JP2002192939A - Vehicular wind direction adjuster - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operational feeling of an operating knob for wind direction adjustment. SOLUTION: A vehicular wind direction adjuster has the longitudinally slidable operating knob 7 on a front louver 3 for adjusting the wind direction of air blown from an air outlet, and an elastic spacer 8 of elastic material in the operating knob 7 and in a pressed relation to the front edge of the front louver 3. The operating knob 7 has a louver insertion hole 7f opening in one face, and the front louver 3 has a longitudinal guide projection 3d projecting along the front opening edge of the louver insertion hole 7f. The elastic spacer 8 disposed in the operating knob 7 absorbs play between the operating knob 7 and the front louver 3 to smooth the movement of the operating knob 7 and improve the operational feeling thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle in which the operating feeling of an operating knob is improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 3-97149 and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No.
What is described in 18246 is publicly known.

In the wind direction adjusting device of the former publication, a knob is slidably mounted on a horizontal fin rotatably supported by a frame, and a concave groove is formed in the lower surface of the horizontal fin in a longitudinal direction. The knob is guided by the concave groove so that the inner peripheral edge of the knob does not contact the front peripheral edge of the horizontal fin. Since the peripheral edge is not worn, there is an effect that the appearance is not impaired.

In the wind direction adjusting device disclosed in the latter publication, a louver fitting hole is formed on the lower surface of the operating body, and the operating body is fitted into the louver on the front side from the louver fitting hole, and is formed on the rear inner surface of the operating body. The recessed groove is fitted to a ridge formed on the rear edge of the front louver, and resistance ribs that slide on the upper and lower surfaces of the front louver are provided on the upper and lower inner surfaces of the operating body.

[0005]

However, in the case where the horizontal fin is provided with a concave groove in the longitudinal direction as in the wind direction adjusting device of the former publication, it is necessary to make the horizontal fin thick to ensure the rigidity of the horizontal fin. As a result, there is a problem in that the horizontal fins cause air resistance and obstruct the flow of air blown out from the air blowout port.

Further, since the knob must be fitted to the horizontal louver from the end of the horizontal louver, there is a problem that it takes time to assemble the knob and the workability during assembly is poor.

On the other hand, in the wind direction adjusting device disclosed in the latter publication, since the operating body can be assembled to the front louver through the louver fitting hole formed in the operating body, the workability at the time of assembling is improved. The front louvers must be thin because the ribs for resistance are protruding on the inner surface, so if an object hits the operating body protruding from the front edge of the front louvers, the front louvers will be deformed. Therefore, there has been a problem that the smooth sliding of the operating body is hindered, the front louver is damaged, and the wind direction adjusting device cannot be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wind direction adjusting device in which the operation knob can be easily assembled and the operation feeling is good. .

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle, comprising: a front louver for adjusting a wind direction of air blown from an air outlet; A vehicle wind direction adjusting device comprising a knob, and an operation knob provided with an elastic spacer made of an elastic body pressed against a front edge of a front louver, wherein an opening of a louver insertion opening is provided on one surface of the operation knob. A guide ridge is provided in the longitudinal direction of the front louver along the front opening edge of the louver insertion port.

[0010] With the above configuration, the operation knob can be assembled to the front louver in a short time by inserting the front louver from the louver insertion opening opened on one surface of the operation knob. The workability is improved, and the play between the operation knob and the front louver is absorbed by the elastic spacer provided on the operation knob, so that the operation knob moves smoothly and the operation feeling is improved.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the present invention is provided with projections at both ends of a front opening edge of a louver insertion opening, the projections being in contact with guide ridges from the front.

[0012] With the above structure, the projections protruding from both ends of the opening edge of the louver insertion opening are slid in contact with the guide ridges of the front louver by point contact, so that the operation knob can be moved smoothly and the operational feeling is further enhanced. improves.

Even if an object or the like collides with the tip of the operating knob projecting from the front edge of the front louver and an excessive external force acts on the operating knob, the external force is supported by the guide ridge of the front louver via the projection. Therefore, the operation knob and the front louver can be prevented from being deformed or damaged.

In order to achieve the above object, a wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle according to the present invention has a stopper formed by bending both ends of a guide ridge.

According to the above construction, since the movement range of the operation knob is restricted by the stopper, the operation knob does not move more than necessary, and the rigidity of the front louver is determined by the guide ridge and the stopper provided on the front louver. As a result, the thickness of the front louver can be reduced, thereby reducing the air resistance of the front louver. Therefore, problems such as obstruction of the flow of air blown out from the air outlet can be solved.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle, wherein a front louver is provided in a horizontal direction.
A guide ridge is provided on the lower surface of the front louver.

According to the above configuration, the guide ridge provided on the lower surface of the front louver is hard to be seen from the outside, so that the appearance of the front louver is not impaired.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the present invention is characterized in that, on both surfaces of a front louver, ridges that slide in contact with an inner surface of an operation knob are provided in a longitudinal direction, and an operation is provided at a rear end of the front louver. The knob is formed by projecting a ridge that fits into a concave groove formed on the inner surface of the rear wall.

According to the above configuration, the movement of the operation knob is guided by the ridge protruding from both sides of the front louver and the ridge protruding from the rear end of the front louver. improves.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind direction adjusting device, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same. A main body 1 mounted in an air outlet (both not shown) opened in an instrument panel or the like is shown in FIG. , The front and rear surfaces of which are formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, and a rear end portion of which is connected to an air conditioner (both not shown) through a duct. A long, substantially rectangular front panel 2 is mounted.

A plurality of brackets 2a project rearward from the rear surface of the front panel 2, and engagement holes 2b formed at the tips of these brackets are engaged with engagement projections projecting from both side surfaces of the main body 1. The front panel 2 is attached to the main body 1 by engaging with the projection 1b.

An opening 2c is opened in the center of the front panel 2. A plurality of front louvers 3 are provided behind the opening 2c, and a plurality of rear louvers 4 are provided behind the front louver 3.
Are provided so as to be orthogonal to each other.

The front louvers 3 are provided, for example, in a horizontal direction, and shaft pins 3a protruding from both front ends of each front louver 3 are rotatably supported in pin holes 5a formed in the spacer 5. The spacer 5 is fitted on the inner surface of the opening 1a of the main body 1.

A pin 3 is provided at the rear of one end of the front louver 3.
The front louvers 3 are interlocked with each other by the links 6 by fitting these pins 3b into pin holes 6a formed in the link 6, and the front louvers 3 located at the middle stage are provided. Is provided with an operation knob 7 for adjusting the angles of the front louver 3 and the rear louver 4.
Are slidably fitted in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the operation knob 7 includes an upper plate 7a, a lower plate 7b, and upper and lower plates 7a, 7b.
b is formed of a connecting portion 7c for connecting the front end side of the base plate b and is integrally formed of resin. A large number of anti-slip projections 7d are provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 7a and the lower surface of the lower plate 7b. I have.

A louver fitting hole 7e slightly larger than the thickness of the front louver 3 is formed between the upper plate 7a and the lower plate 7b, and the rear end of the louver fitting hole 7e is formed on the lower plate 7b.
Is connected to a louver insertion opening 7f opened at the rear end of the louver.

The louver insertion opening 7f is used to insert the operation knob 7 into the front louver 3. The rear end of the lower plate 7b and the rear end of the upper plate 7a allow the front louver 3 to be easily inserted. At the lower end of the rear wall 7g protruding downward, a tapered surface 7h is formed which is sequentially widened outward.

On the front upper and lower surfaces of the front louver 3 to which the operation knob 7 is attached, ridges 3c are provided in the longitudinal direction.

Each of the ridges 3c has a small arc-shaped cross section. As shown in FIG.
The lower surface plate 7b is slidably contacted with the upper surface, and the lower surface slightly behind the center of the front louver 3 is provided with a prismatic guide ridge 3d,
A prismatic ridge 3e is provided on the rear end surface in the longitudinal direction of the front louver 3.

On the front surface of the guide ridge 3d protruding from the lower surface of the front louver 3, a pair of projections projecting rearward from the front opening edge of the louver insertion opening 7f opened in the lower plate 7b of the operation knob 7. The protrusion 7i is slidably abutted to guide the movement of the operation knob 7 by point contact, and stoppers 3f are formed at both ends of the guide ridge 3d so as to be bent substantially at right angles forward. Therefore, the operation range of the operation knob 7 is regulated by these stoppers 3f.

A ridge 3e protruding from the rear end of the front louver 3
Is fitted into a concave groove 7k formed on the inner surface of the rear wall 7g of the operation knob 7, and is elastically provided by an elastic spacer 8 provided in the operation knob 7 so as to slide on the front edge of the front louver 3. The inner surface of the rear wall 7 g is pressed against the rear end surface of the front louver 3.

The elastic spacer 8 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 3 by an elastic body such as rubber, and a fitting groove 8a formed on the front face is formed so as to protrude from a connecting portion 7c of the operation knob 7. By being fitted to the fitting projection 7m, the front louver 3 is interposed between the front edge of the front louver 3 and the connecting portion 7c as shown in FIG. No backlash in the front-rear direction is generated between the first and the second.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a finisher fitted to the front portion to enhance the decorative effect of the operation knob 7.

On the other hand, a rear louver 4 provided behind the front louver 3 is provided in a vertical direction so as to be orthogonal to the front louver 3, and shaft pins 4a projecting from both ends are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 1. It is rotatably supported by the drilled pin hole 1c.

A pin 4b projecting from the upper end of the rear louver 4 is inserted into a pin hole 13a formed in the link 13, and the link 13 links the rear louvers 4 together. , Front edge 4c of rear louver 4 located at the center
Is inserted between bifurcated operating pieces 7n projecting rearward from the rear end of the operating knob 7, and the operating knob 7 is
, The angle of the rear louver 4 can be adjusted.

1 and 2, reference numeral 14 denotes a damper opening / closing dial for opening / closing a damper (not shown) provided in the main body 1 through a link 15. The damper opening / closing dial 14 is located on the front panel 2 in front of an elongated hole 2d. It is projected forward of the panel 2.

In the lower part of the front panel 2, a switch hole 2e from which a switch (not shown) projects is opened.

Next, the operation of the thus configured wind direction adjusting device will be described.

In assembling the wind direction adjusting device, first, the rear louver 4 is vertically assembled in the main body 1, and then the front louver 3 is horizontally assembled in the opening 1 a of the main body 1. Before assembling, the operation knob 7 is attached to one of the front louvers 3.

In mounting the operation knob 7, after the elastic spacer 8 is incorporated in the operation knob 7, the front end side of the front louver 3 is moved to the louver insertion opening 7f opened in the lower plate 7b of the operation knob 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the louver fitting hole 7e is further inserted into the louver fitting hole 7e, and in this state, the rear end of the front louver 3 is also pushed into the louver fitting hole 7e.

The louver insertion opening 7f has a tapered surface 7h formed in advance in the opening, so that the front louver 3 can be easily inserted into the louver fitting hole 7e.

By fitting the front louver 3 into the louver fitting hole 7e, the ridge 3e projecting from the rear end of the front louver 3 fits into the concave groove 7k of the rear wall 7g of the operation knob 7. At the same time, the rear end surface of the front louver 3 is pressed against the inner surface of the rear wall 7g by the elasticity of the elastic spacer 8, and at the same time, the lower plate 7
As shown in FIG. 5, a protrusion 7i projecting from the rear end of the guide b is brought into contact with the front surface of a guide ridge 3d projecting from the lower surface of the front louver 3.

After the operation knob 7 is assembled to one of the front louvers 3 as described above, the front louver 3 is assembled into the opening 1a of the main body 1. At this time, the operation knob 7 is projected from the rear end of the operation knob 7. The front edge 4c of the rear louver 4 located at the center is engaged between the operating pieces 7n as shown in FIG.

The front louver 3 is inserted into the opening 1a of the main body 1.
Is completed, the front panel 2 is attached to the front part of the main body 1, and the assembled wind direction adjusting device is attached to the air outlet opening in the instrument panel or the like, so that the air is blown out from the air outlet. The direction of the air flow can be freely adjusted by the front louver 3 and the rear louver 4.

The elasticity of the elastic spacer 8 provided in the operation knob 7 causes the inner surface of the rear wall 7g of the operation knob 7 to be pressed against the rear end surface of the front louver 3, so that there is a play between the front louver 3 and the operation knob 7. Does not occur and the lower plate 7b
The projection 7i projecting from the rear end of the front louver 3 makes point contact with the front surface of the guide ridge 3d projecting from the lower surface of the front louver 3 to guide the movement of the operation knob 7, so that the movement of the operation knob 7 is smooth. The operation feeling of the operation knob 7 is thereby improved.

Further, an appropriate operation resistance is applied to the operation knob 7 by the contact friction between the elastic spacer 8 and the front edge of the front louver 3 and the contact friction between the ridge 3c protruding from the upper and lower surfaces of the front louver 3 and the inner surface of the operation knob 7. Therefore, the operational feeling of the operation knob 7 is further improved, and at the same time, the rear louver 4 can be reliably held at the adjustment position.

On the other hand, since the front end of the operation knob 7 projects forward from the front end of the front louver 3, an excessive external force may be applied to the operation knob 7 due to an accidental collision with an object. Is carried by the guide ridge 3d protruding from the lower surface of the front louver 3 via the projection 7i at the rear end of the lower plate 7b, so that the operation knob 7 and the front louver 3 are prevented from being deformed. Can be prevented.

8 and 9 show a modification of the operation knob 7, which will be described below.

The same parts as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this modification, a concave groove 8a formed on the front surface of the elastic spacer 8 is fitted to a projection 10a projecting from the finisher 10, and the elastic spacer 8 is provided in front of the connecting portion 7c of the operation knob 7. The leg portions 8b protruding from the rear surface of the elastic spacer 8 are projected from both sides of the connecting portion 7c toward the front louver 3, and the tips of the leg portions 8b are pressed against the front edge of the front louver 3. Thus, a function similar to that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Although the operating knob 7 and the finisher 10 are formed separately in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, they may be formed integrally.

In the above embodiment, the front louver 3 is provided in the horizontal direction and the rear louver 4 is provided in the vertical direction.
Of course, the front louver 3 may be provided in the vertical direction and the rear louver 4 may be provided in the horizontal direction.

[0054]

According to the present invention, as described in detail above, a louver insertion port is opened on one surface of an operation knob provided on a front louver for adjusting the direction of air blown from an air outlet. Along the front opening edge of the louver insertion port,
Since the guide ridge is projected in the longitudinal direction of the front louver, the operation knob can be quickly inserted into the front louver by inserting the front louver from the louver insertion opening opened on one side of the operation knob. It can be assembled to improve workability during assembly, and the elastic spacer provided on the operation knob absorbs play between the operation knob and the front louver, so the operation knob moves smoothly and can be operated The feeling is improved.

At both ends of the front opening edge of the louver insertion port,
The projections that come into contact with the guide ridges from the front protrude, and these projections are slid in contact with the guide ridges of the front louver by point contact, so that the operation knob moves smoothly and the operational feeling is further improved. Even if an object or the like collides with the tip of the operation knob projecting from the front edge of the front louver and an excessive external force acts on the operation knob, the external force is supported by the guide ridge of the front louver via the projection. Therefore, the operation knob and the front louver can be prevented from being deformed or damaged.

Further, since the stopper is formed by bending both ends of the guide ridge, the moving range of the operation knob is regulated by the stopper, so that the operation knob does not move more than necessary and the guide is not moved. The ridges and stoppers increase the rigidity of the front louver, so the front louver can be made thinner, which reduces the air resistance of the front louver, eliminating problems such as obstructing the flow of air blown from the air outlet. can do.

Further, if the front louver is provided in the horizontal direction and the guide ridge is projected from the lower surface of the front louver, the guide ridge becomes difficult to be seen from the outside, so that the appearance of the front louver is not spoiled. On both surfaces of the front louver, ridges projecting in the longitudinal direction are provided so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the operation knob, and at the rear end of the front louver, ridges which fit into concave grooves formed on the inner surface of the rear wall of the operation knob are provided. If it protrudes, the movement of the operation knob is guided by the protrusion protruding from both sides of the front louver and the protrusion protruding from the rear end of the front louver, so that the operation feeling of the operation knob is further improved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a front louver and an operation knob provided in the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a front louver and an operation knob provided in the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an assembled state of a front louver and an operation knob provided in the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view as seen from the direction A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view at the time of assembling the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the operation knob provided in the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the operation knob provided in the vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 front louver 3c ridge 3d guide ridge 3e ridge 3f stopper 7 operation knob 7f louver insertion port 7g rear wall 7i projection 7k concave groove 8 elastic spacer

Claims (5)

[Claims] An operation knob is provided on a front louver for adjusting a wind direction of air blown from an air outlet, and an operation knob is slidably provided in a longitudinal direction, and the operation knob is pressed against a front edge of the front louver. A vehicle wind direction adjusting device provided with an elastic spacer made of an elastic body, wherein a louver insertion opening is opened on one surface of the operation knob, and the front louver is provided along a front opening edge of the louver insertion opening. A wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle, wherein a guide ridge is projected in a longitudinal direction. 2. The wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein projections are provided at both ends of a front opening edge of the louver insertion opening so as to abut on the guide projections from the front. 3. The vehicle wind direction adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is formed by bending both ends of the guide ridge. 4. The wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said front louver is provided in a horizontal direction, and said guide ridge is projected from a lower surface of said front louver. . 5. A projection formed on both surfaces of the front louver in a longitudinal direction so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the operation knob, and a concave formed on a rear wall inner surface of the operation knob at a rear end of the front louver. The wind direction adjusting device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a ridge that fits into the groove is protruded.