JPH0788149B2 - Vehicle headlamp tilting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure high waterproofness for a long period of time by supporting a rod supporter on a tilter casing free of longitudinal motion, while inserting an adjusting rod being connected to a tilting member into its center hole, and sealing an interval between the rod supporter and the casing with a waterproofing member. CONSTITUTION:In a lamp housing 7 clamped to a car body, there is provided with a tilting device 21 which performs aiming adjustment and leveling adjustment of a headlight unit 2, and a rod supporter 46 is supported on the casing 22 free of movement in the longitudinal direction. An adjusting rod 50 is inserted into a support hole 58 of this rod supporter 46 free of rotation alone, and the front end is pivotally supported on the unit 2, while the rear end is connected to an aiming rotational means 99. The rod supporter 46 is moved in the axial direction by rotating a worm wheel 78 by drive of a motor 64 via gear trains 68, 74, 70 or the like. Then, both ends of waterproofing members 61, 62 bent in bellows element form are engaged with an interval between a projecting part of the rod supporter 46 and the casing 22, making them perform their sealing water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A tilting device for a vehicle headlight according to the present invention will be described in accordance with the following items.

A. Industrial field of use B. Outline of invention C. Prior art [Fig. 12] D. Problem to be solved by the invention [Fig. 12] E. Means for solving the problem F. Example [Circle 1 to 11] F-1. First embodiment [Figs. 1 to 10] a. Headlight unit, lamp housing [Figs. 1 to 5]
Fig.] B. Rotating fulcrum mechanism [Fig. 4] c. Aiming adjustment mechanism [Fig. 5] d. Tilt device [Fig. 1 to 10] d-1. Casing [Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 4] 6 to 10
Fig.] D-2. Rod support, adjusting rod [Fig. 1, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 6 to Fig. 9] d-3. Opening gap of casing [Fig. 1] d-4. Waterproof member [Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 6, Fig. 9, Fig.
Fig. 10] d-5. Driving means [Fig. 1, Fig. 8, Fig. 9] d-6. Sensor [Fig. 1, Fig. 8, Fig. 9] d-6-a. Configuration d-6 -B. Function d-7. Rotating part for aiming [Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 6,
Fig. 7] d-8. Connection with headlight unit, etc. [Figs. 1 and 4] d-9. Operation d-9-a. Vertical initial aiming adjustment d-9-b. Leveling Adjustment d-10. Watertightness inside casing F-2. Second embodiment [Fig. 11] G. Effect of the invention (A. Industrial field of application) The present invention is a tilting of a novel vehicle headlamp. Regarding the device. More specifically, a headlight unit that is tilted when adjusting the irradiation direction is tiltably supported by a support member, and a casing in which leveling driving means is housed and a rod support that is moved by the driving means are supported. The present invention relates to a tilting device such as a vehicle headlight having an adjusting rod that tilts the headlight unit by being supported and moved by a body and the rod support, and watertightly holds the opening of the casing. By devising a waterproofing means to
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel vehicle headlight tilting device having high waterproof reliability.

(B. Overview of the Invention) A tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention supports a headlamp unit tilted when changing an irradiation direction on a support member so as to be tiltable. A fixed casing and a rod support which is movably and non-rotatably supported in the casing in the front-rear direction, and whose front and rear end portions project outside the casing through holes formed in the front wall and the rear wall of the casing, respectively. An adjusting rod inserted into and supported by the rod support, the front end of which is connected to a bracket provided on the outer surface of the headlight unit and the rear end of which is connected to the aiming rotating means, and which is disposed in the casing. Regarding the one provided with a leveling drive means for moving the rod support, the waterproof means for keeping the hole of the casing watertight is made of a thin rubber elastic material and the middle part is bent. The both ends of the existing substantially tubular waterproof member are respectively locked to the portion of the rod support projecting outside the casing and the casing, eliminating the portion rubbed by the waterproof member as the rod support moves, This increases the reliability of waterproofing.

(C. Prior art) [Fig. 12] For example, in an automobile headlight device, an initial aiming adjustment in the irradiation direction, that is, irradiation performed after being attached to the vehicle body, before use, or during inspection, etc. In addition to the adjustment of the direction, there is so-called leveling adjustment, that is, the adjustment of the irradiation direction that is performed each time in order to correct the irradiation direction that is erroneous due to the change in the load applied to the vehicle body.

