JPS61229628A - Device for adjusting optical axis of vehicle head lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure a smooth tilting motion of a tilt member (reflector) which is tiltable about a fulcrum, by connecting the tilt member with a shift member for tilting the former through the intermediary of a receiver which are supported to the tilt member and is slidably guided, suitably. CONSTITUTION:A reflector 5 is disposed, tiltably in the longitudinal direction about a fulcrum in its upper section, in the space or lamp chamber 4 defined between a lamp body 2 and a lens 3 covering the front opening of the lamp body 2. In the above-mentioned arrangement, the lower section of rear surface of the reflector 5 is secured thereon with a bracket 9 composed of a rearward extending leg part 10 and a vertical support piece 11 which is therein formed with a vertically elongated engaging cutout 12 that is engaged with engaging grooves 8 formed in both side surfaces of a substantially rectangular block-like receiver 6, and therefore, the receiver 6 may be slidably guided along the support piece 11. Further, an adjusting screw 52 as a shift member driven by a motor is threadedly engaged with the receiver 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be explained in detail according to the following items.

A. Industrial application field Summary of B0 invention C9 prior art [Figure 13] D9 Problems that the invention attempts to solve Means to solve the E1 problem F. Example F-1, first embodiment [Figures 1 to 10] a. Automobile headlights [Fig. 1, 10 Figure 1 b. Receptor and its support [Fig. Figures 8 to 10] C, Housing connection part [Fig. 1 d.Tilt adjustment mechanism d-1, Housing [Figure 1 ~Figure 7 1 d-2, worm wheel [Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 4 d-3, screw moving means [Figure 1, Figure 2, Figures 4 to 7] d-4, drive unit [Fig. 1 to Figure 4] d-5, Asia Stings Creu [Fig. 1, Figure 2, Figure 4 to Figure 10] d-6, screw rotation means [Figures 1 to 3 Figure, Figure 5] e. Initial adjustment f, Detection of inclination angle [Fig. 2 to Figure 4] F-2, second embodiment [Figures 11 and 12] Effect of G0 invention (A. Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a novel optical axis adjustment loading for a vehicle headlamp.

Specifically, the vehicle includes a tilting member that changes the irradiation optical axis by being tilted, a moving member whose tip end is connected to the tilting member and is moved relative to the vehicle body, and a drive unit that drives the moving member. In an optical axis adjustment device for a headlamp, the connection point between the tilting member and the movable member absorbs the deviation between the axis trace that moves according to the tilting of the tilting member and the movement locus of the movable member, so that the tilting member can move smoothly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp that allows a tilting operation.

(B. Summary of the Invention) The optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention connects a tilting member and a moving member via a receiver supported by the tilting member, and the receiver is connected to the tilting member. The tilting member can move in a direction that corrects the discrepancy between the movement of the tilting member and the movement of the movable member along with the tilting operation, thereby enabling smooth tilting operation of the tilting member.

(C, Prior Art) [Figure 13] A tilting member that changes the irradiation optical axis by being tilted, a movable member whose tip end is connected to the tilting member, and which is moved relative to the vehicle body; There is an optical axis adjusting device for a vehicle headlamp which is shown in FIG. 13 and is composed of a driving section.

Reference numeral a denotes a lamp body made of synthetic resin, which has an opening at the front, and the front opening is covered by a lens b. A metal reflecting mirror C is supported in a space formed by a lamp body a and a lens b so as to be able to adjust its angle. Although not shown, a light bulb is attached to this reflecting mirror C.

This FIG. 13 shows the lower part of the vehicle headlamp device, and in other parts as well, the reflector C and the lamp body a are connected by appropriate means.

d is an operating shaft whose tip is inserted into the lamp body through an insertion hole e formed in the rear wall of the lamp body a. f is a spherical body formed at the tip of the operating shaft d, which is fitted into a spherical recess formed in a synthetic resin receiver g attached to the reflecting mirror C; The lower end portion and the tip of the operating shaft d are rotatably connected.

