Vehicle light

Abstract

Vehicle lamp (10) comprising: a lamp body (12); a lamp unit (20A, 20B) mounted on the lamp body (12) to be adjustable in an upper and lower direction and in a right and left direction; a leveling actuator (60) configured to rotate the lamp unit (20A, 20B) in the upper and lower directions independently of rotation by the leveling; an aiming screw (44, 46) for aiming the lamp unit (20A, 20B) in the upper and lower directions, the aiming screw (44, 46) being mounted on the lamp body (12) so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a front and rear direction of the lamp; and a straightening nut (52) mounted on the straightening screw (44, 46) and threadedly engaged with the straightening screw (44, 46), wherein the leveling actuator (60) comprises: an actuator main body (62) which is fixed and supported on the lamp unit (20A, 20B); and an output shaft member (64) mounted on the actuator main body (62) to be movable in the front and rear directions of the lamp, and wherein the output shaft member (64) is arranged to protrude upwardly or downwardly from the actuator main body (62) and is coupled to the alignment nut (52) at a leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64), characterized by the fact that the alignment nut (52) is formed with a concave part (52a) for fitting the leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64) therein, and the concave part (52a) has an inner peripheral shape with which the leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64) fitted into the concave part (52a) is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the upper and lower directions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp comprising a leveling actuator. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A vehicle lamp is known which includes a lamp unit mounted on a lamp body to be adjustable in an up and down direction and in a right and left direction, and a leveling actuator configured to rotate the lamp unit in the up and down direction independently of rotation by leveling.

[0003] JP 2006-315 512 A shows a leveling actuator comprising: an actuator main body fixed and supported on the lamp unit, and an output shaft member supported on the actuator main body to be movable in a front and rear direction of the lamp and arranged to protrude toward a lamp rear side from the actuator main body.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp shown in JP 2006-315512 A, an aiming screw for aiming the lamp unit in the upper and lower directions is supported on the lamp body so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp, and the output shaft member of the leveling actuator is arranged to face a leading end portion of the aiming screw on the same axis as the aiming screw.

[0005] According to the vehicle lamp shown in JP 2006-315512 A, since the output shaft member of the leveling actuator is arranged in line with the aiming screw, the combined length of the leveling actuator and the aiming screw is extended in the front and rear directions. Therefore, it is not easy to secure a space for arranging the leveling actuator.

[0006] Further examples of previously known vehicle lights can be found in US 2013 / 0 121 013 A1 and EP 2 100 767 A1, which each form the basis for the two-part subdivision of independent claim 1.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp including a leveling actuator and capable of easily securing a space for arranging the leveling actuator therein. SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure is intended to design an embodiment of a leveling actuator to achieve the above object.

[0009] This is achieved by a vehicle light that includes: a lamp body; a lamp unit mounted on the lamp body to be adjustable in an up and down direction and in a right and left direction; a leveling actuator configured to rotate the lamp unit in the upper and lower directions independently of rotation by leveling; an aiming screw for aiming the lamp unit in the upper and lower directions, the aiming screw being mounted on the lamp body so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a front and rear direction of the lamp; and a straightening nut mounted on the straightening screw and threadedly engaged with the straightening screw, wherein the leveling actuator comprises: an actuator main body fixed and supported on the lamp unit; and an output shaft member supported on the actuator main body to be movable in the front and rear directions of the lamp, and wherein the output shaft member is arranged to protrude upwardly or downwardly from the actuator main body and is coupled to the alignment nut at a leading end portion of the output shaft member.

[0010] The leveling actuator of the present disclosure has the configuration in which the output shaft member protrudes upward or downward from the actuator main body and is coupled to the leading end portion of the alignment nut. Therefore, the alignment nut is formed with a concave portion for fitting the leading end portion of the output shaft member therein, and the concave portion has an inner peripheral surface shape with which the leading end portion of the output shaft member, which fits into the concave portion, is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the upper and lower directions.

[0011] By adopting the above configuration, after preventing excessive force from being applied to the coupled part of the output shaft member of the leveling actuator and the alignment nut, the movement of the output shaft member in the front and rear directions of the lamp can be transmitted as the rotation of the lamp unit in the up and down directions, so that leveling and alignment in the up and down directions can be performed without vibration. Furthermore, by adopting the above configuration, it is possible to absorb the assembly error of each element.

[0012] The aiming screw may be configured by only a part extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp as long as it is supported on the lamp body so as to be rotatable about the axis extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp, or may have a configuration in which a part extending in a direction crossing the front and rear directions of the lamp is coupled to a part extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp by means of a gear or the like.

[0013] The output shaft member is arranged to protrude upward or downward from the actuator main body. However, the output shaft member does not necessarily have to protrude directly upward or downward. For example, the output shaft member may be arranged to protrude in a direction inclined to a direction directly above or below, as long as it is within the range where leveling and straightening in the up-down and right-left directions are not disturbed.

[0014] The output shaft member is coupled to the alignment nut at the leading end portion thereof. However, the specific coupling structure is not particularly limited.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the vehicle lamp includes the leveling actuator configured to rotate the lamp unit in the up and down directions independently of rotation by leveling. However, since the output shaft member of the leveling actuator is coupled at the leading end portion thereof to the leveling nut, which threadably engages the leveling screw to adjust the lamp in the up and down directions, leveling can be performed by moving the output shaft member relative to the actuator main body in the front and rear directions of the lamp.

[0016] The output shaft member of the leveling actuator is arranged to protrude upward or downward from the actuator main body, which is fixed and supported on the lamp unit, and, unlike the conventional structure, is not arranged in line with the aiming screw. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the combined length of the leveling actuator and the aiming screw in the front and rear directions, making it easy to ensure space for arranging the leveling actuator.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily ensure the space for arranging therein the leveling actuator in the vehicle lamp including the leveling actuator.

[0018] In the above configuration, the alignment nut can be mounted on the lamp body so as to be slidable in the front and rear directions of the lamp. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which, when the alignment screw is rotated to adjust the lamp unit in the up and down directions, the alignment nut also tends to rotate, thus exerting excessive force on a part coupled to the output shaft member of the leveling actuator.

[0019] At this time, the alignment nut may be provided with an elastic piece configured to elastically press the alignment nut against the lamp body in the upper and lower directions. Accordingly, after the engagement state between the alignment nut and the lamp body is securely maintained, the alignment nut can be caused to slide relative to the lamp body.

[0020] The elastic piece may be formed integrally with the straightening nut or may be mounted to the straightening nut as a separate element.

[0021] In the above configuration, the output shaft member of the leveling actuator can be coupled to the alignment nut on a vertical surface including the axis of the alignment screw. This makes it possible to set a rotational center axis as an axis extending in a vertical direction when adjusting the lamp unit in the right and left directions, thus making it possible to accurately perform alignment in the right and left directions. Furthermore, it is possible to easily prevent excessive force from being applied to the coupled part of the output shaft member of the leveling actuator and the alignment nut.

[0022] At this time, the inner peripheral surface shape of the concave part of the alignment nut can be formed into a shape with which the leading end portion of the output shaft member, which is fitted into the concave part, is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the right-and-left direction. This makes it possible to easily prevent excessive force from being applied to the coupled part of the output shaft member of the leveling actuator and the alignment nut, even when the rotational center axis of the lamp unit extends in a direction relatively inclined to a vehicle width direction in the front-and-rear direction during leveling or alignment in the upper-and-lower direction. Furthermore, it is possible to absorb the assembly error of each member by adopting the above configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a III part of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view partially showing the vehicle lamp viewed from an oblique upper front side. Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 2 to illustrate a leveling function of the vehicle light. Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 5 and shows a first modified embodiment of the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 2 and shows a second modified embodiment of the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a similar view to Fig. 2 and shows a third modified embodiment of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a front view illustrating a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

[0025] In the drawings, a direction designated by a reference character X is a "front" of a lamp ("front" of a vehicle), a direction designated by a reference character Y is a "left direction" (a "left direction" of a vehicle; a "right direction" viewed from the lamp front) perpendicular to the "front", and a direction designated by a reference character Z is an "upper direction".