FIG. 12 shows an example a of a conventional vehicle headlamp device having such a leveling adjusting function. In the figure, b is a headlamp unit supported by a lamp housing (not shown) so as to be tiltable in the left-right direction and the up-down direction via one rotation fulcrum and two adjustment points, and c is the headlamp unit. a tilting device for tilting b,
Of the above-mentioned two adjustment points, it is provided at an adjustment point for adjusting the irradiation direction of the headlight unit in the vertical direction, and the aiming means for performing the initial aiming adjustment and the leveling means for performing the leveling adjustment are integrated. It is composed by combining.

d is a casing fixed to the lamp housing,
Substantially cylindrical boss portions f and f'are formed at positions on the front and rear side walls e and e ', which face each other, and a cylindrical support portion g is provided so as to project rearward from the inner surface of the front side wall e. Inside the casing d, a leveling drive unit k including a motor h, a worm gear i, a worm wheel j, and the like, a detector for detecting the position of an adjusting rod described later, and the like are housed. The worm wheel j is a boss. f, f '
It is rotatably supported by the support part g in a state where it is coaxial with the insertion holes m and m'formed in and. Reference numeral n denotes a substantially cylindrical rod support, the front part of which is rotatably and axially movably supported by the insertion hole m of the boss part f on the front side of the casing d, and the rear part of which is the center of the worm wheel j. It is screwed into a screw hole o formed in the portion. Reference numeral p denotes an adjusting rod in which a front end q is connected to a lower end r of the headlamp unit b in a ball joint shape, and an intermediate portion thereof is screwed into a screw hole s formed by penetrating the center of the rod support n. The rear end t is joined to the casing d.
The boss portion f ′ on the rear side is inserted to project outside the casing d.

u and u ′ are waterproof members formed of a rubber material in a substantially cylindrical shape, one end of which is fixed to each end face of the bosses f and f ′, and the other end of which is a rod support member of the adjusting rod p. n
Are externally fitted to the part projecting from the front part and the part projecting from the rear boss part f '.

When the initial aiming adjustment is performed, the rear end portion t of the adjusting rod p is gripped and rotated, whereby the adjusting rod p is screwed or unscrewed with respect to the rod support n to move in the front-rear direction. Further, when the leveling adjustment is performed, the drive unit k is driven, whereby the worm wheel j rotates to move the rod support n together with the adjusting rod p in the front-rear direction, whereby
The headlamp unit b is tilted in the vertical direction.

(D. Problem to be Solved by the Invention) [FIG. 12] In the tilting device c, the boss portions of the casing d for holding the holes m and m ′ of the boss portions f and f ′ are watertight. Between the f and f ′ and the adjusting rod p, the waterproof member u,
Although u'is provided, at least when the aiming adjustment is performed, the adjusting rod p must rotate with respect to the waterproof members u and u '. Therefore, the adjusting rod p and the waterproof members u and u'at least rotate. It is necessary to freely contact each other, and therefore, the adjusting rod p and the waterproof members u and u '.
Therefore, there is a problem in that the watertightness is not reliable because it cannot be completely adhered. Further, when the adjusting rod p moves or rotates, sliding occurs between the waterproof members u, u ′ and the adjusting rod p, so that the waterproof member u,
There is also a problem that wear of u ′ occurs and the watertightness deteriorates during use.

(E. Means for Solving the Problem) Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle headlamp tilting device of the present invention is made of a thin rubber elastic material and has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bendable middle part. Both ends of the waterproof member are locked to the portion of the rod support projecting outside the casing and the casing.

Therefore, in the tilting device for a vehicle headlight of the present invention, the hole of the casing is located in the space defined by the waterproof member, the outer surface of the casing, and the outer peripheral surface of the rod support.
Moreover, since the rod support only moves in the axial direction and does not rotate, the waterproof member and the outer peripheral surface of the rod support can be completely brought into close contact with each other, and the above space can be kept completely watertight. In addition, since the rod support and the waterproof member do not come into sliding contact with each other, the waterproof member is not worn and the sealing performance is not impaired, whereby the waterproof property of the opening portion of the casing can be stably maintained. it can.

(F. Embodiment) [FIGS. 1 to 11] Hereinafter, details of a tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to respective embodiments.

(F-1. First Embodiment) [FIGS. 1 to 10] FIGS. 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of a tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. The headlamp device 1 shown in this embodiment is a so-called movable unit type headlamp device, that is, in a lamp space defined by a lamp body having an anti-slope surface that is open to the front and a lens that covers the front opening. A headlight unit, which is a light bulb installed, is used as a tilting member,
This is a type of headlight device that changes the irradiation direction by tilting this headlight unit with respect to the vehicle body.

(A. Headlamp Unit, Lamp Housing) [FIGS. 1 to 5] 2 is a headlamp unit, which includes a lamp body 3 formed to have a recessed shape that is open substantially forward and It comprises a lens 4 attached to the lamp body 3 so as to cover its front opening, and a light bulb 5 supported by the lamp body 3.
The lamp body 3 has a reflecting surface 3a facing forward,
The light bulb 5 is supported by a light bulb mounting hole 3b formed on the top of the reflecting surface 3a, and the light emitting portion of the light bulb 5 is located in a lamp space 6 defined by the lamp body 3 and the lens 4. .

Reference numeral 7 denotes a synthetic resin lamp housing, which has a substantially concave shape that is open to the front, and is fixed to the vehicle body 8 so as to be located on the rear side of the opening for headlight placement of the vehicle body 8.

Headlight unit 2 is at points A, B and C (see FIG. 2).
Is a point supported by the lamp housing 7, point A is a rotation fulcrum portion, and points B and A are separated laterally from the point A.
Point C, which is spaced downward from the point, serves as an adjusting portion that can adjust the distance between the headlamp unit 2 and the lamp housing 7. The headlamp unit 2 is adjusted by these adjusting portions. Thus, it is tilted in the left-right direction (the leftward direction in FIG. 2 is the leftward direction and the rightward direction is the rightward direction) and the vertical direction.

(B. Rotational fulcrum mechanism) [Fig. 4] Reference numeral 9 is a rotational fulcrum mechanism which constitutes the above-mentioned rotational fulcrum portion.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a supported portion that projects rearward from the rear surface of the lamp body 3, a metal support shaft 11 is fixed to the rear end of the supported portion, and a spherical portion 11a is integrally formed at the lower end of the support shaft 11. Has been formed.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a synthetic resin receiver attached so as to project forward from the lamp housing 7, and has a spherical concave portion 12a formed on the upper surface thereof, and the spherical concave portion 12a has a spherical concave portion of the support shaft 11. The part 11a is rotatably fitted inside.

Then, the headlamp unit 2 is mounted on the lamp housing 7 so that it can be tilted about a point where the spherical portion 11a of the support shaft 11 is supported by the receiver 12 (this point is the point A). Supported.

(C. Aiming Adjustment Mechanism) [FIG. 5] Reference numeral 13 is an aiming adjustment mechanism which constitutes the adjustment of the point B.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a substantially cylindrical protrusion projecting rearward from the rear surface of the lamp body 3, and a synthetic resin receiver 15 is fixed to the rear end of the lamp body 3. A spherical concave portion 15a that opens toward the front and a groove-shaped groove 15b that continuously extends forward are formed at the front end of the spherical concave portion 15a.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a gear unit, which is a gear case 17 fixed to the front surface of the lamp housing 7, a first bevel gear 18 rotatably provided in the gear case 17 in a direction in which the axial direction extends along the vertical direction, and the first bevel gear 18. A second bevel gear 19 meshing with the bevel gear 18 and an aiming adjustment shaft 20. A screw hole 19a penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in a boss formed in the center of the second bevel gear 19 to form a first boss. Bevel gear 18
The upper end portion of the operation rod 18a fixed to the is projected to the outside of the gear case 17.

Most of the aiming adjustment shaft 20 has a screw shaft shape,
A spherical portion 20a and a plate-like protrusion 20b projecting forward from the spherical portion 20a are integrally formed at the front end thereof, and an intermediate portion thereof is screwed into a screw hole 19a of the second bevel gear 19 and is spherical. Part 20a
Is rotatably fitted in the spherical recess 15a of the receiving body 15, and the protrusion 20b is slidably engaged with the hole 15b of the receiving body 15. Therefore, the aiming adjustment shaft 20 is connected to the receiving member 15 in a non-rotatable state. The point where the spherical portion 20a of the aiming adjustment shaft 20 and the spherical concave portion 15a of the receiving body 15 are connected is the point B.

Then, when the first bevel gear 18 is rotated by the operation shaft 18a, the second bevel gear 19 is rotated, and the aiming adjustment shaft 20 screwed to the second bevel gear 19 is fed in the axial direction. Body 15 is moved in the front-back direction,
As a result, the headlight unit 2 is tilted substantially in the left-right direction with the straight line connecting the points A and C as the rotation center axis, and the irradiation direction is changed to the left-right direction. That is, the aiming adjustment in the left-right direction is performed.

(D. Tilting device) [Figs. 1 to 10] 21 is a tilting device that constitutes the adjusting portion of the support point C, and is used for adjusting the aiming of the headlight unit 2 in the vertical direction of the irradiation direction. Leveling adjustment is performed by this tilting device 21.

(D-1. Casing) [FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 to FIG.
[Fig. 10] 22 is a casing of the tilting device 21, and is composed of two front halves 23 and a rear half 24 which are made splittable and are integrally connected.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a main portion of the front half 23, which opens rearward and has a substantially two-third lower portion 26 (hereinafter referred to as “lower portion”) of a substantially square shape when viewed from the front. However, the remaining portion 27 (hereinafter referred to as the "upper part") has a substantially mountain shape,
The inner depth of the upper portion 27 is approximately half the inner depth of the lower portion 26. Reference numeral 28 denotes a tubular portion integrally formed so as to pass through a position near the upper end of the front wall 29 of the main portion 25 in the front-rear direction, and has an annular locking groove 30 extending circumferentially near the front end of the outer peripheral surface 28a. Are formed.

Reference numeral 31 is a connecting portion integrally formed with the main portion 25, and the front half
The rear end portion 23 is formed, and the outer shape when viewed from the front-rear direction is a vertically long rectangular shape, and the main portion 25 is open to the rear surface of the coupling portion 31. Reference numerals 32, 32, ... are projecting pieces projecting upward from the left and right end portions of the upper end of the coupling portion 31 and downward from the center portion and the left and right end portions of the lower end, respectively. Insertion holes 32a, 32a, ... Are formed in the projecting pieces 32, 32 ,. Reference numerals 33 and 33 denote attachment holes formed at both left and right end portions of the coupling portion 31 near the upper end.

