FR3115744A1 - MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE LIGHT AIMING ADJUSTER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fixing assembly for a sighting adjustment device adapted to be mounted on a housing, for adjusting a sighting adjustment device of a vehicle light, the fixing assembly comprises a bolt having a threaded part and a nut element comprising an insert having a through passage and a metal connector to be assembled on the insert. The metallic connector includes at least one tooth adapted to engage in a vehicle lamp housing, and at least one internal finger structure adapted to engage in the threaded part of the bolt. The metal connector engages with the housing. (Fig.2)

Description

MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE LIGHT AIMING ADJUSTER

The present invention relates to a fixing assembly for the adjustment of a sight adjustment device for a vehicle headlight and more particularly to a fixing assembly for a sight adjustment device allowing a high precision adjustment for a headlight of motor vehicle.

STATE OF THE ART

Lighting devices are used in automobiles and the like, to illuminate the path ahead. These lighting devices must be correctly oriented to provide adequate illumination to the driver of the automobile in various driving conditions and, at the same time, avoid dazzling vehicles coming from opposite directions. Currently, the optical modules of the lighting devices are assembled to a housing of the lighting device by means of connection points, and the optical module is movable relative to the housing to correct the orientation. The housing is generally made of plastic, for example thermoplastic polycarbonate.

Usually, to adjust the optical axis of the optical modules, lighting devices, optical axis adjustment devices are provided. Depending on the level of performance required and sometimes due to cost, different types of optical axis adjusters are provided. We can classify them into two categories: non-precision adjusters and precision adjusters. Non-precision adjusters consist of a screw having a ball joint, a thread and an O-ring seal. They are screwed directly onto the headlight housing. This solution makes it possible to obtain a sufficient level of adjustment for halogen lighting systems and not for LED-based lighting systems. In the case of precision adjustment, the increase in precision is obtained by reducing the thread pitch of the adjuster. This decreases the axial force the system can withstand because there is less material engaged between two thread profiles. To solve the problem in the traditional way, an intermediate metal nut is added. In addition, a plastic ring must be embedded in the nut to keep the aiming torque stable. It is therefore necessary to have an optical axis adjuster, having greater adjustment precision and capable of withstanding greater axial force. In addition, the adjuster must keep the rotational torque stable, in order to maintain the position of the screw even under the effect of automotive vibrations and thermal environments. This type of precision adjuster is generally expensive and complex to produce and assemble.

The prior art and the usual methods have various drawbacks, as described above, and it is necessary to develop a sight adjustment device capable of performing fine adjustment of the sight adjustment device for a projector in order to to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a fixing assembly for adjusting a sight adjustment device of a vehicle light, which eliminates the drawbacks mentioned above. More particularly, the present invention provides a sight adjustment device adapted to be mounted on a housing and allowing precise adjustment of the sight adjustment device.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixing assembly is adapted to be mounted on a housing, for adjusting a sight adjustment device of a vehicle light, the fixing assembly comprising a bolt having a portion threaded; and a nut member comprising an insert having a passage therethrough and a metallic connector to be assembled on the insert, in which the metallic connector engages with the casing and the bolt. The mounting assembly of the present invention is easier to assemble and does not require complicated tools for mounting on the lamp housing of the vehicle. Additionally, because the metal connector engages both the housing and the bolt, the fastener assembly is able to withstand high axial force in the thermal and vibration environments of vehicles. Furthermore, the fixing assembly is compact and less expensive to manufacture because it only relies on a single metal part.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector is obtained from a sheet of metal. Using sheet metal to fabricate the metal connector reduces overall cost and makes fabrication easier. In addition, the metal connector made of sheet metal can be compact and can provide relative flexibility during assembly. Further, when the metal connector is made from sheet metal, it withstands high axial force in automotive thermal and vibration environments.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector comprises at least one tooth intended to engage in a housing of the lamp of the vehicle. The at least one tooth may be configured to engage with the housing to lock the metal connector with the housing and prevent disengagement, such as disengagement due to high axial forces, or automotive thermal or vibration environments.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector includes a connector base having a cutout portion and a plurality of side faces extending from the connector base in the axial direction of the connector member. nut. The plurality of side faces extending from the base of the connector provides flexibility to the metal connector. This further allows easy assembly of the metal connector to the housing.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, at least one tooth may be provided on the side faces at the end furthest from the base of the connector.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector can be locked to the housing by a buttress lock. A buttress lock is a locking device that allows the nut assembly to be easily inserted into the housing and difficult to remove. In particular, an over-center lock can be formed by a lever which increases the pressure on a friction contact when a tensile force is increased on a part connected to the lever. Preferably, the friction point is the at least one tooth on the side faces of the metal connector and is configured to interlock with the housing to form the lock nut. Preferably, the side faces form the lever of a buttress locking, pivoting around a folded joint with the base of the connector. Locking at least one tooth to the housing can prevent disengagement during operation due to friction between the two parts, or high axial forces, or the thermal or vibration environment of the vehicle. In a preferred version, several teeth are provided on the metal connector. This makes it possible to increase the resistance to friction and to improve the stability of the assembly of the fixing assembly in the housing of a vehicle light. Where multiple teeth are provided on the side faces, they can be configured to engage all available sides of the housing, thereby preventing misalignment during operation. The teeth of the metal connector engage particularly well in a plastic housing, for example a polycarbonate housing.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector includes at least one internal finger structure adapted to engage with the threaded portion of the bolt when the bolt is screwed to the nut member. The internal finger structure of the metal connector can be obtained by a cutting process to form the required profile in a sheet of metal. The profile of an internal finger and the elasticity provided by the sheet metal gives the at least one internal finger the flexibility to adapt to the size of the bolt. In addition, it also helps maintain expansions/tolerances during assembly. Alternatively, the metal connector includes a threaded portion adapted to engage with the thread. This threaded part can be obtained by stamping the metal sheet of the metal connector.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the at least one internal finger structure extends radially inward from the interior surface of the cutout portion of the connector. The internal structure of the fingers extending inwards allows the fingers to engage directly with the bolt. Additionally, at least one finger may have a helically shaped tip to engage with the thread, for example the inner ends of the fingers may have angled edges. Alternatively or additionally, the internal structure of the fingers may be flexible enough to allow fingers without a helical tip to engage the thread.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises an opening on each of the side faces, at least one in number, and in which the insert comprises at least one locking lug adapted to engage in the opening of the metal connector. The locking tip, when engaging the opening of the metal connector, can lock the metal connector with the insert. This prevents disengagement of the metal connector and the insert.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bolt includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the threaded portion is between the first end and the second end. The threaded part can be configured in such a way as to facilitate the adjustment of the orientation of the lamp of the vehicle.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the adjustment screw is adapted to form a ball joint with a vehicle light module. The ball joint may include a ball head provided at the end of the bolt and a receptacle located on the light module. The ball head is configured to mate with the receptacle such that the ball head can freely rotate within the receptacle without disengaging. The free rotation of the spherical end allows the light module to pivot and/or tilt relative to the spherical end. The ball head can have at least one spherical part. Alternatively, the spherical head may have pseudo-spherical parts, i.e. the spherical head has edge parts arranged so as to form a spherical envelope, in particular a plurality of edges forming such a spherical envelope. In a particular example, the spherical head is polyhedral.

For example, a lighting module can be a module comprising at least one reflector and/or at least one lens. For example, such a module contributes to regulatory lighting functions such as dipped beam and/or main beam.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the insert includes a flange. The flange can be configured to connect to the vehicle lamp housing to maintain an angular positioning of the mounting assembly relative to the housing; for example, a planar bond connects the flange to the housing. Such a connection ensures angular stability of the fixing assembly relative to the housing, which is essential for the optical adjustment function of the fixing assembly.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the fastener assembly includes a gasket adapted to seal a gap between the bolt and the housing. The gasket can be configured to prevent moisture, water and other foreign particles from entering the nut and damaging the parts.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the insert is made of plastic, which is inexpensive to manufacture. The plastic insert stabilizes the metal connector with the case when assembled.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the passage of the insert for the bolt is smooth. The smooth passage of the insert can provide less resistance to movement of the bolt inside the passage and allows easy and quick assembly of the bolt, insert and connector. A smooth passage is less expensive to manufacture and helps to stabilize the screw.

In a non-limiting version of the present invention, the nut is adapted to be pressed into the housing of the vehicle light. The press-fit process of the nut on the housing provides relative ease of assembly and does not require the use of complicated tools. This can increase assembly speed and efficiency. In particular, when the passage of the insert is smooth and the metal connector comprises an internal finger structure adapted to engage with the thread of the screw, the elasticity of the internal finger structure allows assembly of the screw by press-fitting, which is particularly economical and quick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

To complete the description and allow a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. These drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention, which should not be interpreted as a restriction of the scope of the invention, but only as an example of how the invention can be carried out. . The designs include the following features.

There shows a cutaway section of a mounting assembly for a prior art non-precision adjuster used for pointing vehicle lights.

There shows a cross-section of a mounting assembly of a known art precision adjustment device used for aiming vehicle lights.

There shows a perspective view of a mounting assembly for a vehicle light aiming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

There shows an exploded view of a mounting assembly for a sight adjustment device as well as a housing for a vehicle light according to one embodiment of the present invention.

There shows an exploded view of a nut element of the fixing assembly of the for a device for adjusting the sight of a vehicle light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is known that automobile headlights are available with an optical axis adjustment system which comprises a tilting element such as a lighting module assembled to a fixed element (for example, a mounting bracket) of the headlight. In addition, the optical axis adjustment system includes an aiming adjustment device, which is generally accessible to the technician to activate and operate the aiming adjustment device. The sight adjuster must provide sighting torque to allow fine adjustment and must be robust in operation.

There shows a mounting assembly for a sight adjustment device used in a halogen lighting system or in a lighting system where high accuracy is not required. As shown in , the fastener assembly consists of a screw that includes a ball joint, a thread with an ISO 724 metric thread profile and a gasket. They are screwed directly onto the projector housing. There shows another attachment assembly for a prior art sight adjustment device where high precision adjustment is required or for an LED illumination system. In these adjusters, accuracy is improved by reducing the thread pitch of the adjusters. In addition, a metal nut is provided in the sight adjuster to resist the axial force generated during operation. Additionally, the metal nut is configured to engage with a plastic nut during assembly. A gasket suitable for sealing a gap between bolt 10 and housing 50 may be provided to prevent entry of foreign particles into the interior of fastener assembly 100.

There shows a fastener assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The fixing assembly 100 is adapted to be mounted on a housing 50 in order to target a lighting module of a vehicle light. Fastener assembly 100 includes a bolt 10 having a threaded portion 12 and a nut member 200 (see ). The bolt 10 includes a first end 16 and a second end 18, a threaded portion 12 may be provided between the first end 16 and the second end 18. The threaded portion 12 may be configured to allow movement of the bolt 10 relative to the box 50, when an external action is triggered. Threaded portion 12 on bolt 10 may be produced either by stamping or by a process such as tapping, countersinking or a similar process. The threads of threaded portion 12 may be designed to have a helical profile to facilitate operation.

As shown in , the nut member 200 consists of an insert 20 and a metal connector 30 engaged with the insert 20. The metal connector 30 may include at least one tooth 38, the at least tooth 38 being adapted to engage in a housing 50 of the vehicle light. Further, metal connector 30 includes at least one internal finger structure 34 adapted to engage with threaded portion 12 of bolt 10 when bolt 10 is threaded to nut member 200. The profile of metal connector 30 is designed to match the profile of insert 20 which is to engage insert 20. According to one version of the present invention, metal connector 30 of nut member 200 engages housing 50 and the bolt 10. The metal connector 30 engages with the housing 50 in a stop lock, and the insert 20 stabilizes the metal connector 30 with respect to the housing.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector 30 includes a connector base 301 having a cutout portion 302 and a plurality of side faces 32 extending from the connector base 301 in the axial direction of the nut element 200. The connector base 301 and the side faces 32 form an angle between them which can be essentially nonlinear, that is to say that the angle between the side faces 32 and the connector base 301 varies between 1 degree and up to 180 degrees, but can be configured so that the angle is not 0 degrees or 180 degrees. The side faces 32 include at least one tooth 38 which can be substantially perpendicular to the side faces 32 to engage with a housing 50 of the vehicle light. The side faces 32 may form a cantilever beam away from the base of the connector 301 of the metal connector 30. The tooth 38 at least of the side faces 32 may be at the farthest end of the base of the connector 301. The arrangement of the cantilever beams of the side faces 32 gives flexibility to the metal connector 30. This flexibility, as well as the presence of at least one tooth 38 at the end furthest from the base of the connector 301, can allow the aforementioned cantilever locking. As shown in , the bolt 10 comprises a first end 16 and a second end 18. In addition, the threaded portion 12 of the bolt 10 can be placed between the first end 16 and the second end 18. The first end 16 of the bolt 10 has a head of ball joint 14 adapted to form a ball joint with a lighting module (not shown in the figures) of the vehicle light. The ball joint 14 causes the movement of the lighting module relative to a pivot joint (not shown) during the movement of the bolt 10 for adjusting the orientation of the vehicle light.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one internal finger structure 34 of metal connector 30 extends radially inward from the interior surface of cutout portion 302 of metal connector 30 and is intended to engage the threaded portion 12 of the bolt 10. The at least one internal finger structure 34 of the metallic connector 30 can be configured to act as the only direct link between the metallic connector 30 and the bolt 10. The connection means that except for the internal finger structure 34 of the metallic connector 30, no other part of the metallic connector 30 can be in contact with the bolt 10. In addition, the at least one internal finger structure 34 can be flexible and can be designed to be directly fixed on the threaded part 12 of the bolt 10 during assembly and it is not necessary to screw the assembly. The engagement of the at least one internal finger structure 34 with the threaded portion 12 of the bolt 10 ensures that the tightening torque remains stable even after several thermal and vibration cycles. The at least one internal finger structure 34 moves on the threaded part 12 following the profile of the thread when an external action is triggered for the adjustment of the bolt 10. In another variant, the metal connector 30 can be provided with stamped threads (not shown) on the inside surface of the cutout 302. The stamped threads can be configured to engage the threaded portion 12 of the bolt 10 when an external action is taken to adjust the bolt 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the insert 20 comprises a first end A and a second end B which is opposed to the first end A (see ). The insert 20 comprises a complete passage extending from the first end A to the second end B to receive the threaded part 12 of the bolt 10. The passage through the insert 20 is smooth and has no threads, preferably in accordance with the form of the invention. However, in another version, threads can be provided in the passage of the insert 10 to engage in the threaded part 12 of the bolt 10. As shown in the , the metal connector 30 comprises an opening 36 on each of the side faces 32. The insert 20, according to the preferred embodiment, comprises a locking lug 24 adapted to engage in the opening 36 of the connector 30. locking tip 24 is preferably provided near the second end B. In addition, the insert 20 comprises a flange 22 on the first end A opposite the locking tip 24. The at least one locking lug 24 of insert 20 engages opening 36 of metal connector 30 and locks the assembly in place. Metal connector 30 and insert 20 are press fit together to form fastener assembly 100. Additionally, as shown in , the insert comprises locking ribs 26; the ribs are adapted to engage in the housing 50 of the vehicle light. Additionally, the fastener assembly 100 includes a gasket 40 assembled to the set screw 10 near the second end 18 when the fastener assembly is assembled to the housing. This seal makes it possible to ensure that the assembly is sealed and that no liquid penetrates into the fixing assembly 100.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the metal connector 30 can be obtained from a sheet of metal, in particular by performing a cutting operation on a sheet of metal to obtain the required profile. The cutting operation may consist of cutting the metal sheet with a punch and a die. In this way, the side faces 32, the at least one internal finger structure 34 and at least one tooth 38 of the metal connector 30 can be produced in a single punching operation and a single bending operation. The blank resulting from the cutting operation can then be bent into a die to create the non-linear shape discussed above. As seen above, the nut 200 is adapted to be tightened in the housing 50 of the vehicle lamp. The plurality of side faces 32 of metal connector 30 create a one-way locking assembly with vehicle lamp housing 50. At least tooth 38 locks into the body of the housing by friction when the nut 200 is engaged in the housing 50. The metal connector 20 of the nut element 200 can be locked axially by friction, thus blocking any axial movement. bolt 10. In another variation of the present invention, a clip may be molded into a hollow hole in the housing providing an undercut or step in the housing. The insert 20 provides an angular position of the screw and allows better engagement of the screw member 10 compared to putting the screw member directly into the housing. Insert 20 is made of plastic or other polymer-based material in accordance with the present invention.

Although this disclosure provides references to figures, all embodiments indicated in the figures are intended to explain preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example rather than being intended to limit the present invention. . Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed. However, it should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications would be within the teachings of the present invention and that various changes or modifications may be made to this disclosure without departing from the principles of the disclosure, which are intended to be covered by the present invention so long as such changes or modifications fall within the scope defined in the claims and their equivalents

Claims (11)

A mounting assembly (100) adapted to be mounted on a housing (50) of a vehicle lamp to orient a lighting module of a vehicle lamp, wherein the mounting assembly comprises:

• a bolt (10) having a threaded portion (12); And
• a nut (200) comprising:
  • an insert (20) having a full passage for the bolt; And
  • a metal connector (30) engaged with the insert (20), wherein the metal connector (30) engages both the housing and the bolt (10).

A fastener assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the passage of the bolt insert is smooth. A mounting assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal connector (30) includes at least one prong (38) for engagement with a vehicle lamp housing (50). A fastener assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal connector (30) includes at least one internal finger structure (34) adapted to engage with the threaded portion (12) of the bolt (10). A fixing assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal connector (30) comprises a connector base (301) and a plurality of side faces (32) extending away from of the connector base (301) in the axial direction of the passage of the insert (20). A fixing assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal connector (30) is locked to the housing in a buttress lock. Fastener assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal connector (30) includes an opening (36) on at least one of the side faces (32) and wherein the insert (20 ) comprises at least one locking lug (22) adapted to engage in the opening (36) of the metal connector (30). A fixing assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one end (16) of the bolt (10) is adapted to form a ball joint with a vehicle light module. Fastener assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener assembly (100) includes a gasket (40) adapted to seal a gap between the bolt (10) and the housing (50) . A fixing assembly (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal connector (30) is made from sheet metal. A vehicle lamp comprising a housing, a lighting module and a fixing assembly (100) according to claims 1 to 10.