Adjustable light system with internal motor

Abstract

A lighting system (4) includes: a housing (20) connectable to a vehicle (2) and the housing (20) including an interior and an exterior; a motor (40) located inside the housing (20) and having a portion (42) extending through an opening (36) in the housing to the exterior of the housing (20) such that the motor (40) enables the lighting system (4) to move relative to the vehicle (2); and one or more seals (44, 44A, 44B) that prevent fluid and / or debris from contacting the portion (42) extending through the opening (36) in the housing (20), the opening (36) in the housing (20), or both.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This teaching relates to a lighting system including an internal motor that automatically adjusts the lighting system so that the lighting system is aimed within the vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles include many different types of lights. Some types of lights included on a vehicle are low beam headlights, high beam headlights, taillights, turn signals, fog lights, daytime running lights, or combinations thereof. Each of these lights extends outward from the vehicle's exterior surface, thus providing light to the driver or alerting other drivers. These lighting systems typically direct light outward from the vehicle. Lighting systems can have a predetermined light pattern extending from them. However, when a lighting system is installed inside a vehicle, the predetermined light pattern may not extend to the desired location.

[0003] Therefore, a lighting system capable of adjusting the position of the light pattern is needed. The lighting system needs to be adjusted via an adjusting motor. The motor and lighting system need to be sealed to prevent contaminants (e.g., fluids or debris) from entering them. A lighting system is needed in which a portion of the adjusting motor is located within the lighting system, and another portion of the adjusting motor extends outside the lighting system. A sealed lighting system with an unsealed motor is desired, which can be used without contaminants entering the motor, without damaging the motor, or both. The unsealed motor needs to be able to operate in the external environment while remaining sealed relative to the external environment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This teaching provides a lighting system comprising: a housing connectable to a vehicle, the housing including an interior and an exterior; a motor located within the interior of the housing and having a portion extending through an opening in the housing to the exterior of the housing, such that the motor enables the lighting system to move relative to the vehicle; and one or more seals preventing fluid and / or debris from contacting the portion extending through the opening in the housing, the opening in the housing, or both.

[0005] This teaching provides a lighting system comprising: a housing connectable to a vehicle; a motor; one or more seals preventing fluid and / or debris from contacting the motor; and one or more brackets communicating with the motor such that the housing moves relative to the one or more brackets and the vehicle when the motor moves.

[0006] This teaching provides a lighting system capable of adjusting the position of a light pattern. This teaching provides lighting system adjustment via an adjusting motor. This teaching provides a motor and lighting system that are to be sealed to prevent contaminants (e.g., fluids or debris) from entering the motor and lighting system. This teaching provides a lighting system in which a portion of the adjusting motor is located within the lighting system, and another portion of the adjusting motor extends outside the lighting system. This teaching provides a sealed lighting system with an unsealed motor, which can be used without contaminants entering the motor, without damaging the motor, or both. This teaching proposes enabling the unsealed motor to operate in the external environment while being sealed relative to the external environment. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 It is a side view of the vehicle including the lighting system.

[0008] Figure 2A This is a forward isometric view of the lighting system.

[0009] Figure 2B Showing Figure 2A Rear-view, upward-view, isometric view of the lighting system.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A Sectional view along line III-III.

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 2B A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a close-up cross-sectional view of the unsealed motor connected to the housing.

[0013] Figure 6A This is a side view of an unsealed motor connected to a motor housing with the motor in the first position.

[0014] Figure 6B yes Figure 6A The unsealed motor is moved to a second position relative to the motor housing while maintaining a sealed side view relative to the external environment.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of an unsealed motor sealed inside the motor housing. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The explanations and descriptions presented herein are intended to familiarize others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical applications. Those skilled in the art can adapt and apply the invention in various forms, such as those most suitable for the specific application required. Accordingly, as set forth, the specific embodiments of the invention are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of these teachings. Therefore, the scope of these teachings should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference instead to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. All disclosures in patent applications and publications, including articles and references, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible, such as those collected from the appended claims, which are also incorporated by reference in this written specification.

