Fixing unit and setting screw assembly

Abstract

A transmission unit (12) for setting a headlight, comprising a flexible shaft (22) and a fixing unit (16) which has two end regions and a rotational axis, wherein a first end region has a positively locking structure (18) for coupling to a drive positively locking structure (14e) of a setting element to be driven, with the result that a rotational movement about the rotational axis can be transmitted, wherein the fixing unit (16) is connected in the second end region to the flexible shaft (22) axially fixedly and fixedly for conjoint rotation, with the result that a rotational movement can be transmitted from the flexible shaft (22) to the positively locking structure (18). The invention is characterized in that the fixing unit (16) has a latching sleeve (20) and a clamping sleeve (18), wherein the latching sleeve (20) is configured such that it can be displaced from an introduction position (EP) into a clamping position (KP) in the locking direction (AR) in relation to the clamping sleeve (18), wherein the locking direction (AR) lies parallel to the rotational axis, wherein the clamping sleeve (18) has a clamping wall with at least one gap which is open on the end side and has two gap edges which lie opposite one another in the peripheral direction, wherein a peripheral clamping region is configured which is formed in the axial direction at least in regions along the at least one gap, wherein the clamping sleeve (18) has an opening cross section and forms an introduction width if the latching sleeve (20) is situated in the introduction position (EP), wherein the latching sleeve (20) and the clamping sleeve (18) interact in the clamping position (KP) in such a way that, by way of the axial displacement of the latching sleeve (20) into the clamping position, the spacing of the gap edges (19a, 19b) and therefore also the opening cross section of the clamping sleeve (18) in the clamping region leads by way of an at least local deformation of the clamping wall to a clamping width which is reduced in size in comparison with the introduction width.

Description

[0001] Fixing unit and adjusting screw arrangement

[0002] The invention relates to a transmission unit for adjusting a headlight according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 and to an adjusting screw arrangement for adjusting a headlight according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 13.

[0003] Adjusting screw assemblies, particularly for adjusting headlights in vehicles, are generally known. The adjusting screw assembly typically comprises an adjusting screw arranged in a housing and threadedly engaged therewith, one end of the adjusting screw preferably having a ball head for connection to a component to be adjusted, particularly a headlight. The adjusting screw can be driven at the drive end opposite the ball head by means of a transmission unit having a shaft, the drive end being located in a housing recess of the housing, particularly a cylindrical housing recess. The transmission unit is formed as a single piece. The shaft is driven via a drive.

[0004] The problem is that the drive end moves further and further axially into the housing recess when screwed in, which makes accessibility difficult.

[0005] For example, from the US O 7,438,457°B2 an adjusting screw arrangement is known which can realize position compensation via an axial balance shaft.

[0006] Adjusting screw arrangements are also known that have an adjusting screw with a ball head, whereby the ball head can be used to deflect the adjustment movement and to achieve a compensating movement. For example, the DE o 2020°10°011 0 852°U1. Furthermore, US Pat. No. 6,338,567°B1 discloses an adjusting screw arrangement. This arrangement comprises an adjusting screw with a drive. To enable adjustment over an angled position, a tool with a flexible shaft is used, wherein the tool has a drive contour corresponding to the screw drive. To enable the merging of the drive contour and the screw drive, a housing is provided that has an angled feed channel.

[0007] This has the disadvantage that the tool has to be re-coupled to the inaccessible screw drive each time it is adjusted.

[0008] Furthermore, an adjusting screw arrangement from the US o 4,709,306°B1. The adjusting screw is also driven by a flexible shaft. The flexible shaft has a connector that can be attached to the end of the screw and holds the adjusting screw in place with a force fit.

[0009] This is achieved by under-dimensioning the inner diameter of the connector relative to the set screw end and by having a slot in the connector.

[0010] Due to the different dimensions, a force-locking connection is created between the flexible shaft and the adjusting screw due to the springback force of the slotted sleeve.

[0011] The invention is based on the object of improving a transmission unit for transmitting a rotary movement to an actuating element to be driven and an adjusting screw arrangement with axial compensation, wherein a coupling of adjusting screw and shaft can be easily produced even in angled positions.

[0012] The invention is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 and claim 13 in conjunction with the respective preamble features.

[0013] In a known manner, a transmission unit for adjusting a headlight comprises a flexible shaft and a fixing unit having a first end region in the axial direction and a second end region opposite in the axial direction. The first end region has a positive-locking structure for coupling to a drive positive-locking structure of an actuating element to be driven, in particular an actuating element. The second end region is connected to the flexible shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner. As a result, a rotational movement can be transmitted from the flexible shaft to the fixing unit. The positive-locking structure is designed such that a rotational movement about a rotational axis can be transmitted from the flexible shaft to the actuating element to be driven.

[0014] According to the invention, the fixing unit comprises a locking sleeve and a clamping sleeve. The locking sleeve is designed to be displaceable relative to the clamping sleeve from an insertion position into a clamping position in the locking direction. In the insertion position, the inner diameter of the locking sleeve in the axial overlap region with the clamping sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the clamping sleeve, such that the locking sleeve is designed such that it can be arranged radially outside the clamping sleeve. The locking direction is parallel to the axis of rotation. The clamping sleeve has a clamping wall with at least one gap that extends axially to the first end of the clamping sleeve located in the locking direction. The at least one gap consequently has two gap edges lying opposite one another in the circumferential direction. The clamping sleeve thus has a clamping region that is formed in the axial direction along the at least one gap and in the circumferential direction.The clamping sleeve forms an insertion width that corresponds to the smallest distance between two opposite wall areas of the clamping sleeve in the clamping area when the locking sleeve is in the insertion position.

[0015] The fixing unit is further configured such that the locking sleeve interacts with the clamping sleeve in the clamping position such that the distance between the gap edges and thus the opening cross-section, in particular the inner diameter of the clamping sleeve in the clamping region, is reduced compared to the insertion width to a clamping width. This is achieved by reducing the distance between the two gap edges of the at least one gap, in particular by deforming the clamping region. By reducing the opening cross-section in the clamping position, the fixing unit, which has an adjusting element, in particular an adjusting screw, is suitable for axially fixing a form-locking drive structure by clamping the clamping sleeve with the adjusting element.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamping wall can be interrupted by a plurality of gaps spaced apart in the circumferential direction, with tongue elements resulting between two adjacent gaps. The tongue elements are designed such that when the locking sleeve is moved into the clamping position, in particular tongue elements lying opposite one another in the radial direction, they are moved radially inwards. This reduces the opening cross-section from the insertion width to the clamping width. Clamping is achieved by axially moving the clamping sleeve into the clamping position. The opening cross-section, in particular the inner diameter of the clamping sleeve, is reduced in the clamping area and the distance between the gap edges is reduced. By forming a locking sleeve in the fixing unit, it is also possible to easily set two states of the clamping sleeve in the insertion and clamping positions.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking sleeve has a locking structure, and the clamping sleeve has a corresponding locking structure on its circumference. In the clamping position, these locking structures interact such that the locking sleeve and the clamping sleeve are axially fixed to one another, particularly in the direction of the shaft. This ensures that the locking sleeve can be connected to the clamping sleeve in a force-locking manner, so that the locking sleeve is held in the clamping position.

[0018] Preferably, the locking structure of the locking sleeve is designed as a flexible locking finger, and the locking structure of the clamping sleeve is designed as a circumferential groove, in particular an annular groove. The groove is designed in such a way that displacement counter to the locking direction, in particular in the direction of the flexible shaft, is counteracted. This allows for the simple formation of robust locking structures.

[0019] The clamping sleeve preferably has two grooves on its circumference, spaced apart in the axial direction. The engagement of the locking fingers in the first groove is configured as the insertion position, and the engagement in the second groove, which is located further in the locking direction, is configured as the clamping position. By providing two grooves, two states can be realized, preferably the clamping position and the insertion position. The opening cross-section, in particular the inner diameter, of the clamping sleeve in the clamping area in the clamping position, and thus the distance between the gap ends, is designed to be smaller than in the insertion position. As a result, the clamping width is smaller than the insertion width.Thus, the fixing unit is designed such that in the insertion position, an actuating element to be driven with a drive form-locking structure can be displaced relative to the clamping sleeve and brought into engagement with the form-locking structure of the clamping sleeve, and by displacing the locking sleeve into the clamping position, the introduced actuating element to be driven is axially fixed.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side wall of the first groove, located in the locking direction, is designed at the transition to the second groove so that the locking sleeve can be moved from the first groove into the second groove in the locking direction. In particular, a conical side wall is formed. This ensures easy movement in the locking direction without significant effort.

