JP4295040B2 - Air outlet device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air outlet device for a vehicle, and in particular, has two types of wind direction members that rotate in directions perpendicular to each other, and the direction of the blown air is changed by the rotation of the wind direction members. The present invention relates to an improved structure of a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle.

  Conventionally, as a kind of vehicle air outlet device that blows air into the vehicle interior, it rotates in directions perpendicular to each other in the opening of the housing that opens into the vehicle interior and provides an air outlet that blows air into the vehicle interior Two types of blades (wind direction members), for example, a vertical blade that rotates in the left-right direction and a horizontal blade that rotates in the vertical direction, and by rotating the vertical blade and the horizontal blade, respectively, There is a type that controls the direction of the air blown out. Further, in this type of air outlet device, a structure in which both vertical blades and horizontal blades having different rotation directions can be rotated only by an operation on one operation member has been conventionally known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

That is, in this air outlet device, the operating member is further integrated from one of the pair of gripping portions, the pair of gripping portions that extend integrally from the gripping portion, and the pair of gripping portions. And a claw portion that extends into a fork and is divided into two ends. Such an operating member causes the knob to protrude into the vehicle interior from the air outlet of the housing, and at the pair of clamping portions, the horizontal blade is vertically clamped while being horizontally It is attached to the vertical blade while sandwiching the vertical blade in the left-right direction between the two claw portions under such an attachment state. .

  Thus, in the air outlet device having such a structure, if the knob is picked and the operation member is turned up and down, the horizontal blade can be turned up and down, If the operating member is slid left and right on the horizontal blade, the vertical blade can be rotated in the left-right direction. The direction of the blown air can be easily changed.

  On the other hand, in recent years, for example, the horizontal blade can be rotated by a motor or the like that is rotated in the forward / reverse direction according to the on / off operation of the ignition switch, and the rotation of the horizontal blade accompanying the off operation of the ignition switch There has also been proposed an air outlet device having a so-called auto-shut mechanism in which the air outlet of the housing is closed while the air outlet is opened by the rotation of the lateral blade accompanying the ON operation of the ignition switch. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). By using such an air outlet device, the merit that the high-class feeling of the vehicle in which it is mounted is enhanced.

However, in an air outlet device equipped with such an auto-shut mechanism, if a member projecting outside from the air outlet of the housing is provided, the air outlet becomes an obstacle. Cannot be completely blocked by the horizontal blade. Therefore, in a conventional air outlet device with an auto-shut mechanism, a structure for rotating the vertical blade and the horizontal blade in an arbitrary direction to change the direction of the blown air is provided from within the air outlet of the housing. The conventional structure as described above, which has a knob that protrudes to the outside and allows both the vertical blade and the horizontal blade to be rotated by the only operating member attached to the horizontal blade, can be used as it is. There was no.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-164837 JP 2000-247140 A

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background as described above, and the problem to be solved is only one operation member provided at a location different from the air outlet of the housing. The direction of the blown air can be easily changed by simply operating, and even when equipped with an auto-shut mechanism, the auto-shut mechanism has been improved so that it can function reliably. The object is to provide a structure of an air outlet device for a vehicle.

  And, in the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, as a first aspect thereof, in the opening portion of the housing that opens to the vehicle interior and provides an air outlet for blowing air into the vehicle interior, One wind direction member is provided so as to be rotatable in the first direction, and the second wind direction member is rotated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by driving of the driving means. The direction of the air blown into the vehicle interior is controlled by the rotation of the first wind direction member and the rotation of the second wind direction member by the drive of the drive means. In the vehicle air outlet device, (a) an operation member disposed to be reciprocally movable in the first direction and the second direction with respect to a portion different from the air outlet of the housing; (B) between the operating member and the first wind direction member The operating member and the first wind direction member are connected to or engaged with each other and are provided so as to be reciprocable in the first direction, and the operating member in the first direction. A reciprocating member for rotating the first wind direction member in the first direction by being reciprocated in the first direction in conjunction with the reciprocating motion; and (c) connected to the operating member. Has a movable part that is reciprocated in the second direction as the operating member reciprocates in the second direction, and the movable part reciprocates in the second direction. When the second wind direction member is moved, the rotation direction of the second wind direction member by driving the driving means is adjusted so that the second wind direction member is rotated in a direction corresponding to the operation direction of the movable portion. And a changeover switch means for switching. The air outlet device for a vehicle, is to its gist.

According to the vehicle air blowing So Ideguchi according to the present invention, the movable portion of the changeover switch means is in a state under which is brought intermediate position of the reciprocating in the second direction, the driving of the driving means The changeover switch means is configured to stop the rotation of the second wind direction member by the reciprocating movement of the operation member in the second direction, and the movable portion is moved from the intermediate position to the intermediate position. When actuated in the second direction, a biasing means for biasing the operation member is provided so as to return the movable part to the intermediate position.