[0017] This teaching relates to a lighting system. The lighting system is located within a vehicle. Preferably, the lighting system is part of a vehicle, such as an automobile, motorcycle, bus, truck, semi-trailer truck, SUV, XUV, four-wheeled vehicle, off-road motorcycle, tractor, combine harvester, heavy equipment, agricultural equipment, industrial equipment, commercial equipment, boat, jet ski, marine vehicle, or a combination thereof. The lighting system can project light from front to rear, from rear to front, or a combination thereof in a forward, rearward, lateral, or vertical (e.g., z-axis) direction. The front can be the forward direction or front of the vehicle. The rear can be the rearward direction or rear of the vehicle. Preferably, the lighting system projects light from the outer surface of the vehicle to a position in front of the vehicle or at an angle relative to the front or rear of the vehicle. The lighting system can direct some light to the ground. The lighting system can direct some light above the ground. The lighting system can be integrated into the front, rear, or both front and rear of the vehicle. The lighting system can be a component. The lighting system can be a sealed lighting system integrated into the vehicle. A lighting system can be a sub-component included in a larger lighting system. A lighting system can be integrated into another lighting system and can be used as part of that lighting system. A lighting system projects light out of a vehicle. A lighting system can be multiple lighting systems or light sources stacked one on top of the other, stacked side-by-side, projecting in different planes, in the same plane and in different directions, integrated into a single lighting system, or a combination of more than one. A lighting system can have multiple smaller lighting systems or light sources. Multiple lighting systems can be located within a single lighting system. Multiple lighting systems can operate independently of each other, such that one lighting system does not affect another lighting system or another part of that lighting system. The lights of a vehicle can be two or more, three or more, or four or more lighting systems positioned adjacent to each other. A lighting system can be or include one or more static lights, one or more movable lights, and one or more light sources.

[0018] The function of a light source is to produce light. A light source can be one or more devices that create light, and the light extends outward from the light source. A light source can produce high beams, low beams, mixed beams, daytime running lights, turn signals, brake lights, or a combination thereof. Light sources can have different functions. For example, one light source can provide daytime running lights, while another light source can be a turn signal. Preferably, a first light source and a second light source are combined to provide a single light function. A light source can include multiple lamps or can be a single light source within a set of light sources. Multiple lamps can be in a set or group of light sources. Multiple lamps can be positioned in rows, columns, matrices, or a combination thereof. A light source can be a single lamp that projects light. In another example, a light source can guide light along a first direction, and a second light source can guide light along a second direction different from the first direction. The first light from the first light source and the second light from the second light source can extend in different directions, but can be visually combined to provide a light function. The first direction can be along the z-axis in a coordinate system. The second direction can be along the x-axis in a coordinate system.

[0019] The light source can be any type of lighting device that produces light, such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, halogen lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-intensity discharge lamps (HID); halogen lamps, xenon lamps, laser diodes, phosphor bulbs, or combinations thereof. The light source can be a single lamp or bulb. Preferably, the light source is part of a set of light sources comprising multiple lamps, bulbs, diodes, or combinations thereof. The light source can be part of a set of light sources comprising two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, seven or more, nine or more, or eleven or more light sources that produce light and are combined to form light extending from the lighting system. These sets of light sources can include 20 or fewer, 18 or fewer, 16 or fewer, or 14 or fewer light-producing devices (e.g., each set can include eight light sources, or alternatively, all sets in these sets, when combined, can include eight or two light sources). For example, a set of light sources can be the contents of a single printed circuit board performing the same lighting function, and the set of light sources can be eight light sources all located on that single printed circuit board. A light source set can be two or more sets of lamps located on different printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards can be positioned adjacent to each other or spaced apart. The number of light sources in a portion of the lamp can depend on the size of the illuminated area or the size of the illumination. For example, daytime running lights can have eight or more light sources, and turn signals can have five or more light sources. In another example, daytime running lights can include two or more sets of light sources spaced apart from each other, such that when the two or more sets of light sources are turned on, they combine to provide a primary light function.

[0020] A light source can be one or more lamps, two or more lamps, or three or more lamps. A light source can be static. A light source can be freely movable. A light source can be fixed. A light source can be a row of lamps, a column of lamps, a matrix of lamps extending in rows and columns, or a combination thereof. A matrix can consist of a single printed circuit board. A matrix can be multiple printed circuit boards positioned close to each other to form a matrix. A light source can be static and can be manually or physically adjusted so that the light source is guided to a desired position. A light source can be fixed, and light from the light source can be moved, bent, guided, or a combination thereof through optical elements, textured portions, micro-optics, reflectors (e.g., light guides), light blades, or a combination thereof. Each individual lamp of the light source can be turned on and off. A light source can provide light toward a reflector, and the reflector can then redirect (i.e., reflect) the light in a second direction.

