JP2024066210A - Ventilator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a ventilator capable of setting operation force while suppressing deterioration in its appearance.SOLUTION: A ventilator 100 includes: a blowout port member 1 blowing out air; a plurality of first fins 11 provided on the blowout port member 1 and adjusting a wind direction of the air; and a first link member 12 connecting respective first fins 11 of the plurality of first fins 11 so as to be interlocked. The plurality of first fins 11 each includes: a pressing part 30 which is provided to at least any first fin 11 of the plurality of first fins 11, at least one part of which is housed in the corresponding first fin 11, and which generates frictionally sliding force by being pressed to the blowout port member 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a ventilator.

Patent document 1 discloses a wind direction adjustment device in which an elastic piece that abuts against the inner surface of the case body is integrally formed with an interlocking rod that rotates each of the blades for adjusting the wind direction in relation to each other.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-34940

The inside of the ventilator is visible to some extent from the air outlet. For this reason, if the elastic piece is formed integrally with the interlocking rod as described above, the elastic piece will be visible, which will result in a poor appearance of the ventilator and a decline in its product value. For this reason, a structure is desired that allows the operating force for adjusting the airflow direction to be set without compromising the appearance.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to make it possible to set the operating force while minimizing deterioration of the appearance.

A ventilator according to one aspect of the present invention is a ventilator comprising an air outlet member for blowing out air, a number of fins provided on the air outlet member that can adjust the direction of the air, and a link member that links each of the fins in a linked manner, and the fins are provided on at least one of the fins and at least a portion of the fins is housed in the fin, and has a pressing portion that generates a frictional sliding force by pressing against the air outlet member.

According to this aspect, at least a portion of the pressing portion, which functions as an operating force setting portion for adjusting the airflow direction by generating frictional resistance, is housed in the fin. In addition, since the pressing portion is not integrally formed with the link member, it is possible to prevent the link member from protruding into the flow path of the air outlet member and to prevent the link member from becoming large, and it is possible to ensure an appearance as if the link member is integrated with multiple fins. This makes it possible to set the operating force while preventing deterioration of the appearance.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the ventilator. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ventilator. FIG. 3 is a view showing the first link member alone. FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the pressing portion and its periphery. FIG. 5 is a front view of the ventilator for explaining the function and effect. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ventilator. FIG. 7 is a front view of a ventilator of a comparative example. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ventilator of a comparative example. FIG. 9 is a view showing the first link member alone of the comparative example. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state of the pressing unit before installation. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state of the pressing portion after installation. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second modified example.

The ventilator 100 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of the ventilator 100. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ventilator 100. The top and bottom of Figures 1 and 2 correspond to upward and downward according to gravity. The ventilator 100 is a wind direction adjustment device that is installed in a vehicle. The ventilator 100 is installed, for example, in the instrument panel or center cluster of the passenger compartment, and guides air whose temperature has been adjusted by an air conditioning device into the passenger compartment.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ventilator 100 comprises an air outlet member 1, a first louver 10 and a second louver 20. The air outlet member 1 functions as a cylindrical flow path member and constitutes the housing of the ventilator 100. The air outlet member 1 is made of a resin material (e.g., ABS resin) and has a flow path. The flow path is formed inside the air outlet member 1, and air from the air conditioning device flows through the flow path. As shown in Figure 2, the air outlet member 1 comprises side walls 1a, 1b, an upper wall 1c and a lower wall 1d that define the flow path. The flow path is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in Figure 1), and communicates with the vehicle interior via the air outlet 1e. The air outlet 1e blows air into the vehicle interior.

The first louvers 10 and the second louvers 20 are both provided in the air outlet member 1 and are interposed in the flow path formed by the air outlet member 1. The first louvers 10 include a plurality of first fins 11 and a first link member 12, and the second louvers 20 include a plurality of second fins 21 and a second link member 22. In this embodiment, as an example, the plurality of first fins 11 are composed of three first fins 11, and the plurality of second fins 21 are composed of five second fins 21. Each of the first fins 11 and each of the second fins 21 are both composed of a plate-shaped member using a resin material (e.g., PBT resin).