Further, according to the vehicle air blowing So Ideguchi according to the present invention, with the opposing wall is provided which faces the operating member in a direction perpendicular to both of the first direction and the second direction, the operation Any one of the opposing portions of the member and the opposing wall portion has a concave curved surface or an inclined surface shape extending in the second direction and having the most concave intermediate position in the extending direction. On the other hand, the biasing means is disposed on one of them, and a sliding body is interposed between the sliding surface and the biasing means. As the operating member reciprocates in the second direction, the sliding body slides against the sliding surface while being pressed against the sliding surface by the biasing force of the biasing means. And the changeover switch is configured to reciprocate the operation member. When the movable part of the step is positioned at an intermediate position of the reciprocating movement in the second direction, the urging member is disposed at each of the opposing parts of the operation member and the opposing wall part. By facing the intermediate position of the surface, the distance between the urging means and the sliding portion is maximized, and the urging force of the urging means is minimized, As the operating member moves away from the intermediate position of the sliding surface by reciprocating movement, the distance between the location of the biasing means and the sliding surface gradually decreases, and the biasing force of the biasing means is reduced. It is configured to be gradually increased.

Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the vehicle air outlet apparatus according to the present invention, a recess into which a part of the sliding body can enter is provided at the most depressed middle position of the sliding surface. When the movable portion of the changeover switch means is positioned at the intermediate position of the reciprocating motion in the second direction by the reciprocating motion of the operating member in the second direction, a part of the sliding body is It is configured such that a sense of moderation is generated by being plunged into the recess.

Moreover, according to the 3rd aspect of the air blower outlet apparatus for vehicles according to this invention, said 2nd wind direction member rotates to said 2nd direction to the preset position by the drive of the said drive means. By being caulked, the air outlet of the housing is configured to be closed by the second wind direction member.

  That is, in the first aspect of the vehicle air outlet apparatus according to the present invention, simply reciprocating one operating member in the first direction, the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member interlocked therewith, The first wind direction member can be rotated in the same direction as the operating direction of the operating member. If the operating member is reciprocated in the second direction, the changeover switch means The movable part is reciprocated, and the second wind direction member is rotated by driving of the driving means in a direction corresponding to the operating direction of the movable part.

  Therefore, in the device according to the present invention, the first and second wind direction members that are rotated in the directions perpendicular to each other by reciprocating the single operation member in the first direction or the second direction, respectively. However, it can be easily and reliably rotated in a direction corresponding to the operating direction of the operating member.

  In addition, in the vehicle air outlet apparatus according to the present invention, the operation member is disposed at a portion different from the air outlet of the housing, so that, for example, the rotation of the second air direction member by driving of the driving means is performed. Even when the air blowout port of the housing is blocked by the second airflow direction member due to the movement, the operation member is partially protruded from the air blowout port portion to the outside Thus, unlike the conventional device attached to the wind direction member, it is advantageous that the operation member becomes an obstacle and the air blowout port is completely closed by the second wind direction member. Can be eliminated.

  Therefore, in such an air outlet device for a vehicle according to the present invention, the direction of the blown air can be changed by simply reciprocating one operating member in the first direction or the second direction. It can be changed very easily and reliably in any direction between the one direction and the second direction. In particular, even when an auto-shut mechanism is provided that closes the air outlet by the rotation of the second wind direction member driven by the drive means, the smooth and complete operation of such an auto-shut mechanism is Can be effectively nullified by the presence of.

Further, in the vehicle air blowing So Ideguchi according to the present invention, for example, during the reciprocating operation of the operating member, only releasing the finger or the like from the operating member, the movable portion of the changeover switch means, driven by the drive means The second wind direction member can be immediately returned to the position where the rotation of the second wind direction member is stopped. Thus, when the second wind direction member is rotated, the rotation can be reliably stopped at a desired position. I can do it. As a result, the direction of the blown air by the rotation of the second wind direction can be adjusted more easily, and thus even more excellent usability can be obtained.

Further, the vehicular air blowing So Ideguchi according to the present invention, when allowed to rotate the second wind member by the drive means, to ensure smooth reciprocation of the second direction of the operating member However, the operation position can be reliably stopped at a desired position.

Furthermore, in the second aspect of the vehicle air outlet apparatus according to the present invention, the operator of the operation member produces a sense of moderation at a position where the rotation of the second wind direction member by driving of the drive means is stopped. The operation mode of the operation member that stops the rotation of the second wind direction member due to the drive of the driving means is more reliably recognized by giving the moderation mechanism to be advantageously provided and feeling the moderation by the moderation mechanism. Is possible. As a result, the rotation of the second wind direction member can be stopped more easily and reliably at a desired position.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the vehicle air outlet device according to the present invention, the auto-shut mechanism can be made to function advantageously.

