JP5566799B2

JP5566799B2 - Vehicle lighting

Info

Publication number: JP5566799B2
Application number: JP2010155513A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 浩大高; 雅樹斉藤
Original assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-07-08
Filing date: 2010-07-08
Publication date: 2014-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-08
Also published as: CN102313228B; JP2012017016A; CN102313228A

Description

本発明は、ランプユニットの光軸方向を調整するレベリング調整とエイミング調整の双方を可能に構成した車両用灯具に関する発明である。 The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp that is configured to enable both leveling adjustment and aiming adjustment for adjusting the optical axis direction of a lamp unit.

車両用灯具である車両用ヘッドランプにおいては、ドライバーが乗車する等で車両の重量バランスが変化することにより、照射光の光軸が傾斜して光線の照射方向が予定された照射範囲より上向きに変化してしまう場合がある。そこで、車両用ヘッドランプには、特許文献１に示すようにドライバーの乗車によって傾いてしまった光軸の向きを上下に調整するレベリング調整機構（特許文献１ではレベリング駆動部）を有するものがある。 In a vehicle headlamp that is a vehicle lamp, the weight balance of the vehicle changes as the driver gets on, etc., so that the optical axis of the irradiated light is tilted and the irradiation direction of the light beam is higher than the planned irradiation range. It may change. Therefore, some vehicle headlamps have a leveling adjustment mechanism (leveling drive unit in Patent Document 1) that adjusts the direction of the optical axis that has been tilted by a driver as shown in Patent Document 1 up and down. .

特許文献１の車両用灯具は、例えば乗車したドライバーがワイヤーを操作して駆動シャフトを進退動作させることでリフレクタを上下に傾動させて光線の照射方向を上下に調節可能にしたものである。特許文献１のリフレクタは、ワイヤーに圧縮コイルバネの付勢力を超える引張力を与えると、駆動シャフトが前進して上方に傾動する。また、リフレクタは、ワイヤーの引張り力を緩めると、圧縮コイルバネの付勢力によって駆動シャフトが後退することで下方に傾動する。 The vehicular lamp of Patent Document 1 is configured such that, for example, a rider operates a wire and moves a drive shaft forward and backward to tilt the reflector up and down to adjust the light irradiation direction up and down. In the reflector of Patent Document 1, when a tensile force exceeding the urging force of the compression coil spring is applied to the wire, the drive shaft moves forward and tilts upward. Further, when the pulling force of the wire is loosened, the reflector tilts downward as the drive shaft moves backward by the biasing force of the compression coil spring.

特開２００９−４０２６６号公報JP 2009-40266 A

自動車用ヘッドランプの光軸方向の調整には、完成した車両にドライバー等が乗車することで上方に傾いた光軸を予定された方向に調整するレベリング調整の他、リフレクタをランプハウジングに組み付ける段階で傾いてしまった光軸を設計で予定された初期方向に向くように作業者が正確に調整するエイミング調整がある。特許文献１のようなレベリング駆動部とリフレクタをランプハウジングに組み付ける場合には、駆動シャフトに連結されるワイヤーの長さのバラツキにより、駆動シャフト先端部が予定された初期位置から微少距離前後にずれて配置されることで光軸が微細に傾くことがある。その場合、組付作業者は、エイミング調整を行い、駆動シャフトの初期位置を微調整することによって、光軸が予定された方向に向くようにする。 The adjustment of the optical axis direction of the headlamp for automobiles includes the step of leveling adjustment to adjust the optical axis tilted upward when a driver or the like gets on the completed vehicle in a predetermined direction, and the step of assembling the reflector to the lamp housing There is an aiming adjustment in which the operator accurately adjusts the optical axis that has been tilted in the direction toward the initial direction planned in the design. When the leveling drive unit and the reflector as in Patent Document 1 are assembled to the lamp housing, the tip end of the drive shaft deviates from a predetermined initial position by a minute distance due to variations in the length of the wire connected to the drive shaft. The optical axis may be finely tilted. In this case, the assembling worker performs aiming adjustment and finely adjusts the initial position of the drive shaft so that the optical axis is directed in the predetermined direction.

特許文献１のレベリング駆動部は、ドライバーの乗車等によって比較的大きく傾いてしまった自動車用ヘッドランプの光軸をドライバーが適当に調整するようなレベリング調整には有効である。しかし、特許文献１のレベリング駆動部は、ケーブルを引張ることで光軸（駆動シャフト）を大きく動かす機構であるため、車両の組立段階で光軸の方向を微調整するエイミング調整に利用しても、光軸を所定の方向に向けることが難しい。 The leveling drive unit of Patent Document 1 is effective for leveling adjustment in which the driver appropriately adjusts the optical axis of the automobile headlamp that has been relatively inclined due to the driver's ride or the like. However, since the leveling drive unit of Patent Document 1 is a mechanism that moves the optical axis (drive shaft) greatly by pulling the cable, it can be used for aiming adjustment that finely adjusts the direction of the optical axis at the vehicle assembly stage. It is difficult to orient the optical axis in a predetermined direction.

本願発明においては、上記問題を勘案し、エイミング調整にも利用可能なレベリング調整機構を備えた車両用灯具を提供するものである。 The present invention provides a vehicular lamp provided with a leveling adjustment mechanism that can be used for aiming adjustment in consideration of the above problems.

