GB2460155A - A headlamp adjuster - Google Patents

A headlamp adjuster Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2460155A
GB2460155A GB0908298A GB0908298A GB2460155A GB 2460155 A GB2460155 A GB 2460155A GB 0908298 A GB0908298 A GB 0908298A GB 0908298 A GB0908298 A GB 0908298A GB 2460155 A GB2460155 A GB 2460155A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
screw
fastening screw
lamp unit
tab
hollow screw
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0908298A
Other versions
GB0908298D0 (en
GB2460155B (en
Inventor
Andre Schmidt
Brian Hanson
Marcus Muller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HBPO GmbH
Original Assignee
HBPO GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HBPO GmbH filed Critical HBPO GmbH
Publication of GB0908298D0 publication Critical patent/GB0908298D0/en
Publication of GB2460155A publication Critical patent/GB2460155A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2460155B publication Critical patent/GB2460155B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/0408—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body
    • B60Q1/0433—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body the housing being fastened onto the vehicle body using screws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/0408—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body
    • B60Q1/045—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body with provision for adjusting the alignment of the headlamp housing with respect to the vehicle body
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/0408—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body
    • B60Q1/0466—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body with arrangement for sealing the headlamp with respect to the vehicle body, or for concealling gaps between the headlamp and the vehicle body
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B60Q1/068—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle by mechanical means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B60Q1/068—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle by mechanical means
    • B60Q1/0683—Adjustable by rotation of a screw
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B60Q1/068—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle by mechanical means
    • B60Q1/0683—Adjustable by rotation of a screw
    • B60Q1/0686—Adjustable by rotation of a screw using a position indicator mounted on the headlight and permanently attached thereto

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

A device for adjusting a lamp unit relative to an adjacent body component of a motor vehicle wherein a casing of said lamp unit is by means of fastening screws secured in a number of fixing points and wherein each screw comprises a shank extending through a bore provided in a tab that protrudes from the casing and on a side of the tab facing away from a head of the fastening screw engages into a female thread of a companion part of a mounting support; wherein the shank of the fastening screw passes through a hollow screw which is in threaded engagement with the tab; and wherein the fastening screw is provided with a spring element such that when turning the fastening screw (11) from a fixing position thereof by a predetermined amount on the one hand the position of the hollow screw (9) relative to the tab (7, 8) of the casing (2) in a direction perpendicular to the axis A of the fastening screw (11) is maintained and that on the other hand ready access to said hollow screw (9) is provided for a tool used to adjust that hollow screw in the axis direction of the fastening screw (11) .

Description

Device and Method for Adjusting a Lamp Unit This present invention relates to a device for adjusting a lamp unit relative to an adjacent body component of a motor vehicle wherein a casing of said lamp unit is by means of fastening screws secured in a number of fixing points and wherein each screw comprises a shank extending through a bore provided in a tab that protrudes from the casing and on a side of the tab facing away from a head of the fastening screw engages into a female thread of a companion part of a mounting support.
This invention also relates to a method for adjusting a lamp unit relative to an adjacent body component of a motor vehicle wherein the lamp unit is mounted to a body component of a motor vehicle such as to provide a joint of predetermined configuration between the lamp unit and the adjacent body component.
Prior known from DE 10 2005 037 816 Al is a device for adjusting a lamp unit relative to an adjacent body component of a motor vehicle wherein a casing of said lamp unit is screw connected to a mounting support of a front end module with a fixing means. The fixing means comprises a fastening screw with a washer that engages into a bore of a casing tab and on a side of the tab facing away from a head of the screw is threadedly connected to a companion part of the mounting support. The companion part is secured to the mounting support with suitable fixing element. Whenever readjustment of the lamp unit is necessary due to the fact that the configuration of the joint between the contour of the lamp unit and the adjoining body component fails to meet given requirements it is possible to detach the companion part such that the lamp unit becomes shiftable in the direction of long hole type bore in the tab thereof and more particularly perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw. Readjustment is however restricted inasmuch as shifting the tab relative to the lamp unit is only possible in those adjusting directions that are perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw.
For readjusting a lamp unit in an axis direction of a fastening screw used to fix tabs of the lamp unit to a mounting support it is already known in the art to have the shank of a fastening screw extend through a hollow screw that is in threaded connection with the tab. It is by turning said hollow screw relative to the tab that readjustment in axis direction of the fastening screw may be achieved. To gain access to that hollow screw it is however necessary to detach and remove the fastening screw together with its washer. This way of proceeding is affected by the drawback that the lamp unit loses its reference position initially set relative to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw.
It is an object of this present invention, therefore, to provide a device and a method for adjusting a lamp unit mounted to the body of a motor vehicle to thereby establish a predetermined joint configuration relative to an adjacent body component of a motor vehicle such that readjustment of a fastening screw securing the lamp unit in its fixing points is facilitated in the light of particularly reducing the costs for such readjustments.
To achieve this object the device according to the present invention is in conjunction with the preamble of Patent Claim 1 characterized by the fact that the shank of the fastening screw extends through a hollow screw which is in threaded connection with the tab and that the fastening screw is fitted with a spring element such that when turning the fastening screw by a given amount from a predetermined first position thereof it will be ensured that on the one hand the position of said hollow screw relative to the casing tab in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw is maintained and that on the other hand ready access to the hollow screw is provided for a tool used to adjust said hollow screw in axis direction of the fastening screw.
The particular advantage afforded by the device of this present invention resides in that readjustment of a lamp unit previously set on the mounting support of a front end module or direct on a body component is enabled in axis direction of a fastening screw by means of which tabs of the lamp unit are secured in fixing points relative to said mounting support or body component, respectively, without changing the position to which the lamp unit has been adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the screw axis. This implies that the position as preset of the lamp unit in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw is hence maintained when operating the fastening screw. The hollow screw is advantageously kept in position under the action of the spring element of this invention even though the fastening screw may have been slackened out of its predetermined end position by just a few turns. It is possible this way to reduce the time and the cost involved for readjustment.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the spring element to be arranged in an intermediate area between a head of the fastening screw and a hollow screw that is in threaded engagement with the tab. The spring element may in this way simultaneously serve as a washer transmitting the force of the fastening screw head to a marginal edge of the hollow screw.
According to a modification of this invention the spring element is star shaped and comprises a central portion provided with a bore and a number of webs radially protruding therefrom. The webs are forming resilient surfaces which in axis direction act on the marginal edge of the hollow screw on the one hand and on the head of the fastening screw on the other. Accordingly, the spring element serves as an axially loadable compression spring which is disposed between the head of the fastening screw and an ring surface of the hollow screw.
