-sensitive actuator slides the actuating plate according to the temperature, thereby a degree of opening of the actuating plate can be controlled.

[0014] In another specific aspect of the present invention, the first engagement portion is fixed to the slider and the connecting mechanism connects the actuating plate and the slider so as to be relatively immovable in the sliding direction. According to the features mentioned above, when the slider is slid by the manually operating mechanism, the actuating plate can be slid at the same time.

[0015] In the other specific aspect of the present invention mentioned above, preferably, the ventilation device further includes a temperature-sensitive actuator, the temperature-sensitive actuator including a movable member that is supported by the slider so as to be slidable in the sliding direction, a shape-memory alloy spring and a bias spring that are disposed in the slider and that bias the movable member in opposite directions along the sliding direction and a second cam mechanism that rotates the actuating plate accompanying the sliding of the movable member, the second cam mechanism including a third cam portion disposed in the movable member and a fourth cam portion disposed in the actuating plate, and the fourth cam portion being contacted with the third cam portion by the force of the spring.

According to the features mentioned above, the degree of opening of the actuating plate can be controlled according to the temperature by the temperature sensitive actuator. Further, since the sliding of the actuating plate is not involved in this control, a load on the temperature-sensitive actuator can be reduced.

[0016] More preferably, the movable member has a hollow frame configuration, the first engagement portion is disposed in an inner space of the movable member, the third cam portion includes a cam surface extending in the sliding direction through the first engagement portion and the fourth cam portion is an abutment portion formed in the second engagement portion to be contacted with the cam surface of the third cam portion. According to the features mentioned above, since the fourth cam portion is formed in the second engagement portion, the structure can be simplified.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] According to the present invention, a function of closing by wind pressure and a function of opening and closing by manual operation can be realized with only one actuating plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of a sash window having a ventilation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention incorporated therein, viewed from an indoor side. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of the ventilation device, shown without a covering plate. FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, showing an actuating plate in a fully-open position when a temperature is high. FIG. 4B is a figure corresponding to FIG. 4A, showing the actuating plate in a one-third-open position when the temperature is low. FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3, showing the actuating plate in the fully-open position when the temperature is high. FIG. 5B is a figure corresponding to FIG. 5A, showing the actuating plate brought to a fully-closed position by a wind pressure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the actuating plate. FIG. 7 is a front view of a sliding unit incorporated in the ventilation device. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a temperature-sensitive actuator of the sliding unit, the actuating plate and a cam mechanism. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 3. FIG. 10A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a ventilation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an actuating plate in a fully-open position when the temperature is high. In this figure, some components are omitted to make the drawing simple. FIG. 1GB is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1GA, showing the actuating plate in a one-third-open position when the temperature is low. FIG. 11 presents sectional side views of a slider, an engagement block and a movable block of a sliding unit of the ventilation device according to the second embodiment, showing the slider, the engagement block and the movable block separately. FIG. 12 is a sectional side view, showing the slider, the engagement block and the movable block in an assembled state. FIG. 13 presents front views of the engagement block, the movable block and an engagement protrusion of the actuating plate of the ventilation device according to the second embodiment, showing the engagement block, the movable block and the engagement protrusion separately. FIG. 14 is a front view, showing the engagement block, the movable block and the engagement protrusion of the actuating plate in an assembled state.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a sash window disposed in an opening of a wall of a building in a fixed manner. The sash window includes a frame 1 having a vertically long rectangular configuration, four middle bars 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d built in the frame 1 and arranged from top to bottom in this order, an upper glass plate 3a disposed between the middle bars 2a, 2b and a lower glass plate 3b disposed between the middle bars 2c, 2d. Ventilating parts 4 having same features are respectively incorporated between an upper frame portion of the frame 1 and the middle bar 2a, between the middle bars 2b, 2c and between the middle bar 2d and a lower frame portion of the frame 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilating part 4 includes an extrusion molded material (to be referred to simply as "molded material" hereinafter) 5 that has an inner space where indoor-outdoor communication is provided. A filter 6 made of a perforated metal is provided on an outdoor side of the molded material 5 and a ventilation device 7 according to the present invention is received in an indoor side of the molded material 5.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the ventilation device 7 includes an elongated device body 10 horizontally extending in a left-right direction. A main portion of the device body 10 is made of a molded material of aluminum alloy. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device body 10 includes an upper wall 11, a lower wall 12 and a vertical dividing wall 13 connecting middle portions of the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12. An outdoor side space 15 that is open on the outdoor side is formed by the dividing wall 13 and outdoor side portions of the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12. An indoor side space 16 that is open on the indoor side is formed by the dividing wall 13 and indoor side portions of the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12. A plurality of ventilation openings 14 arranged in a longitudinal direction are formed in the dividing wall 13.

[0022] The indoor side space 16 of the device body 10 is covered with a covering plate 8 (shown only in FIGS. 1 and 2) that is removably attached to the device body 10. A multitude of vertically long ventilation slits 8a arranged laterally are formed in the cover8.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ventilation device 7 includes an actuating plate 20 elongatedly extending in a longitudinal direction of the device body 10. The actuating plate 20 is also made of a molded material of aluminum alloy and is disposed in the outdoor side space 15 (that is, outdoor side of the dividing wall 13). The actuating plate 20 has a shaft portion 21 in an upper edge (one side edge in a width direction) thereof. The device body 10 has a bearing portion 17 in a crossing portion of the upper wall 11 and the dividing wall 13. The shaft portion 21 of the actuating plate 20 is received by the bearing portion 17, and thereby, the actuating plate 20 is supported so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction and rotatable in directions toward and away from the dividing wall 13.

[0024] A packing 30 surrounding an area of the actuating plate 20 corresponding to areas of the dividing wall 13 having the plurality of ventilation openings 14 is attached to a surface of the actuating plate 20 on the indoor side. Retaining pieces 22, 23 having L-shaped configurations that are vertically spaced from each other are formed in a surface of the actuating plate 20 on the outdoor side. A sound absorbing pad 35 is received between the retaining pieces 22, 23. A protruded piece 24 protruded outdoor side is formed in a distal end edge of the upper retaining piece 22. An abutment member 62 to be described later is fixed to the protruded piece 24.

[0025] The ventilation device 7 has a function of automatically controlling to open and close the actuating plate 20 according to the temperature, a function of closing the actuating plate 20 in an open state by a wind pressure outside, and a function of manually closing the actuating plate 20. Detailed description is given below.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sliding unit 40 is received in the indoor side space 16 of the device body 10 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the device body 10 (sliding direction of the actuating plate 20). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sliding unit 40 includes an elongated slider 41 extending in the longitudinal direction of the device body 10, an engagement block 42 (first engagement portion) supported by the slider 41 and made of resin, two shape-memory alloy springs 43 (to be referred to as "shape-memory sprigs" hereinafter) and two bias sprigs 44. The shape-memory spring 43 and the bias springs 44 are tension coil springs. The number of the shape-memory springs 43 and the bias springs 44 may be one each. In this embodiment, the engagement block 42, the shape-memory springs 43 and the bias springs 44 constitute a temperature-sensitive actuator 49 that performs an action to be described later.

[0027] The slider 41 includes a slider body 41a made of a metal thin plate formed to have a U-shaped cross-section and spring holders 41b, 41c made of resin respectively fixed to opposite ends of the slider body 41a. Vertically protruded portions.41x are formed in the spring holder 41b on the right side. As shown in FIG. 4, the slider 41 is supported by the device body 10 so as to be slidable in the sliding direction of the actuating plate 20 with the protruded portions 41x supported by stopping flange portions 1l a, 12a formed in edges of the upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12 of the device body 10 on the indoor side.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, a protruded portion 42a is formed in a top surface and an under surface of the engagement block 42. The protruded portions 42a are disposed in engagement holes or elongated holes 41y formed in top and bottom plate portions of the slider body 41a. A dimension of the engagement hole 41y in the sliding direction of the actuating plate 20 is greater than that of the protruded portion 42a. Therefore, the engagement block 42 is supported so as to be slidable with respect to the slider 41 in the sliding direction of the actuating plate 20. The protruded portions 42a and the elongated holes 41y are provided as limiting means that determines a stroke and left and right movement limit positions of the engagement block 42 with respect to the slider 41.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the shape-memory sprig 43 hooked between the engagement block 42 and the spring holder 41b on the right side biases the engagement block 42 to the right. The bias sprig 44 hooked between the engagement block 42 and the spring holder 41c on the left side biases the engagement block 42 to theleft.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the engagement block 42 has a receiving space 42b. On the other hand, an engagement protrusion 50 (second engagement portion) is fixed to a surface of the actuating plate 20 on the indoor side in a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the actuating plate 20. The engagement protrusion 50 is received in the receiving space 42b through one of the ventilation openings 14 of the dividing wall 13. The engagement protrusion 50 is contacted with opposite side surfaces of the receiving space 42b. Thereby, the engagement protrusion 50 is prohibited from relatively moving in the left-right direction (moving in the sliding direction of the actuating plate 20 and the slider 41) and allowed to relatively move in an indoor-outdoor direction (direction orthogonal to the sliding direction) with respect to the engagement block 42. The engagement block 42 and the engagement protrusion 50 constitute a connecting mechanism M that connects the slider 41 and the actuating plate 20.

