JPH0664304U - Optical axis adjustment confirmation device for automobile headlights - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The purpose is to securely lock the slide marker 6 to the case 5. [Structure] Outer peripheral surface of case 5 and cylindrical slide marker 6
Engaging portions 52 and 61 that engage with each other are provided in a portion 91 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the. As a result,
At the close contact portion 91, the slide marker 6 is pressed and held by the case 5, and at the close contact portion 91, the engaging portion 61 on the inner peripheral surface of the slide marker 6 and the engaging portion 52 on the outer peripheral surface of the case 5 are mutually engaged. Engage with. As a result, the slide marker 6 is reliably locked to the case 5 by the pressing force and the mechanical coupling between the engaging portions 52 and 61.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an optical axis adjustment confirmation device for a vehicle headlamp, and more particularly to an optical axis adjustment confirmation device capable of reliably locking a cylindrical slide marker in a case.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 The headlights for automobiles are dangerous because if the optical axis of the emitted light is too upward, it will dazzle oncoming vehicles. On the other hand, if the optical axis of the irradiation light is directed too downward, the road ahead in the direction of travel will not be illuminated well, which makes driving difficult and dangerous. Furthermore, if the optical axis of the illuminating light deviates greatly from side to side, the front area will not be properly illuminated, which is dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to properly adjust the above-mentioned optical axis. Therefore, a vehicle headlight is provided with a device for slightly adjusting the optical axis in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the state of being mounted on the vehicle body. An example of such a vehicle headlight is described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-70602. In this automotive headlamp, the body to be adjusted is rotatably attached to the body to be mounted by a pivot bearing mechanism, and the body to be adjusted is equipped with a light source bulb. Equipped with an optical axis adjustment mechanism and an optical axis adjustment mechanism for the left and right directions respectively. Such an optical axis adjusting mechanism is composed of an adjusting screw or the like which is rotatably mounted on the mounting body and is immovable in the axial direction. Thus, by operating the adjusting screw of the optical axis adjusting mechanism for upward and downward directions or the optical axis adjusting mechanism for left and right directions, the adjusted body is rotated in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction with respect to the mounting body. The optical axis adjustment in the vertical direction or the optical axis adjustment in the horizontal direction is performed. Among the above-mentioned automobile headlights, there are a reflector movable type and a lamp unit movable type. In the movable reflector type, the reflector as the body to be adjusted is rotatably attached to the lamp housing as the mounting body. In the movable lamp unit type, a lamp unit as an object to be adjusted is rotatably attached to a vehicle body as an attachment body. Further, the above-mentioned direction of the optical axis requires strict adjustment, and it cannot be easily adjusted unless it is done by professional equipment and professional engineers. Therefore, before being shipped from the automobile manufacturing plant and when it is being repaired at a specialized maintenance plant, a specialist engineer performs initial adjustment in the optical axis direction using dedicated adjustment equipment. However, in an automobile whose optical axis direction has been initially adjusted, if the optical axis adjustment goes wrong for some reason, readjustment becomes necessary. In this case, the readjustment is performed while checking the adjustment amount of the optical axis with the optical axis adjustment checking device.

There are various types of optical axis adjustment confirmation devices for this type of vehicle headlamp, and the applicant of the present invention has already filed an application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-117173). This optical axis adjustment confirmation device has a transparent case attached to the mounting body and a scale at one end, one end of which is slidably inserted into the case and the other end is attached to the object to be adjusted. And a tubular slide marker that is slidably fitted on the case and that reads the amount of movement of the rod member that moves with the rotation of the body to be adjusted as an adjustment amount. Prepare The outer peripheral surface of the case and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical slide marker have a portion that is separated from each other and a portion that is in close contact with each other. Initially adjust the optical axis of the body to be adjusted by rotating the adjusting screw to rotate the body to be adjusted in the up-down direction or the left-right direction with respect to the mounting body. When the initial adjustment is completed, the space between the cylindrical slide marker and the case is pressed with a finger or the like to separate the close contact portion between the cylindrical slide marker and the case. In that state, the cylindrical slide marker is slid with respect to the case, and the so-called origin adjustment is performed by making the marker of the slide marker and the "0" scale of the rod member match by default. Thus, when the adjusting screw is rotated to rotate the body to be adjusted in the up-down direction or the left-right direction with respect to the mounting body to adjust the up-down direction or the left-right direction of the optical axis, the rod member is rotated as the body to be adjusted is rotated. Moves in the axial direction, and the amount of movement of this rod member is read as the optical axis adjustment amount by the scale of the rod member and the marker of the cylindrical slide marker. As a result, it is possible to easily and accurately readjust the optical axis of the object to be adjusted while confirming the optical axis adjustment amount.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, the above-mentioned optical axis adjustment confirming device is configured so that, at the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical slide marker and the outer peripheral surface of the case, the slide marker is made elastic by the elastic function of the cylindrical slide marker. Is pressed and held by the case. For this reason, there is a problem that the slide marker may be displaced with respect to the case due to vibration of the automobile or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical axis adjustment confirmation device in a vehicle headlight, which is capable of reliably locking a slide marker and a case.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is provided with engaging means for engaging with each other in a portion where the outer peripheral surface of the case and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical slide marker are in close contact with each other. And are characterized.

