JP2020203561A - Air-conditioning register and method for manufacturing thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To configure a drive mechanism with a small number of components while achieving down-sizing of a metal mold device.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning register comprises: a retainer 10; a downstream fin 15; a control knob 21; plural upstream fins 26; and a drive mechanism 35. Each upstream fin 26 comprises an upstream fin body 27 which is arranged on an upstream side with respect to the downstream fin 15 in a flow direction of air-conditioning air A1, and is tiltably supported on the retainer 10 by an upstream fin shaft 28. A connection shaft 36 of the drive mechanism 35 extends in parallel to the upstream fin shaft 28 at a location which is on a downstream side with respect to the upstream fin shaft 28 and is separated from each upstream fin body 27 in the same direction in a thickness direction of the upstream fin body 27, and is connected to the upstream fin body 27 by a support protrusion 37. A rod 41 of the drive mechanism 35 is connected to all connection shafts 36, and moves in an arrangement direction of the upstream fins 26 in such a manner that slide of the control knob 21 is transmitted via a transmission mechanism 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner register for changing the direction of air conditioner air sent from an air conditioner and blown into a room, and a method for manufacturing the same.

For example, the instrument panel of a vehicle incorporates an air-conditioning register that blows air-conditioning air sent from an air-conditioning device into the vehicle interior. The air conditioning register includes a retainer having a ventilation path for air conditioning air. As shown in FIG. 10, a downstream fin (not shown) and a plurality of upstream fins 72 and 73 are arranged in the ventilation passage from the downstream to the upstream in the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1. An operation knob 71 is slidably attached to the downstream fin. Each of the upstream fins 72 and 73 is tiltably supported by the retainer by the upstream fin shaft 74. The air-conditioning register further includes a drive mechanism 75 for tilting the upstream fins 72 and 73 in conjunction with the slide of the operation knob 71.

The drive mechanism 75 includes a transmission mechanism 76 for transmitting the slide of the operation knob 71 to the upstream fin 72, and an interlocking mechanism 77 for tilting the upstream fin 73 in a state of being synchronized with the upstream fin 72.

For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the transmission mechanism 76 includes a fork 78 provided on the operation knob 71, a transmission shaft portion 79 provided on the upstream fin 72, and a notch portion 81. There is. The fork 78 is bifurcated and sandwiches the transmission shaft portion 79 from both sides in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins 72 and 73.

The interlocking mechanism 77 includes a connecting pin 82 formed at a position separated from the upstream fin shaft 74 for each of the upstream fins 72 and 73, and a connecting rod 83 for connecting all the connecting pins 82.
In the air conditioning register described in Patent Document 1, when the operation knob 71 is slid in the arrangement direction, the fork 78 presses the transmission shaft portion 79 in the same direction. By this pressing, the upstream fin 72 is tilted with the upstream fin shaft 74 as a fulcrum. The tilt of the upstream fins 72 is transmitted to each upstream fin 73 via the connecting rod 83 and the connecting pin 82. As a result, each upstream fin 73 is tilted in synchronization with the upstream fin 72, and the direction of the air conditioning air A1 is changed.

By the way, in the molding step of molding the upstream fins 72 and 73 during the manufacturing process of the air conditioning register, the mold apparatus 84 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is used. The upstream fins 72 and 73 are arranged so that the side surfaces of all the upstream fins 72 and 73 are located substantially on the same plane between the first molding mold 85 and the second molding mold 86 that are closed. It is molded. In this case, since the upstream fin 72 has the transmission shaft portion 79 and the notch portion 81 on the downstream side of the upstream fin shaft 74, the first molding mold 85 and the second molding mold 86 are mounted on the side surfaces of the upstream fins 72 and 73. It is difficult to move relative to the direction along. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the first molding die 85 and the second molding die 86 are relatively moved in the thickness direction of the upstream fins 72 and 73, so that the mold device 84 is closed and opened and upstream. The fins 72 and 73 are molded. Therefore, in the arrangement directions of the upstream fins 72 and 73, and in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is inevitable that the mold device 84 will be enlarged in the left-right direction.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, a drive gear 87 and a driven gear 88 are used as the transmission mechanism 76. The drive gear 87 is provided in place of the fork 78, and is formed at the upstream end of the operation knob 71 in the flow direction. The driven gear 88 is provided in place of the transmission shaft portion 79 and the notch portion 81. The driven gear 88 is attached to the adherend portion 89 formed on the upstream fin 72, and is meshed with the drive gear 87.

Here, as described above, the driven gear 88 is composed of a member different from the upstream fin 72 because it is difficult to integrally form the upstream fin 72 and the driven gear 88.
Of the components of the air-conditioning register shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the same members as those of the components of the air-conditioning register shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the air conditioning register described in Patent Document 2, when the operation knob 71 is slid, the meshing position of the drive gear 87 with the driven gear 88 changes, and the upstream fin 72 is tilted with the upstream fin shaft 74 as a fulcrum. .. The tilt of the upstream fins 72 is transmitted to each upstream fin 73 via the connecting rod 83 and the connecting pin 82. As a result, each upstream fin 73 is tilted in synchronization with the upstream fin 72. Therefore, even in this case, the direction of the air conditioning air A1 can be changed by operating the operation knob 71.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-225839 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-148455

According to the air conditioning register described in Patent Document 2, in the molding steps of the upstream fins 72 and 73, as shown in FIG. 16, the mold device 90 is a mold-closed first molding mold 91 and second molding. Between the molds 92, all the upstream fins 72 and 73 are formed so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction. In this case, the mold apparatus 90 is closed and opened by relatively moving the first molding die 91 and the second molding die 92 in the direction along the side surfaces of the upstream fins 72 and 73, and in the vertical direction in FIG. The upstream fins 72 and 73 are formed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the mold device 90 in the arrangement directions of the upstream fins 72 and 73, and in the left-right direction in FIG.

