JPH10278570A - Air blower for automotive air conditioning - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To improve the louver portion of an air-conditioning air blowing device to improve the directivity of blowing air, and to allow a plurality of models to be shared. SOLUTION: A projection whose at least one is made non-circular from both ends of an opening of an instrument panel is provided inward, and a circular recess 3d is provided on a louver main body 3 at a position corresponding to the projection. The recess 3d and the projection were connected via a bush 6 having the shape of the projection. Since the main body 3 of the louver rotates with respect to the bush 6, an appropriate frictional force is obtained, and the configuration on the instrument panel side is simplified, so that the louver 3 can be used for a plurality of vehicle types. Furthermore, since the interval between the plurality of vertical fins that are rotatably fixed in the main body 3 is provided so as to be wide at the portion near the center and narrow at the outer portion, the inside of the main body 3 is divided into many parts, and
Since the central vertical fin rotates without contacting the adjacent vertical fin, the directivity of the blown wind is also improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air blower for air conditioning provided in an instrument panel of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 12, an instrument panel 1 of an automobile is provided with a plurality of air-conditioning air blow-out devices 2 to blow air into a vehicle cabin.
The blowout device 2 has a louver main body pivotally mounted in a square opening formed in the instrument panel 1 directly or in a case attached thereto by fitting or the like, within a predetermined angle range. By rotating the main body of the louver, it is possible to change the air blowing direction in the radial direction (generally, the vertical direction) of the rotation support shaft. Also, by changing the direction of the fins inside the main body of the louver in the direction (lateral direction) crossing this,
The blowing direction is changed.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a louver portion of a conventionally used air conditioner. In these figures, reference numeral 3 denotes a louver main body, which is a substantially rectangular cylinder. A plurality of horizontal bars 3a are provided at the front of the main body 3 so as to rectify the airflow from the rear (the front of the vehicle) in the figure in the horizontal direction. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of vertical fins (details will be described later) are provided inside the main body 3 at appropriate intervals, and rotate in a horizontal plane to change the direction of the air flow. It is supposed to be. Reference numeral 4 denotes a knob for performing the operation.

[0004] In order to swing the air flow vertically, the main body 3
The instrument panel 1 (see FIG. 12) or a case (frame-shaped one) fitted to the instrument panel 1.
Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as an instrument panel). When the direction is changed by turning, the operation can be freely performed, after the direction is determined, it is held in that direction, and in order to prevent the direction from changing due to the vibration when the car runs, The bush 5 is mounted.

[0005] The bush 5 is made of a synthetic resin of an appropriate material and is substantially C
As shown in FIG. 14, a stepped portion 5a provided on the outer periphery is fitted into a concave portion 3b provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the main body 3, as shown in FIG. Recess 3b
Is connected to the groove 3c. While the bush 5 is fitted in the recess 3b of the main body 3, a projection (not shown in the figure) protruding from the instrument panel 1 side is fitted to the central portion 5b. Then, the main body 3 rotates around the projection as a rotation center.

Although not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of vertical fins 6 are provided in a direction intersecting with the bar 3a in order to change the air blowing direction in the horizontal direction. This vertical fin 6 is, as shown in FIG.
A projection 7 for fitting into a concave portion (not shown) formed inside the main body 3 is a flat plate formed above and below the main body 3, and the front (right side in FIG. 15) of the projection 7 is the main body 3. The lower side is formed so as to gradually become wider in accordance with the shape of, while the rear (left side in FIG. 15) of the projection 7 is
A certain area is secured so that the air blowing direction can be changed.

The plurality of vertical fins 6 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the projection 7 is fitted into the concave portion of the main body 3 so that the surface faces the side surface of the main body 3, and is rotatably fixed. Although the configuration itself is almost the same, a knob 4 serving as a handle for rotating the vertical fin 6 in the horizontal direction is formed integrally with the main body 3 in order to change the air blowing direction. The central vertical fin to be arranged is indicated by reference numeral 6 '. By moving the knob 4 in the horizontal direction, the vertical fins 6 are rotated by the same angle around the respective projections 17 formed on the vertical fins 6 and 6 '.
Reference numerals 6 'are fixed to an interlocking member (not shown). The interlocking member extends perpendicular to the plane of the vertical fins 6, 6 'and is rotatably fixed to each of the vertical fins 6, 6'. Can be linked to movement.