A worm wheel i is rotatably supported by a lamp body a, and is meshed with a worm t fixed to an output shaft k of a motor j, which is also fixedly supported by the lamp body a. A chain hole m is formed in the worm wheel i, passing through the worm wheel i in the axial direction.

n is an intermediate support, a chain hole 0 is formed through its axial center, the front half p of its outer peripheral surface is non-circular, and the rear half has a cap q. . The cap part q formed on the rear half of the intermediate support n is screwed into the chain hole m of the worm wheel i, and the non-circular part p on the front half of the intermediate support n is formed on the lamp body a. It is slidably engaged with the non-circular hole r. Further, a cap portion S formed at the intermediate portion of the operating shaft d is screwed into a chain hole 0 passing through the axial center portion of the intermediate support n.

t is an annular sealing member, the outer end of which is connected to the lamp body a
The inner edge is in sliding contact with the operating shaft d.

In the vehicle headlamp device shown in FIG. 13, when the operation @d is rotated, the operation shaft d is screwed into the intermediate support n or, depending on the direction of rotation, or It is now twisted back, and the operating shaft d moves in its axial direction relative to the lamp body a. Therefore, the connection point between the tip of the operating shaft d and the reflecting mirror C moves back and forth, and the reflecting mirror C rotates about another connection point (not shown) with respect to the lamp body a.

Further, when the motor j is rotated by remote control, the worm wheel i is rotated via the worm t.

Then, the outer periphery of the front half p of the intermediate support n is non-circular and is slidably engaged with the non-circular hole r formed in the lamp body a, thereby preventing rotation. Depending on the direction of rotation of the worm wheel i, the intermediate support n is moved forward or backward. Therefore, this intermediate support n
The operating shaft d supported by the intermediate support member n is moved forward or backward, and the reflecting mirror C is tilted.

(D. Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, in the above-mentioned optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp, when tilting the reflector C, which is a tilting member, the operating axis d, which is a moving member, is indicated by a solid line arrow. It moves linearly in the direction shown, but at the connection point between the reflecting mirror C and the operating shaft d, that is, the fitting between the spherical recess of the receiver g supported by the reflecting mirror C and the sphere f of the operating shaft d. The joint moves in an arc as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow.

Therefore, the connecting point between the reflecting mirror C and the operating shaft d has two different
A force moving in the direction is applied, and this causes unreasonable stress to be applied between the reflector C, the operating shaft d, and related members, which impedes the smooth tilting movement of the reflector C. This also affects the lifespan of the reflecting mirror C, the operating shaft d, and members related thereto.

Therefore, in the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the connection point between the tilting member and the movable member absorbs the deviation between the locus of movement of the tilting member and the moving direction of the movable member. This is intended to enable a smooth tilting operation of the tilting member.

(E. Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the optical axis adjusting device for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention moves the receiver in the direction of movement of the movable member with respect to the tilting member. It is supported so as to be slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the receiving body and substantially along a line connecting the receiving body and the pivot point of the tilting member. When a shift occurs in the trajectory of movement between the support point and the support point for the tilting member, the receiver always stays on the trajectory of the movement of the movable member to absorb the shift, thereby ensuring smooth tilting motion of the tilting member. In addition, it is possible to prevent excessive stress from being applied to the tilting member, the moving member, and members related thereto.

(F. Embodiment) Details of the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described below according to an illustrated embodiment.

(F-1, First Embodiment) [Figures 1 to 10] Figures 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. be.

1 in the figure is an optical axis adjustment device for an automobile headlamp to which the present invention is applied.

(a, Automobile headlamp) [Figure 1, Figure 1O] 2 is a lamp body made of synthetic resin, and the front side is open.
The front opening is covered with a lens 3. A reflecting mirror 5 is disposed within the space formed by the lamp body 2 and the lens 3, that is, within the lamp chamber 4.

The reflecting mirror 5 is tiltably supported relative to the lamp body 2. That is, although only the lower parts of the lamp body 2 and the reflecting mirror 5 are shown in the drawings, two points on the upper part of the reflecting mirror 5 that are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction are the lamp body 2.
The lamp body 2 is supported by the lamp body 2, and one of these two points is, for example, a rotation fulcrum supported by the lamp body 2 via a rotation connection means configured in the shape of a ball joint. . Further, the other point of the above two points is, for example, connected to the tip of an adjustment shaft screwed into the lamp body 2 so as to be rotatable, and the lamp body 2 This is an adjustment section that adjusts the distance between the two.