However, in the air-conditioning register described in Patent Document 2, in addition to the connecting rod 83 connecting the connecting pins 82 being provided separately from the upstream fins 72 and 73, the driven gear 88 is separately provided from the upstream fins 72. Since it is provided, there is a problem that the number of parts constituting the drive mechanism 75 increases.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to manufacture an air-conditioning register and its manufacture capable of configuring a drive mechanism with a small number of parts while reducing the size of a mold device. To provide a method.

The air-conditioning register that solves the above problems is slidable to the retainer in which the air-conditioning air ventilation path is formed, the downstream fins arranged in the ventilation path and slidably supported by the retainer, and the downstream fins. It is provided with an operation knob mounted on the above and a plurality of upstream fin bodies arranged upstream of the downstream fins in the flow direction of the air conditioning air, and each upstream fin body can be tilted to the retainer by the upstream fin shaft. A plurality of supported upstream fins and a drive mechanism for tilting each upstream fin in conjunction with a slide operation of the operation knob are provided, and the drive mechanism is provided in the flow direction from the upstream fin shaft for each upstream fin. Provided in a state of being connected to the upstream fin body so as to extend parallel to the upstream fin axis at a position separated from each upstream fin body in the same direction in the thickness direction of the upstream fin body. It is provided with a connected shaft and a rod that is connected to all the connecting shafts and moves in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins by transmitting the slide of the operating knob via a transmission mechanism.

According to the above configuration, when the operation knob is slid, the movement of the operation knob is transmitted to the rod via the transmission mechanism in the drive mechanism, and the rod moves in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins. The movement of the rod is transmitted to all the upstream fin bodies via the connecting shaft for each upstream fin in the drive mechanism. The connecting shaft for each upstream fin extends parallel to the upstream fin shaft at a position separated from the upstream fin shaft in the flow direction of the air conditioning air. Therefore, each upstream fin is tilted in the same direction with its own upstream fin axis as a fulcrum in a state of being synchronized with each other. The air conditioning air flowing through the ventilation passage can be turned by flowing along each upstream fin.

In this way, the transmission mechanism and the rod in the drive mechanism transmit the slide of the operation knob to the connecting shaft for each upstream fin, and tilt all the upstream fins in a synchronized state. Therefore, unlike Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 in which a specific upstream fin is tilted and the other upstream fins are synchronized with the specific upstream fin, a connecting rod for connecting the connecting pins for each upstream fin becomes unnecessary. .. The number of parts that make up the drive mechanism is reduced accordingly.

Further, the connecting shaft for each upstream fin is located at a position separated from each upstream fin main body in the same direction in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body. Therefore, in the molding process that forms part of the manufacturing process of the air conditioning register, when all the upstream fins are molded by the mold device, the first molding die and the second molding die are relative to each other in the direction along the side surface of the upstream fin body. It is moved to close and open the mold device. By doing so, it is possible to mold all the upstream fins in a state of being arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body. As a result, the first molding die and the second molding die are relatively moved in the thickness direction to close and open the mold device, so that all the upstream fins have substantially the same plane on the side surface of the upstream fin body. The size of the mold device in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins is smaller than that in the case of molding in the state of being arranged so as to be located above.

In the air-conditioning register, each upstream fin has a support protrusion that projects from the upstream fin body in the same direction in the thickness direction, and the connecting shaft is attached to the upstream fin body via the support protrusion. It is preferable that they are connected.

According to the above configuration, when the rod moves in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins in response to the sliding operation of the operation knob, the movement of the rod is transferred to each upstream fin body via the connecting shaft and the support protrusion for each upstream fin. Be transmitted.

Further, the support protrusions for each upstream fin project from the upstream fin body in the same direction in the thickness direction of the upstream fin body. Therefore, the first molding die and the second molding die are relatively moved in the direction along the side surface of the upstream fin body, and the mold device is closed and opened, so that all the upstream fins are moved to each other in the thickness direction. It is possible to mold in a state where they are arranged so as to be parallel.

In the air-conditioning register, the upstream fins in the intermediate portion in the arrangement direction and the upstream fins at both ends in the same arrangement direction whose connecting shaft is not located between the adjacent upstream fins are targeted. The upstream fin body of the target upstream fin is formed with a notch extending from the downstream end in the flow direction to the upstream side, and at least the upstream portion of the rod in the flow direction is the target. It is preferable that it is inserted into the notch for each of the upstream fins.

According to the above configuration, when the operation knob is slid, the movement of the operation knob is transmitted to the rod via the transmission mechanism, and the rod moves in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins. At this time, in the upstream fin targeted, at least a part of the upstream portion of the rod in the flow direction moves in the notch.