[0021] A lighting system may have a light source that produces one light function, and a second light source that produces a second light function. A lighting system (e.g., a bidirectional lighting system) may include multiple (e.g., two or more) light sources that produce one light function. A lighting system may perform only a single light function. A lighting system may perform or provide one or more light functions, two or more light functions, or even three or more light functions via light sources. For example, a lighting system may provide low beams, high beams, daytime running lights, or combinations thereof. The light source may be directed towards a reflector that produces a light function with a light pattern (e.g., a headlight).

[0022] Reflectors can be entirely positioned within the housing and used to redirect light in a predetermined pattern. Reflectors can guide light between the upper and lower housings. Reflectors can guide light through a lens. Each reflector can guide light, and the light can be combined to form a predetermined pattern. Each reflector can individually provide light to a predetermined area to form a part of a pattern, a part of a function, or both. A reflector can be positioned adjacent to a light source. There can be multiple reflectors. The lighting system can include two or more, three or more, four or more, six or more, eight or more, ten or more, twelve or more, or even fourteen or more reflectors. The lighting system can include 50 or fewer, 40 or fewer, 30 or fewer, 20 or fewer, or 15 or fewer reflectors located within the housing.

[0023] A headlight may include one or more portions of a housing and an outer lens. The reflector and light source may be located inside the housing and outer lens. The housing serves to connect the lighting system to a vehicle, secure the reflector within the vehicle, hold the reflector in a predetermined position, support two or more light sources relative to the reflector, support two or more printed circuit boards relative to the reflector and / or light sources, or a combination thereof. The housing may include an upper housing, a lower housing, a motor connector, a motor housing, or a combination thereof. The housing may be made of metal, plastic, polymer, polycarbonate, or a combination thereof. The housing may be substantially rigid, have flexible areas, movable areas, or a combination thereof. The housing may receive one or more fasteners or multiple fasteners. The housing may include walls, such that the housing forms a box. The housing may include a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a rear wall, or a combination thereof. The housing may not have a top wall, such that the top of the housing is open. The housing may form a completely sealed container. The housing may be sealed to prevent water, debris, or both from entering the housing. The housing may allow wires to extend therein while maintaining a seal. Some or most components can be connected to the housing through the top of the housing, allowing a stack to be formed within the housing. The housing can consist of an upper housing, a lower housing, an outer lens, a lens, a motor housing, or a combination thereof. The lens between the upper and lower housings can be an integral part of the upper or lower housing and / or the outermost part of the housing. The housing can be an integral part. The housing, reflector, printed circuit board, or a combination thereof may include one or more heat sinks. The heat sink can remove heat generated by the light source, motor, or both. The housing can be positioned within the vehicle to direct light to the outside of the housing.

[0024] The one or more lenses are used to direct light from a reflector to a location outside the housing to be illuminated. Lenses can be used to protect a lamp, a reflector, or both. Lenses can bend light. Lenses can refract light. Lenses can diffuse light, mix light, scatter light, direct light to a predetermined location, create one or more hot spots, create a uniform lighting appearance, prevent hot spots, or a combination thereof. Lenses can be located in front of a reflector (e.g., a static reflector, a movable reflector, or both). Lenses can cover all or part of a lighting system, a light source, a light strip, a light blade, a reflector, or a combination thereof. Each lighting system may include a lens. A lighting system may include a single lens that covers each of the reflectors or light sources that provides or performs a different function. A lens can cover a reflector, a light source, or both such that light, direct light, reflected light, or a combination thereof extends through the lens. A lens can be one or more lenses. A lens can be multiple lenses. A lens (e.g., a main lens or an inner lens) can be a single lens. The one or more lenses may have a shape that directs light to a predetermined location. The one or more lenses can be planar, flat, biconvex, plano-convex, positive meniscus, negative meniscus, plano-concave, biconcave, biconvex, converging, diverging, or a combination thereof. Each lens can be a single lens. Each lens can be a compound lens (e.g., more than one lens may be present). Each lens has a forward side (or forward surface) and a backward side (or backward surface). The lens may include one or more textured portions. The lens can be an internal lens and can cover the headlight portion of the lamp system. The lens can form the forward side of the housing, and the motor housing can be located behind the lens.

