Synchronized lamp adjuster

• US 9,643,529 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Burton, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fallahkhair, Arman B
• Application Number:
  US13/945,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20140029278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 362289, 362273, 362428, 362460, 362421, 362324, 362524, 362528, 362514, 362515, 362523, 362512, 362507
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0483 mounted on a bracket, e.g. details concerning the mouting of the lamps on the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/068 by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0683 Adjustable by rotation of a screw
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/072 comprising a flexible element, e.g. chain
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2200/36 Conjoint adjustments, i.e. a mechanical link allows conjoint adjustment of several units

Abstract

A synchronized lamp adjuster assembly allows for adjustment of vehicle lamp assemblies that can be adjusted synchronously or by using the same adjuster assembly. Two or more adjuster assemblies are connected together by at least one shaft drive assembly having a shaft drive head that interacts with an input shaft for the adjuster assemblies. Rotation of the shaft drive head causes rotation of input shaft and adjuster assembly thus causing adjustment of the lamp assemblies.

Claims

1. A synchronized lamp adjuster for a vehicle headlight having a plurality of lamp assemblies, the lamp adjuster comprising:

a first adjuster and a second adjuster, each capable of interacting with one of the lamp assemblies in the vehicle headlight so as to selectively change a position of the lamp assembly, wherein the first adjuster and the second adjuster are interconnected by a shaft drive assembly;

a first ball stud mechanically coupled to rotate with a first output gear, both forming part of the first adjuster, wherein rotation of the first output gear extends or retracts the first ball stud;

a second ball stud mechanically coupled to rotate with a second output gear, both forming part of the second adjuster, wherein rotation of the second output gear extends or retracts the second ball stud, and wherein each ball stud is suitable for forming a joint with at least one of the lamp assemblies in the vehicle headlight, and the first and second output gears are rotatably engaged with the shaft drive assembly; and

wherein the shaft drive assembly includes;

a first gear integral with a first shaft head of a shaft drive, wherein the first gear is engaged with the first output gear of the first adjuster, and

an input shaft situated at a second shaft head of the shaft drive, opposite the first shaft head, and engaged with the second output gear of the second adjuster, and wherein rotation of the shaft drive provides simultaneous movement of the first output gear and the second output gear, and a resultant movement of the first ball stud and the second ball stud in opposite directions.

2. A headlight for an automobile comprising:

a plurality of lamp assemblies;

a frame for supporting the lamp assemblies; and

a synchronized lamp adjuster comprising;

a first adjuster and a second adjuster, each capable of interacting with one of the lamp assemblies so as to selectively change a position of at least one of the lamp assemblies, wherein the first adjuster and the second adjuster are interconnected by a shaft drive assembly;

a first ball stud mechanically coupled to a first output gear, both forming part of the first adjuster, wherein rotation of the first output gear extends or retracts the first ball stud; and

a second ball stud mechanically coupled to a second output gear, both forming part of the second adjuster, wherein rotation of the second output gear extends or retracts the second ball stud, and wherein each ball stud is suitable for forming a joint with at least one of the lamp assemblies, and the first and second output gears are rotatably engaged with the shaft drive assembly;

wherein the shaft drive assembly includes;

a first gear integral with a first shaft head of a shaft drive, wherein the first gear is engaged with the first output gear of the first adjuster, and

an input shaft situated at a second shaft head of the shaft drive, opposite the first shaft head, and engaged with the second output gear of the second adjuster, wherein rotation of the shaft drive provides simultaneous rotation of the output gears and a resultant movement of the first ball stud and the second ball stud in opposite directions.