DE2032588C3 - Device for the automatic adjustment of vehicle headlights - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for automatic Adjusting vehicle headlights with a linkage for tilting the front headlights a horizontal axis, one on the lifting and lowering movement '.- n of the vehicle rear opposite the Rear wheels of the vehicle responsive signal generator, one on the up and down movements of the Vehicle front facing the front wheels of the vehicle responsive Winkclsignalgeber and one Signal mixing device that generates the bow and stern signal with the aid of coaxially arranged springs for emitting an output signal proportional to the difference between the bow and stern signals combined.

From DE-PiJ 6 28 47b is a device / um Stabilizing the direction of moveable headlights suspended on the motor vehicle when changing Load or uneven road surface known. In the known device, the two axes of the Vehicle connected by a longitudinally displaceable flexible rod in the middle part Member is arranged with double displaceability and communicates with a tubular part, which is articulated to a fixed point on the chassis. The tubular part is via a rod with a connected to the downward-facing approach of the headlight, so that the headlights on one side of a joint system, the opposing ropes at a fixed angle to the central part of the flexible rod forms, which due to the distribution of their mass and their flexible wedge essentially always parallel to Lane remains.

In this way, it is true that the Fuiirgestell Compensate for the position of the headlights in relation to the road, but this is Device for automatic adjustment of the

Headlights unsuitable depending on the vehicle load. That being said, this should be Facility hardly because of the long rods to be used and the expected material fatigue can be put into practice with the flexible rod.

From the German patent application B 33 017 ll / 63c is a control device for devices for automatic Adjustment of Fahrzcugscheinwcrfern known as a function of the vehicle load. The control unit comprises a piston arranged in a housing and wrapped with an opposing jet, the by means of two counteracting springs arranged coaxially in the housing on the one hand with the vehicle axle and on the other hand with the suspended Fahrgesieiltei! connected is. A wiper fixed in the housing works with the resistance winding of the Piston together and sends a signal to an electromagnetic device for adjusting the Headlights off. Air damping can also be provided between the piston and the housing be that a response of the control unit with brief changes in the distance of the sprung F-vehicle additional parts for the vehicle axle more or less strongly avoids.

This control unit is arranged on the rear vehicle axle so that only the lifting and lowering movements of the Γ-ahrzeughecks against the Hinierrä the. however, the upward and downward movements of the front of the vehicle with respect to the front wheels are not taken into account. ^I: crner the operation of the control unit is connected mil a strong power consumption due to the electromagnetic Einstelleinrichtun on the headlight.

The finding is now from a fan direction of the type mentioned at the beginning. which both the lifting and lowering movements of the rear of the vehicle compared to the Rear wheels as well as the upward and downward movements of the front of the vehicle with respect to the front wheels taken into account, the object of the invention is based on the signal mixing device for one To be particularly suitable for installation in vehicles in the context of mass production.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that a damper unit with the headlight tilting linkage is connected for attenuating the output signal from the mixer. that the mixing device a cylindrical housing with two movable therein arranged and separated from one another by a piston for emitting the output signal, wherein the piston mn a transmission member protruding from the front end of the housing is connected to transmit the output signal. also a piston that responds to the tail signal, which is slidably disposed near the front end of the housing and with the rear signal transmitter and one connected to the housing near the rear end thereof and responsive to the bow signal Pistons, that the piston stop surfaces responding to the bow and stern signal for the outwardly directed ends of the respective springs that the output signal transmission element telescopically into engagement with a part of the rear signal transmitter which is arranged coaxially in the housing can be brought. that the bow signal generator is moving upwards from a stabilizer bar of the front suspension of the vehicle having extending Ann and that the arm of the bow signal transmitter is pivotable in Engagement with the front end of the housing for longitudinal movement of the entire housing at a Change of the bow signal is available.

For installation it is only necessary to first connect the tail signal generator to the rear end of the To connect the housing of the signal mixer, then the front end of the housing of the signal mixer to connect to the bow signal generator and finally, as the last step, the output signal transmission element to connect to the headlight tilt linkage in a simple manner.

The output signal piston is expediently provided with a diametrically extending pin, the slidable in a pair of diametrically opposed and in the longitudinal direction of the in Tcleskopic engagement bringable part of the üecksignalgebers extending Slots engages, and the output signal transmission link is formed by a rod that goes into the part of which engages the component generating the tail signal, and with the diametrically extending pin of the Output signal piston connected.

With a view to quickly establishing the connection between the arm of the bow signal transmitter and the front end of the housing it is convenient to keep the springs in the housing on their static Belriebsbelasiung preload and a display device to be provided, which indicates when, after installation, the signal mixing device will be used by the The load exerted on the bow and stern signal transmitter is equal to the preload on the springs.

I im indicate when the springs of the signal mixer are correctly balanced and tensioned, can according to a further embodiment of the invention Part of the rear signal transmitter that can be grasped in the manner of a telescope Be tube slidably extending through the bow signal piston and may be the indicator have a pin which is engaged with the tube at one point so that it is at a Loading of the component generating the tail signal to act on the mixing device from the pipe falls out.