[0026] As in Fig. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment is a headlamp mounted on a right leading end portion of a vehicle, and has a configuration in which a lamp unit 20A for irradiating a low beam and a lamp unit 20B for irradiating a high beam are mounted side by side in a vehicle width direction so as to be accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a light-transmitting cover 14 that is transparent and mounted on a front opening of the lamp body.

[0027] In the lamp chamber, an extension plate 16, formed to surround the two lamp units 20A, 20B, is arranged near the front of the lamp units. The extension plate 16 is formed with circular openings 16a to allow light emission from the lamp units 20A, 20B at positions corresponding to the respective lamp units 20A, 20B.

[0028] The two lamp units 20A, 20B are mounted on the lamp body 12 by means of a common holder 40.

[0029] The bracket 40 is mounted on the lamp body 12 so as to be rotatable in an upper and lower direction and in a right and left direction by means of a pivot 42 positioned at a right upper side (a left upper side as viewed from the lamp front side) and two aiming screws 44, 46 positioned at a left upper side and a right upper side.

[0030] In addition, a leveling actuator 60 for rotating the two lamp units 20A, 20B in the upper and lower directions together with the bracket 40 is fixed and supported on the bracket 40 independently of rotation by straightening.

[0031] The two luminaire units 20A, 20B are both designed as light-projecting luminaire units.

[0032] As in Fig. 2, the right-side low beam lamp unit 20A includes: a projection lens 22 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front and rear direction of the vehicle, a light-emitting device 24 mounted on the back of a rear focal point F of the projection lens 22, and a reflector 26 arranged to cover the light-emitting device 24 from above and configured to reflect light from the light-emitting device 24 toward the projection lens 22.

[0033] The light-emitting device 24 and the reflector 26 are mounted on a base member 30, and the projection lens 22 is mounted on the base member 30 by means of a lens holder 28.

[0034] The base member 30 is formed with an upward reflection surface 30a configured to reflect upward a portion of the light reflected by the reflector 24 and cause it to be incident on the projection lens 22, so that a boundary line of a light distribution pattern for low beam is formed.

[0035] A lower surface of the base member 30 is formed with a plurality of heat radiation fins 30b so that the base member 30 functions as a heat sink.

[0036] The lighting unit 20A is fixed to the base element 30 and mounted on the bracket 40.

[0037] A part of the configuration of the lamp unit 20B is different from the lamp unit 20A to perform high beam emission, but the other configuration is similar to the lamp unit 20A.

[0038] The bracket 40 extends in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the two lamp units 20A, 20B, and a lower end portion thereof is formed with a lower wall part 40a configured to support the two lamp units 20A, 20B and extending toward the lamp front.

[0039] The pivot pin 42, positioned on the upper right side in the lamp chamber, is arranged to extend in the front and rear directions of the lamp, and a leading end portion (front end portion) 42a is formed in a spherical shape. The pivot pin 42 is fixed and supported on the lamp body 12 at its base end portion. The pivot pin 42 is engaged at the leading end portion 42a with a ball track bearing 48 mounted on the bracket 40 to be rotatable in all directions.

[0040] The alignment screw 44 (see Fig. 1), positioned on the upper left side in the lamp chamber, is arranged to extend in the front and rear directions of the lamp and is rotatably supported at its base end (rear end) portion on the lamp body 12. The aiming screw 44 is threadably engaged with an aiming nut 52 mounted on the bracket 40 in the vicinity of the leading end thereof. The aiming nut 52 is mounted on the bracket 40 in a manner that allows the bracket 40 to rotate to some extent in the front and rear directions around a position B threadably engaged with the aiming screw 44.

[0041] The aiming screw 46, positioned at the upper right side in the lamp chamber, is also arranged to extend in the front and rear directions of the lamp and is rotatably supported at its base end (rear end) on the lamp body 12. A guide nut 52, which is to be threadedly engaged with the aiming screw 46, is mounted near a leading end of the aiming screw 46. The aiming screw 46 is supported on the bracket 40 via the leveling actuator 60.

[0042] As in Fig. 1, an engagement position A of the leading end portion 42a of the pivot pin 42 and the ball track bearing 48 is located at the same height as the threaded engagement position B of the aiming screw 44 and the aiming nut 52. However, the engagement position A is shifted toward the lamp rear with respect to the threaded engagement position B. At the same time, a threaded engagement position C of the aiming screw 46 and the aiming nut 52 is located directly below the engagement position A.

