JP2004017848A

JP2004017848A - Duct vent

Info

Publication number: JP2004017848A
Application number: JP2002177039A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Teruo Shiraishi; 白石　輝男
Original assignee: Inoue MTP KK; Inoac Corp
Current assignee: Inoac Corp
Priority date: 2002-06-18
Filing date: 2002-06-18
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-18
Also published as: JP4067345B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a duct vent capable of being simply and accurately mounted to a mounting hole of a partner article. <P>SOLUTION: In the duct vent 10 provided with engagement claws 21 on outer surfaces of at least a pair of opposed side walls 12, 13 of a frame body 11 having an opening 16, the frame body 11 is inserted to the mounting hole H of the partner article and the engagement claw 21 is engaged with the mounting hole H. An engagement part 24 for temporary mounting engaged with the mounting hole H on the midway of the insertion of the frame body 11 to the mounting hole H; and an engagement part 28 for actual fixing engaged with the mounting hole H by further insertion of the frame body 11 to the mounting hole H after the engagement of the engagement part 24 for temporary mounting with the mounting hole H are provided on the engagement claw 21 of at least one side wall of the opposed side walls such that the engagement part 24 for temporary mounting is positioned at the mounting hole insertion direction J side of the frame body as compared with the engagement part 28 for actual fixing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、バタフライ弁によって開閉するダクトベントに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図４に示すように、自動車後部の側面におけるバンパー裏側には、ダクトベント（ダクトクォータベントとも称される）５０が配設されている。前記ダクトベント５０は、図５に示すように、開口５２を有する短筒状の枠体５１と、前記枠体５１の開口５２を開閉するバタフライ弁６１とより構成される。前記バタフライ弁６１は、ゴムシート等からなってその上部が前記枠体５１内に固定され、下部が自由にされて、平常時には前記開口５２を閉じるようになっている。そして、自動車のドアを閉める時や、自動車に設置されたエアコン装置の作動等によって車室内の圧力が高まると、前記バタフライ弁６１が押されて前記枠体５１の開口５２が開き、前記開口５２を通って空気が車室外へ排出され、それによってドアの閉まりを良くしたり、車内の過度の圧力増大を防止する。またドアを閉める動作を行わない自動車の走行中や停車中、あるいはエアコン装置の作動停止等によって車室内の圧力が増大しない場合には、前記バタフライ弁６１が開口５２を閉じ、車室外の空気が車室内に侵入するのを阻止する。なお、符号５３は前記バタフライ弁６１を支持するリブである。
【０００３】
前記ダクトベント５０は、自動車後部のボディ鋼板に形成された取付穴に、前記枠体５１を挿入して取り付けられる。従来のダクトベントの取付方法として、前記枠体５１のフランジ５４に複数形成したネジ穴５５を介してボディ鋼板にネジ止めすることが知られている（特開平９−２４７２９号公報）。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、前記ネジ止め作業は、一カ所のネジ止め作業でも面倒であるのに、前記ダクトベント５０においては、フランジ５４に形成された複数箇所のネジ穴５５の全てにおいてネジ止め作業を行わねばならず、作業性が悪い。特に、自動車の製造においては、ライン上の一工程としてダクトベント取付工程が存在するため、ダクトベント取付工程での作業性低下は、ライン全体に影響を及ぼすことになる。
【０００５】
また、前記ダクトベントの取付作業性向上のため、図６に示すダクトベント７０のように、枠体７１の上下の側壁７２，７３の外面に係合爪７４を設け、前記枠体７１を相手物（ボディ鋼板Ｂ等）の取付穴Ｈに挿入して前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈに係合爪７４を係合させることにより、ダクトベント７０を取り付けることが行われている。符号７５はフランジ、８１はバタフライ弁である。前記フランジ７５には、ゴムスポンジ等の独立気泡構造の弾性体からなるシール材７６が、前記枠体７１の周囲を包囲するように設けられている。前記シール材７６は、前記係合爪７４を前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈに係合させる際に、前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈとフランジ７５間で圧縮され、前記取付穴Ｈ周囲をシールする。
【０００６】
ところが、前記係合爪７４を設けたダクトベント７０にあっては、前記枠体７１を前記取付穴Ｈに挿入する途中で前記シール材７６が圧縮されて、前記枠体７１が前記シール材７６の弾性復元力を受けることになる。そのため、前記枠体７１を前記シール材７６の弾性復元力に打ち勝つ大なる力で取付穴Ｈ側へ強く押さないと、前記係合爪７４を前記取付穴Ｈに係合させることができない。しかも、図６の左図のように、前記枠体７１の上下一側（図では上側）のみを強く押すと、前記シール材７６の変形によって前記枠体７１が傾き、前記枠体７１を前記取付穴Ｈへスムーズに挿入できなくなってしまう。
