Pivot bearing for the rotatable mounting of a light module in a support frame of a headlight

Abstract

Bearing arrangement (1), in particular for pivotably receiving a light module (10) in a support frame (11) of a headlight, wherein a latching bearing element (12) is provided which is arranged on the light module (10) and which has a rotary bearing section (13) which is received in a bearing shell (14) formed on the support frame (11) to form a latch, wherein the latching bearing element (12) comprises a latching projection (15) which latches against a counter-latching surface (16) when the rotary bearing section (13) is inserted in the bearing shell (14), characterized in that the latching bearing element (12) has a bow-like extension (18) which extends away from the rotary bearing section (13) and on which the latching projection (15) is arranged.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing arrangement, in particular for pivotably supporting a light module in a support frame of a headlight. The invention also relates to bearing arrangements arranged between a support frame and a housing of a headlight, wherein a pivotable support frame in the housing is comparable and, within the meaning of the invention, identical to a pivotable arrangement of a light module in or on a support frame of a headlight. The bearing arrangement according to the invention thus forms any form of pivotable support of a component directly or indirectly in the housing of a headlight. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] DE 10 2013 104 190 A1 discloses a bearing assembly for pivotably supporting a module assembly in a headlight housing. The bearing assembly comprises a screwable bearing element, allowing a pivot pin on the light module to be accommodated in the bearing element. To provide a mounting option for the bearing element, the bearing element is screwed to the support frame. The bearing elements are first placed on the bearing pins of the light module and then screwed to the support frame together with the light module in a further mounting direction.

[0003] Bearing assemblies formed with a screw connection are complex and require tools for assembly. Furthermore, the bearing assembly does not compensate for bearing play, and, for example, a bearing clearance between the bearing element and the pin on the light module cannot be compensated. A further disadvantage is that the bearing element used can only be used for a specific arrangement of a light module in a support frame, and to use the bearing element, the support frame must have a specially prepared mounting geometry.

[0004] Document DE 102 58 403 A1 discloses a vehicle lamp comprising a reflector tiltably supported by an aiming device located between the reflector and a lamp body. An aiming lever pivot forming the aiming device is formed with a ball joint having a pivot pin on the reflector side and a bearing on the lamp body side. The pivot pin is formed with a shaft portion on the base end side and a ball portion on the front end side. The bearing is formed with a cylindrical ball bearing portion at an inner edge, where a ball support surface is in press contact with the ball portion, which opens forwardly via an annular reduced-diameter portion. Vertical slots are provided in the open peripheral edge portion of the ball bearing portion.The ball portion is formed as a substantially hemispherical ball portion such that its front side, which is press-fitted into the ball bearing portion, has a spherical surface. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to simplify a bearing element, in particular for pivotably receiving a light module in a support frame of a headlight or for pivotably receiving a support frame in the housing of a headlight, in particular the object is to further develop a bearing arrangement in such a way that it can be easily assembled.

[0006] This object is achieved by a bearing arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a locking element according to claim 8.

[0007] The invention includes the technical teaching that a locking bearing element is provided which is arranged on the light module and which has a rotary bearing section which is received in a bearing shell formed on the support frame to form a locking mechanism, wherein the locking bearing element comprises a locking projection which locks against a counter-locking surface when the rotary bearing section is inserted in the bearing shell, and wherein the locking bearing element has a bow-like extension which extends away from the rotary bearing section and on which the locking projection is arranged.

[0008] The core idea of ​​the invention is a further development of a bearing arrangement that is play-free and easy to install without the aid of additional tools. The locking bearing element can be easily locked onto the support frame, and by previously arranging the locking bearing element on the light module, the bearing arrangement is already ready for use. By forming the actual bearing connection using the pivot bearing section for arrangement in the bearing shell, a manual joining option is created in that the pivot bearing section can be easily inserted into the bearing shell. The locking is formed in such a way that the pivot bearing section remains captively in the bearing shell on the support frame. Another advantage is that any remaining bearing play can be pressed out with a locking mechanism, since the locking is designed using spring elements.The spring elements permanently press the pivot bearing section of the locking bearing element into the bearing shell on the support frame. This results in a pivotable mount for the light module on the support frame without the need for additional joining elements such as screws, clamps, or the like. The particular advantage is that the locking bearing element can be manufactured as a single piece from an inexpensive plastic material using injection molding.