Further, the rear half 24 is also formed by integrally forming a main portion 34 and a coupling portion 35, which are substantially similar to the front half 23, and projecting pieces 36, 36 project from the left and right end portions of the lower end of the coupling portion 35, and , These protrusions 3
Holes 36a and 36a are formed in 6 and 36, and holes 37 and 37 are formed in both left and right end portions near the upper end of the coupling portion 35. 38, 3
Numerals 8 ... are bosses for attaching an aiming operation section, which will be described later, and project from the rear surface of the rear half 24 toward the rear, and are formed at four corners of a horizontally long rhombus when viewed from the rear. It is located at the corresponding position. Also these bosses 38, 3
In the case of 8, ..., the intervals between adjacent ones and those facing each other in the minor axis direction are equal. 39 is an insertion hole formed in the upper center of the rear wall 40 of the main portion 34, and 41 is an annular protrusion formed on the rear surface of the rear wall 40 so as to be concentric with the insertion hole 39. The rest groove 42 is formed in contact with the inner base of the protrusion 41.

The locking groove 42 and the locking groove 30 formed in the tubular portion 28 of the front half 23 are formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section.

Then, the front half 23 and the rear half 24 are in a state in which their respective opening surfaces are brought into contact with each other, and in the holes 33, 33 and 37, 37 formed in the connecting portions 31, 35, and the lower protruding piece 32. , 32 holes 32
a, 32a and the screws 4 inserted in the holes 36a, 36a of the protruding pieces 36, 36
3, 43, ... to nuts 44, 44, ... (Figs. 9 and 10)
(See the drawing) are screwed together so that they are integrally connected to each other, and the cylindrical portion 28 of the front half 23 and the insertion hole 39 of the rear half 24 are coaxially positioned by this connection.

In addition, a waterproof member 45 (see FIG. 1) is interposed at the abutting portion between the connecting portions 31 and 35, whereby the abutting portion is made watertight.

(D-2. Rod support, adjustment rod) [Fig. 1, 3
FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 6 to FIG. 9] 46 is a rod support. The rod support 46 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and a one-third portion 47 near the front end thereof is formed to have a larger diameter than the remaining portion.
Engagement projections 47a, 47a are provided so as to project from portions of the rear end portion of the rear end portion 47 located on opposite sides of the axial center, and the portion located immediately after the large diameter portion 47 is the screw shaft portion 48. Is formed in. Furthermore, annular locking grooves 49, 49 'extending in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the front and rear ends of the rod support 46,
These locking grooves 49, 49 'are formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section, and the size of the cross-sectional shape is substantially the same as that of the locking grooves 30, 42 formed in the casing 22. .

50 is an adjusting rod in the shape of a cylinder that is long in the front-rear direction,
The front end portion 51 is formed on the screw shaft portion, the rear end portion 52 is a linking portion having a substantially oval cross-sectional shape, and the intermediate portion 53 and the rear end portion 52 are formed.
A stopper flange 54 is formed at the boundary with
An emotional groove 55 is formed at the boundary between 53 and the spiral shaft portion 51.

Further, in the rod support 46, the large diameter portion 47 is slidably inserted into the hole 56 of the cylinder portion 28 of the front half 23, and the rear end portion 57 is slidably inserted into the insertion hole 39 of the rear half 24. By being inserted, the slider 22 is movably supported in the front-rear direction in the casing 22, and the engagement protrusions 47a, 47a of the large-diameter portion 47 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 56 of the cylindrical portion 28 so as to extend in the axial direction. It is made non-rotatable by slidably engaging the moving grooves 56a, 56a.

The intermediate portion 53 of the adjusting rod 50 is rotatably inserted into the center of the rod support 46 or through a support hole 58 formed therethrough, and the stopper flange 54 abuts the rear end of the rod support 46, A stop ring 59 is engaged with the groove 55 and is located adjacent to the front side of the front end of the rod 46, so that it is axially immovable with respect to the rod support 46.

The front end portion of the rod support pair 46 projects from the hole 57 of the tubular portion 28 of the front half 23 to the outside of the casing 22, and the rear end portion 57 extends from the insertion hole 39 formed in the rear wall 40 of the rear half 24 to the casing 22. It is supported by the casing 22 in a state of protruding outward.

(D-3. Opening gap of casing) [Fig. 1] Then, the portion opened to the outside of the casing 22, that is,
Since the rod support 46 is inserted into the hole 57 of the tubular portion 28 and the insertion hole 39 of the rear wall 40, the holes 57 and 39 are temporarily closed by the rod support 46, but the rod support 46 does not include the hole 57. , 39 is slidably inserted, a slight gap 6 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of these holes 57 and 39 and the outer peripheral surface of the rod support 46.
0, 60 '(see FIG. 1) occurs, so that the casing 22
Will have portions in these two gaps 60, 60 'that allow the ingress of water from the outside.

