FR2630981A1 - DEVICE FOR LEVELING A VEHICLE HEADLIGHT - Google Patents

Abstract

a) Device for leveling a vehicle headlight to adjust the space existing between a tilting element 3, which defines the direction of the light beam, and a support element 7 provided to support, with freedom of tilt, the tilting element. b) The leveling device comprises: a drive assembly comprising a motor 61, a worm 68 driven by the motor, a worm wheel 72 meshing with the worm and a housing 22 mounted on the A support member 7. A support rod 50 is supported on the worm wheel 72, and can move axially upon rotation of the worm wheel. An adjustment rod 54 is supported on the rod holder 50 and the front end portion of the adjustment rod is connected to the tilting member 3. The worm 68 is disposed parallel to the shaft 64 of the motor 61. and is connected to it by means of a transmission pinion 65, and a detection device 98 is arranged coaxially with the adjustment rod 54. c) The invention makes it possible to reduce the size of a vehicle headlight.

Description

Leveling device for a vehicle headlight The present invention

  relates to a leveling device of a headlight for use on a vehicle such as an automobile and the like and, in particular, to a leveling device for tilting a tilting element of a headlight, modifying

  thus the direction of the light beam.

  Different types of lighthouses have been proposed and used and it is usually required that the lighthouse light beam be directed to a desired direction so as to improve the safety of the traffic. In a vehicle headlight, an element defining the direction of the light beam such as a headlight or reflector assembly and the like is mounted, with freedom of inclination, on a support element such as an element fixed to the chassis of the vehicle, and a tilting mechanism is provided for tilting the tilting element on demand. The headlight assembly is generally comprised of a reflector and a light source which are arranged in a space of the headlight defined by a headlight body and a lens which covers the front opening of the body

of lighthouse.

  In order to adjust the direction of the light beam, two steps have been adopted, that is to say the initial orientation adjustment which takes place when the headlamp is mounted on the vehicle and before use or during the initial process. inspection, and an adjustment of leveling which is performed to compensate for the change in the load of the vehicle such as the

  passengers or the loading of the vehicle and the like.

  Changing the vehicle load usually changes the direction of the light beam in the vertical direction. The initial orientation setting is usually done manually

  and the upgrade setting is usually done

  by means of a telehandler

controlled.

  The orientation adjustment is usually done

  to adjust the direction of the light beam horizontally and vertically and the adjustment mechanisms are provided at two distinct points, while the operating mechanism for the leveling adjustment is usually provided on the orientation adjustment point provided for adjust in the vertical direction. Some

  inclination devices of the prior art comprising

  together, the adjustment mechanism and the adjustment mechanism

at the level.

  Figures 14 and 15 show schematically a headlight device of the prior art which has a leveling device of the type mentioned above. In b is shown a headlight assembly (of which only the lower portion is shown), consisting of a headlight body c supported on the bodywork of a vehicle or a headlight box attached to the bodywork of the vehicle, a lens (not shown) mounted on the front surface of the headlight body c, a reflector d and a light bulb and the like disposed in a headlight space defined between the headlight body c and the lens. The reflector d is supported on the headlight body c with freedom of inclination in the front and rear directions and in the directions up and down through a rotating or pivoting support portion and two adjustment portions. A nut f is attached to a console e which projects from the lower portion of the

reflector d.

  The mark g is a leveling device for the tilt reflector in the up and down directions, and the h mark is a case whose front end is attached to the headlight body c; the reference i is a hexagonal opening formed in the front end portion of the housing h, the reference J is a cylindrical support portion whose inner space communicates with the opening i; the mark k is a motor mounted in the lower portion of the housing h and whose shaft extends in the left and right directions; mark 1 is the motor shaft k, the mark m is a worm screw fixed to the shaft 1 of the motor k, the mark n is a rotor comprising, in one piece, a cylindrical main portion o, a wheel worm gear p. and a tapped hole q in the main portion o. The rotor n is supported on the support portion i and on another support member (not shown) so that the worm wheel p meshes with the worm m and so that the rotor n can rotate, but not move in the forward and backward direction. It will be understood that the direction

  refers to the vehicle on which the lighthouse is mounted.

  The reference r is a rod support, of generally tubular shape, having a thread on its intermediate portion to screw into the threaded bore R of the rotor n, and a hexagonal column t on its front portion and a rectangular column t ' on its rear portion. The hexagonal column t comes sliding fit in the opening i of the housing h. The u mark is a setting rod inserted in a central bore of the rod supports r, with freedom of rotation but without freedom of movement in the axial direction. The front portion of the adjustment rod u, which protrudes out of the rod holder r, is a threaded portion v to screw into

  the nut f supported on the reflector d.