[0031]

A spring 55 is received in the receiving space 42b of the engagement block 42. The spring 55 is a tension coil spring. One end of the spring 55 is hooked to a bottom portion of the engagement block 42. The other end of the spring 55 is inserted in a slit 50a of the engagement protrusion 50 and hooked to an end portion of the engagement protrusion 50 on the indoor side. The actuating plate 20 is biased to an opening direction by the spring 55.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the ventilation device 7 further includes a plurality of, two, for example, cam mechanisms 60 spacedly arranged in the longitudinal direction of the device body 10. The cam mechanisms 60 are disposed in the outdoor side space 15 on the outdoor side with respect to the actuating plate 20 and in a vicinity of the shaft portion 21 (location close to the shaft portion 21 in the width direction of the actuating plate 20). Each of the cam mechanisms 60 includes a cam member 61 (first cam portion) made of resin and fixed to the device body 10 and an abutment member 62 (second cam portion) as a cam follower that is made of resin and fixed to the protruded piece 24 of the actuating plate 20.

[0033] The cam member 61 includes a fixed portion 61a fixed to an under surface of the upper wall 11 of the device body 10 and a pendant portion 61b pendant from the fixed portion6la. A surface of the pendant portion 61b opposed to the actuating plate is provided as a cam surface 61c. As shown in FIG. 8, the cam surface 61c has a central portion 61x located farthest from the actuating plate 20 and left and right end portions 61y located closest to the actuating plate 20. Portions of the cam surface 61c between the central portion 61x and the left and right end portions 61y are inclined portions 61z. The central portion 61x extending in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the device body 10 has a predetermined length. The central portion 61x, the inclined portion 61z on the left side only and the end portion 61y on the left side only are used in this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a pair of notches 24a are formed in the protruded piece 24 of the actuating plate 20. The abutment member 62 is attached to a remaining portion of the protruded piece 24 between the notches 24a. The notches 24a are formed to avoid interference with the cam member 61.

Since the actuating plate 20 is biased to the opening direction by the spring , the abutment member 62 is contacted with the cam surface 61c of the cam member 61 by a force of the spring 55. A distal end edge of the abutment member 62 extends in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the actuating plate 20. A dimension of the abutment member 62 in the longitudinal direction is generally same as a dimension of the central portion 61x of the cam surface 61c in the longitudinal direction. The distal end edge of the abutment member 62 has a circular are cross-sectional configuration.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the ventilation device 7 further includes a manually operating mechanism 70 disposed in a left end portion of the device body 10. Specifically, one end of a link 71 is connected to the spring holder 41c of the sliding unit 40 on the left side and an operation lever 72 (operation member) is rotatably connected to the other end of the link 71.

[0036] On the other hand, a holder 75 is fixed to the device body 10. The holder 75 has a support hole 75a formed in a generally central portion thereof, a finger insertion recess 75b formed in a left portion thereof and a spring holding portion 75c formed in a right portion thereof. A blade spring 76 having a chevron configuration is mounted on the spring holding portion 75c. Two recesses 71a, 71b for receiving a center top of the blade spring 76 are formed in the link 71.

[0037] The operation lever 72 is exposed to the indoor side through the support hole a of the holder 75. The operation lever 72 is supported so as to be rotatable between an opening operation position and a closing operation position about the support hole 75a. In the opening operation position, the operation lever 72 is laid along the device body 10 as shown in FIG. 9. A user puts his/her finger into the finger insertion recess 75c of the holder 75, hooks his/her finger onto the operation lever 72 and raises the operation lever 72 as indicated by arrow A to bring the operation lever 72 to the closing operation position. In this process, a connecting portion connecting the operation lever 72 and the link 71 is moved to the left as indicated by arrow B, and the sliding unit 40 slides to the left accompanying this movement of the connecting portion to the left.