There is also a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the hole 58 of the rod support 46 and the adjustment rod 50, but since this gap does not open inside the casing 22, even if water enters here, The water never enters the casing 22.

The gaps 60 and 60 'of the casing 22 are made watertight by a waterproof member described later.

(D-4. Waterproof member) [Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 9]
FIG. 10, FIG. 10] 61 and 62 are waterproof members. These waterproof members 61, 62 are made of a relatively thin material having rubber elasticity,
Before being assembled in the tilting device 21, the waterproof member 61 on the front side has a substantially levitation shape with a bulged central portion as shown in FIG. 10, and the waterproof member 62 on the rear side is shown in FIG. As described above, it has a substantially conical tubular shape that is long in the axial direction, and annular locking portions 61b, 61b ', 62b having a thickness larger than the thickness of the peripheral wall portions 61a, 62a at both ends in the axial direction. 62b 'is formed.

One of the engaging portions 61b and 61b 'of the front waterproof member 61 is an engaging groove 49 formed in the front end portion of the rod support 46.
The other locking portion 61b 'is locked to the cylindrical portion 28 of the front half 23.
The waterproof member 62 on the rear side is locked to the locking groove 30 formed on the rear side, and one end of the waterproof member 62 on the rear side is folded inward with one end of the waterproof member 62 being folded back inward. 62b is locked in a locking groove 49 'formed in the rear end of the rod support 46, and the other locking portion 62b' is locked in a locking groove 42 formed in the rear wall 40 of the rear half 24. Has been done.

Incidentally, the engaging grooves 49, 30, 4 of the engaging portions 61b, 61b ', 62b, 62b'.
9'and 42 are locked by these locking portions 61b, 61b ', 62b,
Locking grooves 49, 30, 49 ', 4 with 62b' ring expanded slightly
It is made by press fitting into 2. Therefore, the locking portions 61b, 61
The b ', 62b, 62b' are locked in the locking grooves 49, 49 'of the rod support 46 and the locking grooves 30, 42 of the casing 22 so as to be tightened here.

Thus, a sealed space 63 (see FIG. 1) is formed by the outer surface of the front end portion of the tubular portion 28, the outer surface of the portion of the rod support 46 projecting forward from the tubular portion 28, and the waterproof member 61, and the gap 60 is formed. The front end of the closed space 63 'is opened to the closed space 63, and the closed space 63' is formed by the rear surface of the back wall 40 of the casing 22, the outer surface of the portion of the rod support 46 projecting rearward from the insertion hole 39, and the waterproof member 62.
(See FIG. 1) is formed, and the rear end of the gap 60 'opens into this closed space 63', whereby both the gaps 60 and 60 'are watertight to the outside. To be done.

Incidentally, these waterproof members when the irradiation direction is adjusted
The movements of 61 and 62 will be described later.

(D-5. Driving means) [Fig. 1, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9] 64 is a motor, which is arranged at the lower end of the casing 22 so that the axial direction extends in the left-right direction and The position with respect to the casing 22 is fixed by the support pieces 65, 65 (see FIG. 8) provided and the motor presser 66 (see FIG. 1) provided on the rear half 24, and the pinion gear 68 is fixed to the rotary shaft 67 thereof. Is fixed.

69 is a worm body, which is a worm gear 70 and a pinion gear
71 and 71 are integrally formed coaxially with each other, and the front half 23
Worm support portions 72, 72, 72 formed on the ridge and the support pieces
It is rotatably supported by a shaft 73 held by 65 and the like.

74 is a reduction gear, and a large gear 75 and a small gear 76 are integrally formed, and are rotatably supported by a gear support portion 77 formed on the front half 23, the support piece 65, etc., and the large gear 75 is The pinion gear 68 provided on the rotation shaft 67 of the motor 64 is meshed with the small gear 76, and the pinion gear 71 of the worm body 69 is meshed with the small gear 76.

Reference numeral 78 is a worm wheel, which is a boss portion 79 having a substantially cylindrical size.
And the gear portion 80 centered on the portion near the rear end of the boss portion 79
Are integrally formed with each other, most of the hole 81a formed in the center of the boss 79 is formed as a screw hole, and gear teeth 82 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion.

And such a warm wheel 78 has its boss 79
The front part from the gear part 80 is the hole of the cylinder part 28 of the casing 22.
57 is rotatably fitted in the rear portion of the gear 57, and the gear portion 80 is meshed with the worm gear 70.
The screw shaft portion 48 of 46 is screwed into the screw hole portion 81a of the boss portion 79. The worm wheel 78 is prevented from moving in the axial direction by being sandwiched between the rear end surface of the tubular portion 28 and a clip described below from the front and rear.