請求項１の車両用灯具においては、車体側の水平傾動軸周りに傾動可能に保持されたランプユニットと、前記ランプユニットに接続されると共に車体側に固定されたケースに対して進退可能に保持されたシャフトと、前記シャフトに接続されると共に引張力を付与されて前記軸線に沿った一方の移動力を前記シャフトに付与するワイヤーケーブルと、前記移動力と逆向きの付勢力を前記シャフトに付与する付勢手段と、を有し、前記シャフトが、前記ワイヤーケーブルの（ワイヤーの）引張力調整によって進退動作し、該進退動作に連動して前記ランプユニットを傾動させることで、前記ランプユニットの光軸の傾きを調整するレベリングアクチュエータ機構と、を有する車両用灯具において、前記レベリングアクチュエータ機構には、前記ケースによって進退可能に保持されると共に前記シャフトを進退可能に保持する保持部材と、前記保持部材の外周の少なくとも一部に形成された雄ねじ部に螺着されたギヤ部材を回動操作することによって前記シャフトと保持部材をケースに対して一体に進退動作させるギヤ機構と、を有するエイミング調整機構が設けられた。 According to another aspect of the vehicle lamp of the present invention, the lamp unit is held so as to be tiltable about a horizontal tilt axis on the vehicle body side, and is held so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a case connected to the lamp unit and fixed to the vehicle body side. A shaft that is connected to the shaft and is applied with a tensile force to apply one moving force along the axis to the shaft, and an urging force opposite to the moving force is applied to the shaft. A biasing means for applying, and the shaft is moved forward and backward by adjusting a tensile force (of the wire) of the wire cable, and the lamp unit is tilted in conjunction with the forward and backward movement, whereby the lamp unit A leveling actuator mechanism that adjusts the inclination of the optical axis of the vehicle lamp, and the leveling actuator mechanism includes the leveling actuator mechanism. A holding member that is held so as to be able to advance and retreat by a sleeve and that holds the shaft so as to be able to advance and retreat, and a gear member that is screwed to a male screw formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the holding member. Is provided with an aiming adjustment mechanism having a gear mechanism for moving the shaft and the holding member integrally with respect to the case.

（作用）本願の車両用灯具においては、ワイヤーケーブルの引張力調整によってランプユニットの光軸のレベリング調整（車両の重量バランスの変化によって比較的大きく傾いた光軸の調整）が行なわれ、ギヤ部材の回動調整を行なうことにより、光軸のエイミング調整（車両組立時における光軸の向きの微細かつ正確な調整）が行なわれる。 (Operation) In the vehicular lamp of the present application, the leveling of the optical axis of the lamp unit is adjusted by adjusting the tensile force of the wire cable (adjustment of the optical axis that is relatively inclined due to the change in the weight balance of the vehicle), and the gear member. Thus, the aiming adjustment of the optical axis (fine and accurate adjustment of the direction of the optical axis during vehicle assembly) is performed.

まず、レベリング調整においては、付勢手段の付勢力を超えた力でワイヤーケーブルが引っ張られると、保持部材に進退可能に保持されたシャフトが、自らの軸線上を一方に移動し、連結されたランプユニットを水平傾動軸周りの一方に傾動させる。また、ワイヤーケーブルの引張力が緩められて付勢手段の付勢力が上回ると、シャフトが軸線上を逆方向に移動してランプユニットを逆方向に傾動させる。その結果、光軸の傾きが調節される。 First, in the leveling adjustment, when the wire cable is pulled with a force exceeding the urging force of the urging means, the shaft held so as to be able to advance and retract by the holding member moves to one side on its own axis and is connected. Tilt the lamp unit to one side around the horizontal tilt axis. When the pulling force of the wire cable is loosened and the urging force of the urging means exceeds, the shaft moves in the reverse direction on the axis to tilt the lamp unit in the reverse direction. As a result, the inclination of the optical axis is adjusted.

一方、保持部材は、外周の雄ねじ部に螺着されたギヤ部材が回動することで、ギヤ機構を介し、保持するシャフトと共にケースに対して前記シャフトと同一の軸線上を進退動作する。ランプユニットは、ギヤ部材の回動に伴って上下に傾動するため、ワイヤーケーブルによる光軸調整に比べて光軸の傾きが微細に調整される。 On the other hand, the holding member moves forward and backward along the same axis as the shaft with respect to the case together with the shaft to be held via the gear mechanism by the rotation of the gear member screwed to the male screw portion on the outer periphery. Since the lamp unit tilts up and down with the rotation of the gear member, the tilt of the optical axis is finely adjusted compared to the optical axis adjustment by the wire cable.

また、請求項２は、請求項１に記載の車両用灯具において、前記ギヤ機構は、前記ケースの内側に設けられて該ケースの内側領域を前記シャフトの進退方向に二分割する仕切壁と、前記仕切壁に設けられて前記シャフトを進退可能に挿通させる挿通孔と、前記仕切壁の裏面側に配置された前記保持部材と、前記仕切壁の表面と対向する段差面として設けられたコイルバネ挟持部と、前記シャフトの外周に配置されると共に前記仕切壁の表面とコイルバネ挟持部との間に挟持され、前記仕切壁の裏面側で雄ねじ部に螺着されたギヤ部材を前記仕切壁の裏面に付勢する前記付勢手段である圧縮コイルバネと、前記ギア部材に噛み合う第２ギア部材と工具操作部とを有し、工具操作部に当接させた工具の回動によって前記ギア部材を回動させるエイミング調整部材と、を有するようにした。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicular lamp according to the first aspect, the gear mechanism is provided on the inner side of the case and divides the inner region of the case into two in the advancing / retreating direction of the shaft; An insertion hole provided in the partition wall for allowing the shaft to pass therethrough, a holding member disposed on the rear surface side of the partition wall, and a coil spring sandwiched as a step surface facing the surface of the partition wall And a gear member disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft and sandwiched between the surface of the partition wall and the coil spring clamping portion and screwed to the male screw portion on the back surface side of the partition wall. A compression coil spring that is an urging means that urges the gear member, a second gear member that meshes with the gear member, and a tool operation unit, and the gear member is rotated by rotation of a tool that is in contact with the tool operation unit. A ray to move A ring adjustment member, and to have.

（作用）ケースの内側は、仕切壁によってシャフト進退方向に２分割され、保持部材が仕切壁の裏面側に配置されると共に、シャフトが仕切壁の挿通孔に進退可能な状態で保持部材に保持される。シャフトの外周には、付勢手段である圧縮コイルバネが配置され、圧縮コイルバネは、仕切壁表面と、該表面に対向するシャフトの挟持部との間に挟持されて、前記シャフトの挟持部を前記仕切壁表面から離間する方向に付勢する。 (Operation) The inside of the case is divided into two in the shaft advance / retreat direction by the partition wall, the holding member is disposed on the back side of the partition wall, and the shaft is held by the holding member in a state where the shaft can be advanced and retracted through the insertion hole of the partition wall. Is done. A compression coil spring, which is an urging means, is disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft, and the compression coil spring is sandwiched between the partition wall surface and the sandwiching portion of the shaft facing the surface, and the sandwiching portion of the shaft is Energize in a direction away from the partition wall surface.