[0009] The inventive design of the bearing arrangement provides that the locking bearing element comprises a locking projection that locks against a counter-locking surface when the pivot bearing section is inserted in the bearing shell. Consequently, the pivot bearing section does not lock in the bearing shell, for example by the bearing shell having an enclosing angle of more than 180° to enclose the pivot bearing section, but rather the locking projection is arranged separately on the locking bearing element and locks with the support frame. In this case, the counter-bearing surface can, for example, be formed on a rear side of the bearing shell. The counter-locking surface has a radius on the rear side of the bearing shell around a center point that coincides with the center point of the bearing shell and thus also of the pivot bearing section. If the light module now pivots in the support frame, the locking projection moves along the rear side of the bearing shell and slides along it.Ideally, the locking projection remains under tension against the counter-locking surface on the rear side of the bearing shell, so that the bearing section always remains pressed into the bearing shell, and in this way, in particular, a play-free arrangement of the pivot bearing section in the bearing shell can be achieved.

[0010] In order to engage behind the rear side of the support frame with the locking projection, the locking bearing element according to the invention has a bow-like extension which extends away from the pivot bearing section and on which the locking projection is arranged. The bearing shell on the support frame therefore forms a crescent-shaped section, and on one side towards the axis of rotation of the light module, the bearing shell has the sliding surface for slidingly receiving the pivot bearing section, and on the side facing away from the center point, the counter-locking surface is located on the rear side. In order to guide the locking projection in a resilient arrangement on the locking bearing element to the rear side of the bearing shell, the bow-like extension is provided on the locking bearing element, which extends away from the pivot bearing section and thus engages behind the rear side of the bearing shell.

[0011] Another advantage is that the pivot bearing section comprises a spring-loaded segment that rests resiliently against the inner sliding surface of the bearing shell. The spring-loaded segment further braces the pivot bearing section within the bearing shell, so that the spring preload of the spring-loaded segment counteracts the spring tension in the locking projection of the locking bearing element. In other words, the crescent-shaped section of the bearing shell is clamped to the support frame between the spring-loaded element on the inside and the locking projection on the outside or rear.

[0012] The locking bearing element advantageously has a receptacle formed in the pivot bearing section, into which a projection on the light module is inserted for arranging the locking bearing element on the light module. The receptacle in the locking bearing element can, for example, have a rectangular internal geometry, into which a complementary projection formed on the light module is inserted. It is sufficient to design the receptacle open on one side so that the locking bearing elements can, for example, be plugged onto two opposing projections on the light module, in order to then lock the light module together with the locking bearing elements to the support frame.The locking bearing elements are plugged onto the projections of the light module from the lateral joining direction, and the locking of the light module with the attached locking bearing elements on the support frame is carried out in a joining direction that runs perpendicular to the pivot axis direction of the light module in the support frame.

[0013] It is also advantageous for the locking bearing element to be formed as a single piece, forming a bearing interface between the light module and the support frame. Further advantageously, the locking bearing element is made of a POM plastic and / or manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0014] The invention further relates to a locking bearing element for pivotably receiving a light module in a support frame of a headlight, wherein the locking bearing element has a rotary bearing section which is received in a bearing shell formed on the support frame, forming a locking of a locking projection.

[0015] The locking bearing element according to the invention is preferably made of a POM plastic and manufactured by means of an injection molding process. A special design of the locking bearing element is created by manufacturing it as a single piece, thus forming a simple bearing interface between the light module and the support frame. The locking bearing element preferably has a receptacle that is inserted into the inside of the pivot bearing section, and a projection of the light module can be inserted into the receptacle. If the locking bearing element is arranged on the light module and pivots the light module in the support frame, the locking bearing element also pivots together with the light module in the support frame.

[0016] The locking bearing element according to the invention further comprises a bow-like extension which extends away from the pivot bearing section and on which a locking projection is arranged. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a bearing arrangement for pivotably receiving a light module in a support frame, wherein the bearing arrangement comprises a locking bearing element according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the locking bearing element and Fig. 3 a side view of the bearing arrangement of the light module on the support frame with the locking bearing element.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support frame 11 in which several light modules can be arranged. For example, a light module 10 is accommodated on the support frame 11 to form a bearing assembly 1. The bearing assembly 1 comprises the locking bearing element 12 according to the invention, with the assembly being shown in a fully assembled state. The light module 10 is pivotable about a transverse axis, and on a non-visible rear side, there is another locking bearing element for forming a second bearing point for the light module 10 in the support frame 11.

[0019] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the locking bearing element 12, which is manufactured, for example, from a POM plastic using an injection molding process. The locking bearing element 12 has a pivot bearing section 13 as an essential structural component, and a receptacle 21 is located centrally in the pivot bearing section 13. A projection arranged on the light module can be inserted into the receptacle 21 from the rear, as shown, so that the locking bearing element 12 can be plugged onto the light module 10, for example, from the side.