[0043] When the two lamp units 20A, 20B are adjusted in the upper and lower directions, since a rotational center axis Lab becomes a line connecting the engagement position A and the threaded engagement position B, a line extending in a direction inclined toward the lamp back from the threaded engagement position B toward the engagement position A in a horizontal plane.

[0044] On the other hand, when the two lamp units 20A, 20B are adjusted in the right and left directions, a rotation center axis Lac is a line extending in the vertical direction connecting the engagement position A and the threaded engagement position C and a coupling position D (described later) located directly below the engagement position A.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a III part of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view partially illustrating the vehicle lamp 10 viewed from an oblique upper front side.

[0046] As shown in the drawings, the leveling actuator 60 includes an actuator main body 62 fixed and supported on the lower wall portion 40a of the bracket 40, and an output shaft member 64 supported on the actuator main body 62 so as to be movable in the front and rear directions of the lamp.

[0047] A lower wall portion of the actuator main body 62 is formed with an elongated hole 62a extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp. The output shaft member 62 is arranged to protrude downward (directly below) the elongated hole 62a of the actuator main body 62. Furthermore, both the left and right side surfaces of the actuator main body 62 are formed with tabs 62b having holes at the upper end portions thereof. The leveling actuator 60 is fixed to the lower wall portion 40a of the bracket 40 by means of fastening screws 66 in the respective tabs 62b.

[0048] A leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 has a spherical shape whose diameter is larger than a shaft portion of the output shaft member. A tip portion of the leading end portion 64a has a flat shape. The output shaft member 64 is coupled to the leading end portion 64a of the alignment nut 52.

[0049] The leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 and the alignment nut 52 are coupled in a vertical surface including an axis Ax1 extending in the front and rear direction of the lamp and becoming a rotation center of the alignment screw 46. That is, the coupling position D of the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 and the alignment nut 52 is located on the same vertical surface as the threaded engagement position C.

[0050] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the coupling position D is set to a position directly above the threaded engagement position C (ie, on the rotational center axis Lac).

[0051] The alignment nut 52 is an injection-molded product made of resin and is mounted on the lamp body 12 so that it can be moved in the front and rear directions of the lamp.

[0052] An upper part of the alignment nut 52 is formed with a concave part 52a for fitting the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 therein.

[0053] The concave part 52a has an inner peripheral shape with which the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 fitted into the concave part 52a is relatively displaceable by predetermined amounts in the upper and lower directions and the right and left directions, respectively.

[0054] Namely, the concave part 52a includes: a pair of front and rear vertical surfaces formed in a flat shape having a width slightly larger than the diameter of the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64, a pair of left and right vertical surfaces formed as a part of a cylindrical surface larger to some extent than the diameter of the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64, and a bottom wall surface formed at a position slightly deeper than a vertical width of the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64.In addition, upper end portions of the pair of front and rear vertical surfaces of the concave part 52a are formed with projections 52a1 to prevent the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 fitted in the concave part 52a from separating from the concave part 52a so as to extend a predetermined length in the right and left direction.

[0055] Thereby, the output shaft member 64, whose leading end portion 64a is fitted into the concave part 52a, correctly transmits movements thereof in the front and rear directions of the lamp to the alignment nut 52 and allows a slight play in the upper and lower directions and a relatively large play in the right and left directions.

[0056] A screw engagement part 52b of the alignment nut 52, which is to come into threaded engagement with the alignment screw 46, is positioned directly below the concave part 52a.

[0057] The aiming nut 52 has a dome portion 52c extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp, surrounding the aiming screw 46. An upper end portion of the dome portion 52c extends in both the front and rear directions from a lower end portion of the concave portion 52a and an upper end portion of the screw engagement portion 52b and is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape. Wall portions of both the front and rear ends of the dome portion 52c are formed with openings 52c1 for inserting the aiming screw 46 therein. In addition, an upper end portion of the dome part 52c is formed with slits 52c2 larger than the projections 52a1 at portions directly below the pair of front and rear projections 52a1 formed on the concave part 52a at both the front and rear sides of the screw engagement part 52b.

[0058] The alignment nut 52 includes a front flat plate portion 52d extending from a lower end portion of the dome portion 52c toward the lamp front, and a rear flat plate portion 52e extending toward the lamp rear. The front flat plate portion 52d and the rear flat plate portion 52e are both formed to extend along the horizontal plane, with a left and right width larger than the dome portion 52c.

[0059] The front flat plate part 52d is formed with a rectangular opening 52d1 extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp, with a width narrower than the dome part 52c. A rectangular elastic piece 52f extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp is arranged in the opening 52d1. The elastic piece 52f has a cantilever shape that extends slightly downward from a lower end position of a front wall part of the dome part 52c toward the front of the lamp.

[0060] In addition, the front flat plate part 52d is formed with a pair of left and right bead portions 52d2 extending from the lower end portion of the front wall part of the dome part 52c to a front end edge of the front flat plate part 52d along both the right and left edges of the opening 52d1, and a front end portion thereof is formed with a flange portion 52d3 extending upward along the front end edge of the front flat plate part 52d.

[0061] In addition, the front flat plate part 52d is formed at an intermediate position in the front and rear directions of the lamp with a pair of left and right tab portions 52d4 projecting in both the left and right directions from both left and right side surfaces of the front flat plate part 52d.

[0062] At the same time, the rear flat sheet part 52e is formed in a flat sheet shape having a front and rear length that is shorter than the front flat sheet part 52d.

[0063] The lamp body 12 is formed with a pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 12c for supporting the alignment nut 52 so that it can slide in the front and rear directions of the lamp. The pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 12c are formed on an upper surface of a lower surface wall 12a of the lamp body 12 so that they extend forward in parallel to each other from a rear surface wall 12b of the lamp body 12. The pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 12c have L-shaped sections facing each other, and a front and rear length thereof is slightly longer than the alignment nut 52.

[0064] As in Fig. 6, the alignment nut 52 is mounted on the lamp body 12 from the lamp front in a direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6 is shown in a state in which the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 is fitted into the concave part 52a.

[0065] That is, after the rear flat plate part 52e of the alignment nut 52 is inserted between the pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 12c, the screw engagement part 52b of the alignment nut 52 is inserted into the leading end portion of the alignment screw 46 to engage the alignment screw 46 in threaded engagement and is moved toward the lamp rear side. Then, after the pair of left and right tab portions 52d4 of the front flat plate part 52d of the alignment nut 52 are engaged with the pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 12c, the alignment nut 52 is further moved toward the lamp rear side, so that the alignment nut is mounted on the lamp body 12.

[0066] At this time, when the flange portion 52d3 of the alignment nut 52 is pushed away from the lamp front side by a finger, the alignment nut 52 can be easily moved toward the lamp rear side along the upper surface of the lower surface wall 12a of the lamp body 12. Furthermore, at this time, the elastic piece 52f is brought into contact with the lower surface wall 12a and is thus elastically deformed, so that the pair of left and right tab portions 52d4 can be easily engaged with the pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 12c.

[0067] Fig. 7 is a similar view to Fig. 2 for illustrating a leveling function of the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment.

[0068] Fig. 7 shows an aspect according to which the lamp unit 20A together with the bracket 40 is subjected to leveling in both the upper and lower directions from a straightening reference position by driving the leveling actuator 60.

[0069] As shown by the solid line in Fig. 7, in a state where the lamp unit 20A is located at the aiming reference position in the upper and lower directions and is not subjected to leveling, the optical axis Ax extends horizontally in the front and rear directions of the lamp.

[0070] As with the dash-colon line in Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, when the lamp unit 20A is leveled upward, the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 moves toward the lamp rear side with respect to the actuator main body 62. At this time, since the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 is coupled to the aiming nut 52 located at the aiming reference position in the upper and lower direction at the coupling position D, the actuator main body 62 is actually moved toward the lamp front side. Thereby, the lamp unit 20A is rotated upward around the rotational center axis Lab together with the bracket 40, and the optical axis Ax extends obliquely upward.

