Patent Description:
An automobile is equipped with an air conditioner for controlling interior air temperature and ventilation. The air conditioner generates warm air in the winter season to keep the interior of the automobile warm, and generates cold air in the summer season to keep the interior of the automobile cool.

The air conditioner may include an air conditioning unit configured to control the temperature of air through heat exchange between the air and a heat exchange medium, and a blower unit configured to supply the air to the air conditioning unit. The automobile may provide the conditioned air to the interior of the automobile through an air vent connected to the air conditioning unit.

A conventional air vent may include a front wing configured to control a leftward and rightward wind direction and a rear wing configured to control an upward and downward wind direction.

However, in the conventional air vent, the rear wing may be disposed at a position close to an outlet through which air is discharged. Accordingly, since an operating radius of the rear wing according to upward and downward rotation of the rear wing and an operating radius of a structure configured to control the rotation of the rear wing should be secured, slimness of the outlet may not be achieved.

Further, ease of operation of a knob is reduced due to a complicated structure for operating the structure.

<CIT> discloses an air vent for an automobile with the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose further air vents for automobiles.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air vent for an automobile that is structurally improved so that an outlet is slimed down.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an air vent for an automobile that is structurally improved so that ease of operation of a knob is improved.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an air vent for an automobile that is structurally improved so that an operational structure thereof is simplified.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an air vent for an automobile, as set out in independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are laid down in the appended dependent claims. According to the present invention an air vent for an automobile includes a duct housing configured to guide a flow of air and having an outlet formed therein, a first wing and a second wing disposed to be spaced apart from each other inside the duct housing, a link configured to control a rotation of each of the first wing and the second wing, and a handle unit coupled to the link and configured to control a movement of the link, in which the link is disposed to be movable and rotatable, inside the first wing.

When viewed from the outlet, the first wing and the second wing may be disposed to cross each other.

The link includes a first link body disposed inside the first wing to be movable in a first direction that is a left-right direction, and a second link body extending toward the second wing from the first link body.

The link further includes a first rotating shaft formed to protrude from an end portion of the first direction side of the first link body, and the first link body rotates about the first rotating shaft in conjunction with a rotation of the handle unit about the first direction.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the second wing may include a second wing body and a guide member to which a one-side end portion of the second link body is coupled, and the one-side end portion of the second link body may be coupled to the guide member such that the second link body is slidably movable.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the second wing may include a hole formed in the second wing body.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the second wing may rotate in conjunction with a movement of the second link body in the first direction.

The link may further include a coupling block integrally formed with the first link body, and a one-side end portion of the handle unit may be rotatably disposed in the coupling block.

The first wing may rotate about the first rotating shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the first link body.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the first wing may include a first wing body, a groove formed on one side of the first wing body, and a link hole formed to pass through the first wing body in a second direction that is a flow direction of the air, in which the first link body may be disposed in the groove, the second link body may be disposed in the link hole, and the link hole may be formed to have a predetermined width (W) in the first direction.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the second link body may move in conjunction with a movement of the first link body in the first direction within a range of the width (W).

The handle unit may include a fixed block coupled to the outlet of the duct housing, a rotating block rotatably coupled to the fixed block, and a knob coupled to the rotating block to be slidably movable in the first direction with respect to the rotating block, in which an end portion of the knob may be rotatably coupled to the coupling block.

The knob may include a block receiving groove formed to receive the rotating block therein, and a width of the block receiving groove in the first direction may be greater than a width of the rotating block in the first direction.

The duct housing may further include a fixing groove disposed on an inner surface thereof and formed on a side of the outlet, and the fixing groove may be coupled to the fixed block and support the fixed block.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the link may further include a locking protrusion formed to protrude from the first link body, the first wing may further include a locking groove formed to correspond to the locking protrusion, and the locking protrusion may be coupled to the locking groove.

When the knob is slidably movable, a left inner surface or a right inner surface of the block receiving groove of the knob may be in contact with or released from the rotating block.