In the basic position (basic rotation position) shown in Figures 1 and 2, each first fin 11 has a horizontally elongated shape that is longer in the horizontal direction than the extension direction of the flow channel. In the basic position, each second fin 21 has a vertically elongated shape that is longer in the vertical direction (up and down direction in Figures 1 and 2) than the extension direction of the flow channel. The basic position of each first fin 11 is a rotation position in which each first fin 11 is parallel to the extension direction of the flow channel. The same is true for each second fin 21.

Each first fin 11 has a first end 11a and a second end 11b. Each first fin 11 has a cylindrical rotation axis A1 at each of the first end 11a and the second end 11b, and the side walls 1a and 1b of the air outlet member 1 have axial holes H1 corresponding to the rotation axis A1 of each first fin 11. The rotation axis A1 of each first fin 11 is inserted into the corresponding axial hole H1. As a result, each first fin 11 is rotatably supported by the side walls 1a and 1b. The first end 11a and the second end 11b constitute the axial ends of each first fin 11 in the axial direction of the rotation axis A1.

Similarly, each second fin 21 has a first end 21a and a second end 21b. Each second fin 21 has a cylindrical rotation axis A2 at each of the first end 21a and the second end 21b, and the upper wall 1c and the lower wall 1d of the air outlet member 1 have axial holes H2 corresponding to the rotation axis A2 of each second fin 21. The rotation axis A2 of each second fin 21 is inserted into the corresponding axial hole H2. As a result, each second fin 21 is rotatably supported by the upper wall 1c and the lower wall 1d. The first end 21a and the second end 21b constitute the axial ends of each second fin 21 in the axial direction of the rotation axis A2.

The first link member 12 is provided for the multiple first fins 11. Figure 3 shows the first link member 12 alone. Each first fin 11 has a cylindrical shaft portion B1 at the first end portion 11a, and the first link member 12 has shaft holes 12a corresponding to the shaft portions B1 of each first fin 11. The shaft portions B1 of each first fin 11 are inserted into the corresponding shaft holes 12a. As a result, the first link member 12 connects each of the first fins 11 so that they can be interlocked. In each first fin 11, the shaft portion B1 is provided behind the rotation axis A1 in the basic position (the rear side of the air outlet member 1, which is the opposite side to the passenger compartment).

Similarly, the second link member 22 is provided for the multiple second fins 21. Each second fin 21 has a cylindrical shaft portion B2 at a first end portion 21a, and the second link member 22 has a shaft hole 22a corresponding to the shaft portion B2 of each second fin 21. The shaft portion B2 of each second fin 21 is inserted into the corresponding shaft hole 22a. As a result, the second link member 22 connects each second fin 21 so that they can be interlocked. In each second fin 21, the shaft portion B2 is provided behind the rotation axis A2 in the basic position.

The multiple first fins 11 are provided with an operation knob K. The operation knob K is an operation unit and is provided on the fin 111. The fin 111 is the first fin 11 that is located at the center of the multiple first fins 11, and the operation knob K is provided on the fin 111 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The operation knob K has, for example, a sliding hole that passes through the fin 111, and is provided on the fin 111 so as to be slidable through the sliding hole. The operation knob K protrudes from the fin 111 toward the vehicle cabin, and is operated by the user at the part that protrudes toward the vehicle cabin.

When the operating knob K is operated vertically, the fin 111 rotates around its rotation axis A1. As a result, the first link member 12 moves accordingly, and the other first fins 11 connected to the fin 111 also move in conjunction with it. In this way, the operating knob K is used to adjust the air direction by the multiple first fins 11, that is, to adjust the air direction vertically.

The operation knob K further protrudes rearward from the fin 111. The operation knob K engages with the fin 211 at the portion protruding rearward, thereby engaging with one of the multiple second fins 21. The fin 211 is the second fin 21 that is located in the center of the multiple second fins 21, and has a cylindrical shaft portion 211a at the end on the vehicle cabin side. A notch is provided in the center of the end on the vehicle cabin side of the fin 211, and the shaft portion 211a is provided in the notch. The shaft portion 211a extends along the axial direction of the rotation axis A2 of the fin 211, and is supported at both ends by the notch. The operation knob K has a bifurcated engagement portion (not shown) at the portion protruding rearward that engages with the shaft portion 211a, and the shaft portion 211a is inserted into the bifurcated engagement portion.