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, the configuration of a vehicle air outlet device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, in FIG.1 and FIG.2, as one embodiment of the air outlet apparatus for vehicles according to this invention, the air outlet apparatus attached to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is each in the front form and right side form. It is shown schematically. As is clear from these drawings, the air outlet device of the present embodiment has a housing 10 and is configured.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing 10 is formed of a rectangular cylinder that opens forward and rearward, and includes a main body 11 and one end of the main body 11. It further has a frame 12 having a window portion that is fixed and is slightly smaller than the opening of the main body 11. And in this housing 10, the window part of the frame 12 is made into the air blower outlet 13, and the front opening part 14 of the main body 11 is the air blower of the frame 12 under the attachment state to an instrument panel. While being opened toward the passenger compartment through the outlet 13, the rear opening 15 of the main body 11 is connected to an air passage such as an air conditioner (not shown) to supply air supplied from the air conditioner or the like. However, the air is blown out from the air outlet 13 into the vehicle interior.

  Further, in the front opening 14 of such a housing 10, a longitudinal blade 16 as a first wind direction member and a lateral blade 18 as a second wind direction member, which have a long flat plate shape, Plural pieces are arranged in a state of being located on the rear side and the front side, respectively.

  The plurality of vertical blades 16 are arranged in parallel with each other and arranged in a line at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, and are respectively arranged, and the rotary shafts 20 extend vertically from both ends in the longitudinal direction. 20 is assembled to the housing 10 in a state of being pivotally supported with respect to the upper and lower bottom wall portions 22 and 24 of the housing 10. The plurality of vertical blades 16 are connected to each other by a vertical blade interlocking plate 26 that extends in the left-right direction and can reciprocate in the left-right direction.

  On the other hand, the plurality of horizontal blades 18 are arranged in parallel with each other and arranged in a line at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and are respectively arranged. 28 is assembled to the housing 10 in a state of being pivotally supported with respect to the left and right side wall portions 30 and 32 of the housing 10. The plurality of horizontal blades 18 are connected to each other by a horizontal blade interlocking plate 34 that extends in the vertical direction and can be reciprocated in the vertical direction.

  As a result, any one of the plurality of vertical blades 16 is rotated in the left-right direction around the rotation shaft 20, thereby causing the vertical blade interlocking plate 26 to reciprocate in the left-right direction. All of the plurality of vertical blades 16 can be interlocked and rotated in the left-right direction as the first direction. Further, when any one of the plurality of horizontal blades 18 is rotated in the vertical direction around the rotation shaft 28, the horizontal blade interlocking plate 34 is reciprocated in the vertical direction. All the horizontal blades 18 are interlocked and can be rotated in the vertical direction as the second direction. The direction of the air blown from the air outlet 13 of the housing 10 can be changed between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by the rotation of the plurality of vertical blades and the plurality of horizontal blades 18. -ing

  Here, not only the direction of the blown air is changed in the vertical direction by such rotation of the plurality of horizontal blades 18, but also a conventionally known auto-shut mechanism is realized. That is, in the present embodiment, the horizontal blade interlocking plate 34 that connects the plurality of horizontal blades 18 has a flat plate shape and is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction inside the right side wall portion 32 of the housing 10. An engagement pin 36 is integrally projected on the opposite surface of the lateral blade interlocking plate 34 to the right side wall 32 of the housing 10, and the engagement pin 36 is connected to the right side wall of the housing 10. An arcuate guide groove 37 provided in 32 is passed through and protruded outside the housing 10.

  On the other hand, on the right side wall portion 32 of the housing 10, a stepping motor 38 as a driving means is provided in a fixed position in a state where the output shaft 40 extends sideways. The stepping motor 38 is controlled by a control device (not shown) so that the output shaft 40 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a preset angle by turning on / off an ignition switch (not shown). It has come to be. Further, the output shaft 40 of the stepping motor 38 has a pair of claw portions 42 and 42 whose front ends are divided into two forks, and an engagement arm 44 extending forwardly faces the pair of claw portions 42 and 42 vertically. In a state where it is positioned, it is attached so as to be able to rotate integrally. Then, between the pair of claw portions 42, 42 of the engagement arm 44, the front end portion of the engagement pin 36 that protrudes through the right side wall portion 32 is projected, and the pair of claw portions 42, 42 are inserted. Are engaged with each other.

  Thereby, here, when the ignition switch is turned off, when the output shaft 40 of the stepping motor 38 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle by the control device, the engagement arm 44 is rotated. Is rotated downward, and the engaging pin 36 is moved downward while being guided by the guide groove 37. Then, along with that, the horizontal blade interlocking plate 34 is moved downward, and all of the plurality of horizontal blades 18 are rotated downward, and as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The air outlet 13 of the housing 10 is closed by a plurality of lateral blades 18. On the other hand, when the ignition switch is turned on, the output shaft 40 of the stepping motor 38 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction opposite to that when the ignition switch is turned off. The horizontal blade is rotated upward, so that the front opening 14 of the housing 10 is opened.