[0038]

The operation lever 72 is maintained in the opening operation position or in the closing operation position by the top of the blade spring 76 selectively fitting with one of the recesses 71a, 71b of the link 71. As shown in FIG. 1, the covering plate 8 has an operation hole 8b formed therein for exposing the operation lever 72.

[0039] Actions of the ventilation device 7 having the above mentioned features will be described below. When the operation lever 72 of the manually operating mechanism 70 is in the opening operation position shown in FIG. 9, the slider 41 of the sliding unit 40 is in a rightmost position. In this position, the temperature-sensitive actuator 49 automatically controls to open or close the actuating plate 20 according to the temperature.

[0040] Since a force of the shape-memory spring 43 is high when the temperature is high, the engagement block 42 is in a rightmost position with respect to the slider 41. Further movement of the engagement block 42 to the right is limited by abutment of the protruded portion 42a of the engagement block 42 against a right end of the elongated hole 41y of the slider body 41a. When the slider 41 is in the rightmost position with respect to the device body 10 and the engagement block 42 is in the rightmost position with respect to the slider 41 as mentioned above, the abutment member 62 of the actuating plate 20 biased to the opening direction by the spring 55 is contacted with the central portion 61x of the cam surface 61c of the cam member 61 as shown in FIG. 4A. As a result, the actuating plate 20 is in afully-open position that is farthest away from the dividing wall 13.

[0041] When the temperature is decreased to below 18 degrees Celsius, for example, the force of the shape-memory spring 43 is reduced, and the force of the bias spring 44 becomes relatively stronger compared with the force of the shape-memory sprig 43. Therefore, the engagement block 42 slides to the left with respect to the slider 41. Accompanying the sliding of the engagement block 42, the actuating plate 20 slides in the same direction via the engagement between the engagement block 42 and the engagement protrusion 50. Accompanying the sliding of the actuating plate 20, the abutment member 62 is moved from the central portion 61x of the. cam surface 61c to the inclined portion 61z. As the temperature is decreased, the abutment member 62 is moved to the left, remaining in contact with the inclined portion 61z. Therefore, the actuating plate 20 is moved gradually closer to the dividing wall 13, with the degree of opening thereof gradually reduced.

[0042] When the temperature is decreased further to 12 degrees Celsius, for example, the abutment member 62 is moved to a middle portion of the inclined portion 61z, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the actuating plate 20 reaches a position where the degree of opening of the actuating plate 20 is one-third of the degree of opening thereof in the fully-open position. At this time, the protruded portion 42a of the engagement block 42 is caught by a left end of the elongated hole 41y of the slider body 41a. Therefore, even if the temperature is decreased further to below 12 degrees Celsius, the engagement block 42 is prohibited from sliding further to the left. Thus, the actuating plate 20 does not reach a position to completely close the ventilation openings 14 (fully-closed position), being maintained at the one-third degree of opening.

[0043] When a strong wind pressure is applied to the actuating plate 20 from outside while the actuating plate 20 is automatically controlled to open and close according to the temperature as mentioned above, the actuating plate 20 is rotated to the closing direction against the force of the spring 55. As a result, the actuating plate 20 is moved from the fully-open position shown in FIG. 5A or a position of degree of opening according to the temperature to the fully-closed position shown in FIG. 5B. In this condition, the packing 30 is contacted with the dividing wall 13, thereby the ventilation openings are fully closed. Even when the room is left unmanned, rain and wind can be prevented from entering inside the room. Excessive ventilation at a time of strong wind can also be prevented.

[0044] During the closing action of the actuating plate 20 due to the wind pressure as mentioned above, the cam mechanism 60 does not interfere with the closing action of the actuating plate 20 because the abutment member 62 is moved away from the cam surface 61c of the cam member 61. Even if the actuating plate 20 is abutted against the dividing wall 13 strongly, an impact noise can be absorbed by the sound absorbing pad 35 disposed in the actuating plate 20.

[0045]

A resident can purposely close the actuating plate 20 by manual operation, which may be useful when controlling the room temperature by operating an air conditioner or at a time of storm. Specifically, the operation lever 72 of the manually operating mechanism 70 is raised to the closing operation position. Thereby, the slider 41 slides to the left over a predetermined distance. During the sliding, a right end of the elongated hole 41y of the slider body 41a is abutted against the protruded portion 42a of the engagement block 42, and thereby, the engagement block 42 is moved to the left together with the slider 41. The slider 41 slides over a distance slightly longer than a distance from a left end of the central portion 61x of the cam surface 61c to the end portion 61y of the cam surface 61c on the left side. As a result, even when the actuating plate 20 is in the fully-open position (that is, even when the temperature is high and the engagement block 42 is in the rightmost position and the abutment member 62 is at the central portion 61x of the cam surface 61c), the abutment member 62 can be surely moved to the end portion 61y of the cam surface 61c on the left side, and the actuating plate 20 can be brought to the fully-closed position.

