Method, device and system for adjusting vehicle headlights

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a vehicle headlight, in which an adjustment frame in the downward-turned shape of the letter U with two legs (472) and a central web (471), which spans a vehicle body at the level of a rear axle, is formed, in which a line laser (401) pointing in the direction of travel is arranged on at least one side of the adjustment frame orthogonally to a surface spanned by the legs and central web, in which a respective spacer element (405) is arranged on a respective wheel hub of the rear axle orthogonally to the respective rear track, in which a freely movable fastening element (406) is arranged on the respective spacer element, in which the stable adjustment frame is connected to the respective fastening element at its lower leg ends.This allows the adjustment frame to align itself orthogonally to the direction of travel via the freely movable mounting elements, thereby emitting a laser light from the line laser parallel to a rear axle track, and using this laser light to set a lateral target position of the vehicle headlight. Furthermore, a device and a system that implement this method are presented.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a vehicle headlight. Furthermore, a device and a system implementing the method are presented.

[0002] The illumination of a vehicle's forecourt is generally considered optimal when the headlights project light in the direction of travel. However, a classic headlight adjustment using a light-collecting box, based on the vehicle's body alignment, usually results in the headlights not shining parallel to the direction of travel. This is because (when driving straight) there is typically a difference between the direction of travel determined by the rear axle track and the vehicle's body alignment. It is also known in the art to adjust headlights using the rear axle track. This involves determining the rear axle's angle and aligning a light-collecting box accordingly. However, this method requires several measurements and usually necessitates a perfectly vertical and flat surface.Another disadvantage is the minimum distance to the wall required due to the headlight optics and the process's sensitivity to tolerances. Such a space requirement is rarely available in workshops.

[0003] The publication EP 2 998 718 A1 discloses a method for aligning the headlights of a vehicle. For this purpose, a measuring table is aligned with the rear wheels of the vehicle, with lasers being arranged orthogonally to the planes of rotation of the rear wheels. The measuring table is aligned using the emitted light of the lasers.

[0004] German patent application DE 100 23 328 A1 describes a method for aligning the headlights of a vehicle. For this purpose, a laser is positioned orthogonally to the planes of rotation of the rear wheels and mounted on the rear wheels. The headlights are then aligned using the laser beam.

[0005] The publication DE 10 2006 035 534 A1 describes a laser which is used, for example, to adjust distance sensors on the wheel hubs of a vehicle. For this purpose, a frame with three feet is attached to the wheel hub cover and the laser is placed on the frame.

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose a method for adjusting vehicle headlights in which the alignment of measuring instruments or measuring processes necessary for the adjustment can be carried out in a simple manner. Furthermore, a device and a system with which the method can be implemented are to be presented.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problem, a method for adjusting a vehicle headlight is proposed, in which an adjustment frame in the downward-inverted shape of the letter U with two legs and a central strut is formed, spanning a vehicle body at the level of a rear axle. A line laser pointing in the direction of travel is arranged on at least one side of the adjustment frame, orthogonal to a surface spanned by the legs and central strut. A spacer element is arranged on each wheel hub of the rear axle, orthogonal to the respective rear left and right track. This means that a left spacer element is arranged on the left wheel hub of the rear axle, orthogonal to the rear left track, and a right spacer element is arranged on the right wheel hub of the rear axle, orthogonal to the rear right track.A freely movable mounting element is attached to each spacer, and the stable adjustment frame is connected to this mounting element at its lower leg ends. The freely movable mounting elements align the adjustment frame orthogonally to the direction of travel, thereby emitting a laser beam from the line laser parallel to a rear axle track. The laser beam is then used to set the desired lateral position of the vehicle's headlight.

[0008] A stable or rigid adjustment frame is understood to mean that, after manufacture with legs arranged exactly perpendicular to the central web, it does not deform due to its own weight or through repeated use.

[0009] In the inventive method, the adjustment frame is advantageously mounted to the respective wheel hubs via freely movable fastening elements, so that it aligns itself intrinsically orthogonally to the rear axle or driving axis and is independent of the individual track of the left or right rear wheel. Since, in the inventive method, the at least one line laser is again mounted orthogonally to the adjustment frame, the laser light of the line laser advantageously represents a driving axis angle, i.e., the laser light and the driving axis angle are parallel, so that the adjustment of the vehicle headlights can be carried out using the laser light.

[0010] The freely movable fastening elements can be connected to the adjustment frame, for example, by means of screws.

[0011] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the spacer element is formed by a wheel hub connection or wheel hub receptacle.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the freely movable fastening element is formed by a ball joint.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the adjustment frame is formed by a square tube construction whose central web length is adjustable. This allows the adjustment frame to be adapted to the respective rear axle width of any vehicle.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the inventive method, the adjustment is carried out using at least one light collecting box or by measuring on a wall as a projection surface.

[0015] Furthermore, an adjustment device is claimed, comprising a stable adjustment frame, at least one line laser, two spacers, and two freely movable mounting elements. The adjustment frame, in a downward-facing U-shape with two legs and a central web, can span a vehicle body at the height of a rear axle. When adjusting a vehicle headlight, at least one line laser pointing in the direction of travel is arranged on at least one side of the adjustment frame, perpendicular to a surface spanned by the legs and central web. The respective spacer is arranged on each wheel hub of the rear axle, perpendicular to the respective rear track. The respective freely movable mounting element is arranged on each spacer.The adjustment frame is connected to the respective mounting element at its lower leg ends, allowing the freely movable mounting elements to align the frame orthogonally to the direction of travel. This ensures that the line laser emits light parallel to a rear axle track. The laser light is then used to adjust and / or set the desired lateral position of the vehicle's headlight.

[0016] In one embodiment of the adjusting device according to the invention, the spacer element is formed by a wheel hub connection or wheel hub receptacle.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the adjusting device according to the invention, the freely movable fastening element is formed by a ball joint.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the adjusting device according to the invention, the adjusting frame is formed by a square tube construction whose central web length is adjustable. This allows the adjusting frame to be adapted to the respective rear axle width of any vehicle.

[0019] Furthermore, a system is claimed which has an adjustment device according to the invention and is designed to adjust the vehicle headlights by means of a light collection box or by measuring on a wall as a projection surface using a method according to the invention.

[0020] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0021] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0022] The characters are described in a coherent and overarching way. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a headlight setting in relation to the body or direction of travel in an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a top view of a mounted assembly of an adjustment frame in an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a measuring stand for headlight adjustment in an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows in rear view the mounted assembly of the adjustment frame in an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a headlight adjustment relative to the driving axis angle 102 or direction of travel 101 in one embodiment of the method according to the invention. In Figure 110, a vehicle 103 is traveling on a straight road 104 in a direction of travel 101. The vehicle 103 has a driving axis angle 102, which is not orthogonal to the orientation of the rear axle of the vehicle 103 and therefore differs from the direction of travel 101. Both vehicle headlights 111 are aligned along the driving axis angle 102 and do not point in the direction of travel 101. In Figure 120, both vehicle headlights 121 have been aligned parallel to the rear axle track of the vehicle by implementing the method according to the invention and thus advantageously point in the direction of travel 101.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a top view 200 of a vehicle 203, illustrating a mounted adjustment frame 207 in one embodiment of the method according to the invention. For adjusting the vehicle's headlights, the adjustment frame 207 is attached to the vehicle 203 on both sides of the rear axle via ball joints 206 to a respective wheel hub connection 205. The wheel hub connection 205 is located on a respective wheel hub of the rear axle. A line laser 201 is arranged orthogonally to a surface defined by the legs and central web of the adjustment frame 207 on both sides of the adjustment frame 207. Due to the mounted arrangement according to the invention via the ball joints 206, the adjustment frame 207 aligns itself so that its surface normal points in the direction of travel resulting from the rear axle track (and, with the steering wheel straight, towards the front axle).This emits a laser light 202 from the line laser 201 parallel to the rear axle track, so that the vehicle headlights can be adjusted accordingly.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a measuring stand 300 for headlight adjustment in one embodiment of the method according to the invention. While a left rear wheel track has a track angle 331 relative to the rear axle track, and a right rear wheel track has a track angle 332 relative to the rear axle track, the adjustment frame 307, which is mounted and connected via the wheel hub connection 305, aligns itself with its surface normal intrinsically parallel to the rear axle track. As a result, the line lasers 301, arranged laterally on the adjustment frame 307, emit laser light 302 parallel to the rear axle track, which shines onto a wall 308 via a vehicle forecourt 304. The vehicle headlights 311 are then aligned to this wall, for example, with the aid of a light collection box or by measuring the light pattern of the headlights on the wall 308. An embodiment is also conceivable in which only a single line laser 301 is used.

[0026] In Fig.Figure 4 schematically shows the mounted assembly of the adjustment frame in one embodiment of the method according to the invention, viewed from the rear 400 on the vehicle 403. In a first assembly step, a spacer element 405, e.g., a wheel hub connection or wheel hub receptacle, is arranged orthogonally to the rear left and right track of the rear axle of a vehicle 403. In a second assembly step, a freely movable fastening element 406, e.g., a ball joint at one end of the wheel hub receptacle, is attached to the spacer element 405 on both sides. In a third assembly step, a stable adjustment frame, formed in a U-shape from a central web 471 and two legs 472, is placed on the ground. The frame is screwed to the respective freely movable fastening elements 406 at both ends of the legs 472 and then erected over the rear of the vehicle 403 so that the central web 471 projects transversely over the vehicle 403 at the level of the rear axle.By precisely bolting the leg ends to the left and right track of the rear axle, or the left and right wheel hubs, the central web 471 is aligned exactly orthogonally to the rear axle. In a fourth assembly step, a line laser 401 is attached laterally orthogonally to the adjustment frame, so that it emits laser light in the direction of travel, which, due to the preceding assembly steps, is aligned parallel to the rear axle track.

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