Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a test assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a test assembly for testing a cornering lamp of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] With the advent of the latest technology in the automobile sector the cornering lamp is becoming popular among the users due to the enhanced illumination it provides along the sides of the vehicle. In addition, the cornering lamp adds to the safety of the vehicle by illuminating the side of the vehicle thereby removing the blind spots of the vehicle. However, the cornering lamps or a side marker light are often tested on assemblies to ensure that their performance meets the design specifications and for the validation of the part. Specifically for testing the cornering lamp, the test bench simply tests the glowing and switching of the cornering lamps. Therefore dynamic testing of the cornering lamps is not possible such as while turning the vehicle or at the particular angle the cornering lamps may be lit.

[0004] Hence, there is a need for an assembly for testing the cornering lamp that is dynamic, effective, automatic, and requires less manual interventions.

[0005] The above-mentioned drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages of the conventional techniques are explained just for exemplary purpose and this disclosure and description mentioned below would never limit its scope only such problem. A person skilled in the art may understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.

SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is an assembly for testing a cornering lamp. The assembly includes a fixed plate having a cut-out portion at a centre thereof, and a rotatable plate positioned in the cut-out portion. The rotatable plate includes a first mount formed at an end of the rotatable plate, and adapted to receive a first cornering lamp therein, a second mount formed at another end of the rotatable plate, and adapted to receive a second cornering lamp therein. In addition, the rotatable plate includes a rotating assembly coupled to the rotatable plate and adapted to rotate the rotatable plate within the cut-out portion in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction to simulate one of a left-hand turn and a right-hand turn of a vehicle for the cornering lamps.

[0008] The assembly increases the productivity by decreasing the intervention of manual operations in testing. In addition, the assembly may automatically calibrate and test the cornering lamps by tilting the lamp at different angles and reading the light status with the sensors thereby automating the complete system. In addition, the assembly calibrates the test piece according to the predefined algorithm. Further, the testing is precise and dynamic as the turning of the vehicle is simulated by the tilting of the assembly, and illumination of the cornering lamps at all angles of turning may be performed. This makes the assembly of testing precise, accurate, automatic, and may be implemented to test mass volumes of the cornering lamps.

[0009] To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate an assembly performing the testing of a cornering lamp in different positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the assembly for testing the cornering lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the assembly for testing the cornering lamp, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the assembly while the cornering lamps are being installed on the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a base and a fixed plate of the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a rotatable plate with a rotatable assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a motor of the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 9 illustrates a support assembly of the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0020] Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

[0022] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0023] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

[0024] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[0025] Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

[0026] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

[0027] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 5, an assembly 100 for testing a cornering lamp (not shown) is shown. Specifically, Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates the assembly 100 performing the testing of a cornering lamp in different positions. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the assembly 100 for testing the cornering lamp. Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the assembly 100 for testing the cornering lamp. Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the assembly 100 while the cornering lamps are being installed on the assembly 100.

[0030] The cornering lamp aids a driver by illuminating the portions of the road while the vehicle is being turned. In addition, the cornering lamp may provide additional illumination by illuminating an area of the road towards a side of the vehicle, making the cornering lamp a very helpful safety feature when turning corners and switching lanes. The cornering lamp are typically tested on a test assemblies that are adapted to simulate a turning of the vehicle. The simulation of the turning of the vehicle illuminates the cornering lamp.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 5, the assembly 100 includes a base 102 adapted to be positioned on a floor/ground to facilitate the mounting of the one or more parts of the assembly 100, a plurality of pillars 104 extending upwardly from the base 102, and a fixed plate 106 disposed spaced apart from the base 102.

[0032] Referring to Figure 6, the base 102, the pillars 104, and the fixed plate 106 is shown. As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 6, assembly 100 may include the plurality of pillars 104 extending upwardly from the base 102 and disposed spaced apart from one other. Further, the assembly 100 having the fixed plate 106 is adapted to rest on the pillars 104 and disposed parallel and spaced apart from the base 102, such that a space extends between the fixed plate 106 and the base 102. In an embodiment, a size of the fixed plate may be less than a size of the base 102.