Another example of the prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-31.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 9086. This technology is
A hole is provided on the case side fitted to the opening of the instrument panel, and a friction plate is interposed in the hole,
The grill, friction plate and case body are integrated and fixed to the front panel.

[0009]

The conventional air blowing device for air conditioning having the above-mentioned structure has the following problems. 11 and 12, the operation force for rotating the main body 3 is determined by the frictional force between the bush and the case. Therefore, the case described in FIGS. When the instrument panel is directly mounted on the instrument panel without using a case, the operating force must be adjusted each time the instrument panel is changed. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts is increased and the number of man-hours for adjustment is required.

[0010] On the other hand, in the above-mentioned publication,
Since a hole must be provided on the case side, it is difficult to directly attach the louver body to an instrument panel or the like, and there is a problem that the mold is complicated to make.
Further, due to its structure, the rotation support shaft of the louver becomes thinner and the sliding area with the bush becomes smaller, so that it is difficult to make the operating force uniform. Furthermore, there is room for improvement in assemblability and serviceability.

The structure of the vertical fins 6 and 6 'provided in the main body 3 described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 has room for improvement in the following points in order to change the air blowing direction satisfactorily. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, in the configuration in which the vertical fins 6 ′ are provided one by one on both sides of the central vertical fin 6 ′, since the air flow path divided by the vertical fins 6 and 6 ′ is large, There is a problem of poor sex. In order to improve the directivity of the blowing wind, for example, the vertical fin 6
Is increased to four (see FIG. 17).
It is desirable to increase the number of the vertical fins 6 to divide the air flow path into small sections. Although two vertical fins 6 are usually provided on both sides of the central vertical fin 6 ′, in consideration of the dimensions of the main body 3, a total of about four fins are sufficient even when the number of vertical fins 6 is increased. It is.

Here, as shown in FIG. 18, the knob 4 of the central vertical fin 6 'is rotatable until it comes into contact with the vertical fin 6 adjacent to the knob 4, and its maximum angle (in front of the knob 4). position refers to the maximum angle when pivoted to either the left and right relative to the) is defined as theta _1. As described above, when the number of the vertical fins 6 and 6 ′ is increased in order to improve the directivity of the blowing wind, the maximum angle is reduced due to a decrease in the distance between the adjacent vertical fins 6 and 6 ′. θ ₁ becomes small, and as a result, a problem arises in that the course of the blown wind in the horizontal direction cannot be sufficiently changed.

Although it is conceivable to reduce the width of the knob 4 in the horizontal direction, when the knob 4 is rotated to the maximum angle θ ₁ , the knob 4 is entirely connected to the beam 3 a of the main body 3 (FIG. 1).
3, see FIG. 14), which makes it difficult to grip the knob 4 and causes poor handling.

Therefore, in order to increase the number of the vertical fins 6 while ensuring the size of the knob 4, the knob 4 comes into contact with the notched vertical fin 6a as shown in FIG. A notch 8 is formed in the portion, and the maximum angle θ ₁
It is conceivable to secure a large value. However, by providing such a notched vertical fin 6a,
Since the common use with the vertical fins 6 is not possible, the cost is increased and the appearance is deteriorated. Further, when the knob 4 is turned greatly in order to change the air blowing direction, the blowout wind escapes in the front direction from the notch 8 of the notched vertical fin 6a located opposite to the turning direction. In particular, when the knob 4 is turned, the location where the notch 8 of the notched vertical fin 6a is located is usually the center of the main body 3 where the amount of blown air is the largest, so there is a problem in terms of directivity. .

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air-conditioning air blowing device which does not have the above-described problems due to a structure different from the above-described conventional one. Is what you do.