The same purpose also serves a training in which the housing by the engagement of in the side Direction extending pin of a fork-shaped end portion of the bow signal transmitter arm in the side extending slots at the front end of the housing is pivotally connected to the lever and at the the tail signal gcber comprises a rope that extends between the rear axle of the vehicle and the rear signal piston in the housing extends, causing the springs to compress in the direction of compression be biased when the housing is on the arm with the rope under tension is put on.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in subclaims 5 to 21.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing. In the Drawing represent:

It shows

1 shows a side view of an adjusting device according to the invention,

2 shows a partially sectioned illustration of a Mixing unit according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a similar to FIG. 1, scaled down Representation of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention,

4 shows a plan view of a headlight and whose carrier in the facility according to Fi g. 1 to

F i g. 5 is a front view of the FIG. 4 headlight carrier shown,

6 shows a detailed view of a horizontal adjustment device according to FIGS. 4 and 5,

7 shows a view from below of a further embodiment of an adjusting device,

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of a modified one Embodiment of a signal mixing unit,

FIG. 9 is a side view of that shown in FIG Signal mixing device and its arrangement in a device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 3,

FIGS. 10a and 10b show a modified embodiment in front and side view of a quick-release headlight bracket,

11 is a side view, partly in section, of a actuatable control device for a device according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1,3,8 or 9,

Fig. 12 is a side view showing the transmission an angle signal from the rear axle (type De Dion) and a considerably simplified one front handlebar connection between the signal mixing unit and a headlight crossbar,

13 is a side view of a shock absorber shown in FIG a device according to FIGS. 1 to 3 or 7 and 8 Applies, and

14 shows a section through a headlight crossbar, similar to that in FIG. 12 shown.

The F i g. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for automatic 3 " Adjustment of a headlight assembly. The headlight assembly includes a headlight 1, which is shown at 2 pivotable about a horizontal diameter axis and mounted within a housing 3 surrounding it is. The housing 3 is arranged on a vehicle, for example on a motor vehicle, and contains the adjusting device according to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle is a Motor vehicle, in front of the radiator 4 of which the headlight arrangement, which contains the headlight 1, is arranged

The upper part of the headlight edge rests against a spring-loaded damper 5, which is attached to the Housing 3 is attached. The lower part of the headlight has a bracket 6 in which a screw 7 and Nuts 8 and 9 are set and through which the headlight by mechanical contact with a on the screw 7 abutting lever arm 10 is pivotable. The lever arm 10 stands radially from one Transverse arm 11 in the form of a rod or a tube, which extends across the front of the vehicle and in suitable bearings, not shown is stored. From Fig. 1 shows that a rotation of the cross bar 11 in the clockwise direction a raising of the headlight beam, on the other hand a counterclockwise rotation a lowering of the Headlight beam has the consequence, since in the latter case the spring-loaded damper 5 the headlight 1 pivots about axis 2

The rotation of the cross bar 11 is carried out via a link system that contains a signal mixing unit 12 m> The signal mixing unit 12 superimposes mechanical signals corresponding to the raising or lowering of the front and rear of the vehicle and generates a single output signal on a pressure pin 13, which is located in a slot 14 slides at the end of a swivel arm *> 5 mes 15. The pivot arm 15 is mounted on a bracket 16 which is riveted to a cross member 17 of the vehicle

The signal, which indicates the raising or lowering of the rear part of the vehicle, is by means of a Cable 18 transmitted, which extends from the signal mixing unit 12 to the rear and largely runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The cable 18 runs over a rotatable disc and is in one place attached to the rear axle near the top of the differential housing. The disc and the attachment point on the differential housing thus serve as a back signal emitting every movement of the rear part of the vehicle downwards results in a downward movement of the vehicle-mounted window, while the End of the cable 18 connected to the axis maintains its position and thus the distance between the Washer and the attachment point on the differential housing enlarged and the cable is to the rear is pulled.

The signal corresponding to a raising or lowering of the front part of the vehicle is from a Lever 19 removed, which is attached to the anti-roll bar 20 of the vehicle that a vehicle inclination forward in a clockwise rotation of the anti-roll bar and a corresponding inclination of the Lever 19 results.

For example, if the front and rear of the vehicle go down at the same time, the The angle of the headlight beam remains largely constant, since the angle of the vehicle frame in relation to on the median plane of the road surface also remains constant and thus the headlight beam is only slightly shortened because the headlights 1 are at a smaller distance above the road surface lie. In such a situation, the lever 19 leans forward in a clockwise direction, but will at the same time the cable 18 is pulled back, so that the output signal from the signal mixing unit largely remains unchanged and keeps the incline of the headlight constant.

The mode of operation of the mixing unit is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 explained in more detail. From the preceding description of the mode of operation of the mixing unit described in this respect, it is clear that that the forward and backward movement of the pressure pin 13 is a rectilinear displacement signal yeast, its Direction and size the direction of inclination and the angle of inclination of the vehicle body in the direction of a Raising or lowering the front part of the vehicle corresponds to raising the front part of the vehicle results in a displacement of the pressure pin 13 to the rear and vice versa. The upper end of the pivot arm 15 is articulated to a further arm 21 of the cross bar 11 via a helical tension spring 22 between correspondingly placed fastening points 21a on the arm 21 and 15a on the swivel arm 15 is tensioned

The spring-loaded damper according to FIG. 1 consists essentially of a tube 23 with a closed End attached to the vehicle frame and containing a compression spring 24 having a loosely fitted Bolt 25 - in the drawing - pushes to the right. The space in the tube 23 is with a hydraulic fluid filled and the outer end of the tube is sealed by means of a bellows 26 so that at a Shifting the piston pin 25 to the right, the hydraulic fluid moves to the left along the annular gap between the bolt 25 and the tube 23 moved The bolt 25 is thus always pushed to the right, his However, movement is dampened by the restricted flow of hydraulic fluid in the annular gap

each headlamp 1 of a whole headlamp assembly which is operated by a transverse rod 11 is a special damper 5 arranged. However, it is of course possible in the same way to adjust the setting device designed in such a way that the entire headlamp assembly is actuated by a single damper, as Fig.3 shows. With this arrangement is on Cross member 17 of the vehicle a spring-loaded damper 44 is arranged on an arm 47 of the Cross rod 11 acts and dampens its rotational movement. A spring 69 supports the tilting movement of the Headlight, d. H. the lowering of the headlight beam. The arrangement according to FIG. 3 has the other Advantage that the pivot point 46 of the piston rod 45 of the damper 44 on the arm 47 in the direction of the The longitudinal axis of the cross bar 11 or can be moved away from it and thereby the damping torque of the single damper can be adjusted.