仕切壁の裏面側で保持部材の雄ねじ部に螺着されたギヤ部材は、前記シャフトが仕切壁表面から離間する方向の付勢力を受けることにより、ギヤ部材の表面が仕切壁裏面に向かって付勢されて仕切壁裏面に当接する。ギヤ部材は、仕切壁裏面と当接した状態で、保持部材の雄ねじ部上を回動可能に保持される。その結果、ギヤ部材を回動させると、ギヤ部材を螺着させた保持部材は、ギヤ部材の回動量に応じてその軸線方向に進退動作する。ランプユニットは、ギヤ部材の回動に伴って保持部材と一体で進退動作するシャフトにより、上下に傾動する。ギヤ部材の回動によるシャフト（保持部材）の進退動作は、ワイヤーケーブルを引張ることによる進退動作よりも、微細に調節出来る。従って、光軸の傾きが上下に微細に調節される。 The gear member screwed to the male thread portion of the holding member on the rear surface side of the partition wall receives the biasing force in the direction in which the shaft is separated from the surface of the partition wall, so that the surface of the gear member is applied toward the rear surface of the partition wall. It is urged and comes into contact with the rear surface of the partition wall. The gear member is rotatably held on the male screw portion of the holding member while being in contact with the rear surface of the partition wall. As a result, when the gear member is rotated, the holding member to which the gear member is screwed moves forward and backward in the axial direction according to the rotation amount of the gear member. The lamp unit tilts up and down by a shaft that moves forward and backward integrally with the holding member as the gear member rotates. The advance / retreat operation of the shaft (holding member) due to the rotation of the gear member can be adjusted more finely than the advance / retreat operation by pulling the wire cable. Therefore, the inclination of the optical axis is finely adjusted up and down.

請求項３は、請求項２に記載の車両用灯具であって、前記保持部材の雄ねじ部が、前記挿通孔に挿通され、前記仕切壁の裏面側から前記圧縮コイルバネの内側まで進退可能に設けられるようにした。 A third aspect of the present invention provides the vehicular lamp according to the second aspect, wherein the male screw portion of the holding member is inserted into the insertion hole so as to be able to advance and retract from the back side of the partition wall to the inside of the compression coil spring. I was able to.

一般に保持部材の雄ねじ部をケースにおける仕切壁の裏面側領域でのみ進退させた場合、保持部材の進退範囲は、ギヤ部材の長さによって決まり、ギヤ部材の長さに比例して大きくなる。従って、保持部材の進退範囲を大きくする場合には、ギヤ部材の長さに伴いケースを長くしなければならないため、レベリングアクチュエータの寸法が長くなってしまう。 In general, when the male thread portion of the holding member is advanced / retreated only in the back side region of the partition wall in the case, the advance / retreat range of the holding member is determined by the length of the gear member and increases in proportion to the length of the gear member. Accordingly, when the advance / retreat range of the holding member is increased, the case must be lengthened along with the length of the gear member, so that the dimension of the leveling actuator becomes long.

（作用）請求項３のレベリングアクチュエータにおいては、保持部材の雄ねじ部が、挿通孔を介し、ケースにおける仕切壁の表面側領域に配置された圧縮コイルバネの内側に進退するため、ギヤ部材を長くしなくても、保持部材の進退範囲を大きくすることが出来る。その結果、ギヤ部材とケースの長さを短く出来るため、レベリングアクチュエータの全長を短くすることが出来る。 (Function) In the leveling actuator according to claim 3, the male screw portion of the holding member advances and retreats inside the compression coil spring disposed in the surface side region of the partition wall in the case through the insertion hole. Even without this, the advance / retreat range of the holding member can be increased. As a result, since the length of the gear member and the case can be shortened, the overall length of the leveling actuator can be shortened.

請求項１と２の車両用灯具によれば、ワイヤーケーブルによる光軸のレベリング調整が出来るのに加え、ギヤ部材の回動調整によってエイミング調整も出来る。 According to the vehicular lamps of the first and second aspects, the leveling of the optical axis can be adjusted by the wire cable, and the aiming can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation of the gear member.

請求項３の車両用灯具によれば、レベリングアクチュエータの奥行き（長さ）がコンパクトになることにより、車両における奥行き方向の設置スペースが節減され、奥行方向設置スペースが狭い車両にも搭載することが出来る。 According to the vehicular lamp of the third aspect, the depth (length) of the leveling actuator is reduced, so that the installation space in the depth direction in the vehicle is reduced, and the leveling actuator can be mounted on a vehicle having a narrow installation space in the depth direction. I can do it.

車両用灯具の縦断面図。The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp. レベリングアクチュエータ機構のケースの内側を示す部分縦断面図。The fragmentary longitudinal cross-section which shows the inner side of the case of a leveling actuator mechanism. レベリングアクチュエータ機構の縦断面図。The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a leveling actuator mechanism. レベリング調整時のレベリングアクチュエータ機構の動作説明図。（ａ）光軸を上向きに調整する際の説明図（ｂ）光軸を下向きに調整する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a leveling actuator mechanism at the time of leveling adjustment. (A) Explanatory drawing when adjusting the optical axis upward (b) Explanatory drawing when adjusting the optical axis downward. エイミング調整時のレベリングアクチュエータ機構の動作説明図。（ａ）光軸を上向きに調整する際の説明図（ｂ）光軸を下向きに調整する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the leveling actuator mechanism at the time of aiming adjustment. (A) Explanatory drawing when adjusting the optical axis upward (b) Explanatory drawing when adjusting the optical axis downward.

次に、図１から図５により本発明の車両用灯具の実施例を説明する。本実施例においては、後述する図１の前面カバー５側を車両前方（符号Ｆ方向）ランプボディ４側を車両後方（符号Ｒ方向）として説明する。 Next, an embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the front cover 5 side in FIG. 1 described later will be described as the vehicle front (reference F direction) lamp body 4 side the vehicle rear (reference R direction).

図１に示す車両用灯具１は、ランプユニット２と、レベリングアクチュエータ機構３によって構成される。 A vehicular lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a lamp unit 2 and a leveling actuator mechanism 3.

ランプユニット２は、ランプボディ４と透明な前面カバー５の内側に画成された灯室Ｓの中にリフレクタ６と放電バルブ７が配置されて構成される。ランプボディ４の後端部には、開口部４ａが設けられ、開口部４ａには、可撓性を有するゴム等で形成されたフレキシブルなバックカバー８が取り付けられる。放電バルブ７は、基端部７ａがバックカバー８の中央に設けられた取付孔８ａに取り付けられることで、ランプボディ４に一体化される。放物面形状の反射面６ａを有するリフレクタ６は、後端中央部に取付孔６ｂを有し、放電バルブ７の取付軸部７ｂに取りつけられる。リフレクタ６の反射面６ａは、放電バルブ７の周囲を取り囲むようにして配置され、放電バルブ７の出射光を前面カバー５に向かって反射して車両前方に照射させる。 The lamp unit 2 is configured by arranging a reflector 6 and a discharge bulb 7 in a lamp chamber S defined inside a lamp body 4 and a transparent front cover 5. An opening 4a is provided at the rear end of the lamp body 4, and a flexible back cover 8 formed of flexible rubber or the like is attached to the opening 4a. The discharge bulb 7 is integrated with the lamp body 4 by attaching the base end portion 7 a to an attachment hole 8 a provided in the center of the back cover 8. The reflector 6 having the parabolic reflecting surface 6 a has a mounting hole 6 b at the center of the rear end, and is attached to the mounting shaft portion 7 b of the discharge bulb 7. The reflecting surface 6a of the reflector 6 is disposed so as to surround the discharge bulb 7, and reflects the light emitted from the discharge bulb 7 toward the front cover 5 so as to irradiate the front of the vehicle.

またランプボディ４の後端下部４ａにおいて略水平線上に設けられた一対の挿通孔４ｂ，４ｂ（図１の挿通孔４ｂと平行して紙面奥側にもう一つ設けられる。図示せず。）には、エイミングスクリュー９、９の雄ねじ部９ａ，９ａが灯室Ｓに向けて挿入されて回動可能に保持される。また、ランプボディ４の後端上部４ｃに設けられた取付孔４ｄには、レベリングアクチュエータ機構３が固定される。一方、リフレクター６の後端下部には、エイミングスクリュー９、９によって支持される支持部１０、１０が後方に突設され、後端上部には、レベリングアクチュエータ機構３によって支持される支持部１１が後方に突設される。 Further, a pair of insertion holes 4b, 4b provided on a substantially horizontal line in the rear end lower portion 4a of the lamp body 4 (another one is provided in parallel with the insertion hole 4b in FIG. 1 on the back side of the sheet. Not shown). The male screw portions 9a, 9a of the aiming screws 9, 9 are inserted toward the lamp chamber S and are held rotatably. Further, the leveling actuator mechanism 3 is fixed to the mounting hole 4d provided in the rear end upper portion 4c of the lamp body 4. On the other hand, support parts 10 and 10 supported by aiming screws 9 and 9 are projected rearward at the rear end lower part of the reflector 6, and a support part 11 supported by the leveling actuator mechanism 3 is provided at the rear end upper part. Projected backward.

支持部１０、１０は、後方に突出して下方に屈曲した板状部であり、後端下部４ａと略平行な取付部１０ａ，１０ａには、略水平線上においてランプボディ４の挿通孔４ｂ、４ｂと略同間隔で設けられた雌ねじ孔１０ｂ，１０ｂが設けられてエイミングスクリュー９、９の雄ねじ部９ａ，９ａが螺着される。また、支持部１１は、後方に突出形成されると共に、後端部にレベリングアクチュエータ機構３のシャフト１２の先端に形成された玉部１９と嵌合する玉受部１１ａを有する。 The support portions 10 and 10 are plate-like portions that protrude rearward and bend downward, and the attachment portions 10a and 10a that are substantially parallel to the rear end lower portion 4a have insertion holes 4b and 4b in the lamp body 4 on a substantially horizontal line. Female screw holes 10b, 10b provided at substantially the same interval as are provided, and male screw portions 9a, 9a of aiming screws 9, 9 are screwed. Further, the support portion 11 has a ball receiving portion 11 a that is formed to protrude rearward and fits with a ball portion 19 formed at the tip end of the shaft 12 of the leveling actuator mechanism 3 at the rear end portion.

リフレクタ６は、ランプボディ４のおいて略水平線上に取り付けられた一対のエイミングスクリュー９，９のうちいずれかを回動させると、雄ねじ部９ａ，９ａを螺着した雌ねじ孔１０ｂ、１０ｂを介して取付部１０ａ、１０ａの一方が前後（符号Ｄ１方向）に進退動作する。その結果、リフレクタ６は、バックカバー８が可撓性を有するため、車両の左右方向（図１の紙面手前側を車両左方向、紙面奥側を車両右方向とする）いずれかに傾動し、光軸Ｘ１の左右方向への傾きが微調整される。 When either one of a pair of aiming screws 9, 9 mounted on the substantially horizontal line in the lamp body 4 is rotated, the reflector 6 passes through the female screw holes 10 b, 10 b to which the male screw portions 9 a, 9 a are screwed. Then, one of the mounting portions 10a and 10a moves back and forth (in the direction of reference sign D1). As a result, since the back cover 8 has flexibility, the reflector 6 tilts in either the left-right direction of the vehicle (the front side of the paper in FIG. 1 is the left side of the vehicle and the back side of the paper is the right side of the vehicle), The inclination of the optical axis X1 in the left-right direction is finely adjusted.

また、リフレクタ６は、後述するノブ２８の操作でシャフト１２が前後（符号Ｄ２方向）に進退動作することにより、水平傾動軸Ｘ２（雌ねじ穴１０ｂ，１０ｂを通り、ランプボディ４の後端下部４ａに略平行な、左右に伸びる水平軸）周りに上下（符号Ｄ３方向）に傾動し、光軸Ｘ１の上下方向への傾きが調整される。 In addition, the reflector 6 passes through the horizontal tilt axis X2 (the female screw holes 10b and 10b and passes through the lower end 4a of the lamp body 4) when the shaft 12 moves back and forth (in the direction of reference sign D2) by operating a knob 28 described later. Tilted up and down (in the direction of reference sign D3) around the horizontal axis extending substantially parallel to the horizontal axis), and the tilt of the optical axis X1 in the vertical direction is adjusted.