[0016]

According to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that a louver main body is inserted into an opening of a case fitted to an instrument panel. In a vehicle air conditioner rotatably mounted on a shaft, a projection whose at least one is non-circular from both sides of an opening portion of the instrument panel is provided inward, and a position corresponding to the projection is provided on a main body of the louver. A concave portion or a hole having a circular shape, and the concave portion or the hole is connected to the projection via a bush conforming to the shape of the projection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a projection for a stopper is provided on at least one of the openings of the instrument panel, and the main body of the louver is rotated when it is turned. A groove corresponding to the locus is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile in which a main body of a louver provided with vertical and horizontal fins therein is rotatably mounted on an opening of an instrument panel or a case fitted to the instrument panel. In the air conditioner, the interval between a plurality of vertical fins rotating in a horizontal plane in the main body of the louver is wide at a portion near the center and narrow at an outer portion.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the non-circular projection and the bush are connected in a non-rotating state, and the bush and the louver main body are connected by the circular recess or hole. When rotating the louver body,
The main body rotates against the frictional force of the contact surface with the bush.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the louver body is rotated, the stopper projection provided on the instrument panel or the case moves within the range of the groove on the louver body side. Will do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the vertical fin rotatably mounted in the main body so as to be wide at the center portion and narrow at the outer portion is rotated in a horizontal plane. , The vertical fins at the center rotate without contacting the adjacent vertical fins.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3 to FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 13 and FIG. Reference numeral 3 denotes a louver main body, which is a substantially rectangular cylinder. A plurality of horizontal bars 3a are provided at the front of the main body 3 so as to rectify the airflow from the rear (the front of the vehicle) in the figure in the horizontal direction.

The body 3 is pivotally mounted on an opening of the instrument panel 1 (see FIG. 12) so as to swing the air flow in the vertical direction. As a structure for this purpose, a circular concave portion (may be a hole) 3d is provided on one side of the main body 3, and a bush 9 is fitted into the concave portion 3d. The bush 9 is made of a material having excellent slidability and small thermal deformation, such as polyacetal or nylon, and the main body 3 of the louver receiving the material is made of polypropylene (PP) or the like which can withstand high impact.

The bush 9 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 has a circular outer periphery 9a, a semicircular inner periphery 9b, a semicircular front portion, a parallel rear portion, and a further rearward direction. It spreads diagonally. That is, the shape of the inner circumference 9b is non-circular. The diagonally widened portion 9c connected to this portion is diagonally reduced toward the rear as shown in FIG. 6, and is connected to a slope 3e formed on the main body 3. As shown in FIG. 7, a projection 10 projects inward from an opening 1 a of the instrument panel 1, and the projection 10 fits into an inner peripheral portion 9 b of the bush 9. The shape of the protrusion 10 is adapted to the inner peripheral shape of the bush 9, and is a non-circular shape in which a front portion is semicircular and a rear portion extends in a straight line in parallel. Since it is non-circular, the bush 9 becomes integral with the instrument panel 1 when fitted to the inner peripheral portion 9b of the bush 9.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rear portion of the main body 3 is connected to a portion to which the bush 9 is fitted, and has a shape corresponding to the locus of rotation of the louver main body 3, specifically, the side. A groove 3f having a substantially triangular shape as viewed from the side and having a lower rear portion is formed. A stopper projection 11 (see FIG. 7) projecting from the instrument panel 1 side into the opening 1a engages with the groove 3f to regulate the rotation angle of the main body 3. The protrusion 11 for the stopper is disposed at a position obliquely below the protrusion 10 which is the center of rotation of the main body 3.

FIG. 5 is a view of FIG. 3 viewed from the direction of arrow B. No bush is provided on this side surface of the main body 3, and a circular recess 3 g is provided at a position corresponding to the recess 6 b of the bush 9. A projection 12 is provided in the recess 3g so as to face the projection 10 from the instrument panel 1 side.
(See FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, an outer peripheral portion 3h of the concave portion 3g is projected in a substantially C-shape. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the portion connected to the concave portion 3g is formed on the slope 3i, and together with the slope 3e, this portion (the center of the main body 3 and the rear portion of the shaft-attached portion) is formed into a shape narrowed inward. is there.

