Clutch lamp regulator
阅读说明:本技术 离合灯调节器 (Clutch lamp regulator ) 是由 S·T·佛莱德汉姆 M·B·格莱姆 于 2019-07-12 设计创作,主要内容包括:调节器调节雾灯、前照灯或其他形式的可调节汽车灯的位置。调节器包括侧开口的保持器螺钉接口。侧开口保持器允许调节器在整个行程中提供离合。另外,保持器的远端包括一组保持器卡扣指状物和一组单独的弹簧指状物。卡扣指状物和弹簧指状物允许与灯配合面板的结实、弹性连接,并允许保持器牢固地连接到各种厚度的灯配合面板。(The adjuster adjusts the position of a fog light, a headlamp, or other form of adjustable automotive light. The adjuster includes a laterally open retainer screw interface. The side ported retainer allows the adjuster to provide clutching throughout its stroke. In addition, the distal end of the retainer includes a set of retainer snap fingers and a set of individual spring fingers. The snap fingers and spring fingers allow a strong, resilient connection with the lamp mating panel and allow the retainer to be securely connected to lamp mating panels of various thicknesses.)
1. An adjuster for an adjustable automotive lamp, the adjuster comprising:
a base screw comprising a threaded shaft; and
a retainer connected to the threaded shaft, and the retainer comprising:
a semi-circular sidewall partially surrounding at least a portion of the threaded shaft, the semi-circular sidewall having an internal thread associated with the thread of the threaded shaft, and the semi-circular sidewall defining a clutch opening that allows the semi-circular sidewall to expand when the threaded shaft slides relative to the internal thread;
a plurality of retainer snap fingers located near a distal end of the retainer and configured to mate with a lamp mating portion of an adjustable automotive lamp; and
a plurality of retainer spring fingers positioned adjacent the plurality of retainer snap fingers to further secure the lamp mating portion against substantial sliding movement along the adjuster after the plurality of retainer snap fingers mate with the lamp mating portion.
2. The adjuster of claim 1, wherein the base screw further comprises a plurality of base screw snap fingers configured to be mated to a housing mating portion of a lamp housing in a manner that allows the base screw to rotate relative to the housing mating portion.
3. The adjuster as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base screw further comprises an O-ring coaxially secured to the base screw, the O-ring configured to form a seal between the base screw and the housing mating part when the base screw is mated to the housing mating part.
4. The adjuster as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base screw further includes a deformable finger positioned at a distal end of the base screw adjacent a base screw snap finger to further secure the housing mating portion against substantial longitudinal sliding movement after the plurality of snap fingers mate with the housing mating portion.
5. The adjuster as claimed in claim 4, wherein the deformable finger is sufficiently resiliently deformable to absorb system vibrations without breaking away from the base screw during use.
6. The adjuster as claimed in claim 5, wherein the semi-circular side wall further includes an unthreaded portion between the internal thread and the spring finger, and wherein the unthreaded portion defines a gap at least partially opposite the clutch opening.
7. A regulator assembly for an adjustable automotive lamp, the regulator assembly comprising:
a housing mating portion connected to the lamp housing;
a lamp fitting portion forming part of an adjustable automotive lamp; and
a lamp adjuster connected to the housing mating portion and the lamp mating portion, the lamp adjuster comprising:
a base screw fitted to the housing fitting portion, the base screw including a threaded shaft; and
a retainer connected to a threaded shaft, the retainer comprising;
a semi-circular sidewall partially surrounding at least a portion of the threaded shaft, the semi-circular sidewall having a series of internal threads associated with the threads of the threaded shaft, and the semi-circular sidewall defining a clutch opening that allows the semi-circular sidewall to expand as the threaded shaft slides relative to the internal threads;
a plurality of retainer snap fingers located near a distal end of the retainer and mated to the lamp mating portion; and
a plurality of retainer spring fingers positioned adjacent the plurality of retainer snap fingers to secure the lamp mating portion against significant longitudinal movement.