[0025] An electric motor housing is used to house an electric motor. The electric motor housing may be a recess formed within an upper housing, a lower housing, or both. The electric motor housing may hold the electric motor, protect the electric motor, insulate the electric motor, waterproof the electric motor, waterproof an unsealed electric motor, or a combination thereof. A portion of the electric motor may be located within the electric motor housing, and a portion of the electric motor may extend outside the electric motor housing. The electric motor may not have a housing. The electric motor may be a sealed electric motor or an unsealed electric motor. An unsealed electric motor may be a motor without a waterproof housing to prevent fluid from entering the motor. The electric motor may not have a seal to prevent fluid from contacting the motor. The electric motor may not be a sealed electric motor. The electric motor may be an actuator. The electric motor housing may conform to the shape of the electric motor. The electric motor may be connected to the electric motor housing. The electric motor housing may house the electric motor, and a shaft may extend through the electric motor housing. The electric motor may be unsealed, and the shaft may be unsealed, and a seal may prevent fluid from contacting the electric motor, contacting all or part of the shaft, or both. The electric motor housing may be separate from the vehicle headlight. The electric motor housing may be part of the vehicle headlight. The electric motor, the electric motor housing, or both may be vertically oriented (e.g., facing up or down), horizontally oriented, diagonally oriented, or a combination thereof. The motor, shaft, or both can be sealed relative to the external environment (e.g., fluid, debris, or both). Therefore, the motor can be located inside the motor housing, and the shaft can extend to the outside of the motor housing.

[0026] A shaft is used to move a motor, housing, lighting system, or a combination thereof relative to a vehicle. A shaft can extend linearly. A shaft can convert rotational motion into linear motion. A shaft can extend through the motor housing, such that the shaft is located outside the housing. A shaft can extend through the housing and retainers, seals, or both.

[0027] A retainer can be used to assist in sealing around a shaft. A retainer is used to connect a seal to a housing. A retainer creates a waterproof seal near an opening in the housing. A retainer can be positioned adjacent to the housing. A retainer may not contact the shaft. A retainer can form an annular ring around the shaft. A retainer can surround a base located around the shaft. A retainer can be connected to the housing. A retainer can be made of the same material as the housing. A retainer can be connected to the housing by one or more fasteners. A retainer can snap-fit ​​into the housing. One or more screws can extend through the retainer and the housing. The retainer can be located inside the housing, outside the housing, or on both sides of the housing. A retainer can be spaced apart from the housing. A retainer can be part of the housing, part of the motor, part of the seal, or a combination thereof. A retainer can be connected to the housing, but there can be space between the housing and the retainer, allowing all or part of the seal to reside within that space.

[0028] A seal is used to prevent fluid, debris, or both from extending into the housing in a region near the shaft. The seal may form a periphery around the shaft. The seal may be located within the housing, between the housing and the shaft, outside the housing, or a combination thereof. The seal may extend beyond the shaft. The seal may enclose the shaft, a bore in the housing, or both. The seal may be attached to the housing via one or more retainers. The seal may have a first end positioned near the housing and a second end positioned near the shaft end (e.g., a shaft joint). The seal may be compressed between the retainer and the housing. The seal may be axially movable. The seal may move with the shaft. The seal may be movable toward and away from the housing. The seal may include one or more expansion regions. The expansion regions may be one or more folds, pleats, elongated regions, corrugations, or a combination thereof. The seal may maintain a sealing relationship when the shaft moves relative to the housing (e.g., from a first position to a second position). The seal may extend when the motor moves the shaft to the adjusted position. The seal may be made of a flexible material. The seal can be made of a rigid material, with a flexible area formed within it. The seal can include or be made of an elastomer, rubber, silicone, or a combination thereof. The seal can be made of a fluid-impermeable material. The seal can be made of a hydrophobic material. The seal can be non-porous. The seal can be a membrane. The seal can retract when the motor moves the shaft back to its original position. The seal can extend around the shaft and form a sealing area.

[0029] The sealing area can be between the shaft and the housing. The sealing area can be between the housing and the retainer. The sealing area can be adjacent to the shaft. The sealing area can be at a distance from the shaft. This distance can be approximately 1 mm or greater, approximately 3 mm or greater, approximately 5 mm or greater, approximately 7 mm or greater, or approximately 10 mm or greater. This distance can be approximately 5 cm or less, approximately 4 cm or less, approximately 3 cm or less, or approximately 2 cm or less. The sealing area can create a boundary around the shaft. The sealing area can surround the shaft where it extends through the housing. The sealing area can be the area where the seal is compressed. The seal can be a single seal extending axially away from the housing along the shaft. Seals can be stacked one on top of the other.

[0030] The seal can be an internal seal and an external seal. The internal seal can face the interior of the housing, and the external seal can face the exterior of the housing. The internal seal, external seal, or both can be in direct contact with the shaft, the housing, or both. The internal seal can be axially stacked relative to the external seal. The internal seal, external seal, or both can be an O-ring. The internal and external seals can communicate directly with the shaft, thereby preventing fluid from entering the housing relative to the shaft extending through it. The sealing area can be the location where the seal is locked adjacent to the shaft. The sealing area can be the location where one or more sealing protrusions lock the seal around the shaft, around an opening in the housing, or both.

