U.S. patent application number 13/542005 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for air conditioner register.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Minoru Shibata, Hajime Takai. Invention is credited to Minoru Shibata, Hajime Takai.
Application Number | 20130029582 13/542005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47573578 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130029582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takai; Hajime ; et
al. |
January 31, 2013 |
AIR CONDITIONER REGISTER
Abstract
An air conditioner register for adjusting the direction of air
is provided. The register includes a retainer, which defines an air
duct therein, and a barrel, which is pivotally supported in the
retainer. The retainer includes a rectangular air outlet of the
duct. The barrel includes two or more long fins extending in the
direction of long sides of the outlet. The long fins that are
located closest to the long sides of the outlet, among the long
fins located in the outlet when the barrel is in a neutral state,
form a pair of main long fins. Walls of the retainer including the
long sides of the outlet include bulging portions. When the barrel
is tilted to a maximum tilt position of its movable range, one of
the bulging portions is located close to the downstream end of the
main long fin that leads in the tilt motion.
Inventors: |
Takai; Hajime; (Kiyosu-shi,
JP) ; Shibata; Minoru; (Kiyosu-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Takai; Hajime
Shibata; Minoru |
Kiyosu-shi
Kiyosu-shi |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
Kiyosu-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
47573578 |
Appl. No.: |
13/542005 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/284 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/075 20130101;
B60H 1/3428 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/284 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 27, 2011 |
JP |
2011-164441 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner register for adjusting the direction of
air-conditioning air, comprising: a tubular retainer including an
air duct for air-conditioning air defined therein by a pair of
first walls facing each other and a pair of second walls facing
each other, wherein the retainer includes a rectangular air outlet
at a downstream end of the air duct, and the air outlet includes a
pair of short sides facing each other and a pair of long sides
facing each other, and wherein each of the first walls includes one
of the short sides of the air outlet, and each of the second walls
includes one of the long sides of the air outlet; and a barrel
including two or more long fins extending in a direction of the
long sides in the retainer and arranged along the short sides
separate from and parallel to each other, wherein the barrel
includes a pair of barrel support shafts extending in the direction
of the long sides on both sides of the barrel, and the barrel is
pivotally supported by the barrel support shafts at part of the
first walls close to the air outlet, wherein when the barrel is
arranged in a barrel neutral state, in which the long fins are
arranged parallel to the second walls, the long fins located
closest to the long sides, among the long fins located in the air
outlet, form a pair of main long fins, and each of the second walls
includes a bulging portion, which bulges inward of the air outlet,
and when the barrel is tilted to a maximum tilt position in a range
of the tilt motion, one of the bulging portions is located close to
the downstream end of a one of the main long fins that leads in the
tilt motion.
2. The air conditioner register according to claim 1, wherein the
long fins of the barrel further include a pair of sub-long fins in
addition to the main long fins, and when the barrel is arranged in
the barrel neutral state, the sub-long fins are arranged at
positions outward of the air outlet in the retainer.
3. The air conditioner register according to claim 2, wherein the
sub-long fins are arranged at positions close to the second walls,
and the downstream ends of the sub-long fins are located upstream
of the downstream ends of the main long fins.
4. The air conditioner register according to claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of short fins in the retainer, wherein the
short fins extend in the direction of the short sides and arranged
along the long sides in a state separate from and parallel to each
other, wherein each of the short fins includes at least one short
fin support shaft, which extends in the direction of the short
sides, and wherein each of the short fins is pivotally supported by
the associated short fin support shaft, wherein at least parts of
the short fins are arranged in the barrel, and the short fin
support shafts of the short fins are supported by the barrel, and
the short fins are further coupled to each other by a coupling
rod.
5. The air conditioner register according to claim 4, wherein the
short fins are formed to be longer than the main long fins in the
flow direction of the air duct in a state in which the short fins
are arranged parallel to the first walls, and one third or more of
the length of the short fins in the flow direction of the air duct
is arranged in the barrel.
6. The air conditioner register according to claim 4, wherein the
downstream ends of the short fins are arranged at positions close
to the downstream ends of the main long fins.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner register
that adjusts the direction of air-conditioning air discharged from
an air conditioner into a room.
[0002] Air vents for air-conditioning air such as warm air and cool
air sent from an air conditioner are mounted in an instrument panel
of a vehicle. The air vents are each provided with an air
conditioner register. The air conditioner register includes a
tubular retainer and fins. The retainer has an air duct defined
therein, and a square air outlet formed at the downstream end of
the air duct. The fins are pivotally mounted in the retainer. The
air conditioner register changes the direction of the
air-conditioning air discharged from the air outlet by adjusting
the direction of the fins.