An alternative embodiment of a shock absorber that has the same effect, namely an increase in the Resistance to movement in one direction compared to the other, generated, has a continuous one Bore in the damper piston and a check valve arranged in it. A spring 69 can in this case be waived. When the piston pin moves in one direction, the check valve opens and hydraulic fluid flows along the through hole with low flow resistance. At a Movement of the piston in the opposite direction closes the check valve and the Throttle resistance increases considerably.

A third possible embodiment of a shock absorber that is suitable for the device according to the invention is shown in FIG. This embodiment will be explained later.

2 shows a detailed representation the mixing unit 12. This consists of a tubular housing 27, inside, on the front and rear end hollow piston 28 and 29 are slidably arranged. The rear hollow piston 28 has a pair diametrically opposite, outwardly projecting lugs 30, which are in corresponding, opposite one another Engage slots 31 in tubular housing 27. The rear hollow piston 28 is actuated by the upper, fork-shaped end 19a of the lever 19 on the anti-roll bar, which engages the lugs 30 and this - in the drawing - pushes to the right. The rightward movement of the rear hollow piston 28 is on the front hollow piston 29 transferred by an external helical compression spring 32, which between the two pistons, is arranged within the tubular housing 27

The move designa! from the rear of the vehicle is via the Seib-ug 18 and a coil spring 33 fed directly to the front hollow piston 29. The rear end of the tension spring 33 is connected to the front End of the cable 18 coupled via a fork connection 34. The front hollow piston 29 carries one with This one-piece, outwardly protruding tab 35 as a support for the pressure pin 13, which is shown in the fork 14 of the swivel arm 15 engages. A pin 36 extends inward from the bracket 35 with a suspension opening 37 in which the front end of the tension spring 33 is received carries at the front end an L-shaped bracket 38, the serves as a bearing for the pivot pin of the pivot arm 15

The spring stiffness and the geometry of the whole mechanism is chosen so that when it is lowered the front and rear of the vehicle by the same amount as the resulting compression the compression spring 32 and the expansion of the tension spring 33 are the same but oppositely directed forces generate the front hollow piston 29 in the axial direction of the tubular housing 27. A lifting of the front part of the vehicle however, increases the elongation of the tension spring 33 and reduces the compression deformation of the compression spring

ίο 32, so that from it a left movement of the front Hollow piston 29 results. Accordingly, an inclination of the front part of the vehicle causes a rightward movement of the hollow piston 29.

The screw 7 in the fastening nuts 8 and 9 (see. Fig. 1) allows two adjustments. One is by turning the screw while keeping the radial one constant The screw distance from the headlight to determine the center position of the headlight beam, d. H.

to raise the jet by screwing in further and to lower the jet by unscrewing. the Another possibility is to place the screw 7 in an elongated hole in the bracket 6 radially to the headlight move and in this way the effective lever arm between the bracket 6 and the arm 10 and thus the "translation" for the output signal from the mixing unit 12 to the effective headlight angle to change. If, for example, the screw 7 is moved further up, the actual one increases Change angle of the headlight with a certain output signal from the mixing unit. Against it this angle becomes smaller as the screw is moved downwards.

Because of the arrangement of this "translation" setting 7, 8, 9 on each individual headlight and not on the cross bar 11 ensures that if necessary individual headlights that are on the same crossbar, deliberately get a different response.

The F i g. 1 shows a cover 38a, which the adjustment and stop screw 7 is covered and protects it from damage or unauthorized operation. the Cover 38a is of course designed to be easily removable in order to facilitate access to screw 7.

It also serves as a limit stop for the pivoting of the headlight 1 upwards and can also be designed decorative. A similar, but purely decorative cover 39 is over attached to the headlight assembly.

Any adjustment mechanism, e.g. B. a screw adjustment, provided to the two springs 32 and 33 of the mixing unit 12 against each other to be coordinated accordingly if the rest of the steering system is correctly adjusted

The tension spring 22 can be replaced by a wishbone which is adjustable on the arm 21 by means of a The sliding sleeve is guided and can be fixed by a grub screw. The free end of this link is then expediently be fork-shaped and carry a role that is on the back of the between the Fork ends inserted swivel arm 15 rests In this way, the role ensures an axial displacement the sleeve and the handlebar along the arm 21 a self-adjustment with the swivel arm.

The in F i g. 3 is largely identical to the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1 and 2, but with the exception that the arm 21 and the spring 22 are replaced by a single leaf spring 41, which with the

Cross bar communicates. In this embodiment, the coordination of the springs takes place Mixing unit by raising or lowering the contact pin 42 on the swivel arm 15.

In addition, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the spring-loaded damper 5 by an in Forward direction replaces spring-loaded assembly 43, which serves to maintain contact between the arm 10 and the adjusting screw 7 and prevent the headlamp from fluttering. As already explained above, the function of the shock absorber 5 is taken over by a common shock absorber 44.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 3, two act on the headlight 1 in each position different points on the one hand the spring-loaded damper 5 or the arrangement 43 and on the other hand the Arm iv. i ~ ricsc rvHorvinung crrncgiiCnt in γ eruinuung with the simple, quickly detachable attachment to the horizontal control and swivel axis of the headlamp a very quick and convenient assembly for the headlight 1. This quick assembly system of the Headlight 1 is shown in more detail in FIGS. The top view according to Figure 4 shows the Headlight 1 in its horizontal diameter On one side is a ball 48 on a pin 49 arranged and mounted in a corresponding ball holder 50 on a similar pin 51. The pen 51 is firmly attached to the vehicle body. On the other side there is a spring-loaded tube arrangement 52, which can be pushed via an adjustable pin 53 and allows the headlight to be adjusted in a horizontal plane The pin 53 and the associated adjustment device are more clearly shown in FIG. 6 recognizable. However, FIG. 5 an adjusting screw 54, the rotation of which the forward or backward movement of a Causes pin including the pin 53 and so in connection with the Kugeihalterung 50 that mentioned Adjustment of the headlight 1 allowed in a horizontal plane.

The F i g. 6 shows in detail the adjusting pin 55 in the form of a solid cylinder, which on two diametrically opposite points protruding outward approaches 53 and 56 carries the one approach 53 is longer than the other lug 56 and is arranged so that e / in the spring-loaded tube 52 on the headlamp bracket The shorter extension 56 only serves to prevent the adjusting pin 55 from rotating about its Longitudinal axis within a cylinder 57, in which this is arranged to prevent. The longer approach 53 supports this blocking effect. Both approaches protrude through elongated holes 58 and 59, which in Longitudinal direction of the cylinder 57 are formed. It is supported on an end wall in the interior of the cylinder 57 a helical compression spring 60, which the adjusting pin 55 in the direction of the other end wall to the outside The axial position of the adjusting pin 55 within the presses against the stop of an adjusting screw 54 Cylinder 57 can thus be determined by turning the adjusting screw 54. The cylinder 57 carries a fastening strap 61, which can be attached to the vehicle by means of rivets, screws or other means, for example can be attached. By turning the adjusting screw 54, the projection 53 can thus forward or be shifted backwards so that the central horizontal axis of the headlamp by one substantially vertical axis is pivotable and thereby the direction of the headlight beam can be changed is

FIGS. 10a and 10b show an alternative embodiment of a headlight attachment, at of the two similarly designed connecting elements 190 in the form of spherical receptacles 191 with arranged therein Balls 192 come into use. In this way, the headlamp 185 is with respect to the Body 189 pivotable about its horizontal axis. Either or both of the connections 190 can be adjustable be, for example with the help of a mother 194 and

ίο assigned screw 193, through which the jet angle is adjustable about a vertical axis

In an alternative embodiment of a quickly detachable headlight attachment, which in particular In connection with the link system according to FIG. 12, one of the ball connections 190 is suitable replaced by a sideways connecting element, the rnii the Sieuer transverse element, which is extends between the headlights can engage, so that the headlights when the horizontal cross bar or cross member can be raised or lowered. Such a one Drive connection can be made, for example, by using a ball joint between the cross bar and generate the headlight, but in which a pin extends through the ball and goes into a Engaging pair of diametrically opposite, narrowing grooves, which extend in the longitudinal direction of a tubular cross rod extend.

F i g. 7 shows a view from below of the in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 adjustment mechanism used for setting the response characteristics of the setting device according to the invention. the The embodiment described here, however, has a different structural design and is permitted a completely separate classification of the headlight position and the response characteristics of the entire Furnishings.

The designated with 62 adjustment mechanism is attached to the bracket 6, which extends radially downward from

ίο Headlight extends out (Fig. 1). It includes one Adjustment screw 63 for determining the headlight position, which can be rotated by means of a hexagon 64 and is locked by a hexagon nut 65. The nut 65 is supported at one end of an inside and externally threaded sleeve 66. The sleeve 66 is in light contact with the narrower of two longitudinal slots in the bracket 6 and can be fixed at any point along the bracket 6. In the fixed Position it marks the effective lever arm for the respective »transmission ratio«. The position setting the headlight takes place in such a way that the lock nut 65 is loosened, the screw 63 by means sines ^ cci ^ ncten tool is twisted and nsch When the desired headlight position is reached, the screw 63 is locked again by the nut 65. The sleeve 66 itself is at any point on the bracket 6 by means of a hexagon nut 67 on one side of the bracket 6 and a square nut 68 in the wider of the two elongated holes on the opposite one Side of the bracket 6 can be fixed. The "gear ratio" is set in such a way that that the hexagon nut 67 is loosened, the sleeve 66 in The longitudinal direction of the double-grooved bracket is moved into the desired position and then the nut 67 is fixed again. After the EL position Due to the "transmission ratio" it may be necessary to adjust the position of the headlight again by means of the lock nut 65 and the adjusting screw 64

ίο

to correct.

The device described above for automatic The setting of headlights can still be modified in the toilet so that it is automatic Tilting the headlights when a steering angle occurs Such a modification can be done on one Deflection of the cable 18, the signal from the backward term Part of the vehicle supplies, build up depending on a steering angle. A particularly suitable one Apparatus for generating such a deflection would be, for. B. an angle lever, one arm of which is a Has fork end which engages in a pin on the steering system of the vehicle and its the other arm is provided with an eyelet or nylon bushing through which the cable 18 runs. the angle lever is aligned in such a way that when the steering system is in the "straight ahead" position, the eyelet touches the cable 18 does not impose any deflection and it is taut in a straight line Side causes the eyelet to deflect the cable 18 from its straight course. With a corresponding Impact to the opposite side results in a corresponding deflection of the same Amount. In both cases, a signal is generated that simulates the lowering of the rear part of the vehicle and consequently causes the headlights 1 to incline downwards

The F i g. 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of a signal mixing unit. In this embodiment, this is the position of the rear part of the vehicle reproducing signal from the rear axle of the vehicle via a cable or flexible rod 118 placed on a tube 171, into which the cable or rod 118 with its screw end 170 is screwed in. The signal from the front of the vehicle is transmitted by means of a lever 119, which is reattached to the vehicle's anti-roll bar and its upper end bifurcated at 119a is. The fork end 119a includes a pair of pins 130 and pushes a tubular housing 127 of the mixing unit - in the drawing - to the right. As essential Difference from the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is noted that the .Pipe housing 127 in this embodiment freely between the cable or rod 118 and the lever 119 is worn on the stabilizer, while in the embodiment described earlier, the tubular housing part of the vehicle is set.

