ADJUSTMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] [The present invention relates to a lighting device for an automobile, and more particularly to a lighting device for an automobile, with an optical axis adjustment mechanism.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Lighting devices are used in automobiles and the like, for lighting the path ahead. These lighting devices need to be oriented properly to provide adequate lighting to the driver of the automobile under various driving conditions and at the same time avoid dazzling vehicles coming from opposite direction. Currently, lighting devices are available with multiple optical modules. The optical modules are assembled to a housing of a lighting device by means of connection points, and the optical module is movable relative to the housing to correct the orientation, in particular vertically as well as in azimuth or horizontally.

[0003] Conventionally, to adjust the optical axis of the optical modules, of the lighting devices, various leveling system or levelers are provided. The leveling systems move or rotate the optical modules along the axis of rotation as per the requirements. These processes are cumbersome and involve various different and sizable components to perform the optical axis adjustment. This may make the system bigger in size and as per the current compact design standards of lighting systems are difficult to assemble and operate in small spaces. Hence, there is a need for optical axis adjustment system, capable of performing optical axis adjustment in small space with high reliability and flexibility.

[0004] There have been made various attempts to address the issue such as disclosed in DE 19927825 A1. The patent discloses a method for adjusting the inclination of the reflector in conjunction with a coupling element which acts indirectly between the actuating element and the headlight device. The connection of aiming systems as explained here works in translation motion and not in rotational motion thus making the system not as flexible and compact as desired. [0005] The prior art and the conventional methods have various disadvantages as described earlier and there is a need for an optical axis adjustment system which can overcome the above limitations and provide an effective system for optical axis adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the disadvantages described above of known lighting devices. In particular, it is the object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device with an optical axis adjustment of the optical modules.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a lighting device with an optical axis adjustment system that is compact and flexible.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device for an automobile comprising a housing, at least one first holding member and at least one second holding member, and an optical axis adjustment system for adjusting the optical axis of the lighting device, the optical axis adjustment system having at least one adjuster, at least one flexible aiming module rotatable and supported on the housing, the aiming module consisting of a far end and a near end, and at least one guiding member for guiding the aiming module on the housing.

[0009] In an embodiment, the at least one aiming module consists of a plurality of recesses extending along the length of the aiming module.

[0010] In an embodiment, the at least one aiming module is flexible and rotatable along its longitudinal axis.

[0011] In an embodiment, the at least one aiming module comprises an attaching element and a male element at the far end of the aiming module.

[0012] In an embodiment, the male element of the at least one aiming module is engageable into the manual adjuster of the optical axis system.

[0013] In an embodiment, the at least one aiming module comprises an attaching element and a recess element at the near end of aiming module. [0014] In an embodiment, the recess element of the at least one aiming module is accessible from outside the housing to perform optical axis adjustment of the lighting device.

[0015] In an embodiment, the plurality of recesses of the at least one aiming module are arranged by rotating adjacent recess to create 90 ^e angle between the recess along the longitudinal axis.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one first holding member and at least one second holding member are moulded on the housing of the lighting device.

[0017] In an embodiment, a retaining bracket is attached to housing to retain the at least one aiming module in place.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the aiming module is made by injection moulding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] To complete the description and to provide a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention, which should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention, but only as an example of how the invention can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following characteristics.

[0020] [Figure 1] shows a exploded perspective view of a lighting device comprising an optical axis adjustment system assembled on the housing.

[0021] [Figure 2] shows a front view of a lighting device with an optical axis adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] [Figure 3] shows aiming module having two working ends, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0024] Headlamps of automobiles are known to available with an optical axis adjustment system that include a tiltable member such as a reflector assembled to a stationary member (e.g. mounting bracket) of the headlamp by means of three connection points. The tiltable member may be movable relative to the stationary member of the headlamp to correct the orientation of the illuminated beam both horizontally as well as vertically. The three connection points include, a fixed connection point (also known as pivot point) around which the a tiltable member can be rotated; a vertical connection point by which the tiltable member is vertically movable relative to the stationary member; and a horizontal/ azimuth connection point by which the tiltable member is horizontally movable relative to the stationary member. The vertical and horizontal/ azimuth connection points include optical axis adjuster adapted to move in forward and backward in the axial direction in order to tilt the tiltable member horizontally and/or vertically. Usually, an aiming module accessible by technician is provide to enable and operate the optical axis adjuster for performing the above operation.

[0025] Figure 1 shows the exploded view of an optical axis adjustment system for adjusting the optical axis of the lighting device (100) as per the embodiment of present invention. The figure further depicts the components namely at least one aiming module (22), a retaining bracket (5) and at least one adjuster (20) in relation to the housing (10) of the lighting device as per the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 shows the assembled front view of the optical axis adjustment system of the lighting device (100) shown in Figure 1. The figure shows at least one first holding member (14) and at least one second holding member (16) which are moulded on the housing (10) of the lighting device (100). The at least one first holding member (14) is provided near the access area which is accessible by a technician or a customer, and the at least one second holding member (16) is provided near the adjuster (20) of the optical axis adjustment system of the lighting device. Additionally, a retaining bracket (5) is attached to the housing to retain at least one aiming module (22) in place. The retaining bracket (5) is attached to the housing (10) by means of fasteners. Alternatively, the retaining bracket (5) can be attached using other means as well, such as but not restricted to welding and gluing. The figure further shows the assembly of the adjuster (20) and the at least one aiming module (22) on the housing by means of the at least one first holding member (14), at least one second holding member (16) and the retaining bracket (5). Additionally, one or more guiding shapes are provided to maintain the working position of the at least one aiming module.

[0027] The adjuster (20) further connects to a lighting module (not shown in figures)

[0028] Figure 3 shows the at least one aiming module (22) of Figure 1 and 2 as per the embodiment of the present invention. The at least one aiming module (22) is rotatable about its axis of cylinder and is supported on the housing (10). As shown in the figure, the aiming module (22) further consisting of a far end (A) and a near end (B). The at least one aiming module (22) comprises an attaching elements (24a) and a male element (26) at the far end (A). The male element (26) of the at least one aiming module (22) is engage able into the manual adjuster (20) of the optical axis adjustment system for adjusting the optical axis of the lighting device. Further, the at least one aiming module (22) comprises an attaching elements (24b) and a recess element (28) provided at the near end (B) of at least one aiming module (22). The recess element (28) of the at least one aiming module (22) is provided in manner that it is accessible from outside of the housing (10) to perform optical axis adjustment of the lighting device. As shown in the figure the at least one aiming module (22) comprises of plurality of recesses (22a, 22b) extending along the length of the at least one aiming module (20). The plurality of recesses (22a, 22b) is arranged to form 90 ^Q angle between the recesses by rotating adjacent recess along the longitudinal axis. The recess (22a, 22b) provide the at least one aiming module with flexibility and bending capability, and hence allow the system to be adapted for critical area. This flexible nature of the at least one aiming module (22) helps in reducing the size of the optical axis adjustment system of the lighting device (100) of an automotive vehicle. The at least one aiming module (22) here is made of plastic material by means of injection moulding, but can be made of any material and processes providing similar functionality. The at least one aiming module (22) is intended to be produced by injection moulding, to be able to integrate all main features in a same single part. However, in order to standardize a range of parts with different lengths, the main blocks (e.g. customer interface, adjuster interface and flexible body) can be moulded as different parts and assembled together to form a complete assembly.]