  When the motor k rotates, the worm m and the rotor n rotate and the support r moves in the front and rear directions and the reflector

  d tilts in the up and down e-1 directions.

  Therefore, the upgrade setting

is carried out.

  In addition, there is provided on the rear end of the housing h a manual operating mechanism (not shown) for rotating the adjustment rod u, which allows to tilt in the same way the reflector d in the directions upwards

  and down, setting which is the setting of

  tation. The mark w is a potentiometer arranged in

  the case b with a pinion attached to the x axis of the

  tiometer and meshing with rack toothing z provided on the rectangular column t 'of the rod holder r; in this way, in the leveling adjustment, the positon of the adjustment rod u is detected

by the potentiometer w.

  It is necessary to minimize the

  dimension of the leveling adjustment device.

  Currently, the leveling device goes an increased dimension in the left and right directions or in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the adjustment rod u because the axis of the motor k extends orthogonally to the axis of the adjustment rod u and, moreover, that the axis of the

  potentiometer w extends in the same direction.

  In a proposal of the prior art, the detection mechanism is arranged coaxially with the adjustment rod, however, the horstout dimension

  box h can not be reduced.

  An object of the invention is to solve

problems mentioned above.

  According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle headlamp leveling device for adjusting the space between a tilting member which defines the direction of the light beam and a support member for supporting, with freedom of movement, tilting, the tilting element; the device comprising a drive assembly comprising a motor, a screw driven by the motor, a worm wheel meshing with the worm and a housing mounted on the support member; a rod support itself supported on the worm wheel and axially displaceable upon rotation of the worm gear; and a setting rod

  supported on the rod support, the end portion

  mite before being connected to the tilting element; the worm being arranged parallel to the motor shaft and connected to it by means of a transmission pinion; and a detection device

  is arranged coaxially with the adjusting rod.

  According to the invention, the worm is arranged parallel to the motor, in this way it is possible to prevent the worm from protruding from the motor in the axial direction, and it is possible to arrange the motor, the worm, the wheel

  endless screw and the like, in the ortho-

  In addition, the detection device does not protrude laterally from the adjusting rod. It is therefore

  possible to minimize the size of the

upgrade.

  Other purposes and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the following detailed description

  in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 10 show a leveling device of a vehicle headlight according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 1 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of an essential portion of the leveling device; - Figure 2 is a front view; - Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 2; - Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a rear view, on an enlarged scale, of the leveling device; - Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 6; FIG. 8 is a rear view, on an enlarged scale, of the front portion of the leveling device; FIG. 9 is a rear view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 1; Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the leveling device; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the essential portion of the leveling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a front view of a vehicle headlight showing an exemplary application of the present invention; Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12; FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a vehicle headlight leveling device of the prior art and FIG. 15 is a sectional view along line XV-XV of FIG. Figure 14 and showing the prior art. First embodiment (Figures 1 to 10) In the first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 10, the leveling device is mounted on a headlight 1 of a movable assembly of the type in which a lighthouse assembly 2 consisting of a headlight body 3 having a concave reflecting surface, a lens 4 covering the front opening of the headlight body 3, and a light bulb 5 arranged in a headlight space defined between the headlight body and the lens , is supported, with freedom of inclination, on the

  bodywork of a vehicle such as a car.

  Lighthouse assembly, headlight housing (Figures 1-5) Lighthouse assembly 2 consists of a headlamp body 3, lens 4, and light bulb 5. Lighthouse body 3 has a reflective surface 3a and the light bulb 5 is supported on a bulb-mounting hole 3b formed in the generally central portion of the reflecting surface 3a, and the portion of the light-emitting light bulb 5 is arranged in a space 6 of the lighthouse which is defined between the reflecting surface 3a of the lighthouse body

3 and the lens 4.

  A headlight box 7, made of a material of the synthetic resin type, and of generally concave shape with a front opening, is fixedly mounted on

a vehicle body 8.

  The points A, B and C (FIG. 2) are points where the headlight assembly 2 is supported on the headlight housing 7. Among these pins, the point A is a support point with pivoting freedom and the point B, spaced from point A in the horizontal direciton, and point C, spaced from point A in the vertical direction, are set points for adjusting the space between the headlight assembly 2 and the headlight housing 7. When the adjustment points are adjusted, the headlight assembly 2 inclines in the left and right directions (the left side of Figure 2 is defined as the left direction) or in the upward directions

and downstairs.

