Device for adjusting a headlight

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for adjusting a headlight (1) for a vehicle, comprising a headlight housing (2), a light source, a reflector (7) and a support frame (3) for the reflector (7), wherein at least two actuators (4) are arranged on the headlight housing (2) for pivoting the support frame (3) movably attached to the headlight housing (2) about a horizontal axis (x) extending in the longitudinal direction of the headlight housing (2) and about a vertical axis (y), wherein an electrically actuated actuator (4) is arranged on the rear side of the support frame (3) for each axis (x, y).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for adjusting a headlight according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Lighting units, especially headlights, of motor vehicles are predominantly adjusted manually via linkages. Access to the adjustment screws is often difficult, requiring the removal of lens components or the opening of the hood. Actuators are needed for adjustment, which operate the adjustment screws to align the beam pattern, usually camera-based, according to legal requirements. This makes the adjustment process time-consuming, complicated, and requires high investment costs in production.

[0003] DE 10 2015 103 628 A1 describes a headlight for vehicles, in particular for trucks, with a lighting unit that is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis, with a linear drive unit comprising a linearly displaceable actuator, with a pivot lever that is coupled to the actuator in a first end region and that engages the lighting unit in a second end region, so that the lighting unit can be moved into a predetermined pivot position by pivoting the pivot lever about the pivot axis, wherein in the second end region of the pivot lever the same is pivotably mounted about an actuating pivot axis, that the pivot lever has an engagement plunger at a first lever arm distance to the actuating pivot axis with which the lighting unit is coupled, that the actuator is coupled to the pivot lever at a second lever arm distance to the actuating pivot axis.where the second lever arm distance is at least three times as large as the first lever arm distance.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing a novel device for adjusting a headlight.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device for adjusting a headlight with the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A device for adjusting a headlight for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a headlight housing, a light source, a reflector, and a support frame for the reflector. At least two actuators are arranged on the headlight housing for pivoting the support frame, which is movably attached to the headlight housing, about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally along the headlight housing and about a vertical axis. According to the invention, an electrically actuated actuator, in particular a linear actuator, is arranged on the rear side of the support frame for each axis.

[0008] The solution according to the invention provides an electrical and / or electronic basic setting of the light / dark boundary of a motor vehicle headlight.

[0009] The proposed invention solves the problem by using two linear actuators for the electrical adjustment of the vehicle's lighting unit. These linear actuators are directly connected to the lighting unit and enable precise and easy adjustment of the headlight position via an electrical control system. Control can be performed either manually via a control element in the vehicle interior or automatically by a control unit that adjusts the position of the lighting unit based on driving conditions and other parameters.

[0010] The solution according to the invention eliminates the need to disassemble bezel components or open the hood. Adjustments can be made from inside the vehicle or via a diagnostic interface. The use of linear actuators enables precise positioning of the lighting units, improving the quality and safety of the illumination.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0012] This shows: Fig. 1: A schematic view of a headlight for a vehicle with a headlight housing and a support frame for a reflector, and Fig. 2: A schematic view of another embodiment of the headlight. Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0013] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic view of a headlight 1 for a vehicle, for example a commercial vehicle, a bus, or a passenger car. The headlight 1 has a headlight housing 2, a light source (not shown), a reflector 7 (in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown) or a light unit and a support frame 3 for the reflector 7.

[0014] Several actuators 4 are arranged on the headlight housing 2 for pivoting the support frame 3, which is movably attached to the headlight housing 2, about a horizontal axis x running in the longitudinal direction of the headlight housing 2 and about a vertical axis y.

[0015] In order to achieve a simplified precise adjustment of the reflector 7 of the headlight 1, it is proposed according to the invention that an electrically actuated actuator 4 is arranged on the rear of the support frame 3 for each pivot axis.

[0016] In one embodiment, the respective actuator 4 is designed as a linear drive.

[0017] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 are arranged at diametrically opposite locations on the support frame 3.

[0018] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 can be manually operated from the outside using touch sensors.

[0019] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 can be operated externally by means of a remote control.

[0020] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 can be operated from inside a vehicle's cab, in particular by pressing, pivoting or turning a control element arranged on a dashboard or center console or via a control surface in a display of the dashboard.

[0021] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 are connected to the control elements by means of an electrical control line.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the actuators 4 are connected to the control element by means of a transmitter-receiver combination.

[0023] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 are controlled by means of an environmental monitoring system of the vehicle, whereby the reflectors 7 are lowered when oncoming vehicles are detected in order to avoid glare. When driving on a motorway, however, the reflectors 7 can be raised, for example by 0.3°, so that the range of the low beam is increased, but oncoming traffic is still not dazzled.

[0024] In one embodiment, the actuators 4 are controlled by means of an on-board computer in such a way that a corresponding compensation takes place in the event of a temperature-related deviation of an actual basic position from a target basic position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the horizontal axis x is formed at the lower edge of the support frame 3.

[0026] The support frame 3 can be adjusted via a geometric adjustment triangle 6, with a pivot point 5 located at the intersection of the horizontal axis x and the vertical axis y.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the headlight 1. Reference symbol list 1 headlight 2 headlight housings 3 support frames 4 Actuator 5 pivot point 6 Adjustable triangle 7 Reflector x axis y axis QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2015 103 628 A1

[0003]

Claims

Device for adjusting a headlight (1) for a vehicle comprising a headlight housing (2), a light source, a reflector (7) and a support frame (3) for the reflector (7), wherein at least two actuators (4) for pivoting the support frame (3) movably attached to the headlight housing (2) about a horizontal axis (x) extending in the longitudinal direction of the headlight housing (2) and about a vertical axis (y) are arranged on the headlight housing (2), characterized in that an electrically actuated actuator (4) is arranged on the rear side of the support frame (3) for each axis (x, y). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective actuator (4) is designed as a linear drive. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuators (4) are arranged at diametrically opposite locations of the support frame (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuators (4) can be operated manually from the outside by means of touch sensors or by means of a remote control, or that the actuators (4) can be operated from inside a driver's cab of a vehicle, in particular by pressing, pivoting or turning a control element arranged on a dashboard or center console or via a control surface in a display of the dashboard. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuators (4) are connected to the control elements by means of an electrical control line or by means of a transmitter-receiver combination. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuators (4) are controlled by means of an environmental monitoring of the vehicle, wherein the reflectors (7) are lowered when oncoming vehicles are detected in order to avoid glare. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuators (4) are controlled by means of an on-board computer in such a way that a corresponding compensation takes place in the event of a temperature-related deviation of an actual basic position from a target basic position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal axis (x) is formed at the lower edge of the support frame (3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support frame (3) is adjustable via a geometric adjustment triangle (6), wherein a pivot point (5) is located at the intersection of the horizontal axis (x) and the vertical axis (y). Headlight (1) for a vehicle, comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims.

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