Then, when the motor 64 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the worm wheel 78 via the pinion gear 68, the reduction gear 74, and the worm body 69 to rotate the worm wheel 78, and when the worm wheel 78 rotates, the screw hole The portion 81a sends the screw shaft portion 48 of the rod support 46 in the axial direction,
Thereby, the rod support 46 is moved in the front-rear direction together with the adjusting rod 50.

(D-6. Sensor) [Figs. 1, 8, 9] 83 is an adjusting rod when it is moved by the rotation of the motor 64.
A sensor for detecting the position of 50, which includes a part of the circuit board, a contact holding plate, a sensor gear, and means for rotating the sensor gear.

(D-6-a. Structure) 84 is a circuit board supported inside the rear half 24, and a circular engaging hole 85 is formed at a position near the upper end thereof.

Reference numeral 86 denotes a synthetic resin clip, which has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a flange 87 is formed at the front end thereof, and the rear portion is circumferentially divided into a plurality of grooves by the kerf reaching the rear end to thereby form an axial direction. Elastic piece 8 having elastic elasticity in a direction orthogonal to
8, 88, ... are formed, and these elastic pieces 88, 88, ...
· Locking claws 89, 89, ... Protruding outward are formed at the rear end portion, and the locking claws 89, 89, ... Is engaged with the opening edge portion on the rear side of the engagement hole 85 of the circuit board 84.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a sensor gear having a substantially flat gear shape, which is rotatably fitted over the front portion of the clip 86 and has a conductor 91,
A conductor support plate 92 that supports 91 'is attached.

Reference numeral 93 is a substantially disc-shaped contact holding plate, which is fitted onto the rear portion of the clip 86 and is prevented from rotating with respect to the circuit board 84, and has a large number of annular arrangements surrounding the engagement hole 85. , Holding holes 94, 9 ... Are formed, and these contact holding holes 94, 9 are formed.
4, ... Spherical contacts 95, 95, ... Are the conductors 91, 9
A coil spring having conductivity, which is contracted between the contacts 95, 95, ... And a large number of terminals (not shown) formed by printing on the front surface of the circuit board 84 in contact with 1 '.
96, 96, ... are stored.

Reference numeral 97 denotes a transmission gear for rotating the sensor gear 90, which is formed by integrally forming a large gear 97a and a small gear 97b that are coaxial with each other, and is a support shaft supported between the front half 23 and the rear half 24. A large gear 97a is rotatably supported by 98, meshes with a gear tooth 82 of the worm wheel 78, and a small gear 97a.
b meshes with the sensor gear 90.

Therefore, when the worm wheel 78 rotates, the rotation thereof is decelerated via the transmission gear 97 and transmitted to the sensor gear 90 to rotate the sensor gear 90, whereby the conductor support plate 92 attached to the sensor gear 90 is rotated. The positions of the conductors 91, 91 'with respect to the contacts 95, 95, ... change.

(D-6-b. Function) The contacts 95, 95, ... Are divided into two groups, a first polarity side group and a second polarity side group, and although not shown, The rear ends of the coil springs 96, 96, ... Are individually contacted with a large number of contacts printed on the front surface of the circuit board 74, and two electrode contacts of the contacts are polarities of the motor 64. Are specially connected to two different input terminals, and the other contacts are respectively connected to the switched contacts of two rotary switches interlocking with each other provided in the remote control section, and the rotary switch is connected to the power supply battery. By selecting an arbitrary set of switched contacts in the rotary switch, the selected set of switched contacts and the two contacts 95, 95 connected to the set of contacts and the conductor 9 are selected.
A circuit consisting of 1, 91 ', a motor 64 and a power supply is closed so that the motor 64 can be normally or reversely rotated.

Then, when the motor 64 rotates, the worm wheel 78 is rotated.
46 and the adjusting rod 50 are integrally moved forward or backward, and at the same time, the sensor gear 90 and the conductor support plate 92 are rotated, and when they are rotated by a predetermined amount, the conductors 91 and 91 'are selected. The above-mentioned circuit is opened apart from the contacts 95 and 95, and the rotation of the motor 64 is stopped. Therefore, the rotation amount and rotation direction of the motor 64 are defined by the switched contacts selected by the rotary switch, and the position of the adjusting rod 50 is detected by this sensor 83.

The control system of the control mechanism provided with such a sensor 83 is substantially the same as the control system of the control mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-209932.

(D-7. Rotating part for aiming) [Figs. 1, 4 and 6]
FIG. 7, FIG. 7] 99 is an aiming rotating part for rotating the adjusting rod 50 when the initial aiming adjustment in the irradiation direction is performed in the vertical direction.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a case of the rotating portion 99, the side end portion of which is fixed to three of the four bosses 38, 38, ... Provided in the casing 22 with screws 101, 101, 101. Insertion holes 103, 103 formed in the front and rear side walls 102, 102 are arranged coaxially with the rod support 46. 104 is a worm wheel, and both ends of a cylindrical boss 105 integrally formed in the center thereof are rotatably supported by the insertion holes 103, 103 and housed in the case 100. The hole 106 formed through the boss 105 has a substantially oval shape when viewed in the axial direction, and the adjustment rod 50 is inserted into the hole 106.
The rear end portion 52 is slidably inserted. Therefore, the adjusting rod 50 and the worm wheel 104 rotate integrally. Reference numeral 107 denotes an operation shaft, one end of which is located in the case 100 and is rotatably supported by the case, and a worm gear 108 is fixed to a part located in the case 100. It meshes with wheel 104.