  By the way, in such an air outlet device of the present embodiment, in particular, the plurality of vertical blades 16 and the plurality of horizontal blades 18 are blown out from the air outlet 13 of the housing 10 by rotating in an arbitrary direction. An operation mechanism for changing the direction of the air is configured to include an operation unit 46 having a structure that is not found in conventional devices.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the operation unit 46 includes a casing 48 having a substantially rectangular casing shape that opens in the front-rear direction, and an opening on the rear side of the casing 48. And a retainer 50 which is fixed by closing. Further, inside the casing 48, a support shaft 52 made of a round bar is fixed in a state extending in a straight line across the left and right side wall portions, and with respect to the support shaft 52, An operation knob 54 as an operation member is supported.

  The operation knob 54 has a size that can move vertically and horizontally while being accommodated in the rectangular casing 48, and has a relatively thick and wide rectangular plate shape as a whole. A knob 55 that is picked up by a user (operator) is integrally provided at the center of one end face in the direction (vertical direction in FIGS. 5 to 7). Further, in the operation knob 54, a rectangular groove-like slot 56 extending in the width direction is provided at the center of the portion opposite to the side where the knob portion 55 is formed. The portions located on both sides are right and left extending portions 58 and 60 extending a predetermined length in the length direction of the operation knob 54.

  Further, through the right and left extending portions 58 and 60 of the operation knob 54, an insertion hole 62 having a slightly larger diameter than the support shaft 52 penetrates the extending portions 58 and 60 in the respective length directions. And it is provided so that it may extend on the same axis. An engagement groove 63 having a V-shaped cross section is provided on the surface of the right extension portion 58 on the side opposite to the knob portion 55 side so as to extend continuously over the entire length. Of the two upper and lower inner surfaces of the engagement groove 63, the upper inner surface is an upper engagement surface 64 that extends upward and the lower inner surface has a lower engagement surface 66 that extends downward. It is said that.

  On the other hand, a circular accommodation hole 68 having a depth that does not reach the insertion hole 62 is formed on the surface of the left extension 60 on the side opposite to the knob 55 side in the width direction. A compression coil spring 70 as an urging means is accommodated in the accommodation hole 68 of the left extension 60 so as to be extendable and immovable, and a sliding ball 72 as a sliding body is compressed. The coil spring 70 is biased in the direction in which the coil spring 70 protrudes from the housing hole 68, and is housed and disposed so as to be movable in the axial direction in the housing hole 68 in a state in which a part is projected from the housing hole. .

  The operation knob 54 is accommodated in the casing 48 with the knob 55 projecting outward from the opening on the front side of the casing 48. The support shaft 52 provided in the casing 48 is inserted into the insertion holes 62 and 62 of the left extension portions 58 and 60. As a result, the operation knob 54 is supported by the support shaft 52 in a state in which the operation knob 54 can rotate around the support shaft 52 and is slidable in the extending direction while being guided by the support shaft 52. As a result, the knob 55 is picked from the outside, and the operation knob 54 is reciprocated in the vertical direction in the casing 10 and reciprocated in the horizontal direction. Yes.

  As apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner surface of the retainer 50 that closes the rear opening of the casing 48 in which the operation knob 54 is accommodated faces the right extension 58 of the operation knob 54. A changeover switch 74 is fixed at the position. The change-over switch 74 is provided with a movable protrusion 76 as a movable portion that is projected toward the right extending portion 58 and reciprocates in the vertical direction. The movable protrusion 76 is inserted into an engagement groove 63 provided in the right extension 58 of the operation knob 54. As a result, the movable protrusion 76 can be positioned horizontally at the intermediate position in the vertical rotation direction when the operation knob 54 is positioned horizontally without being rotated in any vertical direction. However, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, when the operation knob 54 is rotated upward, it engages with the upper engagement surface 64 of the engagement groove 63 and is pressed downward. On the other hand, when the operation knob 54 is rotated downward, it is engaged with the lower engagement surface 66 and pressed upward so that it can be rotated upward. It has become.

  Here, as described above, the upper and lower engagement surfaces 64, 66 are provided over the entire length of the right extension 58, so that the operation knob 54 is within the rotation range in the left-right direction. In FIG. 2, the state of the change in the upper and lower engagement surfaces 64 and 66 of the movable protrusion 76 in the changeover switch 74 is not eliminated.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, a sliding surface 78 in which the surface facing the left extending portion 60 is wide at the portion facing the left extending portion 60 of the operation knob 54 on the inner surface of the retainer 50. The sliding surface forming portion 80 is fixed. The sliding surface 78 of the sliding surface forming portion 80 extends in the vertical direction, and an intermediate portion in the vertical direction is separated from the left extending portion 60 in the facing direction of the retainer 50 and the left extending portion 60. It has a concave curved surface shape (arc surface shape) that becomes the most concave portion in the direction, that is, the rear side. Further, in the sliding surface 78 having such a concave curved surface shape, the radius of curvature thereof is an arc drawn by the locus of the tip of the left extension 60 when the operation knob 54 is rotated in the vertical direction. The radius of curvature is smaller than the radius of curvature, and the most concave middle portion has a width and a depth at which a part of the sliding ball 72 accommodated in the accommodation hole 68 of the left extension 60 can enter. A shallow groove-like recess 82 is formed which extends in the left-right direction.