[0021] In the second groove, the locking sleeve is held in place, particularly in a positive-locking manner, opposite to the locking direction. This ensures that not only the clamping area, which is held in a positive-locking manner by the circumferential locking sleeve, is held in a positive-locking manner, but also the locking sleeve is held in place relative to the clamping sleeve.

[0022] Preferably, the locking sleeve has a radially inwardly oriented stop projection, which, in the clamping position, interacts with an outwardly oriented stop projection of the clamping sleeve in such a way that axial displacement of the locking sleeve in the locking direction relative to the clamping sleeve is counteracted. The stop projection of the locking sleeve is designed to extend circumferentially, in particular. This limits axial displacement of the locking sleeve in the locking direction with the clamping position.

[0023] By providing the first locking structure and the stop projection, the locking sleeve is designed to be captive to the clamping sleeve even in a pre-assembly position.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first form-locking structure is designed in the manner of a nut for interaction with an external drive. This ensures a simple coupling of the clamping sleeve for a form-locking connection with an actuating element having an external drive, in particular a hexagon or similar.

[0025] The fixing unit is preferably designed as an injection-molded part. This allows the fixing unit to be produced cost-effectively.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fixing unit is designed such that the flexible shaft is overmolded with the clamping sleeve. This allows the fixing unit to be easily manufactured in a highly reproducible and automated process.

[0027] The locking sleeve and the clamping sleeve are preferably made of plastic, in particular POM or a glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide. The plastic construction allows for easy plastic deformation of the locking sleeve and the clamping sleeve by applying radial forces. This simplifies the production of an axially positive connection between the clamping sleeve, in particular at least one tongue element, and the actuating element, since deformation of the clamping sleeve on a circumferential structure of the actuating element is promoted to create an undercut.

[0028] A further aspect of the invention relates to an adjusting screw arrangement for adjusting a headlight, comprising a housing having a, in particular cylindrical, housing recess with an adjusting screw receptacle. The adjusting screw receptacle has a central axis. Furthermore, the adjusting screw arrangement has a transmission unit having a fixing unit and a flexible shaft. The adjusting screw arrangement further comprises an adjusting screw with a screw axis, a thread, a headlight-side end, and a drive end. The thread is formed between the headlight-side end and the drive end.

[0029] The adjusting screw threads into the adjusting screw receptacle of the housing such that the central axis is coaxial with the screw axis. The drive end is located within the housing recess. The headlight-side end protrudes from the adjusting screw receptacle and is suitable for connection to a headlight. The adjusting screw has a positive drive connection structure at the drive end, and the fixing unit has a positive drive connection structure. The positive drive connection structure and the positive drive connection structure are complementary to each other.

[0030] The adjusting screw can be positively connected to the positive locking structure of the fixing unit via the drive structure, allowing a rotary movement from the fixing unit to be transmitted to the adjusting screw. The fixing unit has a flexible shaft, which is connected to the positive locking structure in a rotationally fixed manner, at the end facing away from the positive locking structure. The other end of the flexible shaft is designed as the drive end. The drive end can be designed, for example, as a tool attachment, handle, or similar. Thus, a rotary movement can be transmitted from the drive end of the flexible shaft to the adjusting screw.

[0031] According to the invention, the fixing unit comprises a locking sleeve and a clamping sleeve. In the insertion position, the inner diameter of the locking sleeve in the axial overlap area with the clamping sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the clamping sleeve, so that the locking sleeve can be arranged radially outside the clamping sleeve or is arranged outside the clamping sleeve. The locking sleeve is designed to be axially displaceable relative to the clamping sleeve from an insertion position to a clamping position in the locking direction. The locking direction is aligned parallel to the central axis. The adjusting screw and the fixing unit are coordinated with one another such that in the insertion position of the locking sleeve, the adjusting screw is axially displaceable relative to the clamping sleeve.

[0032] The locking sleeve interacts with the clamping sleeve in the clamping position so that the adjusting screw is axially fixed relative to the clamping sleeve. The adjusting screw and fixing unit are coordinated in such a way that, in the insertion position of the locking sleeve, the adjusting screw can be moved axially relative to the clamping sleeve.