Therefore, when the operation shaft 107 is rotated, the worm wheel 104 is rotated and the adjusting rod 50 is rotated.

(D-8. Connection with headlight unit, etc.) [Fig. 1, Fig. 4
[Fig.] Such a tilting device 21 is provided in the front half 23 of the casing 22 in a state in which a substantially middle portion of the casing 22 in the front-rear direction is located in the opening 109 formed in the back portion of the lamp housing 7. The upper two protruding pieces 3
2, 32 and holes 32a, 32a, 32a of the lower central projecting piece 32 and the mounting bosses 110, 11 projecting from the rear surface of the lamp housing 7.
Insert nuts 112, 11 into screws 111, 111, 111 inserted through 0, 110.
It is fixed to the lamp housing by screwing 12 and 112.

Further, 113 is a bracket fixed to the lower end portion of the rear surface of the lamp body 6 of the headlight unit 2,
A nut 114 is supported by 113, and the screw shaft portion 51 of the adjusting rod 50 is screwed into the nut 114.

(D-9. Operation) The aiming adjustment and the leveling adjustment by the tilting device 21 as described above are performed as follows.

(D-9-a. Vertical aiming adjustment in the vertical direction) When performing initial aiming adjustment in the irradiation direction in the vertical direction, the operation shaft 107 of the aiming rotary unit 99 is rotated. Then, since the worm 108 fixed to the operating shaft 107 rotates the worm wheel 104, the adjusting rod 50 is rotated integrally with the worm wheel 104, and the adjusting rod 50 rotates the nut 114 supported by the headlight unit 2. The nut 114 is moved back and forth along the adjusting rod 50 by being screwed in or spring-returned. As a result, the space between the headlight unit 2 and the lamp housing 7 in the tilting device 21 changes, so that the headlight unit 2 connects the rotation fulcrum A and the adjustment point B in the aiming adjustment mechanism 13. It is tilted in a substantially vertical direction with the straight line as the central axis of rotation, whereby the irradiation direction is adjusted in the vertical direction.

(D-9-b. Leveling adjustment) The leveling adjustment is performed by rotating the motor 64 by remote control. When the motor 64 rotates, as described above, the rod support 46 is moved integrally with the adjustment rod 50 in the front-rear direction, so that the nut 114 is moved in the front-rear direction, whereby the headlamp unit is moved substantially up and down. And the irradiation direction is adjusted in the vertical direction.

The moving direction and moving amount of the adjusting rod 50 are controlled by the sensor 83 as described above.

(D-10. Watertightness inside the casing) As described above, the hole 56 of the tubular portion 28 of the casing 22 and the insertion hole 39 of the rear wall 40 are kept watertight by the waterproof members 61 and 62. As described above, even if the initial aiming adjustment and the leveling adjustment are performed, there is no loss.

That is, when the initial aiming adjustment in the vertical direction is performed, the adjustment rod 50 rotates with respect to the rod support, and when the leveling adjustment is performed, the rod support 46 and the adjustment rod 50 are integrally formed. Although the waterproof members 61 and 62 move in the axial direction, the portions of the waterproof members 61 and 62 that are engaged with the rod support 46 move integrally with the rod support 46 in the front-back direction when the leveling adjustment is performed. This is because the state of being in close contact with the rod support 46 does not change at all and the surface of the rod support 46 does not rub against the rod support 46.

Therefore, the watertightness is maintained by the waterproof members 61 and 62 in a very stable state.

(F-2. Second Embodiment) [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of the tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

The headlight device 115 shown in the second embodiment differs from the headlight device 1 shown in the first embodiment in that it is associated with the adjusting rod headlight unit. Only the part that was done. Therefore, the description of the parts which are not different from those of the headlight device 1 will be omitted by giving the same reference numerals to the respective parts shown in the figure, which are the same as those of the headlight device 1 of the first embodiment. The usage of such a code is the same in the application example described later.

116 is a bracket 117 formed integrally with the lamp body 3
The receiver is made of synthetic resin and is formed with a spherical recess 116a that is open rearward.

The hole of the rod support 46 is a screw hole 118.

119 is an adjusting rod, and a sphere 120 is formed at the front end,
The rear end portion 121 is formed in a columnar shape and most of the remaining portion 122 is formed.
Is formed in the screw shaft portion, the screw shaft portion 122 is screwed into the screw hole 118 of the rod support 46, and the rear end 121 is slidable in the hole 106 of the worm wheel 104 of the aiming rotating portion 99. And the sphere 120 is rotatably fitted in the spherical recess 116a of the receiving body 116.

Then, when the operation shaft 107 of the aiming rotating portion 99 is rotated, the adjusting rod 119 is screwed or unscrewed with respect to the rod support 46 to move in the axial direction.
116 is moved substantially in the front-rear direction, whereby the headlight unit 2 is tilted substantially in the up-down direction and the irradiation direction is changed.

The leveling is performed in the same way as in the first embodiment.

(G. Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, the tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is capable of tilting the headlamp unit tilted when changing the irradiation direction on the support member. A tilting device for a vehicle headlamp, which is supported by a casing, fixed to a support member, movably and non-rotatably supported in the casing in the front-rear direction, and front and rear end portions of the casing are front walls of the casing. And a rod support protruding from the casing through holes formed in the rear wall and a rod support inserted through and supported by the rod support, the front end being connected to a bracket provided on the outer surface of the headlamp unit, and the rear end being An adjusting rod connected to the aiming rotating means, and a leveling driving means arranged in the casing for moving the rod support, are made of a thin rubber elastic material, and the middle part is bent. Characterized in that both end portions of the waterproof member which forms a within a substantially cylindrical sealed respectively engaged with the projecting portion and Keshinku the casing outside of the rod support.

Therefore, in the tilting device for a vehicle headlight of the present invention, the hole of the casing is located in the space defined by the waterproof member, the outer surface of the casing, and the outer peripheral surface of the rod support.
Moreover, since the rod support moves only in the axial direction and does not rotate, the waterproof member and the outer peripheral surface of the rod support can be brought into close contact with each other, and the space can be kept completely watertight. Moreover, since the rod support member does not come into sliding contact with the waterproof member, the waterproof member is not worn and the sealing performance is not impaired. As a result, the waterproof property of the opening portion of the casing can be stably maintained. it can.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is a so-called movable unit type headlight device, that is, a light bulb in a lamp space defined by a lamp body having a reflecting surface opened on the front surface and a lens covering the front opening. It has been shown that the headlight unit, which is composed of the above, is applied to a tilting member.
The present invention is not limited to this, and a so-called movable reflector mirror type headlight device, that is, a reflector that is rotatably supported by the lamp body is used as a tilting member, and the reflector is attached to the lamp body. The present invention can be applied to a headlight device of a type in which the irradiation direction is changed by tilting, and such a device is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 10 show a first embodiment of a tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower end portion of the headlight unit and the tilting device. Fig. 2, Fig. 2 is a front view, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4
The drawing is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing a tilting device with a part thereof cut away. , FIG. 7 shows VII-VII in FIG.
8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing a main part of the tilting device, and FIG. 10 is a casing of the tilting device. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the front part and the waterproof member, FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the tilting device for a vehicle headlight according to the invention, and FIG. 12 is a conventional vehicle. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the tilting device of a headlight. Explanation of reference numerals 1 …… Vehicle headlamp, 2 …… Headlamp unit, 7 …… Supporting member, 22 …… Casing, 29 …… Front wall, 39,56 ……
Hole (in wall), 40 …… rear wall, 46 …… Rod support, 50
…… Adjustment rod, 51 …… Front end (of adjustment rod), 52…
… Rear end (of adjusting rod), 61, 62 …… Waterproof member, 61
b, 61b ', 62b, 62b' ... end (of waterproof member), 64, 6
8, 69, 74, 78 ... drive means, 99 ... aiming rotation means, 53 ... middle part (of adjusting rod), 113 ... bracket, 114 ... nut, 115 ... vehicle headlight, 116 ……
Receptacle, 117 …… Bracket, 119 …… Adjustment rod, 122…
… Middle part (of adjusting rod)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tilting device for a vehicle headlamp, which tiltably supports a headlamp unit tilted when an irradiation direction is changed, on a supporting member, the casing being fixed to the supporting member. A rod support which is supported in the casing so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction and non-rotatable, and whose front and rear end portions project out of the casing through holes formed in the front wall and the back wall of the casing, respectively, and the rod support. An adjusting rod which is inserted and supported, a front end of which is connected to a bracket provided on the outer surface of the headlamp unit and a rear end of which is connected by a rotating means for aiming, and leveling which is arranged in a casing and moves the rod support. Both ends of a waterproof member, which is made of a thin rubber elastic material and has a substantially bendable middle portion, is protruded to the outside of the casing of the rod support body. Min and the vehicle headlamp of the tilting apparatus being characterized in that seals respectively engaging the casing 2. The adjusting rod has an intermediate portion rotatably and axially immovably supported by a rod support, and a front end portion screwed into a nut supported by a bracket provided on an outer surface of the headlamp unit. The tilting device for a vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that 3. The adjusting rod has an intermediate portion threadedly engaged with a rod supporting member, and a front end portion connected to a receiving member supported by a bracket provided on an outer surface of the headlight unit in a ball joint shape. A tilting device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that