  The sliding ball 72 accommodated in the accommodation hole 68 of the left extension 60 is brought into contact with the sliding surface 78 at the protruding portion from the accommodation hole 68, and the compression coil spring 70. It can be slid in a state of being pressed by the urging force. The sliding surface 78 is also configured to have such a width that the contact state of the sliding ball 72 with respect to the sliding surface 78 is not canceled within the range of movement of the operation knob 54 in the left-right direction. ing.

  As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, as the operation knob 54 is rotated in the vertical direction, the sliding ball 72 moves against the sliding surface 78 of the compression coil spring 70. It is made to slide in the state pressed by the urging force. Then, as described above, the sliding surface 78 has a concave curved surface shape with a small radius of curvature and a concave portion at the middle in the vertical direction, and the operation knob 54 is positioned horizontally. Under the state, the distance between the tip of the left extension 60 and the sliding surface 78 is the maximum, and therefore, in such a horizontal state of the operation knob 54, the inside of the accommodation hole 68 of the sliding ball 72 When the urging force of the compression coil spring 70 that presses the sliding ball 72 against the sliding surface 78 is minimized, while the protrusion amount from the horizontal state is maximized, As the amount of rotation increases, the amount of projection of the sliding ball 72 from the accommodation hole 68 is gradually reduced, and the pressing force of the sliding ball 72 against the sliding surface 78 gradually increases accordingly. It is supposed to be squeezed

  Therefore, here, when the operation knob 54 and the movable projection 76 of the changeover switch 74 are both positioned horizontally, the knob 55 is picked from the outside, and the operation knob 54 is reciprocally turned up and down. The sliding force of the compression coil spring 70 biases the sliding ball 72 in the direction in which the sliding ball 72 is slid toward the intermediate portion of the sliding surface 78, and accordingly, the movable projection of the operation knob 54 and the changeover switch 74. 76 is urged in a direction to return to the horizontal position before the rotation. When the operation knob 54 and the movable protrusion 76 of the changeover switch 74 are positioned in the horizontal position, a part of the sliding ball 72 is inserted into the recess 82 of the sliding surface 78, As a result, a sense of moderation is created.

  Incidentally, as described above, a rectangular groove-like slot 56 is provided between the right and left extending portions 58 and 60 of the operation knob 54. As shown in FIG. The support shaft 52 that extends through the insertion holes 62 and 62 of the right and left extension portions 58 and 60 is positioned so as to extend across the opposing surfaces of the extension portions 58 and 60. In addition, a part of the reciprocating plate 84 as a reciprocating member is in the intrusion position while being supported by the support shaft 52.

  That is, the reciprocating plate 84 includes a longitudinal bar-shaped arm portion 86 having a width smaller than a distance between the opposing surfaces of the right and left extending portions 58 and 60 and a distal end portion of the arm portion 86. And a pair of engaging claws 88, 88 extending in parallel in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval. Further, a through hole 87 having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the support shaft 52 is provided at the end of the arm portion 86 opposite to the side where the engaging claws 88 are formed.

  Then, such a reciprocating plate 84 has the end portion of the arm portion 86 opposite to the side where the engaging claws 88 and 88 are formed in the casing 48, and enters the slot 56 of the operation knob 54. By inserting the support shaft 52 into the through-hole 87 at the end, the support shaft 52 is supported so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 52 independently of the operation knob 54. Also, under such a support state, a pair of engaging claws 88, 88 formed integrally with the arm portion 86 are provided between the changeover switch 74 forming portion and the sliding surface 78 forming portion of the retainer 50. Through the through hole 90, it protrudes to the outside of the casing 48 and extends rearward.

  Accordingly, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, when the operation knob 54 is moved in the left-right direction while being guided by the support shaft 52, the reciprocating plate 84 is also moved to the left side of the operation knob 54. The pair of engaging claws 88 and 88 that are pressed by the opposing surfaces of the right-side extending portions 58 and 60 and moved in the left-right direction along with the extension to the outside of the casing 48 are also moved in the left-right direction. It can be moved together. Since the reciprocating plate 84 is supported by the support shaft 52 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 52 independently of the operation knob 54, the operation knob 54 is moved up and down around the support shaft 52. When it is turned in the direction, it cannot be turned along with it.

  Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation unit 46 having such a structure is disposed on the lower bottom wall portion 24 below the plurality of horizontal blades 18 in the main body 11 of the housing 10. It is fixed to. In such a fixed state, the knob 55 of the operation knob 54 projected from the opening on the front side of the casing 48 is provided on the frame 12 having a window portion that forms the air outlet 13 of the housing 10. Through the operation hole 92 provided at the center of the lower frame portion of the four frame portions, the housing 10 is extended outward from the housing 10. As a result, the knob 55 of the operation knob 54 is disposed not in the air outlet 13 of the housing 10 but in a portion different from that, and is exposed in the vehicle interior. However, it can be picked up by an operator (user) and can be rotated in the vertical direction and moved in the horizontal direction.

  Further, in the operation unit 46 fixed in the housing 10, the pair of engaging claws 88, 88 of the reciprocating plate 84 that protrudes rearward through the through hole 90 of the retainer 50 includes the plurality of vertical blades 16. It extends toward the vertical blade 16 located in the center. On the other hand, an engaging pin 94 extending parallel to the front of the rotating shaft 20 on the lower side of the central vertical blade 16 is provided so as to be integrally rotatable. The engagement pin 94 is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the pair of engagement claws 88, 88 of the reciprocating plate 84 from the left-right direction.

  As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, when the pair of engaging claws 88, 88 are moved in the left-right direction together with the reciprocating plate 84, the engaging pin 94 is moved to the pair of engaging claws 88. , 88 are pressed in the left-right direction and are integrally rotated in the left-right direction together with the rotating shaft 20, so that all the vertical blades 16 interlocked with the central vertical blade 16 are simultaneously moved in the left-right direction. It can be made to rotate.

  The changeover switch 74 fixed to the retainer 50 of the operation unit 46 controls the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the output shaft 40 of the stepping motor 38 in a state where the operation unit 46 is fixed in the housing 10. These are electrically connected to a control device (not shown).

  Thereby, when the movable projection 72 of the changeover switch 74 is rotated downward as the operation knob 54 is rotated downward, the stepping motor 38 that rotates the plurality of lateral blades 18 is rotated. The rotation direction of the output shaft 40 can be switched to a direction in which each horizontal blade 18 is rotated upward. When the movable protrusion 72 is rotated upward, the output of the stepping motor 38 is output. The rotation direction of the shaft 40 can be switched to a direction in which each horizontal blade 18 is rotated upward. It should be noted that the rotation of each lateral blade 18 accompanying the upward rotation of the movable protrusion 72 is continued only while the movable protrusion 72 is positioned at the upward or downward rotation position. Thus, when the movable protrusion 72 is positioned at the intermediate position where the horizontal state is set, the horizontal blades 18 are not rotated.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the operator picks the knob 55 disposed on the lower frame portion of the frame body 12 different from the air outlet 13 of the housing 10 and moves the operation knob 54 left or right. By performing the moving operation, all of the plurality of vertical blades 16 can be simultaneously rotated in the left or right direction, which is the same as the moving direction of the operation knob 54. Further, when the operator grips the knob 55 and rotates the operation knob 54 upward or downward, all of the plurality of horizontal blades 18 are in the same upward or downward direction as the movement direction of the operation knob 54. It can be rotated all at once. Further, while the operation knob 54 is in a horizontal state so that the movable protrusion 72 of the changeover switch 74 is positioned at an intermediate position, the vertical rotation of each lateral blade 18 is stopped. .

  As described above, in the air outlet device of the present embodiment, the plurality of vertical blades 16 and the like are obtained by picking the knob 55 and rotating or moving (reciprocating) the operation knob 54 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The plurality of horizontal blades 18 can be arbitrarily rotated in a direction corresponding to the operating direction of the operation knob 54.

  Therefore, in the air outlet device of the present embodiment as described above, the air blowing of the housing 10 can be simply performed by rotating the operation knob 54 in the up-down direction and moving in the left-right direction. The direction of the air blown out from the outlet 13 can be changed very easily and reliably in a desired direction between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  Moreover, in such an air outlet device, the knob 55 is disposed on the lower frame portion of the frame 12 different from the air outlet 13, so that the air outlet 13 faces the vehicle interior. Therefore, there is no member protruding forward, and therefore, for example, the operation knob 54 is attached to the horizontal blade 18 with the knob 55 protruding into the vehicle interior in the air outlet 13. Unlike the air outlet device, the knob 55 and the operation knob 54 become an obstacle when the air outlet 13 is automatically closed by the downward rotation of the plurality of horizontal blades 18 driven by the stepping motor 38. Thus, it is possible to advantageously avoid such an automatic blockage being incomplete.

