Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accurate focusing or targeting of an automotive vehicle head-lamp. In particular, the present invention relates to a mechanism for accurately focusing or targeting an automotive vehicle head-lamp. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanism for accurately focusing or targeting an automotive vehicle head-lamp for adjusting the focus of the head-lamp beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The automotive vehicle head-lamp focus or target is needed to be accurately adjusted depending on the specific model of the vehicle. For standardizing of this procedure, an accurate target is required, which is aimed at during the adjustment of the vehicle head-lamp focus.

The head-lamp aiming machine being used to setting of the vehicle head-lamp focus aims with a fixed target object or with a target object having a Z-axis movement.

However, to overcome the difficulties faced with this head-lamp aiming machine provided by the OEMs, a new concept is developed for the process flow in the applicant’s manufacturing facility for the head-lamp aiming, in which the target object is configured as a boom-type target with a 900 movement and provided with an LED light for obtaining the desired accuracy of the aiming.

PRIOR ART

US 8011797 B2 titled: “Boom barrier” discloses a boom-type barrier 1 comprising a boom 2 mounted on a bracket or stand 3 for movement between open and barring positions. The boom 2 is designed as a tubular member transmissive of light and has therein a band 7 on which the light emitting diodes 6 are mounted to extend substantially along full length of the boom 2. The light emitting diodes 6 are controlled by an electronics module 12.

However, the invention disclosed in above document includes only a single line light emitting provision.

US 8654322 B2 titled: “Apparatus and method for measuring the aim location of vehicle headlamps” discloses an apparatus and method for measuring the aim of vehicle headlamps including measuring the light intensity of a light beam emitted by a vehicle headlamp to check the aim of the vehicle headlamp. The apparatus includes a linear photosensitive array having a plurality of individual photo sensors positioned between a plurality of baffles. The array is movably mounted to a frame whereby it can be positioned at predetermined locations to measure light beam intensity and correspondingly determine the beam pattern and aim point of a headlamp.

However, the invention disclosed in above document includes only a single line light emitting provision. It does not disclose a boom-type arrangement but has a fixed structure mounted with the photo-sensor and offers a manual movement based on the vehicle models.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an improved mechanism for conducting the adjustment of the focus of the head-lamp beam by an in-line process. It includes a boom-type target with lifting arrangement having automatic selection of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colour depending on the vehicle model under testing.
This mechanism substantially improves the process of adjusting the vehicle head-lamp beam focus over the conventional devices, which had single line of photo-sensors or light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a fixed structure and/or which had a manual movement based on the vehicle model.

This improved mechanism for conducting the adjustment of the focus of the head-lamp beam configured in accordance with the present invention has several additional safety features summarized below:

1. Gas spring provided therein protects the sudden malfunction in the event of a failure of the motor brake.

2. Photo-sensors avoid any probable safety incidents during the boom opening or closing whenever any object crosses the photo-sensors, the boom-type lifting arrangement is stopped as an emergency measure.

3. An additional safety feature involves holding of the boom for a secondary locking provision after opening or closing of the pneumatic cylinder.

In accordance with the present invention, the improved mechanism for conducting the adjustment of the focus of the head-lamp beam by an in-line process has the following salient features:

• Multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided in-line for testing different vehicle models.

• Use of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based controlled system facilitates the testing of multiple vehicle models by providing the freedom of N numbers of vehicle model matrix.

• Scanner fulfils the poka-yoke system.