[0031] A sealing protrusion is used to lock one or more seals within a lamp system. The sealing protrusion can lock the seal between the retainer and the housing. The sealing protrusion can extend outward from the seal. The sealing protrusion can be an annular projection on a portion of the seal. The sealing protrusion can extend into the retainer, housing, or both. The protrusion can extend outward into a recess in the housing, retainer, or both. The seal can include a recess that receives the protrusion of the housing, retainer, or both. The sealing protrusion of the housing, retainer, or both can deform the seal, thereby preventing movement of the seal relative to the retainer, housing, or both. The sealing protrusion can extend parallel to a shaft. The sealing protrusion can be positioned adjacent to the base of the shaft.

[0032] Seals can be connected to motor connectors, shaft connectors, or both via one or more joints. Joints are used to connect seals to shaft connectors. Joints can bond shaft connectors to seals. Joints can create a fluid-impermeable connection. Joints can create a fluid-resistant connection between the seal and the shaft connector. Joints can create an end-to-end connection between the seal and the shaft connector. A joint can be a portion of the shaft connector overlapping a part of the seal, or a portion of the seal overlapping a part of the shaft connector. Joints can be formed mechanically, thermally, chemically, molecularly, or a combination thereof. Joints can be formed by melting the seal, melting the shaft connector, or both. Joints can be an adhesive connection between the seal and the shaft connector. Joints can be connectors that receive a portion of the seal and a portion of the shaft connector to form a waterproof connection. Joints can be mechanical connections where the seal and the shaft connector are joined together. Joints can seal a shaft, an opening through a housing, or both within the seal, allowing the shaft to move without allowing fluid to enter the housing. Joints can connect the shaft connector to the top of the shaft.

[0033] A shaft connector is used to create a pivoting connection, mechanical connection, or both at the end of a shaft. A shaft connector can be a ball joint or a socket joint. A shaft connector can allow movement in one or more directions, two or more directions, three or more directions, or four or more directions. A shaft connector can be made of polymers, thermosetting plastics, thermoplastics, metals, or combinations thereof. A shaft connector can enclose the end of a shaft, allowing for a fixed connection to the shaft. A shaft connector allows for a fixed connection that also allows movement about the shaft connector. When the shaft moves along its axis, the shaft connector allows a support to move relative to the shaft. A shaft connector can be connected to a support via a motor connector.

[0034] Motor connectors are used to connect to a shaft via a shaft joint. Motor connectors are used to receive all or part of a shaft joint. Motor connectors, shaft joints, or both can be ball heads, sockets, pivots, connectors, U-connectors, rings, or combinations thereof. Motor connectors and shaft joints can be complementary. For example, if the shaft joint is a ball, the motor connector is configured to receive the ball and form a movable connection with it. Motor connectors and shaft joints may have holes to receive pins or fasteners. Motor connectors and shaft joints can be pivotable, rotational, flexural, rigid, or combinations thereof, such that the motor connector moves with the shaft. Shaft joints and motor connectors can connect a motor (via a shaft) to a bracket, vehicle, or both.

[0035] A bracket is used to support a lighting system. The bracket is used to movably connect the lighting system within a vehicle. The bracket can be connected to the lighting system at one or more points. The bracket can be connected to the vehicle, the lighting system, or both. The bracket can be connected to the vehicle, the lighting system, or both at one or more points, two or more points, three or more points, one or more linear connections, two or more linear connections, linear connections and point connections, or a combination of these. For example, a forward edge can form a linear connection with the bracket to create a pivot at the front end, and the rear end of the bracket can have a point connection. The linear connection can allow the bracket, the lighting system, or both to move about only a single axis (e.g., the linear connection forms a single axis). The bracket can have a forward end connected to the vehicle, and the forward end can have one or more arms, preferably two or more arms (e.g., bracket arms), extending outward and connecting to the lighting system.

[0036] The lighting system can pivot about an arm, allowing it to face or move away from a vehicle surface (e.g., a road) or translate relative to the vehicle in another direction. The arm can allow the lighting system to rotate about one, two, or even three axes. For example, the arm can allow the lighting system to rotate up and down, tilt left and right, lift up and down, or a combination thereof. The arm can be connected to the lighting system via pins, fasteners, support surfaces, or a combination thereof. The arm can be rigid and does not move except at the point of connection between the arm and the lighting system. The arm can translate or move (e.g., left and right, up and down, forward and backward). When a motor is activated, the arm can facilitate movement of the lighting system relative to the bracket.

