Steering responsive control device for turning automotive headlamps
AssigneeSociete Anonyme Automobiles Citroen
InventorJean Cadiou
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for controlling the angular position of turning headlamps of motor vehicles comprises a correcting hydraulic circuit connecting an auxiliary distributor to the hydraulic circuit transmitting control power. The distributor is adapted to alternately be connected to a source of hydraulic liquid under pressure and to an exhaust for discharging liquid. The distributor permits a compensation for any reduction in the initial volume of the liquid in the control transmission circuit or a discharge of any excess liquid, such reduction or excess being due to variations in the thermal condition of the liquid in the circuit. Means are also provided for neutralizing the correcting circuit in all angular positions of the steering mechanism other than the straight-ahead driving position.
Claims5
In a device for controlling the orientation of vehicle headlamps in response to movement of the vehicle steering mechanism, such device being of the type including a primary hydraulic circuit having liquid therein;
- a hydraulic transmitter mechanically connected to said steering mechanism and hydraulically communicating with said primary hydraulic circuit to pressurize said liquid therein in response to movement of said steering mechanism;
- a hydraulic receiver mechanically connected to said headlamps and hydraulically communicating with said primary hydraulic circuit to move said headlamps in response to pressurizing of said liquid;
- and means for compensating for volume changes of said liquid due to temperature variations thereof;
- the improvement wherein said compensating means comprises:
- an auxiliary distributor mechanically connected to said headlamps and having an element movable in response to movement of said headlamps;
- a correcting hydraulic circuit hydraulically communicating said auxiliary distributor with said primary hydraulic circuit;
- hydraulic liquid supply means for supplying additional liquid to said correcting hydraulic circuit upon movement of said element of said auxiliary distributor in a first direction;
- hydraulic liquid exhaust means for exhausting liquid from said correcting hydraulic circuit upon movement of said element of said auxiliary distributor in a second direction;
- and
- means, responsive to movement of said steering mechanism, for allowing communication between said correcting hydraulic circuit and said primary hydraulic circuit when said steering mechanism is in a straight-ahead driving position, such that liquid will be supplied to and exhausted from said primary hydraulic circuit in response to movement of said element of said auxiliary distributor, and for interrupting communication between said correcting hydraulic circuit and said primary hydraulic circuit when said steering mechanism is in any position other than said straight-ahead driving position;
- whereby movement of said element of said auxiliary distributor will supply additional liquid to or exhaust excess liquid from said primary hudraulic circuit only when said steering mechanism is in said straight-ahead driving position and only as a result of volume change due to temperature variation of said liquid in said primary hydraulic circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.