In the air-conditioning register, shaft support portions that support the connecting shafts are formed at a plurality of positions of the rods in the arrangement direction, and the upstream end faces of the rods in the flow direction and the shaft support portions are communicated with each other. A communication portion is formed so that the communication portion is formed, and the dimension in the arrangement direction at the narrowest portion of the communication portion is set smaller than the dimension at the portion where the dimension of the connecting shaft is the largest in the thickness direction. Is preferable.

According to the above configuration, when the rod is assembled to a plurality of upstream fins, the rod is brought closer to the arranged plurality of upstream fins along the flow direction, so that the connecting shaft for each upstream fin is connected. However, it enters the shaft support portion through the communication portion. Therefore, when the connecting shaft is engaged with the shaft support portion by bringing the rod having the shaft support portion formed of holes close to the upstream fin along the axial direction of the connecting shaft and the shaft supporting portion without forming the communication portion. Compared with, the assembling property of the rod to the upstream fin is improved.

In the state where the connecting shaft is engaged with the shaft support portion, the narrowest portion of the communicating portion wraps in the same thickness direction with respect to the portion having the largest dimension in the thickness direction of the connecting shaft. This wrap portion regulates the connecting shaft from coming out of the shaft support portion.

In the air conditioning register, the transmission mechanism has a plate-shaped first rib protruding from the operation knob to the upstream side in the flow direction and a plate-shaped second rib protruding from the rod to the downstream side in the flow direction. It is preferable that one of the first rib and the second rib extends in the flow direction in a state parallel to each other and sandwiches the other from both sides in the arrangement direction.

Here, in the air-conditioning register described in Patent Document 2, a large structure including a driven gear is located as a drive mechanism in the central portion of the ventilation path. This large structure may obstruct the flow of air conditioning air, resulting in increased pressure loss and noise. Further, when the air conditioning register is viewed from the downstream side, the large structure can be seen in the central portion of the ventilation passage, so that there is a problem that the appearance is deteriorated.

In this respect, according to the above configuration, both the first rib and the second rib constituting the transmission mechanism have a plate shape and extend in the flow direction. The transmission mechanism is smaller than the transmission mechanism composed of the drive gear and the driven gear. Therefore, the first rib and the second rib are less likely to obstruct the flow of air conditioning air. Therefore, the pressure loss and noise are reduced as compared with the air conditioning register described in Patent Document 2. Further, from the downstream side of the air conditioning register, the first rib and the second rib are difficult to see for the same reason as described above, and the appearance is improved.

The method for manufacturing an air-conditioning register that solves the above problems is the method for manufacturing an air-conditioning register according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the upstream fins are formed into a first molding die and a first molding mold. Including a molding step of molding by a mold apparatus including two molding dies, in the molding step, as the mold apparatus, a plurality of the upstream of the first molding dies and the second molding dies that are closed. Those that are molded in a state where the fins are arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body are used, and in the molding step, the first molding die and the second molding die are the upstream fin main bodies. By being relatively moved along the side surface, the mold device is closed and opened, and the upstream fin is formed.

According to the above method, a molding step is performed in manufacturing the air conditioning register according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In the molding step, the first molding die and the second molding die are relatively moved in the direction along the side surface of the upstream fin body, so that the mold device is closed and opened. A cavity that is a molding space for molding a plurality of upstream fins in a state of being arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction of the upstream fin body between the first molding die and the second molding die that are closed. Is formed. The molten resin is filled in these cavities and cured to form upstream fins having a connecting shaft.

As described above, since the first molding die and the second molding die are closed and opened in the direction along the side surface of the upstream fin body formed in a state of being arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction. It is possible to reduce the size of the mold device in the direction of arranging the upstream fins.

According to the above-mentioned air-conditioning register and its manufacturing method, the drive mechanism can be configured with a small number of parts while reducing the size of the mold device.

An exploded perspective view of an operation knob, a rod, and a plurality of upstream fins in the air conditioning register of one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view showing a plurality of upstream fins, downstream fins, operating knobs and rods in a neutral state in the air conditioning register of one embodiment. The front view which shows the plurality of upstream fins in the air-conditioning register of one embodiment together with a rod. (A) is a partial plan sectional view showing a connecting portion between the connecting shaft of the upstream fin and the rod in the air conditioning register of one embodiment, and (b) is a state before the rod is connected to the connecting shaft. Partial plan sectional view shown. FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view showing a plurality of upstream fins in the air conditioning register of one embodiment together with a mold device. A front view showing an intermediate molded product in which a plurality of upstream fins in the air conditioning register of one embodiment are connected by a connecting portion. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a downstream fin, an operation knob, a rod, and a plurality of upstream fins when the operation knob is slid to the right from the neutral state of FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view showing a downstream fin, an operation knob, a rod, and a plurality of upstream fins when the operation knob is further slid to the right from the state of FIG. 7. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a downstream fin, an operation knob, a rod, and a plurality of upstream fins when the operation knob is slid to the left from the neutral state of FIG. An exploded perspective view of an operation knob, a plurality of upstream fins, and a connecting rod in a conventional air conditioning register corresponding to Patent Document 1. A description showing the relationship between the upstream fins and the mold device when the plurality of upstream fins in FIG. 10 are molded in a state of being arranged so that their side surfaces are substantially on the same plane using the mold device. Figure. FIG. 10 is a partial plan sectional view showing the relationship between a part of the upstream fins and the mold device in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operation knob, a driven gear, a plurality of upstream fins, and a connecting rod in a conventional air conditioning register corresponding to Patent Document 2. The front view of a plurality of upstream fins in FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded plan sectional view of an operation knob, a driven gear, a plurality of upstream fins, and a connecting rod in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view showing a plurality of upstream fins in FIG. 13 together with a mold device.