Therefore, since the adjusting portion of the reflecting mirror 5 is moved in the front-rear direction by rotating the adjusting shaft, the inclination of the reflecting mirror 5 is adjusted using the rotational fulcrum as the rotational fulcrum.

Incidentally, such inclination adjustment of the reflecting mirror 5 can also be performed by an adjustment mechanism, which will be described later, which is another adjustment section provided in relation to a point of the reflecting mirror 5 that is spaced downward from the rotation fulcrum. It is supposed to be done.

Although not shown, a light source is placed at the focal point of the reflecting mirror 5, and the lens 3 is formed with a predetermined lens element.

(b. Receiver and its support) [Fig. 1, Fig. 8 to Fig. 10] 6 is a synthetic resin receiver, which is formed into a substantially rectangular block shape, with its center extending in the front-rear direction. A screw hole 7 is formed. Furthermore, engagement grooves 8.8 are formed on opposite sides of the receiver 6, and the width of the engagement grooves 8.8 is narrow at the center and wide at both ends. ing.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a bracket I fixed to the reflecting mirror, in which a leg 10 extending rearward and a supporting piece 11 bent at a substantially right angle from the tip of the leg 10 are integrally formed. An engagement notch 12 that is long in the vertical direction is formed in the holder.

An engagement notch 1 is formed in the support piece 11 of the bracket 9 in an engagement groove 8.8 formed on the side surface of the receiver 6.
Both side edges of the bracket 2 are engaged with each other, thereby supporting the receiver 6 in a slidable manner along the direction in which the engagement notch 12 formed in the bracket 9 extends.

(c, Housing connecting portion) [Fig. 1] Reference numeral 13 denotes a housing connecting portion integrally formed so as to protrude rearward from the lower end of the rear surface of the lamp body 2, and this housing connecting portion 13 includes: lamp body 2
This is for integrally connecting the housing of the adjustment mechanism and the housing of the adjustment mechanism described later.

The housing connecting portion 13 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape that is short in the axial direction, and has a fitting hole 14 formed at its rear end and an annular groove located around the fitting hole 14 on its rear surface. 15 is formed.

(d, tilt adjustment mechanism) (d-1, housing) [Figures 1 to 7] 16 is 2
The housing is splittable.

That is, 17 is a housing half on the front side of the housing 16, and the front housing half 17 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the rear, and has a base portion 18 having a certain depth, and the base portion. The connecting portion 19 is integrally formed so as to protrude forward from the lower end of the front surface of the base portion 18 , and the connecting portion 19 communicates with the space of the base portion 18 . The connecting portion 19 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape that is short in the axial direction and has a circular opening 20 at its front end.
The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 21 is as shown in FIG.
It is said to be approximately regular hexagonal. Furthermore, engaging protrusions 22, 22, 22 are formed to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the front end portion of the connecting portion 19 at positions spaced apart by approximately 1200 mm. 23 is base 1
This is an annular support protrusion that protrudes rearward from a portion of the lower end of the front inner surface of the front side that is continuous with the connecting portion 19 so as to be coaxial with the connecting portion 19 .

Further, 24 is a rear housing half of the housing 16, and the rear housing half 24 has approximately the same size as the base 18 of the front housing half 17 when viewed from the rear. A base 25 having a certain depth; and a substantially annular protrusion 26 that is integrally formed so as to protrude rearward from the lower end of the rear surface of the base 25, and whose space is continuous with the space of the base 25. Consists of. A closing piece 27 is integrally formed approximately at the center of the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 26 in the axial direction, and a circular opening 28 having a relatively large diameter is formed at the center of the closing piece 27. has been done.

Thus, the front housing half 17 and the rear housing half 24 formed in this manner have the opening edges of their respective bases 18 and 25 butted against each other,
They are connected in one piece by screws 29, 29, . . . . As a result, the housing 16 having a predetermined internal space 16a is formed, and the insertion hole 21 and opening 20 of the connecting portion 19 of the front housing half 17 are formed.
, the support ridge 23 formed on the base 18 of the front housing half 17, and the protrusion 26 and opening 28 of the rear housing half 24 are all arranged coaxially.

The housing 6 is connected to the connecting portion 19 of the housing half 17 on the front side or the housing connecting portion 13 of the lamp body 2, so that the lamp body 2
are integrally connected.

That is, the connecting portion 19 on the housing 16 side is connected to the lamp body 2.
The engaging protrusions 22, 22, 22 formed on the connecting part 19 on the housing 16 side are fitted into the fitting hole 14 of the housing connecting part 13 on the side of the lamp body 2 almost all together It is engaged with the opening edge of the fitting hole 14 of No. 13 from inside the lamp body 2. Thereby, the housing 16 and the lamp body 2 are integrally connected, and the lamp chamber 4 of the lamp body 2 and the internal space 16a of the housing 16 are connected to each other.

The engagement of the engagement protrusions 22, 22.22 is performed through a notch (not shown) formed in the fitting hole 14 of the housing connection portion 13 of the lamp body 2.

A sealing O-ring 30 is disposed in the annular groove 15 formed on the rear end surface of the housing connecting portion 13 of the lamp body 2, and the O-ring 30 is used to ensure that the lamp body 2 and the housing 16 are connected as described above. When integrally connected to the lamp body, the O-ring 30 is pressed from the front and back between the groove 15 and the front surface of the housing 16, that is, the front surface of the base 18 of the front housing half 17. The rear end surface of the housing connecting portion 13 of No. 2 and the housing 16
It is installed in close contact with the front surface of the

As a result, the portion where the lamp body 2 and the housing 16 are fitted together is surrounded by the O-ring 30 provided as described above, so that the fitting portion is made waterproof.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a rear support body disposed at a position a certain distance rearward from the support protrusion 23 at the lower end of the interior of the housing 16, and has a substantially cylindrical shape, with a front end projecting outward. A flange 32 is integrally formed.

In the rear support body 31, the housing halves 17 and 24 on both the front and rear sides are integrally connected, and a part of the outer periphery of the flange 32 is sandwiched between the joints of the housing halves 17 and 24 on both the front and rear sides. It is thus held in place within the housing 16. and,
As shown in FIG. 4, the flange 32 of the rear support body 31 is formed in an abbreviated shape when viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 4, the openings 33 and 34 at both front and rear ends of the rear support body 31 have a substantially regular hexagonal shape when viewed from the front and back direction. still,
The portions of the inner peripheral surfaces of these openings 33 and 34, which form one side of the hexagon, are cut out toward the outside by cut portions 33a and 3.
It is considered to be 4a. Further, a notch 35 is formed in approximately one-third of the outer circumferential portion of the rear support body 31 located on the left side, and a support piece 36 is formed from the lower end of the outer circumferential portion.
is integrally formed so as to protrude toward the left side.

Incidentally, on the front surface of the flange 32, four large-diameter circular portions 37 are formed at a substantially L-shaped bent portion.

(d-2, worm wheel) [Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 4
Figure] 38 is a worm wheel. The worm wheel 3
Reference numeral 8 has a substantially cylindrical base portion 39 and a substantially flange-shaped gear portion 40 formed near the rear end of the base portion 39, which are integrally formed, and gear teeth are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the gear portion 40. is formed.

The front half of the hole 41 in the base 39 is a chain hole 41a.

Thus, the worm wheel 38 is rotatably fitted into the supporting protrusion 23 formed integrally with the front housing half 17 through a portion of the base portion 39 that protrudes forward from the gear portion 40, and , a portion of the base 39 that protrudes rearward from the gear portion 40 is the rear support 31
The base gl of the gear part 40 is arranged so as to be rotatable within the four parts 37 formed on the front surface of the flange 32.
139 is positioned so as to be slidably sandwiched between the rear end surface of the support protrusion 23 and the front surface of the flange 32 of the rear support member 31, so that it can be held at a predetermined position within the housing 16. It is rotatably supported.

(d-3, Screw moving means) [Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 1 42 rotatably supports an adjusting screw to be described later, and the worm wheel 38 is rotated. This is a screw mover that is moved in the axial direction integrally with the adjusting screw.