【０００７】
そこで、前記枠体７１の傾きを防ぐため、前記枠体７１を前記取付穴Ｈへ途中まで一旦挿入した後、前記枠体７１の上下一方（例えば下側）を片手で支持し、その状態で前記枠体７１の上下他方（例えば上側）を反対の手で前記取付穴Ｈへ強く押し込んで、まず前記枠体７１の上下一側について前記係合爪７４を前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈに係合させ、その後、残りの側についても前記取付穴Ｈに強く押し込んで前記係合爪７４を前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈに係合させるようにしている。
【０００８】
ところが、前記枠体７１の上下一側を片手で支持しながら、残りの片手で前記枠体７１の上下他側を前記取付穴Ｈ内に強く、かつ正確に押し込む作業は容易ではなく、しかも、その際に前記シール材７６が圧縮されて弾性復元力が発生するため、かなりの力を必要とする作業であった。
【０００９】
特に、自動車の製造ラインのように、ダクトベントの取付相手であるボディ鋼板Ｂが垂直に吊り下げられた状態でダクトベント取付工程へ供給される場合、前記垂直状態のボディ鋼板Ｂに対し、一方の片手で前記枠体７１の上下一側を支持しながら、残りの片手のみで前記枠体７１の上下他側をボディ鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈに強く押し込む作業は、常に安定して正確にできる作業とは言い難く、作業者に多大な労力を強いることになる。
【００１０】
この発明は、前記の点に鑑みなされたもので、簡単かつ正確に取付穴へ取り付けることができるダクトベントを提供する。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明は、バタフライ弁により開閉される開口を有する枠体の少なくとも一組の対向する側壁の外面に係合爪を備え、前記枠体を相手物の取付穴に挿入して前記係合爪を前記取付穴に係合させるダクトベントにおいて、前記対向する側壁のうち少なくとも一方の側壁の係合爪には、前記取付穴への前記枠体の挿入途中に前記取付穴と係合する仮止め用係合部と、前記仮止め用係合部と前記取付穴との係合後における前記取付穴への前記枠体の更なる挿入によって前記取付穴と係合する本固定用係合部とを、前記仮止め用係合部が前記本固定用係合部よりも前記枠体の取付穴挿入方向側に位置するようにして設けたことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１において、枠体の側壁外面に前記枠体の取付穴挿入方向とは反対方向へ向けて係合爪を突設して、前記係合爪の先端側を前記側壁外面から離れた自由端とするとともに、本固定用係合部を仮止め用係合部よりも前記係合爪の自由端側に設けたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項３の発明は、請求項２において、側壁の外面には係合爪の自由端と対向するフランジを、前記自由端から離して形成するとともに、前記係合爪の自由端を本固定用係合部として前記フランジとの間で相手物の取付穴縁部を挟むようにし、かつ前記係合爪の自由端と基部間の外面に仮止め用係合部としての係合溝を形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１４】
請求項４の発明は、請求項３において、係合溝の深さを、係合爪の自由端から枠体の取付穴挿入方向へ向けて大にし、前記係合溝の最大深さ位置を仮止め用係合位置としたことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
請求項５の発明は、請求項３または４において、フランジの係合爪側の面には、係合爪を取付穴の縁部に係合させる際に前記取付穴の縁部と前記フランジ間で圧縮される弾性体からなるシール材を設けたことを特徴とする。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下添付の図面に従ってこの発明を詳細に説明する。図１はこの発明の一実施例に係るダクトベントの斜視図、図２は図１の２−２断面図、図３は図１のダクトベントの取付穴への挿入取付を示す断面図である。
である。
【００１７】
図１および図２に示すこの発明の一実施例に係るダクトベント１０は、従来技術の項で述べたように、自動車後部のボディ鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈへ挿入されることにより取り付けられて車室内の換気に使用されるものであり、ダクトクォータベントとも称される。前記ダクトベント１０は、枠体１１と、バタフライ弁３５とよりなる。
【００１８】
前記枠体１１は、上下の側壁１２，１３と、左右の側壁１４，１５との二組の側壁で包囲された開口１６を内側に有する断面四角形の短筒形状からなる。前記枠体１１内には、前記開口１６を塞ぐことなく区画する複数のリブ１７が形成されている。前記枠体１１の外面には、前記側壁のうち少なくとも一組の対向する側壁、この例では上下の側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａにそれぞれ係合爪２１が形成され、また前記枠体１１の一端の外周にはフランジ３１が形成されている。前記枠体１１において、前記フランジ３１側から反対側へ向かう方向Ｊが取付穴挿入方向Ｊである。前記枠体１１はポリプロピレン樹脂等、適宜の合成樹脂等で構成される。
【００１９】
前記リブ１７は、上辺が短辺、底辺が長辺となった台形の縦リブで構成され、前記左右の側壁１４，１５と平行にされて複数個並列に配設されている。前記リブ１７は、前記フランジ３１側の辺１７ａが上向きの斜辺とされて、該斜辺１７ａで前記バタフライ弁３５を支持するようになっている。
【００２０】
前記係合爪２１は、前記枠体１１の上下の側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａに、前記フランジ３１寄りに所要数、この例では上下の側壁１２，１３にそれぞれ２個（計４個）が、上下の側壁１２，１３で対称となるように突設されている。前記係合爪２１は、前記取付穴挿入方向Ｊとは反対方向Ｋを向くようにして側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａに基部２２が固定され、前記フランジ３１側を向く先端が側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａから離れた自由端２３とされている。このように上下の側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａに突設された係合爪２１は、上下方向からの押圧により撓んで、前記側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａに接近することができる。また、前記係合爪２１は、前記基部２２側から自由端２３側になるほど、前記係合爪２１と前記側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａとの距離ｍが大になっている。
【００２１】