Another modification provides for webs of the star shaped spring element to be circumferentially distributed and to have such a radial length that an outer radial section of the web is in contact with the ring surface of the hollow screw. It is due to a circumferential spacing of the webs that the hollow screw provides access for a tool which means that after slackening the fastening screw by a few turns, for instance, the tool may be positioned on the hollow screw to move said latter by turning it for readjustment in axis direction and/or direction of action until the lamp unit has been brought into the position required to provide a predetermined joint configuration. The tool may be advantageously positioned in axial and/or mounting direction of the fastening screw such that relatively little space is needed for readjustment of the hollow screw. A joint configuration relative to a body component specifically provided as an engine hood may hence be advantageously established after the fastening screw has just slightly been slackened.
According to a preferred embodiment of this present invention the star shaped spring element consists of at least two star shaped disks wherein the aligning webs of juxtaposed disks are durably connected in circumferential areas thereof. The two adjacent webs are forming two V-shaped legs which are spread radially inward while the spring element is inactive. The spacing between these juxtaposed disks in their central portions is greatest in said inactive condition. A star shaped spring element of simpler design having just two star shaped disks may be advantageously provided which on the one hand keeps the position of the tab perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw with the length of the prestressed spring element determining the maximum adjusting width in axis direction and which on the other hand affords access of a tool to the hollow screw for readjustment thereof. It is by increasing the number of disks arranged in succession and preferably in opposed relations that the maximum adjusting width of the hollow screw may be increased.
To achieve the object hereinbefore defined the method of this invention is in conjunction with the preamble of Patent Claim 13 characterized by the fact that to readjust a lamp unit the fastening screw is changed from its end position into an intermediate position while maintaining a spring force acting between an adjusting element and the fastening screw, that the adjusting element is then actuated to adjust the lamp unit to the then-contour of the adjoining body component, and that the fastening screw is then from said intermediate position restored back to its end position by applying a position retaining force that acts against the force exerted by the spring.
A particular advantage of the method of this invention resides in that the lamp unit can be readjusted in a relatively quick and easy way in axis direction of a fastening screw used to secure the lamp unit to a mounting support of a front end module or to a body component direct in the absence of any variation of the lamp unit adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said screw. This way it is possible to simplify readjustment of a lamp unit already fitted in place whenever tolerance deviations for instance as in case of a relatively long joint with an adjacent body component such as an engine hood. All it takes to operate the adjusting element correcting the joint configuration is to slacken the fastening screw by just a few turns such that the adjusting element may then be actuated by means of a tool. The amount of axial adjustment of the fastening screw depends on the axial shift to be effected of the adjusting element to achieve tolerance compliance. The spring element preferably exerting a compressive force advantageously permits the relative position of the lamp unit perpendicular to the axis of the fastening screw to be maintained such that a readjustment in axis direction of the fastening screw may be carried out. For this purpose the fastening screw only needs to be moved from an end position in which the lamp unit is tightened into an intermediate position axially spaced apart from said latter and to be restored to its initial end position after readjustment of the lamp unit. The effort and expenses for a readjustment may hence be essentially reduced.
Further advantages of this present invention are as disclosed in the subclaims.
One exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described in closer detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a lamp unit fitted to a motor vehicle which is secured to a mounting support of a front end module in several fixing points and in which a body component determining the joint configuration of the motor vehicle is omitted; Figure 2 is a front view of the lamp unit fitted to a motor vehicle and of a closed engine hood as body component which shows an aliround joint between an opening marginal edge of the engine hood and a cover lens of the lamp unit; Figure 3 is a perspective front view showing a lower fixing point for attachment of the lamp unit to the mounting support; Figure 4 is a perspective front view of the fixing point according to Figure 3 in which a tab of the lamp unit and a companion part of a fastening screw are omitted and which shows the fastening screw engaging into a hollow screw; Figure 5 is a front view of a hand tool for operating a hollow screw shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective front view of the fixing point according to Figure 3 which shows the hand tool in place on the hollow screw; Figure 7 is a side view of a fixing point according to Figure 3 as viewed in arrow direction X; Figure Ba is a longitudinal section through the fastening screw shown in Figure 3 in its tightened position in which a spring element is tensioned and in which the hollow screw is in a first position relative to the tab prior to readjustment; Figure 8b is a longitudinal section through the fastening screw in an intermediate position thereof in which the spring element is tension released and in which the hollow screw has been brought into a second position relative to the tab; Figure 8c is a longitudinal section through the fastening screw in its tightened position in which the spring element is tensioned and the hollow screw is in its second position relative to the lamp unit; Figure 9a is an axial view of the fastening screw and the coaxially arranged spring element in a central position thereof referred to the hollow screw; Figure 9b is an axial view of the fastening screw and the coaxially arranged spring element in a lower off-center position thereof referred to the hollow screw; and Figure 9c is an axial view of the fastening screw and the coaxially arranged spring element in an upper off-center position thereof referred to the hollow screw screw.
A lamp unit for motor vehicles such as a headlight 1 comprises a casing 2 in which optical elements (light source, reflector) are arranged. A front opening of the casing 2 is covered up with a transparent lens 3. A number of tabs 7, 8 are protruding from the side of the casing 2 of said headlight 1 which each have a bore (through hole) . These tabs 7, 8 provide fixing points 5 in marginal areas of the casing 2 for attaching the headlight 1 to the mounting support 6 of a front end module that extends cross to the vehicle and that in opposite end areas provides seats for the headlight casing 2 as well as for a not shown radiator and bumper.
In this present exemplary embodiment the headlight casing 2 is connected to the mounting support 6 of the front end module in three fixing points 5. A tab 7 is protruding from an upper portion of the headlight casing 2 while two tabs 8 extending vertically (Y-Z plane) are protruding from a lower portion thereof.
Holes provided in the tabs 7, 8 each have a female thread such that each of said tabs 7, 8 is in threaded engagement with an adjusting element in the form of a hollow screw 9. This hollow screw 9 serves for adjusting the tabs 7, 8 relative to the mounting support 6 of the front end module and is adjustable relative to said tabs 7, 8 in axial extension thereof.
A fixing assembly 10 is provided for securing the headlight 1 to the mounting support 6 which substantially comprises a fastening screw 11 and a companion part 12. The companion part 12 is durably fixed to a supporting face 14 of the mounting support 6 with the aid of a detachable fixing element 13. By detaching this fixing element 13 it is possible to shift the companion part 12 in a direction which is perpendicular to an axis A of the tabs 7, 8 and/or to the hollow screw 9. This present embodiment does not provide for any detaching of the fixing element 13 to adjust the headlight 1 so that the companion part 12 is stationary relative to the mounting support 6.
In a not shown alternative embodiment it is possible to have the companion part 12 integrally connected with the mounting support 6 also. The companion member may for instance be a blind rivet and/or a blind riveting nut that is integral with the mounting support 6.
The fastening screw 11 has a head 15 and a shank 16 which latter engages into a through hole 17 of the hollow screw 9 such that an end section of the shank 16 which is distal from the head 16 can be brought into a threaded engagement with the companion part 12. The through hole 17 has a diameter that is larger than that of the shank 16 such that the shell face of the shank 16 is spaced from an inner surface of the hollow screw 9.
In a tightened position of the fastening screw 11 in which the tab 7, 8 is in tight connection with the mounting support 6 the head 15 of the fastening screw 11 contacts a central section 18 of a spring element 19 disposed in an intermediate area between the head 15 of the fastening screw 11 and an end face 20 of the hollow screw 9. The spring element 19 is in the form of an axially loadable compression spring adapted to apply a spring force F to the head 15 of the fastening screw 11 and to the end face 20 of the hollow screw 9. Said spring element 19 hence acts in axis direction (X direction) of the fastening screw 11 and/or of the hollow screw 9.
As will be seen more clearly from Fig. 4 the spring element 19 is star shaped and has two integrally connected star shaped disks 21', 21" of which the first disk 21' is disposed on the side facing the hollow screw 9 and the second disk 21" on the side facing the head 15 of the fastening screw 11. Said disks 21', 21" each comprise a central section 23', 23" with a bore 22 from which circumferentially distributed webs 24', 24" are protruding radially outward. These webs 24', 24" of the star shaped disks 21', 21" are integrally connected along their outer marginal edges 25. The webs 24' of the first disk 21' and the webs 24" of the second disk" are forming V-shaped legs which converge from said central section 18 toward said marginal edges 25.
The webs 24', 24" of the disks 21', 21" are of such a length L that an outer radial area 26 of an outer surface 27' of the spring element 19 that faces the hollow screw 9 is in contact with an ring surface 20' of this screw 9. A side of the web 24" facing the head of the fastening screw 11 is forming an outer face 27" of the spring element 19 while a central section 18" adjacent to said outer surface 27" is in direct contact with an end face 28 of the screw head 15. This present exemplary embodiment provides for three propeller shaped webs 24', 24" in an equally spaced arrangement on the circumference of each spring element 19. At least two outer faces 27' of the webs 24' contact the ring surface 20' of the hollow screw 9 irrespective of the position of the fastening screw 11 cross to the X direction. The webs 24', 24" are of such a width B that the radially extending narrow sides 29 thereof get together with adjacent narrow sides 29 of the circurnferentially adjacent web 24', 24" in the area of a marginal edge of the head 15 of the fastening screw 11.
Circumferentially between the webs 24', 24" there is a space (bay area 30) exposed that extends between the head 15 and the ring surface 20' of the hollow screw 9 such that a tool 31 may be placed on the hexagonal ring surface 20' of said hollow screw 9 in axis direction A of the fastening screw 11 without any need to remove the fastening screw 11 and/or the spring element 19. The spring element 19 hence comprises bay areas 30 for ready access of a hand tool 31 that comprises three studs 32 which axially protrude in positions corresponding to said bay areas 30 and by means of which the ring surface 20' of the hollow screw 9 may in an intermediate position of the fastening screw 11 be turned relatively to the tab 8 from a first axial relative position to a second axial relative position offset by a distance a.
It be supposed that the headlight 1 has been secured to the mounting support 6 of the front end module prior to final fitting to the motor vehicle and that an adjustment in X, Y and Z direction has been made relative to the body components that will be adjoining it after final assembly. An adjustment (correction) to establish a predetermined joint configuration has already taken place (three-dimensional referencing) Attachment now of the front end module with adjusted headlight 1 to a body component of the motor vehicle may require a readjustment to be made, especially where the contour of said headlight 1 is forming a relatively long joint 33 with an adjoining body component such as an engine hood 4. The engine hood 4 may for instance comprise an oval or circular eye 4' whose marginal edge completely encircles the cover lens. In case that readjustment should be necessary due to deviations of body component tolerances when mounting the front end module to the motor vehicle, the fastening screw 11 may be slackened by a number of turns, for instance two to three, to such an extent as to provide adequate readjusting length in an axis direction A of said fastening screw 11. The fastening screw 11 is in that case moved from its locking end position as per Fig. 8a in which a fixing force acts on the tabs 7, 8, into an intermediate position in which the tabs 7, 8 are shiftable relative to the mounting support 6 in an axis direction A dependent on the amount of slackening of the fastening screw 11, but not in a direction cross to said axis direction A. This means that the position to which the tabs 7, 8 are set in an orientation cross to the axis direction A may be retained. The spring element 19 is in a virtually tension released condition.
While the fastening screw 11 is in the intermediate position now the tool 31 can be placed on the hollow screw 9 such that by turning said latter relative to the tabs 7, 8 said hollow screw 9 may be subsequently readjusted in the axis direction A of the respective fastening screws 11 to an extent as required to make the configuration of the joint conform to given requirements. For instance may the hollow screw 9 be adjusted by an axial distance a toward the head 15, see Fig. 8b. On completion of this subsequent adjustment, the fastening screw 11 will from its intermediate position according to Fig. 8b be restored back to its end position according to Fig. 8c in which the tabs 7, 8 are each immobilized relative to the mounting support 6. While the spring element 19 is in a tension released condition when in the intermediate position, it is in a tensioned (compressed) state when in the end position in which the disks 21', 21" are contacting each other in certain areas at least.
It goes without saying that the bore 22 in the central sections 23', 23" of the spring element 19 is larger than the diameter of the shank 16 and smaller than a diameter of the head 15 of the fastening screw 11.
As will be seen from Figs. 9a to 9c, the fastening screw 11, the spring element 19 and the coaxial companion part 12 may be radially offset relative to the hollow screw 9. Fig. 9a shows that the fastening screw 11, the spring element 19 and the companion part 12 may be arranged in coaxial relation with the hollow screw 9. In an arrangement according to Fig. 9b the fastening screw 11, the spring element 19 and the companion part 12 may be radially offset in an off-center lower area and in an arrangement according to Fig. 9c may be radially offset in an off-center upper area also. The hexagonal ring surface 20' of the hollow screw 9 can always be grasped by the hand tool 31 irrespective of the relative positions of the fastening screw 11, the spring element 19 and the companion part 12 on the one side and of the hollow screw 9 on the other side.
According to a not shown alternative embodiment of the invention is it possible to fix the casing 2 of the lamp unit 1 to a body component of the motor vehicle direct rather than to a mounting support 6 of a front end module.
LEGEND
REF. DESIGNATION REF. DESIGNATION 1 Headlight 24', 24" Web 2 Casing 25 Marginal Edges 3 Cover Lens 26 Radial Area 4, 4' Engine Hood (Eye) 27, 27' Outer Surface Fixing Point 30 Bay Areas 6 Mounting Support 31 Hand Tool 7 Tabs 32 Webs 8 Tabs 33 Joint 9 Screw Fixing Element a Spacing 11 Fastening Screw A Axis Direction 12 Companion Part B Width 13 Securing Element F Spring Force 14 Seating Face L Length Head 16 Shank 17 Through Hole 18,18' 18" Central Portion 19 Spring Element 20, 20' Face End 21', 21" Disks 22 Bore 23', 23" Central Portion
GB0908298.3A 2008-05-20 2009-05-14 Device and method for adjusting a lamp unit Expired - Fee Related GB2460155B (en)

