US3840729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic control system for automatic alignment of motor vehicle headlights
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
•
Filing: 1972-10-02
•
Granted: 1974-10-08
•
Expires: 1992-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatically operating control system for the automatic alignment of motor vehicle headlights which includes control elements coordinated to one or both axles of the motor vehicle which align the motor vehicle headlights to a constant light distance as a function of the change of the distance of the respective axle to the body of the motor vehicle; the control system is fed with vacuum and the control elements are constructed as pressure modulators; in case of a temporary absence of the vacuum in the suction pipe caused by the driving condition, the instantaneous position of the headlights is maintained over an adjustable period of time by means of a closure valve while the headlights are automatically transferred into a base position in conformity to official, prescribed regulations in case of loss of the vacuum caused by leakages in the system.
Inventors
- 👤 R Andres
- 👤 H Moller
- 👤 F Seyfried
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/08; B60Q1/10; B60Q1/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A control installation for automatically aligning motor vehicle headlight means 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 substantially 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, 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, and headlight position maintaining means for maintaining the respective instantaneous position of the headlight means for a predetermined period of time in the event of a temporary predetermined reduction in magnitude of the supply of said pressure medium during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A control installation for automatically aligning motor vehicle headlight means 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 substantially 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, 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, and headlight position maintaining means for maintaining the respective instantaneous position of the headlight means for a predetermined period of time in the event of a temporary predetermined reduction in magnitude of the supply of said pressure medium during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the period of time for maintaining the headlights in the respective instantaneous position is adjustable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure medium is vacuum which is obtained from a suction pipe of an internal combustion engine driving the motor vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A control installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure valve means includes a piston spring-loaded by a spring and provided at its upper end with a seal, said piston subdividing by means of a diaphragm secured at its lower end and at a housing means a space provided within the housing means which, on the one hand, is in communication with a suction pipe of an engine of the vehicle by way of a line under interposition of a check valve and, on the other hand, with the atmospheric air by way of a throttling means, said suction pipe also serving to supply pressure medium to said first circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the throttling means is adjustable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A control installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the piston is longitudinally displaceably arranged in the housing means and upon abutment of the seal, in the absence of the operating medium, closes off a line leading from the control valve means to the first adjusting motor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A control installation according to claim 1, wherein said headlight position maintaining means includes a closure valve means interposed between said control valve means and said first adjusting motor means for selectively closing off pressure medium communication between said control valve means and said first adjusting motor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control installation according to claim 7, further comprising time delay means for delaying the closing of said closure valve means by a predetermined time following said temporary predetermined reduction in magnitude of the supply of said pressure medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control installation according to claim 8, wherein said time delay means includes time delay adjustment means for varying the magnitude of the predetermined time delay.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control installation according to claim 9, wherein said time delay means includes an adjustable throttle valve which communicates a pressure chamber of said closure valve means with atmosphere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A control installation according to claim 7, wherein the closure valve means includes: a piston spring-loaded by a spring and provided at one end with a seal, a closure valve housing means, and a diaphragm secured to the other end of the piston, said diaphragm being secured at said housing means to form a space in said housing means at the side opposite the piston means, said space being communicated with said first circuit means by way of a line and check valve and with atmospheric air by way of a throttling means, said seal being movable with said piston in response to changes in pressure in said space between positions opening and closing a line leading from said control valve means to said first adjusting motor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control installation according to claim 1, further comprising headlight base position return means for automatically displacing the headlight means into a predetermined base position in the event of a predetermined reduction in magnitude of said pressure medium supply.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A control installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the headlight base position return means includes, within a box-like housing connected with the first adjusting motor means by way of a line, a diaphragm having a substantially centrally disposed spring dish and is acted upon by a spring, and in that a pin projecting outwardly from the spring dish acts on one leg portion of a bell crank whose other leg portion is operatively connected with said first interconnecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the other leg portion surrounds approximately fork-like an adjusting linkage means of said first interconnecting means in direct proximity of one end of its adjusting rod.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the other leg portion surrounds approximately fork-like the end of an adjusting rod of the first interconnecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the leg portion operatively connected with the pin is constructed longer than the other leg portion of the bell crank and comes into abutment at a stop means upon a predetermined movement of said pin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the stop means is adjustable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A control installation according to claim 12, wherein said headlight base position return means includes a member operatively engageable with said first interconnecting means to move said first interconnecting means to a position corresponding to displacement of said headlight means into said base position independently of the particular instantaneous position of said first adjusting motor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control installation according to claim 18, wherein said member is connected to a diaphragm assembly which is movable in response to predetermined changes in the supply of said pressure medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