Hereinafter, an air-conditioning register incorporated in a vehicle and an embodiment embodied in a method for manufacturing the air-conditioning register will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
In the following description, the traveling direction of the vehicle will be the front, the reverse direction will be the rear, and the height direction will be the vertical direction. Further, regarding the vehicle width direction, that is, the left-right direction, the direction is defined with reference to the case where the vehicle is viewed from the rear.

In the passenger compartment, an instrument panel (not shown) is provided in front of the front seat of the vehicle, and air conditioning registers are incorporated in the central portion, side portions, and the like in the left-right direction thereof. The main function of this air-conditioning register is to change the direction of the air-conditioning air sent from the air-conditioning device and blown into the vehicle interior.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air conditioning register includes a retainer 10, a downstream fin 15, an operation knob 21, an upstream fin 26, and a drive mechanism 35. A plurality of downstream fins 15 and a plurality of upstream fins 26 are provided. Next, the configuration of each of these parts will be described.

<Retainer 10>
The retainer 10 is for connecting an air duct (not shown) of the air conditioner to an opening provided in the instrument panel. The retainer 10 is made of a plurality of members formed of a resin material, and has a tubular shape with both ends open. The internal space of the retainer 10 constitutes a flow path (hereinafter referred to as "ventilation passage 11") of the air conditioning air A1 sent from the air conditioner. Here, regarding the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1, the side closer to the air conditioner is referred to as "upstream", and the side far from the air conditioner is referred to as "downstream". The downstream end of the ventilation passage 11 constitutes the air outlet 12 of the air conditioning air A1.

<Downstream fin 15>
The plurality of downstream fins 15 are arranged in the ventilation passage 11 upstream of the air outlet 12 in a state of being separated from each other in the vertical direction. The downstream fin 15 includes a plate-shaped downstream fin main body 16, a pair of downstream fin shafts 17, and a downstream connecting pin 18. Each downstream fin body 16 has an elongated plate shape in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction with respect to the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1. Both downstream fin shafts 17 for each of the downstream fins 15 extend in the left-right direction at both left and right ends of the downstream fin main body 16. Each downstream fin 15 is supported by a vertical wall portion 13 of the retainer 10 on both downstream fin shafts 17, and can be tilted in the vertical direction with both downstream fin shafts 17 as fulcrums. The downstream connecting pin 18 is provided on the right end surface of each downstream fin main body 16 at a position separated upstream from the downstream fin shaft 17. The downstream connecting pin 18 extends in the left-right direction like the downstream fin shaft 17.

The downstream connecting pins 18 for each of the downstream fins 15 are connected to each other by a downstream connecting rod 19 extending substantially in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the specific downstream fin 15 to which the operation knob 21 is mounted is tilted with the downstream fin shaft 17 as a fulcrum, the tilt is transmitted to the other downstream fins 15 via the downstream connecting pin 18 and the downstream connecting rod 19. To. The other downstream fins 15 are tilted in synchronization with the specific downstream fins 15.

<Operation knob 21>
The operation knob 21 is a member operated by an occupant when changing the direction of the air conditioning air A1 blown out from the air outlet 12, and is left and right in the length direction with respect to one specific downstream fin main body 16. It is mounted so that it can slide in the direction.

<Upstream fin 26>
The plurality of upstream fins 26 are arranged upstream of the downstream fins 15 of the ventilation passage 11 in a state of being separated from each other in the left-right direction. This direction intersects the flow direction and the arrangement direction of the downstream fins 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each upstream fin 26 includes a plate-shaped upstream fin main body 27 and a pair of upper and lower upstream fin shafts 28. Each upstream fin body 27 has a plate shape extending in the vertical direction, which is a direction intersecting the flow direction and the downstream fin body 16.

Both upstream fin shafts 28 for each of the upstream fins 26 extend in the vertical direction at both upper and lower ends of the upstream fin main body 27. Each upstream fin 26 is supported by a side wall portion (not shown) of the retainer 10 on both upstream fin shafts 28, and can be tilted in the left-right direction with both upstream fin shafts 28 as fulcrums.

<Drive mechanism 35>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 (a) and 4 (b), the drive mechanism 35 is a mechanism for tilting each upstream fin 26 in conjunction with the sliding operation of the operation knob 21. The drive mechanism 35 includes a connecting shaft 36, a rod 41, and a transmission mechanism 51 provided for each upstream fin 26. The connecting shaft 36 for each of the upstream fins 26 has a cross-sectional shape in which the dimensions of the upstream fin main body 27 in the thickness direction become smaller toward the downstream side.

The connecting shaft 36 for each of the upstream fins 26 is provided at a position that satisfies the following conditions.
-A location separated from the upstream fin shaft 28 of each upstream fin 26 in the flow direction of the air conditioning air A1.