The first link body may be moved by a pressure applied in the first direction in a state in which the knob is in contact with the rotating block.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, the duct housing may include a Coanda surface disposed on an upper side and a lower side of the first wing.

According to one embodiment, which is not part of the claims, a rotation direction of the first wing and a rotation direction of the handle unit may be opposite to each other.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The present invention may be modified in various forms and have various embodiments, and thus particular embodiments thereof will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the detailed description. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments disclosed.

It should be understood that, although the terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, a first component may also be referred to as a second component. The term "and/or" includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any one item of the plurality of related listed items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it may be directly connected or coupled to another component, but it should be understood that still another component may be present between the component and another component. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected," or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that still another component may not be present between the component and another component.

In descriptions of the embodiment, when one component is referred to as being formed "on or under" another component, two components may be in direct contact with each other or at least one still another component may be indirectly formed between the two components. Further, the term "on or under" may refer to not only an upward direction but also a downward direction based on one component.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting to the present invention. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise," "comprising," "include," and/or "including", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in the present invention.

It should be understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Regardless of reference numerals, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures, and the description of the same elements will be not reiterated.

An air vent for an automobile according to an embodiment is connected to an air conditioner (not shown) of an automobile and may control an air direction of conditioned air to supply the conditioned air to an interior of the automobile.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an air vent for an automobile according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the remaining components except for a duct housing from the air vent for an automobile.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, an X direction may refer to a first direction, a vehicle width direction, or a left-right direction, a Y direction may refer to a second direction, a forward-backward direction, or an air flow direction, and a Z direction may refer to a third direction or an up-down direction. In addition, the up-down direction may include an upward direction toward a ceiling of the automobile and a downward direction opposite to the upward direction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an air vent <NUM> for an automobile includes a duct housing <NUM>, a first wing <NUM>, a second wing <NUM>, a link <NUM>, and a handle unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the air vent for an automobile according to an embodiment, <FIG> is a rear-side exploded perspective view of the air vent for an automobile according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the duct housing <NUM> may be connected to an air conditioner (not shown) and may guide air that is conditioned through the air conditioner (not shown) to the interior of the automobile.

The duct housing <NUM> may include a first housing plate <NUM> and a second housing plate <NUM>.

The first housing plate <NUM> and the second housing plate <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

The first housing plate <NUM> may guide air that is supplied from the air conditioner (not shown).

The first housing plate <NUM> may include a first flow path <NUM> and a second flow path <NUM>.

The first flow path <NUM> includes a Coanda surface that forms a Coanda effect, and the Coanda surface may guide the air to the interior of the automobile. Here, the Coanda surface formed in the first flow path <NUM> may be a curved surface that is formed to be concave upward.

The first flow path <NUM> may include a first fixing groove 111a formed on a side of an outlet 100a. The first fixing groove 111a may be disposed on an inner surface of the first flow path <NUM>. The first fixing groove 111a may be formed to be concave upward. In addition, some components of the handle unit <NUM> may be coupled to the first fixing groove 111a. Accordingly, the first fixing groove 111a may support the handle unit <NUM>.

The second flow path <NUM> may be connected to the air conditioner (not shown). The second flow path <NUM> extends from an end portion of the first flow path <NUM> in the Y direction. The second flow path <NUM> may extend in a rectangular shape toward the air conditioner (not shown) from the end portion of the first flow path <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The second housing plate <NUM> may guide the air together with the first housing plate <NUM>.

The second housing plate <NUM> may include a third flow path <NUM> and a fourth flow path <NUM>.

The third flow path <NUM> may be formed in a shape symmetrical to the first flow path <NUM>. The third flow path <NUM> includes a Coanda surface that forms a Coanda effect, and the Coanda surface may guide the air to the interior of the automobile. Here, the Coanda surface formed in the third flow path <NUM> may be a curved surface that is formed to be concave downward.