  Pivot Support Mechanism (FIG. 4) The pivot support point consists of a mechanism 9 of the pivot support, which comprises a supported portion 10 formed on the headlight body 3 and a receptacle 12 mounted on the housing.

of lighthouse 7.

  The supported portion 10 is shaped on the rear surface of the headlight body 3 to protrude rearward, and a metal support pin 11 is attached to the rearward end of the axis 11 and has a spherical portion lla secured to the end

lower axis 11.

  The receptacle 12 is formed of a material of the synthetic resin type and is mounted on the headlight housing 7 to project forward and has a spherical housing 12a for receiving, with freedom of rotation, the spherical portion 11a of the 'axis

support 11.

  In this way, the headlight assembly 2 is supported on the headlight housing 7 with freedom to pivot about the point A defined by the engagement between the spherical portion 11a of the support shaft 11 and the

  spherical housing 12a provided in the receptacle 12.

  Orientation Adjustment Mechanism (Fig. 5) The mechanism at point B consists of a mechanism 13 which essentially comprises a receptacle member 15, a set of gears 16, a

  operating rod 18a and an axis of adjustment

tation 20.

  The receptacle member 15 is formed of a synthetic resin material and is supported on the rear end with a generally tubular projection 14 formed on the rear surface of the headlight body 3. The receptacle member 15 comprises a spherical housing 15a which opens towards the rear and a grooved portion 15b which extends forwardly from

  the rear end of the spherical housing 15a.

  The pinion set 16 comprises a box 17 mounted, fixed, on the front surface of the headlight housing 7, a first conical pinion 18 mounted in the housing 17 with freedom of rotation about a vertical axis and a second conical pinion 19 meshing with the first pinion 18. The second pinion 19 has a thread 19a for screwing onto the orientation adjustment axis 20 which extends in the forward and backward directions. The operating rod 18a is fixed

  at the first pinion 18, its upper end portion

  beyond the casing 17.

  The orientation adjustment axis 20 has a thread over most of its length and, on its front end portion, a spherical portion 20a and a projection 20b, of flat shape, which protrudes from the front end of the -spherical portion 20a. The spherical portion 20a is housed, with freedom of pivoting, in the spherical housing 15a of the receptacle member and the projection 20b is housed, with freedom of sliding, in the pierced portion 15b. In this way the adjustment axis 20 is connected, without freedom of rotation, to the receptacle element 15. The point b is defined by the spherical portion 20a and

the spherical housing 15a.

  If the first gear 18 is rotated by the rod 18a, the second gear 19 rotates, the adjustment axis 20 moves in the forward or reverse direction and the receptacle member moves in the same direction. Therefore, the headlight assembly 2 generally inclines in the left or right direction around a straight line passing through the points A and C. The direction of the light beam changes in the left and right directions. right. As a result, the orientation adjustment in the left and right directions

right is done.

  Leveling adjustment mechanism (figures

1 to 10)

  The adjustment mechanism at point C is constituted by an adjustment adjustment mechanism 21 for adjusting the light beam in the directions in

up and down.

  Case (Figure 1, Figure 4, Figure 6 and Figures 8-10) A housing 22 is formed of a synthetic resin material and is of the seal type, including a front half 23 and a rear half 24 which are

connected together.

  Half front (Figure 1, Figure 4 and Figures 8-10) The front half 23 has a cup-shaped configuration of generally rectangular shape elongated in the vertical direction and has a rearward facing opening. The depth of the lower end portion is about half that of the remaining portion. A cylindrical tubular support 26 extends through the upper portion of the front wall 25 and the mounting lugs 27, 27 and 27 protruding outwardly from the upper surface and the lower surface,

  are integrally formed on the front half 23.

  The rear end of the tubular support 26 extends about half the depth of the front half 23, as shown in FIG. 1. A central bore 28 provided in the support tube 26 has a diameter leading end portion. reduced and axially extending grooves 28a and 28a are formed in the upper end and lower end of the inner surface of the remaining large diameter drilling portion. Stop protrusions 29, 29 and 29 are formed on the outer circumference of the tubular support 26 and spaced apart from each other.

the front wall 25.

  Thickened portions 30, 30 ... are formed, at the four corner portions, on the inner surfaces of the front half 23 and respectively have threaded holes 30a, 30a ... which

are pierced.

  A boss 31, engine support, is formed on the surface, on the left-hand side, of the front half 23, and a motor support piece 32 is formed on the rear surface of the front wall 25 to protrude rearwardly. . The engine support part 32 is formed so as to have a cutout 32a, generally U-shaped, in front of the boss 31

engine support.