When the operating knob K is operated in the horizontal direction, the fin 211 rotates around its rotation axis A2. As a result, the second link member 22 moves in response to this, and the other second fins 21 connected to the fin 211 also move in conjunction with it. In this way, the operating knob K is also used to adjust the air direction using the multiple second fins 21, that is, to adjust the air direction in the horizontal direction.

The multiple first fins 11 have a pressing portion 30. The pressing portion 30 is responsible for pressing the multiple first fins 11 against the air outlet member 1, generating a frictional sliding force due to this pressing. The operating force of the operating knob K on the multiple first fins 11 depends on the pressing force of the pressing portion 30. Therefore, the pressing portion 30 can be said to be an operating force setting portion that can set the operating force of the multiple first fins 11 by setting the pressing force.

The pressing portion 30 is provided on at least one of the multiple first fins 11. The pressing portion 30 is provided on the first fin 11 on which the operation knob K is provided, i.e., the fin 111. The pressing portion 30 is provided on the second end 11b of the fin 111, which is opposite to the first end 11a on which the first link member 12 is provided.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged view of the pressing portion 30 and its surroundings. The second end 11b is provided with a storage portion 111a. The storage portion 111a forms a storage space that opens to the end face of the second end 11b. At least a portion of the pressing portion 30 is stored in the storage portion 111a, and thus at least a portion of the pressing portion 30 is stored in the fin 111.

The pressing portion 30 has a louver spring 31 and a louver spacer 32. The pressing portion 30 is provided on the fin 111 by inserting the louver spring 31 and the louver spacer 32 into the storage portion 111a in that order. The louver spring 31 is an elastic member, and in this embodiment is composed of a leaf spring. The louver spring 31 is disposed at the bottom of the storage portion 111a, and biases the louver spacer 32 toward the inner surface of the air outlet member 1 that faces the pressing portion 30 (the inner surface of the side wall 1b as can be seen from FIG. 2). The louver spring 31 as an elastic member has an elastic function that controls and stabilizes the pressure or biasing force on the louver spacer 32.

The louver spacer 32 is a sliding member and is made of a soft sliding member. The soft sliding member is applied to the louver spacer 32 for the purpose of controlling the operating force. The soft sliding member is made of, for example, an elastomer, and is softer than the first fin 11. Elastomers generally have a high coefficient of friction, and examples of the elastomer that can be used include thermosetting elastomers such as natural rubber (NR), silicone rubber (SI), and fluororubber (FKM), and polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic elastomers (TPVC).

When the first fins 11 are operated, the louver spacer 32 slides against the inner surface of the side wall 1b while being pressed against the inner surface of the side wall 1b by the louver spring 31. The pressing portion 30 functions as an operating force setting portion by generating frictional resistance in this manner, and the louver spacer 32 that abuts against the inner surface of the side wall 1b partially protrudes from the fin 111. Therefore, the louver spring 31 and a part of the louver spacer 32 are contained in the fin 111 and cannot be seen from the outside.

Next, we will explain the main effects of this embodiment.

The ventilator 100 comprises an air outlet member 1 that blows out air, a plurality of first fins 11 that are provided on the air outlet member 1 and that can adjust the direction of the air, and a first link member 12 that links each of the first fins 11 of the plurality of first fins 11 so that they can be linked together. The plurality of first fins 11 have a pressing portion 30 that is provided on at least one of the first fins 11 of the plurality of first fins 11, at least a portion of which is housed in the fin 111, and generates a frictional sliding force by pressing against the air outlet member 1.

With this configuration, at least a portion of the pressing portion 30, which functions as the operating force setting portion, is housed in the fin 111. This makes it possible to set the operating force while preventing the appearance of the ventilator 100 from deteriorating. Furthermore, with this configuration, the appearance of the first link member 12 can be maintained as described below, thereby preventing the appearance of the ventilator 100 from deteriorating.

Figure 5 is a front view of the ventilator 100 to explain the function and effect. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the ventilator 100 to explain the function and effect. Figures 7 to 9 are views of comparative examples. Figure 7 shows a front view of the ventilator 100X of the comparative example. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the ventilator 100X of the comparative example. Figure 9 shows the first link member 12X of the comparative example alone. The ventilator 100X differs from the ventilator 100 mainly in that it is equipped with a first link member 12X. The first link member 12X differs from the first link member 12 in that a leaf spring 12bX is integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the comparative example, the leaf spring 12bX protrudes laterally from the main body (flat portion) of the first link member 12X. Therefore, the main body of the first link member 12X is positioned closer to the center of the flow path. As a result, compared to the first link member 12 shown in FIG. 5, the first link member 12X protrudes more into the flow path and is easier to see from the front. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, in the comparative example, the width of the first link member 12X is larger than the width of the first link member 12 by the amount of the leaf spring 12bX provided. As a result, the first link member 12X is easier to see from the side or diagonally to the side (diagonally upward) compared to the first link member 12.

