Method and device for adjusting a headlight in a vehicle

Abstract

Method for adjusting a headlight (11) in a vehicle (10) having a wheel with a known toe angle, characterized by the following features: - a laser (13) is mounted in a holder on the hub of the wheel, - the recording is designed depending on the track angle in such a way that the laser (13) is directed parallel to the driving axis of the vehicle (10), - a light collecting box is aligned perpendicular to the laser (13) and thus parallel to the travel axis and - the headlight (11) is adjusted using the light collecting box.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a headlight in a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a corresponding device. State of the art

[0002] A vehicle's chassis geometry is defined by various angles that are crucial for driving stability, tire wear, and driving dynamics. These angles include the toe angle and the camber angle. The toe angle describes the inclination of the wheels relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis when viewed from above. A positive toe angle, also called toe-in, means that the wheels are closer together at the front than at the rear. The camber angle, on the other hand, defines the inclination of the wheels when viewed from the side and influences how much of the tire surface is in contact with the road surface.

[0003] In addition to adjusting the chassis, adjusting the headlights is a well-known measure for ensuring optimal visibility while driving and increasing road safety. Headlights must be precisely adjusted to ensure adequate illumination of the road while avoiding dazzling other road users.

[0004] Traditionally, headlight alignment is performed using the vehicle's body. This method is based on the assumption that the body provides correct reference points for headlight alignment.

[0005] DE 10 2014 003 370 A1 discloses the subject matter of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] DE19900018A1 describes a device comprising at least one rear-wheel laser, designed to be specifically adjusted to take track and camber into account. Depending on the vehicle type, the desired track is known, allowing it to be specifically adjusted in the recording.

[0007] DE102006035534A1 describes a device having at least one rear wheel laser, designed to adjust a distance sensor.

[0008] EP2998718A1 describes a device for adjusting a headlight of a motor vehicle. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] One problem arises from the traditional method of headlight alignment, which is based on the alignment of the vehicle's body. This conventional approach does not take into account tolerances or the body twist angle relative to the chassis or rear axle, which have a significant influence on positioning and thus headlight alignment.

[0010] A vehicle's wheels, especially the rear wheels, are often configured to have a specific toe angle. This angle, commonly known as the toe-in angle, promotes more stable handling. However, toe-in affects the alignment of the headlights, as the toe of the rear wheels is transferred forward to the headlights. This means that the direction of illumination of the headlights does not correspond to the actual alignment of the body, but rather to the geometric alignment of the rear wheels. This results in a misalignment of the light cone by several angular minutes.

[0011] In addition to the effects of toe-in, there is the problem that mounting a laser aligned orthogonally to the wheel hub would also incorporate the camber adjustment into the alignment of the light cone. This would further compromise the correct alignment of the headlights, resulting in suboptimal road illumination. Such misalignment can not only impair the driver's vision but also dazzle drivers of oncoming vehicles.

[0012] The described problem is solved by a method for adjusting a headlight in a vehicle and a corresponding device according to the independent claims.

[0013] This approach has the advantage that the light cone of the headlights is aligned exactly parallel to the driving axis, which ensures precise illumination of the road in line with the actual direction of travel.

[0014] The integration of a laser mounted on the wheel hub and adjusted according to the known toe angle makes it possible to compensate for the influences of wheel toe and camber settings. This makes the alignment of the light box, and consequently the headlights, independent of chassis variables. This results in more precise and reliable headlight alignment.

[0015] The use of a leveling laser allows camber influences to be neutralized, further increasing alignment accuracy. The resulting headlight alignment is not only precisely parallel to the driving axis, but also exactly perpendicular to the road surface. This minimizes the risk of glaring other road users and simultaneously improves the driver's visibility at night or in adverse weather conditions.

[0016] The improved alignment method thus contributes to increased driving safety and promotes more efficient use of headlights. Optimizing the light cone results in better illumination of the road, benefiting both the driver and other road users. Overall, this method offers a significant increase in the precision and safety of headlight adjustment.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a headlight adjustment based on the bodywork. Fig. 2 shows a headlight adjustment based on the rear axle / direction of travel. Fig. 3 shows an angle compensation on the rear wheel laser for lateral light adjustment. Embodiments of the invention

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the result of a conventional adjustment of a vehicle's headlights, in which the alignment was performed relative to the vehicle body (12). A laser mounted orthogonally to the wheel hub was used, thus transferring the toe and camber adjustment to a line laser. The laser's light beam served as a reference for aligning the headlights, with the goal of directing the light cone toward the road (20), enabling optimal illumination without dazzling other road users. As the figure shows, the headlights are actually aligned in the driving axis angle. Fig. Figure 2 shows, in direct comparison, the result of an improved method in which the headlights point in the direction of travel, taking the rear axle adjustment into account. This method will now be explained.

[0019] According to Fig.3, the laser is mounted in a special mount on the rear wheel hub. This mount allows the laser to be adjusted so that it points parallel to the vehicle's (10) driving axis (13) rather than perpendicular to the left rear wheel's axis (23). This achieves precise alignment of the light collector box, which in turn serves as a reference for adjusting the headlight (11).

Claims

[1] Method for adjusting a headlight (11) in a vehicle (10) having a wheel with a known toe angle, comprising the following features: - a laser (13) is mounted in a holder on the hub of the wheel, - the recording is designed depending on the track angle in such a way that the laser (13) is directed parallel to the driving axis of the vehicle (10), - a measuring device is aligned perpendicular to the laser (13) and thus parallel to the travel axis and - the headlight (11) is adjusted using the measuring device, characterized by following features: - the measuring device is a light collecting box and - the laser (13) is a leveling laser. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by following features: - the wheel is a rear wheel of the vehicle (10) and - the toe angle is a toe-in angle. [3] Device, characterized by following features: - the device comprises a laser (13) and a light collecting box and - the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 or 2.

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