[0020] A bow-like extension 18 extends rearwardly from the pivot bearing section 13, and the bow-like extension 18 essentially forms a U-shape. Located inside the bow-like extension 18 is a locking projection 15 that points toward the pivot bearing section 13. On the side facing the locking projection 15, the pivot bearing section 13 has a spring tongue segment 19, which creates an elastic flexibility in the pivot bearing section 13.

[0021] Fig.3 shows the bearing arrangement 1 according to the invention for pivotably receiving the light module 10 in the support frame 11 of a headlight for a vehicle. An approximately semicircular, crescent-shaped bearing shell 14 is formed on the support frame 11, into which the pivot bearing section 13 of the locking bearing element 12 is inserted on the inside in the sliding surface 20. The bow-like extension 18 with the locking projection 15 extends behind the crescent-shaped bearing shell 14, and the locking projection 15 can lock against the rear side 17 of the bearing shell 14 when the pivot bearing section 13 is fully inserted into the bearing shell 14. The rear side 17 thus forms a counter-locking surface 16, and by locking the locking projection 15 to the rear side of the bearing shell 14, the locking bearing element 12 is arranged in a captive manner.The bow-like extension 18, just like the locking projection 15, forms a spring-elastic part of the locking bearing element 12, and the bow-like extension 18 with the locking projection 15 moves behind the bearing shell 14, for which the bearing shell 14 has a lateral free space.

[0022] If the light module 10 is pivoted together with the locking bearing element 12, the tip of the locking projection 15 slides on the counter-locking surface 16, so that the rear side 17 of the bearing shell 14 advantageously has a circle center that coincides with the circle center of the sliding surface 20.

[0023] The locking bearing element 12 can also be easily detached from the support frame 11 together with the light module 10. To do so, the locking projection 15 with the bow-like extension 18 simply needs to be pushed back, so that the locking bearing element 12 can be removed again in the opening direction of the bearing shell 14.

[0024] The pivot bearing section 13 has a spring tongue element 19, which provides additional bracing for the pivot bearing section 13 in the bearing shell 14. Consequently, the bearing shell 14 is actually braced between the spring tongue element 19 and the locking projection 15. However, rotation is retained within a sufficient angular segment so that the locking bearing element 12 can be pivoted together with the light module 10 in the support frame 11. To ensure that the locking bearing element 12 is arranged on the light module 10 in a rotationally secure manner, the light module 10 has a projection 22, which is received in a receptacle 21 without play. The receptacle 21 is formed on the locking bearing element 12 and is located, for example, in the inner region of the pivot bearing section 13.

[0025] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which utilize the presented solution even in fundamentally different embodiments. All features and / or advantages apparent from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. List of reference symbols 1 bearing arrangement 10 light modules 11 Supporting frame 12 locking bearing element 13 Pivot bearing section 14 bearing shell 15 locking projection 16 Counter-locking surface 17 Back 18 bow-like extension 19 Spring tongue element 20 Sliding surface 21 recording 22 lead

Claims

[1] Bearing arrangement (1), in particular for pivotably receiving a light module (10) in a support frame (11) of a headlight, wherein a locking bearing element (12) is provided which is arranged on the light module (10) and which has a rotary bearing section (13) which is received in a bearing shell (14) formed on the support frame (11) to form a locking mechanism, wherein the locking bearing element (12) comprises a locking projection (15) which locks against a counter-locking surface (16) when the rotary bearing section (13) is inserted in the bearing shell (14), characterized by that the locking bearing element (12) has a bow-like extension (18) which extends away from the pivot bearing section (13) and on which the locking projection (15) is arranged. [2] Bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the counter-locking surface (16) is formed on a rear side (17) of the bearing shell (14). [3] Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pivot bearing section (13) comprises a spring tongue segment (19) which resiliently bears against a sliding surface (20) of the bearing shell (14). [4] Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking bearing element (12) has a receptacle (21) formed in the pivot bearing section (13), into which a projection (22) on the light module (10) is inserted for arranging the locking bearing element (12) on the light module (10). [5] Bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the receptacle (21) has a rectangular internal geometry into which a complementarily formed projection (22) is inserted. [6] Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking bearing element (12) is formed in one piece and forms a bearing interface between the light module (10) and the support frame (11). [7] Bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking bearing element (12) comprises a POM plastic and / or is manufactured by means of an injection molding process. [8] Latching bearing element (12) for pivotably receiving a light module (10) in a support frame (11) of a headlight, wherein the latching bearing element (12) has a rotary bearing section (13) which is received in a bearing shell (14) formed on the support frame (11) to form a latching of a latching projection (15), wherein the latching bearing element (12) has a bow-like extension (18) which extends away from the rotary bearing section (13) and on which the latching projection (15) is arranged.

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