• After scanning the vehicle build sheet, PLC switches on light-based on a defined vehicle model matrix.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism for conducting the adjustment of the focus of the head-lamp beam by an in-line process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive vehicle head-lamp focusing adjustment mechanism, which can accurately focus or target the head-lamp beams.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive vehicle head-lamp focusing adjustment mechanism, by using which the operator can avoid the mistakes observed with the conventional vehicle head-lamp focus adjustment devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive vehicle head-lamp focusing adjustment mechanism, which substantially improves the quality of the vehicle head-lamp.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive vehicle head-lamp focusing adjustment mechanism, which eliminates the occurrence of human-error due to the operator taking a wrong reference line during vehicle head-lamp focus adjustment process.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive vehicle head-lamp focusing adjustment mechanism, which replaces the conventional off-line process with the improved in-line process to eliminate the need for vehicle reversing for offline area, to avoid accidents caused thereby.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive vehicle head-lamp focusing adjustment mechanism to eliminate the head-lamp focusing adjustment carried out in off-line flow process.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for accurate aiming of automotive vehicle head-lamp beams to adjust the focus thereof by an in-line production process during head-lamp testing in an automotive manufacturing plant, the mechanism comprises a boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly with a boom-lifting/lowering arrangement installed between a boom-parking cylinder holding assembly on one side thereof and a drive assembly on the other side thereof; the head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly comprises a respective plurality of rows of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) for automatic selection of one of the LED rows according to the vehicle identification number (VIN) and model code (MC) marked on the travel card of the vehicle.

Typically, the programmable logic controller (PLC) processes the scanned vehicle identification number (VIN) and model code (MC) for facilitating the testing of multiple vehicle models by providing the freedom of N numbers of vehicle models selected from a predefined matrix thereof.
Typically, the boom-parking cylinder holding assembly comprises:

• a sensor post;

• a respective sensor for detecting the forward or reverse condition of a pneumatic cylinder in open or close state thereof;

• a locking device for vertical locking of the boom-type HLA screen assembly; and

• a shock absorber, preferably a gas spring for absorbing the shocks received by the boom-type HLA screen assembly;

wherein the boom-type HLA screen assembly is vertically locked when the sensor detects the forward condition of the pneumatic cylinder in a vertically lifted position of the boom-type HLA screen assembly.

Typically, the mechanism comprises a retro-reflective sensor assembly having a retro-reflective sensor mounted on a sensor post for safe operation of the boom-type HLA screen assembly by immediately stopping the boom-operation whenever any object, such as a person or vehicle crosses a predefined vehicle testing area.

Typically, an additional safety device is configured as a secondary locking provision after opening or closing of the pneumatic cylinder by holding of the boom of the boom-type HLA screen assembly.

Typically, the mechanism comprises a reflector plate holding assembly having a reflector with a reflector cover mounted on a sensor post for reflecting the signals received from the retro-reflective sensor installed on the opposite side thereof and mounted to face the reflector.
Typically, the mechanism comprises a drive assembly having base bracket, first bearing bracket, second bearing bracket, limit switch pin, shaft, bracket, locking plate, HLA Screen vertical lock, motor mounting bracket, flange bearing, drive coupling, and reversible electric-motor; wherein the drive assembly is coupled to the boom of the HLA screen assembly for moving the boom down to a horizontal position by rotating the motor forward for aiming the vehicle head-lamps for conducting focusing thereof for the vehicle type and model selected by the PLC, or to move the boom up by about 900 to a vertical position by rotating the motor in a reverse direction.

Typically, the mechanism comprises a boom-parking post assembly for parking the boom of the HLA screen assembly, when the boom is horizontal (in lowered positioned) and freely rests on the boom-parking post assembly.

Typically, the boom-parking post assembly comprises a limit switch holding bracket, first limit switch, a boom parking post, an MS bracket, a black nylon pad, and a second limit switch, wherein the first limit switch confirms the proper resting of the boom in the horizontal (lowered position) thereof.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism comprising:

• a head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly;

• an HLA parking post assembly;

• a bracket for mounting a panel thereon;

• a predefined vehicle testing area covered by sensors;

• a sensor cover, an electric-motor cover, fasteners, and an assembly of photo sensors on a photo sensor plate;

• a boom-parking cylinder holding assembly;

• a retro-reflective sensor assembly;

• an operating panel mounted on a holding post;

• a reflector plate holding assembly;

• a drive assembly;

