US 5,906,431 A · Device for controlling the orientation of the movable reflector of a motor vehicle headlight

Abstract

The movable reflector of the headlight of a motor vehicle can be orientated by means of an orientation adjustment device located inside the body of the headlight. The orientation of the reflected light beam is controlled with the help of an adjustable graduated scale which is connected to the reflector and which can move with respect to a stationary indicator fixed to the headlight, so as to indicate the changes in orientation of the reflector. The graduated scale is set to zero by means of a manual adjustment carried out by specialized personnel using a special tool, once the reflector has been correctly orientated by means of the adjustment device. The stationary indicator and the graduated scale are located so that they are clearly visible inside the headlight, beneath the transparent cover of a porthole which can be opened in order to set the scale to zero. In a modified version of the control device, the graduated scale is stationary and is mounted on the inside of the transparent cover so that it cannot be removed. A movable indicator, connected to the reflector, slides along the scale indicating the changes in orientation of the reflector. The graduated scale is set to zero by inserting the special tool through a hole in the cover.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A device for controlling an orientation of a movable reflector of a motor vehicle headlight, said reflector being located inside said headlight, the device comprising:

at least one ball-and-socket joint element to allow the reflector to move with respect to said headlight in a horizontal and/or vertical plane;
an adjustment device, mounted inside said headlight close to a wall of said headlight opposite from said reflector, to move the said reflector around said at least one joint element;
and
display means, mounted inside said headlight and supported by a section of an upper wall of said headlight, showing a relative orientation of the said reflector, wherein said adjustment device includes a screw which rotates inside said headlight and a nut which translates and is coupled to said screw and connected to said display means and to the said reflector, said screw being rotated by a knob which is outside of said headlight and is connected to the said screw by a pair of gears.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for controlling the orientation of the movable reflector of a motor vehicle headlight

Life of this patent

Device for controlling the orientation of the movable reflector of a motor vehicle headlight

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6