8. The regulator assembly of claim 7, wherein the lamp mating portion comprises a lamp mating geometry configured to limit rotation of the holder relative to the lamp mating portion while allowing the lamp mating portion to pivot relative to the holder.
9. The regulator assembly of claim 8, wherein the lamp mating geometry comprises a plus sign shape.
10. The regulator assembly of claim 9, wherein the base screw further comprises a plurality of base screw snap fingers configured to mate with the housing mating portion.
11. The regulator assembly of claim 10, wherein the housing mating portion comprises a housing mating geometry configured to allow the base screw to rotate relative to the housing mating portion.
12. The adjuster assembly of claim 11, wherein said base screw further comprises a deformable finger positioned at a distal end of said base screw adjacent a plurality of base screw snap fingers to secure said housing mating portion against longitudinal movement.
13. The regulator assembly according to claim 12, wherein the deformable finger is sufficiently elastically deformed to absorb system vibrations without breaking away from the base screw during use.
14. The regulator assembly according to claim 11, wherein the base screw further comprises an O-ring secured around the base screw at a location where the base screw engages the housing engagement portion, the O-ring forming a seal between the base screw and the housing engagement portion.
15. The regulator assembly according to claim 7, wherein the lamp mating portion comprises a panel.
16. A lamp adjuster for an adjustable automotive lamp, the adjuster comprising:
a base screw, the base screw comprising:
a threaded shaft;
a plurality of base screw snap fingers configured to mate to a housing mating portion of the lamp housing in a manner that allows the base screw to rotate relative to the housing mating portion;
a securing mechanism configured to secure the housing mating portion against significant longitudinal movement after the plurality of snap fingers are mated with the housing mating portion; and
an orientation tab on a distal end of the base screw, the orientation tab configured to provide an indication of a proper orientation of the light adjuster to a user installing the light adjuster; and
a retainer connected to a threaded shaft, the retainer comprising:
a semi-circular side wall partially surrounding at least a portion of the threaded shaft, the semi-circular side wall having a series of internal threads associated with the threads of the threaded shaft, and the semi-circular side wall defining a clutch opening that allows the semi-circular side wall to expand when the threaded shaft slides relative to the internal threads;
a pair of opposing retainer snap fingers located near a distal end of the retainer and configured to mate to a lamp mating panel of an automotive lamp heat sink in a manner that secures the retainer against rotation; and
a pair of opposed retainer spring fingers positioned adjacent the plurality of retainer snap fingers to secure the lamp mating portion against substantial longitudinal movement along the length of the adjuster after the plurality of snap fingers mate with the lamp mating portion.
17. The lamp adjuster of claim 16, wherein the securing mechanism includes a deformable finger positioned at a distal end of the base screw and adjacent the plurality of base screw snap fingers to secure the housing mating portion.
18. The light adjuster of claim 17, wherein the semi-circular sidewall further includes an unthreaded portion between the internal thread and the spring finger, and wherein the unthreaded portion defines a gap at least partially opposite the clutch opening.
19. The lamp adjuster of claim 16, wherein the securing mechanism includes an O-ring secured around the base screw at a location where the base screw engages the housing engagement portion.
20. The lamp adjuster of claim 19, further comprising a pair of travel limit lugs positioned on a side of the retainer spring fingers opposite the retainer snap fingers, each travel limit lug of the pair of travel limit lugs positioned sufficiently close to the pair of spring fingers to prevent over-extension of each respective spring finger of the pair of spring fingers.
Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to the field of regulators. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjuster for fog lights, headlamps and other forms of adjustable automotive lights that allows clutching throughout the stroke.
Background
In automobiles, interior adjusters are commonly used to adjust the position of certain automotive lights, such as fog lights or headlamps. Such internal regulators comprise a plurality of components and can easily become complicated. Thus, simplicity is an important aspect when designing a regulator. In addition, lamp regulators often need to absorb high levels of system vibration, such as by peeling of the regulator, and even in some cases, dislodging, which can result in undesirable reorientation of the regulator, resulting in damage to the regulator components. It is therefore valuable for the regulator to be configured to maintain its orientation while being subjected to system vibrations and to form a mating connection that is sufficiently resilient to absorb vibrations without disengaging or damaging the mating components. It is also valuable for the regulator to provide clutching throughout the stroke to eliminate peel damage, especially where higher system weights or operating temperatures need to be accommodated.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the present invention may meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects may lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in this summary and description of the disclosed embodiments, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. These objects, features, benefits and advantages will become apparent from the foregoing when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.