The third flow path <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first flow path <NUM> in the Z direction. Accordingly, the outlet 100a may be formed between an end portion of the third flow path <NUM> and an end portion of the first flow path <NUM>. In addition, the air may be discharged to the interior of the automobile through the outlet 100a. Here, a width of the outlet 100a in the Z direction may be <NUM> or less.

Further, the handle unit <NUM> may be disposed in the outlet 100a.

The third flow path <NUM> may include a second fixing groove 121a formed on a side of the outlet 100a. The second fixing groove 121a may be disposed on an inner surface of the third flow path <NUM>. The second fixing groove 121a may be formed to be concave downward. In addition, some components of the handle unit <NUM> may be coupled to the second fixing groove 121a. Accordingly, the first fixing groove 111a and the second fixing groove 121a may support the handle unit <NUM>.

The fourth flow path <NUM> may be connected to the air conditioner (not shown). The fourth flow path <NUM> extends from an end portion of the third flow path <NUM> in the Y direction. The fourth flow path <NUM> may extend in a rectangular shape toward the air conditioner (not shown) from the end portion of the third flow path <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The fourth flow path <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second flow path <NUM> in the Z direction. Accordingly, an inlet 100b through which the air supplied from the air conditioner (not shown) may be introduced may be formed at one side of the duct housing <NUM>.

The duct housing <NUM> may further include a third housing plate (not shown). The third housing plate (not shown) may cover a gap between an end portion of the first housing plate <NUM> in the X direction and an end portion of the second housing plate <NUM> in the X direction.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the first wing, <FIG> is a view illustrating the first wing viewed from a rear side, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the link, <FIG> is a plan view illustrating a state in which the link is coupled to the first wing and the second wing, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the link is coupled to the first wing and the second wing.

Referring to <FIG>, the first wing <NUM> is disposed inside the duct housing <NUM>.

The first wing <NUM> may rotate in conjunction with the movement of the link <NUM> and the handle unit <NUM>. Accordingly, a direction of air guided by the duct housing <NUM> may be controlled by the first wing <NUM> so that the air is discharged through the outlet 100a. For example, an upward or downward flow of air may be controlled by the first wing <NUM>.

The first wing <NUM> may include a first wing body <NUM>, a link groove <NUM>, and a link hole <NUM>.

The first wing body <NUM> is disposed between the first flow path <NUM> and the third flow path <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be coupled to the first wing body <NUM>. The first wing body <NUM> may control a flow direction of air moving along an inside of the duct housing <NUM> while rotating in conjunction with the movement of the link <NUM>.

The link groove <NUM> is formed on one side of the first wing body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the link groove <NUM> may be formed on a downstream side of the first wing body <NUM>. At this point, the link groove <NUM> may be formed along the X direction. Accordingly, the link groove <NUM> may guide a left-right movement of the link <NUM>. Here, the downstream may be distinguished from upstream on the basis of the flow of air, and may mean the outlet 100a side. Some components of the link <NUM> may be coupled to the link groove <NUM>.

The link hole <NUM> may be formed to pass through the first wing body <NUM>.

The link hole <NUM> may be disposed from a portion of the link groove <NUM> in a direction from the first flow path <NUM> toward the second flow path <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the link hole <NUM> is formed to have a predetermined width to enable a left-right movement of a second link body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the link hole <NUM> may be formed to communicate with one side of the link groove <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first wing <NUM> may further include a protruding rib <NUM>.

The protruding rib <NUM> may be formed to protrude from an end portion of the first wing <NUM> in the X direction. The protruding rib <NUM> may be in contact with the third housing plate (not shown) of the duct housing <NUM>. Since the protruding rib <NUM> is disposed to be in contact with the third housing plate (not shown), the movement of the first wing <NUM> in the leftward or rightward direction may be prevented in advance even when the link <NUM> moves left and right. Accordingly, damage caused by direct contact of the first wing body <NUM> with the third housing plate (not shown) may be prevented.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second wing <NUM> is disposed inside the duct housing <NUM>. The second wing <NUM> is disposed to be spaced apart from the first wing <NUM>. Specifically, the second wing <NUM> may be disposed upstream (a front side) than the first wing <NUM> on the basis of the flow direction of air. The second wing <NUM> may be disposed to intersect with the first wing <NUM> when viewed from the outlet 100a.