[0071] On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 moves toward the lamp front with respect to the actuator main body 62 when the lamp unit 20A is leveled downward. However, in actuality, the actuator main body moves toward the lamp rear. As a result, the lamp unit 20A is rotated downward about the rotational center axis Lab together with the bracket 40, and the optical axis Ax extends obliquely downward.

[0072] The following describes operational effects of the embodiment.

[0073] The vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment includes the leveling actuator 60 for rotating the lamp unit 20A in the up and down directions independently of the rotation by leveling. Since the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 is coupled at the leading end portion 64a thereof to the leveling nut 52, which is threadedly engaged with the leveling screw 46 to adjust the lamp unit 20A in the up and down directions, it is possible to perform leveling by moving the output shaft member 64 relative to the actuator main body 62 in the front and rear directions of the lamp.

[0074] At this time, the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 is arranged to protrude downward from the actuator main body 62 fixed and supported to the lamp unit 20A, and is not arranged in line with the aiming screw 46, unlike the prior art. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a combined length of the leveling actuator 60 and the aiming screw 46 in the front and rear directions, making it possible to easily secure a space for disposing the leveling actuator 60 therein.

[0075] According to the embodiment, it is possible to easily ensure the space for arranging therein the leveling actuator 60 in the vehicle lamp 10 including the leveling actuator 60.

[0076] In the embodiment, the alignment nut 52 can also be mounted on the lamp body 12 so as to be slidable in the front and rear directions of the lamp. Therefore, it is possible to prevent in advance a situation in which, when the alignment screw 46 is rotated to adjust the lamp unit 20A in the up and down directions, the alignment nut 52 also tends to rotate, thus exerting excessive force on the part coupled to the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60.

[0077] At this time, the alignment nut 52 is formed with the elastic piece 52f and configured to elastically press the alignment nut 52 downward toward the lamp body 12. Therefore, after the engagement state between the alignment nut 52 and the lamp body 12 is securely maintained, the alignment nut 52 can be caused to slide relative to the lamp body 12.

[0078] In the embodiment, the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 can also be coupled to the alignment nut 52 on the vertical surface including the axis Ax1 of the alignment screw 46. Therefore, it is possible to set the rotational center axis Lac as the axis extending in a vertical direction when adjusting the lamp unit 20A in the right and left directions, making it possible to accurately perform the right and left direction adjustment. Furthermore, this makes it possible to easily prevent excessive force from being applied to the coupled part of the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 and the alignment nut 52.

[0079] In the embodiment, the alignment nut 52 is formed with the concave part 52a for fitting the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 therein. The concave part 52a has an inner peripheral surface shape with which the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64, which is fitted into the concave part 52a, is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the upper and lower directions. Therefore, by preventing excessive force from being applied to the coupled part of the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 and the alignment nut 52, the movement of the output shaft member 64 in the front and rear directions of the lamp can be transmitted as rotation of the lamp unit 20A in the upper and lower directions.This makes it possible to perform leveling and straightening in the upper and lower directions without vibration and to absorb an assembly error of each element.

[0080] Furthermore, the concave part 52a of the alignment nut 52 has the inner peripheral surface shape with which the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64, which is fitted into the concave part 52a, is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the right-and-left direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to the coupled part of the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 and the alignment nut 52, even when the rotational center axis Lab of the lamp unit 20A extends in a direction relatively inclined to the vehicle width direction in the front-and-rear direction during leveling and alignment in the upper-and-lower directions.

[0081] In the embodiment, the elastic piece 52f is formed integrally with the alignment nut 52. However, a configuration in which a metallic elastic member is mounted on the alignment nut 52 as a separate member may also be adopted, for example.

[0082] In the embodiment, the two luminaire units 20A, 20B are both light-projecting luminaire units. However, a parabolic luminaire unit can also be assumed.

[0083] In the embodiment, the two lamp units 20A, 20B are mounted on the lamp body 12 by means of the bracket 40. However, one or three or more lamp units may be mounted on the lamp body 12 by means of the bracket 40. Furthermore, the lamp unit may be mounted directly on the lamp body 12 without using the bracket 40.

[0084] Modified embodiments are described below.

[0085] A first modified embodiment is described first.

[0086] Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 5 and shows main parts of a vehicle lamp 110 according to the first modified embodiment.