FIG. 8 is a view of the louver body 3 as viewed from the front. In this figure, reference numeral 13 designates vertical fins (details will be described later), and a plurality of fins are provided at appropriate intervals. It changes direction. Body 3, the opening of the instrument panel 1 length L ₁ from the outer surface to the outer surface of the outer peripheral portion 3h is illustrated in Figure 7 of the bushing 9 in the width direction (the case of opening same) 1a length L ₂ It is made slightly smaller, so that when a finger is put on the knob 4 and the knob 10 is rotated in the vertical direction about the projections 10 and 12 as a rotation center, an appropriate frictional force acts.

In the air-conditioning air blowing device thus constructed, the opening 1a of the instrument panel 1 shown in FIG. 7 (or the opening when a case is used) is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 or FIG. To assemble the main body 3,
As shown in FIG. 6, first, the bush 9 of the main body 3 is fitted, and the instrument panel 1 is positioned rearward (left side in FIG. 6).
Into the opening 1a. At this time, the projections 10 and 12 move along the slopes 3e and 3i. Protrusion 1
When 0 and 12 move along the slopes 3e and 3i in this manner, a force for compressing the body 3 is applied to the body 3, but since it is temporary, the deformation of the instrument panel 1 and the body 3 is performed. When the protrusions 10 and 12 are fitted in the concave portions 9b and 3g, the assembly is completed.

When a finger is put on the knob 4 and moved upward or downward in order to change the air blowing direction, the louver main body 3 rotates against the frictional force of the contact surface of the bush 9. Since it is a frictional force with the bush 9, the operating force does not change even if the type of vehicle to be mounted changes.

FIG. 9 shows the range of rotation of the main body 3. The angle θ from the direction indicated by the solid line to the position facing upward and the position facing downward indicated by the broken line, respectively.
_The direction can be changed within a range of about ₂ (about 35 degrees). This angle regulation is performed by the stopper projection 11 hitting the edge of the groove 3f.

As shown in FIG. 8, in order to change the horizontal blowing direction of air, the vertical fins 13 'are formed at predetermined intervals on both sides of a central vertical fin 13' formed integrally with the knob 4. Are arranged two by two. Vertical fin 13
The configuration of the central vertical fin 13 ′ is the same as that of the related art, and the difference is in the arrangement thereof. The interval between the vertical fins 13, 13 ′ is wide at the center and narrow at the outside.
Specifically, the distance between the central vertical fin 13 ′ and the adjacent vertical fins 13 on both sides is x, and the central vertical fin 1 ′
Assuming that the distance between the vertical fin 13 adjacent to 3 ′ and the vertical fin 13 adjacent to the side surface of the main body 3 is y, the vertical fin 13 is rotatably fixed to the main body 3 so that x> y.

At this time, in FIG. 11, the distance x is determined to be the minimum dimension that can secure the maximum angle θ ₃ required as the air blowing direction in the horizontal direction, and is adjacent to the knob 4 for angle regulation. The vertical fins 13 are brought into contact with each other. On the other hand, the distance y, when going by rotating the knob 4 until the maximum angle theta _3, when at least the maximum angle theta ₃ rotates, the distance to an extent for the first time in contact with the side surface of the body 3 facing z (FIG. 10 ), It is determined based on the distance x and the distance z.

By arranging the vertical fins 13 and 13 'as described above, the four vertical fins 13 and the central vertical fin 13' can be assembled to the main body 3, so that the inside of the main body 3 can be divided into small parts. Therefore, it is easy to change the air flow direction, it is possible to improve the directivity,
Furthermore, the knob 4 can be set to the maximum rotatable angle θ ₃ , which is sufficient to change the horizontal flow direction of air. Therefore, in the air-conditioning air blowing device of the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily change the flow direction of air in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that air can be blown in a desired direction.