  Three pieces 33, 33, and 33, worm supports, are formed on the inner surface of the front half 23 and are aligned in the left and right directions. Two of them are respectively formed on the inner side surfaces of left and right and the last is located slightly to the left of the center of the front wall 25 to protrude rearwardly. The support pieces respectively have, in the rear ends, cutouts 33a, 33a and 33a

  U-shaped which open towards the back.

  A support boss 34 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall 25 to support a

  axis pinion support that will be explained later.

  An opening 34a is formed in the boss 34 and

  extends in the forward and backward directions.

  Half back (Figure 1, Figure 4, Figure 6 and Figures 8-10) The rear half 24 is a cup-shaped member of generally rectangular shape having a rear wall 35, the lower portion 36 forms a bulge rearwardly. On the lower end portion of the bulged portion are

  formed a plurality of niches 37, 37, 37 ...

  arranged on the right and on the left. Terminal insertion holes 38a, 38a, 38a ... are formed in the bottom

respective niches.

  In addition, a rod receiving bore 39 is formed in the upper central portion of the rear wall 35 and circular flanges 40 and 41 are formed on the front surface and the rear surface of the rear wall 35 to surround the rear wall 35. drilling 39, the inside diameter of the front collar being about twice that of the bore 39 and the inside diameter of the rear collar 41 being

  about twice that of the collar 40.

  In 42, 42, 42 ... are shown mounting bosses which are provided for mounting an orientation mechanism (described below), have the configuration of cylindrical columns protruding around the collars 41 in the direction back, as shown in FIG. 10, and

  have, in their rear surfaces,

  respective dages 42a, 42, 42a .... Four mounting bosses 42, 42, 42 ... are provided at the corners of a square, two adjacent bosses being aligned in the vertical direction or in the horizontal direction,

  and the rear ends of the bosses being posi-

  slightly behind the back surface

  of the lower portion 36 of the rear wall 35.

  At 43, 43 ... are screw receiving holes, formed in the thickened portions of the inner side surfaces at the four corners of the rear half 24, and passing through these

portions.

  44 and 44 are shown worm support parts which are formed on the inner side surfaces of the rear half 24, at locations corresponding to the parts 33 and 33 worm supports left and right, respectively , and whose front ends protrude slightly outside the front surface of the rear half 24, arcuate cutouts 44a and 44a being respectively formed in the ends.

before pieces 44 and 44.

  Further, in the rear half 24 there is provided a support boss 45 which protrudes forwardly from the rear wall 35, and a protrusion 46 of the engine which protrudes from the rear wall 35. boss 45 is located opposite the support boss 34 of the front half 23 and has in its opening before a support opening 45a. The protrusion 46 of the motor retainer is located between the lower end and the central portion of the rear wall 35, as shown

in Figure 1.

  Connecting the two halves The front half and the rear half 23 and 24 are integrally connected together to form the housing 22, the openings facing each other, the screws 47, 47 ... being inserted, since rearwardly in the holes 43, 43, ... receiving the screws provided in the rear half 24 and being respectively screwed into the threaded holes 42a,

  42a, ... provided in the front half 23.

  The tubular support 26 provided in the front half 23 is situated coaxially with the hole 39 for receiving the rod provided in the rear half.

  24, the support bosses 34 and 45 are located coaxially

  and the rear ends of the parts 33 and 33 supports of the worm, the left side and the right side of the front half 23, are placed in front of, and close to, the front ends of the parts 44 and 44 supports of the worm

on the back half 24.

  The housing 22 is mounted on the housing of 'headlight 7, the mounting ears 27, 27 and 27 provided on the front half 23 attaching to the headlight housing

7 per life and nut.

  In this condition, the front end of the tubular support 26 protrudes inside the headlight housing 7 by a mounting opening 48 formed in the headlight housing at a location opposite the right lower end portion of the headlight housing. the headlight assembly 2. The stopper projections 29, 29 and 29 formed on the tubular support 26 respectively pass through cutouts (not shown) formed in the circumference of the mounting opening 48 and then, rotating slightly the housing 22, these projections engage with the front surface of the housing of the headlight around the circumference of the opening 48. In addition, an O-ring 47 is placed between the front wall 25 of the casing 22 and the rear surface of the housing 7, and around the tubular support 26. Rod support, adjustment rod (FIGS. 1 and 4, FIGS. 8-10) A rod support 50 is formed of a material of the synthetic resin type and is supported in FIG. s the tubular support 26 with freedom of sliding but without freedom of rotation. The rod support has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the front and rear direction and comprises an intermediate portion 51 of large diameter, a neighboring front portion, of reduced diameter, and a rear portion 52, of reduced diameter and threaded. The large diameter portion 51 has two ribs 53 and 53

  which are diametrically opposed and come to

  sliding in the grooves 28a and 28a provided in the bore 28 of the tubular support 26, to prevent relative rotation between the support of

rod 50 and the tubular support 26.

