JP2019038280A - Air conditioner and wire harness - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of intuitively operating an air conditioner. SOLUTION: An air conditioner 1 can perform ventilation through an air outlet 10a. The air conditioner 1 includes a housing 10 that defines the air outlet 10a, and an input unit 30 that is provided in the housing 10 and can electrically input ventilation parameters related to ventilation. The input unit 30 has a capacitance type sensor provided in the housing 10. The housing 10 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outlet 10a. The input unit 30 includes a target air volume and a target air conditioning temperature as ventilation parameters, and has a location 32 for inputting the target air volume and a location 31 for inputting the target air conditioning temperature at different positions in the circumferential direction of the housing 10. .. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of performing ventilation through an opening, and a wire harness including the air conditioner.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, air conditioners (so-called registers) for supplying air for heating and cooling to the interior of an automobile have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Generally, this type of air conditioner has a configuration capable of adjusting the flow direction of an air flow blown from the air conditioner.

  For example, one of the conventional air conditioners includes an air outlet provided in an instrument panel of an automobile, and an operation panel that performs an operation such as switching whether to blow an air flow through the outlet. ing. This operation panel is provided in the center cluster portion of the instrument panel sandwiched between the driver's seat and the passenger seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-217022 JP 2017-049788 A

  Generally, switches for operating other devices (for example, an audio device and a car navigation device) are also arranged in a center cluster portion where an operation panel of a conventional air conditioner is arranged. Therefore, switches for operating the air conditioner and switches for operating other devices are mixed in a limited space. As a result, when a vehicle driver or the like tries to operate the air conditioner, it may be difficult to intuitively recognize switches corresponding to the air conditioner.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the situation mentioned above, The objective is to provide the air harness which can perform operation of an air conditioner intuitively, and the wire harness containing the air conditioner. It is in.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an “air conditioner” according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (4).
(1)
An air conditioner capable of performing ventilation through an opening,
A housing that defines the opening;
An input unit provided in the housing and capable of electrically inputting a ventilation parameter related to the ventilation;
It must be an air conditioner.
(2)
The air conditioner according to (1) above,
An external connection unit that outputs the ventilation parameter input from the input unit to an external device that adjusts the state of ventilation;
It must be an air conditioner.
(3)
In the air conditioner according to (1) or (2) above,
The input unit is
Having a capacitive sensor provided along the surface shape of the housing;
It must be an air conditioner.
(4)
In the air conditioner according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The housing is
Having a cylindrical shape surrounding the opening,
The input unit is
A location where the air flow parameter includes a target air flow that is a target value of the air flow through the opening and a target air conditioning temperature that is a target value of the temperature of the air-conditioning target space, and the target air flow is input. And a location where the target air conditioning temperature is input, at different positions in the circumferential direction of the housing,
It must be an air conditioner.

  According to the air conditioner having the above configuration (1), the input unit for inputting the ventilation parameter is provided to the casing itself that defines the opening of the air conditioner. In other words, the opening of the air conditioner and the input unit for operating the air conditioner are integrated in the housing. Therefore, when trying to operate the air conditioner, the user touches and operates the air conditioner itself, not the operation panel arranged at a location different from the air conditioner like the conventional air conditioner. Furthermore, since the aeration parameter (for example, target ventilation rate) can be electrically input at the input unit, in general, the input unit can be downsized compared to the case where a mechanical input unit (for example, an operation knob) is provided. It is hard to affect the design of air conditioners.

  Therefore, the air conditioner of this configuration can be intuitively operated compared to the above-described conventional air conditioner.

  Furthermore, the air conditioner of this structure has another effect. Specifically, when the air conditioner of this configuration is applied to an air outlet of an automobile, a user (e.g., an automobile driver) who operates the air conditioner as compared with a case where an input unit is arranged in the center cluster portion. The amount of movement of the line of sight becomes smaller. Therefore, the air conditioner of this structure contributes also to the improvement of driving safety of the automobile. Further, since it is not necessary to provide an input unit for the air conditioner in the center cluster, the limited space of the center cluster is used for other parts and the like, which contributes to improvement in design flexibility of the center cluster portion. In addition, since the input unit is integrated with the housing, the air conditioner and the input unit are separated when assembling each of the air conditioner and the input unit individually when assembling to the instrument panel or the like of the automobile. Since it can be assembled together, it also contributes to improving the efficiency of assembly work.

  According to the air conditioner having the configuration (2), the input from the input unit of the air conditioner is directed to the external device (such as a fan for blowing) through the external connection unit (such as an insert connector that is insert-molded in the air conditioner). Can be output.

  According to the air conditioner configured as described in (3) above, the input unit includes the capacitive sensor provided in the housing. Therefore, compared with the case where a mechanical input mechanism such as an operation knob is provided in the housing, the input unit can be reduced in size. Moreover, the influence which an input part has on the designability of an air conditioner can be made small. In addition, as a method of providing the capacitance type sensor in the housing, for example, a method of directly printing a circuit for the sensor on the housing, a film provided with the circuit for the sensor, or the like The method of sticking to is mentioned.

  According to the air conditioner having the above configuration (4), the location for inputting the target air flow rate and the location for inputting the target air conditioning temperature are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the casing. Therefore, compared with the case where they are provided at the overlapping positions in the circumferential direction, an erroneous operation is less likely to occur when operating the air conditioner, and the air conditioner can be operated easily and accurately.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-described object, the “wire harness” according to the present invention is characterized by the following (5).
(5)
The air conditioner according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
An external device that adjusts the state of the ventilation based on the ventilation parameter input from the input unit of the air conditioner, and an electric wire for electrically connecting the air conditioner,
Be a wire harness.

  According to the wire harness having the above configuration (5), the opening of the air conditioner and the input unit for operating the air conditioner are integrated in the casing. Is not an operation panel arranged at a location different from the air conditioner as in the conventional air conditioner, but is operated by touching the air conditioner itself. Furthermore, since the aeration parameter (for example, target ventilation rate) can be electrically input at the input unit, in general, the input unit can be downsized compared to the case where a mechanical input unit (for example, an operation knob) is provided. It is hard to affect the design of air conditioners. And such an air conditioner and the electric wire which connects an air conditioner to an external apparatus can be handled collectively as a wire harness. Therefore, for example, if this wire harness is mounted on an automobile, an air conditioning system including an air conditioner can be easily configured.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air conditioner which can perform operation of an air conditioner intuitively, and the wire harness containing the air conditioner can be provided.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading a form for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig.1 (a) is a perspective view of the instrument panel of the vehicle provided with the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention, FIG.1 (b) mainly shows the air conditioner shown to Fig.1 (a). It is the perspective view seen from the front side. Fig.2 (a) is the perspective view which looked at the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 from the back side, and FIG.2 (b) is an enlarged view of the A section of Fig.2 (a). FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a wire harness including an electric wire that connects the air conditioner and the external device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are front views showing an example of the operating state of the air conditioner shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a front view of an air conditioner according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a front view of an air conditioner according to another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. is there. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to another modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a wire harness 100 including the air conditioner 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown to Fig.1 (a), in order to supply the air for air conditioning to the vehicle interior of a vehicle, the air conditioner 1 is each provided in the several place of the instrument panel 3 of a vehicle. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the plurality of air conditioners 1 are the same device. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the air conditioner 1 includes a housing 10 that defines the air outlet 10 a, a display unit 20 that electrically displays information based on the ventilation parameters, and the ventilation parameters that are electrically connected. The input part 30 which can input automatically, and the illuminator 40 which performs ambient illumination are provided.

  In this example, the casing 10 is a resin casing having a truncated cone shape that gradually decreases in diameter from the back side toward the front side, and defines an air outlet 10a for air conditioning. Yes. In this example, the housing 10 is provided on the instrument panel 3 such that the front end surface of the housing 10 protrudes from the front side of the instrument panel 3 (toward the front as viewed from the passenger). . The hollow region of the housing 10 communicates the space on the front side and the space on the back side of the instrument panel 3.

  A substantially columnar display portion 20 is provided on the portion closer to the front side in the hollow region of the housing 10 with respect to the housing 10 via a connecting member 11 made of resin integrally formed with the housing 10. It is fixed concentrically. Further, a louver 12 (see FIG. 4) for adjusting the air direction of the air for air conditioning is arranged in a portion closer to the back side in the hollow region of the housing 10 (that is, the back side of the display unit 20 and the connecting member 11). ing. The direction of the plurality of slats constituting the louver 12 can be adjusted manually by an occupant or electrically driven by a motor (not shown).