[0087] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the basic configuration of the vehicle lamp 110 is similar to the embodiment. However, a configuration of a guide nut 152 differs from the embodiment.

[0088] That is, the alignment nut 152 of the first modified embodiment is different from the alignment nut 52 of the embodiment in that it is further formed with a pair of left and right actuator engagement pieces 152g extending in a round horn shape from a concave part 152a thereof toward both the right and left directions.

[0089] Each of the actuator engagement pieces 152g extends obliquely upward from an outer peripheral wall of the concave part 152a and then extends vertically.

[0090] When the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 is fitted into the concave part 152a of the alignment nut 152, the pair of left and right actuator engagement pieces 152g are loosely engaged with both wall parts of the actuator main body 62 of the leveling actuator 60.

[0091] At the same time, the configuration of the concave part 152a of the alignment nut 152 is similar to the embodiment, and the configurations of the other parts are also similar to the embodiment.

[0092] By adopting the configuration of the first modified embodiment, the following operational effects can be achieved.

[0093] That is, like the first modified embodiment, the pair of left and right actuator engagement pieces 152g are engaged with the actuator main body 62, so that it is possible to prevent in advance the alignment nut 152 from inadvertently rotating around the rotational center axis Lac in the state where the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 is fitted into the concave part 152a. This makes it possible to keep the direction of the alignment nut 152 substantially constant.

[0094] When the bracket 40 is mounted to the lamp body 12, the leading end portion 64a of the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60, which is fixed and supported on the bracket 40, is fitted into the concave part 152a of the alignment nut 152, and the alignment nut 152 is then threadably engaged with the alignment screw 46. At this time, since the direction of the alignment nut 152 is kept substantially constant, it is possible to cause a screw engagement part 152b to substantially directly face the leading end portion of the alignment screw 46. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the operation of threadably engaging the alignment nut 152 and the alignment screw 46, thus making it possible to increase the assembly operability.

[0095] A second modified embodiment is described below.

[0096] Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 2 and illustrates a vehicle lamp 210 of the second modified embodiment.

[0097] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the basic configuration of the vehicle lamp 210 is similar to the embodiment. However, in the second modified embodiment, a mechanism for directing and leveling the lamp unit 20A is arranged together with a bracket 240 so as to be vertically reversed from the embodiment, and a configuration of a lamp body 212 is also different from the embodiment.

[0098] That is, in the second modified embodiment, the rotation center axis Lab is located below the lamp unit 20A when the lamp unit 20A is adjusted in the upper and lower directions.

[0099] Furthermore, in the second modified embodiment, the rotation center axis Lac is a vertically extending line when the lamp unit 20A is adjusted in the right-and-left direction. A positional relationship between the engagement position A and the threaded engagement position C and the coupling position D is opposite to that of the embodiment.

[0100] Accordingly, in the second modified embodiment, the pivot pin 42 and the ball track bearing 48 are located below the lamp unit 20A, and the aiming screw 46, the aiming nut 52 and the leveling actuator 60 are located above the lamp unit 20A.

[0101] In the second modified embodiment, the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 is coupled to the alignment nut 52 and is arranged to protrude upwardly from (directly above) the actuator main body 62.

[0102] In the second modified embodiment, furthermore, a pair of left and right sliding engagement parts 212c are formed on a lower surface of an upper surface wall 212d of the lamp body 212, which are configured to support the alignment nut 52 so as to be slidable in the front and rear directions of the lamp.

[0103] The bracket 240 in the second modified embodiment has a shape different from the bracket 40 of the embodiment because the configuration for directing and leveling the lamp unit 20A is vertically reversed.

[0104] Even if the configuration of the second modified embodiment is adopted, since the output shaft member 64 of the leveling actuator 60 is arranged to protrude upward from the actuator main body 62 fixed and supported to the lamp unit 20A and, unlike the prior art, is not arranged in line with the aiming screw 46, it is possible to reduce the combined length of the leveling actuator 60 and the aiming screw 46 in the front and rear directions. This makes it possible to easily secure the space for arranging the leveling actuator 60 therein.

[0105] A third modified embodiment is described below.

