Headlamp positioning device

• US 5,181,429 A
• Filed: 07/24/1991
• Issued: 01/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saifa AG
• Original Assignee: Saifa AG
• Inventors: Sieber, Edmond
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MASSEY, RYAN
• Application Number:
  US07/734,928
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 74/89.15, 74/89.16, 362/66, 362/69, 362/273, 362/287, 362/289, 362/428, 318/696
• US Class Current: 74/89.42
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/076 by electrical means including means to transmit the movements, e.g. shafts or joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2200/38 Automatic calibration of motor-driven means for adjusting headlamps, i.e. when switching on the headlamps, not during mounting at factories
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 8/34 Monitoring operation H02P8/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18728 Backlash

Abstract

A headlamp positioning device having a stepping motor and a sensor for detecting loss of steps in the motor. An electronic controller operating in open-loop with the motor automatically reinitiates the positioning upon the detection of loss of steps due to an impediment during the positioning of the headlamps.

Claims

1. A device for positioning an element capable of attaining different predetermined positions between two extreme positions, comprising a driving shaft coupled to said element, said driving shaft being driven by a stepping motor, said device including means for counting steps taken by said stepping motor and reinitiating said counting, said stepping motor being controlled by an open-loop control.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting a loss of steps taken by said stepping motor to detect an error in positioning of said element.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said driving shaft is connected to a rotor of said stepping motor through a gear reduction system having a specified reduction ratio.

4. The device according to claim 2, further comprising means for signalling an error in positioning after a predetermined number of unsuccessful positioning attempts have been tried.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said driving shaft is connected to a rotor of said stepping motor through a gear reduction system having a specified reduction ratio.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said rotor further comprises an output shaft, said gear reduction system comprises a first gear element mounted on said output shaft of said rotor and a second gear element coacting with said first gear element, said second gear element being mounted on said driving shaft, said driving shaft further comprising a threaded part and having a predetermined axial movement.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more stops, said reinitiating of counting taking place when said stepping motor is stopped by one of said stops.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said stops is adjustable.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising means for positioning said driving shaft at an initial position corresponding to a predetermined position of said element.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said driving shaft is rotationally coupled to said stepping motor and is movable axially, said rotational movement being converted to translatory movement by means of a screw and nut system, said screw and nut system permitting said translatory movement to take place over a defined distance.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said element is the headlamp of an automobile.

12. A method for assembling a gear component of a gear reduction system of a device for positioning an element capable of attaining different predetermined positions between two extreme positions, comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting said gear component having a hub on a driving shaft coupled to said element, said driving shaft being driven by a stepping motor, said stepping motor comprising means for reinitiating counting of steps and being controlled by an open-loop control;

(b) positioning a first face of said hub of said gear component against a means for limiting axial movement of said gear component in one direction;

(c) positioning a bushing against a second face of said hub of said gear component, said bushing limiting axial movement of said gear component in a direction opposite to said first direction, said bushing being disposed in a bearing;

(d) exerting pressure on said bearing towards said hub of said gear component in order to resiliently shift said bearing by a distance d;

(e) joining said bushing and said bearing; and

(f) removing said pressure from said bearing.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said distance d is 0.02 mm.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said bushing and said bearing are joined by ultrasonic welding.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein said bushing and said bearing are joined by ultrasonic welding.