  The display unit 20 is a substantially columnar image display, and has an image display surface 21 on the front end surface. The image display surface 21 is provided with a target air-conditioning temperature display unit 22 that displays a target air-conditioning temperature in the passenger compartment, and a target ventilation amount display unit 23 that displays a target ventilation amount of the blown air. Here, the target air-conditioning temperature and target ventilation amount of the blown-out air correspond to “information based on ventilation parameters” of the present invention.

  In this example, the input unit 30 is provided along the outer peripheral surface on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 projecting from the front side surface of the instrument panel 3, and a target air-conditioning temperature input for inputting a target air-conditioning temperature. A unit 31 and a target ventilation rate input unit 32 for inputting the target ventilation rate. Each of the target air-conditioning temperature input unit 31 and the target ventilation amount input unit 32 is configured using a film-like capacitive touch sensor (not shown).

  The target air conditioning temperature input unit 31 is provided in the upper region of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 in this example. The target air-conditioning temperature input unit 31 can be adjusted in the horizontal direction with a finger or the like along the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 to adjust the target air-conditioning temperature (in this example, the left side is a low temperature and the right side is a high temperature). . In this example, the target ventilation amount input unit 32 is provided in the right region of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10. The target air flow rate input unit 32 can be adjusted with the finger or the like along the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 to adjust the target air flow rate (in this example, the upper side is strong and the lower side is weak). .

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the illuminator 40 includes an LED light source 41, a light incident part 42, and a light guide 43. One LED light source 41 is provided on each of the left and right sides in the vicinity of the back side end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10. Each LED light source 41 includes a plurality of LEDs having different colors (in this example, a blue LED and a red LED). Prism-like transparent (or translucent) light incident portions 42 are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10 in the vicinity of each LED light source 41 so that light from a plurality of LEDs is incident thereon.

  The light guide 43 is a translucent thin film provided along the outer peripheral surface on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 protruding from the front side surface of the instrument panel 3. The light guide 43 is connected to each light incident portion 42 at the back side end of the housing 10 (see FIG. 2B). For this reason, when the light of the LED of the LED light source 41 is introduced into the light guide 43 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10 via the light incident portion 42, the housing 10 itself and the housing 10 The surrounding instrument panel 3 can be illuminated. Note that only one of the casing 10 itself and the instrument panel 3 around the casing 10 may be illuminable.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a resin-made housing-side connector housing 13 is integrally formed with the housing 10 at a position different from the pair of LED light sources 41 in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10. ing. The housing connector housing 13 is electrically connected to the display wiring 14, the input wiring 15, and the illuminator wiring 16.

  The display unit wiring 14 is connected to the display unit 20. A part of the display portion wiring 14 extends along a part of the end face on the back side of the connecting member 11. The input unit wiring 15 is connected to the input unit 30 (more specifically, the target air-conditioning temperature input unit 31 and the target ventilation amount input unit 32). The input portion wiring 15 extends in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10. The illuminator wiring 16 is connected to each illuminator 40 (more specifically, each LED light source 41) (see FIG. 2B). The illuminator wiring 16 also extends in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10.

  The input unit wiring 15 and the illuminator wiring 16 may be configured by being directly printed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10, and a film provided with these wirings is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10. You may be comprised by attaching.

  The housing side connector housing 13 is detachably fitted with a wire side connector housing 4 electrically connected to ends of the plurality of wires 2. The plurality of electric wires 2 includes an external air blower (not shown) that adjusts the air blown from the air outlet 10a based on the air flow parameters (target air conditioning temperature and target air flow rate) input from the input unit 30, and a display The unit 20 and the illuminator 40 are connected to an external power source (not shown) that supplies power. As described above, the display unit 20, the input unit 30, and the illuminator 40 are connected to the external blower device and the external power source via the electric wire 2.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a phosphorus hose 50 is provided on the back side of the instrument panel 3 (the back side as viewed from the passenger). The phosphorus hose 50 is a metal tubular member and extends in the width direction of the vehicle. Fixing portions 51 are provided at both ends of the phosphorus hose 50, and the fixing portions 51 are fixed to a frame (not shown) of the vehicle body. An electric wire bundle 52 including the electric wires 2 described above is routed in the phosphorus hose 50. In other words, the electric wire 2 extends from the electric wire bundle 52 so as to branch, and the electric wire side connector housing 4 attached to the end of the electric wire 2 is connected to the housing side connector housing 13 of the air conditioner 1. In this example, the structure including the air conditioner 1 and the electric wire 2 is referred to as a wire harness 100.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, it extends so that many wires other than the wire 2 may branch from the wire bundle 52, and the connector 53 is provided in each terminal of these wires. The connector 53 is connected to devices (for example, an airbag, an audio, a drive unit for power steering, and an operation portion of the airbag) fixed to the vehicle body.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 configured as described above will be described. When the target air conditioning temperature input unit 31 of the input unit 30 is operated by a vehicle occupant, the target air conditioning temperature displayed on the target air conditioning temperature display unit 22 of the display unit 20 changes according to the operation. Similarly, when the target ventilation amount input unit 32 of the input unit 30 is operated by a vehicle occupant, the target ventilation amount displayed on the target ventilation amount display unit 23 of the display unit 20 changes according to the operation.