-The locations are separated from each upstream fin body 27 in the same direction in the thickness direction of the same upstream fin body 27.
As a portion satisfying the above conditions, in the present embodiment, a portion downstream of the upstream fin shaft 28 of the upstream fin main body 27 and separated to the left from the upstream fin main body 27 is set.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) and 4 (b), each connecting shaft 36 is provided in a state of being connected to the upstream fin main body 27 so as to extend parallel to the upstream fin shaft 28. More specifically, each upstream fin 26 has a pair of upper and lower support protrusions 37 protruding from the upstream fin main body 27 in the same direction in the thickness direction. The connecting shaft 36 for each of the upstream fins 26 is bridged between the support protrusions 37. These connecting shafts 36 and both supporting protrusions 37 are integrally formed with the upstream fin main body 27. In this way, the connecting shaft 36 for each of the upstream fins 26 is connected to the upstream fin main body 27 via a pair of upper and lower support protrusions 37.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a notch 29 is formed in the upstream fin main body 27 of the upstream fin 26 located at the intermediate portion in the left-right direction among the plurality of upstream fins 26. Of the upstream fins 26 located at both ends in the left-right direction, the upstream fin main body 27 in which the connecting shaft 36 is not located between the adjacent upstream fins 26, and in the present embodiment, the notch 29 is also made in the leftmost upstream fin main body 27. Is formed. A notch 29 is not formed in the upstream fin body 27 at the right end. Each notch 29 extends from the downstream end of the upstream fin body 27 to the upstream side at the same height position as the connecting shaft 36.

The rod 41 includes a plate-shaped rod body 42 extending in the left-right direction. Shaft support portions 43 are formed at a plurality of locations upstream of the rod body 42 and separated from each other in the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 (a) and 4 (b), each shaft support portion 43 is formed at a position slightly separated from the upstream end surface of the rod body 42 to the downstream side, and forms a substantially arc shape. It has an inner wall surface. The rod 41 is formed with a communication portion 44 for communicating the upstream end surface thereof with each shaft support portion 43. Each communication portion 44 has a pair of guide surfaces 45 that are separated from each other in the left-right direction. Each guide surface 45 is inclined with respect to the flow direction so that the distance D1 between the guide surfaces 45 becomes smaller toward the downstream side.

The dimension M1 in the left-right direction at the boundary portion of each communication portion 44 with each shaft support portion 43 is set to be larger than the dimension M2 in the thickness direction at the downstream end of each connecting shaft 36. The dimension M1 is set to be smaller than the dimension M3 in the thickness direction at the upstream end of each connecting shaft 36. The dimension M1 corresponds to the dimension in the left-right direction at the narrowest portion of the communication portion 44. The dimension M3 corresponds to the dimension at the position where the dimension in the thickness direction is the largest on the connecting shaft 36.

Then, the rod 41 is connected to all the connecting shafts 36 by engaging the connecting shaft 36 for each upstream fin 26 with each shaft supporting portion 43. In this state, a part of the upstream portion of the rod 41 is inserted into the notch 29.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transmission mechanism 51 is a mechanism for transmitting the slide of the operation knob 21 to the rod 41 to move the rod 41 in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism 51 is in the left-right direction. It is provided in two places in. Each transmission mechanism 51 is provided at a position downstream of a part of the shaft support portion 43. Each transmission mechanism 51 has the same configuration as each other, and includes a first rib 52 and a second rib 53. The first rib 52 for each transmission mechanism 51 projects upstream from the left and right ends of the operation knob 21. The second rib 53 for each transmission mechanism 51 projects downstream from the rod body 42. One first rib 52 is provided for each transmission mechanism 51, while one pair of second ribs 53 is provided for each transmission mechanism 51. The pair of second ribs 53 for each transmission mechanism 51 extend parallel to each other in the flow direction in a state of being close to each other in the left-right direction. Both the first rib 52 and the second rib 53 have a plate shape in which the dimensions in the horizontal direction are smaller than the dimensions in the vertical direction. A pair of second ribs 53 for each transmission mechanism 51 sandwiches the corresponding first ribs 52 from both sides in the left-right direction. The dimensions of the first rib 52 and the second rib 53 in the flow direction are set so as to wrap in the flow direction when the rod 41 is located at any position in the left-right direction.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In addition, the effects caused by the action will also be described.
First, among the manufacturing steps of the air-conditioning register, a molding step for molding a plurality of upstream fins 26 in a form similar to that in the state of being incorporated in the retainer 10 will be described. In the same embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of upstream fin bodies 27 are arranged in a state of being parallel to each other in the thickness direction, and the upper upstream fin shaft 28 of each upstream fin 26 is an upper connecting portion. It is a form in which the upstream fin shaft 28 on the lower side of each upstream fin 26 is connected by the connecting portion 55 on the lower side.

In the molding step, as shown in FIG. 5, a mold apparatus 60 including a first molding die 61 and a second molding die 62 is used. Then, the mold apparatus 60 is closed by the first molding die 61 and the second molding die 62 being relatively moved in the direction along the side surface of each upstream fin main body 27, and in the vertical direction in FIG. A state in which all the upstream fins 26 are arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body 27, and in the left-right direction in FIG. 5, between the mold-closed first mold 61 and the second mold 62. Cavity 63, which is a molding space for molding in, is formed.

Each cavity 63 is filled with molten resin via a runner and a gate (not shown). By curing the molten resin, in each cavity 63, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of upstream fins 26 having an upstream fin main body 27, both upstream fin shafts 28, a connecting shaft 36, and both supporting protrusions 37 are provided. It is molded. Further, by curing the molten resin in the runner and the gate, the upper connecting portion 55 connecting the upper upper upstream fin shafts 28 and the lower connecting portion 55 connecting the lower lower upstream fin shafts 28 are connected. And are molded. In this way, the intermediate molded product 56 formed by connecting the plurality of upstream fins 26 arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction to each other by the connecting portion 55 is formed.