  An adjusting rod 54, formed of a metal, is supported in the rod support 50 with freedom of rotation but without freedom of movement in the axial direction. The axial length of the rod 54

  is about three times that of the rod support 50.

  The adjusting rod 54 comprises a front portion 55 having a thread, an annular groove 59 at the rear end of the front portion 55, an intermediate portion 58 of cylindrical shape and of length approximately 1/3 that of the rod 54, a collar-shaped stop 56 at the rear end of the intermediate portion 58, and a rear end portion 57 of oval section. The intermediate portion 58 is housed, with freedom of rotation, in the bore 50a provided in the rod support and the axial displacement of the rod 54 in the bore 50a is prevented by the stop 56 and by a

  Washer 60 housed in the groove 59.

  Motor (Figures 1, 8 and 10) In the housing 22 is mounted a DC motor 61 whose housing 62 has a generally oval shape, seen in the axial direction, and on the shaft 64 which is mounted a pinion 65. The length of the case

  62 is about 2/3 of the width of the housing 22.

  The housing 62 has protrusions 63 and 63 on the opposite end surfaces to engage the cut 32a provided in the motor support member 32 and the boss 31, support

  of the engine, provided on the front half of the case 22.

  In addition, the projection 46 of the engine retention provided on the rear half 24 comes into contact with the rear surface of the housing 62. In this way, the motor 62 is housed reliably in the housing 22, the pinion 65 being placed between the wall right side of the front half 23 and the support part 32

of the motor.

  Worm element (Figures 1, 8 and), the reference 66 designates a worm element which comprises a main body 67, of cylindrical shape, having a worm 68 on the left side and a portion of reduced diameter of the right side; moreover a transmission pinion 69 is fixed, solidarily, on the left end. The worm element 66 is supported, with freedom of rotation, on the cutouts 33a, 33a and 33a provided on the parts 33, 33 and 33, supports of the worm, mounted on the front half 23 of the housing 22 , as well as on the end surfaces 44a and 44a of the parts, worm supports, mounted on the rear half 24 of the housing 22. The transmission pinion 69 meshes with the pinion 65 fixed on the shaft 64 of the motor 61. The worm 68 is

  arranged parallel to the motor 61. Rotor, displacement of the adjusting rod (FIGS. 1, 8 and 10) A rotor 70

  comprising, in one piece, a cylindrical boss 71 and a worm wheel 72, is

  formed of a synthetic resin material.

  The boss 71 comprises a threaded hole 71a with trapezoidal threads corresponding to the threads of the portion

  Thread 52 of the rod support 50.

  73 are formed on the outer circumference of the rear end of the boss 71. The front portion of the boss 71 of the rotor 70 is housed, with freedom of rotation, in the bore 28 provided in the tubular support 26 and a relative axial movement between the rotor 70 and the tubular support 26 is prevented by a circlip. The worm gear 72 meshes with the worm 68 of the worm gear 66.

  If the motor 61 rotates, its rotation is trans-

  putting, through the pinion 65, the transmission pinion

  the end screw 66 and the worm wheel 72 to the rotor 70, the worm element 66 is assigned to the rotor 70. Since the axial movement of the rotor 70 is prevented, the rod support 50 moves in the axial direction, with the adjusting rod 54. Circuit board, wire harness (FIGS. 1 and 10) A circuit board 74 is mounted in the rear half 24 of the housing 22. A hole 75 for retaining a circular circlip is formed in the upper central portion of the card 74 and a plurality of through holes 76, 76, ... are formed in the lower end portion of the card 74 and are arranged in left and right directions. The support boss 45 and the motor retaining projection 46 formed on the rear wall 35 of the rear half 24 pass respectively through the corresponding through-holes 77 and 77 'of the card 74. A conductor bundle 78, 78 is provided. ,.

  (Only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) connected either to a power source, to a remote control device and the like and each DTD: conductor 78 of the beam is connected to a terminal 79.

