FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF INVENTION Steerable Headlamp System For Vehicles


APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
Having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
Mr. Basha R. Arab and Mr. Suresh Kumar
Both are Indian Nationals
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED,
An Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.


FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention is related to the headlamp system of vehicle and more particularly it relates to the steerable headlamp assembly for vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Generally In conventional headlamps system of an automobile comprises at least two electric headlamps bulbs for high beam and low beam. These said bulbs for high beam and low beam are fixed and installed in head lamp housing of vehicles. Typically these types of arrangements facilitate only the upward and downward stream adjustment which is done manually. While turning the vehicles or taking turns these beam streams from said bulbs remains straight and the visibility in the turning direction is very poor or completely non visible specially in night driving, which leads to the increased risk of accident due to poor visibility or non visibility in the turning direction in the night driving.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a steerable headlamp assembly for vehicles
Another object of the present invention is to provide a steerable headlamp assembly for vehicles which facilitates increased lateral visibility in the direction of vehicle turning by rotating headlamp in the direction of a contemplated turn prior to commencement of the actual turning sequence.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a steerable headlamp assembly for vehicles which is very simple in construction and very cost effective.


STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Accordingly the present invention discloses a Steerable headlamps system comprising; swivel means having yoke mounted on bush rotate able about vertical axis and pivotally mounted on headlamp support configured to mount at least two headlamps assemblies on said yoke, first and second headlamp levers pivotally connected to said steerable headlamps, first pivot lever configured to be pivotally mounted at its centre to said first cross member, adjustable bar pivotally connected to said first and second headlamp levers to maintain the parallelism of said headlamps, second pivot lever configured to be pivotally mounted at its centre to said second cross member . intermediate linkage adapted to pivotally connect to said first and second pivot lever, tie rod pivotally connected to said second pivot lever with the help of sleeve mounted to said tie rod, said headlamps disposed at the front of the vehicle operatively coupled to the vehicle steering linkage/tie rod are provided with motor powered extensible arm configured for initial turning of the headlamps in the direction of the turn on switching on the turn signal switch and restoring the original position of the headlamps by automatically reversing the motor after the turn signal switch is switched off.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG 1 shows the PLAN view of Steer-able headlamp mechanism. FIG 2 shows the side view of Steer-able headlamp mechanism. FIG 3 shows the cross section view of Steer-able headlamp mechanism. FIG 4 shows the detailed perspective view.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, steerable headlamp assembly comprises ; at least two headlamps la and lb mounted on yokes 2, swivel bushes 3 on which said yokes 2 are mounted and is swiveled about the vertical axis of said swivel bushes 3. said swivel bushes 3 is pivotally mounted on headlamp support 4,


headlamp levers 5 are connected with said headlamps la and lb at one side and other side its connected to the first pivot lever 6, said first pivot lever 6 is also connected to adjustable bar 7 and with another headlamp lb. Said first pivot lever 6 is having two ends. The first end of said first pivot lever 6 is connected to said headlamp lever 5 and other end of said pivot lever 6 is connected to intermediate linkage 8. Said intermediate linkage 8 is used to connect the first end of the second pivot lever 9 and second end of said first pivot lever 6. Said first pivot lever 6 and second pivot lever 9 are mounted on the cross members 10a and 10b of vehicles respectively. Second end of said second pivot lever 9 is connected to tie rod 11 with the help of sleeve 12 and hex nut & bolt 13,14 &15, when steering wheel is turned for turning the vehicles, said tie rod 11 moves horizontally traverse in the respective direction of the turn and said sleeve 12 also moves in the same direction. Adjustable screw means 16 is provided for adjusting the length of beam of said headlamps as per the requirement. The purpose of present invention is that the headlamps can be steered while turning and path will be clearly visible. So chances of accident due to poor/non-visibility have been completely eliminated. It aims to provide a light beam along with the direction of turning of vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same,
In accordance with the present invention, steerable headlamp assembly comprises ; at least two headlamps la and lb, mounted on yokes 2, swivel bushes 3 on which said yokes 2 are mounted and is swiveled about the vertical axis of said swivel bushes 3, said swivel bushes 3 are pivotally mounted on headlamp support 4, headlamp levers 5 are connected with said headlamps la and lb at one side and other side its connected to the first pivot lever 6, said first pivot lever 6 is also connected to adjustable bar 7 which connects said two headlamps 1 a and lb. Said pivot lever is having two ends. Said first end of said pivot lever 6 is connected to