• a boom having a first parking and lifting end and a second boom operating and pivoting end; and

• a pair of aiming references one for each head-lamp beam.

wherein the HLA screen assembly is mounted on the boom assembly between the first and second ends thereof, and comprises the aiming references with a respective plurality of rows of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different color to be automatically selected by the programmable logic controller (PLC) based on the vehicle identification number (VIN) and model code (MC) scanned by a scanner for accurate aiming of left-hand side and right-hand side head-lamp beams to precisely adjust the focus thereof during head-lamp adjusting process in an in-line process within an automotive manufacturing plant to eliminate any non-productive vehicle movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a barrier with the boom in the closed position and having portions broken away in the prior art 1 (Fig. 1 of US 8011797 B2) mentioned in the background section above.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus for checking the aim of vehicle head-lamps in the prior art 2 (Fig. 2 of US 8654322 B2) mentioned in the background section above.

Figure 3 shows a head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen for adjusting the head-lamps in a vehicle marked with height indicators and for correct vertical and horizontal alignment of the head-lamps according to PA safety inspection regulations.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention for accurate aiming of head-lamp beam to adjust the focus thereof in vehicles under testing in an automotive manufacturing plant.

Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of a mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 6 shows perspective view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 7 shows a schematic view of multiple LEDs in mechanism of Fig. 4.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the parking cylinder holding assembly for operating the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the reflective sensor mounted on a sensor post shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 10 shows schematic perspective view of the reflector mounted on a sensor post for reflective sensor of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the boom-parking post assembly shown in Fig. 5.
Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the drive assembly shown in Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the mechanism for accurate aiming of head-lamp beam to adjust the focus thereof in vehicles under testing in an automotive manufacturing plant and configured in accordance with the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a barrier with the boom in the closed position and having portions broken away in the prior art 1 (Fig. 1 of US 8011797 B2) mentioned in the background section above. It shows a parking barrier 1 located at the entrance or exit of a parking lot, a boom 2 mounted on a stand or bracket 3 for pivoting about a horizontal axis normal to the direction of vehicle travel. Boom 2 has a band 7 disposed therein in the form of a PCB mounting LEDs 6 extending the full length of the boom 2 from a socket 8 which attaches boom 2 to bracket 3 to the free end thereof, which is sealed by a plug 9. A guide 11 is provided in the boom 2 for fixing the band 7 in place, the guide 11 is made of a translucent or transparent material which is the same as the wall 5 of the tubular boom 2. LEDs 6 in band 7 are controlled by an electronics module 12 housed in the area of socket 8 inside the tubular boom 2, which has a lip 13 of rubber-elastic material.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 100 for checking the aim of vehicle head-lamps in the prior art 2 (Fig. 2 of US 8654322 B2) mentioned in the background section above. It shows a perspective view of said apparatus, including a frame 12 having a pair of upstanding leg members 14 connected to crossbar 16. A head-lamp aiming board 18 is secured to the frame 12. The crossbar 16 moveably supports a photo-sensor plate 20 mounted by a guide bar 22 to be moved back and forth on the crossbar 16. A servo drive mechanism 24 includes an operating panel 26 and a drive member 28 for accurately positioning the photo-sensor plate 20 on the crossbar 16.

Figure 3 shows a conventional head-lamp aiming screen S placed at a distance D from the head-lamps LL, LR in a vehicle V for adjusting the beams B thereof marked with beam height BH and for correct vertical and horizontal alignment Ah, Av of the head-lamps LL, LR according to PA safety inspection regulations. Here, the head-lamp aiming screen S is made of vinyl banner material with grommets and height markings M to allow beam adjustment up to 54 inches. This screen S is mounted inside the Head-lamp inspection facility. The height indicators show where the aiming strings of LEDs EL and 4 inch markers M need to be placed for correct vertical and horizontal alignment Ah, Av according to PA Safety Inspection Regulations. This Head-lamp Aiming Screen S can only be used when a minimum inspection area of a space of minimum 12 feet width x 43 feet length is available. Normally, this screen S should be 120 inches wide x 54 inches high and the mount is kept at a height h of 12 inches from the floor. A marked tape for height markings M is pasted at a predefined height h near the wall. However, the Head-lamp Aiming Screen S includes a fixed structure for mounting the height indicators and a manual movement depending on the models of vehicle V under testing. But this type of tape pasting is not suitable for carrying out the adjustment process for accurate lamp aiming in a production line. The vehicle V must be placed at a targeted location and needs to be reversed for next process step.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the mechanism 100 configured in accordance with the present invention for accurate aiming of head-lamp beam to adjust the focus thereof in vehicles under testing in an automotive manufacturing plant. It mainly shows a head-lam aiming (HLA) screen assembly 2 installed on the boom assembly 32, 34 disposed between a parking cylinder holding assembly 22 and a drive assembly 30 with the first end 34 of the boom assembly on the one side, and the second end 32 of boom assembly on the other side thereof.

Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of a mechanism 100 shown in Figure 4. It includes a head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly 2, a boom parking post assembly 4, a panel mounting bracket 6, a shock absorber screen 8, a photo-sensor cover 10, a motor cover 12, a cover 14, a plurality of T-nuts (e.g. 14 Nos.) 16, an assembly of photo-sensors 18, a photo-sensor plate 20, a boom-parking cylinder holding assembly 22, a retro-reflective sensor assembly 24, an operating panel 26 mounted on a holding post, a reflector plate holding assembly 28, a drive assembly 30, a boom assembly 32, 34, a panel 36, and a pair of aiming references 40, one for each head-lamp beam 60L, 60R.

Figure 6 shows schematic perspective view of mechanism 100 shown in Figure 4. It shows a head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly 2, the head-lamp aiming (HLA) parking post assembly 4, panel mounting bracket 6, cover 14, reflector plate holding assembly 24, holding post mounted with an operating panel 26, retro-reflective sensor mounting plate 28, drive assembly 30, boom assembly 32, 34, and panel 36.

Figure 7 shows schematic view of multiple LEDs in a mechanism 100 shown in Fig. 4. A plurality of lines of multiple LEDs 40 in the head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly 2 of the mechanism 100 shown in Fig. 4. For example, one set of LEDs of four colors (e.g. Yellow, Green, Blue, and Red) 40L, 40R each is provided on either side of the HLA screen assembly 2 here. The operator focuses the head-lamp beams (60L & 60R) on a corresponding color of LED line depending on the vehicle being tested.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the parking cylinder holding assembly 22 for operating the mechanism 100 shown in Fig. 4. This parking cylinder holding assembly 22 is mounted on a post 222, and includes one sensor 224 each used for capturing the cylinder forward and reverse condition, a vertical locking plate 226 and a shock absorber 228 for the boom assembly 2. This assembly 22 is used for vertical locking of HLA boom when it is at vertically lifted position, the pneumatic cylinder moves forward to lock HLA boom assembly 32, 34.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the retro-reflective sensor assembly 24 including a sensor 244 mounted on a sensor post 242 and covered by a sensor cover 246. This sensor 244 is used for the safe boom operation. As and when any object (e.g. person, vehicle) interrupts signals issued by this sensor 244, the boom operation will be immediately stopped in coordination with the reflector 286 for retro-reflective sensor (Fig. 10) as explained below.

