Display device for the horizontal adjustment of a headlight, headlight mounting system and method for adjusting a headlight

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device (10) for indicating the horizontal position of a headlight with a pointer (18) arranged on the adjusting screw (16), as well as a headlight mounting system (100) and a method for adjusting a headlight.

Description

Prior ArtEP 4 134 276 A1 discloses a display device for the horizontal adjustment of a headlight, wherein an adjustment screw and a threaded rod are provided, wherein the threaded rod is coupled to the adjustment screw by means of spur gearing. A pointer for indicating the horizontal position of the headlight is arranged on the threaded rod.DE 43 33 769 C2 discloses a headlight having a housing in which a reflector is adjustably arranged. A connecting part is screwed onto an axially fixed adjusting screw, which connecting part is connected to the reflector, so that the reflector is adjusted when the adjusting screw is rotated. For controlling the adjustment of the reflector, a display device is provided which has a movable display part fixed to the connecting part and a substantially fixed display part arranged outside the housing. The substantially stationary display part is arranged on a guide such that it is difficult to move, so that although this display part can be moved in order to allow a basic setting, it is fixed in its set position. The heavy displaceability of the substantially fixed display part is achieved, for example, by being arranged on the guide with a slight press fit (frictional connection).Headlights are known from the prior art, which have a lamp unit with one or more lamps and with a holder, a headlight housing, a reflector and a lens. After the lamp unit has been mounted in the headlight housing, the lamp unit must be aligned, in particular vertically and horizontally. In the lamp units, LEDs and / or light sources with high intensity are used as main lighting. In order to avoid glare to oncoming drivers, the importance of correct alignment of these bright vehicle headlights is known.Headlight adjusting devices or adjusting devices are used for aligning the lamp unit, wherein the headlight adjusting device can be formed as part of the holder, part of the housing or can be arranged as a separate part between the housing and the holder.In the past, headlights with ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam / partially low beam) were not permitted in the USA. In all other headlights in the USA, the horizontal adjustment of the headlight must be blocked. After the headlight has been aligned in the vehicle during the OEM, this is achieved by a mechanical securing means or access to the adjusting screw is prevented by a stopper or the like.Changes were introduced with the update of U.S. Specification FMVSS.108 in February 2022. For permitting ADB, a display device for adjusting the horizontal position of the headlamp is necessary. This display device, known as a VHAD (Vertical Headlamp Imaging Device) system, is exclusively prescribed for the horizontal adjustment of the headlight.Disclosure of the InventionThe present invention aims to provide a display device which satisfies the above-mentioned requirements and is adapted to existing headlights.The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a display device having the features of claim 1. The display device has a housing which can be fastened to the headlight, in particular to the headlight housing. An adjusting element extending along a linear axis for adjusting the position of the headlight is arranged in the housing. The adjustment member has an input portion at its first end, an output portion at its second end, and a shaft portion provided between the first end and the second end. The input section serves as an interface for the assembler in order to set the horizontal position of the headlight, in particular of the light unit, by means of the setting element. The output section can be coupled to a headlight adjusting device. Furthermore, the display device has a pointer, which is guided and displaceable in the housing parallel to the linear axis, for displaying the position of the headlight, in particular of the light unit, wherein the pointer is coupled to the setting element, in particular to the shaft section.This is accompanied by the advantage that the pointer is arranged directly on the setting element. Furthermore, the display device is made more compact. In contrast to the prior art, this ensures a higher accuracy in the display of the position of the headlight. Due to the transmission of the movement from the adjusting screw to the threaded rod by means of spur gearing, an imprecision in the display can be expected in the prior art due to flexibility in the gear pairing.The linear axis is preferably vertically oriented and / or the pointer is vertically displaceable.In the sense of this invention, the term "horizontal" is to be understood in such a way that a horizontal alignment runs perpendicular to the force direction of the gravity. In the sense of this invention, the term "vertical" is to be understood in such a way that a horizontal alignment runs parallel to the force direction of the gravity.For coupling the pointer to the adjusting element, in particular to the shank portion, an external thread is preferably provided on the adjusting element, in particular on the shank portion, and an internal thread is provided on the pointer. Accordingly, during a rotation of the adjusting element in conjunction with the linear guidance of the housing, the pointer is displaced parallel to the linear axis. Consequently, it is possible to easily and accurately display the position of the headlamp.For improved readability of the position of the headlight, a scale is preferably provided on the housing. The scale has in particular a zero value, so that a horizontal zero position of the headlight can be indicated.It is advantageous if the housing has a first housing part and a second housing part which is formed separately from the first housing part. Accordingly, the adjustment element can be arranged in the housing and the housing can subsequently be mounted.For easier handling during assembly, a hinge extending parallel to the linear axis is