[0007]

[Action]

 According to the present invention, the slide marker is pressed and held by the case at the close contact portion, and the inner peripheral surface of the slide marker is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the case at the close contact portion. Engage with each other. As a result, the slide marker is securely locked to the case by the pressing force and the mechanical connection of the engaging means.

[0008]

【Example】

 An embodiment of an optical axis adjustment confirmation device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this example, a movable reflector headlamp for a vehicle will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a lamp body as an attachment body of a vehicle headlamp. This lamp body 1 is defined by a housing 10, a lens 11 adhered and fixed to the front opening of the housing 10, a spherical concave bearing 12 provided in the housing 10, the housing 10 and the lens 11. The light chamber 13 is provided with an optical axis adjustment confirmation device attachment portion 14, a through hole 15 and an O-ring 16 provided at a position adjacent to the optical axis adjustment mechanism 3 described later.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 is a reflector as an adjusted body of a vehicle headlamp. This reflector 2 has a reflecting surface 20 which is, for example, a paraboloid of revolution on the front surface, and a spherical shaft 21 is planted on the rear surface side of the reflector 2, and further on the rear surface side of the reflecting surface 20 of the reflector 2. An optical axis adjustment confirmation device mounting portion 22 and a through hole 23 are provided at a position adjacent to the optical axis adjusting mechanism 3, and a through hole 24 for light collection is provided in the reflecting surface 20 of the reflector 2. By rotatably fitting the spherical shaft 21 of the reflector 2 to the bearing portion 12 of the housing 10, the reflector 2 is rotatably attached to the housing 10, and the reflector 2 is attached to the lamp body 1. It is arranged in the lamp chamber 13. A light source bulb (not shown) is provided on the front side of the reflector 2.

In the figure, 3 is an optical axis adjusting mechanism. The optical axis adjusting mechanism 3 includes a screw mounting 30 that is non-rotatably attached to the reflector 2 and is immovably mounted in an axial direction of an adjusting screw 31, which will be described later, and a rotatably and axially mounted housing 10. The adjusting screw 31 is mounted so as not to be movable. By rotating the adjusting screw 31, the reflector 2 is rotated in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction via the screw mounting 30, and as a result, the optical axis is adjusted.

In the figure, 5 is a case made of a transparent member. The case 5 has a cylindrical shape with one end open and the other end closed, and the outer shape has a circular cross section. Inside the case 5, a slide hole 50 having a circular cross section is provided, and one end of the case 5 is provided. A flange portion 51 is integrally provided on the edge of the opening end of the. A large number of V-shaped grooves or V-shaped convex engaging portions 52 serving as engaging means are provided in an annular shape at approximately the middle portion of the outer peripheral surface of the case 5. The flange portion 51 of the case 5 is attached to the attachment portion 14 of the housing 10 with the screw 17.

Reference numeral 6 is a slide marker. The slide marker 6 is a transparent member and is made of an elastic material, and a groove-shaped marker line 60 is circumferentially provided at the center of the outer peripheral surface of the slide marker 6. The slide marker 6 has an elliptical cross-section, and a V-shaped groove or V-shaped groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the slide marker 6 as engaging means for mutually engaging with the engaging portion 52 of the case 5. A large number of convex engaging portions 61 are provided in an annular shape. The inner diameter of the slide marker 6 is elliptical in cross section, the minor axis is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the case 5, and the major axis is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the case 5. The slide marker 6 is slidably fitted on the case 5. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the outer peripheral surface of the case 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the slide marker 6 are separated from each other in the long diameter portion 90 of the slide marker 6 and the slide marker 6. The short-diameter portion has a portion 91 that is in close contact with each other and the engaging portions 52 and 61 are engaged with each other.

Reference numeral 7 is a rod member. The rod member 7 is made of, for example, an optical fiber or synthetic resin such as nylon, and has a rod shape. Scales 70 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of one end of the rod member 7 in the circumferential direction at equal intervals. As the rod member 7 of this optical fiber, a rod member that does not change in length in the axial direction and is flexible in the radial direction is used. Reference numeral 8 is a clip integrally provided on the other end of the rod member 7. The clip 8 has flanges 81 and 82 for clamping and fixing the clip 8 on its outer peripheral surface. One end of the rod member 7 is slidably inserted into the slide hole 50 of the fixed case 5. On the other hand, the clip 8 at the other end of the rod member 7 is fixed to the recess 22 and the through hole 23 of the reflector 2 via the flanges 81 and 82. As a result, the other end of the rod member 7 is fixed to the reflector 2 via the clip 8, and the other end of the rod member 7 is positioned in the through hole 24 for light collection of the reflecting surface 20 of the reflector 2. Will be done.