[0046] If the lever 72 is brought to the closing operation position when the temperature is low and the engagement block 42 is in a leftmost position with respect to the slider 41 and the abutment member 62 is at the inclined portion 61z of the cam surface 61c (that is, when the actuating plate 20 is in the one-third- open position), for example, the right end of the elongated hole 41y of the slider body 41a is abutted against the protruded portion 42a of the engagement block 42 during the sliding of the slider 41. Thereby, the engagement block 42 can be moved to the right together with the slider 41, and the actuating plate 20 can be brought to the fully-closed position in a similar manner as the above.

[0047] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. In the description of the second embodiment, parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are not shown in the drawings or designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the description of the parts that are not shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, same reference numerals as the first embodiments are used.

[0048]

In this embodiment, a sliding unit 40A is composed of a slider 41, a movable block 45 (movable member) disposed in the slider 41, an engagement block 47 (first engagement portion), shape-memory springs 43 and bias springs 44.

[0049] The movable block 45 is supported by a slider body 41a so as to be slidable along a longitudinal direction of the slider body 41a. The movable block 45 includes a pair of left and right side plates 45a and bridge portions 45b connecting the pair of side plates 45a at upper end portions and lower end portions. When viewed from front, the movable block 45 has a configuration of a vertically-long rectangular hollow frame. As shown in FIG. 13, a hook portion 45c for hooking one end of the shape-memory spring 43 thereto is formed on an outer surface of the side plate 45a on the right side. A hook portion 45d for connecting one end of the bias spring 44 thereto is formed in an outer surface of the side plate 45a on the left side.

[0050] A cam member 81 (third cam portion) extending in a left-right direction is disposed between middle portions of inner surfaces of the pair of side plates 45a. A top surface of the cam member 81 is provided as a cam surface 81a. The cam surface 81a includes a lowest portion 81x that extends horizontally on the left side, an inclined portion 81y that continues to a right end of the lowest portion 81x and extends obliquely upwards and a highest portion 8 1z that continues to a right end of the inclined portion 81y.

[0051] The engagement block 47 includes a pair of left and right side plates 47a and upper and lower plates 47b. When viewed from front, the engagement block 47 has a configuration of a vertically-long rectangular hollow frame. The engagement block 47 has a receiving space 47c. The engagement block 47 includes protruded portions 47d on upper and lower surfaces thereof. The protruded portions 47d is fitted in engagement holes 41z of the slider body 41a. Since dimensions of the protruded portions 47d and the engagement holes 41z are generally the same in this embodiment, the engagement block 47 is immovably fixed to the slider body 41a.

[0052] A width of the engagement block 47 is narrower than a width of the movable block 45. The engagement block 47 is received in an inner space of the movable block 45. A stroke of the sliding of the movable block 45 is limited by the abutment of the left and right side plates 45a of the movable block 45 against the left and right side plates 47a of the engagement block 47 fixed to the slider body 41a. Recesses 47e for the cam member 81 to be moved therethrough are formed in the side plates 47a of the engagement block 47. A pin 47g for hooking a lower end of a spring 55 thereto is attached to the lower plate 47b of the engagement block 47.

[0053] An engagement protrusion 51 (second engagement portion) fixed to a surface of an actuating plate 20 on the indoor side is received in the receiving space 47c of the engagement block 47. Thereby, the engagement protrusion 51 is prohibited from relatively moving with respect to the engagement block 47 in a left-right direction (sliding direction) and allowed to move relatively with respect to the engagement block 47 in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction. A pin 51a for hooking an upper end of the spring 55 thereto is attached to an end portion of the engagement protrusion 51 on the indoor side.

[0054] An under surface of a portion of the engagement protrusion 51 on the indoor side is provided as an abutment portion 82 (fourth cam portion) to be abutted against the cam surface 81a of the cam member 81 of the movable block 45. The cam member 81 and the abutment portion 82 constitute a second cam mechanism 80. In this embodiment, the movable block 45, the shape-memory springs 43, the bias springs 44 and the second cam mechanism 80 constitute a temperature-sensitive actuator.