[0037] The rear side of the bracket can be connected to the shaft via a motor connector. When the motor is activated, the motor connector allows the rear end of the lighting system to translate in one or more, two or more, or three or more directions. If there is more than one motor connector and shaft, more directions of movement can be generated. For example, the shaft or motor can move up and down, so the front of the lighting system can rotate about the axis and move up and down (first direction of rotation). If there are two motors and shafts, one motor can move while the other remains stationary, allowing only one side of the lighting system to move (second direction of rotation). The motor, motor shaft, or both can pivot, causing the motor to move back and forth (e.g., relative to the vehicle's direction of movement) to generate a third direction of rotational movement. The bracket can support the lighting system within the vehicle. The bracket can connect the lighting system within the vehicle. The bracket can have substantially the same size and shape as the lighting system. The movement of the lighting system relative to the bracket via the motor can be automatically controlled by a controller.

[0038] The controller can control the position of the light illumination, the direction of illumination, the height at which the light is guided above the road surface, or a combination thereof. The controller can communicate with sensors. Sensors can measure the light pattern of the lighting system. Sensors can measure the position in which the light is pointing, such that if the light is not pointing to a predetermined position, the motor is actuated to move the lighting system. Sensors can be any sensor that measures light, the vehicle's position, orientation, or a combination thereof. Sensors can determine the position from which light is guided from the lighting system, the position of the light illumination, or both. Light sensors can be photodetectors, photodiodes, photoresistors, phototransistors, photovoltaic light sensors, or a combination thereof. Sensors can be accelerometers, vehicle orientation sensors, position sensors, or a combination thereof. The controller can automatically level the lighting system. The controller can measure the position of the motor within the vehicle. The controller can sense the position of the lighting system. The controller can actuate the motor, causing the motor to move the shaft up and down. The controller can communicate with multiple sensors, so that if the lighting system becomes misaligned over time, the motor can be actuated to automatically guide the light to the desired position. The controller can also be manually or automatically controlled by other internal or external systems (e.g., within the vehicle).

[0039] Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle 2 with a lighting system 4 is shown. The lighting system 4 is located within the vehicle 2 and is covered by an external lens 6. The lighting system 4 includes a controller 8 and an adjustment mechanism 10. The controller 8 communicates with the adjustment mechanism 10. The adjustment mechanism 10 is configured to move the lighting system 4 such that the lighting system 4 directs light to a predetermined position. The controller 8 can automatically activate the adjustment mechanism 10, causing the controller 8 and the adjustment mechanism 10 to move the lighting system 4 to direct light to the predetermined position. The controller 8 can also be manually activated to move the lighting system 4. The controller 8 can communicate with a sensor 11 that monitors the position to which light is directed from the lighting system 4, monitors vehicle orientation, monitors vehicle position, monitors vehicle acceleration, or a combination thereof. The sensor 11 and the controller 8 can activate the adjustment mechanism 10, causing the lighting system 4 to aim at the position of interest. The lighting system 4 may further include daytime running lights 12 and turn signals 14.

[0040] Figure 2A This is a front perspective view of the lamp system 4 connected to the bracket 28. The lamp system 4 includes a housing 20. The housing 20 is formed by a lens 22 extending between an upper housing 24 and a lower housing 26. The lower housing 26 is connected to the bracket 28 and is movable relative to the bracket 28, such that light extending through the lens 22 can be aimed in a predetermined direction.

[0041] Figure 2B This is a rear-view perspective view of the lighting system 4 and the bracket 28. The rear side of the housing 20 includes a motor housing 32, which houses the motor 40. The shaft 42 of the motor 40 extends out of the housing 20. The bottom of the shaft 42 and the motor housing 32 is covered by a seal 44 and a shaft connector 46. The shaft connector 46 connects the motor 40 to the bracket 28 via a motor connector 30. During operation, the motor 40 moves the shaft 42, causing the lighting system 4 to move relative to the bracket 28 to adjust the lighting system 4.

[0042] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A The lighting system 4 is shown in a top section view along line III-III. The upper housing 24 of the housing 20 is removed, exposing the internal components of the lighting system 4. The interior of the lighting system 4 has reflectors 16 aligned with a light source 18 located above the lower housing 26. The housing 20 is connected to a bracket 28. The bracket 28 has arms 34 that are connected to the housing 20 at their front ends. The bracket 28 communicates with a motor 40 at its rear end. The motor 40 moves the housing 20 in a first direction 80. As the housing 20 moves in the first direction 80, the front end of the housing rotates about axis 84 in a second direction 82. For example, if the rear end moves downward in the first direction 80, the front end rotates upward in the second direction 82 about axis 84.