The two springs of the signal mixing unit are arranged with their ends lying opposite one another. Here ^w is the spring 132 for the signal from the vehicle front portion behind the spring 133 for the signal from the rear part of the vehicle. The spring 132 is compressed between a sliding washer 129 at one end and a flange 172 attached to the tubular housing 127 and extending inwardly. The flange 172 serves as a support surface; the sliding washer 129 is arranged between the opposite ends of the two springs 132 and 133. The spring 133 for the signal from the rear of the vehicle is compressed between the sliding washer 129 and a collar 173 located at the front end of the tube 171. From this arrangement it follows that when the cable pull or rod 118 is ^{tensioned, the spring 133 is compressed and thereby the (ιΓ)} sliding washer 129 - in the drawing - is pressed to the left, while by moving the lever 119 clockwise, the tubular housing is rotated 127 moved to the right and thereby the spring 132 is compressed. As a result, the sliding disk 129 also moves to the right. Since tensioning the cable or cable 118 corresponds to a downward movement of the rear part of the vehicle, while a counterclockwise movement of the lever 119 corresponds to a downward movement of the front part of the vehicle, the geometry of the individual parts can be coordinated in such a way that the downward movement of the vehicle at its front and back with the same amount the sliding washer 129 remains unshifted relative to the vehicle frame

Although two separate compression springs 132 and 133 are shown in the drawings, it will be understood that the Signal mixing unit can have a single, long spring in the same way, from which a signal output a point between their ends can be removed, which practically divides the spring in two separately acting spring sections divided

The movement of the sliding washer 129 is carried out on a rod 135 for adjusting the headlight angle transfer. A pin 174 is used for this, which is tightly fitting through the sliding washer 129 and the rod 135 extends therethrough and slidably guided in diametrically opposite elongated holes 175 of the tube 171 is. The front? The end of the rod 135 is hinged to the headlamp steering system coupled, which in F i g. 9 is shown in more detail. There is the joint connection as a whole with 176 denotes, which connects the rod 135 with an arm 177 of an angle lever, the other arm 178 at a vertically movable rod 179 is articulated. The rod 179 is in turn attached to a lever 181 at 180 hinged between its hinge point 182 and its free end. This free end is also at

183 with a liquid-filled telescopic damper

184 articulated.

The headlight 185 is pivotable about a horizontal axis and carries a rod 186 with a Another lever 187 is in engagement connection, which in turn around the pivot point 182 of the Lever 181 is pivotable. In practice, the pivot point 182 consists of a cross bar that extends transversely Extends over the entire width of the vehicle and the individual headlights and / or searchlights on the Front of the vehicle connects to each other. This allows all of these headlights to go through the Handlebar system with components 176 to 184 can be adjusted at once. The cross bar 182 can either be arranged below the vehicle radiator in such a way that it is in two bearings at the front Support of the frame is mounted or that the bearings are fixed in the two headlight cages of the vehicle are. In the latter case, the cross bar 182 is considerably higher than in the former. This arrangement is in Fig. 12 shown.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the shock absorber 184 is designed so that it is in a Direction produces a considerably greater throttling effect than in the other. In the present case, the higher throttling effect and thus the greater drag force during the compression stroke of the Shock absorber on. This can be achieved by having a check valve in the piston of the shock absorber is arranged so that the damper fluid during the compression stroke of the shock absorber The check valve closes and the damper fluid flows through the annular gap between the piston and the Cylinder must flow. On the other hand, it opens during the return stroke

the damper fluid the check valve and there is a significantly lower throttling effect Liquid one. From this mode of operation it follows that with the very slow compression stroke and the very rapid return stroke of the Shock absorbers 184 of headlights 185 soiir quickly is pivoted downwards, but much more slowly upwards. Now if the vehicle is on a drives very bad road, the device according to the invention tends to turn the headlight in downwards to keep it in a directed position so that it does not follow the violent movements, d. H. in other words, don't flutters. This could occur when the oscillating movement of the vehicle is sufficient has high frequency to overrule the adjuster.

As it is a common characteristic of automotive shock absorbers is, a higher opposition to a movement of the vehicle in the direction of the wheels, rather than generating away from these, it also corresponds to the usual behavior of in an ordinary way fixed headlights to rise very quickly, but only to lower very gradually. This results but the dreaded dazzling effect of oncoming or passing traffic. For this Basically, the "double resistance" shock absorber is considered a particularly advantageous element of the present Invention considered. Another advantage of this shock absorber is that its pivot point 183 on the lever 181 is variable in order to change the damping torque exerted on the lever 181. Even if the characteristic of the whole system has already been determined, the Possibility to determine the correct position of the pivot point 183 for the shock absorber, if this is in view on different viscosities of the damper fluid wedge depending on changing ambient temperatures becomes desirable. Accordingly, the lever arm 181 can have a calibrated scale wear, which corresponds to different ambient temperatures and the pivot point 183 can, for example can be adjusted by articulation by means of a sliding sleeve on the lever 181 along the lever. Additionally can by providing an adjustment option for the upper articulation point 188 of the shock absorber always like this be arranged so that its line of action is always perpendicular to the neutral position of the lever 181.

Another embodiment of a shock absorber is shown in FIG. 13 and is given the reference number 205 Mistake. This shock absorber comprises an al-filled cylinder 206 with an end cap 207 through which a piston rod 208 extends in a sealed manner. A piston 209 of split design has a cup-shaped Element 210 and a plate 211, both of which slide are arranged and by an intermediate compression spring 214 against upper b? w. lower collar 212 and 213 on the piston rod 208. The plate 211 has four equally angularly spaced arranged passage openings 215, which also four arranged at the same angular distance Passage openings 216 in the disk part of the cup-shaped element 210 correspond, but on a other radius than the passage openings 215 are, so that the hydraulic fluid flowing through the piston 9 must take a winding course. The closer the plate 211 is to the cup-shaped element 210 approaches, the stronger the deflection imposed on the liquid. A slow upward and downward movement of the piston rod 208 pushes the oil against the top of the plate 211 and against the Underside of the cup-shaped element 210, whereby the plate and the cup against the action of the spring 214 are loaded towards each other. However, the spring rigidity of the spring 214 is chosen so that slow piston movements up to a certain movement speed that of the spring 214 not overcome the pressure exerted and therefore

ίο there is less throttling effect because the hydraulic fluid the less tortuous flow path according to FIG. 13 can follow. However, it will be the definite one If the speed value is exceeded, the dynamic pressure that occurs causes the hydraulic fluid on the plate 211 or on the cup 210 the two elements are brought closer together until they are largely are in contact with each other and a considerable diversion of the hydraulic fluid and thus also generate a considerably higher throttle resistance against the piston movement. The in Fi g. 13 shown Shock absorber is thus of a type that allows slow adjustment movements of the headlights however, adjustment movements with greater speed, as for example when the vehicle wheels flutter occur on bad road, resists. In this way, the low-frequency movements, necessary to correct the headlight setting with regard to vehicle movements are imposed on the headlights, while the higher-frequency movements correspond to the wheel flutter be dampened. With this shock absorber design, the same effect is achieved as with the previous embodiments by using a unidirectional one Choke effect is obtained. In the embodiment explained here, however, one is emphasized Lowering the headlights when driving on poor roads is unnecessary because the whole system works the flutter frequency cannot be overruled and

■ 40 so that the headlights are always correctly controlled.

The shock absorber 205 according to FIG. 13 can be arranged on any part of the handlebar) stem. In the preferred steering system according to FIG the shock absorber expediently arranged in this way.

that it is supported against an arm projecting radially outward from the cross bar 220. For reasons of clarity, however, the shock absorber is shown in FIG. 12 has not been shown.
If the vehicle rear axle is designed according to the so-called "Semi-DeDion" type, the cable does not need to be guided over a disc attached to the underside of the body, since such an axle performs a movement that is a combination of vertical and horizontal movement components. In this way, an upward and downward movement of the body relative to the ground results in a simultaneous forward and backward movement of the axle which is sufficient to bring about the necessary movement of the signal cable 18 or 118.

Another possibility, a signal for the movement of the rear part of the vehicle when using to generate a "semi-de-dion" axis is shown in FIG. 12 shown. A wheel 240 of the vehicle is on mounted on an arm 241 which in turn is hinged to the frame at 242. To generate the desired Signal, a steering system is used, which consists essentially of a feeler arm 243, the

is pivotally attached to a bracket 244 on the underside of the body and on the arm 241 of the Rear axle rests. A downwardly directed part 245 of the probe arm has a at its lower end Ball connection 246 to a longitudinal strut 247 the forward and backward movements of the probe arm part 245, which this experiences due to the up and down movement of the wheel 240, to be transmitted. The front end of the Longitudinal strut 247 is slidably guided through an eye 248 and connected to the end of a Bowden cable 249, which sends the signal to a "floating" signal mixing unit according to FIGS. 8 and 9 transmits.

The F i g. FIG. 11 shows an adjustment device used by FIG can be operated by the driver himself to adjust the headlight beam angle. This includes one Bowden cable, which is between a pull and slide button 195 on the dashboard of the motor vehicle and arms 181 and 187 of the handlebar system for adjusting the headlights. Of the The outer jacket 196 of the Bowden cable is on a sleeve 196a on the dashboard 197 and on the arm 181 attached. The inner cable itself is attached to the pull and slide button 198 and to an arm 187a, the is located on arm 187 (Fig. 9) which swivels the main headlight.

When the pull-and-slide button 198 is removed from the dashboard, i. H. to the left in the drawing, is pulled out, the lever arm 187a moves in the direction of the arm 181 and thus pivots the Arm 187 counterclockwise to a new location that has a smaller beam angle for a given Output signal from the signal mixing unit corresponds to the position of the rod 135.

The positions of the pull and slide button 198 denoted by A, S and C correspond to different positions which the button maintains through the provision of a device intended for this purpose. Together with the fully extended position of the pull and slide button 198, these represent certain settings in which the button can be locked. For this purpose, the sleeve 196a, to which one end of the Bowden cable jacket is connected, can be provided with four notches on its inner wall, into which a spring-loaded ball in the pin of the button 198 can snap. The fully extended position corresponds, for example, to a position of the headlights in fog, position A to the usual dipped position, position B to the usual dipped position and position C to a so-called "wide beam position" in which the headlight beam is practically horizontal and offers an extremely long range of vision. Of course, the usability of this last setting depends on the local traffic conditions and regulations. However, this possibility is intended to show that the extremely precise self-adjustment of the headlights even allows the beam to be adjusted to a practically horizontal position without the risk of dazzling oncoming or passing traffic in the other positions. Since the Bowden cable forms a free loop between the attachment point on the arm 181 and a disk 199 on the cross member 200, it does not interfere with the normal function of the adjustment device. In this way, the mechanism provides the possibility of a simple adjustment of the headlights from within the vehicle without adversely affecting the normal operation and functioning of the device. The adjustment mechanism to be operated by the driver for the headlights according to FIG. 11 can be used in the same way in connection with the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 3 or according to FIG. 11 are used and can also be connected to these at any point on the handlebar system. The precise manner in which this mechanism is installed in a specific setting device is easy to understand for a person skilled in the art and does not need to be explained in detail here.

