Long-range lighting system for a vehicle, including a pair of adjustable mounting brackets

Abstract

This lighting system (1) for a vehicle comprises: - a support frame (2) extending from a left end (2a) to a right end (2b), the ends (2a, 2b) defining a span (3) of the lighting system (1), and - left and right lighting modules (4a, 4b) mounted on the support frame (2) at the left and right ends (2a, 2b) respectively. The span (3) of the lighting system (1) is at least 1.2 m and the lighting system (1) is further provided with a pair of adjustable left and right attachment devices (5a, 5b) for attaching the support frame (2) to a vehicle body (6) with automatic tolerance compensation between the support frame (2) and the vehicle body (6). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Long-range lighting system for a vehicle comprising a pair of adjustable attachment devices. Field of art

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lighting system typically covering the entire width of a vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Typically, long-range lighting systems cover the entire width of the vehicle they equip. Generally, their length varies between 1.2 m and 1.4 m. This range of lengths, combined with manufacturing and mounting tolerances, presents unique challenges that require tolerance compensation of up to ± 2.5 mm.

[0003] Traditional tolerance compensators, such as washers and gaskets, are generally used to meet the aforementioned tolerance compensation requirements.

[0004] However, their use for attaching long-range lighting systems is accompanied by an increase in assembly time, potential misalignment problems and a decrease in reliability under certain stress conditions. Object of the invention

[0005] An objective of the invention is to provide a long-range lighting system equipped with an attachment device with automatic tolerance compensation that is reliable and accurate.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a lighting system for a vehicle comprises a support frame extending from a left end to a right end, the ends defining the extent of the lighting system. The system further comprises left and right lighting modules mounted on the support frame at the left and right ends, respectively. The extent of the lighting system is at least 1.2 m and typically covers the entire width of the vehicle. The lighting system is further provided with a pair of adjustable left and right attachment devices for attaching the support frame to the vehicle body with automatic tolerance compensation between the support frame and the vehicle body.

[0007] Such a configuration allows for the attachment of a wide-area lighting system with automatic tolerance compensation. The proposed lighting system simplifies mounting while allowing for precise alignment with increased reliability. In effect, automatic tolerance compensation facilitates assembly in blind assembly lines, reducing assembly time and potential errors.

[0008] In one embodiment, each adjustable fastening device comprises:

[0009] - a receiving element that is fixed to the vehicle body,

[0010] - an adjustment element that is screwed onto the receiving element via a first pair of threads in a first threading direction, and

[0011] - a fastening screw, which can be screwed into the receiving element via a second a pair of threads in a second opposite thread direction, so as to also rotate the adjusting element when the fastening screw is turned and thus move it for the purpose of tolerance compensation against the support frame,

[0012] the receiving element, the adjusting element and the fastening screw being coaxial along an axis.

[0013] For example, the axis is approximately horizontal.

[0014] Advantageously, the adjustable left and right fastening devices are located at the left and right ends of the support frame, respectively. This configuration provides better support for the lighting system.

[0015] Advantageously, each adjustable fastening device is located at the level of a lower side of the support frame.

[0016] Preferably, the support frame is further provided, on an upper side, with auxiliary attachment means for attaching the support frame to the vehicle body, so that a front face of the support frame is oriented towards the front of the vehicle and is oriented downwards at a predetermined angle with a vertical axis.

[0017] For example, the extent of the lighting system has a value between 1.2 m and 1.4 m.

[0018] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a lighting system as described above. Description of the drawings

[0019] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying the detailed description of a specific embodiment given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of a lighting system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a partial auxiliary view of the lighting system of Fig. 1 showing a connection between a support frame and a vehicle body; and

[0022] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of an adjustable attachment device for the lighting system of Fig. 1. Detailed description

[0023] The lighting system 1 shown in [Fig. 1] comprises a support frame 2 extending from a left end 2a to a right end 2b. The left and right ends 2a, 2b define an extent 3 of the lighting system 1.

[0024] The lighting system 1 is a long-range lighting system that typically covers the entire width of a vehicle. Therefore, the range 3 is at least 1.2 m. Preferably, the range 3 has a value between 1.2 m and 1.4 m.