In the embodiment described above, the bush 9
Is provided only on one side of the main body 3 of the louver, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on both sides. In addition, the inner peripheral shape of the bush 9 and the shape of the protrusion 10 are non-circular, and the front part is semicircular, and the rear part is parallel and linearly extended. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any other shape may be used. However,
It goes without saying that the louver main body 3 is shaped so as not to cause any trouble when the louver main body 3 is inserted from the front of the instrument panel 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the vertical fin 13 adjacent to the central vertical fin 13 'is formed so as to have a longer rear portion than the vertical fin 13 located outside thereof. The vertical fins 13 may be formed in the same shape because this is for further improving the directivity of the wind.
In this case, since the structures of the vertical fins 13 are all the same, fins can be commonly used between different louvers.

[0036]

Since the present invention is an air-conditioning air blowing device for an automobile constructed as described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. And the friction surface φh can be made large, and the sliding area becomes large, so that the operating force can be made uniform. Since the instrument panel has a structure in which only a projection is provided, it can be easily shared with different vehicle types. Also, the operating force does not change due to heat.
Further, the instrument panel has a structure in which only a projection is provided, so that a slight parting line generated during molding does not affect the operation force. Therefore, since no inner slide is required at the time of molding, the mold cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the stopper is provided outside the main body of the louver, turbulence does not occur in the air flow. Since the shape of the instrument panel on which the louver main body is fitted is simplified, it is easy to use the different types of vehicles in common. By changing the position of the protrusion provided on the instrument panel, the rotation angle can be easily changed. By changing the shape of the protrusion for the stopper, the rotation angle can be easily reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the vertical fins are arranged so that the interval between the vertical fins is wider at the center and narrower at the outer portion, so that the center vertical fin having the knob and the vicinity thereof are provided. Because the interval with the vertical fin becomes large,
The maximum angle at which the knob can be turned can be increased.
For this reason, the horizontal flow direction of air can be changed satisfactorily, and directivity can be ensured. Even in a relatively short louver, a plurality of vertical fins can be provided, so that the directivity is ensured. be able to. Further, since the structures of the vertical fins are all the same, they can be commonly used between different types of louvers such as side louvers and center louvers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in a partially disassembled state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which assembly of FIG. 1 is completed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the right side.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2 viewed from the direction of arrow A.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 3 viewed from the direction of arrow B.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion taken along line CC of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an opening of the instrument panel.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a main body of the louver.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a range of restriction of a rotation angle by a stopper.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a louver main body.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a vertical fin is rotated to a maximum angle.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an example of an instrument panel.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional louver main body in a partially disassembled state.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the one shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a structure of a vertical fin.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main body of a conventional louver.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main body of a conventional louver different from FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the vertical fin is rotated to a maximum angle in the louver of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a structure of a vertical fin different from that of FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument panel 2 Air-conditioning air blow-off device 3 Louver main body 3d recess 3f groove 9 bush 10 protrusion 11 protrusion 12 protrusion 13 Vertical fin

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An automotive air conditioner wherein a main body of a louver provided with fins vertically and horizontally is rotatably mounted on an opening of an instrument panel or a case fitted on the instrument panel. A projection having at least one non-circular shape from both sides of the opening of the panel or the case is provided inward, and a circular concave portion or hole is provided on the main body of the louver at a position corresponding to the projection, and the concave portion or the hole is provided. An air blowing device for air-conditioning of an automobile, wherein the and the protrusion are connected via a bush conforming to the shape of the protrusion. 2. A projection for stopper is provided on at least one of an opening of an instrument panel or a case fitted to the instrument panel, and a groove is provided in a main body of the louver according to a locus of rotation. The air blowing device for air-conditioning of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein a body of a louver provided with fins vertically and horizontally is rotatably mounted on an opening of an instrument panel or a case fitted to the instrument panel. An air blowing device for air conditioning of an automobile, wherein the interval between a plurality of vertical fins rotating in a horizontal plane in the main body is wide at a portion near the center and narrow at an outer portion.