  Further, in the air outlet device of the present embodiment, when the knob 55 is picked and the operation knob 54 is rotated in the vertical direction, each lateral blade 18 is maintained while the operation state is maintained. Although the operation knob 54 is continuously rotated in the direction corresponding to the operation direction of the operation knob 54, the operation knob 54 rotates the horizontal blades 18 in the vertical direction by the urging force of the vertical compression coil spring 70. The direction of the blown air is desired in the vertical direction by rotating each horizontal blade 18 by, for example, rotating the operation knob 54 in the vertical direction from the position biased in the direction to return to the horizontal position to be stopped. If the hand is released from the knob 55 when the direction becomes, the rotation of each lateral blade 18 can be stopped immediately and easily, and thereby, more excellent usability can be exhibited. Become

  Further, in such an air outlet device, when the operation knob 54 is rotated in the vertical direction, the operation knob 54 is positioned at a horizontal position where the rotation of the horizontal blades 18 in the vertical direction is stopped. When this is done, a part of the sliding ball 72 is plunged into the recess 82 of the sliding surface 78 to create a feeling of moderation. The operating position of the operation knob 54 for stopping the rotation can be recognized more reliably, whereby the rotation of each lateral blade 18 and thus the vertical direction of the blown air can be further increased at a desired position. It becomes possible to stop more easily and reliably.

  Furthermore, in the air outlet device of the present embodiment, the moderation mechanism that generates the moderation feeling as described above includes a compression coil spring 70 and a sliding ball 72 that are accommodated in the accommodation hole 68 of the operation knob 54, and The retainer 50 may have a relatively simple structure including a sliding surface 78 having a recess 82 into which a part of the sliding ball 72 can enter.

  The specific configuration of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above description.

  For example, the shape of the housing 10, the number and shape of the vertical blades 16 and the horizontal blades 18 disposed therein, the support form, and the like are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment, but the air outlet It should be set appropriately depending on the arrangement position of the apparatus and the required function.

  Moreover, if the operation knob 54 as an operation member is arrange | positioned in the part different from the air blower outlet 13 of the housing 10, the arrangement position will be specifically limited to what is shown by the said embodiment. is not. That is, even if the operation knob 54 is provided outside the housing 10, for example, there is no problem.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation knob 54 is disposed so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction and movable in the left-right direction. However, the operation knob 54 has a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other. As long as it can be reciprocated in the direction, the reciprocating form may be either reciprocating by rotation or reciprocating by movement. And, of course, the arrangement structure of the operation knob 54 can be changed as appropriate according to the reciprocating form and the like.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the movable protrusion 76 of the changeover switch 74 as the movable portion of the changeover switch means is engaged with the upper and lower engagement surfaces 64 and 66 provided on the operation knob 54 so that the operation can be performed. Although the knob 54 is turned up and down by turning up and down, the operation knob 54 and the movable protrusion 76 are connected to each other so that the operation knob 54 and the movable protrusion 76 are moved up and down. It is also possible to configure so as to be able to rotate integrally.

  Similarly, the reciprocating plate 84 as a reciprocating member and the vertical blade 16 are connected so as to be integrally rotatable so that the reciprocating plate 84 moves in the left-right direction as the operation knob 54 moves in the left-right direction. The vertical blade 16 may be rotated in the left-right direction by movement.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the horizontal blade 18 is automatically rotated by the driving of the stepping motor 38 as the driving means, but only the vertical blade 54 is automatically rotated by the driving of the driving means. Of course, it is also possible to be configured to be able to be rotated. In this case, the horizontal blade 18 is manually rotated by the reciprocating operation of the operating member, while the vertical blade 16 is automatically rotated by the reciprocating operation of the operating member. Will be composed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the moderation mechanism that generates a moderation feeling when the operation knob 54 is positioned at a horizontal position that stops the horizontal blade 18 from rotating in the vertical direction is provided in the housing hole of the operation knob 54. 68, the compression coil spring 70 and the sliding ball 72 accommodated and disposed in the 68, and a sliding surface 78 provided in the retainer 50 and having a recess 82 into which a part of the sliding ball 72 can enter. However, the structure of such a moderation mechanism is not particularly limited to this, and a known structure can be appropriately employed.

  Further, the shape of the sliding surface 78 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and for example, instead of the concave curved surface shape, the V-shaped shape in which the center position in the extending direction is the most concave is provided. An inclined surface shape may be used.

