US3784810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatically operating control installation for the automatic alignment of motor vehicle headlights
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
•
Filing: 1971-11-05
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatically operating control installation for the automatic alignment of motor vehicle headlights, in which the control members coordinated to one or two axles of the motor vehicle which align the headlights to a constant light range as a function of changes of the distance of the respective axle to the superstructure of the motor vehicle by way of adjusting motors and a control device, are constructed as pressure modulators while a vacuum, available at all times, is fed to the control installation.
Inventors
- 👤 R Andres
- 👤 H Moller
- 👤 F Seyfried
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/08; B60Q1/10; B60Q1/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A control installation for automatically aligning motor vehicle headlights on motor vehicles of the type having axles and a superstructure which is relatively movable with respect to at least one of said axles; said installation comprising: first adjusting motor means actuable in response to supply of a pressure medium to said first adjusting motor means, first interconnecting means for interconnecting said first adjusting motor means to said headlights such that actuation of said first adjusting motor means effects changes in the inclination of said headlights with respect to the superstructure, first circuit means for substantia ly continuously supplying a pressure medium during operation of said vehicle, control valve means movable between a first control valve position for communicating said first adjusting motor means with said pressure medium in said first circuit means to actuate said first adjusting motor means and a second control valve position for communicating said first adjusting motor means with other than said pressure medium, and control installation means for automatically and continuously controlling the movement of said control valve means in response to relative changes in position of at least one of said axles with respect to said superstructure during operation of said vehicle, including during at least a portion of the operation of said vehicle with said vehicle in motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A control installation for automatically aligning motor vehicle headlights on motor vehicles of the type having axles and a superstructure which is relatively movable with respect to at least one of said axles; said installation comprising: first adjusting motor means actuable in response to supply of a pressure medium to said first adjusting motor means, first interconnecting means for interconnecting said first adjusting motor means to said headlights such that actuation of said first adjusting motor means effects changes in the inclination of said headlights with respect to the superstructure, first circuit means for substantia ly continuously supplying a pressure medium during operation of said vehicle, control valve means movable between a first control valve position for communicating said first adjusting motor means with said pressure medium in said first circuit means to actuate said first adjusting motor means and a second control valve position for communicating said first adjusting motor means with other than said pressure medium, and control installation means for automatically and continuously controlling the movement of said control valve means in response to relative changes in position of at least one of said axles with respect to said superstructure during operation of said vehicle, including during at least a portion of the operation of said vehicle with said vehicle in motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein said control installation includes: second adjusting motor means actuable in response to supply of a pressure medium to said second adjusting motor means, second interconnecting means for interconnecting said second adjusting motor means to said control valve means to move said control valve means, second circuit means for communicating a pressure medium to said second adjusting motor means, and pressure modulator means for modulating the pressure of the pressure medium in said second circuit means in direct response to the relative changes in position of at least one of said axles with respect to said superstructure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein said first circuit means is communicated directly with a suction pipe of an engine of said vehicle, whereby said pressure medium in said first circuit means is at subatmospheric pressure corresponding to suction pipe pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An installation according to claim 2, wherein said first circuit means is communicated directly with a suction pipe of an engine of said vehicle, whereby said pressure medium in said first circuit means is at subatmospheric pressure corresponding to suction pipe pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An installation according to claim 4, wherein one side of said pressure modulator means is communicated directly with said suction pipe and the other side is communicated with said second circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An installation according to claim 2, wherein one side of said pressure modulator means is communicated directly with a suction pipe of an engine of said vehicle and the other side is communicated with said second circuit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An installation according to claim 4, wherein said first circuit means is connected closer to said suction pipe than said pressure modulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An installation according to claim 5, wherein said control valve means includes means for communicating atmospheric air to said first adjusting motor when said control valve means is In said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
An installation according to claim 5, wherein said second adjusting motor means maintains said control valve means in said second control valve position in the absence of intake vacuum in said first and second circuit means, whereby said first circuit means is communicated directly with said first adjusting motor means on initial start-up of the engine after an extended engine shutdown.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
An installation according to claim 2, wherein said second adjusting motor means is constructed with two diaphragm chambers communicating by said second circuit means with respective ones of two pressure modulator means arranged respectively in conjunction with two vehicle axles, the diaphragm members of said chambers being connected to said control valve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
An installation according to claim 5, wherein said second adjusting motor means is constructed with two diaphragm chambers communicating by said second circuit means with respective ones of two pressure modulator means arranged respectively in conjunction with two vehicle axles, the diaphragm members of said chambers being connected to said control valve means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An installation according to claim 3, wherein a reservoir tank means and a check valve means are arranged between said suction pipe and said first circuit means, whereby said subatmospheric pressure is maintained after engine shutdown.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An installation according to claim 7, wherein a reservoir tank means and a check valve means are arranged between said suction pipe and said first circuit means, whereby said subatmospheric pressure is maintained after engine shutdown.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein said control installation means includes means responsive to relative changes in position of two separate axles with respect to said superstructure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein said control installation means includes means for proportionally detecting changes in distances of said at least one of said axle with respect to said superstructure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein said control installation means includes means responsive to relative changes in position of only one axle with respect to said superstructure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An installation according to claim 16, wherein said one axle is a rear axle of said vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
An installation according to claim 16, wherein said control installation means include means which are progressively responsive to relative changes in position of said one axle with respect to said superstructure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An installation according to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second adjusting motor means are vacuum-operated spring loaded motors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
An installation according to claim 19, wherein said second interconnecting means include a rod connected with a movable diaphragm of said second adjusting motor means and with a movable closure member of said control valve means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |