JP7536698B2 - Wind direction adjustment device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a wind direction adjustment device.

Conventionally, there are airflow adjustment devices that are installed in vehicles such as automobiles to adjust the direction of airflow supplied from the vehicle's air conditioning system into the vehicle cabin. Patent Document 1 discloses a register (airflow adjustment device) equipped with an inner plate that moves up and down or rotates inside a retainer (case body) to change the air flow path.

JP 2007-196942 A

In the register described in Patent Document 1, the inner plate is a rectangular parallelepiped that has a large thickness in the vertical direction and has tapered ends on both the upstream and downstream sides. Therefore, even if the inner plate is maintained in a neutral position so that the air flows in a straight line, the air blowing efficiency may decrease due to pressure loss caused by the shape of the inner plate, and as a result, the straightness of the air blown may decrease.

Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a wind direction adjustment device with a simple structure that prevents a decrease in air flow efficiency.

The airflow direction adjustment device according to the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical case body having an internal flow path for circulating gas, a plate-shaped intermediate fin having two main planes, which are substantially perpendicular to a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to a first direction in the cross section of the internal flow path and serve as a front and rear surface, and fixedly arranged in the internal flow path, a plate-shaped front fin arranged closer to the outlet side of the intermediate fin in the internal flow path, and a plate-shaped rear fin arranged closer to the inlet side of the intermediate fin in the internal flow path, and the front fin and rear fin are rotationally displaced in opposite directions around their respective rotation axes parallel to the first direction between a first restriction position in which the gas flow path is on the side of one of the main planes of the intermediate fin and a second restriction position in which the gas flow path is on the side of the other main plane of the intermediate fin.

This disclosure provides a wind direction adjustment device with a simple structure that prevents a decrease in airflow efficiency.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an airflow direction adjustment device according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the airflow direction adjustment device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of a case body. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first front fin portion. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second front fin portion. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first rear fin portion. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second rear fin portion. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of an intermediate movable fin. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first dial knob. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second dial knob. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first link. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second link. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of the first link mechanism in a neutral position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device in a neutral position. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of the first link mechanism when in a first restricting position. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device when in a first restricting position. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state of the first link mechanism when in a second restricting position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device when in a second restricting position. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device in the second embodiment when in a neutral position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device in the second embodiment when in a first restricting position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device in the second embodiment when in a second restricting position. 13A to 13C are cross-sectional views of the airflow direction adjustment device in each position in the third embodiment.

Below, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted with the same reference numerals to avoid repetitive explanations, and elements not directly related to this disclosure are not illustrated.

First Embodiment
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an airflow direction adjustment device 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the airflow direction adjustment device 1. The airflow direction adjustment device 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, and adjusts the direction of air supplied from an air conditioning device of the vehicle into the passenger compartment. For example, the airflow direction adjustment device 1 is attached to an opening provided in an instrument panel or a center console in the passenger compartment of the automobile. Note that an air conditioning device including a similar airflow direction adjustment device is sometimes called a ventilator, a register, or the like.

The airflow direction adjustment device 1 includes a case body 10, a first front fin section 11, a second front fin section 12, an intermediate fin 13, a first rear fin section 14, a second rear fin section 15, and an intermediate movable fin 16.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the shape of the case body 10. The case body 10 houses the first front fin 11a, the second front fin 12a, the middle fin 13, the first rear fin 14a, the second rear fin 15a, and the middle movable fin 16 inside. The case body 10 is cylindrical and has an internal flow path 10k through which gas flows. Here, in the following figures, for the sake of convenience, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined as follows based on the shape of the case body 10. The X direction is along the axial direction that defines the cylindrical shape of the case body 10, and is directed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the internal flow path 10k. The Y direction and the Z direction are each perpendicular to the X direction, and are perpendicular to each other. In accordance with this definition, hereinafter, the cross section of the internal flow path 10k refers to the YZ cross section within the internal flow path 10k. In addition, the expressions "vertical," "parallel," "center," or "symmetrical" used in the following description may also include "approximately vertical," "approximately parallel," "approximately center," or "approximately symmetrical," to the extent that the configuration, action, or effect described using the expression can be considered to be the same in at least one respect. Similarly, the expressions "same shape" or "same orientation" may also include "same shape" or "same orientation."

The case body 10 is formed by combining four walls, namely, the first wall 10a, the second wall 10b, the third wall 10c, and the fourth wall 10d, each of which is a plate-like wall. The first wall 10a and the second wall 10b face each other in the Z direction. The third wall 10c and the fourth wall 10d face each other in the Y direction. One side of the first wall 10a is connected to one side of the second wall 10b via the third wall 10c. The other side of the first wall 10a is connected to the other side of the second wall 10b via the fourth wall 10d. In other words, the internal flow path 10k is a spatial region surrounded by the first wall 10a, the second wall 10b, the third wall 10c, and the fourth wall 10d. The case body 10 is a square tube in which the cross-sectional shape of the internal flow path 10k is rectangular.

The third wall portion 10c and the fourth wall portion 10d have two first shaft holes 10e and two second shaft holes 10f at positions facing each other in the Y direction. The first shaft hole 10e supports either the first front fin portion 11 or the second front fin portion 12. The second shaft hole 10f supports either the first rear fin portion 14 or the second rear fin portion 15. Meanwhile, the first wall portion 10a and the second wall portion 10b have multiple third shaft holes 10i that support intermediate movable fins 16 at positions facing each other in the Z direction.

Furthermore, the fourth wall portion 10d has a fourth shaft hole 10g that supports the first dial knob 20. The second wall portion 10b protrudes outward and has a rotation shaft 10j (see FIG. 9B) that supports the second dial knob 21. Furthermore, the fourth wall portion 10d may have a stopper 10h that protrudes outward and defines the rotation range of the first dial knob 20 (see FIG. 10A, etc.).

With this shape of the case body 10, the first opening end 10m of the internal flow path 10k becomes the opening on the side where the finisher 25 is installed, and the second opening end 10n of the internal flow path 10k becomes the gas inlet. The second opening end 10n is connected to an air conditioning device (not shown) installed in the vehicle, and introduces gas supplied from the air conditioning device. When the vehicle to which the present invention is applied is a general automobile, as in this embodiment, the gas is air.

Figure 4A is a perspective view showing the shape of the first front fin section 11. Figure 4B is a perspective view showing the shape of the second front fin section 12. The first front fin section 11 and the second front fin section 12 form a pair in the Z direction, and each includes a front fin that is arranged closer to the outlet side, i.e., the first opening end 10m side, than the intermediate fin 13, among the various fins installed in the internal flow path 10k. The specific arrangement of the first front fin section 11 and the second front fin section 12 will be described later.

The first front fin portion 11 includes a first front fin 11a, a pair of first rotating shafts 11b, a first front link arm 11c, and a first front engagement shaft 11d.

The first front fin 11a is a plate-shaped fin whose longitudinal direction is the Y direction as the first direction along the cross section of the internal flow path 10k. The pair of first rotating shafts 11b each have an axial direction in the Y direction, and are installed one by one near the downstream edge portion 11f protruding toward the first opening end 10m of the case body 10 at both ends of the first front fin 11a in the Y direction. One of the first rotating shafts 11b engages with one of the two first shaft holes 10e provided in the third wall portion 10c of the case body 10. The other first rotating shaft 11b engages with one of the two first shaft holes 10e provided in the fourth wall portion 10d of the case body 10, which is located opposite in the Y direction to the first shaft hole 10e with which the first rotating shaft 11b engages in the third wall portion 10c. Due to this shape, the first front fin 11a rotates and displaces with respect to the first rotating shaft 11b.

The first front link arm 11c is connected to one of the first rotating shafts 11b and is one element constituting the first link mechanism 24a (see FIG. 9A, etc.) that is operated by operating the first dial knob 20. The extension direction of the first front link arm 11c is along the direction from the downstream edge portion 11f to the upstream edge portion 11e of the first front fin 11a. The first front link arm 11c can be freely attached to and detached from the first rotating shaft 11b. In particular, when assembling the air direction adjustment device 1, the worker may attach the first front fin 11a to the inside of the case body 10, and then attach the first front link arm 11c to one of the first rotating shafts 11b from the outside of the case body 10.

The first front engagement shaft 11d is parallel to the first rotating shaft 11b and is provided on the first front link arm 11c. When the first rotating shaft 11b is connected to one end of the first front link arm 11c, the first front engagement shaft 11d protrudes from the opposite side of the other end of the first front link arm 11c. The first front engagement shaft 11d engages with one of two second engagement holes 22e (see FIG. 8A) provided on the first link 22.

On the other hand, the second front fin section 12 has the same configuration and shape as the first front fin section 11, and includes a second front fin 12a, a pair of second rotating shafts 12b, a second front link arm 12c, and a second front engagement shaft 12d. The second front fin 12a corresponds to the first front fin 11a in the first front fin section 11. The second rotating shaft 12b corresponds to the first rotating shaft 11b in the first front fin section 11. The second front link arm 12c corresponds to the first front link arm 11c in the first front fin section 11. And the second front engagement shaft 12d corresponds to the first front engagement shaft 11d in the first front fin section 11. The second front engagement shaft 12d engages with the other of the two second engagement holes 22e provided in the first link 22.

The intermediate fin 13 is a plate-shaped fin having two main planes, which are perpendicular to each other with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the cross section of the internal flow path 10k, and which are the front and back. In this embodiment, the first direction is the Y direction, while the second direction is the Z direction. The longitudinal direction of the intermediate fin 13 is the Y direction, and the plate thickness direction is the Z direction. In addition, of the two main planes of the intermediate fin 13, one is the first main plane 13d, and the other is the second main plane 13e (see FIG. 9B). Such an intermediate fin 13 is fixedly disposed in the internal flow path 10k. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate fin 13 has a plurality of support grooves 13a for supporting each of the plurality of intermediate movable fins 16. The support grooves 13a are cut out along the X direction from the upstream edge portion 13c of the intermediate fin 13 (see FIG. 10B, etc.), and engage with the first rotating shaft 16c (see FIG. 6) provided on the intermediate movable fin 16.

Figure 5A is a perspective view showing the shape of the first rear fin section 14. Figure 5B is a perspective view showing the shape of the second rear fin section 15. The first rear fin section 14 and the second rear fin section 15 form a pair in the Z direction, and each includes a rear fin that is arranged closer to the inlet side, i.e., the second opening end 10n side, than the intermediate fin 13, among the various fins installed in the internal flow path 10k. The specific arrangement of the first rear fin section 14 and the second rear fin section 15 will be described later.

The first rear fin portion 14 includes a first rear fin 14a, a pair of third rotating shafts 14b, a first rear link arm 14c, and a first spacer shaft 14d.

The first rear fin 14a is a plate-shaped fin with the Y direction as the first direction as the longitudinal direction, similar to the first front fin 11a and the intermediate fin 13. The pair of third rotation shafts 14b each have the Y direction as their axial direction, and are installed one by one near the upstream edge portion 14g protruding toward the second opening end 10n of the case body 10 at both ends of the first rear fin 14a in the Y direction. One third rotation shaft 14b engages with one of the two second shaft holes 10f provided in the third wall portion 10c of the case body 10. The other third rotation shaft 14b engages with one of the two second shaft holes 10f provided in the fourth wall portion 10d of the case body 10, which is located opposite in the Y direction to the second shaft hole 10f with which the third rotation shaft 14b engages in the third wall portion 10c. Due to this shape, the first rear fin 14a rotates and displaces with respect to the third rotation shaft 14b.

The first rear link arm 14c is connected to one of the third rotating shafts 14b and is one element that constitutes the first link mechanism 24a. The first rear link arm 14c also has a first rear engagement hole 14e. The first rear engagement hole 14e is provided at one end of the first rear link arm 14c and is an elongated hole that is long in the extension direction of the first rear link arm 14c. When the first rear engagement hole 14e is provided at one end of the first rear link arm 14c, the following first spacer shaft 14d is provided at the other end of the first rear link arm 14c. The first rear engagement hole 14e engages one of the two first engagement shafts 20f (see FIG. 7A) provided on the first dial knob 20.

The first spacer shaft 14d is provided at one end of the first rear link arm 14c, and is an element that ensures space in the first link mechanism 24a to avoid interference with other elements. The first spacer shaft 14d can be freely attached to and detached from the third rotating shaft 14b. In particular, when assembling the airflow direction adjustment device 1, the worker may attach the first rear fin 14a to the inside of the case body 10, and then attach the first spacer shaft 14d to one of the third rotating shafts 14b from the outside of the case body 10.

On the other hand, the second rear fin portion 15 has the same configuration as the first rear fin portion 14, and includes a second rear fin 15a, a pair of fourth rotating shafts 15b, a second rear link arm 15c, and a second spacer shaft 15d. The second rear fin 15a corresponds to the first rear fin 14a in the first rear fin portion 14. The fourth rotating shaft 15b corresponds to the third rotating shaft 14b in the first rear fin portion 14. The second rear link arm 15c corresponds to the first rear link arm 14c in the first rear fin portion 14. The second rear engagement hole 15e provided in the second rear link arm 15c corresponds to the first rear engagement hole 14e provided in the first rear link arm 14c. The second rear engagement hole 15e engages the other of the two first engagement shafts 20f provided in the first dial knob 20. The second spacer axis 15d corresponds to the first spacer axis 14d in the first rear fin portion 14.

Here, the first rear fin section 14 and the second rear fin section 15 have different mounting angles between the first rear link arm 14c and the second rear link arm 15c with respect to the rear fins around their respective rotation axes. The difference in mounting angles will be described later together with the explanation of the first link mechanism 24a using FIG. 9A etc.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of the intermediate movable fin 16. The intermediate movable fin 16 is a fin that intersects with the intermediate fin 13 in the second direction and is rotationally displaced around a rotation axis parallel to the second direction. As shown in Figure 2, multiple intermediate movable fins 16 are present at regular intervals along the first direction and in the same orientation as each other. In this embodiment, as an example, there are 11 intermediate movable fins 16. The multiple intermediate movable fins 16 have the same shape as each other.

