Adjustment system for vehicle lamp
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a system enabling micro-adjustments in headlamps having upper and lower modules. A link exists between the upper and lower modules, the length of the link is made to be adjustable. The lower module is located on a pivot so that adjustments made to the length of the link result in a desired lighting pattern.
1. An illumination system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a first light-configuring module;
a second light-configuring module;
a length-adjustable link connected between the first and second light-configuring modules, the length-adjustable link establishing a first pivotal connection on the first light-configuring module, the length-adjustable link establishing a second pivotal connection on the second light-configuring module;
the first light-configuring module being pivotally attached relative to a vehicle frame member at a structural pivot location, the structural pivot location not being in line with the first and second pivotal connections on the first and second light-configuring modules; and
an adjustment of an overall length of the length-adjustable link changing a lighting pattern emitted by the first light-configuring module.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second light-configuring modules includes a reflector.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second pivotal connections are ball connections.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second pivotal connections are made into sockets which are connected to the first and second light-configuring modules.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein each of the sockets are made into rearwardly-extending tubes on the first and second light-configuring modules.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein a screw-adjustment arrangement is used to pivot the first light configuring module to a first-module angular position, and a second-module angular position using the length-adjustable link.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein a lengthening of the length-adjustable link results in a clockwise adjustment in the second light-configuring module, and a shortening of the length-adjustable link results in a counter-clockwise adjustment being made by the second light-configuring module.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the system is configured to cause the second light-configuring module to remain in place after an adjustment made by a user.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the length-adjustable link comprises:
an inner translatable member included in an outer sleeve; and
an externally actuated gear configured to drive reciprocating teeth existing on an elongated gear-driven bar which is secured to and extends along an inner wall of the inner translatable member.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein a length of the length-adjustable link is made adjustable using one of a rack and pinion, a worm gear arrangement, a helical gear, or a bevel gear.
11. A headlight comprising:
a low-beam light module including a low-beam-pattern-configuring component;
a high-beam light module including a high-beam-pattern-configuring component; and
a linking member pivotally connected between a rear portion of the low-beam light module and a rear portion of the high-beam module, the linking member being configured to increase or decrease in length to change an angular relationship of one of the low-beam or high-beam light modules relative to vertical.
12. The headlight of claim 11 wherein the low-beam-pattern-configuring component is a reflector.
13. The headlight of claim 11 wherein the high-beam-configuring component is a reflector.
14. The headlight of claim 13 wherein a screw-adjustment arrangement is used to increase or decrease in length to change an angular relationship of one of the low-beam or high-beam light modules relative to vertical.
15. The headlight of claim 11 wherein a lengthening of the linking member results in a clockwise adjustment of the high-beam light module, and a shortening of the linking member results in a counter-clockwise adjustment being made of the high-beam-light module.
16. The headlight of claim 15 wherein the headlight is configured to cause the low-beam light module to remain stationary as the high-beam light module is being adjusted.
17. The headlight of claim 16 wherein the high-beam module, after being adjusted to remain in place after an adjustment has been made by a user, is caused to remain in an adjusted position by a frictional relationship established by a screw-adjustment system.
18. The headlight of claim 11 wherein a length of the linking member is made adjustable using one of a rack and pinion, a worm gear arrangement, a helical gear, or a bevel gear.
19. A method for adjusting a first lighting module relative to a second lighting module to create a desired lighting pattern, the method comprising:
connecting the first module to the second module using a structural link;
making a preliminary adjustment of the first module into a stationary position; and
adjusting an angular position of the second module about a pivot by increasing or decreasing a length of the structural link.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising:
causing a vehicle low-beam pattern to be emitted from the first module; and
causing a vehicle high-beam pattern to be emitted from the second module.