[0033] The locking sleeve and the clamping sleeve and the axial displaceability of the locking sleeve enable simple and adjustable axial fixation of the adjusting screw with the fixing unit. By connecting a flexible shaft to the fixing unit, fixation is easy even in angled positions. The displaceable design of the locking sleeve relative to the clamping sleeve, namely by moving the locking sleeve from the insertion position to the clamping position, the clamping sleeve or the flexible shaft can be easily coupled to the adjusting screw in such a way that the adjusting screw is axially fixed to the clamping sleeve through the interaction of the form-locking structure with the drive form-locking structure for transmitting rotary movement. This enables a robust connection to the rotary drive of the adjusting screw and axial compensation via the flexible shaft.

[0034] The clamping sleeve preferably has a stop in the region of the form-locking structure. The stop, which acts in the axial direction, is connected to the clamping area so as to be relatively motionless, at least in the axial direction. The stop is designed such that it interacts with a stop surface of the adjusting screw. As soon as the adjusting screw rests against the stop surface, the locking sleeve can be moved in the locking direction into the clamping position, since the stop acts as a counterbearing on the adjusting screw.

[0035] In particular, the stop is made of the same material as the clamping area.

[0036] To achieve clamping in the clamping position by moving the locking sleeve in the locking direction, the stop is arranged axially in front of the clamping area, in particular between the form-locking structure and the flexible shaft. Preferably, a form-locking connection is formed between the adjusting screw and the clamping sleeve in the clamping position. Due to a form-locking connection in the axial direction between the adjusting screw and the clamping sleeve, the connection can withstand even greater axial forces. The clamping sleeve engages behind a retaining structure on the adjusting screw.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining structure is designed as a press-in structure. Thus, the clamping wall is pressed onto the press-in structure on the adjusting screw by means of the locking sleeve, so that a positive connection is created by deformation, in particular plastic deformation, of the clamping wall of the clamping sleeve. The press-in structure can be designed, in particular, as a circumferential, annular projection. This easily creates a positive connection by means of deformation, which axially fixes the adjusting screw to the clamping sleeve.

[0038] Preferably, the transmission unit can be designed like a transmission unit previously described as being in accordance with the invention. Thus, the clamping wall can comprise several gaps and several tongue elements located between the gaps. The tongue elements are pressed onto the adjusting screw.

[0039] The gap widths in the circumferential direction can be designed relatively wide compared to the width of the tongue elements. This achieves greater surface pressure on the adjusting screw in the area of ​​the tongue elements when the locking sleeve is in the clamping position.

[0040] Preferably, the indentation is the thread of the set screw. This allows an existing set screw component to be used unchanged and unprocessed, allowing a wide variety of different types and sizes of set screws to be used. Furthermore, additional processing steps in the set screw's production process to create an indentation are not necessary.

[0041] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking sleeve has a sealing lip on its circumference, which radially engages the—in this case, cylindrical—inner wall of the housing recess, particularly in a sealing manner. The sealing lip makes it possible to protect the threaded engagement of the adjusting screw and the housing, and the axially adjacent housing part, in particular the headlight, from external influences, particularly foreign bodies, such as dust, and liquids, such as dirty water. Furthermore, components located in the housing, such as electronic components, are also protected.

[0042] Preferably, the outer diameter of the outer contour decreases linearly in the locking direction relative to the screw axis. This allows the sealing lip to be deformable, plastically deformable, or elastically deformable, making it easier to implement a sealing function.

[0043] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0044] In the drawing:

[0045] Fig. 1 is a side view of the adjusting screw arrangement with housing recess in clamping position;

[0046] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the adjusting screw arrangement;

[0047] Fig. 3 is a detailed side sectional view of the adjusting screw arrangement in insertion position, and

[0048] Fig. 4 a detailed view of a side sectional view of the adjusting screw arrangement in clamping position.

[0049] Figures 1 to 4 each show an adjusting screw arrangement 10 which has a transmission unit 12 according to the invention and an adjusting screw 14, wherein the housing 24 is not shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0050] The transmission unit 12 according to the invention has a fixing unit 16. The fixing unit 16 comprises a clamping sleeve 18, a locking sleeve 20, and a flexible shaft 22 with a drive 22a.