Disclosure of Invention
In certain aspects, the present invention provides an adjuster for adjusting an automotive lamp. According to some forms of the invention, such an adjuster includes a retainer and a base screw configured in a manner to allow clutching throughout the stroke. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an adjuster for an adjustable automotive lamp. The adjuster includes a base screw and a retainer. The base screw includes a threaded shaft. The retainer is connected to the threaded shaft and includes a semi-circular sidewall, a plurality of retainer snap fingers, and a plurality of retainer spring fingers. The semi-circular side wall includes internal threads associated with the threads of the threaded shaft. The semi-circular side wall also surrounds at least a portion of the threaded shaft and defines a clutch opening. The clutch opening allows the semi-circular side wall to expand when the threaded shaft slips relative to the internal threads. The retainer snap fingers are located near a distal end of the retainer and are configured to mate with a lamp mating portion of an adjustable automotive lamp. The retainer spring fingers are positioned in such proximity to the retainer snap fingers to further secure the lamp engaging portion against substantial sliding movement along the adjuster after the retainer snap fingers engage the lamp engaging portion.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides an adjuster assembly for an adjustable automotive lamp. The regulator assembly includes a housing mating portion connected to the lamp housing, a lamp mating portion forming a portion of an adjustable automotive lamp, and a lamp regulator connected to the housing mating portion and the lamp mating portion. The lamp adjuster includes a base screw and a retainer. The base screw includes a threaded shaft. The retainer is connected to the threaded shaft and includes a semi-circular sidewall, a plurality of retainer snap fingers, and a plurality of retainer spring fingers. The semi-circular side wall includes internal threads associated with the threads of the threaded shaft. The semi-circular side wall also surrounds at least a portion of the threaded shaft and defines a clutch opening. The clutch opening allows the semi-circular side wall to expand when the threaded shaft slips relative to the internal threads. The retainer snap fingers are located near a distal end of the retainer and are configured to mate with a lamp mating portion of an adjustable automotive lamp. The retainer spring fingers are positioned adjacent the retainer snap fingers to further secure the lamp mating portion against substantial sliding movement along the adjuster after the retainer snap fingers mate with the lamp mating portion.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a lamp adjuster for an adjustable automotive lamp. The lamp adjuster includes a base screw and a retainer. The base screw has a threaded shaft and a plurality of base screw snap fingers configured to be mated to the housing mating portion of the lamp housing in a manner that allows the base screw to rotate relative to the housing mating portion. The base screw also has a securing mechanism configured to secure the housing mating portion against significant longitudinal movement after the plurality of snap fingers are mated with the housing mating portion, and an orientation tab on a distal end of the base screw. The orientation tab is configured to provide an indication of a proper orientation of the light adjuster to a user installing the light adjuster. The retainer is connected to the threaded shaft of the base screw and includes a semi-circular sidewall, a pair of opposing retainer snap fingers, and a pair of opposing retainer spring fingers. The wall partially surrounds at least a portion of the threaded shaft and has a series of internal threads associated with the threads of the threaded shaft. In addition, the semi-circular side wall defines a clutch opening that allows the semi-circular side wall to expand as the threaded shaft slides relative to the internal threads. The pair of retainer snap fingers are located near a distal end of the retainer and are configured to mate to a lamp mating panel of an automotive lamp heat sink in a manner that secures the retainer against rotation. A pair of opposed retainer spring fingers are positioned in such proximity to the plurality of retainer snap fingers so as to secure the lamp mating portion against significant longitudinal movement along the length of the adjuster after the plurality of snap fingers are mated with the lamp mating portion.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent hereinafter.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clutch light adjuster assembly including a clutch light adjuster, a housing mating portion, and a light mating panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clutch light adjuster of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1, including a base screw, an O-ring, and a retainer;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective side view of the clutch light adjuster of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1 with the light engaging panel removed for clarity, showing the clutch light adjuster as an assembled unit and the housing engaging portion still to be assembled as a separate element;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1, showing the clutch light adjuster and housing mating parts together as an assembled unit, and the mating face plate as a separate element yet to be assembled;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1 with the light engaging panel not shown;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a