次に、レベリングアクチュエータ機構３について詳細に説明する。図２のレベリングアクチュエータ機構３は、シャフト１２、保持部材１３、ケース１４，ワイヤーケーブル１５、ギヤ部材１６、圧縮コイルバネ１７，エイミング調整部材３８によって形成される。 Next, the leveling actuator mechanism 3 will be described in detail. 2 is formed by a shaft 12, a holding member 13, a case 14, a wire cable 15, a gear member 16, a compression coil spring 17, and an aiming adjusting member 38.

シャフト１２は、先端側細軸部１８の先端に設けられた玉部１９と、先端側軸部１８の後方に連続形成された略円柱形の太軸部２０と、更にその後方に連続して形成された後端側細軸部２１によって形成される。後端側細軸部２１は、円柱の上部を水平に切り欠いた形状を有する。保持部材１３は、本体部２２と、本体部２２の前方に連続して形成され、円筒形の外周に雄ねじ部２３を有する先端部２４と、本体部２２の下方に突設されたスライド板２５、２５によって形成される。スライド板２５，２５は、板面が先端部２４の中心軸Ｘ３に沿って形成されると共に左右（図２のスライド板２５と平行して紙面奥側にもう一つ設けられる。図示せず）に一対設けられ、ケース１４の後述するスライドレール４０を挟持する。 The shaft 12 includes a ball portion 19 provided at the tip of the distal end side thin shaft portion 18, a substantially cylindrical thick shaft portion 20 continuously formed behind the distal end side shaft portion 18, and a rear portion thereof. The rear end side thin shaft portion 21 is formed. The rear end side thin shaft portion 21 has a shape in which an upper portion of a cylinder is cut out horizontally. The holding member 13 is formed continuously in front of the main body 22, the front of the main body 22, a tip 24 having a male screw portion 23 on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape, and a slide plate 25 projecting below the main body 22. , 25. The slide plates 25 and 25 have plate surfaces formed along the central axis X3 of the tip end portion 24 and left and right (another one is provided on the back side of the drawing in parallel with the slide plate 25 in FIG. 2). A pair of slide rails 40 to be described later of the case 14 are sandwiched.

図３に示すように先端部２４の内側には、後端側細軸部２１の外周断面と同一の内周断面を有する内筒部２４ａが形成され、シャフト１２の後端側細軸部２１は、内筒部２４ａに内接することにより、回り止めされつつ中心軸Ｘ３に沿って進退可能な状態で保持される。後端側細軸部２１の中央下部には、先端部が上下に弾性変形するランス部２１ａが設けられる。ランス部２１ａは、保持部材１３の本体部２２の下方に設けられた、中心軸Ｘ３方向に延びる挿通孔２２ａに挿通されて、中心軸Ｘ３方向に進退する。また、ランス部の先端部２１ｂが挿通孔２２ａの前縁部２２ｂと当接することにより、シャフト１２は、保持部材１３に対して前方に抜け止めされる。 As shown in FIG. 3, an inner cylinder part 24 a having the same inner peripheral section as the outer peripheral section of the rear end side thin shaft part 21 is formed inside the front end part 24, and the rear end side thin shaft part 21 of the shaft 12 is formed. Is held in a state in which it can advance and retreat along the central axis X3 while being prevented from rotating by being inscribed in the inner cylindrical portion 24a. A lance portion 21 a whose tip portion is elastically deformed up and down is provided at the center lower portion of the rear end side thin shaft portion 21. The lance portion 21a is inserted into an insertion hole 22a provided below the main body portion 22 of the holding member 13 and extending in the central axis X3 direction, and advances and retracts in the central axis X3 direction. Further, the shaft 12 is prevented from coming off with respect to the holding member 13 by the front end portion 21b of the lance portion coming into contact with the front edge portion 22b of the insertion hole 22a.

ワイヤーケーブル１５は、角柱型先端部１５ａを先端に有するワイヤー１５ｂと、ケーブル管１５ｃによって構成される。角柱型先端部１５ａは、ワイヤー１５ｂがケーブル管１５ｃの内側を進退することにより、中心軸線Ｘ３上を前後に進退する。ワイヤー１５ｂは、角柱型先端部１５ａがシャフト１２の後端側細軸部２１の後端部２１ｂに設けられた保持部２１ｃに保持されることによってシャフト１２に連結される。シャフト１２は、ワイヤーケーブル１５のワイヤー１５ｂの引き戻しによって中心軸線Ｘ３上を前後に進退する。 The wire cable 15 includes a wire 15b having a prismatic tip 15a at the tip and a cable tube 15c. The prismatic tip portion 15a moves back and forth on the central axis X3 as the wire 15b moves back and forth inside the cable tube 15c. The wire 15 b is connected to the shaft 12 by holding the prismatic tip portion 15 a by a holding portion 21 c provided at the rear end portion 21 b of the rear end side thin shaft portion 21 of the shaft 12. The shaft 12 moves back and forth on the central axis X3 by pulling back the wire 15b of the wire cable 15.

ワイヤーケーブル１５の後端部には、図１に示すようにノブ機構２７が取り付けられる。ノブ機構２７は、ノブ本体２９に進退可能に保持されると共にワイヤー１５ｂに接続されたノブ２８を符号Ｄ４方向に進退操作することによってワイヤー１５ｂの引き戻しを行なう機構である。尚、ノブ機構２７においては、図１に示すような機構の他、後述するギヤ部材１６の回動によって進退する保持部材１３のようなギヤ機構をノブ２８とワイヤー１５ｂの間に設け、ノブ本体２９に回動可能に保持されたノブ２８を回動することでワイヤー１５ｂを引き戻すような構造にしても良い。 A knob mechanism 27 is attached to the rear end of the wire cable 15 as shown in FIG. The knob mechanism 27 is a mechanism that pulls the wire 15b back by operating the knob 28 that is held by the knob main body 29 so as to be able to advance and retract and that is connected to the wire 15b in the direction D4. In the knob mechanism 27, in addition to the mechanism shown in FIG. 1, a gear mechanism such as a holding member 13 that moves forward and backward by rotation of the gear member 16 described later is provided between the knob 28 and the wire 15b. A structure may be employed in which the wire 15b is pulled back by turning the knob 28 rotatably held by the wire 29.

一方、図示しない車体側に一体固定されるケース１４は、内側にシャフト１２を収納する第１収容室３２を有する略円筒形の前端部３１と、内側に保持部材１３とギヤ部材１６を収納する第２収納室３４を有する後端部３３が仕切壁３５を間に挟んで前後に連続した形状を有する。第１収納室３２は、シャフト１２の太軸部２０の外径と略同一の内径を有し、前方に開口する。後端部３３は、後方に開口する略円筒形状から基端上部を一部切り取った形状を有し、第２収納室３４の内径は、第１収納室３２よりも大きく形成される。 On the other hand, the case 14 that is integrally fixed to the vehicle body (not shown) accommodates the substantially cylindrical front end portion 31 having the first accommodating chamber 32 that accommodates the shaft 12 inside, and the holding member 13 and the gear member 16 inside. The rear end portion 33 having the second storage chamber 34 has a shape that is continuous forward and backward with the partition wall 35 interposed therebetween. The first storage chamber 32 has an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the thick shaft portion 20 of the shaft 12 and opens forward. The rear end portion 33 has a shape obtained by partially cutting a base end upper portion from a substantially cylindrical shape opening rearward, and the inner diameter of the second storage chamber 34 is formed larger than that of the first storage chamber 32.

仕切壁３５には、第１収納室３２と第二収納室３４を連通させる挿通孔３６が設けられ、挿通孔３６には、保持部材１３の雄ねじ部２３が進退可能な状態で挿通される。また、第２収納室３４の上部３７には、エイミング調整部材３８を回動可能な状態で保持する保持部３９が設けられ、第２収納室３４の下部には、保持部材１３の先端部２４の中心軸Ｘ３にそってスライドレール４０が形成される。スライドレール４０は、上方に突出したリブ状部であり、スライドレール２５，２５に挟持されることで、保持部材１３を中心軸Ｘ３方向に進退させる。 The partition wall 35 is provided with an insertion hole 36 that allows the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 34 to communicate with each other, and the male screw portion 23 of the holding member 13 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 in a state in which the male thread portion 23 can advance and retract. A holding portion 39 that holds the aiming adjustment member 38 in a rotatable state is provided in the upper portion 37 of the second storage chamber 34, and the distal end portion 24 of the holding member 13 is provided in the lower portion of the second storage chamber 34. A slide rail 40 is formed along the central axis X3. The slide rail 40 is a rib-like portion protruding upward, and is held between the slide rails 25 and 25 so that the holding member 13 is advanced and retracted in the direction of the central axis X3.

また、圧縮コイルバネ１７は、ケース１４の第１収納室３２の内側において挿通孔３６から第１収納室３２に突出した保持部材１３の雄ねじ部２３と、雄ねじ部２３の内側で進退可能に保持されたシャフト１２の後端側細軸部２１の周囲に配置される。また圧縮コイルバネ１７は、太軸部２０の後面２０ａと、仕切壁３５の表面３５ａとの間に挟持される。その結果、シャフト１２は、圧縮コイルバネ１７により、ケース１４（仕切壁３５）に対して前方（Ｆ方向）に付勢力を受ける。また、ギヤ部材１６は、圧縮コイルバネ１７によって仕切壁３５の裏面に突設された当接リブ３５ｂに付勢される。 The compression coil spring 17 is held inside the first storage chamber 32 of the case 14 so as to be able to advance and retreat inside the male screw portion 23 of the holding member 13 protruding from the insertion hole 36 to the first storage chamber 32 and inside the male screw portion 23. The shaft 12 is disposed around the rear end side thin shaft portion 21. Further, the compression coil spring 17 is sandwiched between the rear surface 20 a of the thick shaft portion 20 and the surface 35 a of the partition wall 35. As a result, the shaft 12 receives a biasing force forward (F direction) with respect to the case 14 (partition wall 35) by the compression coil spring 17. Further, the gear member 16 is urged by the compression coil spring 17 to the abutment rib 35 b protruding from the back surface of the partition wall 35.

また、雄ねじ部２３には、第２収納室３４内においてギヤ部材１６が螺着される。ギヤ部材１６の後部には、第１の傘歯車４１が形成されている。一方、保持部３９には、エイミング調整部材３８が取り付けられる。エイミング調整部材３８は、先端に第２の傘歯車４２を有し、後端に工具操作部４３を有する。第２の傘歯車４２は、第２収納室３４内で第１の傘歯車４１と螺合して中心軸Ｘ３に直交する中心軸Ｘ４周りに回動するエイミング調整部材３８の回動動作をギヤ部材１６の回動動作に変換する。工具操作部４３は、本実施例のように６角ボルトの頭部形状を有するように形成され、当接させたレンチ等によってエイミング調整部材３８を中心軸Ｘ４周りに回動させる。工具操作部４３は、保持部３９から外部に露出するよう配置される。 The gear member 16 is screwed to the male screw portion 23 in the second storage chamber 34. A first bevel gear 41 is formed at the rear of the gear member 16. On the other hand, an aiming adjusting member 38 is attached to the holding portion 39. The aiming adjustment member 38 has a second bevel gear 42 at the front end and a tool operation unit 43 at the rear end. The second bevel gear 42 is engaged with the first bevel gear 41 in the second storage chamber 34 to rotate around the central axis X4 orthogonal to the central axis X3 and rotate the aiming adjusting member 38. This is converted into a rotation operation of the member 16. The tool operation unit 43 is formed to have a hexagonal bolt head shape as in the present embodiment, and rotates the aiming adjustment member 38 around the central axis X4 by using a wrench or the like that is brought into contact. The tool operation unit 43 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside from the holding unit 39.