[0051] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the adjusting screw 14 has a drive end 14a, a headlight-side end 14b, and a thread 14c arranged therebetween. The adjusting screw 14 has a screw axis SA. The transmission unit 12 is designed such that it can be coupled to the adjusting screw 14. The clamping sleeve 18 is connected to the flexible shaft 22 in a rotationally fixed manner. The locking sleeve 20 is designed to be axially displaceable relative to the clamping sleeve 18 in the locking direction AR from an insertion position EP to a clamping position KP. The different assembly states of the transmission unit are described in Figures 2 to 4.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a partially sectioned side view of the adjusting screw assembly 10 in the assembled state. The adjusting screw 14 is threadedly engaged with an adjusting screw receptacle 25, whereby the headlight-side end 14b of the adjusting screw 14 moves axially along the screw axis SA and thus also along the center axis MA when the adjusting screw 14 is rotated. The headlight adjustment can be influenced by changing the distance of the headlight-side end 14b.

[0053] Analogous to the headlight-side end 14b, the drive end 14a also moves axially in a housing recess 24a of the housing 24 when the adjusting screw 14 is rotated.

[0054] The adjusting screw 14 is rotated via a transmission unit 12, which comprises a flexible shaft 22 provided with a drive 22a.

[0055] For this purpose, the transmission unit 12 has a fixing unit 16 which is connected on the one hand to the flexible shaft 22 and can be connected to the adjusting screw 14 in such a way that the transmission of the rotary movement to the adjusting screw 14 is possible and that the flexible shaft 22 is also axially fixedly connected to the adjusting screw 14 so that the axial movement of the drive end 14 is compensated by the flexible shaft 22.

[0056] The fixing unit 16 comprises a clamping sleeve 18, wherein the flexible shaft 22 is overmolded by the clamping sleeve 18, and a locking sleeve 20, by means of which the clamping sleeve 18 is clamped to the adjusting screw 14 in the clamping position KP shown here. The locking sleeve 20 has locking fingers 30, which, in the clamping position KP, engage in a circumferential second groove 18b formed on the clamping sleeve 18. The locking fingers 30 are preloaded inward in the radial direction and counteract any displacement of the locking sleeve 20 opposite the locking direction AR.

[0057] The structure of the transmission unit 12 and the various assembly states are explained in more detail in Figs. 2 to 4. The locking sleeve 20 has a sealing lip 28 that rests against the inner wall of the housing recess 24a. The outer contour of the sealing lip 28 is conical.

[0058] The sealing lip 28 is designed in particular to protect the threaded engagement of the adjusting screw 14 with the housing 24 from liquids and yet to allow axial movement of the fixing unit 16.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the adjusting screw arrangement 10 without housing in the unassembled state.

[0060] The adjusting screw 14 has a drive area 14a in which a form-fitting structure 14e is formed, here in the form of an external drive, in particular in the form of an external Torx drive. The clamping sleeve 18 has a clamping wall with four gaps at the end formed in the direction of the locking direction AR. For reasons of clarity, only two gaps 27a, 27b are described. The gaps 27a, 27b are open at the end and each have gap edges 29a1, 29a2; 29b1, 29b2 opposite one another in the circumferential direction. Tongue elements 26 are thus formed between two circumferentially adjacent gap edges 29a2, 29b1. By forming the gaps 27a, 27b between the tongue elements 26, the tongue elements 26 can be deformed radially inward.

[0061] The clamping sleeve 18 is formed in one piece and with its tongue elements 26, in particular of the same material.

[0062] The locking sleeve 20 does not engage around the clamping sleeve 18 in Fig. 2. The locking sleeve 20 is formed in one piece and, in the state shown in Fig. 2, is loosely arranged in the region of the flexible shaft 22, wherein the flexible shaft 22 passes through the locking sleeve 20.

[0063] The clamping sleeve 18 has a first groove 18a and a circumferential second groove 18b spaced apart in the locking direction AR.