Next, the first molding die 61 and the second molding die 62 in FIG. 5 are relatively moved in the vertical direction, which is a direction along the side surface of the upstream fin main body 27, whereby the mold device 60 is opened and the same. The intermediate molded product 56 is taken out from the mold device 60.

As described above, in the molding step, all the upstream fins 26 are molded in a state of being arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body 27. The first molding die 61 and the second molding die 62 are closed and opened in the direction along the side surface of the upstream fin main body 27. Therefore, as compared with the case where all the upstream fins 72 and 73 are arranged so that their side surfaces are located on substantially the same plane, the mold device 60 in the left-right direction which is the arrangement direction of the upstream fins 26 It is possible to reduce the size of the mold device 60 in the same direction.

The intermediate molded product 56 shown in FIG. 6 taken out from the mold device 60 as described above is assembled at a predetermined position on the retainer 10. At this time, the plurality of upstream fins 26 are arranged inside the retainer 10, and both connecting portions 55 are arranged outside the retainer 10. Each upstream fin shaft 28 is tiltably supported with respect to the retainer 10.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 (a) and 4 (b), the rod 41 is assembled to the plurality of upstream fins 26 in the retainer 10. That is, when the rod 41 is brought closer to the plurality of upstream fins 26 from the downstream side to the upstream side, each connecting shaft 36 enters the corresponding communication portion 44. In the present embodiment, as each connecting shaft 36, one having a shape in which the dimension in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body 27 becomes smaller toward the downstream side is used. Therefore, the connecting shaft 36 can easily enter the communication portion 44.

When the rod 41 is further brought closer to the upstream fin 26 with each connecting shaft 36 inserted into the communicating portion 44, each connecting shaft 36 passes through the boundary portion of the communicating portion 44 with the shaft supporting portion 43 and supports each shaft. It is inserted into the portion 43. By this insertion, each connecting shaft 36 is in a state of being engaged with the corresponding shaft support portion 43.

In the present embodiment, the dimension M1 at the narrowest portion of each communication portion 44 is larger than the dimension M2 at the downstream end, which is the smallest dimension in each connecting shaft 36. Therefore, the downstream end of each connecting shaft 36 easily passes through the boundary portion of each communication portion 44.

Further, the pair of guide surfaces 45 in each communication portion 44 are inclined with respect to the flow direction so that the interval D1 becomes smaller toward the downstream side. Therefore, when the rod 41 is brought close to the upstream fin 26, each connecting shaft 36 is guided into the shaft support portion 43 by the guide surface 45. Each connecting shaft 36 can be smoothly inserted into the corresponding shaft support portion 43.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by bringing the rod 41 closer to the plurality of upstream fins 26 in the retainer 10 along the flow direction, the connecting shaft 36 for each upstream fin 26 is supported by each shaft. It can be engaged with 43. Therefore, the communication portion 44 is not formed, and the rod 41 having the shaft support portion 43 formed of holes is moved along the axial direction of the connecting shaft 36 and the shaft support portion 43, whereby the connecting shaft 36 is moved along the axial direction. Compared with the case of engaging with 43, the assembling property of the rod 41 with respect to the plurality of upstream fins 26 can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the dimension M1 is smaller than the dimension M3 at the upstream end, which is the largest portion of each connecting shaft 36. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, when each connecting shaft 36 is inserted into each shaft supporting portion 43, the boundary portion of each communicating portion 44 with the shaft supporting portion 43 is upstream of each connecting shaft 36. Wrap the upstream fin body 27 in the thickness direction with respect to the end portion. This wrap portion regulates the connecting shaft 36 from coming out of the shaft support portion 43.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the downstream fin 15 to which the operation knob 21 is mounted is connected to the downstream connecting pin 18 together with the other downstream fins 15, and the downstream connecting rod 19 is connected to the downstream connecting pin 18 at a predetermined position of the retainer 10. It is assembled to. By this assembly, each of the plurality of downstream fins 15 is tiltably supported by the retainer 10 on both downstream fin shafts 17. At this time, the first rib 52 of each transmission mechanism 51 protruding upstream from the operation knob 21 is a pair of transmission mechanisms 51 protruding downstream from the rod body 42 on the upstream side of the first rib 52. It is inserted between the second ribs 53.

As described above, each connecting portion 55 in the intermediate molded product 56 assembled to the retainer 10 is separated from the upstream fin shaft 28 at an appropriate timing. After that, by assembling other parts, the target air conditioning register can be obtained. Then, this air-conditioning register is incorporated in the instrument panel of the vehicle.

By the way, FIG. 2 shows the state of the upstream fin 26 and the like when the operation knob 21 is located at a substantially central portion of the movable range of the downstream fin main body 16 in the left-right direction in the air conditioning register built into the instrument panel. Shown. In this state, each upstream fin main body 27 is in a state substantially parallel to the central axis CL of the ventilation passage 11 (hereinafter referred to as “neutral state”). Therefore, the air conditioning air A1 flows straight toward the downstream side along the upstream fin main body 27 for each upstream fin 26.