[0043] Figure 4 It is the lighting system 4 along Figure 2B The image shows a cross-sectional side view along line IV-IV. The lamp system 4 has a housing 20 with a lens 22 located between an upper housing 24 and a lower housing 26. The housing 20 includes a motor housing 32 containing a portion of a motor 40. The motor 40 includes a shaft 42 extending out of the motor housing 32. Openings in the shaft 42 and the motor housing 32 are contained within a seal 44 and a shaft connector 46. As shown, the shaft connector 46 extends into a motor connector 30 of a bracket 28. The motor 40 causes the shaft 42 to move in a first direction 80. As the shaft 42 moves in the first direction 80, the lamp system 4 rotates about a forward end of the bracket 28 in a second direction 82. The seal 44 is connected to the lower housing 26 via a retainer 48. The seal 44 is clamped between the retainer 48 and the lower housing 26, such that the seal 44 is held in place.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a close-up cross-sectional view showing the seal 44 extending around the shaft 42 and the opening in the housing 20 as the shaft 42 extends through the opening 36 in the housing 20 to the outside (i.e., the exterior) 62 of the housing. The seal 44 is connected to the shaft connector 46 via a connector 50, allowing the seal and shaft connector 46 to move together with the shaft 42. The connector 50 joins the seal 44 and the shaft connector 46 together. The seal 44 and the shaft connector 46 enclose the shaft 42, protecting the shaft 42 and the motor 40 from fluid and debris. A second end of the seal 44 is connected to the housing 20 by clamping the seal 44 between the seal 44 and a retainer 48 within a sealing region 52. As shown, the retainer 48 is located on the inner side 60 of the housing 20 near the motor 40. The sealing region 52 has a sealing protrusion 54 that assists in forming a seal around the opening in the housing 20. As shown, the seal 44 and the shaft connector 46 close the shaft 42 and the opening in the housing 20 to prevent fluid from contacting the motor 40.

[0045] Figure 6A This is a side view of an unsealed motor 40, with a shaft 42 extending out of a housing 20 (e.g., motor housing 32). As shown, the shaft 42, seal 44, and shaft connector 46 are located at a first position 90, in which the shaft connector 46 extends a distance H1 above the motor housing 32. The seal 44 is connected to the housing 20 in a sealing region 52, in which the seal 44 is located between the motor housing 32 and the retainer 48. The seal 44 includes expansion regions 56, which are compressed at the first position 90 to accommodate the distance H1.

[0046] Figure 6BThe motor 40 extends the shaft 42 to a second position 92. In the second position 92, the shaft 42 extends a distance H2. In the second position 92, the shaft joint 46 moves away from the housing 20 (e.g., the motor housing 32), and the seal 44 extends outward to maintain a seal around the opening in the motor housing 32 and the shaft 42. The end of the seal 44 adjacent to the motor housing 32 is connected to the motor housing 32 in a sealing region 52 between the retainer 48 and the motor housing 32, allowing the expansion region 56 to move while maintaining protection of the shaft and the interior of the motor housing 32.

[0047] Figure 7 A side view shows the motor 40 located inside the housing 20 (e.g., motor housing 32) at the inner side 60, with the shaft 42 and shaft connector 46 located outside the motor housing 32 at the outer side 62. The shaft 42 extends through a sealing region 52 within the motor housing 32 and the retainer 48. As shown, an outer seal 44A is positioned adjacent to the outer side 62, and an inner seal 44B is positioned adjacent to the inner side (i.e., interior) 60 of the motor housing 32. The seal 44 extends between the shaft 42 and the motor housing 32 and the retainer 48 to prevent fluid and / or debris from contacting the motor 40.

[0048] Any numerical value described herein that differs from any low value by at least two units from any high value includes all values ​​increasing by one unit from the low value to the high value. For example, if the value describing the quantity of a component or process variable (e.g., temperature, pressure, time, etc.) is, for example, 1 to 90, preferably 20 to 80, more preferably 30 to 70, then this specification intends to explicitly list values ​​such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc. For values ​​less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 (as the case may be). These are merely examples of specific intent, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the listed minimum and maximum values ​​will be considered to be explicitly described in this application in a similar manner.

[0049] Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between them. The use of “about” or “approximately” with respect to ranges applies to both ends of the range. Therefore, “about 20 to 30” is intended to encompass “about 20 to about 30”, including at least the specified endpoints.