ίο The simple mechanism of FIG. 12 is from a type in which the output signal from the mixing unit 221 is fed via a rod 222 to another, is supplied via a ball joint 224 connected strut 223. The strut 223 is with her other end connected to a further ball joint 225, which is located at the lower end of a after lower arm 226 is located on the cross bar 220. An adjusting screw 227 allows the exact Adjustment of the position of the arm 226 on the crossbar 220 and accordingly the vertical position of the headlights. In addition, the arm 226 is designed telescopically and has a lock nut 228, by means of which can be fixed once the length of the arm 226 has been set. Due to the adjustable length of the arm 226 is again the possibility of setting the "transmission ratio" when pivoting the Headlights given.

14 shows a particularly suitable connection between arm 226 'and cross bar 220'.

In this embodiment, the arm 226 'is held by a sleeve 229 which is rotatable on the body is attached. The sleeve 229 carries a further, tangentially arranged threaded sleeve 230 into which the upper End 231 of arm 226 'is screwed. The cross bar 220 ′ extends coaxially through the sleeve 229 and has an upwardly extending tab 232 which, together with another, on the sleeve 229 located tab 233 carries a screw 234 with a knurled head 235. The two lobes 232 and 233 are pushed apart by a compression spring 236, which is strong enough to make a practical to produce a rigid articulated connection between the two flaps 232 and 233. This part of the adjustment mechanism lies directly on the crossbar 220 'behind the grille of the vehicle, so that the rotation of the Adjust screw 234 by inserting a screwdriver through the grille into a screw slot or by reaching through the grille. This allows the Adjustment of two or more headlights in the vertical direction starting from a single one Achieve crossbar. The "gear ratio" is set by adding a Screwdriver is inserted into the slot on the upper end 231 of the arm 226 'and rotated and thereby the arm 226 'is screwed further into or out of the threaded sleeve 230.

If a further setting of the headlights is desired, in which the headlights one against the other obtained different position, this can be achieved by executing the crossbar in two parts, which are guided freely rotatably into one another and with radially outwardly extending tabs or arms are provided, in which a common screw engages and which are pushed apart by a compression spring will. In this way, by turning this screw, the Arms made against each other, resulting in a

relative angular rotation of the two parts results through which both headlights of a headlight assembly are adjustable against each other. For example, this allows a pair of aligned beams produce. In setting up such a system in practice it will be necessary to first consider the To synchronize the headlights and to close the Make vertical adjustment of the synchronized headlights.

Any of the systems discussed above can joit Setting mechanisms for the "translation" provided be. In addition, such "translation" setting mechanisms can be omitted from manufacture if the geometrical dimensions and leverage of the is System are known. The device according to the invention can thus be designed from the outset that it works in the desired way without setting the "translation" ratio, if it is installed in a known specific type of i-vehicle.

In some vehicles, the anti-roll bar is placed very close below the radiator. This verringer ¹ the available space for the arranged on the anti-roll bar lever which serves for transmitting the signals from the vehicle front part. In this case it is possible to use the longest arm that can still be used in the available space and to establish the signal balance by using a signal mixing unit, the front and rear springs of which have different spring stiffnesses. This can e.g. B. can be achieved in a simple manner that one uses springs of identical construction, but different lengths. In this way, the influence of the signal representing the movement of the J5 front part of the vehicle can be increased within the mixer unit itself, so that a sufficiently large output signal is obtained to be able to carry out the adjustment movement for the headlights. In the same way, if necessary, the signal representing the movements of the rear of the vehicle can also be amplified, e.g. B. by the additional arrangement of a lever arranged under the body. Such a lever can be oriented largely vertically and, for example, under the rear seat of the vehicle, pivotable about a horizontal axis transversely to the vehicle. The Seibug giving the signal then runs from the rear axle to the upper end of this lever, while the signal is fed to the mixer unit via another cable, which runs between the lever and the signal mixer unit and, if necessary, in connection with a linkage, corresponding to linkage 247 in Fig. 12 works. By changing the distances between the pivot point of the lever and the connection points of the cables, which on the one hand lead to the rear axle and on the other hand to the mixer unit, the signal can be amplified or weakened as desired.

8 shows a pin 171a in dot-dash lines, the is inserted through a transverse hole in the tube 171 and serves as a retaining pin by holding the springs 132 and 133 Keeps it tense when the signal mixer is removed. That way, when you need Installation or reinstallation of the signal mixer unit only over the front end of the tubular housing 127 the lever 119 is hooked and the connection to the cable 118 and to the angle lever 177 (FIG. 9) is established and then the cable 118 to be tensioned until the transverse pin 171a falls out. This is the indication that the entire facility is properly connected and tensioned is.

For this purpose 10 sheets of drawings

Claims (21)