top view of a lamp mating panel of the clutch lamp adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the housing engagement portion of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a base screw of the clutch light adjuster shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a retainer of the clutch light adjuster illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 13 is a rotated perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is a front perspective cut-away view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 17 is a front view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional front view of the clutch light adjuster assembly illustrated in FIG. 16, taken along line A-A in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 is a side view of a portion of the clutch light adjuster assembly in a retracted position;
FIG. 20 is a detailed side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 19 at the distal end of the retainer;
FIG. 21 is a side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly in an extended position;
FIG. 22 is a detailed side view of a portion of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 21 at a distal end of the retainer;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a clutch light adjuster assembly including portions of a clutch light adjuster and housing, and a light heat sink according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 24 is a side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 23;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 23 showing the clutch light adjuster, the mating portion of the housing, and the mating panel of the light heat sink with the remainder of the housing and the remainder of the light heat sink removed for clarity;
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a clutch light adjuster of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25, the clutch light adjuster including a base screw and a retainer;
FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective side view of the clutch light adjuster illustrated in FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25 with the light engaging panel removed for clarity, showing the clutch light adjuster as an assembled unit and the housing engaging portion as a separate element yet to be assembled;
FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly illustrated in FIG. 25, showing the clutch light adjuster and housing mating portion together as an assembled unit, and the mating face plate as a separate element yet to be assembled;
FIG. 30 is a top view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25 with the light engaging panel removed for clarity;
FIG. 31 is a top view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 32 is a top view of a light engaging panel of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 33 is a bottom view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the housing mating portion of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a base screw of the clutch light adjuster illustrated in FIG. 26;
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a retainer of the clutch light adjuster illustrated in FIG. 26;
FIG. 37 is a rotated perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG. 36;
FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 39 is a front perspective cut-away view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 40 is a side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 25 with the retainer in a neutral position;
FIG. 41 is a front view of the clutch light adjuster assembly of FIG. 40;
FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional front view of the clutch light adjuster assembly illustrated in FIG. 40, taken along line B-B of FIG. 40;
FIG. 43 is a side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 40 with the retainer in a retracted position;
FIG. 44 is a detailed side view of a portion of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 43 at the distal end of the retainer;
FIG. 45 is a side view of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 40 with the retainer in an extended position; and
FIG. 46 is a detailed side view of a portion of the clutch light adjuster assembly shown in FIG. 45 at a distal end of the retainer.
Detailed Description
Although the description herein refers primarily to fog lamps, the term "fog lamp" as used in this application may equally well be applied to other adjustable lamps, such as headlamps. The following references to fog lamps should not be construed as limiting the device for fog lamps only.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a clutch fog
Fig. 3-6 illustrate one manner of assembling the
The ridged
Fig. 6-8 show top views of various elements of the
Fig. 9-10 show bottom views of the
Fig. 11 shows the
Fig. 12-13 show the
The
In this embodiment, both the
Fig. 14-18 illustrate the various components of the
Fig. 19-22 illustrate how the
In this embodiment, when the
Fig. 23-24 illustrate a clutched fog
Fig. 25 shows a clutch
Fig. 27-29 illustrate one way of assembling the
Fig. 30-32 show top views of various elements of the
Fig. 33-34 show bottom views of the
In this embodiment, the distal end of the
Fig. 35 shows the
Fig. 36-37 show the
Additionally, a portion of the
The
In this embodiment, both
Fig. 38-42 illustrate the various components of the
Fig. 43-46 illustrate how
In this embodiment, when the
Although the invention has been described herein in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by persons skilled in the art to the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the claims appended hereto and the description of the invention.
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