[0003] From the aspect of an aesthetic appearance and an
installation space, low-profile air conditioner registers with a
rectangular air outlet as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Publication No. 2006-306365 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Publication No. 61-188219 have been proposed. In the air
conditioner register, among four walls surrounding the air duct of
the retainer, a pair of walls including a pair of short sides of
the air outlet forms first walls, and a pair of walls including a
pair of long sides forms second walls. The fins include long fins,
which extend along the long sides and are arranged along the short
sides, and short fins, which extend along the short sides and are
arranged along the long sides. The long fins are pivotally
supported by support shafts located on its opposite ends in the
direction of the long sides. The short fins are pivotally supported
by support shafts located on its opposite sides in the direction of
the short sides.
[0004] The state in which the long fins are arranged parallel to
the second walls is referred to as a neutral state of the long
fins, and the state in which the short fins are arranged parallel
to the first walls is referred to as a neutral state of the short
fins. When the long fins and the short fins are arranged in the
neutral states, the air-conditioning air from the air conditioner
flows along the long fins and the short fins, and is discharged
straight from the air outlet of the retainer toward occupants.
Also, when at least either the long fins or the short fins are
tilted from the neutral state, the air-conditioning air is
discharged from the air outlet of the retainer in the direction of
the tilted fins.
[0005] In the above-mentioned low-profile air conditioner register,
the number of the long fins, which are arranged along the short
sides, is less than the number of the short fins, which are
arranged along the long sides. This is to ensure the flow path of
the air-conditioning air between the adjacent long fins. The number
of the fins arranged along the short sides is less than the number
of the fins arranged along any sides of an air outlet of a common
air conditioner register having a square air outlet.
[0006] In a low-profile air conditioner register, if the number of
the long fins arranged along the short sides of the air outlet is
small, it is difficult to accurately discharge the air-conditioning
air from the air outlet in a desired direction, that is, in the
direction in which the long fins are tilted. That is, if the number
of the long fins is small, the directivity of the air-conditioning
air discharged from the air outlet is not sufficiently high.
[0007] In particular, when the long fins are tilted to a maximum
tilt position of a movable range, a gap is formed between the
second wall and one of the long fins located in the air outlet that
is closest to the long side, and air flows through the gap. The air
flowing through the gap affects the flow of the air-conditioning
air that flows between the adjacent long fins and discharged from
the air outlet, and reduces the directivity of the air-conditioning
air.
[0008] An air conditioner register has also been proposed that
includes an additional mechanism for inhibiting reduction in the
directivity. In this case, however, the number of components is
increased, and it is difficult to respond to requirements specific
to the low-profile air conditioner register that preferably has
small number of components to reduce the thickness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
air conditioner register that improves directivity of
air-conditioning air discharged from an air outlet without
increasing the number of components.
[0010] To achieve the foregoing objective, and in accordance with
one aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner register
for adjusting the direction of air-conditioning air is provided.
The air conditioner register includes a tubular retainer and a
barrel. The retainer includes an air duct for air-conditioning air
defined therein by a pair of first walls facing each other and a
pair of second walls facing each other. The retainer includes a
rectangular air outlet at a downstream end of the air duct. The air
outlet includes a pair of short sides facing each other and a pair
of long sides facing each other. Each of the first walls includes
one of the short sides of the air outlet, and each of the second
walls includes one of the long sides of the air outlet. The barrel
includes two or more long fins extending in a direction of the long
sides in the retainer and arranged along the short sides separate
from and parallel to each other. The barrel includes a pair of
barrel support shafts extending in the direction of the long sides
on both sides of the barrel. The barrel is pivotally supported by
the barrel support shafts at part of the first walls close to the
air outlet. When the barrel is arranged in a barrel neutral state,
in which the long fins are arranged parallel to the second walls,
the long fins located closest to the long sides, among the long
fins located in the air outlet, form a pair of main long fins. Each
of the second walls includes a bulging portion, which bulges inward
of the air outlet. When the barrel is tilted to a maximum tilt
position in a range of the tilt motion, one of the bulging portions
is located close to the downstream end of a one of the main long
fins that leads in the tilt motion.
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of
example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description of
the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of
a vehicle air conditioner register according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the air
conditioner register of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a state
in which the barrel is arranged in a barrel neutral state;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating the air
conditioner register of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a state
in which the short fins are arranged in the short fin neutral
state;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the air
conditioner register of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a state
in which the barrel is tilted to the maximum downward tilt position
of the movable range; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the air
conditioner register of a comparative example in which the barrel
is tilted to the maximum downward tilt position of the movable
range.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A vehicle air conditioner register according to one
embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to the drawings.