Thus, the assembly of the headlamp equipped with the optical axis adjustment confirmation device of the present invention to the vehicle body is completed, and the adjusting screw is rotated to move the reflector 2 to the lamp body 1 in the vertical or horizontal direction. Initially adjust the optical axis of the reflector 2 by rotating to. When the initial adjustment is completed, as shown in FIG. 5, the long-diameter portion of the slide marker 6, that is, the slide marker 6 at the space 90 between the slide marker 6 and the case 5 is crushed in the direction of the arrow with a finger or the like. . Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the slide marker 6 is elastically deformed, and the short-diameter portion of the slide marker 6, that is, the tightly engaging portion between the engaging portion 61 of the slide marker 6 and the engaging portion 52 of the case 5. 91 is separated. In this state, the slide marker 6 is moved in the axial direction with respect to the fixed case 5, and the marker 60 of the slide marker 6 and the reference scale of the rod member 7, for example, the 0 scale (original point) are aligned, Initialize the optical axis adjustment confirmation device of the present invention. When the initial setting of the optical axis adjustment confirmation device is completed, the finger or the like is released from the slide marker 6. Then, due to the elastic return action of the slide marker 6, the slide marker 6 returns to the original state, and the short-diameter portion of the slide marker 6, that is, the engaging portion 61 of the slide marker 6 and the engaging portion 52 of the case 5 become so. The slide marker 6 is securely locked to the case 5 by closely engaging with the case.

The optical axis adjustment confirmation device of the present invention in this embodiment is configured as described above, and the adjusting screw 31 of the optical axis adjusting mechanism 3 is rotated to rotate the reflector 2 with respect to the housing 10. Adjust the optical axis. Then, as the reflector 2 rotates, the rod member 7 moves via the clip 8, and the movement amount of the rod member 7 is adjusted by the marker 60 of the slide marker 6 and the scale 70 of the rod member 7 to adjust the optical axis. Read as. For example, the one scale 70 of the rod member 7 is set to 1.5 mm, and the turning angle of the reflector 2 at this time is set to 0.38 °.

In particular, in the optical axis adjustment confirmation device of the present invention in this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the case 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical slide marker 6 are in close contact with each other at the portions 91 that are in close contact with each other. The engaging portions 52 and 61 are provided respectively. For this reason, the slide marker 6 is pressed and held by the case 5 in the close contact portion 91, and the engagement portion 61 of the inner peripheral surface of the slide marker 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the case 5 are held in the close contact portion 91. The mating portion 52 engages with each other. As a result, the slide marker 6 is securely locked to the case 5 by the pressing force and the mechanical coupling between the engaging portions 52 and 61. Therefore, there is no fear that the slide marker 6 will be displaced with respect to the case 5 due to vibration of the automobile or the like.

As a means for mounting the rod member 7 on the reflector 2, in addition to the above-described clip, there is a contact using a magnet or a spring. Further, in the above-mentioned example, the lamp main body 1 is used as the mounting body, and the reflector movable type automotive headlamp that is the reflector 2 is used as the adjusted body. The body may be an automobile headlamp of a movable lamp unit, which is the main body of the lamp.

[0018]

[Effect of device]

 As is clear from the above, the optical axis adjustment confirmation device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention can reliably lock the cylindrical slide marker in the case.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle headlamp equipped with the optical axis adjustment confirmation device of the present invention, showing an embodiment of the optical axis adjustment confirmation device in the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a case, a rod member, and a slide marker.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the slide marker and the case are engaged with each other and the slide marker is locked to the case.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the engagement state between the engagement portion of the slide marker and the engagement portion of the case is released.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Lamp body, 10 ... Housing (mounting body), 2 ... Reflector (adjusted body), 3 ... Optical axis adjusting mechanism, 5 ... Case,
52 ... Engaging portion (engaging means), 6 ... Slide marker, 61
... Engagement portion (engagement means), 7 ... Rod member, 8 ... Clip, 90 ... Separation portion, 91 ... Tight engagement portion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A mounting body, an adjusted body rotatably mounted on the mounting body, and an optical axis adjusting mechanism attached to the adjusted body and the mounting body, and the optical axis adjusting mechanism is operated. By doing so, in the vehicle headlamp in which the body to be adjusted is rotated with respect to the mounting body and the optical axis is adjusted, the case mounted to the mounting body and one end portion are slid into the case. The rod member having the other end attached to the body to be adjusted, and the amount of movement of the rod member that is slidably fitted to the case and moves with the rotation of the body to be adjusted. A cylindrical slide marker that is read as an adjustment amount, and an optical axis adjustment confirmation device comprising: an outer peripheral surface of the case and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical slide marker, a portion separated from each other, The parts that are in close contact with each other and the parts that are in close contact with each other Optical axis adjustment confirmation apparatus in headlamp vehicle and having engaging means for engaging with each other, the in portions.