A control installation according to claim 19, wherein one side of said diaphragm assembly is spring-loaded and is communicated with said pressure medium and wherein said member is a pivotally mounted bell crank which has a first leg portion surrounding an adjusting rod of said first interconnecting means and a second leg portion operatively connected with a pin attached to said diaphragm assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control installation according to claim 20, wherein said first leg portion is shorter than said second leg portion with respect to the pivotal mount of said bell crank.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A control installation according to claim 19, wherein an adjustable stop is arranged on said pin for abutting engagement with said second leg portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A control installation according to claim 12, wherein said headlight base return means includes adjusting means for accommodating adjustment of said predetermined base position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
A control 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 26
Dependent Claim
101 words
A control installation according to claim 24, wherein said control installation includes: second adjusting motor means actuable in response to supply of a pressure medium to said second motor means, second interconnecting means for interconnecting said second motor means to said control valve means to move said control valve means, second circuit means for communicating a pressure medium to said second 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 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control installation according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined base position substantially corresponds to predetermined safetY positions for the headlight light range.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control installation according to claim 12, wherein said last-mentioned predetermined reduction in magnitude of said pressure medium supply corresponds to leakage in the first circuit means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
113 words
A control installation according to claim 27, characterized in that the closure valve means includes a piston spring-loaded by a spring and provided at its upper end with a seal, said piston subdividing by means of a diaphragm secured at its lower end and at a housing means a space provided within the housing means which, on the one hand, is in communication with a suction pipe of an engine of the vehicle by way of a line under interposition of a check valve and, on the other hand, with the atmospheric air by way of a throttling means, said suction pipe also serving to supply pressure medium to said first circuit means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control installation according to claim 28, characterized in that the throttling means is adjustable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
A control installation according to claim 29, characterized in that the piston is longitudinally displaceably arranged in the housing means and upon abutment of the seal, in the absence of the operating medium, closes off a line leading from the control valve means to the first adjusting motor means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
81 words
A control installation according to claim 30, characterized in that the headlight base position return means includes, within a box-like housing connected with the first adjusting motor means by way of a line, a diaphragm having a substantially centrally disposed spring dish and is acted upon by a spring, and in that a pin projecting outwardly from the spring dish acts on one leg portion of a bell crank whose other leg portion is operatively connected with said first interconnecting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control installation according to claim 31, characterized in that the other leg portion surrounds approximately fork-like an adjusting linkage means of said first interconnecting means in direct proximity of one end of its adjusting rod.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control installation according to claim 31, characterized in that the other leg portion surrounds approximately fork-like the end of an adjusting rod of the first interconnecting means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control installation according to claim 31, characterized in that the leg portion operatively connected with the pin is constructed longer than the other leg portion of the bell crank and comes into abutment at a stop means upon a predetermined movement of said pin.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control installation according to claim 34, characterized in that the stop means is adjustable.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control installation according to claim 35, characterized in that the other leg portion surrounds approximately fork-like an adjusting linkage means of said first interconnecting means in direct proximity of one end of its adjusting rod.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control installation according to claim 35, characterized in that the other leg portion surrounds approximately fork-like the end of the adjusting rod of the adjusting linkage means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
245 words
A control installation for automatically aligning motor vehicle headlight means 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 substantially 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, 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, and headlight base position return means for automatically displacing the headlight means into a predetermined base position in the event of a predetermined reduction in magnitude of said pressure medium supply.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
245 words
A control installation for automatically aligning motor vehicle headlight means 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 substantially 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, 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, and headlight base position return means for automatically displacing the headlight means into a predetermined base position in the event of a predetermined reduction in magnitude of said pressure medium supply.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
A control installation according to claim 38, wherein said headlight base position return means includes a member operatively engageable with said first interconnecting means to move said first interconnecting means to a position corresponding to displacement of said headlight means into said base position independently of the particular instantaneous position of said first adjusting motor means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control installation according to claim 39, wherein said member is connected to a diaphragm assembly which is movable in response to predetermined changes in the supply of said pressure medium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
63 words
A control installation according to claim 40, wherein one side of said diaphragm assembly is spring-loaded and is communicated with said pressure medium and wherein said member is a pivotally mounted bell crank which has a first leg portion surrounding an adjusting rod of said first interconnecting means and a second leg portion operatively connected with a pin attached to said diaphragm assembly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control installation according to claim 41, wherein said first leg portion is shorter than said second leg portion with respect to the pivotal mount of said bell crank.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
A control installation according to claim 40, wherein an adjustable stop is arranged on said pin for abutting engagement with said second leg portion.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
A control installation according to claim 38, wherein said headlight base return means includes adjusting means for accommodating adjustment of said predetermined base position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |