Patent Abstract:
A light module for a lighting device of a vehicle, in particular for a headlamp, having a light source and an optical element which is accommodated on a support body, and wherein an adjuster is provided for adjusting the optical element to the light source in order to adjust a radiation position of the light source relative to the optical element. The adjuster has a wedge element, which is arranged movably between the support body and the optical element so that when the wedge element is shifted an adjustment of the optical element to the light source can be produced at least in a vertical direction.

Full Description:
[0001]    This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/054562, which was filed on Mar. 3, 2016, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2015 103 649.5, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 12, 2015, and which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a light module for a lighting device of a vehicle, in particular for a headlamp, having a light source and an optical element which is accommodated on a support body, and wherein an adjuster for adjusting the optical element to the light source is provided in order to adjust a radiation position of the light source relative to the optical element. 
       Description of the Background Art 
       [0003]    WO 2014/008523 A1, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 9,458,976, describes light modules for a lighting device of a vehicle which have a light source and an optical element in the form of a reflector, and the optical element is accommodated on a support body, and wherein a device for adjusting the optical element relative to the light source is provided in order to adjust a radiation position of the light source relative to the optical element. In this case, an adjustment is possible mainly in a longitudinal direction which forms the direction in which light that can be generated with the light module is emitted. A longitudinal direction simultaneously also forms the direction of travel of the vehicle, so that the optical element can be moved back and forth accordingly. Likewise, the optical element can be pivoted about a vertical direction, for example, to adjust a left or right position. The adjuster comprises mounting brackets which are arranged between a support body for receiving the light source and the light source itself. The tilting and pivoting thereby occurs by rotating about an axis in a transverse direction and by rotating about an axis in the vertical direction, wherein a height adjustment of the optical element relative to the light source is not possible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is therefore an object of the invention to refine a light module with an adjuster that enables a broadened adjustment of the optical element relative to the light source. 
         [0005]    In an exemplary embodiment, the adjuster comprises a wedge element which is arranged movably between the support body and the optical element so that, when the wedge element is shifted, an adjustment of the optical element relative to the light source can be made at least in a vertical direction. 
         [0006]    In an exemplary embodiment, the wedge element can be arranged between the support body and the optical element, which can be shifted such that the vertical position of the optical element above the support body is changed. By means of a wedge angle of the wedge element, for example, of 5 degrees, a shift with a large displacement path, for example, in the longitudinal direction, produces only a small change in position of the optical element above the support body in the vertical direction. A fine adjustment of the vertical position of the optical element above the support body is thereby possible by pushing the wedge element further between the support body and the optical element or withdrawing it therefrom. 
         [0007]    According to an embodiment of the light module, the wedge element has an obliquely formed wedge surface, and the support body has a likewise obliquely formed bearing surface corresponding to the wedge surface. The wedge surface thereby bears against the bearing surface and slides on it when the wedge element is shifted. 
         [0008]    The optical element can also have a bearing surface, which is formed obliquely and corresponds to the wedge surface of the wedge. However, an adjustment of the optical element above the wedge element in a longitudinal direction would not be possible without adjusting the vertical direction. 
         [0009]    If the wedge surface and the bearing surface are formed between the wedge element and the support body and the contact surface of the wedge element has no bevel in the direction of the optical element, the optical element on the wedge element can also be adjusted in a longitudinal direction or even in a transverse direction without changing the vertical position of the optical element above the support body. 
         [0010]    According to an embodiment of the light module, the adjuster for adjustment also comprises a first eccentric element with an eccentric, which is provided for shifting the wedge element in relation to the support body, the first eccentric element being arranged in an operative connection with the support body and with the wedge element. The eccentric element is preferably rotatably accommodated in the support body about an axis in the vertical direction, and the eccentric of the eccentric element is seated in an eccentric seat of the wedge element, so that a shifting of the wedge element above the support body is produced when the eccentric element rotates. The eccentric element advantageously has a tool seat, for example, for a screwdriver, so that the eccentric element can be rotated in a simple manner about the axis in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the optical element has a passage through which the tool can be guided in order to rotate the first eccentric element disposed between the support body and the wedge element. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the light module, at least one guide element is formed between the support body and the wedge element, wherein at least the wedge element is guided in a longitudinal direction above the support body by means of the guide element. For example, the guide element can be designed as a cylindrical pin, and two cylindrical pins can be provided for guiding the wedge element above the support body, which pins can be shifted in longitudinal holes introduced in the wedge element. Conversely, there is also the possibility of placing the cylindrical pins on the wedge element, which pins can be shifted in longitudinal holes introduced in the support body. In this case, the cylindrical pins can be made so long that they continue to pass through the elongated holes which are introduced in a base section of the optical element, so that it is possible to guide the optical element in the longitudinal direction above the support body independently of the position of the wedge element. The optical element thereby sits with the base section on the top side of the wedge element, and if the base section is guided via the guide elements in a longitudinal direction of the light module, the optical element can also be adjusted in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0012]    If the optical element can be shifted relative to the support body, for example, in the longitudinal direction, the adjuster for adjustment can also comprise a second eccentric element with an eccentric, which is provided for shifting the optical element in relation to the support body. The second eccentric element can be arranged in an operative connection with the support body and with the optical element. In this case, the second eccentric element passes through the wedge element without forming an interaction with the wedge element. If the second eccentric element is rotated, for example, by using a suitable tool, the eccentric of the second eccentric element can be rotated in an eccentric seat in the optical element, as a result of which the optical element is shifted above the support body. The eccentric element can be rotated with a cylindrical section in a seat in the support body about a fixed axis in the vertical direction. 
         [0013]    The eccentric seats form oval, elliptical, or ovoid contours, and the eccentric of the eccentric element preferably forms a cam shape, so that the wedge element or the optical element is shifted above the support body in that the cam cap of the eccentric is rotated within the contour of the eccentric seat and thereby slides in it. 
         [0014]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes, combinations, and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a flying view of a light module with an optical element above a light source, a support body, and an adjuster for adjustment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a support body and a wedge element; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows the arrangement of the support body and the wedge element according to  FIG. 2 , wherein an optical element is additionally shown; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4 a    shows a side view of the light module with a wedge element in a first position; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4 b    shows a view of the light module with a wedge element which has been pushed further into the region between the optical element and the support body, as compared with the position in  FIG. 4   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows, in a flying view, a light module  1  with a light source  10 , with an optical element  11 , with a support body  12 , and with an adjuster  13  for adjusting optical element  11  above support body  12 . A first eccentric element  15  with an eccentric  16  and a second eccentric element  18  with an eccentric  19  are also shown. 
         [0022]    Optical element  11  has a reflector  20  and a base section  21 , wherein optical element  11  can also have, for example, a lens or a lens system, a light-conducting body, or the like. The adjuster  13  described below for the adjustment of optical element  11  above support body  12  enable an adjustment in the illustrated vertical direction Z and, independently of this, an adjustment in the illustrated longitudinal direction X, wherein there remain further possibilities for an adjustment, for example, in a transverse direction Y, by the adjuster  13  for adjustment. 
         [0023]    The adjuster  13  for adjustment comprise a wedge element  14  having a wedge surface  14   a , which is brought into contact with a bearing surface  12   a  on support body  12 . With respect to a horizontally extending longitudinal direction X, bearing surface  12   a  has an inclination corresponding to an inclination of wedge surface  14   a . If wedge element  14  is placed on support body  12  and shifted in the longitudinal direction X, thus the height of a mounting surface  14   b  on wedge element  14  changes but without tilting, wherein mounting surface  14   b  is formed opposite to bearing surface  14   a  and points in the vertical direction Z. If optical element  11  has a base surface  11   a  of base section  21  on mounting surface  14   b  and wedge element  14  is shifted in the longitudinal direction X, the height position of optical element  11  above support body  12  changes without tilting. Light source  10  can be accommodated on support body  12 , and support body  12  can form a heat sink. As a result of the shifting of optical element  11  in the vertical direction Z, reflector  20  also shifts above light source  10  so that the shifting of reflector  20  above light source  10  can be adjusted by this shifting. 
         [0024]    Guide elements  17  are disposed on support body  12  in the form of cylindrical pins which point with their cylinder axis in the vertical direction Z. Wedge element  14  has elongated holes  22 , and guide elements  17  pass through elongated holes  22  when wedge element  14  is placed on support body  12 . Due to the formation of elongated holes  22  with a longitudinal extension in the longitudinal direction X, a guidance is achieved when wedge element  14  is shifted so that wedge element  14  is moved guided on support body  12 . 
         [0025]    First eccentric element  15 , which is accommodated with a cylindrical section  23  in a bore  24  in support body  12 , is used to shift wedge element  14  on support body  12 . Eccentric  16 , however, is accommodated in an eccentric seat  25 , which is introduced in wedge element  14 . If first eccentric element  15  is rotated, cylindrical section  23  can rotate in bore  24  about a spatially fixed axis in the vertical direction Z, and eccentric  16  rotates in eccentric seat  25 , with wedge element  14  being shifted in the longitudinal direction X. Thus, first eccentric element  15  forms an operative connection between support body  12  and wedge element  14 , eccentric  16  being accommodated in eccentric seat  25  in such a way that eccentric  16  does not protrude above mounting surface  14   b  of wedge element  14 . 
         [0026]    Second eccentric element  18  with eccentric  19  also has a cylindrical section  26  with which second eccentric element  18  is inserted in a bore  27  in support body  12 . Thus, second eccentric element  18  as well can be rotated in an axis in the vertical direction Z. Eccentric  19  is accommodated in an eccentric seat  28 , which is introduced into base section  21  of optical element  11 . If second eccentric element  18  is rotated, the cam contour of eccentric  19  travels along the inner contour of eccentric seat  28  and shifts optical element  11  in the longitudinal direction X, regardless of the position of wedge element  14 . In order to avoid an interaction between second eccentric element  18  and wedge element  14 , wedge element  14  has a through-opening  29  through which cylindrical section  26  of second eccentric element  18  extends without creating an interaction with wedge element  14 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of support body  12  on which wedge element  14  is placed. The view shows the passing of guide elements  17  through elongated holes  22 , wherein by way of example only guide elements  17  are located on support body  12 , and elongated holes  22  are introduced in wedge element  14 . Alternatively, guide elements  17  can be mounted on wedge element  14 , whereas elongated holes  22  are formed on support body  12 . First eccentric element  15  is shown disposed between support body  12  and wedge element  14 , and it can be seen that eccentric  16  sits in eccentric seat  25 . 
         [0028]    If first eccentric element  15  is rotated, eccentric  16  moves in eccentric seat  25  so that a shifting of wedge element  14  on support body  12  is produced in the longitudinal direction X. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the further arrangement of optical element  11  on wedge element  14  and second eccentric element  18  is inserted in eccentric seat  28  in optical element  11 . If second eccentric element  18  is rotated, for example, with a tool which is inserted in the indicated cross slot on the top side in second eccentric element  18 , eccentric  19  travels in eccentric seat  28  and optical element  11  can be shifted in the longitudinal direction X in relation to support body  12 , without wedge element  14  being shifted. 
         [0030]    A shifting of optical element  11  in the vertical direction Z relative to light source  10  can be produced as a result with the first eccentric element (concealed), whereas second eccentric element  18  produces a shift of optical element  11  in the longitudinal direction X in relation to light source  10 . Light source  10  can be accommodated on support body  12  and support body  12  can form a heat sink, for example. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show a side view of support body  12 , wedge element  14 , and optical element  11 , wedge element  14  being located between support body  12  and optical element  11 . In this case, wedge surface  14   a  of wedge element  14  bears against bearing surface  12   a  of support body  12 , and mounting surface  14   b  of wedge element  14  bears against base surface  11   a  of optical element  11 . Shown furthermore are guide elements  17  for guiding wedge element  14  and optical element  11  in the longitudinal direction X shown. 
         [0032]    If wedge element  14  is shifted in the longitudinal direction X, wedge element  14  can be brought from the position shown in  FIG. 4 a    to the position shown in  FIG. 4 b   . A shifting of optical element  11  in the vertical direction Z is produced by the inclination of bearing surface  12   a  and wedge surface  14   a , wherein the shifting of wedge element  14  is produced by means of first eccentric element  15 , as described in connection with the preceding figures. 
         [0033]    If a shifting in the longitudinal direction X is to be produced in addition to and independently of the shifting of optical element  11  in the vertical direction Z, second eccentric element  18  can be rotated about the vertical direction Z so that optical element  11  is shifted independently of the position of wedge element  14  in longitudinal direction X. In this case, base surface  11   a  slides on mounting surface  14   b  of wedge element  14 . 
         [0034]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5