Figure 10 shows schematic perspective view of the reflector plate holding assembly 28 including a reflector 284 having a reflector cover 286 and mounted on a sensor post 282 for reflecting the signals received from the retro-reflective sensor 244 mounted on the sensor post 284 facing this reflector 284 and installed on the opposite side of the test track. Whenever any object (person, vehicle) crosses the signal path between this reflector 284 and the retro-reflective sensor 244 facing it, the boom operation will stop. This ensures a safe boom operation.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the boom-parking post assembly 4 shown in Figure 5. This boom-parking post assembly 4 is used for parking the boom assembly 32, 34. Once the boom is horizontal (lowered down), it rests on this boom-parking post assembly 4. It includes a limit switch holding bracket 52, first limit switch 54 for confirming a proper boom resting and the horizontal (down position) thereof, a boom parking post 42, MS bracket 44, nylon pad 46 (black nylon), and second limit switch 48.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the drive assembly 30 shown in Fig. 6. It includes base bracket 302, first bearing bracket 304, second bearing bracket 306, limit switch pin 308, shaft 310, bracket 312, locking plate 314, HLA Screen vertical lock 316, motor mounting bracket 318, flange bearing 330, drive coupling 340, and electric-motor 350. This drive assembly 30 is used for mounting the motor assembly including the motor 350 coupled to HLA boom. When motor 350 rotates forward, the boom moves down to a horizontal position and conversely, when motor 350 is reversed, the boom moves up by about 900 to a vertical position.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention, for accurate aiming of head-lamp beam to adjust the focus thereof in vehicles under testing in an automotive manufacturing plant has the following advantages:

• Provides a 90° movement of boom for enhanced beam focus accuracy.

• Multiple rows of LEDs help in catering to different testing head-lamps of different vehicle models.

• Gas spring protects any sudden failure in case of motor malfunctioning.

• Pneumatic cylinder holds the boom for secondary locking, after boom opening or closing.

• PLC based control system provides the freedom of testing different vehicle models and generating a matrix thereof.
• Mechanism complies with Poka-yoke design concept.

• Boom-type lifting by automatic selection of LEDs based on vehicle model.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention.

Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to imply including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 Mechanism for accurate vehicle head-lamp beams focus adjustment

2 Boom-type Head-lamp Aiming (HLA) Screen assembly
4 Boom-parking post assembly
6 Bracket for mounting panel
8 Vehicle testing area
10 Sensor cover
12 Electric-motor cover
14 Fasteners
16 T-Nuts
18 Photo sensors
20 Photo-sensor plate

22 Boom-parking cylinder holding assembly
24 Retro-reflective sensor assembly
26 Operating panel mounted on a holding post
28 Reflector plate holding assembly
30 Drive assembly
32, 34 Boom assembly
36 Panel

40L, 40R Head-lamp beam aiming-references
42 Boom parking post
44 MS bracket
46 Black nylon pad
48 Second limit switch
52 Limit-switch holding bracket
54 First limit switch
60L, 60R Lefthand side and Righthand side Head-lamp beams
222 Sensor post
224 Pneumatic-cylinder sensor
226 Screen locking device
228 Shock absorber/gas spring
242 Sensor post
244 Retro-reflective photo sensor
246 Sensor cover
282 Sensor post
284 Reflector
286 Reflector cover
302 Base bracket
304 First bearing bracket
306 Second bearing bracket
308 Limit switch pin
310 Shaft
312 Bracket
314 Locking plate
316 HLA Screen vertical lock
318 Motor mounting bracket
330 Flange bearing
340 Drive coupling
350 Reversible electric-motor
MC Model code
PLC Programmable logic controller
VIN Vehicle identification number , Claims:We claim:

1. A mechanism (100) for accurate aiming of automotive vehicle head-lamp beams (60L, 60R) to adjust the focus thereof by an in-line production process during head-lamp testing in an automotive manufacturing plant, said mechanism comprises a boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2) with a boom-lifting/lowering arrangement installed between a boom-parking cylinder holding assembly (22) on one side thereof and a drive assembly (30) on the other side thereof; said head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2) comprises a respective plurality of rows of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) for automatic selection of one of said LED rows according to the vehicle identification number (VIN) and model code (MC) marked on the travel card of the vehicle by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC).

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said programmable logic controller (PLC) processes said scanned vehicle identification number (VIN) and model code (MC) for facilitating the testing of multiple vehicle models by providing the freedom of N numbers of vehicle models selected from a predefined matrix thereof.