In the comparative example, the first link member 12X is easily visible to the user from the front or diagonally to the side (diagonally above), and as a result, from the standpoint of appearance, unnecessary mechanical parts are easily visible, which cannot be said to be good-looking.

In the present embodiment, since the pressing portion 30 is not integrally formed with the first link member 12, the first link member 12 is positioned closer to the side wall 1a overall than the first link member 12X. In other words, the first link member 12 is prevented from protruding into the flow path of the air outlet member 1. Furthermore, the first link member 12 is prevented from becoming larger in the width direction than the first link member 12X. This ensures an appearance as if the first link member 12 is integral with the multiple first fins 11.

The ventilator 100X of the comparative example further generates frictional resistance by contacting the inner surface of the side wall 1a with a first link member 12X made of a resin material (e.g., polyacetal resin) with a lower friction coefficient than elastomer. In this case, a high pressing force against the inner surface of the side wall 1a is required to set the operating force, resulting in the stick-slip phenomenon and making it difficult to obtain a stable operating force. In addition, in this case, elasticity decreases at high temperatures, which can result in a decrease in the operating force.

In this embodiment, the pressing portion 30 has a louver spring 31 as an elastic member and a louver spacer 32 as a soft sliding member. The louver spring 31 biases the louver spacer 32 toward the air outlet member 1, so that the louver spacer 32 is pressed against the air outlet member 1.

With this configuration, the louver spacer 32, which is a soft sliding member with a high friction coefficient, can suppress changes in the pressing force of the louver spring 31. As a result, changes in the pressing force due to dimensional variations are minimized, ensuring smooth operation and reducing variations in the operating force. In other words, with this configuration, by selecting suitable materials for the louver spring 31 and the louver spacer 32, which are separate from each other, it is possible to suppress variations in frictional resistance and obtain a stable operating force.

The ventilator 100 further includes an operating knob K, which is an operating section for adjusting the direction of air flow by the multiple first fins 11. The operating knob K is provided on at least the fin 111 on which the pressing section 30 is provided among the multiple first fins 11. With this configuration, the operating force is transmitted directly from the operating knob K to the pressing section 30, making it easier to set the operating force.

The pressing portion 30 is disposed rearward of the rotation axis A1 of the fin 111 on which the pressing portion 30 is provided, among the plurality of first fins 11, when viewed from the air outlet 1e side of the air outlet member 1. With this configuration, the pressing portion 30 is disposed in a position that is difficult to see from the front, so that the pressing portion 30 is even more difficult to see from the user, further improving the appearance.

The pressing unit 30 is provided on the second end 11b of the fin 111 on which the pressing unit 30 is provided, which is opposite to the first end 11a on the side where the first link member 12 is provided, among the multiple first fins 11. With this configuration, the pressing unit 30 can be installed without considering the presence of the first link member 12, making it easy to install the pressing unit 30.

The ventilator 100 may be configured as follows:

Figure 10 shows a first modified example. In this example, the louver spring 31 is a longer leaf spring than in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the louver spacer 32 is correspondingly longer in the longitudinal direction. The louver spacer 32 has a block-shaped protrusion 32a in the center, and is pressed against the air outlet member 1 by the protrusion 32a. In this case, the fin 111 may be expanded compared to the other first fins 11 by further having an extension portion 111b. This makes it possible to secure installation space for the pressing portion 30. The extension portion 111b can be expanded toward the back side of the air outlet member 1 or in the axial direction of the rotation axis A1.

