Headlamp fastening system for motor vehicles and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10137822-B2
Application number	US-201715662497-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2017
Priority date	Jul 29, 2016
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle is provided herein. The headlamp fastening system includes a support structure, a headlamp structure, and an alignment element. The alignment element is configured to align and fix the headlamp structure with the support structure with respect to the z-direction of the vehicle. The alignment element holds the sup port structure and the headlamp in an alignment position. In the alignment position the support structure and the headlamp structure are relatively displaceable in the x-, y-, and z-direction relative to one another. The alignment element fixes the support structure and the headlamp in the fixed position, wherein, upon the alignment element fixing the support structure and the headlamp structure relative to one another with respect to the z-direction, the support structure and the headlamp structure simultaneously become fixed relative to one another in the x- and y-direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle comprising:
a vehicle wing fastening structure;
a radiator mounting structure;
a headlamp structure; and
a 1-valued alignment element configured to align and fix the headlamp structure with at least one of the vehicle wing fastening structure and the radiator mounting structure with respect to a z-direction relative to an x-, y-, and z-direction of the vehicle, wherein the 1-valued alignment element holds the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure in an alignment position, wherein the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure are relatively displaceable in the x-, y-, and z-direction relative to one another and wherein the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure with respect to the xy-plane such that the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure remain loose relative to one another; and a fixing position, wherein, upon the 1-valued alignment element fixing the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure, and the headlamp structure relative to one another with respect to the z-direction, the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure simultaneously become fixed relative to one another in the x- and y-direction.

2. The headlamp fastening system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an alignment receiver assembly coupled to at least one of the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure, wherein the 1-value alignment element engages with the alignment receiver assembly in the alignment position displaceably with respect to the xy-plane and in a clamp-like manner with respect to the z-direction.

3. The headlamp fastening system of claim 2 , wherein the 1-value alignment element further comprises:
a front clamp part; and
a rear clamp part, wherein the front clamp part and the rear clamp part form a clamp-like encasing having an engagement direction about parallel to the z-direction with respect to an engagement direction of the clamp-like encasing, wherein the front clamp part is configured as a stop that is effective in the engagement direction.

4. The headlamp fastening system of claim 3 , wherein the front clamp part is arranged extending radially outwardly from the 1-value alignment element in the engagement direction.

5. The headlamp fastening system of claim 3 , wherein the 1-value alignment element further comprises:
a lever device having at least one lever, wherein the rear clamp part is formed via the at least one lever.

6. The headlamp fastening system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one lever is engaged in an effectively force-transmitting manner with at least one of the alignment receiver assembly and the fixing receiver assembly provided on at least one of the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure, and the headlamp structure.

7. The headlamp fastening system of claim 5 , wherein the lever is pivotally mounted to the front clamp part on a pivot axis perpendicular to the z-direction and is configured as a tilting lever that holds the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure, and the headlamp structure in an effective force-transmitting manner in the fixing position.

8. The headlamp fastening system of claim 7 , wherein the tilting lever further comprises:
a first lever arm; and
a second lever arm, wherein the first lever arm is arranged in the fixing position and engages at least one of the alignment receiver assembly and the headlamp structure in an effective force-transmitting manner, and wherein the second lever arm is arranged in the fixing position and engages a fixing receiver assembly on at least one of the headlamp structure, the vehicle wing fastening structure, and the radiator mounting structure in an effective force-transmitting manner.

9. The headlamp fastening system of claim 8 , wherein the alignment receiver assembly further comprises:
a cavity that extends beyond the first lever arm of the tilting lever, wherein the first lever arm, while in the alignment position, is spaced apart at least in relation to a rear side surface delimiting the cavity in the engagement direction.

10. The headlamp fastening system of claim 9 , wherein the profile of the cavity and the longitudinal profile of the first lever arm are elongate and adapted to one another and the first lever arm delimits the underside of the profile of the cavity.

11. The headlamp fastening system of claim 8 , wherein the fixing receiver assembly is configured as a catch with a conical catch opening that faces the engagement direction and engages with the second lever arm of the tilting lever when the first lever arm of the tilting lever is pivoted into the fixing position.

12. The headlamp fastening system of claim 7 , wherein the rear clamp part is formed by two tilting levers arranged radially opposite one another with respect to the engagement direction.

13. A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle comprising:
a 1-valued alignment element positionable in an alignment position and a fixing position, wherein the 1-valued alignment element allows for a vehicle wing fastening structure, a radiator mounting structure, and a headlamp structure relative to remain loose relative one another in the alignment position and simultaneously fixes each relative to one another in a z-direction, an x-direction and a y-direction in the fixing position.

14. A headlamp fastening system for a vehicle comprising:
a vehicle wing fastening structure;
a radiator mounting structure;
a headlamp structure;
a 1-valued alignment element configured to align and fix the headlamp structure with at least one of the vehicle wing fastening structure and the radiator mounting structure with respect to a z-direction relative to an x-, y-, and z-direction of the vehicle, wherein the 1-valued alignment element holds the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure in an alignment position, wherein the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure are relatively displaceable in the x-, y-, and z-direction relative to one another; and a fixing position, wherein, upon the 1-valued alignment element fixing the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure, and the headlamp structure relative to one another with respect to the z-direction, the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure simultaneously become fixed relative to one another in the x- and y-direction; and
an alignment receiver assembly coupled to at least one of the vehicle wing fastening structure, the radiator mounting structure and the headlamp structure, wherein the 1-value alignment element engages with the alignment receiver assembly in the alignment position displaceably with respect to the xy-plane and in a clamp-like manner with respect to the z-direction.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Niessen Bert
• Herrmann Boris
• Witschel Mark
• Warwel Thorsten

Classifications

• B60Q1/0441 Primary

  the housing being fastened onto the vehicle body using means other than screws · CPC title

• B60Q1/0483 Primary

  mounted on a bracket, e.g. details concerning the mouting of the lamps on the vehicle body · CPC title

• F16B21/086

  the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion · CPC title

• F21S41/198

  Snap-fit attachments · CPC title

• F21S41/192

  Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors · CPC title