The screw mover 42 has a helical shaft portion 43 at the middle portion in the axial direction, a front portion 44 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and
The rear portion 45 is formed into a substantially hexagonal column shape, and the helical shaft portion 43
A first flange 46 having a substantially regular hexagonal outer periphery is formed between the front portion 44 and the front portion 44 . and,
A screw insertion hole 4 is provided in the axial center of the screw mover 42.
7 is formed and one of the six faces of the rear part 45
A rack 48 is formed therein. Thus, the screw mover 42 has a part of the rack 48 formed in the rear part 45 located in the notches 33a, 34a formed in the openings 33, 34 of the rear support 31, and the screw shaft portion 4
3 is screwed into the chain hole 41a of the worm wheel 38, the front end of the front part 44 is inserted into the opening 20 of the connecting part 19 of the housing 16, and the rear part 45 is inserted into the rear support 31.
is inserted through the openings 33, 34 of. The anti-rotation flange 46 of the screw mover 42 is connected to the housing 1.
It is located within the insertion hole 21 of the connecting portion 19 of No. 6.

Therefore, the screw mover 42 has a substantially hexagonal outer periphery and its rotation preventing flange 46 is attached to the housing 16.
is located in the insertion hole 21 having a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and the rear portion 45 having a substantially hexagonal column shape is located in the opening 33. in which the inner circumferential surface of the rear support 31 has a substantially hexagonal shape. 34
By being inserted into the housing 16,
It is supported so that it can move freely in the axial direction in a state where it has been rotated 11 degrees.

(d-4, drive unit) [Figures 1 to 4] Reference numeral 49 is a motor provided in a position closer to the right side of the space of the housing 16, and its output shaft 50 is engaged with the worm wheel 38. A worm 51 is fixed.

Thus, when the motor 49 is rotated, the worm wheel 38 is rotated. Since the worm wheel 38 itself cannot be moved in the front-back direction, the screw mover 42 that is threaded into the chain hole 41a of the worm wheel 38 is moved forward or backward depending on the direction of rotation of the worm wheel 38. It will be done.

(d-5, Adjusting Screw) [FIGS. 1, 2, 4 to 10, 52 is an adjusting screw. The adjusting screw 52 is formed into a substantially axial shape, and
The middle part 53 is formed into a round bar shape, and the front part is a spiral part 54.
Further, the rear end portion 55 is formed into a substantially hexagonal column shape. An annular groove 56 is formed in a portion of the adjusting screw 52 between the intermediate portion 53 and the helical shaft portion 54, and a flange-shaped stopper 57 is formed in the portion between the intermediate portion 53 and the rear end portion 55. are integrally formed.

Thus, the adjusting screw 52 is inserted such that its intermediate portion 53 is rotatably inserted into the screw insertion hole 47 of the screw mover 42, and its stopper 57 is in contact with the rear end surface of the screw mover 42. In this state, an E-ring 58 for preventing removal is engaged with a groove 56 located along the front opening of the screw insertion hole 47 of the screw mover 42.

Note that a wave washer 59 is arranged between the E-ring 58 and the front end surface of the screw mover 42.

The helical shaft portion 54 of the adjusting screw 52 is screwed into the screw hole 7 of the receiver 6 provided in the reflecting mirror 5.

Thus, the adjusting screw 52 is held in the screw mover 42 in a state where it is prevented from being removed from the screw mover 42 by the stopper 57, the E-ring 58, and the wave washer 59.

Therefore, when the screw mover 42 is moved in the front-rear direction as described above, the adjusting screw 5
2 is also moved in the front-back direction integrally with it. When the screw mover 42 is moved in the front-back direction, the lower end of the reflecting mirror 5 is moved in the front-back direction, so that the inclination of the reflecting mirror 5 is adjusted.

The rear end 55 of the adjusting screw 52 is located in the opening 28 formed in the protrusion 26 of the rear housing half 24, and is positioned such that its rear end protrudes rearward from the protrusion 26. ing.

(d-6, screw rotation means) [Figures 1 to 3,
FIG. 5] Reference numeral 60 denotes a sub-housing provided at the lower end of the rear surface of the housing 16, and the sub-housing 60 is provided with an operating mechanism for rotating the adjusting screw 52.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a base of the sub-housing 60, and the base 61 is opened toward the rear, and a coupling flange 62 is integrally formed along the edge of the opening.
A circular opening 63 is formed in the front plate portion 61a. Further, 64 is a lid portion of the sub-housing 60, and the outer circumferential shape of the lid portion 64 is approximately the same as the outer peripheral shape of the flange 62 of the base portion 61, and the center portion thereof protrudes rearward in a substantially dome shape. has been done. Thus, in a state where the lid part 64 is overlapped so as to close the opening of the base part 61,
The outer periphery of the lid 64 and the flange 62 of the base 61 are connected with the screw 6.
5.65.65 are fixed to each other, thereby
The base portion 61 and the lid portion 64 are integrally coupled.

66 is an operating axis. The operating shaft 66 is formed in a substantially I-shape, and a bevel gear 67 is fixed to the tip thereof (see FIG. 5). 68 is a fitting protrusion formed on one end surface of the bevel gear 67.

The operating shaft 66 has a substantially intermediate portion in its axial direction.
It is rotatably supported in an operation shaft insertion hole 69 formed on one side of the sub-housing 60, and a fitting protrusion 68 of the bevel gear 67 is formed on the other side of the sub-housing 60 so as to protrude outward. It is rotatably fitted into the fitting portion 70 .

71 is a screw rotor. Reference numeral 72 denotes a shaft portion of the screw rotor 71. The shaft portion 72 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape with a closed rear end, and the cross-sectional shape of the hole 73 is substantially regular hexagonal. Reference numeral 74 denotes a substantially bevel gear-shaped meshing portion that is integrally formed on the rear half of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 72 .

Thus, the shaft 72 of the screw rotor 71 is inserted from the inside of the sub-housing 60 into the opening 63 formed in the front plate part 61a of the base 61 of the sub-housing 60, and the engaging part 74 is inserted into the front surface of the sub-housing 60. is subhousing 6
The bevel gear 67 is meshed with the bevel gear 67 fixed to the operating shaft 66 while being positioned so as to be substantially in contact with the front plate portion 61a of No. 0.

Note that the operating shaft 66 and the screw rotor 71 are
The bevel gear 67 fixed to the screw rotor 71 and the bevel gear-shaped meshing portion 74 of the screw rotor 71 mesh with each other, so that they are each held at the above-described positions.

Thus, the rear end portion 55 of the adjusting screw 52 is inserted into the hole 73 of the shaft 72 of the screw rotor 71 provided in the sub-housing 60, and the front plate portion 61a of the sub-housing 60 and the housing 16
A waterproof sealing member 75 is disposed between the housing 16 and the closing piece 27, and is fixed to the rear surface of the housing 16 by a fixing means (not shown).

The sealing member 75 described above is formed of a material having rubber elasticity and has a substantially ring shape.
The shaft portion 72 of the housing 16 is provided externally on a portion of the shaft portion 72 that protrudes from the opening 63 of the sub-housing 60, and is fitted internally on a portion of the protrusion portion 26 of the housing 16 that is rearward from the closing piece 27. It is located. When the sub-housing 60 is attached to the housing 16, the sealing member 75 is pressed from the front and back by the front surface of the sub-housing 60 and the closing piece 27. and the shaft portion 72 of the screw rotor 71.

Therefore, the opening 28 on the rear side of the housing 16 is sealed by the sealing member 75.

Thus, the rear end of the adjusting screw 52, that is, the portion formed in the shape of a substantially hexagonal column, slides into the hole 73 of the shaft portion 72 of the screw rotor 71, that is, the hole whose cross-sectional shape is a regular hexagon. By being freely fitted into the inside, it is fitted into the screw rotor 71 so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and is engaged so as to be rotated integrally with the screw rotor 71.

(e. Initial Adjustment) Therefore, the initial tilt adjustment of the reflector 5, which is a tilting member that changes the irradiation direction of the headlight, is performed using the operation shaft 6.
This is done by rotating 6.

That is, when the operating shaft 66 is rotated, the rotational force is applied to the bevel gear 6.
7 to the screw rotor 71, the screw rotor 71 is rotated in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the operating shaft 66, and the adjusting screw 52 is rotated integrally with the screw rotor 71. That will happen. As described above, since the adjusting screw 52 is held by the screw mover 42 so that it cannot move in the axial direction, the rotating direction of the adjusting screw 52 is the same as that supported by the reflecting mirror 5. When it is in the direction of being screwed into the receiving body 6, the receiving body 6 is moved rearward along the helical shaft portion 54 of the adjusting screw 52.

As a result, the lower end of the reflector 5 is displaced rearward, so
The reflecting mirror 5 will be tilted further downward. Also,
When the rotating direction of the adjusting screw 52 is the direction in which the adjusting screw 52 is twisted back with respect to the receiving body 6, the receiving body 6 is moved forward along the helical shaft portion 54 of the adjusting screw 52. As a result, the lower end of the reflecting mirror 5 is displaced forward, so that the reflecting mirror 5 is tilted further upward.

When adjusting the inclination of the reflector 5 by remote control, as described above, the motor 49 is rotated to move the screw mover 42 along with the adjusting screw 52 in the axial direction.
That is, even if the adjusting screw 52 is moved in the front-back direction, the rear end 55 thereof is only moved in sliding contact with the screw rotor 71 in the axial direction. Therefore, the screw rotor 71 is not moved in the axial direction.

Therefore, the screw rotor 71 is in contact with the seal member 75 in a state where it only rotates.

Although the rotation locus of the reflecting mirror 5 during the above-mentioned tilting operation of the reflecting mirror 5 is in a direction shifted from the axial direction of the adjusting screw 52, the reflecting mirror 5 and the adjusting screw 52 are connected. The receiver 6 is a bracket 9
along the engagement notch 12, that is, approximately perpendicular to the axial direction (movement direction) of the adjusting screw 52, and connects the point where the receiver 6 is unsupported and the rotation fulcrum of the reflecting mirror 5. Since it can slide in the direction along the line, the receiver 6 can always be on the axial direction of the adjusting screw 52. Therefore, during the tilting operation of the reflecting mirror 5, no excessive force is applied to the connection between the reflecting mirror 5 and the adjusting screw 52 or other parts.
The reflecting mirror 5 can be tilted smoothly.

Furthermore, the width of the retaining groove 8.8 formed on the side surface of the receiver 6 is narrow at the center and wide at both ends, so that the width of the retaining groove 8.8 is narrower at the center and wider at both ends. Even if the attitude of the reflector 5 changes, the receiver 6 maintains an attitude in which its threaded hole 7 extends in a direction that coincides with the axial direction of the adjusting screw 52. This also allows the adjusting screw 52 and This prevents excessive force from being applied to the receiver 6 and the like.

(F, Detection of inclination angle) [Figures 2 to 4] Reference numeral 76 is a potentiometer, and the potentiometer 76 is fixed to the upper part of the rear surface of the flange 32 of the rear support 31 provided in the housing 16. The tip of a detection shaft 78 protruding downward from the main body 77 is rotatably supported by a support piece 36 formed on the rear support 31. A pinion gear 79 is fixed to the detection shaft 78, and the pinion gear 79 is connected to the fourth
As shown in the figure, a portion thereof is located in a notch 35 formed in the rear support 31, and the screw mover 4
It is engaged with the rack 48 formed on the rear part 45 of 2. Therefore, when the screw mover 42 is moved in the front-back direction, the rack 48 causes the pinion gear 79 to rotate, so that the detection shaft 78 is rotated. As a result, the amount of rotation of the detection shaft 78 is detected by the potentiometer 7G, and from the detected amount of rotation, a decoder (not shown) detects the amount of movement of the screw mover 42, that is, the amount of tilting of the reflecting mirror 5. This allows the amount of rotation of the motor 49 to be controlled by remote control from the driver's seat, for example.

(F-2, Second Embodiment) [Figures 11 and 12] Figures 11 and 12 show a second embodiment IA of the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention. It is.

This second embodiment IA is different from the first embodiment in terms of the adjusting screw, the screw slider, and the receiver, and the other parts are the same as in the first embodiment 1. Only the different parts will be explained in detail, and the other parts will be given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the explanation will be omitted.

The receiver 80 is formed of synthetic resin into a substantially rectangular block shape,
Four spherical portions 81 are formed that are open toward the rear surface.

Furthermore, engagement grooves 82 and 82 are formed on two opposite sides of the receiver 80, the grooves being narrow at the center and wide at both ends.

Therefore, such a receiver 80 has its engagement groove 82.8.
2 is slidably engaged with an engagement notch 12 formed in a support piece 11 of the bracket 9 fixed to the reflecting mirror 5, thereby being supported by the bracket 9.

The adjusting screw 52A has a helical shaft portion 83 at its middle portion, and a spherical body 84 at its tip. The adjusting screw 52A has a screw shaft portion 83 screwed into a screw hole 85 formed through the center of the screw mover 42A, and a spherical body 84 at the tip of the adjusting screw 52A is screwed into the receiving body 80. It is fitted into the formed four spherical parts 81.

Therefore, when the operating shaft 66 is rotated and the adjusting screw 52A is rotated, the adjusting screw 52A moves forward or backward relative to the stopped screw mover 42A depending on the direction of rotation, and this causes a reflection. The mirror 5 is tilted. Also, the worm wheel 38 rotates and the screw mover 42A
When the adjusting screw 52A moves in the front-rear direction, the adjusting screw 52A also moves in the front-rear direction.
The reflecting mirror 5 is tilted.

Also in this second embodiment IA, since the receiver 80 moves along the engagement notch 12 formed in the support piece 11 of the bracket 9, the receiver 80 and No unreasonable force is applied to the adjusting screw 52A, etc., and smooth tilting operation of the reflecting mirror 5 can be expected.

(G. Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, the optical axis adjusting device for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention has a tilting member that changes the irradiation optical axis by being tilted, and a tip portion that is tilted to change the irradiation optical axis. In an optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp, the tilting member and the movable member are configured to be a tilting member in an optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp, which includes a movable member that is connected to a member and is moved relative to the vehicle body, and a drive unit that drives the movable member. A line that is connected to the tilting member via a supported receiver, is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving member, and connects the receiver and the pivot point of the tilting member. It is characterized in that it is supported so as to be slidable in a direction substantially along the .

As described above, the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention is arranged such that the receiver is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving member relative to the tilting member, and the receiver and the moving member are rotated. It is supported so that it can slide in a direction approximately along the line connecting it to the moving fulcrum, and as a result, when a shift occurs in the movement trajectory of the moving member and the support point of the receiver to the tilting member. , the receiver is always on the movement trajectory of the movable member to absorb the deviation, thereby ensuring smooth tilting movement of the tilting member, and preventing stress on the tilting member, the movable member, and related members. It is possible to prevent stress from being applied.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall longitudinal sectional side view, and FIG. - A cross-sectional view along line II,
3 is a rear view, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the TV-TV line in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the V-V line in FIG.
The figure is a sectional view taken along the VI-VI line in Figure 1, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the VI-VI line in Figure 1.
8 is a perspective view of the main part, Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the main part, Fig. 10 is a partially cutaway side view of the main part showing the operation, and 11 Figures 1 and 12 show a second embodiment of the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal side view, Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts, Figure 1
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view showing an example of a conventional optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp. Explanation of symbols 1, IA... Optical axis adjustment device for vehicle headlights, 5...
Tilting part benefit 6.80/ΦΦ receptor, 52.52A... moving member, 38.42.42A, 49.51... drive part

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A tilting member that changes an irradiation optical axis by being tilted, a moving member whose tip end is connected to the tilting member and is moved relative to the vehicle body, and a drive unit that drives the moving member. In the optical axis adjustment device for a vehicle headlamp, the tilting member and the movable member are connected via a receiver supported by the tilting member, and the receiver is aligned in the moving direction of the movable member with respect to the tilting member. A headlamp for a vehicle, characterized in that the headlamp is supported so as to be slidable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction and substantially along a line connecting a receiver and a rotational fulcrum of a tilting member. axis adjustment device