[0033] In addition, the fixed plate 106 may include a cut-out portion 108 (shown in Figure 6) at a centre thereby defining a cavity along the center of the cut-out portion 108. As shown in Figure 1 to 5, the cut-out portion 108 of the fixed plate 106 may include a rotatable plate 110 positioned in the cut-out portion 108. Further, the assembly 100 includes a rotating assembly 112 to facilitate the rotatable coupling of the rotatable plate 110 with the fixed plate 106, and a support assembly 113 to enable and disable a support to a bottom of the rotating plate 110. The rotating assembly 112 may facilitate the rotation of the rotatable plate 110 within the cavity extending between the fixed plate 106 and the base 102 along an axis 1-1. The rotation of the rotatable plate 110 within the cut-out portion 108 is in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction to simulate one of a left-hand turn and a right-hand turn of a vehicle for the cornering lamps.

[0034] Further, the rotatable plate 110 may include a first end 114 and a second end 116 disposed opposite to the first end 114. Additionally, the rotatable plate 110 may include a first longitudinal side 117a extending between the first end 114 and the second end 116, and a second longitudinal side 117b disposed parallel and spaced apart from the first longitudinal side 117a and extending between the first end 114 and the second end 116 of the rotatable plate 110. In addition, the rotatable plate 110 may include a first mount 118 formed at the first end 114 of the rotatable plate 110, and a second mount 120 formed at a second end 116 of the rotatable plate 110. The first mount 118 is adapted to receive a first cornering lamp for testing therein, and the second mount 120 is adapted to receive a second cornering lamp for the testing therein.

[0035] Referring to Figure 7, the rotatable plate 110 with the rotatable assembly 112 is shown. As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 5 and Figure 7, the rotatable assembly 112 of the assembly 100 includes a shaft 130 extending from the first longitudinal side 117a to the second longitudinal side 117b and is adapted to rotate with the rotatable plate 110. In an embodiment, the shaft 130 is securely coupled with the rotatable plate 110 such that the rotation of the shaft 130 results in the rotation of the rotatable plate 110. In another embodiment, the rotatable plate 110 may include a groove (not shown) to facilitate the resting of the shaft 130 within the groves. The shaft 130 includes a first end 132 disposed proximate to the first longitudinal side 117a and a second end 134 disposed opposite to the first end 132 and disposed proximate to the second longitudinal side 117b of the rotatable plate 110. In an embodiment, the shaft 130 are pivotably coupled to a plurality of bearing block 135 (as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5) attached to the fixed plate 106 to facilitate the positioning of the shaft 130. In an embodiment the shaft 130 is fixed to a centre of the rotatable plate 110.

[0036] As shown, the first end 132 of the shaft 130 may include a pulley 136 securely coupled with the shaft 130. In embodiment, the pulley 136 may be securely coupled proximate to the first end 132 of the shaft 130. The rotation of the pulley 136 facilitates the rotation of the shaft 130 and in response the rotation of the rotatable plate 110 is performed. Further, the rotating assembly 112 of the assembly 100 may include a motor 138 (also shown in Figure 8) adapted to be installed on the fixed plate 106 such that an output of the motor 138 is in line with the pulley 136 of the shaft 130.

[0037] Referring to Figure 8, the motor 138 is shown. The motor 138 includes an output pulley 140 adapted to rotate in response to the rotation of an axle (not shown) of the motor 138. The output pulley 138 of the motor 138 may be coupled with the pulley 136 of the shaft 130 via a belt drive 142. In an embodiment, the output pulley 140 of the motor 138 and the pulley 136 of the shaft 110 may be coupled via a chain drive, a rope drive, a linkage arrangement, a gear drive, a plurality of gear arrangement, without diverging from the scope of the invention. In an embodiment, the motor 138 is a direct current motor, an alternating current motor, a geared motor, a stepper motor, a servo motor, or a motor coupled via a four-bar mechanism coupled with the shaft 130 to facilitate the rotation of the shaft 130 and further rotate the rotatable plate 110 in response to the rotation of the shaft 130.