The louver spacer 32 and the storage portion 111a may be provided with an engagement portion that engages with each other. In this example, the engagement portion is composed of a protrusion 32b provided on the louver spacer 32 and a hole 111c provided in the storage portion 111a. This allows the pressing portion 30 to be installed in the storage portion 111a in advance relative to the louver 111, making assembly easy. Figures 11 and 12 show the state of the pressing portion 30 before and after installation. The hole 111c can be formed with a dimension that allows some leeway in the axial direction of the rotation axis A1 relative to the protrusion 32b, thereby ensuring the axial displacement of the louver spacer 32 and the function of pressing against the air outlet member 1. The fact that such an engagement portion may be provided is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing a second modified example. Figure 13 illustrates an example in which the louver spring 31 is a coil spring in comparison with the first modified example shown in Figure 10, but the same is true for this embodiment. A coil spring can be used for the louver spring 31, and other parts and shapes that have an elastic function for controlling and stabilizing the pressure or biasing force on the louver spacer 32, such as a resin molded spring, can also be used.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

For example, the pressing unit 30 is not limited to being composed of a combination of individual parts of an elastic member and a soft sliding member, such as the louver spring 31 and the louver spacer 32, but may be composed of a single part that combines the functions of an elastic member and a soft sliding member. In addition, the pressing unit 30 may be provided in multiple places by being provided on two or more of the multiple first fins 11.

The pressing unit 30 may be provided on at least one of the second fins 21. In this case, the pressing unit 30 can be provided in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

The operation knob K may be provided on a first fin 11 other than the centrally located fin 111 among the plurality of first fins 11, and may engage with a second fin 21 other than the centrally located fin 211 among the plurality of second fins 21.

1 Air outlet member 1e Air outlet 11 First fin (fin)
11a First end 11b Second end 111 Fin (fin provided with a pressing portion)
21 Second fin 30 Pressing portion 31 Louver spring (elastic member)
32 Louver spacer (soft sliding member)
A1 Rotation axis K Operation knob (operation part)
100 Ventilator

A ventilator according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air outlet member for blowing out air, a plurality of fins provided on the air outlet member for adjusting the direction of the air, and a link member for linking the fins of the plurality of fins together, the plurality of fins having a pressing portion provided on at least one of the plurality of fins and at least a portion of which is housed in the fin and generates a frictional sliding force by pressing against the air outlet member. The pressing portion is provided on a second end of the fin provided with the pressing portion, the second end being opposite to a first end on the side where the link member is provided.

A ventilator according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air outlet member for blowing out air, a plurality of fins provided on the air outlet member for adjusting the direction of the air, and a link member for linking the fins of the plurality of fins together, the plurality of fins having a pressing portion provided on at least one of the plurality of fins and at least a portion of which is housed in the fin and which generates a frictional sliding force by pressing against the air outlet member. The pressing portion is provided on a second end of the fin on which the pressing portion is provided, the second end being opposite to a first end on which the link member is provided. The pressing portion has an elastic member and a soft sliding member, and the elastic member biases the soft sliding member toward the air outlet member, thereby pressing the soft sliding member against the air outlet member. The soft sliding member partially extends beyond the fin on which the pressing portion is provided and abuts against the inner surface of the air outlet member, and is displaceable in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the fin relative to the fin on which the pressing portion is provided by the biasing force of the elastic member.

Claims (5)

An air outlet member for blowing out air;
A plurality of fins provided on the air outlet member and capable of adjusting the direction of air flow;
a link member that links each of the plurality of fins in a linked manner;
A ventilator comprising:
The plurality of fins have a pressing portion provided on at least one of the plurality of fins and at least a portion of the pressing portion is housed in the fin, and the pressing portion generates a frictional sliding force by pressing against the air outlet member.
A ventilator comprising: 2. The ventilator of claim 1,
The pressing portion has an elastic member and a soft sliding member,
The elastic member biases the soft sliding member toward the air outlet member, whereby the soft sliding member is pressed against the air outlet member.
A ventilator comprising: 2. The ventilator of claim 1,
The air conditioner further includes an operating unit for adjusting the air direction of the plurality of fins,
The operation unit is provided on at least one of the fins on which the pressing unit is provided,
A ventilator comprising: 2. The ventilator of claim 1,
The pressing portion is disposed rearward of a rotation axis of the fin on which the pressing portion is provided, when viewed from the air outlet side of the air outlet member.
A ventilator comprising: 2. The ventilator of claim 1,
The pressing portion is provided at a second end portion of the fin on which the pressing portion is provided, the second end portion being opposite to a first end portion on which the link member is provided.
A ventilator comprising:

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