[0064] The two grooves 18a, 18b are each designed such that the side wall is vertical opposite to the locking direction AR and the side wall is inclined in the locking direction AR. This enables the locking sleeve 20 to be displaced over the side wall in the locking direction AR, while the side walls counteract any displacement of the locking sleeve 20 opposite to the locking direction AR. The outer diameter of the vertical side wall of the first groove 18a is smaller than the outer diameter of the second groove 18b. Therefore, both the assembly force and the removal force are lower for the first groove 18a than for the second groove 18b.

[0065] Fig. 3 shows a side sectional view of the adjusting screw arrangement 10 in the insertion position EP.

[0066] For reasons of clarity, the housing 24 with the housing recess 24a is not shown in Fig. 3 and 4.

[0067] In Fig. 3, the locking sleeve 20 is located in a defined insertion position EP. The insertion position EP is defined by the first groove 18a, into which the locking fingers 30 engage. The engagement of the locking fingers 30 of the locking sleeve 20 fixes the locking sleeve 20 in this position relative to the clamping sleeve 18. This allows the fixing unit 16 to be inserted as a compact unit and guided to the adjusting screw 14.

[0068] In this insertion position EP, the locking sleeve 20 is radially spaced from the clamping sleeve 18 in the clamping area, i.e., in the area of ​​the tongue elements 26. The clamping sleeve 18 forms an opening cross-section in its clamping area, in particular a circular opening cross-section with an inner diameter Die. The inner diameter Die and thus the insertion width is larger than the outer diameter Da of the thread 14c of the adjusting screw 4.

[0069] In this position of the locking sleeve 20, the adjusting screw 14 can thus be displaced axially in the locking direction AR relative to the fixing unit 16, in particular relative to the clamping sleeve 18.

[0070] The adjusting screw 14 can thus penetrate into the clamping sleeve 18 until its drive end 14a rests against a stop 32 of the clamping sleeve 18. In this position of the adjusting screw 14 relative to the clamping sleeve 18, the drive form-locking structures 14e of the adjusting screw 14 fully engage the form-locking structures 18c of the clamping sleeve 18. This allows a rotational movement to be transmitted from the clamping sleeve 18 to the adjusting screw 14.

[0071] The rotation axes DA of the fixing unit 16, the screw axis SA, and the center axis MA are coaxial with each other when connected. Through the interaction of the stop 32 with the drive end 14a, the locking sleeve 20 can be moved from the insertion position EP to the clamping position KP in the locking direction AR. The stop 32 acts as a counterbearing, whereby the force acting in the locking direction AR against the counterbearing ensures that the drive form-locking structure 14e and the form-locking structure 18 are engaged during the locking process.

[0072] Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of the adjusting screw arrangement 10 in the clamping position KP.

[0073] The clamping sleeve 18 is in the clamping position KP. The clamping position KP is characterized by the clamping sleeve 18 being clamped with the adjusting screw 14, so that the adjusting screw 14 is axially fixed to the clamping sleeve 18. The locking sleeve 20 partially surrounds the clamping sleeve 18, so that the flexible, wedge-shaped tongue elements 26 are pressed onto the thread 14c of the adjusting screw 14.

[0074] The locking sleeve 20 has a locking projection 20a oriented radially inward. The locking projection 20a is circumferential.

[0075] The clamping sleeve 18 has a projection 18d oriented radially outward. The projection 18d is circumferential.

[0076] In the clamping position KP, the locking projection 20a rests against the projection 18d. The interaction of the locking projection 20a and the projection 18d in the clamping position KP prevents the locking sleeve 20 from being displaced relative to the clamping sleeve 18 in the locking direction AR. Thus, displacement of the locking sleeve 20 relative to the clamping sleeve 18 in the locking direction AR is limited by the clamping position KP. The locking fingers 30 also engage in the second groove 18b, which counteracts displacement opposite to the locking direction AR. As a result, the locking sleeve 20 is fixed in the clamping position in the axial direction.