[0019] In the following description, the front, rear, up, down,
left, and right are based on the advancing direction of a
vehicle.
[0020] In a passenger compartment, an instrument panel (not shown)
is located in front of a driver's seat and a front passenger seat.
Low-profile air conditioner registers are installed at both ends
and the center of the instrument panel in the vehicle widthwise
direction. The dimension of the air conditioner registers in the
vertical direction is shorter (the height is smaller) compared to
the dimension in the vehicle widthwise direction (left and right
direction). Each of the air conditioner registers adjusts the
direction of air delivered from the air conditioner (not shown) and
sent into the passenger compartment.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the air conditioner register
according to the present embodiment. The air conditioner register
includes a retainer 10, a barrel 30 having long fins, and a group
of short fins. The structure of each component will now be
described.
<Retainer 10>
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retainer 10 includes a flow
path for an air-conditioning air A (hereinafter, referred to as an
air duct 9) defined therein. The retainer 10 includes a main body
11 and a bezel 16 formed of a plastic material. The main body 11 is
formed of a tube extending in the direction in which the air duct 9
extends, that is, in the flow direction of the air-conditioning air
A. In the following description, "upstream" and "downstream" refer
to the upstream and downstream of the flow direction of the
air-conditioning air A along the air duct 9. In this direction,
"upstream" is close to the air conditioner, and "downstream" is
separate from the air conditioner. Also, the upstream end refers to
the end portion at the upstream part, and the downstream end refers
to the end portion at the downstream part.
[0023] The main body 11 includes an upstream section 12, which is
located upstream of the center portion of the air duct 9 in the
flow direction of the air-conditioning air A, and a downstream
section 13, which is located downstream of the center portion. A
laterally rectangular opening is formed at the upstream end of the
upstream section 12. The opening forms an inlet of the
air-conditioning air A to the air conditioner register.
[0024] The cross-section orthogonal to the flow direction of the
air duct 9 at the downstream section 13 is greater than that at the
upstream section 12 in the vertical direction. The cross-section of
a boundary portion 14 between the upstream section 12 and the
downstream section 13 gradually widens in the vertical direction
toward the downstream direction. The side cross-section of the
boundary portion 14 along the air duct 9 defines an arch (see FIG.
2). Engaging holes 15 are formed at the upper and lower portions of
the downstream end of the downstream section 13.
[0025] The bezel 16 includes a square loop-like mounting portion 17
and a square frame 18. The frame 18 is integrally formed with the
downstream end of the mounting portion 17 and forms an outer
surface of the air conditioner register. Engaging hooks 19 are
formed at the upper and lower portions of the upstream end of the
mounting portion 17. The bezel 16 is arranged downstream of the
main body 11. The bezel 16 is coupled to the main body 11 by
inserting the mounting portion 17 in the downstream section 13, and
engaging the engaging hooks 19 of the mounting portion 17 with the
corresponding engaging holes 15 from the inside. Part of the
opening at the mounting portion 17 of the bezel 16 forms an air
outlet 20 for the air-conditioning air A from the air conditioner
register. In the present embodiment, part of the opening of the
bezel 16 with the smallest opening area forms the air outlet
20.
[0026] Among four sides of the laterally rectangular air outlet 20,
a pair of sides extending in the vertical direction is referred to
as "short sides X", and a pair of sides extending in the vehicle
widthwise direction, that is, the left and right direction is
referred to as "long sides Y".
[0027] The air duct 9 is surrounded by four walls of the retainer
10. Among the four walls, a pair of walls including the pair of
short sides X of the air outlet 20 are referred to as first walls
21, and a pair of walls including the pair of long sides Y are
referred to as second walls 22. In the present embodiment, in which
the air outlet 20 has a laterally rectangular shape, the pair of
walls opposing the vehicle widthwise direction, that is, the left
and right direction, are the first walls 21, and the pair of walls
opposing the vertical direction are the second walls 22.
[0028] Furthermore, the second walls 22 of the retainer 10
according to the present embodiment each include a bulging portion
23. Each bulging portion 23 is integrally formed with the
associated second wall 22 to bulge inward of the air outlet 20.