[0025] The lighting system 1 also includes left and right lighting modules 4a, 4b mounted on the support frame 2 at the left and right ends 2a, 2b respectively.

[0026] The lighting system 1 is further provided with a pair of adjustable left and right attachment devices 5a, 5b for attaching the support frame 2 to a vehicle body 6 with automatic tolerance compensation between the support frame 2 and the vehicle body 6.

[0027] Figure 2 is a partial side view of the lighting system 1 showing in more detail the attachment of the support frame 2 to the vehicle body 6. It should be noted that similar or identical elements have the same reference numerals throughout the figures.

[0028] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the adjustable left and right attachment devices 5a, 5b are located at the left and right ends 2a, 2b respectively of the support frame 2.

[0029] Preferably, each adjustable fastening device 5a, 5b is disposed at the level of a lower side 2c of the support frame 2.

[0030] The support frame 2 is further provided, on an upper side 2d, with auxiliary attachment means 7 for attaching the support frame 2 to the vehicle body 6 such that a front face 2e of the support frame 2 is oriented towards the front of the vehicle and is oriented downwards at a predetermined angle α with a vertical axis Z ([Fig. 3]). For example, the predetermined angle α has a value of at least 1°.

[0031] Each adjustable fastening device 5a, 5b comprises a receiving element 8, an adjusting element 9 and a fastening screw 10 which are coaxial along an X axis. Preferably, the X axis is approximately horizontal.

[0032] The receiving element 8 is fixed to the body 6 of the vehicle.

[0033] The adjustment element 9 is screwed onto the receiving element 8 via a first pair of threads in a first thread direction.

[0034] The receiving element 8 and the adjusting element 9 form a pre-installable structural unit.

[0035] The attachment screw 10 can be screwed into the receiving element 8 via a second pair of threads in a second opposite thread direction, in order to also rotate the adjusting element 9 when the attachment screw 10 is rotated and to move it thus for the purpose of tolerance compensation against a rear face 2f of the support frame 2 as shown in [Fig.3].

[0036] Although the disclosure has been described in relation to what are currently considered to be practical embodiments, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent provisions included in the spirit and scope of the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Lighting system (1) for a vehicle comprising: - a support frame (2) extending from a left end (2a) to a right end (2b), said ends (2a, 2b) defining an extent (3) of the lighting system (1), - left and right lighting modules (4a, 4b) mounted on the support frame (2) at said left and right ends (2a, 2b) respectively, characterized in that the extent (3) of the lighting system (1) is at least equal to 1.2 m and in that the lighting system (1) is further provided with a pair of adjustable left and right attachment devices (5a, 5b) for attaching the support frame (2) to a vehicle body (6) with automatic tolerance compensation between the support frame (2) and the vehicle body (6).

2. Lighting system (1) according to claim 1, each adjustable attachment device (5a, 5b) comprising: - a receiving element (8) which is fixed to the body (6) of the vehicle, - an adjustment element (9) which is screwed onto the receiving element (8) via a first pair of threads in a first thread direction, and - an attachment screw (10), which can be screwed into the receiving element (8) via a second pair of threads in a second opposite thread direction, so as to also rotate the adjustment element (9) when the attachment screw (10) is rotated and to move it thus for the purpose of compensating tolerance against the support frame (2), said receiving element (8), adjustment element (9) and attachment screw (10) being coaxial along an axis (X).

3. Lighting system (1) according to claim 1, said axis (X) being approximately horizontal.

4. Lighting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, said left and right adjustable attachment devices (5a, 5b) being located at said left and right ends (2a, 2b) respectively of the support frame (2).

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9. Lighting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, each adjustable attachment device (2a, 2b) being disposed at a lower side (2c) of the support frame (2). Lighting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the support frame (2) further being provided, on an upper side (2d), with auxiliary attachment means (7) for attaching the support frame (2) to the body (6) of the vehicle so that a front face (2e) of the support frame (2) is oriented towards the front of the vehicle and is oriented downwards at a predetermined angle (a) with a vertical axis (Z). Lighting system (1) according to claim 6, the predetermined angle (a) having a value of at least 1°. Lighting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the extent of the lighting system (1) having a value between 1.2 m and 1.4 m. Vehicle comprising a lighting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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