[0055] In the device having the above mentioned features, when an operation lever 72 of a manually operating mechanism 70 is in an opening operation position shown in FIG. 9, the slider 41 of the sliding unit 40 is in a rightmost position. In this condition, an abutment portion 62 of a cam mechanism 60 is in a position opposed to a central portion 61x of a cam surface 61a. The abutment portion 62 maybe contacted with the central portion 61x. The abutment portion 62 maybe opposed to the central portion 61x with a slight distance therebetween

[0056] Since a force of the shape-memory spring 43 on the right side is strong when the temperature is high, the movable block 45 is in a rightmost position with respect to the slider 41. Further movement of a movable block 45 to the right is limited by abutment of the side plate 45a of the movable block 45 on the left side against the engagement block 47. When the movable block 45 is in the rightmost position with respect to the slider 41, the abutment portion 82 of the engagement protrusion 51 of the actuating plate 20 biased to the opening direction by the spring 55 is contacted with the lowest portion 81x of the cam surface 8 1a of the cam member 81 as shown in FIGS. 1OA and 14. As a result, the actuating plate 20 is in a fully-open position that is farthest away from a dividing wall 13.

[0057] When the temperature is decreased to below 18 degrees Celsius, for example, the force of the shape-memory spring 43 is reduced, and the force of the bias soring 44 becomes relatively stronger compared with the force of the shape-memory sprig 43. Therefore, the movable block 45 slides to the left with respect to the slider 41. Accompanying the sliding of the movable block 45, the abutment portion 82 of the engagement protrusion 51 is moved from the lowest portion 81x of the cam surface 81a to the inclined portion 81y. As the temperature is decreased, the abutment portion 82 is moved to the right with respect to the cam surface 81a, remaining in contact with the inclined portion 8ly. As a result, the abutment portion 82 is lifted by the cam surface 81a, the actuating plate 20 is rotated to be gradually closer to the dividing wall 13, with the degree of opening thereof gradually reduced. Accompanying the rotation of the actuating plate 20, the abutment portion 62 is moved in a direction away from the cam surface 61a.

[0058] When the temperature is decreased further to 12 degrees Celsius, for example, the abutment portion 82 reaches the highest portion 81z of the cam surface 81a, and as shown in FIG. 1OB, the actuating plate 20 reaches a position where the degree of opening of the actuating plate 20 is one-third open. At this time, the side plate 45a of the movable block 45 on the right side is abutted against the engagement block 47. Therefore, even if the temperature is decreased further to below 12 degrees Celsius, the movable block 45 is prohibited from sliding further to the left. Thus, the actuating plate 20 does not reach a position to completely close the ventilation openings 14 (fully-closed position), being maintained at the one-third degree of opening.

[0059] As mentioned above, since the degree of opening of the actuating plate 20 can be automatically controlled by only rotating the actuating plate 20 without sliding the actuating plate 20 in this embodiment, a load on the temperature-sensitive actuator can be reduced.

[0060] Since the closing action of the actuating plate 20 at the time of strong wind is similar to the one in the first embodiment, explanation thereof will be omitted. An action for manually closing the actuating plate 20 with the operation lever 72 is similar to the one in the first embodiment. However, since the slider 41 and the actuating plate 20 are connected via the engagement block 47 and the engagement protrusion 51 so as to be relatively immovable in the sliding direction in this embodiment, the actuating plate 20 can be slid concurrently with the sliding of the slider 41 regardless of the degree of opening of the actuation plate 20 according to the temperature.

[00611 The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and various modifications can be made. The function of automatically controlling to open and close the actuating plate according to the temperature may be omitted. For example, in the first embodiment, the shape-memory spring and the bias spring may be omitted and the engagement block (first engagement portion) may be fixed to a predetermined position of the slider. In this case, the manually operating mechanism can directly control the sliding position of the actuating plate via the slider and the connecting mechanism, thereby finely controlling the degree of opening of the actuating plate. An operating member of the manually operating mechanism may be adapted to be slidable with respect to the device body. When the temperature-sensitive actuator is used, the actuating plate may be fully closed when the temperature is low. In the cam mechanism, the cam member (second cam member) having the cam surface facing outdoor side may be disposed in the actuating plate and the abutment member (first cam member) to be contacted with the cam surface may be disposed in the device body. The ventilation device according to the present invention may be incorporated not only in a fixed sash window but also in an openable/closable sash window and a slide open sash door.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0062]