The intermediate movable fin 16 has a first fin 16a and a second fin 16b. The first fin 16a and the second fin 16b are plate-shaped and aligned along the second direction. The intermediate movable fin 16 also has a first rotation shaft 16c, a second rotation shaft 16d, and a third rotation shaft 16e as rotation shafts parallel to the second direction. The first rotation shaft 16c, the second rotation shaft 16d, and the third rotation shaft 16e are on a straight line parallel to the second direction. The first rotation shaft 16c connects the first fin 16a and the second fin 16b. As described above, the first rotation shaft 16c engages with the support groove 13a provided in the intermediate fin 13. In other words, the first fin 16a connected to one side of the first rotation shaft 16c is rotated and displaced within the area faced by the first main plane 13d of the intermediate fin 13. On the other hand, the second fin 16b connected to the other side of the first rotating shaft 16c rotates and displaces within the area facing the second main plane 13e of the intermediate fin 13. The second rotating shaft 16d engages with one of the multiple third shaft holes 10i provided in the first wall portion 10a of the case body 10. The third rotating shaft 16e engages with one of the multiple third shaft holes 10i provided in the second wall portion 10b of the case body 10, which is located opposite the third shaft hole 10i in the Z direction in the first wall portion 10a with which the second rotating shaft 16d engages. Here, the third rotating shaft 16e includes a link that shifts the positions of the tip shafts at one end and the other end. The shape of this third rotating shaft 16e will be described later in conjunction with the explanation of the second link mechanism 24b using Figure 9B etc.

The first fin 16a and the second fin 16b have symmetric shapes with respect to the first rotation axis 16c. In particular, the first fin 16a and the second fin 16b may each have a curved end 16f in which a portion of the end is cut out in a curved shape (see FIG. 9B). The curved end 16f provided on the first fin 16a is set based on the rotation orbit of the first rear fin 14a so that the downstream edge portion 14f of the first rear fin 14a does not interfere with the first fin 16a when the first rear fin 14a is rotated and displaced. Similarly, the curved end 16f provided on the second fin 16b is set based on the rotation orbit of the second rear fin 15a so that the downstream edge portion 15f of the second rear fin 15a does not interfere with the second fin 16b when the second rear fin 15a is rotated and displaced.

The materials of the elements constituting the case body 10, the first front fin 11a, the second front fin 12a, the intermediate fin 13, the first rear fin 14a, the second rear fin 15a, and the intermediate movable fin 16 may be synthetic resins such as ABS resin and PP resin.

The air direction adjustment device 1 also includes a first dial knob 20, a second dial knob 21, a first link 22, a second link 23, and a finisher 25.

Figure 7A is a perspective view showing the shape of the first dial knob 20. The first dial knob 20 is used by an occupant to change the position of the first front fin 11a, the second front fin 12a, the first rear fin 14a, and the second rear fin 15a from the passenger compartment side. The first dial knob 20 is a disc-shaped member with each part shaped for each function. The first dial knob 20 has the following parts: a first operating dial 20a, a base plate 20b, a rotating shaft 20c, and a pair of arms 20d.

The first operation dial 20a is a semi-annular part that is directly touched by the occupant. The outer peripheral surface of the first operation dial 20a may be treated with an anti-slip coating to improve operability by the occupant. The base plate 20b is a part that supports each part that forms the first dial knob 20. Approximately half of the base plate 20b is disc-shaped to support the first operation dial 20a. The remaining half of the base plate 20b is disc-shaped with a smaller diameter than the part that supports the first operation dial 20a. The rotating shaft 20c is an axis that is the center of rotation of the first dial knob 20 and protrudes vertically in one direction from the base plate 20b. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 20c is along the first direction, i.e., the Y direction. The rotating shaft 20c engages with the fourth shaft hole 10g provided in the fourth wall portion 10d of the case body 10. The pair of arms 20d protrude radially from the base plate 20b on the opposite side to the first operating dial 20a, and are spaced apart at a fixed interval from each other.

A through hole 20e may be provided in a portion of the portion of the substrate 20b that supports the first operating dial 20a, to engage with a stopper 10h provided on the fourth wall portion 10d of the case body 10. As described above, the combination of the stopper 10h and the through hole 20e defines the rotation range of the first dial knob 20.

The first dial knob 20 also has a first engagement shaft 20f that protrudes from the tip side of each of the pair of arms 20d in the opposite direction to the direction in which the rotating shaft 20c protrudes from the substrate 20b. As described above, one of the two first engagement shafts 20f engages with the first rear engagement hole 14e of the first rear fin portion 14. Similarly, the other of the two first engagement shafts 20f engages with the second rear engagement hole 15e of the second rear fin portion 15. Furthermore, the first dial knob 20 has a second engagement shaft 20g that protrudes in the same direction as the rotating shaft 20c protrudes from the substrate 20b, closer to the arm 20d side than the rotating shaft 20c on the substrate 20b. The second engagement shaft 20g engages with the first engagement hole 22d (see FIG. 8A) provided in the first link 22.

Figure 7B is a perspective view showing the shape of the second dial knob 21. The second dial knob 21 is used by the occupant to change the position of the intermediate movable fin 16 from the passenger compartment side. Like the first dial knob 20, the second dial knob 21 is a disc-shaped member with each part shaped for each function. The second dial knob 21 has the following parts: a second operating dial 21a, a base plate 21b, and an arm 21d.

The second operation dial 21a is a semi-annular part that is directly touched by the occupant. The outer peripheral surface of the second operation dial 21a may be treated with an anti-slip coating to improve operability by the occupant. The base plate 21b is a part that supports each part that forms the second dial knob 21. Approximately half of the base plate 21b is disc-shaped to support the second operation dial 21a. The remaining half of the base plate 21b is disc-shaped with a smaller diameter than the part that supports the second operation dial 21a. The base plate 21b is provided with a first engagement hole 21c that serves as the center of rotation of the second dial knob 21. As described above, the first engagement hole 21c engages with the rotation shaft 10j provided in the second wall portion 10b. The arm 21d protrudes on the opposite side of the second operation dial 21a with respect to the base plate 21b. The arm 21d is provided with a second engagement hole 21e that opens in the same direction as the first engagement hole 21c and is a long hole that is long along the extension direction of the arm 21d. The second engagement hole 21e engages the third rotating shaft 16e of the intermediate movable fin 16. However, in the third rotating shaft 16e, the axial direction of the part that engages with the second engagement hole 21e and the axial direction of the part that engages with the third shaft hole 10i of the case body 10 are misaligned with each other via a link (see FIG. 9B, etc.).

Figure 8A is a perspective view showing the shape of the first link 22. The first link 22 is one element constituting the first link mechanism 24a that is operated by operating the first dial knob 20. The first link 22 has a first rod-shaped portion 22a, a second rod-shaped portion 22b, and a third rod-shaped portion 22c. The second rod-shaped portion 22b and the third rod-shaped portion 22c are parallel to each other. One end of the first rod-shaped portion 22a is continuous with one end of the second rod-shaped portion 22b, and the other end of the first rod-shaped portion 22a is continuous with one end of the third rod-shaped portion 22c in the same direction as the continuation direction with the second rod-shaped portion 22b.

The first rod-shaped portion 22a has a first engagement hole 22d in the central region in the extension direction, which opens in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second rod-shaped portion 22b and the third rod-shaped portion 22c are connected. As described above, the first engagement hole 22d engages the second engagement shaft 20g of the first dial knob 20. The second rod-shaped portion 22b and the third rod-shaped portion 22c each have a second engagement hole 22e in the tip portion opposite the end portion connected to the first rod-shaped portion 22a, which opens in the same direction as the first engagement hole 22d. The second engagement hole 22e in the second rod-shaped portion 22b engages the first front engagement shaft 11d of the first front fin portion 11. The second engagement hole 22e in the third rod-shaped portion 22c engages the second front engagement shaft 12d of the second front fin portion 12.

Figure 8B is a perspective view showing the shape of the second link 23. The second link 23 is one element that constitutes the second link mechanism 24b that is operated by operating the second dial knob 21. The second link 23 is a rod-shaped member that has multiple engagement holes 23a. The multiple engagement holes 23a engage the third rotation shaft 16e of each of the multiple intermediate movable fins 16 in accordance with the arrangement of the multiple intermediate movable fins 16.

The finisher 25 is a panel that is installed at the first opening end 10m of the case body 10 and forms part of the design surface of the mounting position of the airflow direction adjustment device 1. The finisher 25 has a gas outlet 25a, a first dial opening 25b, and a second dial opening 25c. The gas outlet 25a blows the gas that has flowed through the internal flow path 10k toward the vehicle compartment. In the following figures, the direction of the air blown out from the gas outlet 25a, i.e., the air direction _DW , is shown as necessary. The first dial opening 25b exposes a part of the first operation dial 20a of the first dial knob 20 toward the vehicle compartment. Similarly, the second dial opening 25c exposes a part of the second operation dial 21a of the second dial knob 21 toward the vehicle compartment.

The materials of the elements constituting the first dial knob 20, the second dial knob 21, the first link 22, the second link 23 and the finisher 25 may be synthetic resins such as ABS resin or PP resin.

Next, we will explain the operation of the airflow direction adjustment device 1.

First, as the first wind direction adjustment, a wind direction adjustment for changing the wind direction _DW along the second direction will be described. In this embodiment, since the second direction is the Z direction, if the Z direction is along the vertical direction, the first wind direction adjustment is an adjustment for changing the wind direction _DW along the up-down direction.

The first air direction adjustment is performed by an occupant in the vehicle cabin operating the first operating dial 20a. Hereinafter, the group including the first front fin 11a, the second front fin 12a, the first rear fin 14a, and the second rear fin 15a that are rotationally displaced by operating the first operating dial 20a will be referred to as the "first variable fin group."

Figure 9A is a side view showing the state of the first link mechanism 24a when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position. Note that in Figure 9A, a portion of the finisher 25 is drawn in cross section to clarify the movement of the first operating dial 20a. The first link mechanism 24a is provided on one side of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 in the Y direction, that is, on the side of the fourth wall portion 10d of the case body 10 in this embodiment.

Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position. The cross section shown in Figure 9B corresponds to the IXB-IXB cross section in Figure 1, and is an XZ cross section cut so as to pass through the center of the second dial knob 21, which is installed in the center of the case body 10 in the Y direction.

As a premise for explaining the positional changes of the first variable fin group, the relative positions of the first front fin 11a, the second front fin 12a, the intermediate fin 13, the first rear fin 14a, and the second rear fin 15a will now be described with reference to FIG. 9B.

The fixed position of the intermediate fin 13 in the internal flow path 10k is used as a reference for the gas flow path formed in the internal flow path 10k by the position change of the first variable fin group. The intermediate fin 13 is disposed in the second direction, that is, in the central position in the Z direction in this embodiment. Here, as shown in Fig. 9B, a virtual plane _Vp is defined according to the installation shape of the intermediate fin 13. Specifically, the virtual plane _Vp is an XY plane that passes through the center in the Z direction, which is the thickness direction of the intermediate fin 13, and is aligned with both the first main plane 13d and the second main plane 13e of the intermediate fin 13.

As described above, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a are disposed closer to the outlet side, i.e., the first opening end 10m side, than the intermediate fin 13 in the extension direction of the internal flow path 10k, i.e., the X direction. Meanwhile, in the second direction, i.e., the Z direction, of the internal flow path 10k, the first rotation axis 11b of the first front fin 11a and the second rotation axis 12b of the second front fin 12a are disposed symmetrically with respect to the virtual plane _Vp . The distance between the first rotation axis 11b and the second rotation axis 12b is set based on the opening width of the gas outlet 25a in the second direction. In this embodiment, the first rotation axis 11b is close to one opening end of the gas outlet 25a in the second direction, and the second rotation axis 12b is close to the other opening end of the gas outlet 25a in the second direction. Furthermore, the width between the upstream edge 11e and the downstream edge 11f of the first front fin 11a is set based on the distance from the first opening end 10m to the downstream edge 13b of the intermediate fin 13. Specifically, this width is set so that when the first front fin 11a is rotationally displaced around the first rotation axis 11b, the upstream edge 11e of the first front fin 11a comes close to the downstream edge 13b of the intermediate fin 13 at a certain rotation position. The same applies to the width between the upstream edge 12e and the downstream edge 12f of the second front fin 12a.

As described above, the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a are disposed closer to the inlet side, i.e., the second opening end 10n side, than the intermediate fin 13 in the extension direction of the internal flow path 10k, i.e., the X direction. Meanwhile, in the second direction, i.e., the Z direction, of the internal flow path 10k, the third rotation axis 14b of the first rear fin 14a and the fourth rotation axis 15b of the second rear fin 15a are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the virtual plane _Vp . In this embodiment, the third rotation axis 14b is close to the first wall portion 10a, which is a wall portion on one side of the case body 10 in the second direction, and the fourth rotation axis 15b is close to the second wall portion 10b, which is a wall portion on the other side of the case body 10 in the second direction. In addition, unlike the first front fin 11a, the width between the upstream edge portion 14g and the downstream edge portion 14f of the first rear fin 14a is not significantly restricted in setting, and may be longer than the width between the edges of the first front fin 11a. However, as described above, the width is set such that, at a certain rotational position when the first rear fin 14a is rotationally displaced around the third rotation axis 14b, the downstream edge portion 14f of the first rear fin 14a comes close to the upstream edge portion 13c of the intermediate fin 13. The same applies to the widths between the upstream edge portion 15g and the downstream edge portion 15f of the second rear fin 15a.

Next, as a premise for explaining the state changes of the first link mechanism 24a, the positional relationship of each element constituting the first link mechanism 24a will be explained with reference to FIG. 9A. Note that the engagement relationship between any of the elements is the same as that explained above for the configuration of each element, so a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

In the first link mechanism 24a, the first dial knob 20 provided with the first operation dial 20a, the first front fin 11a, and the second front fin 12a are connected to each other via the first link 22 in a freely displaceable manner. Here, the first link 22 has the second rod-shaped portion 22b and the third rod-shaped portion 22c, which are parallel to each other, as described above. The distance between the second engagement hole 22e in the second rod-shaped portion 22b and the second engagement hole 22e in the third rod-shaped portion 22c is the same as the distance between the first rotation shaft 11b and the second rotation shaft 12b. Therefore, when the first link 22 is displaced by the rotation of the first operation dial 20a, one of the first front fin 11a or the second front fin 12a is rotated and displaced in a direction approaching the intermediate fin 13, and the other is rotated and displaced in a direction away from the intermediate fin 13. At this time, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a are rotated and displaced while always maintaining their parallelism to each other.

In this embodiment, when the first front fin 11a is in the neutral position, the second engagement hole 22e in the second rod-shaped portion 22b and the first rotating shaft 11b are aligned along the X direction. Similarly, when the second front fin 12a is in the neutral position, the second engagement hole 22e in the third rod-shaped portion 22c and the second rotating shaft 12b are aligned along the X direction.

On the other hand, in the first link mechanism 24a, the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a are each connected to one of a pair of arms 20d provided on the first dial knob 20 in a freely movable manner. Here, when the first rear fin 14a is in the neutral position, the first engagement shaft 20f provided on one arm 20d is on an extension line of the rotation shaft 20c of the first dial knob 20 and the third rotation shaft 14b of the first rear fin 14a. Similarly, when the second rear fin 15a is in the neutral position, the first engagement shaft 20f provided on the other arm 20d is on an extension line of the rotation shaft 20c and the fourth rotation shaft 15b of the second rear fin 15a. Therefore, when the pair of arms 20d are displaced by the rotation of the first operating dial 20a, one of the first rear fin 14a or the second rear fin 15a is rotationally displaced in a direction approaching the intermediate fin 13, and the other is rotationally displaced in a direction away from the intermediate fin 13.

In this embodiment, the extension direction of the first rear link arm 14c is approximately along the direction from the upstream edge portion 14g of the first rear fin 14a toward the downstream edge portion 14f. Similarly, the extension direction of the second rear link arm 15c is approximately along the direction from the upstream edge portion 15g of the second rear fin 15a toward the downstream edge portion 15f. However, the attachment angle of the first rear link arm 14c to the first rear fin 14a and the attachment angle of the second rear link arm 15c to the second rear fin 15a are different from each other as shown in FIG. 9A. This is due to the positional relationship between the position close to the intermediate fin 13 and the position away from the intermediate fin 13 during the rotational displacement of the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a. Therefore, the above attachment angle may be changed as appropriate with reference to the shape and fixed position of the intermediate fin 13.

In other words, according to the structure of the first link mechanism 24a, a single operation of the first operating dial 20a causes all of the fins in the first variable fin group to rotate and displace simultaneously.

Next, as a specific action related to the first wind direction adjustment, the wind direction _DW generated when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position will be described with reference to FIG. 9B.

In this embodiment, the neutral position of the first variable fin group refers to a position where the airflow direction _DW is in a straight line along the opening direction of the gas outlet 25a, i.e., a so-called neutral state. Note that, for the entire airflow direction adjustment device 1, the airflow direction _DW also changes depending on the posture of the second variable fin group including the multiple intermediate movable fins 16 described in detail below. Therefore, the airflow direction _DW actually blows out in a straight line along the opening direction of the gas outlet 25a when both the first variable fin group and the second variable fin group are in the neutral position. In other words, when the opening direction of the gas outlet 25a is along the X direction as in this embodiment, when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, the airflow direction _DW is in a straight line along the X direction.

First, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a are parallel to each other along the X direction, which is the extension direction of the internal flow passage 10k, and are symmetrical with respect to the imaginary plane _Vp . At this time, a gas flow space that roughly matches the opening width of the gas outlet 25a is generated between the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a.

On the other hand, the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a are inclined toward the intermediate fin 13 and are symmetrical with respect to the imaginary plane _Vp . At this time, the distance between the downstream edge portion 14f of the first rear fin 14a and the downstream edge portion 15f of the second rear fin 15a approximately matches the opening width of the gas outlet 25a in the second direction.

Therefore, when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, the gas introduced from the second opening end 10n first passes through the flow space between the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a, and gradually gathers in the flow space where the intermediate fin 13 is arranged. The gas evenly distributed to either the flow space on the first main plane 13d or the second main plane 13e of the intermediate fin 13 is led directly to the flow space between the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a. Then, the gas that has passed between the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a is finally discharged from the gas outlet 25a in a wind direction _DW that is in a straight line along the X direction.

Here, the intermediate fin 13 is fixedly positioned in a position along the extension direction of the internal flow path 10k. The intermediate fin 13 is also the basis for the symmetrical arrangement of the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a, and the symmetrical arrangement of the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position. Therefore, according to the flow path formed by the intermediate fin 13 and the first variable fin group, the gas is rectified by the intermediate fin 13 and heads toward the gas outlet 25a.

Next, as a specific action related to the first wind direction adjustment, the wind direction _DW generated when the first variable fin group is in the first limiting position will be described with reference to Figs. 10A and 10B.

Figure 10A is a side view showing the state of the first link mechanism 24a when the first variable fin group is in the first restricted position. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 when the first variable fin group is in the first restricted position. Note that the drawings in Figures 10A and 10B correspond to the drawings in Figures 9A and 9B.

In this embodiment, the first restriction position of the first variable fin group refers to a position where the gas flow path in the internal flow passage 10k is on the side of the second main plane 13e, which is one of the main planes of the intermediate fin 13. When the first variable fin group is in the first restriction position, the airflow direction _DW is inclined from the X direction, which is the opening direction of the gas outlet 25a, in a direction from the negative side to the positive side of the Z direction, which is the second direction (hereinafter, referred to as "upward" as an example).

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the occupant operates the first operating dial 20a upward, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a tilt in one direction while maintaining parallelism with each other due to the action of the first link 22. Here, one direction corresponds to downward as opposed to the above notation of upward. Meanwhile, the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a tilt in one direction with respect to each other while sliding their respective first engagement shafts 20f within the first rear engagement hole 14e or the second rear engagement hole 15e due to the action of the pair of arms 20d. The first limit position is also defined as a position where, when the first variable fin group is thus rotationally displaced, it cannot be further rotated in the rotational direction.

As shown in FIG. 10B, due to the rotational displacement of the first front fin 11a, the upstream edge 11e of the first front fin 11a approaches the downstream edge 13b of the intermediate fin 13. On the other hand, due to the rotational displacement of the second front fin 12a, the upstream edge 12e of the second front fin 12a approaches the second wall 10b of the case body 10. Here, in this embodiment, the proximity of various edges refers to a state in which they are in contact or close to an object to the extent that gas does not leak or there is a gap between them that does not affect the flow of gas.

On the other hand, as a result of the rotational displacement of the first rear fin 14a, the downstream edge portion 14f of the first rear fin 14a approaches the upstream edge portion 13c of the intermediate fin 13. On the other hand, as a result of the rotational displacement of the second rear fin 15a, the downstream edge portion 15f of the second rear fin 15a approaches the second wall portion 10b of the case body 10. In other words, at this time, the second rear fin 15a is in a position where it is attached to the wall surface of the second wall portion 10b.

In other words, when the first variable fin group changes from the neutral position to the first limiting position, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a, and the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a are rotationally displaced in opposite directions.

Therefore, when the first variable fin group is in the first restricted position, a wall portion is formed in the internal flow passage 10k in which the first rear fin 14a, the intermediate fin 13, and the first front fin 11a are continuous. As a result, the gas introduced from the second opening end 10n is first gradually collected along the inclined surface of the first rear fin 14a to the circulation space between the second main plane 13e of the intermediate fin 13 and the second wall portion 10b. The gas allocated to the circulation space on the second main plane 13e is led to the circulation space between the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a. Here, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a are inclined upward so as to go from the second wall portion 10b side toward the gas outlet 25a. Therefore, the gas that has passed over the second main plane 13e flows along the inclined surfaces of the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a, and is finally released from the gas outlet 25a in a wind direction _DW that is inclined upward from the X direction.

Next, as a specific action related to the first wind direction adjustment, the wind direction _DW generated when the first variable fin group is in the second limiting position will be described with reference to Figs. 11A and 11B.

Figure 11A is a side view showing the state of the first link mechanism 24a when the first variable fin group is in the second restricted position. Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 when the first variable fin group is in the second restricted position. Note that the drawings in Figures 11A and 11B correspond to the drawings in Figures 9A and 9B.

In this embodiment, the second restriction position of the first variable fin group refers to a position where the gas flow path in the internal flow passage 10k is on the side of the first main plane 13d, which is the other main plane of the intermediate fin 13. When the first variable fin group is in the second restriction position, the airflow direction _DW is inclined from the X direction, which is the opening direction of the gas outlet 25a, in a direction from the positive side to the negative side of the Z direction, which is the second direction (hereinafter, referred to as "downward" as an example).

As shown in FIG. 11A, when the occupant operates the first operating dial 20a downward, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a tilt in one direction (upward) while maintaining parallelism due to the action of the first link 22. Meanwhile, the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a tilt in one direction while sliding their respective first engagement shafts 20f within the first rear engagement hole 14e or the second rear engagement hole 15e due to the action of the pair of arms 20d. Similarly to the first limiting position, the second limiting position is also defined as a position where, when the first variable fin group is rotationally displaced, it cannot be further rotated in the rotational direction.

As shown in FIG. 11B, due to the rotational displacement of the first front fin 11a, the upstream edge portion 11e of the first front fin 11a approaches the first wall portion 10a of the case body 10. On the other hand, due to the rotational displacement of the second front fin 12a, the upstream edge portion 12e of the second front fin 12a approaches the downstream edge portion 13b of the intermediate fin 13.

On the other hand, as a result of the rotational displacement of the first rear fin 14a, the downstream edge portion 14f of the first rear fin 14a approaches the first wall portion 10a of the case body 10. That is, the first rear fin 14a is now in a position where it is attached to the wall surface of the first wall portion 10a. On the other hand, as a result of the rotational displacement of the second rear fin 15a, the downstream edge portion 15f of the second rear fin 15a approaches the upstream edge portion 13c of the intermediate fin 13.

In other words, even when the first variable fin group changes from the neutral position to the second limiting position, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a, and the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a rotate in opposite directions.

Therefore, when the first variable fin group is in the second limiting position, a wall portion is formed in the internal flow passage 10k where the second rear fin 15a, the intermediate fin 13, and the second front fin 12a are continuous. As a result, the gas introduced from the second opening end 10n is first gradually collected along the inclined surface of the second rear fin 15a to the circulation space between the first main plane 13d of the intermediate fin 13 and the first wall portion 10a. The gas allocated to the circulation space on the first main plane 13d is led to the circulation space between the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a. Here, the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a are inclined downward from the side of the first wall portion 10a toward the gas outlet 25a. Therefore, the gas that has passed over the first main plane 13d flows along the inclined surfaces of the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a, and is finally released from the gas outlet 25a in a wind direction _DW that is inclined downward from the X direction.

The above describes the wind direction _DW when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, the first limiting position, and the second limiting position. In contrast, the occupant can adjust the wind direction _DW in a finer angular direction within the range from the straight ahead direction to upward or downward by appropriately adjusting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first operating dial 20a between the first limiting position and the second limiting position.

Next, as the second wind direction adjustment, wind direction adjustment for changing the wind direction _DW along the first direction will be described. In this embodiment, since the first direction is the Y direction, if the Z direction is along the vertical direction, the second wind direction adjustment is an adjustment for changing the wind direction _DW along the left-right direction. Hereinafter, as an example, the wind direction _DW adjusted by the second wind direction adjustment will be expressed as leftward or rightward.

The second airflow direction adjustment is performed by an occupant in the vehicle cabin operating the second operating dial 21a. Hereinafter, the group including the multiple intermediate movable fins 16 that are rotationally displaced by operating the second operating dial 21a will be referred to as the "second variable fin group."

First, the relative positions of the elements constituting the second link mechanism 24b will be described with reference to FIG. 9B. Note that the engagement between the elements is the same as that described above for the configuration of each element, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

In the second link mechanism 24b, the second dial knob 21 on which the second operation dial 21a is provided and one of the multiple intermediate movable fins 16 are connected to each other in a displaceable manner via an arm 21d provided on the second dial knob 21. As described above, in the third rotation shaft 16e of the intermediate movable fin 16, the axial direction of the part that engages with the second engagement hole 21e provided on the arm 21d and the axial direction of the part that engages with the third shaft hole 10i of the case body 10 are offset from each other via the link. In addition, the second engagement hole 21e is an elongated hole. Therefore, when the arm 21d is displaced by the rotation of the second operation dial 21a, the intermediate movable fin 16 connected to the second dial knob 21 is rotated and displaced. On the other hand, all the intermediate movable fins 16 are connected to each other in a displaceable manner via the second link 23 extending along the first direction. Therefore, as a result of the rotation of the second operation dial 21a, all the intermediate movable fins 16 are rotated and displaced while always maintaining their parallelism with each other. In other words, with the structure of the second link mechanism 24b, a single operation of the second operating dial 21a causes all of the intermediate movable fins 16 included in the second variable fin group to rotate and displace simultaneously.

The intermediate movable fin 16 shown in FIG. 9B is in a neutral position in the second movable fin group. At this time, the main planes of the first fin 16a and the second fin 16b included in the intermediate movable fin 16 are maintained in a position parallel to the XZ plane.

As a specific action of the second wind direction adjustment, the occupant can adjust the wind direction _DW in a finer angle direction within the range of leftward or rightward from the straight ahead direction by appropriately adjusting the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the second operating dial 21a within a preset rotation range.

Next, we will explain the effects of the airflow direction adjustment device 1.

The airflow direction adjustment device 1 according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical case body 10 having an internal flow path 10k through which gas flows. The airflow direction adjustment device 1 includes a plate-shaped intermediate fin 13 that is fixedly disposed in the internal flow path 10k and has two main planes that are substantially perpendicular to a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to a first direction in the cross section of the internal flow path 10k and are the front and back. The airflow direction adjustment device 1 also includes a plate-shaped front fin that is disposed closer to the outlet side of the intermediate fin 13 in the internal flow path 10k, and a plate-shaped rear fin that is disposed closer to the inlet side of the intermediate fin 13 in the internal flow path 10k. The front fin and the rear fin rotate in opposite directions around their respective rotation axes that are parallel to the first direction between the first limiting position and the second limiting position. Here, the first limiting position is a position where the gas flow path is on the side of one of the first main planes 13d of the intermediate fin 13. The second limiting position is a position where the gas flow path is on the side of the other of the second main planes 13e of the intermediate fin 13.

Here, in the above example of this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the Y direction, and the second direction corresponds to the Z direction. The front fins in this embodiment are the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a. The rear fins in this embodiment are the first rear fin 14a and the second rear fin 15a.

First, the airflow direction control device 1 includes a front fin and a rear fin that are rotatably displaced around their respective rotation axes parallel to the first direction. Therefore, by changing the posture of these movable fins, the airflow direction _DW of the gas blown out to the outside can be adjusted to a direction based on the first direction.