  Further, when the operation knob 54 is rotated in the up / down direction, the operation knob 54 is simply biased in a direction in which it can be returned to the horizontal position where the rotation of the lateral blade 18 in the up / down direction is stopped. For example, when an urging means such as a compression coil spring is disposed on the upper and lower portions of the operation knob 54, respectively, when the operation knob 54 is rotated or moved upward, the operation knob 54 is operated. While the knob 54 is urged downward, the operation knob 54 may be urged upward when the operation knob 54 is rotated or moved downward. In addition, as a biasing means, well-known things other than a compression coil spring can be used suitably.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the auto-shut mechanism that closes the front opening 14 of the housing 10 with the horizontal blade 18 as the horizontal blade 18 rotates is provided. An auto-shut mechanism that closes the front opening 14 of the housing 10 with the vertical blade 16 along with the rotation may be provided, and such an auto-shut mechanism may be omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the air blower outlet 13 was comprised in the window part of the frame 12 fixed to the front opening part 14 of the main body 11 of the housing 10, such a frame 12 is provided. Of course, the air outlet 13 can be formed at the front opening 14 of the main body 11 of the housing 10. In this case, the entire operation unit 46 having the operation knob 54 as an operation member or only the operation knob 54 is provided outside the housing 10.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the specific example of what applied this invention with respect to the air blower outlet attached to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle was shown, this invention is other than the instrument panel of a motor vehicle. Of course, the present invention can be advantageously applied to any of the attached air outlet device and the air outlet device installed in a vehicle other than the automobile.

  In addition, although not enumerated one by one, the present invention can be carried out in a mode to which various changes, modifications, improvements, etc. are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that all are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is front explanatory drawing which shows an example of the vehicle air outlet apparatus which has a structure according to this invention. It is right side explanatory drawing of the air blower apparatus for vehicles shown by FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1. It is IV-IV cross-sectional explanatory drawing in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of the operation unit provided in the air outlet apparatus for vehicles shown by FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to the VV cross section of FIG. It is VI-VI cross-section enlarged explanatory drawing in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory view of a VII-VII cross section in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Housing 13 Air blower outlet 16 Vertical blade 18 Horizontal blade 38 Stepping motor 46 Operation unit 54 Operation knob 55 Knob part 64 Upper engagement surface 66 Lower engagement protrusion 70 Compression coil spring 72 Sliding ball 74 Changeover switch 76 Movable protrusion 78 Sliding surface 82 Recess 84 Reciprocating plate 88 Engagement claw

Claims (3)

A first wind direction member is provided in the opening of the housing that opens into the vehicle interior and provides an air outlet for blowing air into the vehicle interior. , Provided so as to be rotated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by driving the driving means, and rotating the first wind direction member and driving the driving means. A vehicle air outlet device that controls the direction of air blown into the passenger compartment by rotation of the second wind direction member;
(A) An operation member disposed to be reciprocally movable in the first direction and the second direction with respect to a portion different from the air outlet of the housing; and (b) the operation member. Between the first wind direction member, the operation member and the first wind direction member are connected to or engaged with each other, and are reciprocally movable in the first direction. The reciprocating member that rotates the first wind direction member in the first direction by being reciprocated in the first direction in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the operating member in the first direction. And (c) a movable portion that is connected to or engaged with the operation member and is reciprocated in the second direction as the operation member reciprocates in the second direction. When the movable part is reciprocated in the second direction, Wind direction member, as caused to rotate in the direction corresponding to the operation direction of the movable portion, and a switching means switching switches the rotation direction of the second wind direction member by the driving of the driving means, and
In a state where the movable portion of the changeover switch means is positioned at an intermediate position of the reciprocating motion in the second direction, so as to stop the rotation of the second wind direction member by driving of the driving means, The changeover switch means is configured, and when the movable part is actuated in the second direction from the intermediate position by the reciprocation of the operation member in the second direction, the movable part is moved. An urging means for exerting an urging force on the operation member is provided so as to return to the intermediate position, and
An opposing wall portion facing the operating member in a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is provided, and any one of the opposing portions of the operating member and the opposing wall portion On one side, a concave curved surface or a sliding surface having an inclined surface shape is provided which extends in the second direction and has the most concave intermediate position in the extending direction. The urging means is disposed, and a sliding body is interposed between the sliding surface and the urging means, and the reciprocating movement of the operation member in the second direction The sliding body is configured to be slid with respect to the sliding surface in a state of being pressed against the sliding surface by the urging force of the urging means, and to reciprocate the operation member. The movable portion of the changeover switch means is an intermediate position of the reciprocating motion in the second direction. When the biasing means is disposed at the intermediate position of the sliding surface, the biasing means is disposed at the opposing portions of the operation member and the opposing wall portion. The urging force of the urging means is minimized, while the operating member is reciprocated from the intermediate position of the sliding surface. The vehicle is characterized in that as the distance is increased, the distance between the urging means and the sliding surface gradually decreases, and the urging force of the urging means can be gradually increased. Air outlet device. A recess into which a part of the sliding body can enter is provided at the most depressed intermediate position of the sliding surface, and the changeover switch means can be moved by reciprocating movement of the operating member in the second direction. When the portion is positioned at an intermediate position of the reciprocating motion in the second direction, a part of the sliding body is plunged into the recess, so that a sense of moderation is generated. Item 2. The vehicle air outlet device according to Item 1 . When the second air direction member is rotated in the second direction to a preset position by driving the driving means, the air outlet of the housing is moved to the second air direction member. The vehicle air outlet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle air outlet device is closed.

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