[0106] Fig. 10 is a similar view to Fig. 2 and illustrates a vehicle lamp 310 of the third modified embodiment.

[0107] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 10, the basic configuration of the vehicle lamp 310 is similar to the second modified embodiment. However, a configuration of an aiming screw 346 is different from the second modified embodiment, and a configuration of a lamp body 312 is also correspondingly different from the second modified embodiment.

[0108] That is, the aiming screw 346 of the third modified embodiment has a configuration in which a screw main body part 346A extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp and a drive shaft part 346B extending in the upper and lower directions are coupled by means of a pair of bevel gears 346Aa, 346Ba.

[0109] The screw main body part 346A is arranged on an axis Ax1 extending in the front and rear directions of the lamp, like the aiming screw 46 of the second modified embodiment. The screw main body part 346A has a shape in which a rear part of the aiming screw 46 of the second modified embodiment is cut off, and the bevel gear 346Aa is fixed to a rear end portion of the screw main body part.

[0110] An upper surface wall 312d of the lamp body 312 is provided with a stay 318 configured to rotatably support the screw main body portion 346A in the vicinity of the front side of the bevel gear 346A.

[0111] On the other hand, the drive shaft part 346B is arranged on an axis Ax2 extending perpendicular to the axis Ax1, and is rotatably supported at an upper end portion thereof on the upper surface wall 312d of the lamp body 312. The bevel gear 346Ba meshes with the bevel gear 346Aa of the screw main body part 346A, being fixed to a lower end portion of the drive shaft part 346Bh.

[0112] In the third modified embodiment, the screw main body part 346A is rotated about the axis Ax1, so that the lamp unit 20A is adjusted in the upper and lower directions when the drive shaft part 346B of the aiming screw 346 is caused to rotate about the axis Ax2.

[0113] According to the third modified embodiment, it is also possible to obtain the operational effects similar to the second modified embodiment.

[0114] Furthermore, when the configuration of the third modified embodiment is adopted, it is possible to easily perform the directing of the lamp unit 20A in the upper and lower directions by operating the vehicle lamp 310 from above.

[0115] The numerical values ​​described in the embodiment and the modified embodiments thereof are only exemplary and can be set to different values ​​accordingly.

Claims

[1] Vehicle lamp (10) comprising: a lamp body (12); a lamp unit (20A, 20B) mounted on the lamp body (12) to be adjustable in an upper and lower direction and in a right and left direction; a leveling actuator (60) configured to rotate the lamp unit (20A, 20B) in the upper and lower directions independently of rotation by the leveling; an aiming screw (44, 46) for aiming the lamp unit (20A, 20B) in the upper and lower directions, the aiming screw (44, 46) being mounted on the lamp body (12) so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a front and rear direction of the lamp; and a straightening nut (52) mounted on the straightening screw (44, 46) and threadedly engaged with the straightening screw (44, 46), wherein the leveling actuator (60) comprises: an actuator main body (62) which is fixed and supported on the lamp unit (20A, 20B); and an output shaft member (64) mounted on the actuator main body (62) to be movable in the front and rear directions of the lamp, and wherein the output shaft member (64) is arranged to protrude upwardly or downwardly from the actuator main body (62) and is coupled to the alignment nut (52) at a leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64), characterized by the fact that the alignment nut (52) is formed with a concave part (52a) for fitting the leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64) therein, and the concave part (52a) has an inner peripheral shape with which the leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64) fitted into the concave part (52a) is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the upper and lower directions. [2] A vehicle lamp (10) according to claim 1, wherein the alignment nut (52) is mounted on the lamp body (12) to be displaceable in the front and rear directions of the lamp. [3] The vehicle lamp (10) according to claim 2, wherein the alignment nut (52) is provided with an elastic piece (52f) configured to elastically press the alignment nut (52) onto the lamp body (12) in the upper and lower directions. [4] The vehicle lamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output shaft member (64) is coupled to the alignment nut (52) in a vertical surface comprising the axis. [5] The vehicle lamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the concave part (52a) has an inner peripheral shape with which the leading end portion (64a) of the output shaft member (64) fitted into the concave part (52a) is relatively displaceable by a predetermined amount in the right and left direction.

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