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DE102008024377A DE102008024377A1 (en) 2008-05-20 2008-05-20 Device and method for aligning a lighting unit

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GB2460155A true GB2460155A (en) 2009-11-25
GB2460155B GB2460155B (en) 2012-03-07

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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JP2009504464A (en) * 2005-08-08 2009-02-05 ハー・ベー・ペー・オー・ゲゼルシャフト・ミト・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング Device for fixing the headlamp in an adjustable manner
WO2019110366A1 (en) * 2017-12-05 2019-06-13 Volkswagen Ag Mounting module for a vehicle light

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DE102011000360A1 (en) * 2011-01-27 2012-08-02 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Lighting device for vehicles and fastening method for the lighting device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2543894A1 (en) * 1983-04-07 1984-10-12 Comind Spa Device for adjusting the inclination of a headlight for motor vehicles
US4524407A (en) * 1983-08-16 1985-06-18 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Device for adjusting the inclination of the light axis of a headlamp for motor vehicles
EP0978416A2 (en) * 1998-08-04 2000-02-09 Hella KG Hueck & Co. Device for adjustably fixing a headlight
DE102004007356A1 (en) * 2004-02-16 2005-09-08 Volkswagen Ag Vehicle light mounting device has a mounting foot that can be displaced along a longitudinal hole once a locking hollow screw is slackened
WO2007016888A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-15 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Device for the adjustable fixing of a headlamp

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2543894A1 (en) * 1983-04-07 1984-10-12 Comind Spa Device for adjusting the inclination of a headlight for motor vehicles
US4524407A (en) * 1983-08-16 1985-06-18 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Device for adjusting the inclination of the light axis of a headlamp for motor vehicles
EP0978416A2 (en) * 1998-08-04 2000-02-09 Hella KG Hueck & Co. Device for adjustably fixing a headlight
DE102004007356A1 (en) * 2004-02-16 2005-09-08 Volkswagen Ag Vehicle light mounting device has a mounting foot that can be displaced along a longitudinal hole once a locking hollow screw is slackened
WO2007016888A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-15 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Device for the adjustable fixing of a headlamp

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009504464A (en) * 2005-08-08 2009-02-05 ハー・ベー・ペー・オー・ゲゼルシャフト・ミト・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング Device for fixing the headlamp in an adjustable manner
JP4729103B2 (en) * 2005-08-08 2011-07-20 ハー・ベー・ペー・オー・ゲゼルシャフト・ミト・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング Device for fixing the headlamp in an adjustable manner
WO2019110366A1 (en) * 2017-12-05 2019-06-13 Volkswagen Ag Mounting module for a vehicle light
CN111565973A (en) * 2017-12-05 2020-08-21 大众汽车股份公司 Mounting module for a vehicle lamp
CN111565973B (en) * 2017-12-05 2023-08-22 大众汽车股份公司 Mounting module for a vehicle lamp

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DE102008024377A1 (en) 2009-11-26
GB2460155B (en) 2012-03-07

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