provided, so that the second housing part can be rotated relative to the first housing part about a hinge axis extending parallel to the linear axis.Preferably, the scale is provided on the second housing part. Preferably, the second housing part is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the first housing part along the linear axis in such a way that the pointer is displaceable into the zero position of the scale. It is furthermore advantageous if elongated holes extending parallel to the linear axis are provided on the first housing part and / or on the second housing part for fixing the zero position of the scale. Consequently, the horizontal zero position of the headlight, in particular of the light unit, can first be adjusted and the pointer can then be displaced to the zero position of the scale by means of the displacement of the second housing part. As soon as the light unit is adjusted and the pointer on the scale indicates the zero position, the first housing part and the second housing part can be connected to one another by means of the slots and corresponding fastening means.It is furthermore advantageous if the indicator has a head section with a display means, in particular an arrow or a triangle, and a foot section and in particular a web section connecting the head section and the foot section. The foot section is preferably partially circular, so that it can interact with the shaft section, which is in particular circular cylindrical. It is furthermore advantageous if the internal thread is arranged on the foot section. Furthermore, at least one latching section, in particular in the form of a barb, can be provided on the foot section.For easier assembly of the pointer on the adjusting element, in particular on the shank portion, the foot portion is designed to be elastic in such a way that the pointer can be clipped onto the shank portion.An advantageous further development provides that the second housing part has a mounting recess through which the pointer, in particular the foot section, can be introduced into the housing. Accordingly, after the mounting of the first housing part and the second housing part, the pointer can be connected to the adjusting element. Accordingly, the display device can be preassembled as a module and the pointers can be attached following the setting of the horizontal position of the headlight.Preferably, in the assembled state, the foot section and the shank section cooperate and / or the latching section abuts on the second housing part on the inside, that is to say within the housing. The latching section is designed in such a way that the foot section can be introduced into the housing, but cannot be removed from the housing without further aids. Consequently, it is ensured that the pointer is easy to mount and cannot subsequently fall out.The object underlying the invention is likewise achieved by a headlight mounting system having the features of claim 11. The headlamp mounting system includes a display device described above and also a headlamp adjusting device. The adjusting element of the display device and an adjusting screw of the headlight adjusting device are formed in one piece.It is advantageous if the headlight adjusting device is designed to adjust the horizontal position of the headlight, and the longitudinal axis runs vertically. Consequently, a narrow headlight mounting system and / or a narrow display device is provided.The object on which the invention is based is likewise achieved by a method for setting the horizontal position of a headlight having the features of claim 13. The method comprises the following steps: a) arranging the adjustment element in the housing; b) connecting the first housing part and the second housing part; c) setting the horizontal position of the headlight to a zero position by means of the headlight setting device; and d) inserting the pointer into the housing and clipping the pointer onto the adjustment element.Accordingly, the headlamp can be optimally adjusted and the pointer can be easily and quickly mounted subsequent to indicating the position of the headlamp.It is conceivable that step c) is carried out before step b).It is further advantageous if the method also comprises the following step:e) readjustment of the second housing part so that the pointer is arranged on the scale at the zero position.Accordingly, the pointer can be set exactly at the zero position even if the pointer is displaced due to the impingement of the thread turns of the external and internal threads during mounting of the pointer.Further details and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, on the basis of which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described and explained further.The following are shown: FIGS. 1 to 3 show an assembled display device, FIG. 4 shows a housing, FIG. 5 shows an adjusting element, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a display device when mounting the pointer, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show a pointer.A display device 10 for displaying the position of a headlight, not shown, has a housing 12, an adjusting element 16 extending along a linear axis 14, and a pointer 18 cooperating with the adjusting element 16. The adjustment element 16 is rotatably mounted within the housing 12. By means of the adjusting element 16, the operator can change the horizontal position of the headlight, in particular of the light unit. For this purpose, the adjusting element 16 has an input section 22 at the first end 20, on which the operator can place a tool, not shown. Furthermore, the adjusting element 16 has an output section 26 at its second end 24 opposite the first end 20, wherein the output section 26 is coupled to a headlight adjusting device 28. Between the first end 20 and the second end 24, a shaft portion 30 is provided on the adjustment element 16.The housing 12 is preferably embodied in two parts and in particular has a first housing part 32 and a second housing part 34 embodied separately from the first housing part 32. Accordingly, the adjusting element 16 can be inserted into the first housing part 32 and the second housing part 34 can subsequently be fastened to the first housing part 32. The display device 10 can be fastened to the headlight, in particular to the headlight housing, not shown, by means of the first housing part 32. The first housing part 32 and the second housing part 34 can be connected to one another in an openable manner according to FIG. 4 by means of a hinge 36.According to FIG. 5, the adjusting element 16 is preferably designed as a threaded rod. The shank portion 30 has an external thread 38 which, according to FIG. 7, interacts with an internal thread 40 provided on the pointer 18. The pointer 18 is mounted in the second housing part 34 so as to be displaceable along the linear axis 14. The pointer 18 and the adjustment element 16 are coupled in such a way that, during the rotation of the adjustment element 16, the pointer 18 is displaced parallel to the linear axis 14. For indicating the horizontal position of the headlight, a scale 42 is provided on the second housing part 34 according to FIG. 2 and an indicator means 43, in particular a triangle, an arrow or a diamond, is provided on the pointer 18. The position of the headlight can be read by means of the pointer 18 and the scale 42.Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the pointer 18 includes a head portion 44, a leg portion 46, and a leg portion 48, the leg portion 46 being disposed between the head portion 44 and the leg portion 48. The foot section 48 has a part-circular cross section that can be seen substantially along the linear axis 14. The internal thread 40 is arranged on an inner diameter 50 of the foot section 48. The internal thread 40 preferably extends only in sections over the internal diameter 50. The foot section 48 is furthermore designed to be elastic in such a way that the pointer 18 can be clipped onto the shank section 30. For secure fastening of the pointer 18, the foot section 48 preferably extends over an angle greater than 180°, in particular 210°.Furthermore, the head portion 44 is curved and / or substantially planar or planar. The head portion 44 and the foot portion 48 are connected to each other by means of the web portion 46. The pointer 18 is preferably formed in one piece.According to FIG. 6, the second housing part 34 has a guide groove 50 extending parallel to the linear axis 14 and a mounting recess 52. Once the housing 12 and the adjusting element 16 are mounted in the housing 12, the pointer 18 can be inserted into the housing 12 and clipped onto the adjusting element 16 by means of the mounting recess 52. In the assembled state, the foot section 48 is arranged inside and the head section 44 outside the housing 12, wherein in particular the second housing part 34 is arranged between the head section 44 and the foot section 48. The web portion 46 is guided along the guide groove 50 on the housing 12.In order to prevent the pointer 18 from falling out of the mounting recess 52 and / or to ensure a secure connection between the external thread 38 and the internal thread 40, two latching sections 54 in the form of barbs are provided on the foot section 48 according to FIGS. 7 to 9. The latching portions 54 are pushed inward when the pointer 18 is inserted into the housing 12 and abut on the inside of the second housing part 34 when the pointer 18 is clipped onto the setting element 16. It is also conceivable that for improved guidance a gap is provided between the latching sections 54 and the second housing part 34.In order to adjust a headlight, in particular a light unit, and to display the horizontal position of the headlight by means of the display device 10, the adjustment element 16 is first inserted into the housing 12, in particular the first housing part 32. The adjusting member 16 is coupled to a headlamp adjuster 28 via the output portion 26. An operator or a robot can set the horizontal position of the headlight by means of the input section 22. Subsequently, the second housing part 34 is connected to the first housing part 32. For fastening, the housing parts 32, 34 each have two through-bores 56, through which fastening means, not shown, can be introduced. It is alternatively conceivable that the second housing part 34 is mounted before the adjustment of the horizontal position of the headlight.In a further step, the pointer 18 can be inserted into the housing 12 and clipped onto the setting element 16. It is possible that when clipping the pointer 18, the pointer 18 is displaced parallel to the linear axis 14 when the thread flanks of the external thread 38 and of the internal thread 40 meet. In this case, the pointer 18 is not arranged at the zero position of the scale 42. For aligning the pointer 18 at the zero position of the scale 42, the first housing part 32 and the second housing part 34 are arranged so as to be displaceable relative to one another parallel to the linear axis 14. In this case, the second housing part 34 can be displaced so that the indicator means of the pointer 18 is at the zero position of the scale 42. For fastening the second housing part 34 to the first housing part 32, the through-bores 56 are designed in the form of elongated holes extending parallel to the linear axis 14. Thus, the indicator 10 can be mounted as a complete assembly in the headlamp, then the horizontal position of the headlamp adjusted, and finally the pointer 18 readjusted to the zero position of the scale 42.Locking means 58, in particular in the form of rivets or sealers, can be provided on the housing 12. The blocking means 58 cannot connect the first housing part 32 and the second housing part 34 in a non-destructive manner. These can prevent an unauthorized person from intervening and the adjustment of the position of the pointer 18. It is thus ensured that the pointer 18 indicates the actual horizontal position of the headlight.The headlight adjustment device 28 adjusts the horizontal position of the light unit preferably by rotation about an axis of rotation 60, wherein the axis of rotation 60 preferably runs perpendicular to the linear axis 14. The axis of rotation 60 preferably extends horizontally. The linear axis 14 preferably extends vertically.The display device 10 and the headlight adjusting device 28 form, as shown in FIG. 1, a headlight mounting system 100 which is mountable in a headlight. The adjusting element 16 of the display device 10 is formed integrally with an adjusting screw of the headlight adjusting device 28.

Claims

Display device (10) for displaying the position of a headlight, the display device (10) comprising: - a housing (12) which can be fastened to the headlight, wherein the housing (12) has a first housing part (32) and a second housing part (34) which is formed separately from the first housing part (32), wherein a scale (42) is provided on the housing (12), wherein the scale (42) is provided on the second housing part (34), - an adjusting element (16) which is arranged in the housing (12) and extends along a linear axis (14) and is intended for adjusting the position of the headlight, having an input section (22) provided at a first end (20) of the adjusting element (16), an output section (26) provided at a second end (24) of the adjusting element (16) and a shaft section (30) provided between the first end (20) and the second end (24), wherein the output section (26) can be coupled to a headlight adjusting device (28), and - a pointer (18), which is guided in the housing (12) parallel to the linear axis (14) and is coupled to the adjusting element (16), for indicating the position of the headlight, wherein the second housing part (34) is arranged such that it can be displaced with respect to the first housing part (32) along the linear axis (14) in such a way that the pointer (18) can be displaced into the zero position of the scale (42), and wherein elongated holes (56), which extend parallel to the linear axis (14), are provided on the first housing part (32) and / or on the second housing part (34) for fixing the zero position of the scale (42).The display device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion (30) has an external thread (38) and the pointer (38) has an internal thread (40) interacting with the external thread (38).Display device (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the headlight can be read by means of the scale (42) and the pointer (18).Display device (10) according to Claim 1, wherein the first housing part (32) and the second housing part (34) are connected by means of a hinge (36) running parallel to the linear axis (14).Display device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pointer (18) comprises: - a head section (44) with a display means (43), and - a part-circular foot section (48), wherein the internal thread (40) and at least one latching section (54) are arranged on the foot section (48), and in particular - a web section (46) connecting the head section (44) and the foot section (48).Display device (10) according to Claim 5, wherein the foot section (48) is designed to be elastic in such a way that the pointer (18) can be clipped onto the shank section (30).Display device (10) according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the second housing part (34) has a mounting recess (52), through which the pointer (18), in particular the foot section (48), can be introduced into the housing (12).Display device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the head portion (44) is arranged outside the housing (12), wherein the foot portion (48) interacts with the shank portion (30), and / or wherein the latching portion (54) bears on the inside against the second housing part (34) in order to prevent the pointer (18) from falling out of the housing (12).Headlight mounting system (100) having a display device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 and a headlight setting device (28), wherein the setting element (16) of the display device (10) and an adjusting screw (16) of the headlight setting device (28) are formed in one piece.Headlight mounting system (100) according to Claim 9, wherein the headlight adjustment device (28) is designed for adjusting the horizontal position of the headlight, and wherein the longitudinal axis (14) of the display device (10) runs vertically.Method for adjusting a headlight by means of a headlight mounting system (100), in particular according to one of Claims 9 or 10, comprising the following steps: a) arranging the adjustment element (16) in the housing (12); b) connecting the first housing part (32) and the second housing part (32); c) adjusting the horizontal position of the headlight to a zero position by means of the headlight adjustment device (28); and d) inserting the pointer (18) into the housing (12) and clipping the pointer (18) onto the adjustment element (16).The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: e) readjustment of the second housing portion (34) such that the pointer (18) is located at a zero position of the scale (42).

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