More specifically, an upper bulging portion 23 bulges downward, and
a lower bulging portion 23 bulges upward. When the barrel 30 is
arranged in a later described barrel neutral state, the bulging
ends of the bulging portions 23 in the bulging direction align with
sub-long fins 32 in the flow direction of the air-conditioning air
A at a position downstream of the sub-long fins 32 (see FIG. 2).
Also, when the barrel 30 is tilted to a maximum tilt position of a
movable range of the barrel 30, the bulging end of one of the
bulging portions 23 is located close to the downstream end of a
leading one of the main long fins 31. That is, when the barrel 30
is tilted to the maximum tilt position, the bulging end of one of
the bulging portions 23 is in close proximity to the main long fin
31 that has the leading position during the movement to the maximum
tilt position (see FIG. 4).
<Barrel 30>
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the barrel 30 includes the long
fins 31, 32, the number of which is greater than or equal to two
(four in this embodiment), and a pair of side walls 33. The long
fins 31, 32 extend in the retainer 10 in the direction of the long
sides Y of the air outlet 20, that is, the vehicle widthwise
direction. The long fins 31, 32 are arranged separate from and
parallel to each other along the short sides X, that is, the
vertical direction. The pair of side walls 33 is arranged on both
sides of the long fins 31, 32 in the direction of the long sides Y.
The long fins 31, 32 and the side walls 33 are formed of a plastic
material. The long fins 31, 32 are flat plates and extend in the
flow direction of the air duct 9 by a predetermined width.
[0030] The side walls 33 extend at positions close to the first
walls 21 of the retainer 10 in the direction of the short sides X,
that is, the vertical direction. The side walls 33 are formed
integrally with the long fins 31, 32. Each side wall 33 includes a
barrel support shaft 34, which protrudes toward the adjacent first
wall 21. That is, the barrel support shafts 34 extend in the
direction of the long sides Y. The barrel 30 is pivotally supported
by the first walls 21 via the barrel support shafts 34 at a
position close to the air outlet 20 in the flow direction of the
air duct 9.
[0031] In the direction of the short sides X (or the long sides Y)
of the air outlet 20, the portion closer to the center of the short
sides X (or the long sides Y) is referred to as an "inner portion",
and the portion separate from the center is referred to as an
"outer portion".
[0032] The state of the barrel 30 when the long fins 31, 32 are
arranged parallel to the second walls 22 (see FIG. 2) is referred
to as a "barrel neutral state". Also, the state of the barrel 30
when the long fins 31, 32 are tilted with respect to the second
walls 22 (see FIG. 4) is referred to as a "barrel tilt state".
[0033] In the present embodiment, among the plurality of long fins
31, 32, the middle two long fins in the direction of the short
sides X are referred to as the "main long fins 31", and two long
fins located outward of the main long fins 31 in the direction of
the short sides X are referred to as the "sub-long fins 32". When
the barrel 30 is arranged in the barrel neutral state, the
downstream ends of the main long fins 31 are located at or in the
vicinity of the air outlet 20. Also, the main long fins 31 are
closest to the long sides Y among the long fins 31 located in the
air outlet 20. A bearing hole 35 is formed in the upstream end of
each of the main long fins 31.
[0034] The sub-long fins 32 are located at positions near the
second walls 22 (see FIG. 2). When the barrel 30 is arranged in the
barrel neutral state, both sub-long fins 32 are located at
positions outward of the air outlet 20 in the retainer 10. Also,
the outer surface of each sub-long fin 32 forms a curved surface
that bulges toward the outside of the air outlet 20. When the
barrel 30 is in the barrel neutral state, the upstream ends of the
sub-long fins 32 are located at positions near the upstream ends of
the main long fins 31 in the flow direction of the air duct 9. In
contrast, the downstream ends of the sub-long fins 32 are located
upstream of the downstream ends of the main long fins 31. That is,
the downstream ends of the sub-long fins 32 are located upstream of
the air outlet 20. Therefore, the sub-long fins 32 are shorter than
the main long fins 31 in the flow direction of the air duct 9.
[0035] The distance between the main long fins 31 is denoted by D1,
and the distance between each main long fin 31 and the adjacent
sub-long fin 32 is denoted by D2. The barrel 30 is formed such that
the distance D1 is greater than the distance D2.