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, said boom-parking cylinder holding assembly (22) comprises:

• a sensor post (222);

• a respective sensor (224) for detecting the forward or reverse condition of a pneumatic cylinder in open or close state thereof;

• a locking device (226) for vertical locking of said boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2); and

• a shock absorber (228), preferably a gas spring for absorbing the shocks received by said boom-type HLA screen assembly (2);

wherein said boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2) is vertically locked when said sensor (224) detects the forward condition of said pneumatic cylinder in a vertically lifted position of said boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2).

4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, said mechanism (100) comprises a retro-reflective sensor assembly (24) having a retro-reflective photo sensor (244) mounted on a sensor post (242) for safe operation of said boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2) by immediately stopping said boom-operation whenever any object, such as a person or vehicle crosses a predefined vehicle testing area (8).

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein an additional safety device is configured as a secondary locking provision after opening or closing of said pneumatic cylinder by holding of the boom of said boom-type head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2).

6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mechanism (100) comprises a reflector plate holding assembly (28) having a reflector (284) with a reflector cover (286) mounted on a sensor post (282) for reflecting the signals received from said retro-reflective sensor (244) installed on the opposite side thereof and mounted to face said reflector (284).

7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mechanism (100) comprises a drive assembly (30) having base bracket (302), first bearing bracket (304), second bearing bracket (306), limit switch pin (308), shaft (310), bracket (312), locking plate (314), HLA Screen vertical lock (316), motor mounting bracket (318), flange bearing (330), drive coupling (340), and reversible electric-motor (350); wherein said drive assembly (30) is coupled to the boom of said HLA screen assembly (2) for moving said boom down to a horizontal position by rotating said motor (350) forward for aiming the vehicle head-lamps for conducting focusing thereof for the vehicle type and model selected by said PLC, or to move said boom up by about 900 to a vertical position by rotating said motor (350) in a reverse direction.

8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mechanism (100) comprises a boom-parking post assembly (4) for parking the boom of said HLA screen assembly (2), when said boom is horizontal (in lowered positioned) and freely rests on said boom-parking post assembly (4).

9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said boom-parking post assembly (4) comprises a limit switch holding bracket (52), first limit switch (54), a boom parking post (42), an MS bracket (44), a black nylon pad (46), and a second limit switch (48), wherein said first limit switch (54) confirms proper resting of said boom in horizontal (lowered position) thereof.

10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, said mechanism (100) comprising:

• a head-lamp aiming (HLA) screen assembly (2);

• a head-lamp aiming (HLA) parking post assembly (4);

• a bracket (6) for mounting a panel (36) thereon;

• a predefined vehicle testing area (8) covered by sensors (224; 244);

• a sensor cover (10), an electric-motor cover (12), fasteners (14), and an assembly of photo sensors (18) on a photo sensor plate (20);

• a boom-parking cylinder holding assembly (22);

• a retro-reflective sensor assembly (24);

• an operating panel (26) mounted on a holding post;

• a reflector plate holding assembly (28);

• a drive assembly (30);

• a boom having a first parking and lifting end (32) and a second boom operating and pivoting end (34); and

• a pair of aiming references (40) one for each head-lamp beam (60L, 60R).

wherein said HLA screen assembly (2) is mounted on said boom assembly between said first and second ends (32, 34) thereof, and comprises said aiming references (40) with a respective plurality of rows of the light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different color to be automatically selected by said programmable logic controller (PLC) based on said vehicle identification number (VIN) and model code (MC) scanned by a scanner for accurate aiming of left-hand side and right-hand side head-lamp beams (60L, 60R) to precisely adjust the focus thereof during head-lamp adjusting process in an in-line process within an automotive manufacturing plant to eliminate any non-productive vehicle movement.

Digitally / e-Signed by: Dated this 30th day of November 2023.

(SANJAY KESHARWANI)
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT
REGN. NO. IN/PA-2043.