The second wing <NUM> may include a second wing body <NUM> and a guide member <NUM>.

The second wing body <NUM> may be disposed between the second flow path <NUM> and the fourth flow path <NUM>. The second wing body <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape.

The guide member <NUM> may be disposed at an end portion of the second wing body <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> is disposed in the Z direction and may be formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in <FIG>, an end portion of the second link body <NUM> may be coupled to the guide member <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide member <NUM> may guide an up-down movement of the second link body <NUM>.

The second wing <NUM> may be linked to the movement of the link <NUM> in the X direction, i.e., in the left-right direction. As shown in <FIG>, a rotation center C of the second wing <NUM> may be disposed in the front of the guide member <NUM>. Accordingly, the second wing <NUM> may rotate about the rotation center C along a moving direction of the guide member <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the second wing <NUM> may further include a hole <NUM> formed in the second wing body <NUM>.

When the second wing <NUM> rotates according to the left-right movement of the second link body <NUM>, the hole <NUM> may prevent rotational interference of the second link body <NUM> caused by the second wing body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the link <NUM> may transmit the movement of the handle unit <NUM> to at least one of the first wing <NUM> and the second wing <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be coupled to the first wing <NUM> and the second wing <NUM>. In addition, one side of the link <NUM> is coupled to the handle unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the movement of the link <NUM> is controlled by the handle unit <NUM>.

The link <NUM> includes a first link body <NUM>, the second link body <NUM>, and a first rotating shaft <NUM>. In addition, the link <NUM> may further include a coupling block <NUM> formed for coupling of the link <NUM> and the handle unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first link body <NUM> may be coupled to the link groove <NUM>. Here, the first link body <NUM> may be disposed in the link groove <NUM> to be movable in the X direction, which is the left-right direction.

The second link body <NUM> extends toward the second wing <NUM> from one side of the first link body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the second link body <NUM> may be disposed inside the link hole <NUM>. The second link body <NUM> may be provided as two second link body members that are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the X direction. Here, the second link body member may be formed in a bar shape. The end portion of the second link body <NUM> may be coupled to the guide member <NUM> to be slidably movable in the Z direction. For example, since the guide member <NUM> may be disposed between the second link body members, the second link body <NUM> may move in the Z direction.

The first rotating shaft <NUM> protrudes from an end portion of the first link body <NUM> in the X direction. The first rotating shaft <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the third housing plate (not shown).

A rotation center of the first rotating shaft <NUM> and a rotation center of the first wing body <NUM> may be equal to each other. Accordingly, the first wing <NUM> may rotate about the first rotating shaft <NUM> together with the first link body <NUM> in conjunction with the movement of the handle unit <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The coupling block <NUM> may be integrally formed with the first link body <NUM>. The coupling block <NUM> may be disposed in the rear of the first link body <NUM>. The coupling block <NUM> may be disposed to be exposed to the outside of the first wing <NUM>. The coupling block <NUM> may be coupled to the handle unit <NUM>.

The coupling block <NUM> may include coupling members <NUM> disposed in the X direction. The coupling members <NUM> may be coupled to some components of the handle unit <NUM>. The coupling members <NUM> may be rotatably supported by some components of the handle unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which a knob is coupled to a rotating block in a plan view, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of portion B of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the handle unit <NUM> may be coupled to the link <NUM> to control the movement of the link <NUM>.

The handle unit <NUM> may include a fixed block <NUM>, a rotating block <NUM>, and a knob <NUM>.

The fixed block <NUM> may be disposed on the outlet 100a of the duct housing <NUM>. Specifically, the fixed block <NUM> may be coupled and fixed to the first fixing groove 111a of the first housing plate <NUM> and the second fixing groove 121a of the second housing plate <NUM>. The fixed block <NUM> may include a hole formed such that the rotating block <NUM> may be disposed therein. Since the fixed block <NUM> supports the first housing plate <NUM> and the second housing plate <NUM>, the first housing plate <NUM> and the second housing plate <NUM> may be maintained in a state of being spaced apart from each other.

The rotating block <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the fixed block <NUM>.

The rotating block <NUM> may include a second rotating shaft <NUM> and a rotating body <NUM> integrally formed to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the second rotating shaft <NUM>.

The second rotating shaft <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the fixed block <NUM>. The second rotating shaft <NUM> may rotatably support the rotating body <NUM> that is linked to the movement of the knob <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The rotating body <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape. The rotating body <NUM> may rotate in conjunction with the movement of the knob <NUM> in the up-down direction. For example, since a portion of the rotating body <NUM> is disposed inside the knob <NUM>, the rotating body <NUM> may rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the knob <NUM>.

Further, the rotating body <NUM> may guide the knob <NUM> to be slidably movable in the left-right direction.

The knob <NUM> may be coupled to the rotating body <NUM>. The knob <NUM> may include a first knob body <NUM> and a second knob body <NUM>.

The first knob body <NUM> may be coupled to the rotating body <NUM> to be slidably movable in the X direction.

The first knob body <NUM> may include a block receiving groove 531a formed to receive the rotating block <NUM> therein. The block receiving groove 531a may receive a portion of the rotating body <NUM>.

The second knob body <NUM> may protrude from an end portion of the first knob body <NUM> toward the coupling member <NUM>. The second knob body <NUM> may be disposed to be inclined toward the coupling member <NUM> from the end portion of the first knob body <NUM>. An end portion of the second knob body <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the coupling member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a first width W1 (in the X direction) of the block receiving groove 531a may be formed to be greater than a second width W2 (in the X direction) of the rotating body <NUM>.

In addition, the movement of the knob <NUM> may be guided by the rotating body <NUM> that is received in the block receiving groove 531a. That is, the knob <NUM> may move in the left-right direction by being guided by the rotating body <NUM>. In addition, when the first knob body <NUM> slidably moves in the left-right direction, the first knob body <NUM> may be in contact with or released from the rotating body <NUM>.

For example, when the first knob body <NUM> is slidably movable in one of the leftward or rightward direction by an operation of a user, a left inner surface or a right inner surface of the first knob body <NUM> comes into contact with one of a left side surface and a right side surface of the rotating body <NUM>. In this state, when a pressing force is further transmitted to the first knob body <NUM>, the first knob body <NUM> pushes the rotating body <NUM> in a sliding direction. Accordingly, the rotating body <NUM> may transmit the pressing force to the second knob body <NUM> and the link <NUM>.

Further, the first knob body <NUM> may be slidably movable in a direction opposite to the direction, in which the first knob body <NUM> is slid, by an operation of the user in a state in which the first knob body <NUM> is in contact with the rotating body <NUM>. Accordingly, the state in which the first knob body <NUM> is in contact with the rotating body <NUM> may be released.

A rotation direction of the handle unit <NUM> may be opposite to a rotation direction of the link <NUM>.

For example, the link <NUM> rotates about the first rotating shaft <NUM>, and the knob <NUM> rotates about the second rotating shaft <NUM>. Here, the coupling member <NUM> is in a state of being supported by the second knob body <NUM>. In addition, the coupling member <NUM> rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the second knob body <NUM> in conjunction with the rotation of the second knob body <NUM>. In addition, the link <NUM> rotates in a direction different from the rotation direction of the second knob body <NUM> in conjunction with the rotation of the coupling member <NUM>. Accordingly, the link <NUM> and the knob <NUM> rotate respectively about the first rotating shaft <NUM> and the second rotating shaft <NUM> in directions opposite to each other.

Accordingly, when the first wing <NUM> is rotated by an operation of the handle unit <NUM>, the air may be discharged upward or downward in the interior of the automobile.

In the air vent <NUM> for an automobile according to an embodiment, the first wing <NUM> may be disposed between the first flow path <NUM> and the third flow path <NUM>. Accordingly, a restriction in a rotation radius of the first wing <NUM> may be eliminated.

In addition, since the air vent <NUM> for an automobile uses the link <NUM>, the necessity of disposing the first wing <NUM> close to the outlet 100a may be reduced.

Furthermore, a position at which the Coanda surface is formed may be controlled through the link <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the air vent <NUM> for an automobile, the width of the outlet 100a may be reduced and a degree of design freedom of a dashboard of the automobile may be improved.

Further, the air vent <NUM> for an automobile according to an embodiment may have a structure in which the movement of each of the first wing <NUM> and the second wing <NUM> is controlled by one link <NUM>. Accordingly, in the air vent <NUM>, through one link <NUM> disposed inside the first wing <NUM>, the number of parts may be reduced and an internal structure of the air vent <NUM> may be simplified. Accordingly, through the above structure, manufacturing costs or assembly costs of the air vent <NUM> may be reduced.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying the air transmitted from the air conditioner (not shown) to a lower side of the interior of the automobile through the air vent for an automobile will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a default state of the air vent for an automobile, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first wing, the link, and the handle unit are rotated.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the air vent <NUM> for an automobile may discharge air to the lower side of the interior of the automobile through the movement of the knob <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first wing <NUM> and the link <NUM> are not rotated about the first rotating shaft <NUM> in a default state in which each of the components of the air vent <NUM> for an automobile is not moved upward or downward. In addition, in the default state, the rotating block <NUM> and the knob <NUM> are disposed in a state of not being rotated about the second rotating shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the first knob body <NUM> is rotated downward by an operation of the user, the second knob body <NUM> rotates upward about the second rotating shaft <NUM>. At the same time, the coupling member <NUM> coupled to the second knob body <NUM> is linked to the movement of the second knob body <NUM> and rotated upward about the first rotating shaft <NUM>.

In this process, the first wing <NUM> and the first link body <NUM> rotate about the first rotating shaft <NUM>, and the end portion of the second link body <NUM> is disposed moved by sliding below the guide member <NUM>.

Accordingly, the first wing <NUM> is disposed to be inclined downward with respect to a direction toward the inlet 100b from the outlet 100a.

Air passing through the inlet 100b is guided by the first wing <NUM> and moved upward toward the first flow path <NUM> by a Coanda effect. The air flows in a state of being in contact with the first flow path <NUM>.

The air guided by the first wing <NUM> and the first flow path <NUM> may be discharged toward the lower side of the interior of the automobile by passing through the outlet 100a.

Although the air is illustrated in <FIG> as being supplied to the lower side of the interior of the automobile through the air vent <NUM> for an automobile, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the knob <NUM> may be rotated upward to discharge the air toward an upper side of the interior of the automobile.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying the air transmitted from the air conditioner (not shown) to a right side of the interior of the automobile will be described.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating the default state of the air vent for an automobile, <FIG> is a plan view illustrating a state in which the first knob body is in contact with the rotating body, and <FIG> is a plan view illustrating a state in which the second wing is rotated.

Referring to <FIG>, the air vent <NUM> for an automobile may supply conditioned air to the right side of the interior of the automobile through the movement of the knob <NUM> in the left-right direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the air vent <NUM> for an automobile is maintained in the default state when there is no operation by the user. In the default state, all of the second wing <NUM>, the second link body <NUM>, and the knob <NUM> are disposed in a straight line.

As shown in <FIG>, when the first knob body <NUM> is moved to the right side by an operation of the user from the default state, the first knob body <NUM> may be in contact with the rotating body <NUM> that is received in the block receiving groove 531a.

As shown in <FIG>, when the user applies more pressure to the first knob body <NUM> while the first knob body <NUM> is in contact with the rotating body <NUM>, the first knob body <NUM> further moves the rotating body <NUM> to the right side.

The second knob body <NUM> transmits the pressing force to the coupling block <NUM> in conjunction with the movement of the first knob body <NUM>.

When the pressing force is transmitted to the coupling block <NUM>, the first link body <NUM> moves inside the link groove <NUM> in the rightward direction. In addition, the second link body <NUM> protruding from the first link body <NUM> moves inside the link hole <NUM> in the rightward direction.

Since the end portion of the second link body <NUM> is in a state of being coupled to the guide member <NUM>, the second wing <NUM> may be linked to the movement of the second link body <NUM>. Accordingly, the second wing <NUM> rotates in the rightward direction (counterclockwise) using the rotation center C as a central axis.

Referring to <FIG>, air flowing into the inlet 100b is guided in the rightward direction by the second wing <NUM>. Accordingly, the air may be supplied in the rightward direction of the interior of the automobile through the outlet 100a.

Although the air is illustrated in <FIG> as being supplied to the right side of the interior of the automobile through the air vent <NUM> for an automobile, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the knob <NUM> may be moved in the leftward direction to discharge the air toward a left side of the interior of the automobile.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a locking groove, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a locking protrusion.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the air vent <NUM> for an automobile may further include a locking protrusion 410a formed on the first link body <NUM> and a locking groove <NUM> formed on the first wing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the locking groove <NUM> is concavely formed on a portion of the first wing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the locking protrusion 410a may protrude from an outer surface of the first link body <NUM> to correspond to the locking groove <NUM>. The locking protrusion 410a may be coupled to the locking groove <NUM>. The coupling of the locking protrusion 410a and the locking groove <NUM> may prevent the first link body <NUM> from being separated. The first link body <NUM> may be stably maintained in a state in which the first link body <NUM> is disposed inside the first wing <NUM> by the coupling of the locking groove <NUM> and the locking protrusion 410a.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to achieve slimness of an outlet through a link disposed inside a first wing. Accordingly, according to the embodiment, it is possible to improve a degree of design freedom of an automobile dashboard disposed in an interior of an automobile.

Further, according to the embodiment, a user can easily control a wind direction by implementing a coupling structure of a knob and a link that allows an operation of the knob to be simplified.

Further, according to the embodiment, it is possible to simplify an operation structure through the coupling structure, so that manufacturing costs or assembly costs of the product can be reduced.

Various and advantageous advantages and effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above descriptions and will be more easily understood in a process of describing specific embodiments of the present invention.

Claim 1:
An air vent (<NUM>) for an automobile, the air vent (<NUM>) comprising:
a duct housing (<NUM>) configured to guide a flow of air and having an outlet (100a) formed therein;
a first wing (<NUM>) and a second wing (<NUM>) disposed to be spaced apart from each other inside the duct housing (<NUM>);
a link (<NUM>) configured to control a rotation of each of the first wing (<NUM>) and the second wing (<NUM>); and
a handle unit (<NUM>) coupled to the link (<NUM>) and configured to control a movement of the link (<NUM>),
wherein the link (<NUM>) is disposed to be movable and rotatable, inside the first wing (<NUM>), wherein
the link (<NUM>) includes:
a first link body (<NUM>) disposed inside the first wing (<NUM>) and disposed to be movable in a first direction that is a left-right direction; and
a second link body (<NUM>) extending toward the second wing (<NUM>) from the first link body (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the link (<NUM>) further includes a first rotating shaft (<NUM>) protruding from an end portion of the first link body (<NUM>) in the first direction, and
the first link body (<NUM>) rotates about the first rotating shaft (<NUM>) in conjunction with a rotation of the handle unit (<NUM>) about the first direction.