[0038] Furthermore, the motor 138 includes an encoder (not shown) to facilitate the precise movement/rotation of the motor 138. In addition, the encoder facilitates a feedback to a control unit (not shown) to determine an angular position of the rotatable plate 110 for determining the angle of tilt of the cornering lamps. In an embodiment, the rotatable plate 110 may include a tilt sensor (not shown) communicatively coupled with the control unit to determine the tilt position of the rotatable plate 110 and in turn determine the tilt position of the cornering lamps. In an embodiment, the control unit controls a degree of rotation of the rotatable plate 110 in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, thereby controlling an angle of tilt during the left-hand turn and the right-hand turn of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the control unit may be fed with a predefined process to enable the tilting of the motor 138 and determine the tilted angular position of the one of the cornering lamps.

[0039] In an embodiment, the control unit may be a single processing unit or a number of units, all of which may include multiple computing units. In another embodiment, the control unit may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, Arduino and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the control unit is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and memory stored in a memory.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 5, the rotatable plate 110 of the assembly 100 includes a plurality of sensors 150 coupled to the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp while the two cornering lamps are installed in the two mounts 118, 120. In addition, the rotatable plate 110 includes a connector 151 disposed on the rotatable plate 110 to facilitate a wiring connection with the two cornering lamps. The plurality of sensors 150 are adapted to detect the right-hand turn and the left-hand turn corresponding to signals received from the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp while the rotatable plate is rotated.

[0041] In an embodiment, the signal comprises a switching on and a switching off of a light of at least one of the first cornering lamps and the second cornering lamp. In another embodiment, the plurality of sensors 150 includes optical sensors positioned to detect the switching on and the switching off of the light. In an embodiment, the plurality of sensors 150 includes an optical sensor positioned to detect the switching on and the switching off of the light. Further, the assembly 100 includes a first locking assembly 152 adapted to lock the first cornering lamp within the first mount 118, and a second locking assembly 154 adapted to lock the second cornering lamp within the second mount 120. The two locking assembly 152, 154 includes clamping elements to facilitate the locking of the two cornering lamps. In an embodiment, the sensor 150 is positioned on the rotatable plate 110 in such a way that at a tilting threshold the sensor 150 is disposed in front of the cornering lamps. In an example, the clamping elements are one or more toggle clamps to facilitate the clamping of the two cornering lamps.

[0042] Referring to Figure 9, the assembly 100 having the support assembly 113. Also shown in Figure 1 to Figure 5 and in Figure 9 the support assembly 113 may be adapted to support the rotatable plate 110 from a bottom side thereof. The support assembly 113 may support the rotatable plate 110 while the two cornering lamps are adapted to be installed on the two mounts 118, 120 and the two locking assemblies 152, 154 are clamped on the cornering lamps. In addition, the support assembly 113 includes an actuator 162 coupled to the base 102 of the assembly 100 and adapted to linearly move a rod 164 inwardly and outwardly from the actuator 162. The rod 164 is adapted to abut the bottom side of the rotatable pate 110. In an example, the actuator 162 includes at least one of an electrical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator, coupled to the base 102 and a rod 164 adapted to move inwardly and outwardly from the actuator 162. Further, the control unit is electrically coupled to the support assembly 113 to control the actuation of the actuators 162 and perform a calibration operation and a flashing operation prior to initiating the rotation of the rotatable plate 110. In an embodiment, support assembly 113 is adapted to support the rotatable plate 110 from a bottom side while installing and clamping the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp on the respective mounts 118, 120 of the locking assemblies 152, 154.

[0043] The working of the assembly 100 is now explained. The assembly 100, may be calibrated automatically by the control unit. Once the calibration is complete the support assembly 113 retracts and makes the rotatable plate 110 free to rotate. The motor 138 is actuated and the rotatable plate 110 is rotated at a specific angle to simulate the tilting of the vehicle when the vehicle takes a turn. The sensor 150 on the rotatable plate 110 reads the light status with the help of the optical sensor. Further, the rotatable plate 110 is tilted in another direction and the sensor 150 on the opposite side is tested. When the cornering lamps pass the test, the assembly 100 generates a pass signal via the control unit. After completing the calibration and test cycle, the rotatable plate 110 becomes horizontal and the support assembly 113 is actuated and the rod 164 is raised to support the rotatable plate 110. Now the operator can unclamp the cornering lights and remove the connector.

[0044] According to the present disclosure, the assembly 100 for testing the cornering lamps of the vehicle is disclosed. The assembly 100 increases the productivity by decreasing the intervention of manual operations in testing. In addition, the assembly 100 can automatically calibrate and test the cornering lamps by tilting them at different angles and reading the light status with the sensors 150 such as the optical sensor. In addition, the assembly 100 calibrates the cornering lamps according to the predefined process. Further, the testing is precise and dynamic as the turning of the vehicle is simulated by the tilting of the assembly 100, and the illumination of the cornering lamps at all angles of turning may be performed. This makes the assembly 100 of testing precise, accurate, and automatic, and may be implemented to test mass volumes of the cornering lamps.

[0045] While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
, Claims:1. An assembly (100) for testing a cornering lamp, comprising:
a fixed plate (106) having a cut-out portion (108) at a centre thereof;
a rotatable plate (110) positioned in the cut-out portion (108), the rotatable plate (110) comprising:
a first mount (118) formed at a first end (114) of the rotatable plate (110), and adapted to receive a first cornering lamp therein;
a second mount (120) formed at a second end (116) of the rotatable plate (110), and adapted to receive a second cornering lamp therein; and
a rotating assembly (112) coupled to the rotatable plate (110) and adapted to rotate the rotatable plate (110) within the cut-out portion (108) is in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction to simulate one of a left-hand turn and a right-hand turn of a vehicle for the cornering lamps.

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of sensors (150) coupled to the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp, and adapted to detect the right-hand turn and the left-hand turn corresponding to signals received from the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp.

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal comprises a switching on and a switching off of a light of at least one of the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp, corresponding to an angle of tilt thereof.

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of sensors (150) includes optical sensors positioned to detect the switching on and the switching off of the light.

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a first locking assembly (152) adapted to lock the first cornering lamp within the first mount (118); and
a second locking assembly (154) adapted to lock the second cornering lamp within the second mount (120).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a support assembly (113) is adapted to support the rotatable plate (110) from a bottom side while installing and clamping of the first cornering lamp and the second cornering lamp on the respective mounts (118, 120) of the locking assemblies (152, 154).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support assembly (113) comprising an actuator (162), including at least one of an electrical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator, coupled to the base (102) and a rod (164) adapted to move inwardly and outwardly from the actuator (162).

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprising a control unit coupled to the rotatable plate (110) and the support assembly (113), wherein the control unit is adapted to:
control a degree of rotation of the rotatable plate (110) in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, thereby controlling an angle of tilt during the left-hand turn and the right-hand turn,
control the actuation of the actuators (162), and
perform a calibration operation and a flashing operation prior to initiating the rotation of the rotatable plate (110).

9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating assembly (112) comprises a shaft (130) fixed to a centre of the rotatable plate (110), wherein two ends (132, 134) of the shaft (130) are pivotably coupled to a plurality of bearing blocks (135) attached to the fixed plate (106).

10. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotating assembly (112) comprises a motor (138) coupled to the shaft (130) by an output pulley (140), wherein the motor (138) facilitates the rotational movement to the shaft (130) through the output pulley (140).