  The terminal 79 shown in Figure 1 is an element

  monoblock formed of an electrically conductive material

  and a solder portion, of small diameter, 79a, sleeve-shaped, a larger diameter portion 79b, supporting the conductor, and retaining pawls 79c. The pawls 79c extend radially inwardly from the rear end of the portion 79b supporting the conductor. Two or more slots, extending

  axially, are formed in the portion 79a.

  The pointed end of the sheath 78a is inserted into the bead support portion 79b and the conductor 78b protruding from the sheath 78a is inserted into and connected to the solder portion 79a. Portions 79b, conductor supports, respective bosses 79 are inserted into the respective recesses 37, 37, ... provided in the rear wall 36 of the rear half 24 of the housing 22, and the respective portions to be welded 79a are inserted respectively in the holes 38a, 38a, ... receiving the terminals provided in the bottom wall 38, 38, ... of the recesses 37, 37, ... and in the holes 76, 76, ... provided in the circuit board 74. In this way the terminals 79, 79, ... are reliably connected to the circuit

of the circuit board 74.

  Orientation Maneuvering Mechanism (FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 7) An orientation maneuvering mechanism 80 (FIG. 7) is mounted on the rear surface of the housing 22 to drive the adjusting rod 54 in rotation. The mechanism 80 comprises a housing 81 consisting of a base portion 82 and a cover portion 85. The portions 82 and 85 are connected together by means of a not shown connection device. An operating shaft 86, bearing on its inner end a conical pinion 87, is mounted, with freedom of rotation, in the housing 81, the intermediate portion of the shaft 86 being supported in a bore 89 forming a bearing provided in the housing 81 and a tip 88 of the bevel gear 87 being fitted into an adjustment portion 90 formed in

  the housing 81 as shown in Figure 7.

  An element 91 for rotating the adjusting rod is rotated by the bevel gear 87 and is connected to the portion

  rear end 57 of the adjustment rod 54.-

  The element 91 comprises an axle portion 92 having a hole 93 of oval shape for receiving, with freedom of sliding, the end portion

57 of the adjusting rod 54.

  The housing 81 is mounted on the rear end of the rear half 24 of the housing 22 by means of two screws 96 and 96 which pass through through holes 95 and 95 provided in the housing 81 and are screwed into two of the four holes threaded 42a

  provided in four bosses 42 of the housing 22.

  By choosing two diagonally arranged bosses 42 (such as 42A and 42B as shown in FIG. 6), it is possible to arrange the operating shaft 86 so that it extends in the direction to the right and to the bottom ( in solid lines), in the direction to the left and bottom (in punctuated punctuation) or in the direction to the right and to the top or to the left and to the top,

on demand.

  Mark 97 is an annular sealing element

  laire placed between the rear half 24 of the box

  22 and the housing 81 of the mechanism 80.

  If the operating shaft 86 is rotated, the bevel gear 87, secured to the axis 86, causes the rotation drive element 91 to rotate in rotation with the adjustment rod so that the adjustment rod 54 is rotated for

  tilt the headlamp assembly 2.

  Detector portion (Figures 1 and 10) The position of the adjustment rod 54 is detected

by a detector portion 98.

  Terminal plate, spur gear, conductor support plate A relatively thick, disk-shaped, centrally located terminal plate 99 is mounted coaxially with the adjusting rod 54 and in the housing 22. The terminal board 99

  has a plurality of openings 101, 101, ...

  retaining terminals arranged near the circumference

  and one or more positioning nipples 102 and 102 which protrude from one

  lateral surface. The terminal board 99 is posi-

  by the locating pins 102 and 102 which are inserted into the positioning apertures 103, 103 provided in the circuit board 74, and the bore 100 is positioned coaxially with the staple retaining hole provided in the circuit board.

circuit 74.

  A pinion 104 is a pinion gear with a straight cut that has a central bore 105 and, on its rear surface, an annular recess 106 for

  adjust a conductor support plate 107.

  The conductor support plate 107 comprises two arc conductors 108 and 108 'as shown in FIG. 10 to collaborate with the terminals retained in the terminal board 99. The plate 107 is fixed

at pinion detector 104.

  Clip A clip 109, made of a synthetic resin material, acts to coax the terminal plate 99 and the pinion gear 104, the pinion 104 being rotatable relative to the terminal board 99. The clip 109 comprises a cylindrical main portion 110 and a flange 111 formed integrally with the front end of the main portion 110. The rear end portion of the main portion 110 is divided into a plurality of elastic pieces 112, 112, ... by means of grooves or axial cuts. A protrusion 112a is formed on the outer surface of

  the rear end of each elastic piece 112.