尚、本実施例のレベリングアクチュエータ機構３においては、ギヤ部材１６，ケース１４の仕切壁３５と、仕切壁３５の挿通孔３６，仕切壁３５の表面３５ａとシャフト１２の太軸部２０の後面２０ａ（請求項２のコイルバネ挟持部）との間に挟持された圧縮コイルバネ１７及びエイミング調整部材３８を有するギヤ機構２６と、ギヤ機構２６によってシャフト１２と一体になって前後に進退動作する保持部材１３によって構成されるエイミング調整機構１００が設けられている
次に、図４と４によって、本実施例の車両用灯具における光軸の方向調整を説明する。図１に示すとおり、リフレクタ６は、シャフト１２が前方に移動すると、水平傾動軸Ｘ２周りに傾動して、形成される光軸Ｘ１を下方に傾けさせ、反対にシャフト１２が後方に移動すると、形成される光軸を上方に傾けさせる。 In the leveling actuator mechanism 3 of this embodiment, the gear member 16, the partition wall 35 of the case 14, the insertion hole 36 of the partition wall 35, the surface 35a of the partition wall 35, and the rear surface 20a of the thick shaft portion 20 of the shaft 12. A gear mechanism 26 having a compression coil spring 17 and an aiming adjustment member 38 sandwiched between (a coil spring sandwiching portion of claim 2), and a holding member 13 which is integrated with the shaft 12 by the gear mechanism 26 and moves forward and backward. Next, the direction adjustment of the optical axis in the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 4. As shown in FIG. 1, when the shaft 12 moves forward, the reflector 6 tilts around the horizontal tilting axis X2, tilts the formed optical axis X1, and conversely moves the shaft 12 backward. The optical axis to be formed is tilted upward.

図４（ａ）（ｂ）に示すレベリング調整は、以下のように行なう。まず、図１に示すノブ機構２７の操作によってワイヤーケーブル１５の内側のワイヤー（図示せず）が（ａ）図の符号Ｌ１の距離を後方に引張られると、これに連結されたシャフト１２もまた、圧縮コイルバネ１７による前方Ｆ方向への付勢力に抗しつつ、保持部材１３とケース１４に対して距離Ｌ１だけ後方に引張られる。その結果、（ａ）図のシャフト１２は、（ｂ）図の位置に移動し、光軸Ｘ１の傾きは、ワイヤーケーブル１５の内側のワイヤーの引張量に応じて上方に調整される。一方、ワイヤーケーブル１５の内側のワイヤーの引張力を圧縮コイルバネ１７の付勢力よりも緩めた場合、シャフト１２（と緩められたワイヤーケーブル１５）は、圧縮コイルバネ１７の付勢力により、保持部材１３とケース１４に対して（ｂ）図の符号Ｌ２の距離を前方に移動する。その結果、図１の光軸Ｘ１の傾きは、下方に調整される。 The leveling adjustment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is performed as follows. First, when the inner wire (not shown) of the wire cable 15 is pulled backward by the distance L1 in FIG. 1A by the operation of the knob mechanism 27 shown in FIG. 1, the shaft 12 connected thereto is also moved. The holding coil 13 and the case 14 are pulled rearward by a distance L1 while resisting the urging force in the forward F direction by the compression coil spring 17. As a result, the shaft 12 shown in FIG. 6A moves to the position shown in FIG. 5B, and the inclination of the optical axis X1 is adjusted upward according to the tensile amount of the wire inside the wire cable 15. On the other hand, when the tensile force of the wire inside the wire cable 15 is loosened more than the urging force of the compression coil spring 17, the shaft 12 (and the loosened wire cable 15) is separated from the holding member 13 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 17. The distance of the code | symbol L2 of a (b) figure is moved ahead with respect to the case 14. FIG. As a result, the inclination of the optical axis X1 in FIG. 1 is adjusted downward.

一方、図５（ａ）（ｂ）に示すエイミング調整は、以下のように行なう。まず、工具を工具操作部４３に当てて、エイミング調整部材３８を図５（ａ）のレベリングアクチュエータ３の上方（符号Ｕ方向）から見て時計回り（符号Ｄ５方向）に回動させた場合、ギヤ部材１６は、螺合する傘歯車（４１，４２）により、後方（符号Ｒ方向）から見て時計回りＤ６方向に回動する。保持部材１３と該保持部材１３に保持されたシャフト１２は、雄ねじ部２３に螺着されたギヤ部材１６が回動することにより、ケース１４に対し、エイミング調整部材３８の回動操作量に応じて距離Ｌ３を後方に移動する。その結果、（ａ）図のシャフト１２は、（ｂ）図の位置に移動し、図１に示す光軸Ｘ１の傾きは、エイミング調整部材３８の回動操作量に応じて上方に調整される。 On the other hand, the aiming adjustment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is performed as follows. First, when the tool is applied to the tool operation unit 43 and the aiming adjustment member 38 is rotated clockwise (reference D5 direction) when viewed from above the leveling actuator 3 (reference U direction) in FIG. The gear member 16 is rotated in the clockwise direction D6 as viewed from the rear (reference R direction) by the bevel gears (41, 42) to be engaged with each other. The holding member 13 and the shaft 12 held by the holding member 13 are rotated according to the rotation operation amount of the aiming adjusting member 38 with respect to the case 14 by the rotation of the gear member 16 screwed to the male screw portion 23. The distance L3 is moved backward. As a result, the shaft 12 shown in FIG. 1A is moved to the position shown in FIG. 2B, and the inclination of the optical axis X1 shown in FIG. .

一方、エイミング調整部材３８を図５（ａ）図とは逆に（ｂ）図のレベリングアクチュエータ３の上方（符号Ｕ方向）から見て反時計回り（符号Ｄ７方向）に回動させた場合、ギヤ部材１６は、後方（符号Ｒ方向）から見て反時計回りＤ８方向に回動する。保持部材１３と該保持部材１３に保持されたシャフト１２は、ギヤ部材１６が雄ねじ２３上を逆向きに回動することにより、ケース１４に対し、エイミング調整部材３８の回動操作量に応じて（ｂ）図の距離Ｌ４を前方に移動する。その結果、図１に示す光軸Ｘ１の傾きは、エイミング調整部材３８の回動操作量に応じて下方に調整される。 On the other hand, when the aiming adjusting member 38 is rotated counterclockwise (reference D7 direction) when viewed from above (level U direction) of the leveling actuator 3 in FIG. The gear member 16 rotates in the counterclockwise direction D8 when viewed from the rear (reference R direction). The holding member 13 and the shaft 12 held by the holding member 13 are rotated according to the turning operation amount of the aiming adjusting member 38 with respect to the case 14 by the gear member 16 rotating in the reverse direction on the male screw 23. (B) Move the distance L4 in the figure forward. As a result, the inclination of the optical axis X <b> 1 shown in FIG. 1 is adjusted downward according to the rotational operation amount of the aiming adjustment member 38.

エイミング調整機構１００は、ギヤ機構２６を介してシャフト１２を進退動作させるため、ギヤ比の設定などによってシャフト１２の進退速度が容易に調整出来るため、進退速度の調節が比較的難しいワイヤーケーブル１５の引き戻し操作によってシャフト１２を進退させて光軸Ｘ１の角度を調整するレベリング調整に比べて角度の微調整が可能である。 Since the aiming adjustment mechanism 100 moves the shaft 12 forward and backward via the gear mechanism 26, the advance / retreat speed of the shaft 12 can be easily adjusted by setting the gear ratio, etc., and therefore the adjustment of the advance / retreat speed is relatively difficult. The angle can be finely adjusted as compared with leveling adjustment in which the shaft 12 is advanced and retracted by a pullback operation to adjust the angle of the optical axis X1.

また、仕切壁３５の挿通孔３６は、シャフト１２の後端側細軸部２１のみならず、保持部材１３の先端部２４に設けた雄ねじ部２３まで併せて挿通可能にし、雄ねじ部２３を圧縮コイルバネ１７の内側まで進退可能にしている。雄ねじ部２３を挿通孔３６に挿通させず、保持部材１３を第２収納室３４内でのみ進退させた場合、保持部材１３の移動範囲は、ギヤ部材１６をより長く取らなければ広く出来ないため、第２収納室３４の長さを増加させることでケース１４、即ちレベリングアクチュエータ機構３の長さが長くなってしまう。本実施例においては、雄ねじ部２３が仕切壁３５に挿通されることで、ギヤ部材１６を短く形成できるため、レベリングアクチュエータ機構３の長さが短くなる。その結果、本実施例の車両用灯具１においては、レベリングアクチュエータ機構の設置スペースの奥行きが狭いような車両にも搭載することが出来る。 Further, the insertion hole 36 of the partition wall 35 allows not only the rear end thin shaft portion 21 of the shaft 12 but also the male screw portion 23 provided at the distal end portion 24 of the holding member 13 to be inserted, and compresses the male screw portion 23. It is possible to advance and retract to the inside of the coil spring 17. When the male screw portion 23 is not inserted into the insertion hole 36 and the holding member 13 is advanced and retracted only in the second storage chamber 34, the movement range of the holding member 13 cannot be widened unless the gear member 16 is taken longer. Increasing the length of the second storage chamber 34 increases the length of the case 14, that is, the leveling actuator mechanism 3. In the present embodiment, since the male screw portion 23 is inserted through the partition wall 35, the gear member 16 can be formed short, and thus the length of the leveling actuator mechanism 3 is shortened. As a result, the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present embodiment can be mounted on a vehicle having a narrow installation space for the leveling actuator mechanism.

２ランプユニット
３レベリングアクチュエータ機構
１２シャフト
１３保持部材
１４ケース
１５ワイヤーケーブル
１６ギヤ部材
１７圧縮コイルバネ（付勢手段）
２０ａシャフト太軸部の後面（コイルバネ挟持部）
２３雄ねじ部
３５仕切壁
３５ａ仕切壁表面
３６挿通孔
３８エイミング調整部材
４２第２ギヤ部材
４３工具操作部
Ｘ１光軸
Ｄ２シャフトの進退方向 2 lamp unit 3 leveling actuator mechanism 12 shaft 13 holding member 14 case 15 wire cable 16 gear member 17 compression coil spring (biasing means)
20a Rear face of shaft thick shaft part (coil spring clamping part)
23 Male thread part 35 Partition wall 35a Partition wall surface 36 Insertion hole 38 Aiming adjustment member 42 Second gear member 43 Tool operation part X1 Optical axis D2 Shaft advance / retreat direction

Claims

A lamp unit that can be tilted around a horizontal tilt axis on the vehicle body side;
A shaft that is connected to the lamp unit and that is held so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a case fixed to the vehicle body side, and is connected to the shaft and is given a tensile force so that one moving force along the axis A wire cable to be applied to the shaft, and an urging means to apply an urging force in a direction opposite to the moving force to the shaft, and the shaft is advanced and retracted by adjusting a tensile force of the wire cable, A leveling actuator mechanism that adjusts the inclination of the optical axis of the lamp unit by tilting the lamp unit in conjunction with an advancing and retreating operation;
In a vehicle lamp having
In the leveling actuator mechanism,
A holding member that is held by the case so as to be able to move forward and backward and holds the shaft so as to be able to move forward and backward, and a gear member that is screwed to a male screw formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the holding member. And a gear mechanism for integrally moving the shaft and the holding member forward and backward with respect to the case.

The gear mechanism is provided on the inner side of the case, and partitions the inner region of the case into two in the advancing and retreating direction of the shaft;
An insertion hole provided in the partition wall for allowing the shaft to pass therethrough, and
The holding member disposed on the back side of the partition wall;
A coil spring clamping portion provided as a stepped surface facing the surface of the partition wall;
A gear member that is disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft and is sandwiched between the surface of the partition wall and the coil spring clamping portion and is screwed to the male screw portion on the back surface side of the partition wall is biased to the back surface of the partition wall A compression coil spring which is the biasing means
An aiming adjusting member that has a second gear member that meshes with the gear member and a tool operation unit, and that rotates the gear member by rotation of a tool that is in contact with the tool operation unit. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein the holding member is provided such that a male screw portion is inserted into the insertion hole and is capable of moving forward and backward from the back surface side of the partition wall to the inside of the compression coil spring.