The present invention may be applied to a ventilation device that can be automatically closed at a time of strong window and that can be manually operated to be opened and closed.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0063] 7 ventilation device device body 13 dividing wall 14 ventilation opening actuating plate 21 shaft portion 41 slider 42 engagement block (first engagement portion) 42b receiving space 43 shape-memory alloy spring 44 bias spring movable block (movable member) 47 engagement block (first engagement portion) 47c receiving space 49 temperature-sensitive actuator ,51 engagement protrusion (second engagement portion) spring cam mechanism 61 cam member (first cam portion) 61c cam surface 62 abutment member (second cam portion) manually operating mechanism second cam mechanism 81 cam member (third cam portion) 81a cam surface 82 abutment portion (fourth cam portion) M connecting mechanism

Claims

[Claim 1] A ventilation device comprising: a device body including a dividing wall having a ventilation opening formed therein; an actuating plate disposed on an outdoor side of the dividing wall, the actuating plate including a shaft portion rotatably and slidably supported by the device body, the ventilation opening being opened and closed accompanying the rotation of the actuating plate; a cam mechanism disposed on an outdoor side of the actuating plate, the cam mechanism rotating the actuating plate accompanying the sliding of the actuating plate; a slider supported by the device body so as to be slidable in a sliding direction of the actuating plate; a connecting mechanism connecting the actuating plate and the slider in such a manner as to allow the rotation of the actuating plate; a manually operating mechanism disposed in the device body and connected to the slider, the manually operating mechanism acting to slide the slider by manual operation for sliding the actuating plate via the connecting mechanism; a spring biasing the actuating plate in an opening direction; the cam mechanism including a first cam portion disposed in the device body and a second cam portion disposed in the actuating plate; the second cam portion disposed facing an indoor side of the first cam portion; and the second cam portion being moved in a direction away from the first cam portion when the actuating plate is rotated to a closing direction against a force of the spring due to a wind pressure.
[Claim 2] The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism includes a first engagement potion disposed in the slider and a second engagement portion protruded from the actuating plate in an indoor direction and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are connected so as to be relatively movable in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the actuating plate and relatively immovable in the sliding direction.
[Claim 3]

The ventilation device according to claim 2, wherein the spring is disposed between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
[Claim 4] The ventilation device according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion has a receiving space, the second engagement portion is received in the receiving space, the spring is received in the receiving space, the spring is a tension coil spring, one end of the spring is hooked to the first engagement portion and the other end of the spring is hooked to the second engagement portion.
[Claim 5] The ventilation device according to claim 2, wherein the first cam portion includes a cam surface facing the actuating plate, the second cam portion is an abutment portion protruded from the actuating plate in an outdoor direction to be contacted with the cam surface.
[Claim 6] The ventilation device according to claim 2, wherein the cam mechanism is disposed in a vicinity of the shaft portion.
[Claim 7] The ventilation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first engagement portion is an engagement block that is a separate component from the slider, the engagement block is supported by the slider so as to be slidable in the sliding direction, a shape-memory alloy spring and a bias spring are disposed in the slider and bias the engagement block in opposite directions along the sliding direction, and the engagement block, the shape-memory alloy spring and the bias spring constitute a temperature-sensitive actuator.
[Claim 8] The ventilation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first engagement portion is fixed to the slider and the connecting mechanism connects the actuating plate and the slider so as to be relatively immovable in the sliding direction.
[Claim 9] The ventilation device according to claim 8, further comprising a temperature-sensitive actuator, the temperature-sensitive actuator including a movable member that is supported by the slider so as to be slidable in the sliding direction, a shape-memory alloy spring and a bias spring that are disposed in the slider and that bias the movable member in opposite directions along the sliding direction and a second cam mechanism that rotates the actuating plate accompanying the sliding of the movable member, the second cam mechanism including a third cam portion disposed in the movable member and a fourth cam portion disposed in the actuating plate, and the fourth cam portion being contacted with the third cam portion by the force of the spring.
[Claim 10] The ventilation device according to claim 9, wherein the movable member has a hollow frame configuration, the first engagement portion is disposed in an inner space of the movable member, the third cam portion includes a cam surface extending in the sliding direction through the first engagement portion and the fourth cam portion is an abutment portion formed in the second engagement portion to be contacted with the cam surface of the third cam portion.