When the operation knob 21 is slid to the right from the neutral state, the movement of the operation knob 21 is transmitted to the rod 41 via the transmission mechanism 51 as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the first rib 52 moves to the right with the slide operation. Of the pair of second ribs 53 that sandwich the first rib 52 from both the left and right sides, the one located on the right side is pushed to the right by the first rib 52, and a force toward the right is applied to the rod 41. The rod 41 is connected to the connecting shaft 36 for each upstream fin 26 at the shaft support portion 43. On the other hand, each connecting shaft 36 moves along an arc centered on the upstream fin shaft 28. Further, as described above, each connecting shaft 36 is engaged with the shaft support portion 43 and is restricted from coming out of the coaxial support portion 43. Therefore, the rod 41 follows the connecting shaft 36 for each upstream fin 26 and moves to the right along an arc-shaped path that gently curves so as to bulge toward the downstream side.

At this time, a part of the upstream portion of the rod 41 moves in the notch 29 for each upstream fin 26. Further, the pair of second ribs 53 for each transmission mechanism 51 move with respect to the first rib 52 in a state of being wrapped in the flow direction.

The movement of the rod 41 is simultaneously transmitted to all the upstream fin main bodies 27 via the connecting shaft 36 and the support protrusion 37 for each upstream fin 26. The connecting shaft 36 for each of the upstream fins 26 extends in parallel with the upstream fin shaft 28 at a position separated from the upstream fin shaft 28 on the downstream side and away from the upstream fin main body 27 in the thickness direction. Therefore, each upstream fin 26 is tilted in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 2 with its own upstream fin shaft 28 as a fulcrum in a state of being synchronized with each other. The air-conditioning air A1 flowing through the ventilation passage 11 flows along each upstream fin 26, so that the direction can be changed diagonally to the right.

When the operation knob 21 is further slid to the right from the state of FIG. 7, each upstream fin 26 is further tilted in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. Of the adjacent upstream fins 26, those located on the rear side in the tilting direction, that is, those located on the right side in FIG. 7, whose upstream portion is located on the front side in the tilting direction, that is, downstream of those located on the left side in FIG. It is superimposed on the part. The ventilation passage 11 is closed by the plurality of upstream fins 26, and the air conditioning air A1 is blocked from flowing to the downstream side of the upstream fins 26.

On the other hand, when the operation knob 21 is slid to the left from the neutral state of FIG. 2, the movement of the operation knob 21 is transmitted to the rod 41 via the transmission mechanism 51 as shown in FIG. The rod 41 moves to the left along an arcuate path that gently curves so as to bulge downstream. At this time, in the upstream fin 26, a part of the upstream portion of the rod 41 moves in the notch 29. The movement of the rod 41 is simultaneously transmitted to all the upstream fin main bodies 27 via the connecting shaft 36 and the support protrusion 37 for each upstream fin 26. Each upstream fin 26 is tilted in the clockwise direction of FIG. 2 with its own upstream fin axis 28 as a fulcrum in a state of being synchronized with each other. The direction of the air-conditioning air A1 flowing through the ventilation passage 11 can be changed diagonally to the left by flowing along each upstream fin 26.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism 51 and the rod 41 in the drive mechanism 35 transmit the slide of the operation knob 21 to the connecting shaft 36 for each upstream fin 26 to synchronize all the upstream fins 26. Tilt in the state. Therefore, unlike Patent Document 2, in which a specific upstream fin 72 is tilted to synchronize the other upstream fin 73 with the upstream fin 72, a connecting rod 83 for connecting the connecting pins 82 for each of the upstream fins 72 and 73 is unnecessary. It becomes. Therefore, the number of parts constituting the drive mechanism 35 can be reduced.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above.
In the air conditioning register described in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the transmission mechanism 76 including the driven gear 88 and the adherend 89 is located in the central portion of the ventilation path as a large structure. .. This large structure obstructs the flow of the air conditioning air A1 and may lead to an increase in pressure loss and noise. Further, when the air conditioning register is viewed from the downstream side, the structure is visible in the central portion of the ventilation passage 11, so that there is a problem that the appearance is deteriorated.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, both the first rib 52 and the second rib 53 constituting the transmission mechanism 51 have a plate shape and extend along the flow direction. There is. The transmission mechanism 51 is smaller than the transmission mechanism 76. Therefore, the first rib 52 and the second rib 53 are less likely to interfere with the flow of the air conditioning air A1. Therefore, the air-conditioning register of the present embodiment reduces pressure loss and noise as compared with the air-conditioning register described in Patent Document 2. Further, from the downstream side of the air conditioning register of the present embodiment, the first rib 52 and the second rib 53 are difficult to see for the same reason as described above, and the appearance is improved.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when each connecting shaft 36 is engaged with each shaft supporting portion 43, the narrowest portion of the communicating portion 44 is in the connecting shaft 36 in the thickness direction of the upstream fin body 27. It wraps in the same thickness direction with respect to the part with the largest size. Therefore, even if the vibration of the vehicle is transmitted to the air-conditioning register attached to the vehicle, the lap portion can prevent the connecting shaft 36 from coming off from the shaft support portion 43.