<Group of Short Fins>
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the group of short fins includes
plastic short fins 40 (seven in this embodiment). The short fins 40
extend in the retainer 10 in the direction of the short sides X of
the air outlet 20. The short fins 40 are arranged separate from and
parallel to each other along the long sides Y. The short fins 40
are flat plates and extend in the flow direction of the air duct 9
by a predetermined length L1 (see FIG. 3). The short fins 40 are
longer than the sub-long fins 32 and the main long fins 31 in the
flow direction of the air duct 9. When the short fins 40 are
arranged parallel to the first walls 21, one third or more part of
the length L1 of the short fins 40 in the flow direction of the air
duct 9 is arranged in the barrel 30. In the present embodiment, the
area between the downstream end of each short fin 40 and a position
separate from the downstream end toward the upstream portion by one
third or more of the length L1 is arranged in the barrel 30.
[0037] According to the above arrangement, the short fins 40
overlap the long fins 31, 32 along the air flow direction of the
air duct 9. Thus, in the flow direction of the air duct 9, distance
from the most upstream one of the upstream ends of the short fins
40 and the upstream ends of the long fins 31, 32, to the most
downstream one of the downstream ends of the short fins 40 and the
downstream ends of the long fins 31, 32 is shorter than it would be
if the short fins 40 were not arranged in the barrel 30.
[0038] The short fins 40 are formed as follows to fabricate a
structure in which at least parts of the short fins 40 are arranged
in the barrel 30 as described above. The upstream section of each
short fin 40 is formed of a base 41, and the downstream section is
formed of three projections 42, 43, which are separate from each
other in the direction of the short sides X and protrude downstream
from the base 41. The projections 42, 43 include two side
projections 42, which are on opposite ends in the direction of the
short sides X, and a middle projection 43 arranged between the side
projections 42. Each of the side projections 42 is separate from
the middle projection 43 in the direction of the short sides X by a
distance slightly greater than the thickness of the main long fins
31. A pair of short fin support shafts 44 protrude from the middle
projection 43 toward the side projections 42. That is, the short
fin support shafts 44 extend in the direction of the short sides
X.
[0039] The middle projection 43 is inserted and arranged between
the main long fins 31 from the upstream end toward the downstream
end. The downstream end of the middle projection 43 is located at a
position close to the downstream ends of the main long fins 31,
that is, a position close to the air outlet 20 in the flow
direction of the air duct 9. Also, each side projection 42 is
inserted and arranged between one of the main long fins 31 and the
adjacent sub-long fin 32 from the upstream end toward the
downstream end. Furthermore, both short fin support shafts 44 of
each short fin 40 are pivotally engaged with the corresponding
bearing holes 35 of the main long fins 31.
[0040] A manipulating knob 45 is mounted on one of the short fins
40 located at the center in the direction of the long sides Y.
Furthermore, a coupling shaft 46 is formed on each short fin 40 at
a position upstream of the short fin support shafts 44. In the
present embodiment, a cutout 47 is formed at the lower part of the
base 41 of each short fin 40, and the coupling shaft 46 is formed
to extend downward from the cutout 47. The coupling shafts 46 of
the short fins 40 are coupled to each other by a long coupling rod
48, which extends in the direction of the long sides Y. The
coupling rod 48 transmits the tilt motion of the short fin 40 on
which the manipulating knob 45 is mounted to the other short fins
40.
[0041] As for the group of short fins and the short fins 40, the
state in which the short fins 40 are arranged parallel to the first
walls 21 (see FIG. 3) is referred to as a "short fin neutral
state", and the state in which the short fins 40 are tilted with
respect to the first walls 21 (not shown) is referred to as a
"short fin tilt state".
[0042] Operation of the air conditioner register according to the
present embodiment structured as described above will now be
described.
[0043] In the air conditioner register, most of the
air-conditioning air A flowing through the air duct 9 of the
retainer 10 passes through the barrel 30. At this time, the
direction of flow of the air-conditioning air A is determined by
the main long fins 31, the sub-long fins 32, and the short fins
40.
[0044] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the air conditioner register, in which
the barrel 30 is arranged in the barrel neutral state, and the
short fins 40 are arranged in the short fin neutral state. At this
time, both sub-long fins 32 are located in the retainer 10, but are
located outward of the air outlet 20. The bulging portions 23 are
located downstream of the sub-long fins 32. Therefore, when an
occupant looks at the air conditioner register from downstream, the
sub-long fins 32 are hidden upstream of the bulging portions 23 and
are not visible.