said headlamp lever 5 and other end of said pivot lever 6 is connected to intermediate linkage 8. Said intermediate linkage 8 is used to connect the first end of the second pivot lever 9. Said first pivot lever 6 and second pivot lever 9 are mounted on the cross members 10a and 10b of vehicles respectively. Second end of said second pivot lever 9 is connected to tie rod 11 with the help of sleeve 12 and hex nut & bolt 13,14 &15, when steering wheel is turned for turning the vehicles, said tie rod 11 moves horizontally traverse in the respective direction of the turn and said sleeve 12 also moves in the same direction.
Said headlamps la and lb which are mounted on Yokes 2. Said yokes 2 are pivoted on said swivel bushes 3 which are mounted on said headlamp support 4. Said yokes 2 are easily rotate able or swivel able about its vertical axis in said swivel bushes 3 with the help of said headlamp lever 5 which is connected to said headlamps la and lb and first end of said first pivot lever 6 to transfer motion to one of said yoke 2 and simultaneously said headlamps la and lb rotates about vertical swivel axis in the respective direction of vehicle. There are small graduation provided in degrees at pivotal joint of said yokes 2 and headlamps la and lb to maintain and check beam position of said headlamps in horizontal direction. Said first pivot Lever 6 is mounted on said cross member 10a and is provided to connect said headlamp lever 5, adjustable bar 7 and one end of said intermediate linkage 8. Said Adjustable bar 7 is provided to maintain parallelism between said two headlamps also provide desired swivel motion at the time of turn to said second headlamp. Said Intermediate linkage 8 provided to connect second end of said first pivot lever 6 and first end of said second lever pivot lever 9.
Said first pivot Lever 6 is pivoted on vehicle cross member 10a which is directly connected to said headlamp la with the help of said lever 5 of said headlamp. Another head lamp is connected with the help of said adjustable bar 7 which in turn connected to said headlamp lever 5. When driver rotates the steering wheel to take turn, said Tie rod 11 which is connected with steering linkage, moves horizontally traverse in the respective direction of turn. A sleeve 12 is connected with bolted joint on said Tie rod 11, moves in the same direction. Said second pivot Lever 9


which is pivoted on another cross member 10b of a vehicle. One end of said second pivot lever 9 is connected to said intermediate linkage 8 and other end connected to the sleeve 12 with the help of Hex nut '& bolt arrangement 13, 14 & 15. said sleeve 12 is connected to said tie rod which facilitate the movement of said sleeve with said tie rod.. As said sleeve 12 moves, said second pivot lever 9 also gets activated and transfers the motion to said first pivot (ever 6 with the help of said intermediate linkage 8. Adjustable screw means 16 is provided for adjusting the length of beam of said headlamps as per the requirement. All pivot joints and said swivel bush is well lubricated for smooth working.
This invention facilitates an improved steer able headlamp system for an automobile wherein a pair of extra driving head lamps are initially rotated prior to initiation of the turning movement of vehicle with subsequent added lamp movement being in response to steering movement. This arrangement also provides the driver with increased lateral visibility in the direction of the turn during the initial part of the turning. More specifically, said headlamps are disposed at the front of the vehicle on or near the center plane and are operatively coupled to the vehicle steering mechanism by a control linkage or tie rod 11 having a motor-powered extensible arm. Under normal driving conditions, the extensible arm is fixed and the positioning of the driving lamps is purely responsive to the steering movement.
However, when the driver contemplates a turn and closes the turn signal switch, the motor is energized to extend the arm and effect an initial rotation of the lamp prior to initiating the actual turning sequence. After the turn sequence has been completed and the turn signal switch cancelled, the motor is automatically reversed to restore the lamps to a centered position and return direct control of the system to the steering movement. In this manner, substantially greater lateral illumination is provided during initial stages of actuate turns.
The present invention is characterized by providing headlamps la and lb which can be swiveled with the rotation of steering wheel. This is done with the help of said


pivot levers 6, 9 which takes motion from steering drag link and transfer this motion to said headlamps la and lb and makes said headlamps la and lb swivel. In this case, low beam and high beam electric bulb with reflector will be mounted in housing. This complete unit will be placed in housing and unit will swivel within this housing about a swivel axis at same angle as the turn of the vehicle will.
This method is very simple & very effective. Manufacturing as well as Operating cost will be very less as compared to other methods.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.


WE CLAIM
1. Steerable headlamps system comprising; swivel means having yoke mounted on bush rotate able about vertical axis and pivotally mounted on headlamp support configured to mount at least two headlamps assemblies on said yoke , first and second headlamp levers pivotally connected to said steerable headlamps, first pivot lever configured to be pivotally mounted at its centre to said first cross member, adjustable bar pivotally connected to said first and second headlamp levers to maintain the parallelism of said headlamps, second pivot lever configured to be pivotally mounted at its centre to said second cross member, intermediate linkage adapted to pivotally connect to said first and second pivot lever, tie rod pivotally connected to said second pivot lever with the help of sleeve mounted to said tie rod, said headlamps disposed at the front of the vehicle operatively coupled to the vehicle steering linkage/tie rod are provided with motor powered extensible arm configured for initial turning of the headlamps in the direction of the turn on switching on the turn signal switch and restoring the original position of the headlamps by automatically reversing the motor after the turn signal switch is switched off.
2. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said yoke is pivotally and rotate ably mounted on said bush.
3. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first headlamp lever is connected to first headlamp at one end and to the first pivot lever at other end.
4. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second headlamp lever is connected to second headlamp at one end and to the adjustable bar at other end.


5. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one end of said adjustable bar is pivotally connected to second headlamp lever and other end to fust headlamp lever and first end of said first pivot lever.
6. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one end of said first pivot lever is connected to said first headlamp lever and said adjustable bar and other end to the intermediate linkage.
7. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one end of said intermediate linkage is adapted to connect said first pivot lever and at other end to said second pivot lever.
8. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second pivot lever is adapted to connect said intermediate linkage at one end and to sleeve at other end.
9. Steerable headlamps system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is mounted on said tie rod with the help of said hex nut and bolt arrangement for moving said sleeve along with tie rod.
10. Steerable headlamps system for vehicles substantially as herein described in description as illustrated with reference to accompanying drawings.

TATA MOTORS LIMITED By their Agent & Attorney

Karuna Goleria
of De PENNING & De PENNING