  The blower is configured so that the actual air volume of the air-conditioning air blown from the air outlet 10a is such that the actual temperature in the passenger compartment approaches the target air-conditioning temperature displayed on the target air-conditioning temperature display unit 22. Air blowing control of air conditioning air is performed so as to approach the target ventilation amount displayed on the display unit 23.

  The blower device changes the aspect of the ambient illumination performed by the illuminator 40 according to the state of the blower control. Specifically, for example, when the temperature in the passenger compartment is lowered (when cold air is blown out), the blue LED emits light and the casing 10 itself and the instrument panel 3 around the casing 10 When illuminated in blue and raising the temperature in the passenger compartment (when hot air is blown out), the red LED emits light and the casing 10 itself and the instrument panel 3 around the casing 10 are red. Illuminated. Moreover, the larger the air volume, the larger the light emission amount of the LED light source 41 and the wider the illumination range.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the blower changes the illumination range according to the wind direction adjusted by the louver 12. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the wind direction is rightward, only the right LED light source 41 of the pair of left and right LED light sources 41 is caused to emit light, thereby the housing 10 itself and the housing. The instrument panel 3 around the right side of 10 is illuminated. At this time, as the air volume increases, the light emission amount of the right LED light source 41 is increased and the illumination width W1 is increased.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the wind direction is leftward, only the left LED light source 41 of the pair of left and right LED light sources 41 emits light, thereby causing the housing 10 itself and the left side of the housing 10 to emit light. The surrounding instrument panel 3 is illuminated. At this time, as the air volume increases, the light emission amount of the left LED light source 41 is increased and the illumination width W2 is increased. Thus, by performing ambient illumination, the state of air-conditioning air blowing control (temperature change direction, air volume, and wind direction) can be visualized.

  As described above, according to the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, the input unit 30 for inputting the ventilation parameter is provided in the casing 10 that defines the air outlet 10a of the air conditioner 1. . Therefore, the air outlet 10 a and the input unit 30 are integrated with the air conditioner 1. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 can be operated more intuitively than the conventional air conditioner described above.

  Furthermore, according to the air conditioner 1, since the amount of line-of-sight movement at the time of operation of the air conditioner 1 is small as compared with the case where the input unit of the air conditioner is arranged in the center cluster, the driving safety of the automobile is improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide an input unit for the air conditioner in the center cluster, the degree of freedom in designing the center cluster and the surroundings is increased.

  Further, according to the air conditioner 1, the input unit 30 includes a capacitive sensor provided in the housing 10. Therefore, compared with the case where a mechanical input part is provided, the input part 30 can be reduced in size and the influence which it has on the design property of the air conditioner 1 is also small.

  Further, according to the air conditioner 1, a location where the target ventilation rate is input (target ventilation rate input unit 32) and a location where the target air conditioning temperature is input (target air conditioning temperature input unit 31) are in the circumferential direction of the housing 10. Are arranged at different positions. Therefore, it is difficult for erroneous operations to occur, and the accuracy of operations can be improved.