In addition, the above-described embodiment can also be implemented as a modified example in which this is modified as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

The relationship between the number of the first ribs 52 and the number of the second ribs 53 for each transmission mechanism 51 may be changed so as to be the opposite of the above-described embodiment. That is, the number of the first ribs 52 for each transmission mechanism 51 may be changed to two, and the number of the second ribs 53 may be changed to one. In this case, in each transmission mechanism 51, the pair of first ribs 52 on the operation knob 21 sandwich the second ribs 53 on the rod 41 from both sides in the left-right direction.

-The number of transmission mechanisms 51 may be changed to 1 or 3 or more.
The position of the transmission mechanism 51 in the arrangement direction may be changed to a position between the adjacent shaft support portions 43. In this case, the entire rod 41 in the flow direction may be inserted into the notch 29.

-In the above embodiment, the dimension M2 at the downstream end of each connecting shaft 36 may be set to be the same as the dimension M1 at the narrowest portion of each communication portion 44, or may be set slightly larger than the dimension M1.
The connecting shafts 36 may be formed in a shape in which the dimensions M2 and M3 are the same in the flow direction.

-Only one guide surface 45 in the communication portion 44 may be inclined with respect to the flow direction.
Both guide surfaces 45 may be formed in parallel so that the interval D1 is constant in the flow direction.

-The shape of the connecting shaft 36 may be changed to a shape different from that of the above embodiment, for example, a columnar shape.
-One of the pair of support protrusions 37 may be omitted.

A notch 29 may also be formed in the upstream fin body 27 at the right end in the arrangement direction. That is, notches 29 may be formed in all the upstream fin main bodies 27.
-The above-mentioned air conditioning register may be incorporated in a place different from the instrument panel in the vehicle interior.

-The above-mentioned air-conditioning register can be widely applied not only to vehicles but also to vehicles as long as the direction of the air-conditioning air sent from the air conditioner and blown into the room can be adjusted by fins.

A downstream fin body 16 extending in the vertical direction and the flow direction may be used, and an upstream fin body 27 may extend in the left-right direction and the flow direction.

10 ... retainer, 11 ... ventilation path, 15 ... downstream fin, 21 ... operation knob, 26 ... upstream fin, 27 ... upstream fin body, 28 ... upstream fin shaft, 29 ... notch, 35 ... drive mechanism, 36 ... connecting shaft , 37 ... Support protrusion, 41 ... Rod, 43 ... Shaft support, 44 ... Communication, 51 ... Transmission mechanism, 52 ... 1st rib, 53 ... 2nd rib, 60 ... Mold device, 61 ... 1st molding Mold, 62 ... Second molding mold, A1 ... Air conditioning air, M1, M2, M3 ... Dimensions.

Claims (6)

A retainer with a ventilation path for air conditioning air,
Downstream fins located in the ventilation path and tiltably supported by the retainer,
An operation knob slidably attached to the downstream fin,
With a plurality of upstream fins having a plurality of upstream fin bodies arranged upstream of the downstream fins in the flow direction of the air conditioning air, and each upstream fin body being slantably supported by the retainer by the upstream fin shaft. ,
The drive mechanism includes a drive mechanism that tilts each upstream fin in conjunction with the slide operation of the operation knob.
Parallel to the upstream fin axis at a position separated from the upstream fin axis of each upstream fin in the flow direction and separated from each upstream fin body in the same direction in the thickness direction of the upstream fin body. A connecting shaft provided in a state of being connected to the upstream fin body so as to extend to
An air-conditioning register including a rod that is connected to all the connecting shafts and that moves in the arrangement direction of the upstream fins by transmitting the slide of the operation knob via a transmission mechanism. Claim 1 in which each upstream fin has a support protrusion that projects from the upstream fin body in the same direction in the thickness direction, and the connecting shaft is connected to the upstream fin body via the support protrusion. The air conditioning register described in. Targeting the upstream fins in the middle portion in the arrangement direction and the upstream fins at both ends in the same arrangement direction in which the connecting shaft is not located between the adjacent upstream fins.
The upstream fin body of the targeted upstream fin is formed with a notch extending from the downstream end to the upstream side in the flow direction.
The air-conditioning register according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the upstream portion of the rod in the flow direction is inserted into the notch for each of the upstream fins targeted. A shaft support portion for supporting the connecting shaft is formed at a plurality of positions of the rod in the arrangement direction, and a communication portion for communicating the upstream end surface of the rod and the shaft support portion in the flow direction is formed. And
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dimension in the arrangement direction at the narrowest portion of the communication portion is set smaller than the dimension at the portion where the dimension of the connecting shaft is the largest in the thickness direction. The air conditioning register described in. The transmission mechanism
A plate-shaped first rib projecting from the operation knob to the upstream side in the flow direction,
A plate-shaped second rib projecting from the rod to the downstream side in the flow direction is provided, and one of the first rib and the second rib extends in the flow direction in a state parallel to each other, and the other is said. The air-conditioning register according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is sandwiched from both sides in the arrangement direction. The method for manufacturing an air conditioning register according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A molding step of molding a plurality of the upstream fins by a mold device including a first molding die and a second molding die is included.
In the molding step, as the mold device, a plurality of the upstream fins are parallel to each other in the thickness direction of the upstream fin main body between the first molding mold and the second molding mold that are closed. The one that is molded in the state of being placed in is used,
In the molding step, the first molding die and the second molding die are relatively moved in a direction along the side surface of the upstream fin body, so that the mold device is closed and opened, and the upstream fin is opened. A method for manufacturing a molded air conditioning register.