In this embodiment, the intermediate fin 13 is fixedly disposed in the internal flow path 10k. The front fin and the rear fin are rotated in opposite directions around their respective rotation axes parallel to the first direction, based on the installation position of the intermediate fin 13, to change the flow path of the gas. Furthermore, the shape of the intermediate fin 13 is plate-like. Therefore, when the wind direction _DW is changed based on the first direction, no matter what the flow path is adjusted to, the only fin that defines the flow path and exists in the flow path, i.e., in the flow of the gas, is the intermediate fin 13, whose plate thickness direction is the second direction. Therefore, for example, even if the flow path is adjusted so that the wind direction _DW is straight, the intermediate fin 13 is unlikely to obstruct the flow of the gas, and as a result, the phenomenon of reducing the blowing efficiency due to pressure loss caused by the shape of the intermediate fin 13 is unlikely to occur.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only the shape of the intermediate fin 13 but also the shape of the front fin and rear fin, which are variable fins for defining the gas flow path, are plate-shaped. Therefore, the airflow direction adjustment device 1 has a simple structure overall.

In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a wind direction adjustment device 1 that has a simple structure and prevents a decrease in air blowing efficiency.

Furthermore, the airflow direction adjustment device 1 may have the intermediate fin 13 positioned approximately in the center in the second direction.

According to this airflow direction adjustment device 1, when the flow path is adjusted so that the airflow direction _DW is straight as shown in the above example, the position of the middle fin 13 is a position that is less likely to obstruct the flow of gas, so that the decrease in airflow efficiency can be further suppressed. In addition, the middle fin 13 is advantageous in that it improves the straightness of the airflow by its rectifying effect. Furthermore, the front fin and the rear fin are each rotated and displaced with the installation position of the middle fin 13 as a reference. Therefore, by arranging the middle fin 13 at the center position in the second direction, when the airflow direction _DW is changed with the first direction as a reference, it is possible to adjust it in a well-balanced manner to any angle direction.

In addition, in the airflow direction adjustment device 1, when the front fin and the rear fin are in the first or second restricting position, the upstream edge of the front fin may be close to the downstream edge 13b of the intermediate fin 13. Similarly, when the front fin and the rear fin are in the first or second restricting position, the downstream edge of the rear fin may be close to the upstream edge 13c of the intermediate fin 13.

Here, in the example of the first limiting position described using FIG. 10B, the upstream edge 11e of the first front fin 11a is close to the downstream edge 13b of the intermediate fin 13. Meanwhile, the downstream edge 14f of the first rear fin 14a is close to the upstream edge 13c of the intermediate fin 13. Similarly, in the example of the second limiting position described using FIG. 10C, the upstream edge 12e of the second front fin 12a is close to the downstream edge 13b of the intermediate fin 13. Meanwhile, the downstream edge 15f of the second rear fin 15a is close to the upstream edge 13c of the intermediate fin 13.

With this airflow direction adjustment device 1, when the front fin and rear fin are in the first or second restricting position, the rear fin, intermediate fin 13, and front fin can be considered to form a continuous wall. Therefore, especially when the front fin and rear fin are in the first or second restricting position, it is possible to easily guide the gas in the internal flow path 10k to the gas outlet 25a.

In addition, in the airflow direction adjustment device 1, when the front fin and the rear fin are in the first or second restricting position, the downstream edge of the front fin may be close to either of two opposing opening ends in the second direction of the gas outlet 25a that blows gas to the outside. At the same time, the upstream edge of the rear fin may be close to either of two opposing wall portions of the case body 10 in the second direction.

Here, in the above example of this embodiment, regardless of whether it is the first restriction position or the second restriction position, the downstream edge portion 11f of the first front fin 11a is close to one of the two opening ends of the gas outlet 25a that face each other in the second direction. Similarly, the downstream edge portion 12f of the second front fin 12a is close to the other of the two opening ends of the gas outlet 25a that face each other in the second direction. Meanwhile, the upstream edge portion 14g of the first rear fin 14a is close to the first wall portion 10a of the two wall portions of the case body 10 that face each other in the second direction. Similarly, the upstream edge portion 15g of the second rear fin 15a is close to the second wall portion 10b of the two wall portions of the case body 10 that face each other in the second direction.

According to this airflow direction adjustment device 1, it is possible to easily guide the gas flowing between the first front fin 11a and the second front fin 12a to the gas outlet 25a. Also, according to this airflow direction adjustment device 1, it is possible to easily guide the gas introduced into the internal flow path 10k from the second opening end 10n to the flow space formed on at least one side of the two main planes of the intermediate fin 13. As a result, it is possible to contribute to suppressing a decrease in air blowing efficiency regardless of the airflow direction _DW .

Furthermore, in the airflow direction control device 1, the front fins may include a first front fin 11a and a second front fin 12a that maintain a parallel posture to each other. The first rotation shaft 11b of the first front fin 11a and the second rotation shaft 12b of the second front fin 12a may be provided on the downstream edge portions 11f, 12f of the first front fin 11a and the second rotation shaft 12b of the second front fin 12a. The first rotation shaft 11b and the second rotation shaft 12b may be disposed substantially symmetrically to each other with respect to a virtual plane _{Vp that} is defined according to the installation shape of the intermediate fin 13.

With this airflow direction adjustment device 1, the present disclosure can be implemented in a form equipped with two front fins, as in the above example of this embodiment.

Second Embodiment
Figures 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views of an airflow direction control device according to the second embodiment. These figures correspond to Figures 9B, 10B, and 11B used in the description of the first embodiment, and have been modified to fit this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 12A shows the state of the airflow direction control device when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, Figure 12B shows the state of the airflow direction control device when the first variable fin group is in the first limiting position, and Figure 12C shows the state of the airflow direction control device when the first variable fin group is in the second limiting position. In these figures, the same components as those shown in Figure 9B etc. are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted below.

In the first embodiment, the first variable fin group includes two front fins (first front fin 11a and second front fin 12a) and two rear fins (first rear fin 14a and second rear fin 15a). In contrast, the first variable fin group in this embodiment includes only one plate-shaped rear fin 30 similar to the first rear fin 14a, etc. as the rear fin. The configuration of the first link mechanism in this embodiment that rotates and displaces the first variable fin group is changed to match the configuration and action of the rear fin 30.

In this embodiment, the downstream edge portion 30a of the rear fin 30 is always close to the upstream edge portion 13c of the intermediate fin 13. In other words, the rear fin 30 is rotationally displaced around a rotation axis (not shown) that is provided along the first direction near the downstream edge portion 30a.

In this case, when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, the rear fin 30 is aligned in a straight line with the intermediate fin 13 along the X direction, as shown in FIG. 12A. When the first variable fin group is in the first restricted position, the upstream edge portion 30b of the rear fin 30 is close to the first wall portion 10a of the case body 10, as shown in FIG. 12B. When the first variable fin group is in the second restricted position, the upstream edge portion 30b of the rear fin 30 is close to the second wall portion 10b of the case body 10, as shown in FIG. 12C.

The airflow direction adjustment device according to the second embodiment can adjust the gas flow path in the same way as the first embodiment, and therefore provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an airflow direction adjustment device according to a third embodiment. Fig. 13(a) shows the state of the airflow direction adjustment device when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, Fig. 13(b) shows the state of the airflow direction adjustment device when the first variable fin group is in the first limiting position, and Fig. 13(c) shows the state of the airflow direction adjustment device when the first variable fin group is in the second limiting position. Each drawing in Fig. 13 shows the shape and positional relationship of the first variable fin group and the case body 50 in a simplified manner.