[0050] All disclosures in patent applications and publications, including articles and references, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The term “substantially constitutes…” used to describe a combination shall include identified elements, components, parts, or steps, and shall also include other elements, components, parts, or steps that do not materially affect the essential and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, components, parts, or steps herein also considers embodiments substantially composed of or even entirely composed of these elements, components, parts, or steps.

[0051] Multiple elements, components, parts, or steps may be provided by a single integrated element, component, part, or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, component, part, or step may be divided into multiple separate elements, components, parts, or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "an" describing an element, component, part, or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, components, parts, or steps.

[0052] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Many embodiments and applications, in addition to the examples provided, will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference instead to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. All disclosures, including those in patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the following claims is not an abandonment of such subject matter, nor should it be considered that the inventors do not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0053] Element list 2 vehicles 4-light system 6 external lenses 8 controllers 10 Adjustment Mechanisms 11 sensors 12 daytime running lights 14 Turn Signals 16 reflectors 18 light sources 20 housing 22 lenses 24 Upper casing 26 Lower housing 28 supports 30 motor connector 32 motor housing 34-arm support 36 openings 40 motor 42 axes 44 seals 44A External Seal 44B internal seal 46-axis connector 48 retainers 50 connector 52 Sealing Area 54 Sealing Protrusion 60 Inner side of the housing 62. Outside of the shell.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising: A housing, which can be attached to the interior of a vehicle, the housing comprising an interior and an exterior; An electric motor, located inside the housing and having a portion extending to the outside of the housing through an opening in the housing, such that the motor enables the lighting system to move relative to the vehicle; as well as One or more seals that prevent fluid and / or debris from contacting the portion of the opening extending through the housing, the opening in the housing, or both.

2. The lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The housing is sealed to protect the motor inside the housing from fluids, debris, or both.

3. The lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The portion of the motor that extends through the opening to the outside of the housing is the motor shaft, and the one or more seals are single seals that are adjacent to the housing and are flexible enough to move together with the shaft.

4. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the one or more seals include one or more expansion regions that expand or contract with movement of the shaft, such that the one or more seals prevent the fluid and / or debris from contacting the shaft, the opening, or both.

5. The lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The motor is an unsealed motor.

6. The lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The one or more seals are connected to the housing by a portion of the one or more seals being clamped between the housing and the retainer.

7. The lighting system as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The one or more seals, the retainer, the housing, or a combination thereof include one or more sealing protrusions that assist in connecting the one or more seals to the housing.

8. The lighting system of claim 3, further comprising: A shaft connector is attached to the end of the shaft, and the shaft connector is movable relative to the vehicle when the motor moves the shaft.

9. The lighting system as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The one or more seals are connected to the shaft joint via one or more connectors.

10. A lighting system, comprising: A housing that can be attached to the interior of a vehicle; Electric motor; One or more seals that prevent fluid and / or debris from contacting the motor; as well as One or more brackets are connected to the motor such that when the motor moves, the housing moves relative to the one or more brackets and the vehicle.

11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein, The front end of the one or more supports is connected to the housing via one or more support arms, and the housing is pivotable relative to the one or more supports.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein, The housing is capable of moving about a single axis relative to the one or more support arms.

13. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein, The rear end of the bracket is connected to the shaft of the motor, and the shaft of the motor is movable by the motor to cause the housing to pivot about the one or more brackets.

14. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein, The one or more seals include one or more expansion regions that expand and contract as the shaft is moved by the motor.

15. The lighting system of claim 10, further comprising: A shaft connector, located at the end of the shaft of the motor, is connected to the one or more seals via one or more joints.

16. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein, The motor has a shaft extending through an opening in the housing, and one or more seals are located within the opening to prevent fluid, debris, or both from entering the housing.

17. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein, The one or more seals include an inner seal facing the interior of the housing and an outer seal facing the exterior of the housing, wherein the inner seal and the outer seal are coaxial.

18. The lighting system of claim 10, further comprising: A controller that communicates with the motor controls the motor such that the motor moves the housing relative to the one or more supports.

19. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein, The motor has no seals to prevent fluid from contacting it.

20. A system comprising: An unsealed motor, the unsealed motor comprising: Motor body and A shaft extending from the motor body; A motor housing that receives the motor body and includes an opening through which the shaft extends, such that the shaft is located outside the motor housing; One or more seals are in communication with the motor housing and the shaft, shaft joint or both, to isolate the motor body, the shaft or both from the environment outside the motor housing.

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