[0077] By axially displacing the locking sleeve 20 from the insertion position EP into the clamping position KP, the wedge-shaped tongue elements 26 are displaced relative to the conical taper of the locking sleeve 20. Due to the fact that the inner diameter Die in the clamping area of ​​the locking sleeve 20 is smaller than the outer diameter Da of the clamping area of ​​the clamping sleeve 18, the displacement of the locking sleeve 20 into the clamping position KP leads to a force acting radially inwards on the clamping sleeve 18 in the area of ​​the tongue elements 26. This leads to a deformation of the clamping wall, a reduction in the inner diameter Die of the clamping sleeve 18 in the clamping area, and a clamping width, in particular a circular opening cross-section, which can now be smaller than or equal to the outer diameter Da of the thread 14c. In the present example, the inner diameter Die is preferably smaller than the outer diameter Da of the thread 14c.The tongue elements 26 are thereby pressed onto the thread 14c of the adjusting screw 14. Due to the pressing, the tongue element 26 deforms at the thread 14c and thereby forms a positive connection with the thread 14c, which acts in the axial direction along the screw axis SA.

[0078] Other counterbearings for deforming the tongue elements 26 on the adjusting screw 14 by pressing are also conceivable, for example an annular, thin-walled projection.

[0079] Other types of connection, such as a force-locking connection, for axially fixing the adjusting screw 14 to the clamping sleeve 18 by means of deformation are also conceivable.

[0080] The clamping sleeve 18 and the locking sleeve 20 are injection-molded parts. The clamping sleeve 18 is made of glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide, and the locking sleeve 20 is made of POM. The flexible shaft 22 is overmolded by the clamping sleeve 18.

[0081] The positive connection formed by deformation between the adjusting screw 14 and the clamping sleeve 18 creates a robust and simple connection between the clamping sleeve 18 or the transmission unit 12 and the adjusting screw 14.

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1 . A transmission unit (12) for adjusting a headlight, comprising a flexible shaft (22) and a fixing unit (16) having two end regions and a rotational axis, wherein a first end region has a positive-locking structure (18) for coupling to a positive-locking drive structure (14e) of an actuating element to be driven, so that a rotational movement about the rotational axis can be transmitted, wherein the fixing unit (16) is connected to the flexible shaft (22) in a rotationally fixed and axially fixed manner in the second end region, so that a rotational movement can be transmitted from the flexible shaft (22) to the positive-locking structure (18), characterized in that the fixing unit (16) has a locking sleeve (20) and a clamping sleeve (18), wherein the locking sleeve (20) is designed to be displaceable with respect to the clamping sleeve (18) from an insertion position (EP) into a clamping position (KP) in the locking direction (AR), wherein the locking direction (AR) is parallel to the rotational axis,wherein the clamping sleeve (18) has a clamping wall with at least one gap that is open at the end and has two gap edges that lie opposite one another in the circumferential direction, wherein a circumferential clamping region is formed that is formed at least partially along the at least one gap in the axial direction, wherein the clamping sleeve (18) has an opening cross-section and forms an insertion width when the locking sleeve (20) is in the insertion position (EP), wherein the locking sleeve (20) and the clamping sleeve (18) interact in the clamping position (KP) such that by axially displacing the locking sleeve (20) into the clamping position, the distance between the gap edges (19a, 19b) and thus also the opening cross-section of the clamping sleeve (18) in the clamping region leads to a clamping width that is reduced compared to the insertion width due to an at least partial deformation of the clamping wall.

2. Transmission unit (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping wall is interrupted by a plurality of circumferentially spaced gaps, with tongue elements (26) being formed between two adjacent gaps.

3. Transmission unit (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking sleeve (20) has a locking structure which cooperates with at least one corresponding locking structure on the circumference of the clamping sleeve (18) in the clamping position (18b) and fixes the locking sleeve (20) and the clamping sleeve (18) axially to one another.

4. Transmission unit (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking structure of the locking sleeve (20) is designed as a flexible locking finger (30) and the locking structure of the clamping sleeve (18) is designed as a circumferential groove (18a), in particular an annular groove, wherein the groove (18a) is designed such that displacement against the locking direction (AR) is counteracted.

5. Transmission unit (12) according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (18) has two grooves (18a, 18b) spaced apart in the axial direction on the circumference, wherein the engagement of the locking fingers (30) in the first groove (18a) is designed as an insertion position (EP) and the engagement in the second groove (18b) is designed as a clamping position (KP).

6. Transmission unit (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that the side wall of the first groove (18a) lying in the locking direction (AR) is designed in the transition to the second groove (18b) such that the locking sleeve (20) can be moved from the first groove (18a) into the second groove (18b) in the locking direction (AR).