前記係合爪２１には、仮止め用係合部２４と本固定用係合部２８が設けられている。前記仮止め用係合部２４は、前記係合爪２１の外面に、前記自由端２３から前記取付穴挿入方向Ｊへ向けて深さが大になるようにして形成された係合溝２５で構成される。前記係合溝２５の最大深さ位置２６は、この例では、前記自由端２３と前記基部２２間のほぼ中間位置とされている。さらに前記係合溝２５の最大深さ位置２６の底面２６ａは、前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈを正しく仮止め可能なように、前記ボディ鋼板Ｂにおける取付穴Ｈ縁部ｈの厚みに相当する幅とされ、しかもほぼ平面にされている。前記係合溝２５の最大深さ位置２６から前記自由端２３までは斜面（テーパー）２７となっており、前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈが前記自由端２３へ移動し易いようになっている。また、この例では、前記係合溝２５の最大深さ位置２６と前記自由端２３までの距離は、前記上下の側壁１２，１３の係合爪２１において等しくされ、前記最大深さ位置２６に取付穴Ｈ縁部ｈが仮止めされた際に前記ボディ側鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈと前記枠体１１とが正しい位置関係となるようになっている。
【００２２】
前記本固定用係合部２８は、この実施例では係合爪２１の自由端２３で構成され、前記フランジ３１から所要間隔離れて位置するようにされている。
【００２３】
前記フランジ３１は、前記自由端２３で構成される本固定用係合部２８と対向するように形成され、前記本固定用係合部２８との間で前記ボディ鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈを挟むようになっている。前記本固定用係合部２８と前記フランジ３１との間隔は、前記ボディ鋼板Ｂにおける取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈを確実に挟むことができる寸法とされる。この実施例では、弾性体からなるシール材３２を、前記フランジ３１の前記係合爪側の面３１ａに貼着し、前記シール材３２を介して取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈを前記本固定用係合部２８と前記フランジ３１間で挟持するようになっており、前記挟持時に圧縮されたシール材３２の厚み＋取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈの厚みが、前記本固定用係合部２８と前記フランジ３１との間隔とされている。前記シール材３２は、前記枠体１１の側壁外周を包囲し、かつ前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈとフランジ３１間で圧縮可能となる位置に設けられる。前記シール材３２を構成する弾性体としては、ゴムスポンジ等の独立気泡構造のものが、止水性が良好なために好ましい。
【００２４】
前記バタフライ弁３５は、ゴムシート等の可撓性シートで構成され、前記枠体１１内に前記フランジ３１側から前記リブ１７の斜辺１７ａ上に配設されて、上端が前記枠体１１内に固定され、下部が自由にされている。前記バタフライ弁３５は、平常時、自重で前記リブ１７の斜辺１７ａに当接して前記開口１６を閉じる。また、自動車のドアを閉めたり、エアコンの作動等で前記車室内の圧力が増大した際、前記バタフライ弁３５は、前記リブ１７側から押されて前記上端を支点として前記フランジ３１側へ揺動し、それによって前記リブ１７の斜辺１７ａから離れ、前記枠体１１の開口１６を開ける。
【００２５】
前記構成からなるダクトベント１０の取付を説明する。図３の（Ａ）に示すように、前記ボディ鋼板Ｂに形成された取付穴Ｈへ、前記ダクトベント１０の枠体１１を取付穴挿入方向Ｊに沿って、前記フランジ３１とは反対側の端部１１ａから挿入する。前記取付穴Ｈの寸法Ｄは、前記係合爪２１の本固定用係合部２８間の寸法ｄ１より小であって、しかも前記係合爪２１の仮止め用係合部２４間の寸法ｄ２よりも僅かに小とされ、さらに前記上下の側壁１２，１３の外面１２ａ，１３ａ間の寸法ｄ３よりも大とされる。すなわち、ｄ１＞ｄ２＞Ｄ＞ｄ３となっている。
【００２６】
前記取付穴Ｈへ前記ダクトベント１０の枠体１１を挿入していくと、その途中で、図３の（Ｂ）のように、前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈが、前記上下の側壁１２，１３における係合爪２１の仮止め用係合部２４に前記最大深さ位置２６で係合し、前記ダクトベント１０が前記取付穴Ｈに仮止めされる。これによって、前記ダクトベント１０は前記取付穴Ｈに対して正しい姿勢、この例では直角に仮止めされる。
【００２７】
また、前記枠体１１が前記取付穴Ｈに対して多少傾斜した状態で挿入される場合、例えば前記枠体１１の傾斜によって上側の側壁１２が下側の側壁１３よりも前記取付穴Ｈに深く挿入される場合には、前記取付穴Ｈへの枠体１１の挿入途中において、前記上側の側壁１２では係合爪２１の仮止め用係合部２４が前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈに係合し、前記下側の側壁１３では係合爪２１の仮止め用係合部２４が前記取付穴Ｈの位置に至っていない状態を生じ、その状態で前記枠体１１が前記取付穴Ｈに対して予備仮止めされる。このように、前記枠体１１を傾斜したまま前記取付穴Ｈに挿入しても、途中で予備仮止め状態を経るため、その時点で前記枠体１１の傾きを修正することができ、その修正によって、この例では前記下側の側壁１３においても、前記係合爪２１の仮止め用係合部２４を前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈに係合させ、図３の（Ｂ）に示すように、前記枠体１１を正しい姿勢で仮止めすることができる。この仮止めによって、前記枠体１１は前記ボディ鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈに仮保持されるため、前記枠体１１を作業者が片手で支えなくてもよくなる。
【００２８】
その後、更に前記ダクトベント１０の枠体１１を取付穴挿入方向Ｊに沿って前記取付穴Ｈへ押し込むと、前記仮取止め用係合部２４の最大深さ位置２６から前記自由端２３までの斜面２７が、前記ボディ鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈで前記枠体１１の側壁１２，１４側へ押されながらスムーズに前記取付穴Ｈを通過し、最後に前記自由端２３の前記本固定用係合部２８が前記取付穴Ｈを通過する。その際、作業者は前記係合爪２１が位置する枠体１１の上部又は下部を順に前記フランジ３１側から前記ボディ鋼板Ｂ側へ押して、前記取付穴Ｈへ前記枠体１１を更に挿入するのであるが、前記枠体１１が前記取付穴Ｈに仮止めされていて前記枠体を片手で支える必要がないため、両手で前記フランジ３１の上部又は下部を前記取付穴Ｈ側へ押すことができ、作業を容易に行うことができる。しかも、前記仮止め状態から前記枠体１１の上部又は下部（例えば上部）をフランジ３１側から押す際には、押していない側（例えば下部）が前記取付穴Ｈに仮止めされた状態になっているため、前記枠体１１が大きく傾くことがなく、前記取付穴Ｈへの枠体１１の挿入が妨げられるおそれがない。
【００２９】
前記係合爪２１の自由端２３の本固定用係合部２８が前記取付穴Ｈを通過することによって、図３の（Ｃ）に示すように、前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈが前記本固定用係合部２８と前記フランジ３１とで挟まれる。さらには前記フランジ３１に貼着されているシール材３２が、前記本固定用係合部２８と前記フランジ３１との間で必要量圧縮される。それによって、前記ダクトベント１０は前記ボディ鋼板Ｂの取付穴Ｈに正確に、しかもガタツキなく取り付けられ、止水性能を発揮する。特に、前記実施例では、前記係合爪２１の自由端２３を本固定用係合部２８として、前記自由端２３の本固定用係合部２８と前記フランジ３１間で前記取付穴Ｈの縁部を挟持して前記ダクトベント１０の枠体１１を本固定するため、前記ダクトベント１０に水平方向の力が加わっても、前記係合爪２１における自由端２３の本固定用係合部２８あるいはフランジ３１が、前記取付穴Ｈの縁部ｈと衝突して係合が解除されることがないので、前記ダクトベント１０を取付穴Ｈに確実に保持することができる。
【００３０】
なお、前記実施例では、前記枠体の上下の側壁とも係合爪に仮止め用係合部と本固定用係合部を設けたが、上下何れか一方の側壁における係合爪に仮止め用係合部と本固定用係合部を設け、他方の側壁では係合爪に本固定用係合部のみを設け、仮止め用係合部を設けないものであってもよい。その場合でも、前記枠体を取付穴に挿入する途中に、一方の側壁の係合爪で一旦仮止め係合されるため、その後、取付穴へ枠体を正しく、かつ確実に挿入するのが容易になる。また、前記実施例では、上下の側壁に係合爪を設けたが、左右の側壁に係合爪を設けてもよい。さらに、前記実施例では、前記係合爪の自由端を本固定用係合部とし、前記自由端の本固定用係合部とフランジ間で取付穴の縁部を挟持することにより、前記枠体の確実な係合取付を行えるようにしたが、本発明は、前記本固定用係合部を前記係合爪の自由端に設けず、係合爪の基部と自由端間の外面に設けてもよい。
【００３１】
【発明の効果】
以上図示し説明したように、この発明によれば、ダクトベントにおける枠体の係合爪に仮止め用係合部と本固定用係合部を、仮止め用係合部が本固定用係合部よりも枠体の取付穴挿入方向側に位置するように設けたため、枠体を取付穴に挿入して取り付ける際に、簡単、かつ正しく、しかも確実にダクトベントを取り付けることができる。
【００３２】
特に、自動車の製造ラインでは、ボディ鋼板が垂直に吊り下げられた状態でダクトベントの取付工程へ搬送されてくるため、ダクトベントをボディ鋼板の取付穴に対して、常に正しい姿勢で挿入するのは容易ではないが、この発明では、挿入途中で枠体が仮止めされるため、その後の本固定までスムーズかつ確実に枠体を取付穴へ挿入することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の一実施例に係るダクトベントの斜視図である。
【図２】図１の２−２断面図である。
【図３】図１のダクトベントの取付穴への挿入取付を示す断面図である。
【図４】ダクトベントが取り付けられた自動車の側面図である。
【図５】従来のネジで取り付けられるダクトベントの斜視図である。
【図６】係合爪で取り付けられるダクトベントの不具合を示す断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０　ダクトベント
１１　枠体
１２，１３，１４，１５　側壁
１６　開口
２１　係合爪
２３　自由端
２４　仮止め用係合部
２５　係合溝
２８　本固定用係合部
３１　フランジ
３５　バタフライ弁
Ｂ　ボディ鋼板（相手物）
Ｈ　取付穴
ｈ　取付穴縁部
Ｊ　枠体の取付穴挿入方向[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a duct vent that is opened and closed by a butterfly valve.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 4, a duct vent (also referred to as a duct quarter vent) 50 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle, behind the bumper. As shown in FIG. 5, the duct vent 50 includes a short cylindrical frame 51 having an opening 52 and a butterfly valve 61 for opening and closing the opening 52 of the frame 51. The butterfly valve 61 is made of a rubber sheet or the like, and the upper part thereof is fixed in the frame body 51, the lower part is free, and the opening 52 is normally closed. When the pressure in the vehicle interior is increased by closing the door of the vehicle or by the operation of an air conditioner installed in the vehicle, the butterfly valve 61 is pushed to open the opening 52 of the frame body 51 and open the opening 52. Air is exhausted out of the passenger compartment through the door, thereby improving the closing of the door and preventing an excessive increase in the pressure inside the vehicle. In addition, when the pressure in the vehicle interior does not increase due to running or stopping of the vehicle that does not perform the operation of closing the door, or stoppage of the operation of the air conditioner, the butterfly valve 61 closes the opening 52, and the air outside the vehicle interior is released. Prevent entry into the cabin. Reference numeral 53 denotes a rib for supporting the butterfly valve 61.