[0045] The short fins 40 are brought into the short fin neutral
state by arranging the short fin 40 on which the manipulating knob
45 is mounted to be parallel to the first walls 21. When the short
fin 40 on which the manipulating knob 45 is mounted is arranged
parallel to the first walls 21, the other short fins 40 coupled to
each other via the coupling rod 48 are also arranged parallel to
the first walls 21. The air-conditioning air A that has flowed in
between the adjacent short fins 40 flows parallel to the first
walls 21 by flowing along the short fins 40. Also, the
air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the short fins 40
on both ends in the direction of the long sides Y and the adjacent
side walls 33 flows parallel to the first walls 21 by flowing along
the short fins 40 and the side walls 33. In this manner, the
air-conditioning air A is discharged parallel to the first walls 21
from the air outlet 20 at the downstream end of the retainer
10.
[0046] When the barrel 30 is in the barrel neutral state, the main
long fins 31 and the sub-long fins 32 are arranged parallel to the
second walls 22. The air-conditioning air A that has flowed in
between the adjacent main long fins 31 flows parallel to the second
walls 22 by flowing along the main long fins 31. Also, the
air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the main long
fins 31 and the adjacent sub-long fins 32 flows parallel to the
second walls 22 by flowing between the main long fins 31 and the
sub-long fins 32. In this manner, the air-conditioning air A is
discharged from the air outlet 20 parallel to the second walls 22.
Since the gap between each sub-long fin 32 and the associated
second wall 22 is small, the amount of the air-conditioning air A
that is discharged from the air outlet 20 through the gap is very
small.
[0047] When the short fin 40 on which the manipulating knob 45 is
mounted is tilted about the short fin support shafts 44, the tilt
motion is transmitted to the other short fins 40 via the coupling
shafts 46 and the coupling rod 48. Accordingly, the short fins 40
are tilted in the same direction in synchronization with each other
while maintaining the state in which the short fins 40 are parallel
to each other. In this manner, all the short fins 40 are tilted
with respect to the first walls 21. The flow direction of the
air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the adjacent
short fins 40 is changed to the tilt direction of the short fins 40
by flowing along the short fins 40. The air-conditioning air A is
discharged from the air outlet 20 in the direction in which the
short fins 40 are tilted.
[0048] Also, when the barrel 30 is tilted about the barrel support
shafts 34 with respect to the second walls 22 within the movable
range, the main long fins 31 and the sub-long fins 32 are tilted
with respect to the second walls 22. The case in which the barrel
30 is not tilted to the maximum tilt position will now be
described. In this case, the main long fin 31 that leads in the
tilt motion approaches the bulging portion 23 in the vicinity of
the main long fin 31, and the main long fin 31 that trails in the
tilt motion separates from the bulging portion 23 in the vicinity
of the main long fin 31. The flow direction of the air-conditioning
air A that has flowed in between the adjacent main long fins 31 is
changed to the tilt direction of the main long fins 31 by flowing
along the main long fins 31. Also, the flow direction of the
air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the main long
fins 31 and the adjacent sub-long fins 32 is changed to the tilt
direction of the main long fins 31 and the sub-long fins 32 by
flowing along the main long fins 31 and the sub-long fins 32. At
this time, since the barrel 30 is not tilted to the maximum tilt
position, the downstream end of the main long fin 31 that leads in
the tilt motion of the barrel 30 is separate from the bulging
portion 23 in the vicinity of the main long fin 31. However, the
gap between the downstream end of the main long fin 31 and the
bulging portion 23 is smaller than the gap when the barrel 30 is in
the barrel neutral state. Then, the air-conditioning air A is
discharged from the air outlet 20 along the tilt direction of the
main long fins 31 and the sub-long fins 32. At this time also,
since the gap between the sub-long fin 32 and the associated second
wall 22 is small, the amount of air-conditioning air A that is
discharged from the air outlet 20 through the gap is very
small.
[0049] Also, the downstream ends of the sub-long fins 32 are
located upstream of the downstream ends of the main long fins 31.
Therefore, when the barrel 30 is arranged in the barrel tilt state,
the sub-long fin 32 that leads in the tilt motion does not contact
the second wall 22. Also, the sub-long fin 32 that trails in the
tilt motion is not easily exposed downstream of the air outlet 20
of the retainer 10.
[0050] Furthermore, when the barrel 30 is tilted to the maximum
tilt position at one end of the movable range (lower end in FIG.
4), the air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the main
long fin 31 leads in the tilt motion (lower part in FIG. 4) and the
second wall 22 acts to flow along the main long fin 31 and the
second wall 22. If the bulging portions 23 are not formed on the
second walls 22 as shown in FIG. 5, a gap G is formed between the
downstream end of the main long fin 31 that leads in the tilt
motion (lower part in FIG. 5) and the second wall 22. In this case,
the air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the main long
fin 31 and the second wall 22 blows through the gap G. The
air-conditioning air A that has blown through the gap G affects the
air-conditioning air A that has passed through the adjacent main
long fins 31 and discharged from the air outlet 20, and reduces the
directivity of the air-conditioning air A. In FIG. 5, like or the
same reference numerals are given to those components that are like
or the same as the corresponding components of FIG. 4. Also, in
FIG. 5, the retainer 10 is shown in a state where the main body 11
and the bezel 16 are integrated to facilitate illustration.
[0051] In the present embodiment, in which the bulging portions 23
are formed on the second walls 22, the tilt motion of the barrel 30
causes the downstream end of the main long fin 31 that leads in the
tilt motion (lower part in FIG. 4) to approach the bulging portion
23, and the gap between the downstream end of the main long fin 31
and the bulging portion 23 is reduced as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the
air-conditioning air A that has flowed in between the main long fin
31 that leads in the tilt motion and the second wall 22 is
inhibited from blowing through the gap between the main long fin 31
and the second wall 22. Accordingly, the air-conditioning air A
that is discharged from the air outlet 20 passing through the
adjacent main long fins 31 is inhibited from being affected. Even
if being affected, the influence will be small that it can be
ignored.
[0052] When the barrel 30 is tilted to the maximum tilt position of
the other end of the movable range (upper end), the same result as
described above is obtained. The explanation is therefore
omitted.
[0053] In general, when the short fins 40 are arranged further
upstream from the air outlet 20 in the flow direction of the air
duct 9, the possibility is increased that, after the flow direction
of the air-conditioning air A is changed by the short fins 40, the
air-conditioning air A strikes at least either the first wall 21 or
the side wall 33 of the barrel 30 before blowing out from the air
outlet 20. Such a tendency is increased as the short fins 40 are
arranged further upstream away from the air outlet 20. In
particular, the above-mentioned phenomenon tends to occur in a case
where the short fins 40 are arranged upstream of the barrel 30 in
the flow direction of the air duct 9. In this case, the flow
direction of the air-conditioning air A that has struck at least
either the first wall 21 or the side wall 33 of the barrel 30 is
changed to the direction along the first wall 21 or the side wall
33 of the barrel 30, and the air-conditioning air A is discharged
from the air outlet 20 in this state.
[0054] In the present embodiment, one third or more of the length
L1 of the short fins 40 is arranged in the barrel 30 as described
above. That is, the downstream ends of the short fins 40 are
located at positions close to the downstream ends of the main long
fins 31, that is, at the position close to the air outlet 20.
Therefore, the air-conditioning air A the flow direction of which
is changed by the short fins 40 does not strike the first wall 21
or the barrel 30 (the side wall 33), but is easily discharged from
the air outlet 20 along the tilt direction of the short fins
40.
[0055] The present embodiment has the following advantages.
[0056] (1) The barrel 30 of the air conditioner register of the
present embodiment is pivotally supported at a position close to
the air outlet 20 in the retainer 10 in the flow direction of the
air duct 9. In the air conditioner register, when the barrel 30 is
arranged in the barrel neutral state, in which the main long fins
31 and the sub-long fins 32 are arranged parallel to the second
walls 22, the main long fins 31 are arranged closest to the long
sides Y among the long fins located in the air outlet 20 (FIG. 2).
The second walls 22 include the bulging portions 23, which bulge
inward of the air outlet 20. When the barrel 30 is tilted to the
maximum tilt position of the movable range, one of the bulging
portions 23 is located close to the downstream end of the main long
fin 31 that leads in the tilt motion (FIG. 4).
[0057] Therefore, a desired directivity of the air-conditioning air
A, which is discharged from the air outlet 20, is ensured by the
two main long fins 31.
[0058] Furthermore, when the barrel 30 is tilted to the maximum
tilt position of the movable range, the air-conditioning air A is
inhibited from blowing out from the air outlet 20 passing between
the main long fin 31 that leads in the tilt direction and the
associated second wall 22. Thus, the directivity of the
air-conditioning air A is improved.
[0059] Also, in the air conditioner register of the present
embodiment, since an additional member is not added, the
directivity of the air-conditioning air A is improved without
increasing the number of components.
[0060] (2) The barrel 30 includes the sub-long fins 32, which are
located in the retainer 10 and at a position outward of the air
outlet 20 when the barrel 30 is arranged in the barrel neutral
state (FIGS. 2 and 4).
[0061] Therefore, in the air conditioner register of the present
embodiment, the directivity of the air-conditioning air A is
further improved as compared to the air conditioner register in
which the barrel 30 does not include the sub-long fins 32.
[0062] (3) In the present embodiment, the sub-long fins 32 are
arranged at positions close to the second walls 22, and the
downstream ends of the sub-long fins 32 are located upstream of the
downstream ends of the main long fins 31 (FIGS. 2 and 4).
[0063] Therefore, the air-conditioning air A is inhibited from
blowing out from the air outlet 20 passing between the sub-long
fins 32 and the second walls 22.
[0064] Also, when the barrel 30 moves to the barrel tilt state, the
sub-long fin 32 that leads in the tilt motion is inhibited from
contacting and interfering with the second wall 22. Furthermore,
the sub-long fin 32 that trails in the tilt motion is inhibited
from being exposed downstream from the air outlet 20 of the
retainer 10, and the aesthetic appearance is prevented from being
spoiled.
[0065] (4) The short fins 40 are provided in the retainer 10. At
least part of each short fin 40 is arranged in the barrel 30. The
short fin support shafts 44 of the short fins 40 are supported by
the barrel 30, and the short fins 40 are coupled to each other by
the coupling rod 48 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0066] Therefore, the dimension of the air conditioner register in
the flow direction of the air duct 9 is reduced for downsizing.
[0067] Also, the air-conditioning air A the flow direction of which
is changed by the short fins 40 is discharged from the air outlet
20 along the tilt direction of the short fins 40 without striking
the first wall 21 or the side wall 33 of the barrel 30.
[0068] (5) The short fins 40 are formed to be longer than the main
long fins 31 in the flow direction of the air duct 9. In a state
where the short fins 40 are arranged parallel to the first walls
21, one third or more of the length L1 of the short fins 40 in the
flow direction of the air duct 9 is arranged in the barrel 30 (FIG.
3).
[0069] Therefore, the above-mentioned advantage (4) that the
dimension of the air conditioner register in the flow direction of
the air duct 9 is reduced for downsizing is more efficiently
obtained.
[0070] (6) The downstream ends of the short fins 40 are arranged at
positions close to the downstream ends of the main long fins 31
(FIG. 3).
[0071] Therefore, the above-mentioned advantage (4) that the
air-conditioning air A the flow direction of which is changed by
the short fins 40 is discharged from the air outlet 20 without
striking the first wall 21 or the side wall 33 of the barrel 30 is
more efficiently obtained.
[0072] The present invention may be modified as follows.
<Barrel 30>
[0073] The barrel 30 may include one or more other long fins
arranged between the pair of main long fins 31.
[0074] In this case, three or more long fins are located in the air
outlet 20, and two of the long fins closest to the long sides Y are
referred to as the main long fins 31.
[0075] The barrel 30 may not include the sub-long fins 32.
<Short Fins 40>
[0076] The short fins 40 may be formed such that the length of the
short fins 40 is equivalent to or shorter than that of the main
long fins 31 in the flow direction of the air duct 9.
[0077] The length of part of the short fins 40 arranged in the
barrel 30 may be changed as long as one third or more of the length
L1 of the short fins 40 in the flow direction of the air duct 9
overlaps the main long fins 31.
[0078] The short fins 40 may be supported by a short fin support
shaft formed of an additional member from the short fins 40 to be
tiltable with respect to the main long fins 31.
[0079] The short fins 40 may be pivotally supported by the sub-long
fins 32 instead of the main long fins 31. Also, the short fins 40
may be pivotally supported by the main long fins 31 and the
sub-long fins 32.
[0080] The short fins 40 may be pivotally supported by a short fin
support shaft located at one position or by short fin support
shafts located at three or more positions in the flow direction of
the short sides X.
[0081] The short fins 40 may overlap the entire length of the main
long fins 31 in the flow direction of the air duct 9, or may
overlap only part of the length of the main long fins 31.
<Applied Positions>
[0082] The present invention may be applied to an air conditioner
register that is located at a position different from the
instrument panel in the passenger compartment.
[0083] The air conditioner register of the present invention is not
limited to applications within the vehicle, but may be widely
applied to cases in which the direction of air discharged from the
air conditioner into a room is adjusted.
<Others>
[0084] The present invention may be applied to an air conditioner
register in which the long sides of the air outlet 20 are arranged
to extend in the vertical direction. In this case, in the retainer
10, the pair of walls facing the vertical direction form the first
walls 21, and the pair of walls facing the vehicle widthwise
direction form the second walls 22. The long fins 31, 32 are
arranged in the vehicle widthwise direction, and the short fins 40
are arranged in the vertical direction.
[0085] Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is
not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified
within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
* * * * *