GB2239512A

GB2239512A - Vehicle headlight

Info

Publication number: GB2239512A
Application number: GB9026993A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michele Loggia
Original assignee: Carello SpA
Current assignee: Carello SpA
Priority date: 1989-12-20
Filing date: 1990-12-12
Publication date: 1991-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-12
Also published as: ES2024960A6; IT8968132A0; IT1237706B; GB2239512B; DE4040646A1; FR2655928A1; FR2655928B3; GB9026993D0

Abstract

A vehicle headlight wherein an outer casing (2) houses the support (3) of a reflector (3a) adjustable in relation to the outer casing (2) by virtue of a linear actuator (7) having its output member (6) connected to the support (3) of the reflector (3a. The actuator (7) is supported on the outer casing (2) and connected to the same by a screw-nut screw coupling (16) (19) of adjustable length, for adjusting the position of the output member (6) in relation to the casing (2). <IMAGE>

Description

1 1 VEHICLE HEADLIGHT The present invention relates to a vehicle

headlight.

Vehicle headlights are known comprising an outer casing housing a reflector, the position of which is adjustable, in relation to the outer casing, about a substantially horizontal axis.

On known headlights of the aforementioned type,, one point on the reflector, located a given distance from, and normally below. said horizontal axis, is connected by means of an articulated drive to the mobile output member of a reversible linear actuator.

The actuators normally employed for controlling the angle of the reflector comprise an electric motor connected to the mobile output member (usually an axially-mobile rod) via a drive, which converts rotational movement of the motor into linear movement of the output member. Said known actuators also comprise a regulating device for manually adjusting the position of the output member,, and which is normally used, at the headlight testing and setup stage. for approximately adjusting the position of the output.member.

on known linear actuators of the aforementioned type. the presence of said hand regulating device seriously complicates the design of the drive connecting the motor to the output member, and results in high manufacturing cost of the linear actuator and. consequently, the headlight itself.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a headlight designed to overcome the above technical and economic drawbacks resulting from the presence of a hand regulating device on the linear actuator controlling the angle of the reflector.

With this aim in view, according to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlight comprising an outer casing; a reflector housed inside, and rotating in relation to, said casing about at least one axis; a linear actuator having an output member connected to said reflector so as to rotate the same about said axis. said actuator being supported on said outer casing; and means for regulating the initial position of said output member in relation to said casing; characterised by the fact that said regulating means comprise a screw-nut screw coupling of adjustable length connecting said linear actuator to said casing.

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 shows a longitudinal section of a headlight in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Fig.2 shows a variation of a detail in Fig.l.

A Number 1 in Fig.1 indicates a vehicle headlight comprising an outer casing 2 housing a support 3 for a reflector 3a adjustable about an axis 4 perpendicular to the Fig.1 plane.

Support 3 is connected, via a drive' 5, to the mobile output member 6 of a reversible linear -actuator 7 supported on a tubular appendix 8 extending outwards from the end wall 9 of casing 2 and integral with casing 2 itself.

Support 3 is connected on top to casing 2 by means of two spherical joints 10 (only one of which is shown in Fig.1) so as to rotate about axis 4.

Drive 5 comprises a straight rail 11 secured to support 3 on the side facing wall 9. and located below and extending perpendicular to axis 4. Drive 5 also comprises a slide 12 fitted in sliding manner on to rail 11 and connected, by a spherical snap joint 13. to the free end of output member 6. Output member 6 consists of a rod coaxial with tubular appendix 8 through which it is fitted inside casing 2.

Actuator 7 comprises an outer casing 14 having a cylindrical base 15 engaging tubular appendix 8 and connected to the same via a screw-nut screw coupling of adjustable length.

In the Fig-1 embodiment. said screw-nut screw coupling, numbered 16, comprises a thread 17 formed on the outer surface of base 15 and extending over substantially the entire length of the same; and a thread 18 formed on the inner surface of appendix 8 and also extending over substantially the entire length of the same.

In the Fig-2 variation, said screw-nut screw coupling. numbered 19. comprises a thread 20 formed on the outer surface of appendix 8 and extending over substantially the entire length of the same; and a thread 21 formed on the inner surface of a sleeve 22 having a first portion engaged by appendix 8.. and a second portion engaged by base 15. In particular, sleeve 22 is connected to base 15 in rotary and axially-fixed manner via an annular rib 23 on the inner surface of sleeve 22, which rib 23 engages inside an annular groove 24 on the outer surface of base 15.

By adjusting the length of coupling 16 or 19 by respectively rotating casing 14 in relation to casing 2. or simply rotating sleeve 22 in relation to both casings 2 and 14. base 15. together with output member 6, may be moved axially along tubular appendix 8 for approximately adjusting the axial position of output member 6 in relation to casing 2. and with no need for a regulating device other than the means connecting actuator 7 to casing 2.

1 Q

Claims

1) - A vehicle headlight comprising an outer casing (2); a reflector (3a) housed inside. and rotating in relation to, said casing (2) about at least one axis (4); a linear actuator (7) having an output member (6) connected to said reflector (3a) so as to rotate the same about said axis (4), said actuator (7) being supported on said outer casing (2); and means for regulating the initial position of said output member (6) in relation to said casing (2); characterised by the fact that said regulating means comprise a screw-nut screw coupling (16)(19) of adjustable length connecting said linear actuator (7) to said casing (2).

2) - A headlight as claimed in claim 1. characterised by the fact that said casing (2) comprises a tubular appendix (8) engaged by said output member (6); and said actuator (7) presents a cylindrical base (15) coaxial with said tubular appendix (8) and fitted through with said output member (6); said screw-nut screw coupling (16)(19) connecting said base (15) and said tubular appendix (8).

3) - A headlight as claimed in Claim 2, characterised by the fact that said base (15) extends inside said tubular appendix (8); said screw-nut screw coupling (16) comprising an outer thread (17) formed on the outer surface of said base (15), and an inner thread (18) formed on the inner surface of said tubular appendix (8).

4) - A headlight as claimed in Claim

2. characterised by the fact that it comprises a sleeve (22) having a first portion engaged by said cylindrical base (15), and a second portion engaged by said tubular appendix (8); said sleeve (22) being connected in rotary and axially- fixed manner to said base (15); and said screw-nut screw coupling (19) comprising an outer thread (20) formed on the outer surface of said tubular appendix (8), and an inner thread (21) formed on the inner surface of said sleeve (22).

5) - A vehicle headlight. substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at 7be Patent Office. State House. 66171 High Holborn, LondonWC11147P. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Cwmrelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid. St Mary Cray, Kent.