[0003]
The duct vent 50 is mounted by inserting the frame 51 into a mounting hole formed in a body steel plate at the rear of the vehicle. As a conventional method of attaching a duct vent, it is known that the duct vent is screwed to a body steel plate via a plurality of screw holes 55 formed in a flange 54 of the frame body 51 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-24729).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, although the screwing operation is troublesome even in one screwing operation, in the duct vent 50, the screwing operation has to be performed in all of the plural screw holes 55 formed in the flange 54. And workability is poor. In particular, in the manufacture of automobiles, since a duct vent attaching step exists as one step on the line, a reduction in workability in the duct vent attaching step affects the entire line.
[0005]
In order to improve the workability of mounting the duct vent, engaging claws 74 are provided on outer surfaces of upper and lower side walls 72 and 73 of the frame body 71, as shown in a duct vent 70 shown in FIG. The duct vent 70 is attached by inserting the engaging claw 74 into the mounting hole H of the object (such as the body steel plate B) and engaging the engaging claw 74 with the edge h of the mounting hole H. Reference numeral 75 denotes a flange, and 81 denotes a butterfly valve. The flange 75 is provided with a sealing member 76 made of an elastic body having a closed cell structure such as a rubber sponge so as to surround the frame 71. When the engaging claw 74 is engaged with the edge h of the mounting hole H, the sealing material 76 is compressed between the edge h of the mounting hole H and the flange 75 to seal around the mounting hole H. I do.
[0006]
However, in the duct vent 70 provided with the engaging claws 74, the sealing member 76 is compressed during the insertion of the frame 71 into the mounting hole H, and the frame 71 is Of the elastic restoring force. Therefore, the engaging claw 74 cannot be engaged with the mounting hole H unless the frame 71 is strongly pushed toward the mounting hole H with a large force that overcomes the elastic restoring force of the seal material 76. Further, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 6, when only one of the upper and lower sides (the upper side in the figure) of the frame 71 is strongly pressed, the frame 71 is tilted due to the deformation of the sealing material 76, and the frame 71 is It will not be able to be inserted smoothly into the mounting hole H.
[0007]
Therefore, in order to prevent the frame 71 from being tilted, the frame 71 is once inserted halfway into the mounting hole H, and one of the upper and lower sides (for example, the lower side) of the frame 71 is supported with one hand. The other upper side (for example, the upper side) of the frame 71 is strongly pushed into the mounting hole H with the opposite hand, and the engaging claw 74 is firstly placed on the upper and lower sides of the frame 71 at the edge h of the mounting hole H. After that, the other side is strongly pushed into the mounting hole H so that the engaging claw 74 is engaged with the edge h of the mounting hole H.
[0008]
However, it is not easy to strongly and accurately push the upper and lower sides of the frame 71 into the mounting holes H with the remaining one hand while supporting the upper and lower sides of the frame 71 with one hand. At this time, since the sealing material 76 is compressed and an elastic restoring force is generated, the operation requires a considerable force.
[0009]
In particular, when the body steel plate B to which the duct vent is to be attached is supplied to the duct vent attaching step in a vertically suspended state, as in an automobile production line, the body steel plate B in the vertical state has one side. The operation of firmly pushing the upper and lower sides of the frame 71 into the mounting holes H of the body steel plate B with only the remaining one hand while supporting the upper and lower sides of the frame 71 with one hand can always be performed stably and accurately. It is hard to say that it is a task, and it requires a great deal of labor for the worker.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a duct vent that can be easily and accurately attached to a mounting hole.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an engaging claw is provided on an outer surface of at least one pair of opposing side walls of a frame having an opening opened and closed by a butterfly valve, and the frame is inserted into a mounting hole of a counterpart and the engaging member is engaged. In the duct vent in which the dovetail is engaged with the mounting hole, the engaging claw of at least one of the opposed side walls is engaged with the mounting hole during insertion of the frame into the mounting hole. A temporary fixing engagement portion, and a permanent fixing engagement that engages with the mounting hole by further inserting the frame into the mounting hole after the temporary fixing engagement portion engages with the mounting hole. The provisional fixing portion is provided such that the temporary fixing engaging portion is positioned closer to the mounting hole insertion direction of the frame than the main fixing engaging portion.