<Other aspects>
In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, A various modification is employable within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like can be made as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

  For example, the air conditioner 1 described above blows air from the opening 10a. However, you may use the air conditioner of this invention in the aspect which suck | inhales air from an opening part. Furthermore, the air conditioner of the present invention may be applied to objects other than automobiles.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the target air conditioning temperature display unit 22 and the target ventilation amount display unit 23 are always arranged on the image display surface 21 of the display unit 20. On the other hand, for example, every time a predetermined switch operation is performed, only the target air-conditioning temperature display unit 22 is arranged on the image display surface 21, and only the target ventilation amount display unit 23 is arranged on the image display surface 21. The aspect in which both the target air-conditioning temperature display unit 22 and the target ventilation amount display unit 23 are arranged on the image display surface 21 may be sequentially switched. In this case, for example, a switch element is provided on the back surface of the display unit 20 (that is, a substantially columnar image display), and each time the front side surface (that is, the image display surface 21) of the display unit 20 is pressed. The display mode of the image display surface 21 may be switched.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the truncated cone-shaped housing | casing 10 is arrange | positioned so that it may protrude from the front side surface of the instrument panel 3. FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the rectangular casing 10 does not protrude from the front side surface of the instrument panel 3 (the front end face of the casing 10 and the instrument panel 3). It may be arranged so that the front side is flush with the front. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the image display surface 21 of the display unit 20 and the input unit 30 (specifically, the target air-conditioning temperature input unit 31 and the target airflow input unit 32) are It may be provided on the front end surface of the body 10. Moreover, as shown in FIG.5 (b), the hexagonal housing | casing 10 may be employ | adopted.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a truncated cone-shaped casing 10 that gradually increases in diameter from the back side toward the front side is disposed so as to be recessed from the front side of the instrument panel 3 to the back side. Also good. In the form shown in FIG. 6, the entire back side end of the housing 10 is closed by the display unit 20, while a large number of slits (through holes) provided on the side surface of the housing 10 are formed at the air outlet 10 a. Is functioning as There is no louver. In the mode shown in FIG. 6, although not shown, an input unit 30 (specifically, a target air-conditioning temperature input unit 31 and a target airflow input unit 32 are provided on the front end surface of the housing 10. ) Is provided.

Here, the characteristics of the embodiments of the air conditioner 1 and the wire harness 100 according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed in the following (1) to (5), respectively.
(1)
An air conditioner (1) capable of performing ventilation through an opening (10a),
A housing (10) defining the opening;
An input unit (30) provided in the housing and capable of electrically inputting a ventilation parameter related to the ventilation;
Air conditioner.
(2)
The air conditioner according to (1) above,
An external connection unit (13) for outputting the ventilation parameter input from the input unit (30) toward an external device that adjusts the state of ventilation;
Air conditioner.
(3)
In the air conditioner according to (1) or (2) above,
The input unit (30)
Having a capacitive sensor provided along the surface shape of the housing (10);
Air conditioner.
(4)
In the air conditioner according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The housing (10)
Having a cylindrical shape surrounding the opening (10a);
The input unit (30)
A location where the air flow parameter includes a target air flow that is a target value of the air flow through the opening and a target air conditioning temperature that is a target value of the temperature of the air-conditioning target space, and the target air flow is input. (31) and a location (32) for inputting the target air conditioning temperature at different positions in the circumferential direction of the housing,
Air conditioner.
(5)
The air conditioner (1) according to any one of (1) to (4) above,
An external device that adjusts the state of ventilation based on the ventilation parameter input from the input unit (30) of the air conditioner, and an electric wire (2) for electrically connecting the air conditioner. With
Wire harness (100).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Electric wire 10 Case 10a Air outlet (opening part)
13 Housing side connector housing (external connection)
20 Display part 30 Input part 31 Target air-conditioning temperature input part (location where target air-conditioning temperature is input)
32 Target ventilation rate input section (location for entering target ventilation rate)
40 Illuminator (a kind of display unit)
100 wire harness

Claims (5)

An air conditioner capable of performing ventilation through an opening,
A housing that defines the opening;
An input unit provided in the housing and capable of electrically inputting a ventilation parameter related to the ventilation;
Air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 1,
An external connection unit that outputs the ventilation parameter input from the input unit to an external device that adjusts the state of ventilation;
Air conditioner. In the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
The input unit is
Having a capacitive sensor provided along the surface shape of the housing;
Air conditioner. In the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The housing is
Having a cylindrical shape surrounding the opening,
The input unit is
A location where the air flow parameter includes a target air flow that is a target value of the air flow through the opening and a target air conditioning temperature that is a target value of the temperature of the air-conditioning target space, and the target air flow is input. And a location where the target air conditioning temperature is input, at different positions in the circumferential direction of the housing,
Air conditioner. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An external device that adjusts the state of the ventilation based on the ventilation parameter input from the input unit of the air conditioner, and an electric wire for electrically connecting the air conditioner,
Wire harness.

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