  The staple 109 is inserted into the center bore of the detent pinions 104, into the center bore of the terminal board 99 and into the staple holder hole 75 provided in the circuit board 74. The protrusions 102a, 102a, ... and the lip 111 provided on the clip 109 define the positions

  Relative Axes of Elements 104, 99 and 74.

  The flange 111 is housed in a portion 105a of large diameter of the front end portion of the bore 105. Contact points A plurality of spherical contact tips 113, 113, ... (only one of which is shown in FIG. ) are housed in the retaining openings of the terminals 101, 101, ... provided in the plate 99

  and are elastically constrained against, and electrically

  connected with, the conductors 108 and 108 'provided on the conductor support plate 107 by helical springs 114, 114, ... which are

  also housed in openings 101, 101, ...

  retaining terminals, respectively. The contact tips 113, 113, ... are also electrically connected with contact tips provided on the

  circuit board 74 (not shown).

  Intermediate gear An intermediate gear 116, consisting of a large gear 116a and a small gear 116b, is mounted on a support shaft 115 whose opposite ends are supported in the support holes 34a and 45a provided in the support bosses 34 and the front half 23 and the rear half 24 of the housing 22, respectively. The large pinion 116a meshes with the pinion teeth 73 provided on the boss 71 of the rotor 70, and the pinion 116b meshes with the pinion gear 104. In this way, if the rotor 70 is rotated, the pinion 104 is driven. via

  intermediate gear 116 and the position of the

  108 and 108 'mounted on the detent pinion 104 relative to the contact tips 113, 113,

changes accordingly.

  Operation The contact tips 113, 113, ... are divided into two groups of first polarity and second polarity and the rear ends of the respective coil springs 114, 114, ... are in contact with respective contact tips formed on the circuit board. Among these contact tips, two contact tips are respectively connected to two input terminals of different polarity, and the other contact points are connected to the respective contact tips of two associated rotary switches provided in a remote control device. The rotary switches are connected to a battery, a source of electrical energy. When a set of contact points is selected by the rotary switch, an electrical circuit consisting of two contact points 113 and 113 connected to the selected set of contact points, conductors 108 and 108 ', motor 61 and the energy source closes and the motor 61 rotates in the specified direction. The rotation of the motor 61 is transmitted to the rotor which moves the rod support 50 together with the adjusting rod 54 in the front or rear direction and simultaneously rotates the detection pinion 70 and the conductor support plate 107. the plate 107 has rotated by a predetermined value, the conductors 108 and 108 'separate from the selected contact points 113 and 113, so that the circuit opens and the rotation of the motor 61 is completed. Therefore we determine the direction and importance of rotation

  of the engine 61 by selecting the spike points.

  The detector portion 98 detects the position of

the adjusting rod 54.

  The control system described above is similar to that described in the patent specification

Japanese (Kokai) 209932/1984.

  Connection, Adjustment Rod - Headlight Assembly (Figures 1, 3, 4) A metal bracket 117 is provided on the rear lower end portion of the headlight assembly 2, for mounting a nut 118 formed of a material of the synthetic resin type. The front end portion of the adjusting rod 54 is screwed

in the nut 118.

  Operation (Figure 1) The orientation adjustment and the leveling adjustment are performed by the setting device.

level 21 as follows.

  Orientation adjustment The initial orientation adjustment is made by rotating the operating axis 86 of the mechanism

orientation 80.

  If the operating shaft 86 is rotated, the adjustment rod 54 rotates and is screwed into the nut 118, or unscrews it, and, since the axial movement of the rod 54 relative to the support of stem is prevented, the headlight assembly 2 inclines, in a generally vertical position, around a straight line passing through point A and point B. As a result, the direction of the light beam changes. Leveling adjustment When the motor 61 rotates, the rod support moves along with the adjusting rod 54 in the axial direction, therefore the nut 118 moves in the forward or backward direction and the assembly forming lighthouse 2 tilts the same way

in the vertical direction.

  Second Embodiment (Fig. 11) Fig. 11 shows a leveling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A lighthouse 119, shown in FIG. 11, differs from the first embodiment from the point of view of the construction connecting the lighthouse assembly

and the adjustment rod.

  The same references are given to designate

  similar parts and description will be omitted.

  A receptacle 120, made of a material of the synthetic resin type, is mounted on a bracket 121 integrally formed, in one piece, on the headlight body 3. A spherical housing 122 opening in the direction

  rear is formed in the receptacle 120.

  The rod support 50 has a threaded hole 123 for screwing in an adjusting rod 124. The adjusting rod 124 comprises, at its front end, a spherical element 125, a non-circular portion

  126 at its rear end, and on the main portion

  remaining blade, a threaded portion 127. The rear end portion 126 is inserted, with freedom of sliding in the bore 93 of the element 91 for driving in rotation of the adjusting rod of the steering mechanism 80. The spherical element 125 fits, with freedom of pivoting, in the spherical housing 122 provided in the

receptacle 120.

  If the operating shaft 86 of the orientation maneuvering mechanism 80 is rotated, the adjusting rod 124 is screwed into the rod support 50, or unscrews it, and moves in the axial direction. The headlight assembly 2 tilts in the vertical direction and the beam direction

bright is changing.

  The upgrade setting is similar to

that of the first realization.

  Applications Figures 12 and 13 show an application 128 according to the present invention. The headlight 128 is of the movable reflector type, in which a reflector is supported, with freedom of inclination, in a headlight body to constitute the tilting element defining the direction of the light beam. A headlight assembly 129 comprises a headlight body 130, formed of a synthetic resin type material and having a front opening, a lens 131 which covers the front opening of the headlight body 130, a reflector 133 disposed in a space 132 defined between the headlight body 130 and the lens 131, a light bulb 134 supported on the rear upper portion of the baffle 133 and the like. The headlight body 130 is fixed on the

headlight box 7.

  The reflector 133 is supported on the headlight body 130 at three points A, B and C shown in FIG. 12. The point A constitutes the pivot support portion, for example a spherical joint, and the points B and C constitute the adjustment portions for adjusting the space between the reflector 133 and the headlight body 130. The adjustment portion at the B-point is similar to the mechanism

  13 of orientation adjustment of the first embodiment

  tion. The adjustment portion at the point C consists of a leveling device 21 mounted on the upper end of the rear surface of the headlight body 130. The front end portion of the adjusting rod 54 of the setting device level 21 is screwed into a nut 136 mounted on a console which, in turn, protrudes from the

reflector 133.

  - If maneuvering the operating element of the orientation adjustment portion at point B, the reflector 133 inclines around a line through points A and C, and in the left direction

or right.

  If the operating axis 86 of the leveling device 21 is rotated or if the motor 61 is rotated, the reflector 133 inclines around a straight line passing through the points A and B and in

the direction up and down.

  Advantages of the invention As described above, according to the invention, the worm is arranged parallel to the motor, which makes it possible to substantially eliminate the parts which protruded in the direction of the axis of the motor, therefore the motor , the worm, the worm wheel meshing with the worm and the like can be arranged in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the motor and in a compact space. In addition, the detection device for detecting the position of the adjustment rod is

  arranged coaxially with the adjusting rod, the arrangement

The detection method therefore does not exceed in the lateral direction. Therefore, the dimension of the leveling device is reduced to a minimum and its mounting on the lamp box and its setting

  in place in the lamp box are easy.

  It will be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and that those skilled in the art can easily apply many modifications to it.

  and changes remaining within the object of the invention.

R E V E N D I CA TI 0 N S

  A device for leveling a vehicle headlight to adjust the space between a tilting element (3), which defines the direction of the light beam, and a support member (7) adapted to support, with freedom of movement. inclination, the tilting element, characterized in that it comprises: a driving assembly comprising a motor (61), a worm (68) driven by the motor, a worm wheel (72) meshing with the worm and a housing (22) mounted on the support member (7), a rod support (50) supported on the worm wheel (72), and an adjusting rod (54) supported on the rod support (50), its front end portion being connected to the tilting member (3); in that said worm (68) is arranged parallel to the shaft (64) of the motor (61) and

  is connected via a transmission pinion

  mission (65), and in that a detection device (98)

  is arranged coaxially with the adjusting rod (54).

  A vehicle headlight leveling device according to claim 1, characterized in that said rod support (50) is prevented from rotating and can move in the axial direction when the wheel is rotated. worm (72). Vehicle leveling device according to claim 2, characterized in that said adjusting rod (54) has an intermediate portion (58) which is supported, with freedom of rotation, in a bore ( 50a) provided in said rod support (50) and can not move in the axial direction relative to the rod support; and in that the front end of the adjusting rod (54) is screwed into a nut (118)

  supported on the tilting element (3).

  Leveling device for a vehicle headlight according to claim 2, characterized in that the front end of said adjusting rod

  (54) is connected to the movable element (3) via

  a ball joint (122, 125); and in that the lengthwise intermediate portion of said adjusting rod (54) is screwed into the

rod support (50).

  5. Leveling device of a vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod support (50) can move axially.