[0012]
In the invention of claim 2, according to claim 1, an engaging claw is provided on an outer surface of a side wall of the frame in a direction opposite to a direction in which the mounting hole of the frame is inserted. It is a free end separated from the outer surface of the side wall, and the permanent fixing engaging portion is provided on the free end side of the engaging claw with respect to the temporary fixing engaging portion.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, a flange facing the free end of the engaging claw is formed on the outer surface of the side wall away from the free end, and the free end of the engaging claw is permanently fixed. An engaging portion was formed so as to sandwich the edge of the mounting hole of the counterpart between the flange and the flange, and an engaging groove serving as a temporary fixing engaging portion was formed on the outer surface between the free end and the base of the engaging claw. It is characterized by the following.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the depth of the engagement groove is increased from the free end of the engagement claw toward the mounting hole insertion direction of the frame, and the maximum depth position of the engagement groove is increased. It is characterized in that it is a temporary fixing engagement position.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, when the engaging claw is engaged with the edge of the mounting hole, the surface of the flange on the side of the engaging claw is provided between the edge of the mounting hole and the flange. A sealing material made of an elastic material compressed by the above-mentioned method.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a duct vent according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing insertion of a duct vent of FIG. .
It is.
[0017]
The duct vent 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted by being inserted into a mounting hole H of a body steel plate B at the rear of the vehicle as described in the section of the prior art. It is used for indoor ventilation and is also called duct quarter vent. The duct vent 10 includes a frame 11 and a butterfly valve 35.
[0018]
The frame body 11 has a short cylindrical shape having a rectangular cross section and having an opening 16 inside surrounded by two sets of upper and lower side walls 12 and 13 and left and right side walls 14 and 15. A plurality of ribs 17 are formed in the frame 11 to partition the opening 16 without closing the opening 16. On the outer surface of the frame 11, engaging claws 21 are formed on at least one pair of opposing side walls of the side walls, in this example, on outer surfaces 12a, 13a of upper and lower side walls 12, 13, respectively. A flange 31 is formed on the outer periphery of one end of the flange. In the frame 11, a direction J from the flange 31 side to the opposite side is a mounting hole insertion direction J. The frame 11 is made of a suitable synthetic resin such as a polypropylene resin.
[0019]
The ribs 17 are composed of trapezoidal vertical ribs having a short side at an upper side and a long side at a bottom side, and a plurality of ribs 17 are arranged in parallel with the left and right side walls 14 and 15. The rib 17 has a side 17a on the flange 31 side formed as an oblique side facing upward, and the oblique side 17a supports the butterfly valve 35.
[0020]
A required number of the engaging claws 21 are provided on the outer surfaces 12a and 13a of the upper and lower side walls 12 and 13 of the frame 11 near the flange 31. In this example, two engaging claws 21 are provided on the upper and lower side walls 12 and 13 respectively (total of four). ) Are provided so as to be symmetrical at the upper and lower side walls 12 and 13. The base 22 is fixed to the outer surfaces 12a, 13a of the side walls 12, 13 so that the engaging claw 21 faces in the direction K opposite to the mounting hole insertion direction J. 13 is a free end 23 remote from the outer surfaces 12a, 13a. The engagement claws 21 protruding from the outer surfaces 12a, 13a of the upper and lower side walls 12, 13 in this manner are bent by being pressed in the vertical direction, and can approach the outer surfaces 12a, 13a of the side walls 12, 13. . The distance m between the engaging claw 21 and the outer surfaces 12a and 13a of the side walls 12 and 13 increases as the distance from the base 22 toward the free end 23 increases.
[0021]
The engaging claw 21 is provided with a temporary fixing engaging portion 24 and a permanent fixing engaging portion 28. The temporary fixing engaging portion 24 is formed by an engaging groove 25 formed on the outer surface of the engaging claw 21 such that the depth increases from the free end 23 toward the mounting hole insertion direction J. Be composed. In this example, the maximum depth position 26 of the engagement groove 25 is substantially a middle position between the free end 23 and the base 22. Further, the bottom surface 26a at the maximum depth position 26 of the engagement groove 25 corresponds to the thickness of the mounting hole H edge h in the body steel plate B so that the edge h of the mounting hole H can be correctly temporarily fixed. It has a width and is substantially flat. An inclined surface (taper) 27 is formed from the maximum depth position 26 of the engagement groove 25 to the free end 23 so that the edge h of the mounting hole H can easily move to the free end 23. . In this example, the distance between the maximum depth position 26 of the engagement groove 25 and the free end 23 is equal at the engagement claws 21 of the upper and lower side walls 12 and 13. When the edge h of the mounting hole H is temporarily fixed, the mounting hole H of the body-side steel plate B and the frame 11 have a correct positional relationship.
[0022]
In this embodiment, the permanent fixing engaging portion 28 is constituted by the free end 23 of the engaging claw 21 and is located at a required distance from the flange 31.
[0023]
The flange 31 is formed so as to face the main fixing engaging portion 28 formed by the free end 23, and the flange 31 has an edge of the mounting hole H of the body steel plate B between the main fixing engaging portion 28 and the main fixing engaging portion 28. The portion h is sandwiched. The distance between the main fixing engagement portion 28 and the flange 31 is set to a dimension that can securely sandwich the edge h of the mounting hole H in the body steel plate B. In this embodiment, a sealing material 32 made of an elastic material is attached to the surface 31a of the flange 31 on the side of the engaging claw, and the edge h of the mounting hole H is fixed through the sealing material 32 for the main fixing. The thickness of the sealing material 32 compressed at the time of the clamping + the thickness of the edge portion h of the mounting hole H is equal to that of the main fixing engaging portion 28. The distance from the flange 31 is set. The sealing material 32 is provided at a position surrounding the outer periphery of the side wall of the frame 11 and capable of being compressed between the edge h of the mounting hole H and the flange 31. As the elastic body constituting the seal member 32, a closed cell structure such as a rubber sponge is preferable because of its good water stopping property.
[0024]
The butterfly valve 35 is formed of a flexible sheet such as a rubber sheet, and is disposed on the oblique side 17 a of the rib 17 from the flange 31 side in the frame 11, and the upper end is located in the frame 11. Fixed and bottom free. The butterfly valve 35 closes the opening 16 by contacting the oblique side 17a of the rib 17 with its own weight under normal conditions. Also, when the pressure in the cabin increases due to closing of the door of the car, operation of an air conditioner, or the like, the butterfly valve 35 is pushed from the rib 17 side and swings toward the flange 31 with the upper end as a fulcrum. Then, the ribs 17 are separated from the oblique sides 17a of the ribs 17 and the openings 16 of the frame body 11 are opened.
[0025]
The attachment of the duct vent 10 having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the frame 11 of the duct vent 10 is inserted into the mounting hole H formed in the body steel plate B along the mounting hole insertion direction J on the side opposite to the flange 31. Insert from end 11a. The dimension D of the mounting hole H is smaller than the dimension d1 between the main fixing engaging portions 28 of the engaging claws 21 and the dimension d2 between the temporary fixing engaging portions 24 of the engaging claws 21. And slightly larger than the dimension d3 between the outer surfaces 12a and 13a of the upper and lower sidewalls 12 and 13. That is, d1>d2>D> d3.
[0026]
When the frame 11 of the duct vent 10 is inserted into the mounting hole H, the edge h of the mounting hole H is formed halfway along the way, as shown in FIG. 13 is engaged with the temporary fixing engaging portion 24 of the engaging claw 21 at the maximum depth position 26, and the duct vent 10 is temporarily fixed to the mounting hole H. As a result, the duct vent 10 is temporarily fixed in a correct posture with respect to the mounting hole H, in this example, at a right angle.
[0027]
When the frame 11 is inserted in a state of being slightly inclined with respect to the mounting hole H, for example, the upper side wall 12 is deeper in the mounting hole H than the lower side wall 13 due to the inclination of the frame 11. When the frame 11 is inserted into the mounting hole H, the temporary engaging portion 24 of the engaging claw 21 is engaged with the edge h of the mounting hole H on the upper side wall 12 during the insertion of the frame 11 into the mounting hole H. In the lower side wall 13, there occurs a state in which the temporary fixing engaging portion 24 of the engaging claw 21 does not reach the position of the mounting hole H. In this state, the frame 11 is moved with respect to the mounting hole H. It is temporarily provisionally fixed. As described above, even if the frame 11 is inserted into the mounting hole H while being inclined, the inclination of the frame 11 can be corrected at that point because the preliminary temporary fixing state is passed on the way. Accordingly, in this example, also on the lower side wall 13, the temporary fixing engaging portion 24 of the engaging claw 21 is engaged with the edge h of the mounting hole H, as shown in FIG. In addition, the frame 11 can be temporarily fixed in a correct posture. By this temporary fixing, the frame 11 is temporarily held in the mounting hole H of the body steel plate B, so that the operator does not need to support the frame 11 with one hand.
[0028]
Thereafter, when the frame 11 of the duct vent 10 is further pushed into the mounting hole H along the mounting hole insertion direction J, the slope from the maximum depth position 26 of the temporary retaining engagement portion 24 to the free end 23 is increased. 27 smoothly passes through the mounting hole H while being pushed toward the side walls 12 and 14 of the frame body 11 at the edge h of the mounting hole H of the body steel plate B, and finally, the permanent fixing of the free end 23. The engaging portion 28 passes through the mounting hole H. At that time, the operator sequentially pushes the upper or lower part of the frame 11 where the engaging claw 21 is located from the flange 31 side to the body steel plate B side, and further inserts the frame 11 into the mounting hole H. However, since the frame 11 is temporarily fixed to the mounting hole H and it is not necessary to support the frame with one hand, the upper or lower part of the flange 31 can be pushed toward the mounting hole H with both hands. , Work can be performed easily. Moreover, when the upper or lower part (for example, the upper part) of the frame body 11 is pressed from the flange 31 side from the temporary fixing state, the non-pressed side (for example, the lower part) is temporarily fixed to the mounting hole H. Therefore, the frame 11 does not tilt greatly, and there is no possibility that the insertion of the frame 11 into the mounting hole H is hindered.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 3 (C), when the final fixing engaging portion 28 of the free end 23 of the engaging claw 21 passes through the mounting hole H, the edge h of the mounting hole H It is sandwiched between the fixing engaging portion 28 and the flange 31. Further, the required amount of the sealing material 32 adhered to the flange 31 is compressed between the main fixing engaging portion 28 and the flange 31. As a result, the duct vent 10 is mounted accurately and without rattling in the mounting hole H of the body steel plate B, and exhibits water stopping performance. Particularly, in the embodiment, the free end 23 of the engaging claw 21 is used as the permanent fixing engaging portion 28, and the edge of the mounting hole H is provided between the permanent fixing engaging portion 28 of the free end 23 and the flange 31. In order to fully fix the frame 11 of the duct vent 10 by holding the portion, even if a horizontal force is applied to the duct vent 10, the permanent fixing engaging portion 28 of the free end 23 of the engaging claw 21 is provided. Alternatively, since the flange 31 does not collide with the edge h of the mounting hole H and is disengaged, the duct vent 10 can be reliably held in the mounting hole H.
[0030]
In the above embodiment, both the upper and lower side walls of the frame body are provided with the temporary fixing engagement portions and the permanent fixing engagement portions on the engagement claws. It is also possible to provide an engaging portion for fixing and a fixing portion for permanent fixing, and to provide only a fixing portion for permanent fixing on the engaging claw on the other side wall, and not to provide an engaging portion for temporary fixing. Even in such a case, since the frame is temporarily temporarily engaged with the engaging claw on one of the side walls during the insertion of the frame into the mounting hole, it is possible to correctly and reliably insert the frame into the mounting hole thereafter. Become easy. Further, in the above embodiment, the engaging claws are provided on the upper and lower side walls, but the engaging claws may be provided on the left and right side walls. Further, in the above embodiment, the free end of the engaging claw is used as a permanent fixing engaging portion, and the edge of the mounting hole is sandwiched between the permanent fixing engaging portion of the free end and the flange, thereby forming the frame. Although the present invention enables reliable engagement and attachment of the body, the present invention does not provide the permanent fixing engaging portion at the free end of the engaging claw, but provides it on the outer surface between the base and the free end of the engaging claw. May be.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, according to the present invention, the temporary fixing engaging portion and the permanent fixing engaging portion are engaged with the engaging claw of the frame in the duct vent, and the temporary fixing engaging portion is engaged with the final fixing engaging portion. The duct vent is provided so as to be located on the mounting hole insertion direction side of the frame body with respect to the joint portion. Therefore, when the frame body is inserted into the mounting hole and mounted, the duct vent can be simply, correctly and reliably mounted.
[0032]
In particular, in a car production line, the body steel sheet is transported to the duct vent mounting process while being suspended vertically, so always insert the duct vent into the mounting hole of the body steel sheet in the correct posture. Although it is not easy, in the present invention, the frame is temporarily fixed during the insertion, so that the frame can be smoothly and reliably inserted into the mounting hole until the final fixing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a duct vent according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the duct vent of FIG. 1 inserted into a mounting hole.
FIG. 4 is a side view of an automobile to which a duct vent is attached.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional duct vent attached with screws.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a problem with a duct vent attached with an engagement claw.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Duct Vent 11 Frames 12, 13, 14, 15 Side Wall 16 Opening 21 Engagement Claw 23 Free End 24 Temporary Fixing Engagement 25 Engagement Groove 28 Fixing Engagement Part 31 Flange 35 Butterfly Valve B Body Steel Plate ( Counterpart)
H Mounting hole h Mounting hole edge J Mounting hole insertion direction of frame

Claims

An engaging claw is provided on an outer surface of at least one pair of opposing side walls of a frame having an opening opened and closed by a butterfly valve, and the frame is inserted into a mounting hole of a counterpart and the engaging claw is inserted into the mounting hole. In the duct vent to be engaged,
The engaging claw of at least one of the opposed side walls has a temporary fixing engaging portion that engages with the mounting hole during the insertion of the frame into the mounting hole, and the temporary fixing engagement. The temporary fixing engaging portion, which is engaged with the mounting hole by further inserting the frame into the mounting hole after the engagement between the portion and the mounting hole, A duct vent provided so as to be located closer to the mounting hole insertion direction side of the frame than the fixing engagement portion.

An engaging claw protrudes from a side wall outer surface of the frame body in a direction opposite to a mounting hole insertion direction of the frame body, and a tip end side of the engaging claw is a free end separated from the side wall outer surface, 2. The duct vent according to claim 1, wherein the permanent fixing engaging portion is provided on a free end side of the engaging claw with respect to the temporary fixing engaging portion. 3.

A flange opposed to the free end of the engaging claw is formed on the outer surface of the side wall so as to be separated from the free end, and the free end of the engaging claw is used as a permanent fixing engagement portion between the flange and the counterpart. 3. The duct according to claim 2, wherein an edge of the mounting hole is sandwiched, and an engaging groove as a temporary fixing engaging portion is formed on an outer surface between a free end and a base of the engaging claw. Bento.

The depth of the engagement groove is increased from the free end of the engagement claw toward the mounting hole insertion direction of the frame, and the maximum depth position of the engagement groove is set as a temporary fixing engagement position. The duct vent according to claim 3, wherein

A seal material made of an elastic body is provided on the surface of the flange on the side of the engaging claw, which is compressed between the edge of the mounting hole and the flange when the engaging claw is engaged with the edge of the mounting hole. The duct vent according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: