Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Adjustable lamp or lamp support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-06
2001-03-27
Quach, Y. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Adjustable lamp or lamp support
C362S467000, C362S286000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206555
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a headlight in particular for providing a high beam and a low beam in a vehicle, which has a reflector, a light source, and an adjusting device for adjusting the light source relative to the reflector between a position for the low beam and a position for the high beam.
Such a headlight is disclosed for example in the German patent document DE 44 35 507 A1. In this reference the light source is movable in direction of the optical axis of the reflector and also vertically to the optical axis of the reflector. For performing the movement oriented vertically to the optical axis, the light source is turnable about an axis arranged perpendicular to the optical axis of the headlight. An electric motor is connected with the light source at a distance from the axis and turns the light source about the axis. For converting the rotary movement of the electric motor into the turning movement of the light source, it is proposed in this reference to use a thread, a transmission, a coulisse guide or a cam disk, etc. With the corresponding control of the electric motor the light source is moved to the position for the low beam or to the position for the high beam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a headlight for the low beam and the high beam in a vehicle, which has a simple construction and provides a high operational safety.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a headlight in which the adjusting device is provided with holding means which produces a holding force for fixing the light source in one of the two positions. The light source is not held by the adjusting device in both positions for the low beam and the high beam as in the prior art, but instead the holding device is provided for fixing at least one of the two positions. Thereby, it is possible, without high structural expenses to increase the operational safety of the total headlight.
It is especially advantageous when the light source in the position for the high beam is fixed by the holding device. If there are some interferences in the position for the high beam and the like, then it is possible independently from the adjusting device to move back the light source from the position for the high beam to the position for the low beam. This is achieved in that the holding force is no longer produced by the holding device and thereby the light source is automatically moved from the position for the high beam to the position for the low beam. In particular, it is possible in the event of failure of the adjusting device, to move the light source back to the position for the low beam.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the holding device is formed as a coil or the like. Thereby the desired holding force can be produced electromagnetically by corresponding electrical control of the coil. With the corresponding arrangement of the coil, the holding force can act directly on the light source or on the metallic support of the light source.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a force which counteracts the holding force of the holding device is provided for acting on the light source. This counteracting force acts so that the light source, for example in the event of interference, in each case can move back from the position for the high beam to the position for the low beam. In this headlight, the position for the low beam represents a basic position, to which the light source always returns in the event of a failure or a similar disturbances.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a spring or the like is used for producing the counteracting force. This provides for a special and simple construction for producing the force which counteracts the holding force of the holding device.
In accordance with another advantageous feature of the present invention, the means are provided for displacing the light source to the position which is fixed by the holding device. With this means, the light source also is moved from the position for the low beam to the position for the high beam. In the position for the high beam, the light source is fixed by the holding device. By means of the spring, the light source is again moved back from the position for the high beam to the position for the low beam.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a cam or the like which is driven by the electric motor is used for displacement of the light source. It forms an especially simple structural element for moving the light source in direction toward the position fixed by the holding device. When the light source reaches the position for the high beam, it is fixed there by the holding device. The cam can move it to an initial position, so that the light source is again freely movable, and when needed can be moved back by means of the spring to the position for the low beam. This process can be repeated anytime, and the whole process is controlled by controlling of the electric motor of the cam and the controlling of the holding device.
In a further preferable embodiment of the invention, the holding device and the means for displacing the light source in direction to the position fixed by the holding device are controllable by the user-standard operation of the low beam and the high beam. In the initial position, the light source is located in the position for the low beam. If a user wants to switch to the high beam, the light source is moved by the cam in direction toward the holding device. There the light source is fixed by the holding device in the position for the high beam. This can be provided by a corresponding electrical control, for example the coil. The cam moves back as mentioned above, again to its initial position. If a user wants to switch to the low beam, the holding device is deactivated. As a result, the light source is moved by the spring to the position for the low beam.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3229082 (1966-01-01), Barron
patent: 5911502 (1999-06-01), Zillgitt et al.
patent: 5971574 (1999-10-01), Taniuchi et al.
patent: 2 316 187 (1974-10-01), None
patent: 44 35 507 A1 (1996-04-01), None
Grimm Heinz
Redzinsky Kirsten
Quach Y.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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