Setting device for pivoting at least one associated component of a motor vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A setting device (10) for pivoting at least one associated component (20) of a motor vehicle headlamp about a first and a second axis (X, Y), the setting device comprising: a holding element (100) for the associated component (20), the holding element comprising a first sliding surface (110) configured as part of a spherical surface, a supporting frame (200), the supporting frame comprising a second sliding surface (210) configured as part of a spherical surface, wherein the holding element (100) is supported in the supporting frame (200) by means of a supporting device, such that the first sliding surface (110) of the holding element (100) can be displaced along the second sliding surface (210) of the supporting frame (200) about the first and the second axis (X, Y), and an adjusting device (300) having a setting member (301) and a first adjusting device (310) and a second adjusting device (320), the first and second adjusting devices are respectively arranged on the setting member (301), the setting member is mechanically connected to the retaining element (100) by means of a connecting element (400), wherein the connecting element (400) passes through the supporting frame (200) via an opening (220), wherein the connecting element (400) is designed to transmit the movement of the setting member (301) to the retaining element (100), and wherein the connecting element is configured as a screw mechanism, wherein the setting member can be brought into a loose state and a fixed state, wherein the setting member (301) is displaceable in the loose state and can be clamped on the supporting frame in a movement-resistant manner by tightening the screw mechanism in the fixed state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a setting device for pivoting at least one associated component of a motor vehicle headlamp about a first and a second axis, the setting device comprising:

[0002] a holding element for displaceably holding at least one associated component, said holding element comprising a first sliding surface of a surface pair designed as a part of a spherical surface,

[0003] a supporting frame for accommodating the retaining element, wherein the supporting frame comprises a second sliding surface of the surface pair, which is designed as a part of a spherical surface and corresponds to the first sliding surface, wherein the retaining element is supported in the supporting frame by means of a bearing device such that the first sliding surface of the retaining element can be displaced along the second sliding surface of the supporting frame about the first and second axes,

[0004] - an adjustment device for pivoting the associated component about a first and a second axis, the adjustment device comprising a setting member and a first adjusting device and a second adjusting device, the first and second adjusting devices being arranged on the setting member, wherein the setting member is mechanically connected to the holding element by means of a connecting element.

[0005] The invention further relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising at least one setting device according to the invention.

[0006] The invention further relates to a sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising at least one setting device according to the invention and associated components designed as sensors.

[0007] The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle headlight having at least one lighting device according to the invention and / or at least one sensor device according to the invention. Background Art

[0008] Setting systems are known from the prior art and are usually used in motor vehicle headlights in order to be able to set a vertical deflection (eg, headlight range adjustment) or a horizontal deflection (basic setting or, eg, turn signal) of the light distribution.

[0009] On the one hand, the setting system should allow a reliable adjustment of the relevant components and, on the other hand, the space requirement of such a setting system should be minimized in order to be able to restrict the design of the motor vehicle headlight as little as possible.

[0010] Previous setting systems typically have an adjustment cam with a fixed support point and two points of engagement, wherein the connection formed by the fixed support point and the points of engagement forms an axis in each case, and the pivoting movement is generated by shifting the points of engagement. Due to the design of the pivoting cam, such setting systems require a certain amount of space. Summary of the Invention

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a setting system having a reduced space requirement.

[0012] The object is achieved in the following manner: a connecting element passes through the supporting frame on the second sliding surface via an opening of the supporting frame, wherein the connecting element is designed to transmit the movement of the setting component to the retaining element, and wherein the connecting element is constructed as a screw mechanism, wherein the setting component can be connected to the screw mechanism in a loose state and in a fixed state, wherein the setting component can be displaced in the loose state by means of first and second adjustment devices, and the setting component can be clamped on the supporting frame in a movement-resistant manner by tightening the screw mechanism in the fixed state.

[0013] By departing from the classic design with adjusting arms and bearing points forming an adjusting triangle and by replacing the retaining element displaceable along a spherical surface according to the invention, the structural volume of the setting system can be significantly reduced.

[0014] Related components include, in particular, shutters, light sources, in particular LED and / or laser light sources, reflectors, lenses and / or entire light modules or assemblies, or sensors or light sensors (photodetectors), etc. Thus, one or more of these mentioned components can constitute related components that can be adjusted by means of the setting system.

[0015] The relevant components are adjusted by means of the first adjusting device independently of the adjustment performed by means of the second adjusting device, ie the adjusting devices act independently of one another. The two adjusting devices should preferably not influence one another.

[0016] In order to displace the setting member—ie in the released state—the screw mechanism is released, but only to the extent that the retaining element and the setting member are still connected to one another, but the setting member can nevertheless be displaced.

[0017] If the clamping—ie the fixing state—is now released, so that the holding element and the setting member are still (loosely) connected to one another, the setting member can be displaced by means of the first and second adjusting device.

[0018] It can be proposed that the supporting device includes a first supporting mechanism and a second supporting mechanism that are mechanically connected to each other and are designed to support the holding element rotatably around a first axis and a second axis on the supporting frame, wherein the first supporting mechanism is arranged on the holding element and the second supporting mechanism is arranged on the supporting frame.

[0019] It can be provided that the first bearing means are designed as projections and the second bearing means are designed as recesses corresponding to the respective projections, preferably elongated recesses, wherein the projections are supported in the respective recesses.

[0020] It can be provided that the two projections of the holding element each extend along the first axis on opposite sides of the holding element.

[0021] It can be provided that two projections arranged on opposite sides of the holding element form a first axis, wherein when the holding element is rotated about a second axis, the first axis and thus the two projections also move together about the second axis, wherein the projections rotate or move in corresponding grooves.

[0022] It can be provided that at least one projection, in particular exactly one projection, preferably two projections, of the retaining element are arranged along the second axis.

[0023] It can be proposed that the first adjusting device includes a transmission element fixed with respect to the supporting frame and an actuator mechanically coupled to the transmission element, wherein the actuator is designed to act on the setting element by means of a coupling element, and wherein the actuator has a threaded section, and the transmission element has a mating threaded section corresponding to the threaded section, wherein the actuator is rotatably and displaceably supported in the transmission element by means of the mating threaded section, wherein the transmission element is designed in combination with the actuator to convert the rotational movement of the actuator into a translational movement along a first displacement axis, wherein the translational movement of the actuator of the first adjusting device along the first displacement axis causes the retaining element to pivot about the first axis.

[0024] It can be proposed that the second adjusting device includes a transmission element fixed relative to the supporting frame and an actuator mechanically coupled to the transmission element, wherein the actuator is designed to act on the setting component by means of a coupling element, and wherein the actuator has a threaded section and the transmission element has a mating threaded section corresponding to the threaded section, wherein the actuator is rotatably and displaceably supported in the transmission element by means of the mating threaded section, wherein the transmission element is designed in combination with the actuator to convert the rotational movement of the actuator into a translational movement along a second displacement axis, wherein the translational movement of the actuator of the second adjusting device along the second displacement axis causes the retaining element to pivot about the second axis.

[0025] It can be proposed that, for each actuator, the coupling element is supported in a guide device of the setting member, which has a guide groove and is designed to guide the coupling element in the guide groove along this direction when the setting member is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the corresponding displacement axis of the actuator.

[0026] It can be provided that the actuator is designed as a screw, wherein the coupling element is designed as a ball head, preferably as a ball screw.

[0027] It can be provided that the guide groove has a circular arc-shaped extent, preferably corresponding to the first and second sliding surfaces.

[0028] This has the advantage that the respective actuators of the first and second adjusting devices do not get stuck or jammed in the guide groove during a movement of the setting member, so that further movement of the setting member is possible.

[0029] It can be provided that the first axis and the second axis are arranged orthogonally to one another, wherein preferably the first axis and the second axis intersect and form a common point of intersection.

[0030] Preferably, the relevant component has a side or side surfaces that are relevant for the respective use of the relevant component.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the intersection point of the intersecting first and second axes is arranged on a relevant side or lateral surface of the relevant component. Preferably, the relevant component is a sensor device or a sensor, wherein the sensor has a sensor surface in order to be able to detect photons, for example.

[0032] In this case, the point of intersection of the first axis and the second axis lies on the sensor surface, preferably at the geometric center of the sensor surface.

[0033] In this case, the pivoting movement—about the first and / or second axis—causes the point of the sensor surface at which the intersection point is arranged to change only its orientation, but not its position.

[0034] It can be provided that the first and the second displacement axis are arranged orthogonally to one another.

[0035] This object is also achieved by means of a lighting device for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising at least one setting device and associated components.

[0036] The object is also achieved by means of a sensor device for a motor vehicle headlight, which comprises at least one setting device and associated components designed as sensors.

[0037] The object is also achieved by means of a motor vehicle headlight having at least one lighting device and / or at least one sensor device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 An exploded view of an exemplary setting device is shown;

[0040] Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the side and rear of an exemplary setting device in an assembled state;

[0041] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 A perspective view of the setting device from the front bottom; and

[0042] Figure 4 Show Figure 2 A perspective view of the setting device from the side front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 An exploded view of an exemplary setting device 10 for pivoting an associated component 20 of a motor vehicle headlamp about a first and a second axis X, Y is shown.

[0044] The setting device 10 comprises a holding element 100 for displaceably holding at least one associated component 20, which in the example shown is designed as a sensor, wherein the holding element 100 comprises a first sliding surface 110 which is opposite to the surface and is designed as a part of a spherical surface. Figure 1 Visible only from the rear.

[0045] In addition, the setting device 10 also includes a supporting frame 200 for accommodating the retaining element 100, wherein the supporting frame 200 includes a second sliding surface 210 that is surface-opposite, constitutes a part of a spherical surface and corresponds to the first sliding surface 110, wherein the retaining element 100 is supported in the supporting frame 200 by means of a supporting device, so that the first sliding surface 110 of the retaining element 100 can be shifted around the first and second axes X, Y along the second sliding surface 210 of the supporting frame 200.

[0046] In this case, the support device comprises first and second support means 510, 520, which are mechanically coupled to one another and are designed to support the holding element 100 rotatably about first and second axes X, Y on the supporting frame 200, wherein the first support means 510 is arranged on the holding element 100 and the second support means 520 is arranged on the supporting frame 200. In the example shown in the figures, the first support means are designed as projections 510, and the second support means are designed as elongated recesses 520 corresponding to the respective projections 510, wherein the projections 510 are supported in the respective recesses 520 in the assembled state of the setting device 10; see the remaining figures for details.

[0047] Furthermore, the two projections 510 of the retaining element 100 each extend along a first axis X on opposite sides of the retaining element 100 , or the projections 510 form the first axis X, wherein the first axis X and thus the two projections 510 also move approximately together when the retaining element 100 is rotated or pivoted about the second axis Y. The projections 510 are displaced in corresponding recesses 520 provided for this purpose.

[0048] exist Figure 1 Not visible in, but in Figure 3 Visible in the figure is a projection 510, which is located on the underside of the holding element 100 and extends along the second axis Y. When the holding element 100 is rotated or pivoted about the first axis X, the second axis Y and thus the aforementioned projection 510 move almost together. In this case, the projection 510 is displaced in a corresponding recess 520 provided for this purpose.

[0049] In order to pivot the sensor 20 or the retaining element 100 around the first and second axes X, Y, the setting device 10 also includes an adjustment device 300, which has a setting member 301 and a first adjustment device 310 and a second adjustment device 320, wherein the first and second adjustment devices 310, 320 are arranged on the setting member 301, wherein the setting member 301 is mechanically connected to the retaining element 100 by means of a connecting element 400.

[0050] The connecting element 400 penetrates the supporting frame 200 on the second sliding surface 210 via the opening 220 of the supporting frame 200 , wherein the connecting element 400 is designed to transmit the movement of the setting member 301 to the retaining element 100 , wherein the connecting element 400 is designed as a rigid body.

[0051] Furthermore, the connecting element 400 is designed as a screw mechanism, wherein the setting member 301 can be connected to the screw mechanism 400 in a loose state and a fixed state. In the loose state, the setting member 301 can be displaced by the first and second adjustment devices 310, 320. In the fixed state, the setting member 301 can be fixedly clamped to the supporting frame 200 by tightening the screw mechanism 400, wherein the second sliding surface 210 of the supporting frame is clamped from one side by the retaining element 100 or the first sliding surface 110 when tightening the screw mechanism 400, and from the opposite side by the setting member 301.

[0052] Figure 2 The setting device 10 is shown in a perspective view from the side and rear in the assembled state, wherein the adjustment device 300 and the first and second adjustment devices 310 , 320 can be seen more clearly.

[0053] The first adjusting device 310 comprises a transmission element 311 fixed to the supporting frame 200 and an actuator 315 mechanically coupled to the transmission element 311. The actuator 315 is designed to act on the setting member 301 by means of a coupling element 316, wherein the actuator 315 has a threaded section and the transmission element 311 has a mating threaded section corresponding to the threaded section. The actuator 315 is rotatably and displaceably mounted in the transmission element 311 by means of the mating threaded section, wherein the transmission element 311 is designed in conjunction with the actuator 315 to convert a rotational movement of the actuator 315 into a translational movement along a first displacement axis Y1, wherein the translational movement of the actuator 315 of the first adjusting device 310 along the first displacement axis Y1 causes the holding element 100 to pivot about the first axis X.

[0054] The second adjustment device 320 comprises a transmission element 321 fixed to the supporting frame 200 and an actuator 325 mechanically coupled to the transmission element 321. The actuator 325 is designed to act on the setting member 301 by means of a coupling element 326, wherein the actuator 325 has a threaded section and the transmission element 321 has a mating threaded section corresponding to the threaded section 326. The actuator 325 is rotatably and displaceably mounted in the transmission element 321 by means of the mating threaded section, wherein the transmission element 321, in conjunction with the actuator 325, is designed to convert a rotational movement of the actuator 325 into a translational movement along the second displacement direction X1, wherein a translational movement of the actuator 325 of the second adjustment device 320 along the second displacement axis X1 causes the holding element 100 to pivot about the second axis Y.

[0055] In the first and second adjusting devices 310, 320, coupling elements 316, 326 are mounted in guides 302, 303 of the setting member 301 for each actuator 315, 325. The guides 302, 303 have guide grooves 302a, 303a for each actuator 315, 325. These guide grooves have a circular arc-shaped profile and are designed to guide the coupling elements 316, 326 in the guide grooves 302a, 303a along a direction orthogonal to the respective displacement axes X1, Y1 of the actuators 315, 325 when the setting member 301 is displaced in this direction. The first and second displacement axes Y1, X1 are arranged orthogonally to each other.

[0056] In the example shown in the figures, the actuators 315 , 325 are designed as screws, wherein the corresponding coupling elements 316 , 326 are designed as ball heads, preferably ball screws.

[0057] Figure 3 The setting device 10 is shown in a perspective front view in the assembled state, wherein it can be seen that the first and second axes X, Y are arranged orthogonally to one another, wherein the first and second axes X, Y intersect and form a common intersection point.

[0058] The intersection point of the intersecting first axis X and second axis Y is arranged here on the sensor surface of the sensor 20. The sensor surface is, for example, a surface that can detect photons. Figure 3 In the example shown in , the intersection point is located in the geometric center of the sensor surface.

[0059] In this case, a pivoting movement—about the first and / or second axis—causes the point of the sensor surface at which the intersection point is arranged to change only its orientation, but not its position.

[0060] Figure 4 A perspective side view of the assembled setting device 10 is shown.

[0061] It should be noted that terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “lateral” and “rear” are to be understood in relation to a correctly installed setting device in a motor vehicle headlamp.

Claims

1. A setting device (10) for pivoting at least one associated component (20) of a motor vehicle headlamp about a first and a second axis (X, Y), the setting device comprising: a holding element (100) for displaceably holding at least one of the associated components (20), the holding element (100) comprising a first sliding surface (110) of the surface pair, which is designed as a part of a spherical surface, a supporting frame (200) for accommodating the retaining element (100), wherein the supporting frame (200) comprises a second sliding surface (210) of the surface pair, which is formed as a part of a sphere and corresponds to the first sliding surface (110), wherein the retaining element (100) is supported in the supporting frame (200) by means of a supporting device, such that the first sliding surface (110) of the retaining element (100) can be displaced along the second sliding surface (210) of the supporting frame (200) about the first and second axes (X, Y), - an adjustment device (300) for pivoting the associated member (20) about the first and second axes (X, Y), the adjustment device (300) comprising a setting member (301) and a first adjustment device (310) and a second adjustment device (320), the first and second adjustment devices (310, 320) being arranged on the setting member (301), wherein the setting member (301) is mechanically connected to the holding element (100) by means of a connecting element (400), It is characterized by: The connecting element (400) passes through the supporting frame (200) on the second sliding surface (210) via the opening (220) of the supporting frame (200), wherein the connecting element (400) is designed to transmit the movement of the setting member (301) to the retaining element (100), and wherein the connecting element is configured as a screw mechanism, wherein the setting member can be connected to the screw mechanism in a loose state and a fixed state, wherein the setting member (301) can be displaced in the loose state by the first and second adjustment devices (310, 320), and the setting member (301) can be clamped on the supporting frame (200) in a movement-resistant manner by tightening the screw mechanism in the fixed state.

2. The setting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The supporting device includes a first and a second supporting mechanism (510, 520) mechanically coupled to each other and is designed to support the retaining element (100) rotatably around the first and second axes (X, Y) on the supporting frame (200), wherein the first supporting mechanism (510) is arranged on the retaining element (100) and the second supporting mechanism (520) is arranged on the supporting frame (200).

3. The setting device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first supporting means are configured as projections, and the second supporting means are configured as recesses corresponding to the respective projections, wherein the projections are supported in the respective recesses.

4. The setting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first adjusting device (310) comprises a transmission element (311) fixed with respect to the supporting frame (200) and an actuator (315) mechanically coupled to the transmission element (311), wherein the actuator (315) is designed to act on the setting member (301) by means of a coupling element (316), and wherein the actuator (315) has a threaded section, and the transmission element (311) has a mating threaded section corresponding to the threaded section, wherein the actuator (315) ) is rotatably and displaceably supported in the transfer element (311) by means of the mating threaded section, wherein the transfer element (311) is designed in combination with the actuator (315) to convert the rotational movement of the actuator (315) into a translational movement along a first displacement axis (Y1), wherein the translational movement of the actuator (315) of the first adjusting device (310) along the first displacement axis (Y1) causes the retaining element (100) to pivot around the first axis (X).

5. The setting device according to claim 4, characterized in that The second adjusting device (320) comprises a transmission element (321) fixed with respect to the supporting frame (200) and an actuator (325) mechanically coupled to the transmission element (321), wherein the actuator (325) is designed to act on the setting member (301) by means of a coupling element (326), and wherein the actuator (325) has a threaded section, and the transmission element (321) has a mating threaded section corresponding to the threaded section, wherein the actuator (325) ) is rotatably and displaceably supported in the transfer element (321) by means of the mating threaded section, wherein the transfer element (321) is designed in combination with the actuator (325) to convert the rotational movement of the actuator (325) into a translational movement along a second displacement axis (X1), wherein the translational movement of the actuator (325) of the second adjusting device (320) along the second displacement axis (X1) causes the retaining element (100) to pivot around the second axis (Y).

6. The setting device according to claim 5, characterized in that For each actuator (315, 325), the coupling element (316, 326) is supported in a guide device (302, 303) of the setting component (301), and the guide device (302, 303) has a guide groove (302a, 303a) and is designed to guide the coupling element (316, 326) in the guide groove (302a, 303a) along the direction when the setting component (301) is shifted in a direction orthogonal to the corresponding displacement axis (X1, Y1) of the actuator (315, 325).

7. The setting device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The actuator (315, 325) is designed as a screw, wherein the coupling element (316, 326) is designed as a ball head.

8. The setting device according to claim 6, characterized in that The guide grooves (302a, 303a) have an arc-shaped extension.

9. The setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first and second axes (X, Y) are arranged orthogonally to each other.

10. The setting device according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that The first and second displacement axes (Y1, X1) are arranged orthogonally to each other.

11. The setting device according to claim 3, characterized in that The groove is an elongated groove.

12. A lighting device for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising at least one setting device according to any one of the preceding claims and associated components. 13 . A sensor system for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising at least one setting device according to claim 1 and associated components designed as sensors. 14 . A motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one lighting device according to claim 12 and / or at least one sensor device according to claim 13 .

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