First, the case body 50 in this embodiment is generally cylindrical with an internal flow path for circulating gas, similar to the case body 10. However, the case body 50 has a sloped wall portion 50b that is continuous with the main body portion 50a and that gradually narrows the cross section of the internal flow path from the upstream side to the downstream side in the range downstream of the intermediate fin 41 in this embodiment. The intermediate fin 41 has the same shape and fixed arrangement as the intermediate fin 13 in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the first variable fin group in this embodiment includes only one plate-shaped front fin 40 similar to the first front fin 11a, etc. as the front fin. Similarly, the first variable fin group in this embodiment includes only one plate-shaped rear fin 42 similar to the first rear fin 14a, etc. as the rear fin. The configuration of the first link mechanism in this embodiment that rotationally displaces the first variable fin group is also changed to match the configuration and action of the front fin 40 and rear fin 42.

In this embodiment, the upstream edge portion 40b of the front fin 40 is always close to the downstream edge portion 41a of the intermediate fin 41. That is, the front fin 40 rotates and displaces around a rotation axis (not shown) that is provided along the first direction near the upstream edge portion 40b. On the other hand, the downstream edge portion 42a of the rear fin 42 is always close to the upstream edge portion 41b of the intermediate fin 41. That is, the rear fin 42 rotates and displaces around a rotation axis (not shown) that is provided along the first direction near the downstream edge portion 42a.

In this case, when the first variable fin group is in the neutral position, the front fin 40 and the rear fin 42 are aligned in a straight line with the intermediate fin 41 along the X direction, as shown in FIG. 13(a). Also, when the first variable fin group is in the first restricted position, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the downstream edge portion 40a of the front fin 40 is close to one of the opening ends of the gas outlet 50c in the second direction, that is, the opening end on the positive side in the Z direction. On the other hand, the upstream edge portion 42b of the rear fin 42 is close to one of the walls of the main body portion 50a of the case body 10, that is, the wall portion on the positive side in the Z direction. Furthermore, when the first variable fin group is in the second restricted position, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the downstream edge portion 40a of the front fin 40 is close to the other of the opening ends of the gas outlet 50c in the second direction, that is, the opening end on the negative side in the Z direction. On the other hand, the upstream edge portion 42b of the rear fin 42 is close to the other wall portion of the main body portion 50a of the case body 10, i.e., the wall portion on the negative side in the Z direction.

Here, the position and shape of the inclined surface of the inclined wall portion 50b provided on the case body 50 are set so as to be approximately parallel to the front fin 40 when the first variable fin group is in the first limiting position or the second limiting position, as shown in Figure 13(b) or 13(c). By providing such an inclined wall portion 50b, even if only one front fin 40 is provided in the first variable fin group, it is possible to change the flow space between the front fin 40 and the inclined wall portion 50b so as to adjust the airflow direction _DW as in the first embodiment.

The airflow direction adjustment device according to the third embodiment can adjust the gas flow path in the same way as the first embodiment, and therefore provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the number of front fins and rear fins included in the first variable fin group is modified in various ways, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. For example, by appropriately combining the configurations described in each of the above embodiments, it is possible to have a configuration in which the first variable fin group includes one front fin and two rear fins.

In the third embodiment, the inclined wall portion 50b, which is a part of the wall of the case body 50, is exemplified as a portion for adjusting the airflow direction _DW between the case body 50 and the front fin 40 to a desired direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a convex portion having an inclined surface may be provided near the gas outlet of the case body 50 as a substitute for the inclined wall portion 50b.

In the above description, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined. Here, in each of the above figures, the Z direction can be considered to be a direction along the vertical direction. In contrast, the wind direction adjustment device 1 and the like of the present disclosure are not limited to a form in which the Z direction in the figures is a direction along the vertical direction. For example, the wind direction adjustment device 1 may be installed with the Y direction in the figures a direction along the vertical direction, or may be installed at another angle.

Although several embodiments have been described, the embodiments can be modified or varied based on the above disclosure. Furthermore, all components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Airflow direction adjustment device 10 Case body 10a First wall portion 10b Second wall portion 10k Internal flow path 11a First front fin 11b First rotation axis 11e Upstream edge portion 11f Downstream edge portion 12a Second front fin 12b Second rotation axis 12e Upstream edge portion 12f Downstream edge portion 13 Intermediate fin 13b Downstream edge portion 13c Upstream edge portion 13d First main plane 13e Second main plane 14a First rear fin 14f Downstream edge portion 14g Upstream edge portion 15a Second rear fin 15f Downstream edge portion 15g Upstream edge portion 25a Gas outlet 30 Rear fin 30a Downstream edge portion 30b Upstream edge portion 40 Front fin 40a Downstream edge portion 40b upstream edge portion 41 intermediate fin 41a downstream edge portion 41b upstream edge portion 42 rear fin 42a downstream edge portion 42b upstream edge portion 50 case body 50a main body portion 50b inclined wall portion 50c gas outlet port D _W wind direction V _p imaginary plane

Claims (6)

A cylindrical case body having an internal flow path for circulating gas;
a plate-shaped intermediate fin having two main planes, which are substantially perpendicular to a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to a first direction in a cross section of the internal flow path, and which are front and rear planes, and which is fixedly disposed in the internal flow path;
a plate-shaped front fin disposed on an outlet side of the intermediate fin in the internal flow passage;
a plate-shaped rear fin disposed on an inlet side of the intermediate fin in the internal flow path;
Equipped with
The front fin and the rear fin rotate in opposite directions around their respective rotation axes parallel to the first direction between a first restriction position in which the gas flow path is on one of the main plane sides of the intermediate fin, and a second restriction position in which the gas flow path is on the other main plane side of the intermediate fin. The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate fin is disposed at a substantially central position in the second direction. When the front fin and the rear fin are in the first limiting position or the second limiting position,
an upstream edge of the front fin adjacent to a downstream edge of the intermediate fin;
The airflow direction adjusting device according to claim 1 , wherein a downstream edge portion of the rear fin is adjacent to an upstream edge portion of the intermediate fin. When the front fin and the rear fin are in the first limiting position or the second limiting position,
a downstream edge portion of the front fin is adjacent to one of two opening ends of a gas outlet that blows gas to the outside, the opening ends facing each other in the second direction;
The airflow direction adjusting device according to claim 3 , wherein an upstream edge portion of the rear fin is adjacent to one of two wall portions of the case body that face each other in the second direction. The front fins include a first front fin and a second front fin that maintain a parallel posture with each other,
5. The wind direction adjustment device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation axes of the first front fin and the second front fin are provided on the downstream edge side of each of the first front fin and the second front fin, and are arranged approximately symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to a virtual plane defined in accordance with the installation shape of the intermediate fin. the rotation axis of the front fin is provided on a side of the upstream edge portion of the intermediate fin that is adjacent to the downstream edge portion of the intermediate fin,
The airflow direction adjustment device according to claim 3 , wherein the case body has an inclined wall portion in a range downstream of the intermediate fin that gradually narrows the cross section of the internal flow path from the upstream side to the downstream side.

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