Method for lateral adjustment of the headlights of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the lateral adjustment (16) of headlights (2) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising the following steps: - positioning the motor vehicle (1), in particular at a defined distance A, in front of a wall (12), - Positioning vertical line lasers (13) on the two rear wheels (11) of the motor vehicle (1), - Generation of vertical lines (14) on the wall (12) by the two line lasers (13), - Determination of the center (15) of the two lines (14) generated by the line lasers (13), - Determination of the two lateral target positions (17) of the two headlights (2) of the motor vehicle (1) with respect to the determined center (15), and - Carry out the lateral adjustment (16) of the two headlights (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for lateral adjustment of the headlights of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles with modern headlights can, in addition to the basic illumination of the road, also perform precise dynamic functions with the headlights, such as lane lighting, construction site lighting or glare control for traffic ahead and oncoming traffic with an automatic dynamic high beam.

[0003] However, in order to be able to perform these functions very precisely, the lateral adjustment of the headlights on the vehicle must be very precise so that they are aligned very precisely in the direction of travel.

[0004] In the prior art, this is accomplished by adjusting the headlights in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle being determined based on the vehicle body. However, for various reasons, this longitudinal direction of the vehicle determined in this way does not necessarily represent the direction of travel. This is because tolerances, for example, of the driving axis angle, body torsion angle, and body mounting tolerances lead to deviations that are not taken into account. Accordingly, the current procedure for lateral adjustment of the headlights is subject to significant tolerances with regard to alignment with the vehicle's longitudinal direction, which proves to be unfavorable and undesirable overall.

[0005] Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method for the lateral adjustment of the headlights of a motor vehicle which reduces or avoids the problems described above.

[0006] The problem is solved with the features of claim 1.

[0007] An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for the lateral adjustment of headlights of a motor vehicle with the following steps: - Positioning the motor vehicle in front of a wall, in particular at a predefined distance A, - Positioning of vertical line lasers on the two rear wheels of the vehicle, - Creating vertical lines on the wall using the two line lasers, - Determining the center of the two lines generated by the line lasers, - Determination of the two lateral target positions of the two headlights of the motor vehicle with respect to the determined center, and - Adjusting the lateral position of both headlights.

[0008] This method aligns headlights, such as the main headlights, so that they are aligned in line with the angular alignment of the rear wheels, which essentially corresponds to the direction of travel of the vehicle. This reduces or eliminates errors in headlight alignment and illumination.

[0009] The vehicle could be positioned at a predefined distance A, for example, no closer than A1 and / or no further than A2. For example, the vehicle's longitudinal axis is positioned as orthogonally as possible to the wall, so that the front of the vehicle and / or the central transverse axis of the vehicle are aligned as parallel as possible to the wall. This further reduces errors.

[0010] In one embodiment, it is also useful for the line lasers to be self-leveling. This ignores the camber of the rear wheels and corrects measurement errors caused by the camber, which also reduces the overall effort.

[0011] It's also advantageous if the line lasers are detachably attached to the rear wheel rims. This simplifies the process by reducing the time required to adjust a vehicle's headlights.

[0012] It is also advisable to attach the line lasers to the rear wheel rims using quick-release skewers or wheel hub quick-release skewers. This allows for quick installation and removal of the line lasers on the rear wheels, reducing the time required and thus the costs of the process.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is also expedient if the center of the two lines generated by the line lasers is determined by optical determination or by manual measurement. This allows for accurate yet efficient measurement.

[0014] In one embodiment, it is also expedient if the specific center of the two lines generated by the line lasers is marked optically or manually on the wall. This facilitates the further procedure of the method because the operator of the method can clearly identify the center and align his further procedure accordingly.

[0015] In one embodiment, it is also expedient if the determination of the two lateral target positions of the two headlights of the motor vehicle is carried out using CAD data of the motor vehicle. This allows for an accurate determination of the lateral target position.

[0016] In one embodiment, it is also expedient if the lateral target positions are marked with lines on the wall. This facilitates the further procedure of the method because the operator of the method can clearly identify the lateral target positions and align his further procedure accordingly.

[0017] In one embodiment, it is also expedient if the lines of the lateral target positions are marked visually or manually on the wall. This facilitates the further procedure of the method because the operator of the method clearly recognizes the lateral target positions and can align his further procedure accordingly.

[0018] In one embodiment, it is also practical if the lateral adjustment of the two headlights is carried out by manual mechanical adjustment and fastening. This ensures the correct adjustment of the headlights over the long term.

[0019] The invention will be explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a headlight adjustment according to the prior art, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a headlight adjustment according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle in front of a wall to explain the method according to the invention.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 with a headlight adjustment according to the prior art, in which the headlights 2 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 3 of the motor vehicle 1. The longitudinal direction 3 of the motor vehicle 1 is determined by the arrow 4, which is aligned from the rear to the front in the center of the motor vehicle 1. It can be seen that the illumination by the headlights 2 is not along the road 5, but only partially along the road 5 and partially laterally beyond it.

[0021] The direction of travel 6 according to arrow 7, however, is determined by the orientation of the rear axle 9 and optionally the front axle 8 and the alignment of the wheels 10, 11 and does not correspond to the longitudinal direction 3 of the motor vehicle 1. It is entirely sufficient if only the alignment of the rear axle 9 and the wheels 11 on the rear axle 9 are taken into account.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 with an adjustment of the headlights 2 according to the present invention along the direction of travel 6 of the motor vehicle 1. The headlights 2 are aligned parallel to the direction of travel 6 of the motor vehicle 1. It can be seen that the improved illumination by the headlights 2 occurs along the road 5. The direction of travel 6 according to arrow 7 is determined by the orientation of the rear axle 9 and the alignment of the wheels 11 and does not coincide with the longitudinal direction 3 of the motor vehicle 1. The orientation of the front axle 8 and the wheels 10 can also optionally be taken into account.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 with two headlights 2 in front of a wall 12 to explain the method according to the invention.

[0024] The method according to the invention is used for the lateral adjustment of headlights 2 of a motor vehicle 1. The method comprises the following steps: In a first step, the motor vehicle 1 is positioned in front of a wall 12, in particular at a defined distance A. The distance A is, for example, 5 m or more or less.

[0025] The arrangement of the motor vehicle 1 could be at a predefined distance A, i.e., for example, not closer than A1 and / or not further than A2. For example, the motor vehicle 1 is arranged with its longitudinal axis as orthogonal as possible to the wall 12, so that the front of the motor vehicle 1 and / or the central transverse axis of the motor vehicle 1 is aligned as parallel as possible to the wall 12.

[0026] Subsequently, vertical line lasers 13 are attached to the two rear wheels 11 of the motor vehicle 1 in such a way that they can generate a respective line on the wall 12.

[0027] In the next step, vertical lines 14 are created on the wall 12 using the two line lasers 13.

[0028] The center 15 of the two lines 14 generated by the line lasers 13 is then determined.

[0029] From this, the two lateral target positions 17 of the two headlights 2 of the motor vehicle 1 are determined with respect to the determined center 15, and then making the lateral adjustment 16 of the two headlights 2.

[0030] The line lasers 13 are designed to be self-leveling, so that they produce a vertical line 14 even if the wheels 11 are cambered.

[0031] Preferably, the line lasers 13 are detachably attached to the rims of the rear wheels 11. The line lasers 13 are detachably attached to the rims of the rear wheels 11, for example, by means of quick-release fasteners or wheel hub quick-release fasteners.

[0032] The center 15 of the two lines 14 generated by the line lasers 13 is determined, for example, by optical determination or by manual measurement, for example by means of a tape measure or folding rule, etc.

[0033] Subsequently, the specific center 15 of the two lines 14 generated by the line lasers 13 can be marked optically or manually on the wall 12.

[0034] The two lateral target positions 17 of the two headlights 2 of the motor vehicle 1 can then be determined using CAD data of the motor vehicle 1.

[0035] The lateral target positions 17 can be marked by lines on the wall 12. For example, the lines of the lateral target positions 17 on the wall 12 can be marked optically or manually.

[0036] The lateral adjustment 16 of the two headlights 2 can then be carried out by manual mechanical adjustment.

Claims

[1] Method for the lateral adjustment (16) of headlights (2) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising the following steps: - positioning the motor vehicle (1), in particular at a defined distance A, in front of a wall (12), - Positioning vertical line lasers (13) on the two rear wheels (11) of the motor vehicle (1), - Creating vertical lines (14) on the wall (12) by the two line lasers (13), - Determination of the center (15) of the two lines (14) generated by the line lasers (13), - Determination of the two lateral target positions (17) of the two headlights (2) of the motor vehicle (1) with respect to the determined center (15), and - Carry out the lateral adjustment (16) of the two headlights (2). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the line lasers (13) are self-levelling. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the line lasers (13) are detachably attached to the rims of the rear wheels (11). [4] Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the line lasers (13) are releasably attached to the rims of the rear wheels (11) by means of quick-release fasteners or wheel hub quick-release fasteners. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the determination of the center (15) of the two lines (14) generated by the line lasers (13) is carried out by optical determination or by manual measurement. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the specific center (15) of the two lines (14) generated by the line lasers (13) is marked optically or manually on the wall (12). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the determination of the two lateral target positions (17) of the two headlights (2) of the motor vehicle (1) is carried out by means of CAD data of the motor vehicle (1). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lateral target positions (17) are marked by lines on the wall (12). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lines of the lateral target positions (17) are marked optically or manually on the wall (12).

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