Articulated support for a headlamp beam tester

Abstract

An articulated support for a headlamp beam tester is disclosed, comprising a hollow structure (1) with dimensions adjustable in height, width and depth by means of one or more bars (1a) and profiles (1b, 1c). The hollow structure (1) houses a headlamp beam tester (10) which is secured at its upper ends by securing means (2) and is mounted on a stabilization system (3) that allows movement in the three spatial directions while maintaining alignment. The support is connected to an adjustable alignment system (4) comprising vertical (4a) and horizontal (4b) alignment mechanisms, allowing the support to be fixed in place by means of tool-free clamping elements (4c, 4d). In certain embodiments, the support may include electric actuators, a remote control system, a leveling device (manual or electronic), and a camera support for image capture. The invention ensures precise positioning of the beam tester relative to a vehicle or inspection point.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Articulating support for regloscope

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to an articulated support for a regloscope, adaptable to any type of telescopic or articulated arm, which allows the vehicle to overcome frontal and / or lateral obstacles, with respect to the plane parallel to the plane perpendicular to the ground containing the light output surface to be checked in special vehicles, or that due to their construction or equipment on the outside of the body so requires, when measuring the alignment and intensity of the headlights of said vehicle by means of the regloscope with respect to the different existing regulations regarding road safety, such as vehicle approval regulations, vehicle circulation regulations, vehicle inspection regulations, existing regulations regarding the repair and manufacture of vehicles, or any others.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Currently, Vehicle Inspections (VITs) perform various measurements on the light beam emitted by each headlight of any type of vehicle using a regloscope. This measurement follows a structured procedure to ensure that the light emitted by the headlights is correctly aligned and of the appropriate intensity, among other things.

[0007] The optimal distance at which a ruler scope should be placed in front of a vehicle's headlights to take a correct measurement may vary depending on the ruler scope manufacturer and the specific regulations of each country or region. However, a commonly accepted distance used in many vehicle inspections (VITs) is approximately 30 to 50 centimeters from the vehicle.

[0008] This distance allows the regloscope to adequately capture the light beam emitted by the headlights to assess their alignment and distribution without interference. Furthermore, the vehicle must be properly positioned on level ground and with tire pressure properly adjusted to simulate normal driving conditions, which contributes to the measurement accuracy. The Applicant is aware that various supports and mounting systems specifically designed to position and hold regloscopes in front of vehicles during headlight inspections have been disclosed in the prior art.

[0009] Among the most widespread and widely used are various mobile stands, which are realized through a unit with wheels that allow the operator to easily move the ruler in front of different vehicles and adjust its horizontal and vertical position. These stands usually have locking mechanisms to ensure the device remains stationary during the measurement. Notable among these are, for example, the British invention GB1558698A, a device for checking the alignment of a vehicle's headlights, as well as the American invention US2012086941A1, an apparatus and method for adjusting vehicle headlights.

[0010] On the other hand, regloscopes mounted on floor-mounted rail systems are also known in the prior art, allowing them to be moved back and forth to adjust to the correct distance from the vehicle. US invention US2012224171A1, a method and apparatus for aiming headlights, incorporates such a rail system.

[0011] Currently, among the systems known in the state of the art, there is a latent problem when a vehicle has some device or accessory on its front and / or side, or when its construction or equipment on the exterior of the body requires it, which prevents the ruler scope from being brought to the optimal distance for measuring the headlights, such as a front protector, a tow bar, a shovel or any type of atypical construction.

[0012] Due to this problem, the need arose to design an articulated regloscope support adaptable to any type of telescopic or articulated arm, which would address this issue. This objective is achieved by the invention as defined in the claims.

[0013] Description of the invention

[0014] The present invention relates to a support for a regloscope adaptable to any type of telescopic or articulated arm, which allows to overcome frontal obstacles of special vehicles when measuring the alignment and intensity of the headlights by means of the regloscope, and where the support is materialized by a hollow structure adaptable in height, width and depth that incorporates fastening means at its upper ends, as well as a stabilization system, an adjustable vertical and horizontal alignment system and a leveling system.

[0015] Thanks to the invention described here, it is possible to house any type of ruler scope in the support, as well as to connect it to any type of telescopic or articulated arm.

[0016] Likewise, when measuring the headlights of any type of vehicle, mainly in a Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV), a structured procedure is followed in the measurement and, although the process may vary slightly depending on the specific type of regloscope used (manual or digital) and the vehicle model, there are a series of requirements commonly followed in all cases such as positioning the regloscope in a plane parallel to the frontal plane of the vehicle and perpendicular to the ground, which is why the support described here includes an adjustable vertical and horizontal alignment system that assists the user in taking the references based on which they must set the correct position of the hollow structure, once the required plane has been reached, by means of separate tightening means.In addition, the stand incorporates a stabilization system that allows for proper alignment and secure placement to prevent any movement during handling.

[0017] Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent in part from the invention itself and in part from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to restrict the present invention. Furthermore, the invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

[0018] Brief description of the figures

[0019] A very brief description is now given of a series of drawings which help to better understand the invention and which are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, which is illustrated as a non-limiting example thereof. FIG. 1 shows a view of the articulated support for a regloscope housing a regloscope (10) inside, which is the object of this utility model.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a second view of the articulated support for a regloscope housing a regloscope (10) inside, object of the present utility model.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a third view of the articulated support for regloscope, object of this utility model.

[0022] Exposition of a detailed embodiment of the invention

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached figure. More specifically, the articulated support for a regloscope comprises a hollow structure (1) of variable dimensions in height, width and depth by means of fastening means (2) at its upper ends, and which is housed in a stabilization system (3) as well as connected to an adjustable alignment system (4).

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the support can be adapted to any type of telescopic or articulated arm (100) and the hollow structure (1) houses a ruler (10) inside which has a levelling system attached.

[0025] Likewise, the stabilization system (3) allows the movement of the hollow structure (1) in its three dimensions in an aligned manner and incorporates a fastening means (3a) of the screw or bolt type, with a manually adjustable head without the need for tools.

[0026] Furthermore, the hollow structure (1) comprises dimensions that are variable in height by means of at least one bar (1a); it comprises dimensions that are variable in width by means of a profile (1b); and it comprises dimensions that are variable in depth by means of a profile (1c).

[0027] Finally, the adjustable alignment system (4) has a vertical alignment system (4a) and a horizontal alignment system (4b), as well as two tightening means (4c, 4d) with a head that is manually adjustable without the need for tools, which allow the position of the adjustable alignment system (4) to be fixed in each plane. In a first embodiment, any spatial movement of the hollow structure (1) implies the same movement of the ruler (10), in a joint manner.

[0028] In a second embodiment, the adjustable alignment system (4) forms part of the hollow structure (1) itself, for example, by means of a guide, strip or physical element arranged on said structure, which allows the operator to visually align the ruler (10) with a virtual reference line defined between symmetrical elements of the vehicle. This alignment system can be adjustable in position to facilitate its coincidence with said reference.

[0029] In a third embodiment, the articulated support comprises one or more electric actuators coupled to the stabilization system (3), configured to move the hollow structure (1) in its three spatial dimensions with respect to a reference position, such that the operator can accurately position the ruler (10) in a level position with respect to the ground and correctly facing the vehicle or light projector to be inspected without the need to manually move the support of the telescopic or articulated arm (100), when it is mobile, or without the need to condition the fixed installation of the telescopic or articulated arm, when applicable.

[0030] These actuators are controlled by an electronic control unit housed in a connection box integrated into the base of the telescopic or articulated arm (100), connected to an external button panel that includes directional controls for the movement of the support (up, down, forward, backward and lateral movement).

[0031] Additionally, the control unit can incorporate a wireless communication module (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), which allows the movement of the support to be controlled using an application installed on a mobile device (smartphone or tablet), from which the same remote positioning commands can be executed as from the physical keypad.

[0032] In a fourth embodiment, the clamping means (3a) of the stabilization system (3) are configured so as to allow the extension in length of the joints between the different structural elements, thus facilitating better maneuverability during the alignment and regulation of the hollow structure (1). This extensible capacity improves the positioning precision of the regloscope, especially in situations where it is necessary to adjust the support to different configurations of the inspected vehicle.

[0033] In a fifth embodiment, the hollow structure (1) comprises at least one camera support configured to allow the viewing and capture of images or video from a distance. In a preferred embodiment, the camera support is configured to allow its angular orientation, be compatible with different camera formats (webcam, industrial camera, optical sensor, etc.) and allow it to be fixed in different positions of the hollow structure (1), according to the inspection needs of the operator. In a sixth embodiment, the leveling system is coupled to the ruler (10) such that it is integrally integrated into the hollow structure (1), allowing its joint adjustment with respect to the ground. Said system can be materialized as a manual bubble level, an electronic level or any other functionally equivalent device.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Articulated support for a regloscope characterized in that it comprises a hollow structure (1) of variable dimensions in height by means of at least one bar (1a), in width by means of at least one profile (1b) and in depth by means of at least one profile (1c); and where the hollow structure (1) houses a regloscope (10) inside it held by means of holding means (2) at its upper ends; and where the hollow structure (1) is housed in a stabilization system (3) that allows the movement of the hollow structure (1) in its three dimensions in an aligned manner, as well as connected to an adjustable alignment system (4) that allows its position to be fixed in each plane. 2.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claim 1, wherein the support can be adapted to any type of telescopic or articulated arm (100). 3.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the stabilization system (3) incorporates a fastening means (3a) of the screw or bolt type, with a manually adjustable head without the need for tools. 4.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjustable alignment system (4) has a vertical alignment system (4a) and a horizontal alignment system (4b), as well as two tightening means (4c, 4d) with a manually adjustable head without the need for tools, which allow the position of the adjustable alignment system (4) to be fixed in each plane. 5.- Articulated support for a regloscope according to claims 1 to 4, wherein a leveling system is coupled to the regloscope (10). 6.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claim 5, wherein the leveling system is a manual bubble level or an electronic level. 7.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the hollow structure (1) comprises at least one camera support. 8.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the camera support is configured to capture images and / or video remotely. 9.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 to 8, comprising one or more electric actuators configured to move the hollow structure (1) in its three dimensions with respect to a reference position. 10.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the actuators are controlled by a control unit connected to a connection box and a button panel with directional controls, or alternatively, controlled by an application on a mobile device. 11.- Articulated support for regloscope according to claims 1 to 10, wherein the hollow structure (1) is customizable by means of graphic elements and / or mechanical configurations adapted to specific needs of the user or usage environment.

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