7. Transmission unit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (18) is formed in one piece.

8. Transmission unit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking sleeve (20) has a radially inwardly oriented stop projection (20a) which, in the clamping position (KP), cooperates with an outwardly oriented stop projection (18d) of the clamping sleeve (18) in such a way that an axial displacement of the locking sleeve (20) in the locking direction (AR) relative to the clamping sleeve (18) is counteracted.

9. Transmission unit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking sleeve (20) and the clamping sleeve (18) are made of plastic, in particular POM and glass fiber reinforced polyamide.

10. Transfer unit (12) according to claim 9, characterized in that the fixing unit (16) is designed as an injection-molded part.

11. Transmission unit (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that the fixing unit (16) is designed such that the flexible shaft (22) is molded around by the clamping sleeve (18).

12. Transmission unit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the form-fitting structure (18c) of the clamping sleeve (18) is designed as an external drive.

13. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) for adjusting a headlight, comprising an adjusting screw (14), a transmission unit (12) and a housing (24) having a housing recess (24a), wherein the housing (24) has an adjusting screw receptacle (25) with a central axis (MA), wherein the transmission unit (12) has a fixing unit (16) and a flexible shaft (22), and the adjusting screw (14) has a thread (14c) and a drive end (14a), a headlight-side end (14b) and a screw axis (SA), wherein the adjusting screw (14) is in threaded engagement with the housing (24) such that the central axis (MA) is coaxial with the screw axis (SA), wherein the drive end (14a) is arranged in the housing recess (24a), wherein the adjusting screw (14) has a drive form-locking structure (14e) at the drive end (14a) and the Fixing unit (16) has a form-locking structure (18c),wherein the adjusting screw (14) is positively connected to the drive form-locking structure (14e) with the form-locking structure (18c) of the fixing unit (16) in such a way that a rotary movement can be transmitted from the fixing unit (16) to the adjusting screw (14), wherein the fixing unit (16) is connected to one end of the flexible shaft (22) at the end facing away from the form-locking structure (18c), and wherein the other end of the flexible shaft (22) is designed as the drive end, characterized in that the fixing unit (16) has a locking sleeve (20) and, a clamping sleeve (18), wherein the locking sleeve (20) is designed to be displaceable relative to the clamping sleeve (18) from an insertion position (EP) into a clamping position (KP) in a locking direction (AR), wherein the locking direction (AR) is designed parallel to the central axis (MA), and wherein the adjusting screw (14) and the fixing unit (16) are coordinated with one another in such a way that in the insertion position (EP) of the locking sleeve (20), the adjusting screw (14) is axially displaceable relative to the clamping sleeve (18), wherein the locking sleeve (20) cooperates with the clamping sleeve (18) in the clamping position (KP) in such a way that the clamping sleeve (18) and the adjusting screw (14) are axially fixed relative to the clamping sleeve (18), and wherein the adjusting screw (14) and the fixing unit (16) are coordinated with one another in such a way that in the insertion position (EP) of the locking sleeve (20), the adjusting screw (14) is axially displaceable relative to clamping sleeve (18).

14. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (18) has a clamping wall with at least one gap which is open at the end and has two gap edges lying opposite one another in the circumferential direction, wherein a circumferential clamping region is formed which is formed at least partially along the at least one gap in the axial direction.

15. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the fixing unit (16) has a stop in the region of the form-fitting structure (18c), wherein the stop is connected to the clamping region, in particular the clamping wall, in a relatively movement-free manner, and is designed such that it can interact with a stop surface of the adjusting screw (14).

16. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the stop is arranged in the axial direction in the locking direction (AR) in front of the clamping area.

17. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that in the clamping position (KP) a positive connection in the axial direction is formed between the adjusting screw (14) and the clamping sleeve (18).

18. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that the locking sleeve (20) presses the clamping wall onto an indentation structure of the adjusting screw (14), so that by deformation of the clamping wall the positive locking in the axial direction connection is formed.

19. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to claim 18, characterized in that the indentation structure is formed by a part of the thread (14c) of the adjusting screw (14).

20. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the locking sleeve (20) has a sealing lip (28) on the circumference, which rests in the radial direction on the inner wall of the housing recess (24a), in particular in a sealing manner.

21. Adjusting screw arrangement (10) according to one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the transmission unit is designed according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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