Patent claims: 1. Device for the automatic adjustment of vehicle headlights with a linkage for Tilting the front headlights around a horizontal axis, one on the lift and one on the Lowering movements of the rear of the vehicle with respect to the rear wheels of the vehicle are appealing Signal generator, one on the upward and downward movements of the front of the vehicle with respect to the front wheels of the vehicle responsive angle signal generator and a signal mixing device, which with the help from coaxially arranged springs the bow and stern signal for outputting one to the difference combined between the bow and the stern signal proportional output signal, thereby characterized in that a damper unit (134) with the headlight tilting length (177-181, 187) for damping the output signal from the Mixing device (127, 132,! 33) is connected that the mixing device (127,132,133) is a cylindrical Housing (127) with two movably arranged therein and facing each other by a piston (129) Delivery of the output signal has separate springs (132, 133), the piston (129) with a transmission member protruding from the front end of the housing (127) for transmission of the output signal, furthermore a piston (173) responsive to the tail signal, which in slidably disposed near the front end of the housing (127) and with the rear signal transmitter is connected, and one connected to the housing near its rear end, on the Bow signal responsive piston (172) that the piston responsive to the bow and stern signals (172, 173) Stop surfaces for the outwardly directed ends of the respective springs (132, 133) have that the output signal transmission member (135) telescopically with a coaxial im Housing arranged part (171) of the rear signal transmitter (118) can be brought into engagement that the Bugsignaigeber a look up from a cross stabilizer of the front suspension Vehicle extending arm (119) and that the arm (119) of the bow signal transmitter is pivotable in engagement with the front end of the housing (127) for longitudinal movement of the entire Housing when the bow signal changes. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output signal piston (129) with a diametrically extending pin is provided which is slidable in a pair of diametrically opposed and in the longitudinal direction of that part of the rear signal transmitter that can be brought into telescopic engagement (118) extending slots (175) engages, and that the output signal transmission member (135) is formed by a rod which engages in the part (171) of the component generating the rear signal is connected to the diametrically extending pin of the output signal piston (129). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the springs (132, 133) in the Housing (127) are biased to their static operating load and that a display device (171a,) is provided, which indicates when, after assembly, the signal mixing device (127, 132, 133) by the bow and stern signal transmitters (119, 118) equal to the preload of the springs (132,133). 4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the tebskopartig grippable part (171) of the rear signal transmitter (118) Is tube which slidably extends through the bow signal piston (172) and that the Indicator means comprises a pin (17Ia ^ which engages with the tube (171) at one point in such a manner stands that when the component (118) generating the tail signal is loaded, it is used to act on the Mixing device falls out of the pipe. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (127) by the engagement of laterally extending pins (130) of a fork-shaped end portion (\\ 9a) of the Bugsignalgeberarms (119) in laterally extending slots on front end of the housing (127) is pivotably connected to the lever (ί 19) and that the rear signal transmitter comprises a cable (118)! which extends between the vehicle rear axle and the rear signal piston (173) in the housing, whereby the springs ( 132, 133) are pretensioned in the compression direction when the housing (127) is placed on the arm (119) with the cable (118) under tension. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cable (118) between the Rear axle of the vehicle and the second piston (173) via one on the underside of the Karosseric attached disc runs. 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rear signal transmitter has a transverse comprises the vehicle protruding, pivotable about a horizontal axis lever, and that on a shorter lever arm of the lever of the /.u the springs (132, 133) leading cable (118) and on Another cable leading to the rear axle is attached to a longer lever arm of this lever :> ind. 8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rear signal transmitter is an L-shaped Includes lever (243, 245), one arm (243) of which rests on the vehicle rear axle (241) and the other arm (245) of which is connected to a linkage (247, 249) which connects to the spring (132) for the signal from the rear of the vehicle and that the lever (243, 245) can be pivoted (at 244) on The vehicle is attached so that the rear wheels (240) can be raised relative to the vehicle Backward movement of the linkage (247, 249) corresponds. 9. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the The damper element consists of a cylinder (23, 26) containing a damper key by a mil Game slidingly guided piston (25) displaceable and pressed in one direction by a spring (24) which corresponds to a downward inclination of the headlights. 10. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Damper element is a cylinder containing a liquid wedge, in which a cylinder with a through hole provided piston is slidably guided and that a check valve is arranged in the through hole is that with a movement of the Piston opens in a direction corresponding to a downward inclination of the headlights 11. Establishment according to one or more of the Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the Damper element a cylinder (206) containing a liquid with a slide therein with play guided two-part piston (209) and that the two parts (2SO, 211) of the piston (209) by a Compression spring (214) are pushed apart axially and are not aligned with each other Durchlriusöffrungen (2! 5, 216) have the damper fluid flowing through when the piston (209) is moved a deflection that increases as the two parts (210, 211) of the piston (209) approach each other imposition. 12. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 1!, Characterized in that the Damping torque of the damper element through an adjustability of the connection point (46) of the Damper element (44) on the steering system to actuate the pig launcher is adjustable. 13. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that de " operated depending on the relative movements between the chassis and the vehicle body Adjustment device is a headlight pivoting mechanism that can be operated manually by the driver of the vehicle (195, 1%) to establish a zero position is paramount. 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the manually actuated bire Headlight swivel mechanism two lever arms (181, 187;) ^ contains, interconnected via a Bowden cable (196) are connected and mutually adjustable. 15. 'Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the Bowden cable (196) through a pull and slide button (198) is connected to four Raststellcn, the different Headlight center positions correspond. 16. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that each headlight (1) is mounted in a headlight carrier (3) by means of two pivot connections isl, of which at least one (52) represents a connection releasable against spring pressure, during the other is a ball joint connection (48, 50), and that the pivot bracket (6) on which the Handlebar system (15, 21, 10, 1) engages, with the axis formed by the pivot connections Lifting arm forms. 17. Device according to claim 16. characterized in that the releasable against spring pressure Pivoting connection consists of a spring-loaded sleeve which can be pushed over a pin (53) and that the pin (53) on a pin that can be adjusted back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (55) arranged isl. 18. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that both pivot connections elastic ball joint connections which can be interlocked against pressure ('9O) bind, one of which is relative to the headlamp (185) or the headlamp carrier (189) is adjustable. 19. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a swivel connection of the headlights articulated pin-and-socket connection between the headlight and a rotatable crossbar (220) is, which extends between two headlights transversely to the vehicle, and that the other pivot connection is a resilient, pressure-joinable ball and socket joint (190), the Handlebar system directly with the rotatable cross bar (220) for operating the headlights in Connection. 20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the rotatable transverse rod (220) is tubular and the pin-and-socket connection is a pair of diametrically opposed to each other axially narrowing elongated holes in the transverse rod (220), in which a pair of drivers engages, the one attached to the headlight at diametrically opposite points Ball protrude outward and see a drive connection between the cross bar (220) and the Produce pretend white. 21. Establishment according to one or more of the Expectations ! to 20, characterized in that the cable (18, 118) between the rear axle of the Vehicle and its assigned 1 eder (32) an eyelet attached to part of the vehicle steering system runs through which the cable (18, 118) in the event of a steering lock, a deflection that causes the headlights to be lowered is issued.