Title of Invention

VEHICLE HEADLAMP MOUNTING STRUCTURE

Abstract

HEADLAMP MOUNTING STRUCTURE A vehicle headlamp mounting structure for mounting a headlamp comprising a lamp case supporting a bulb and including a reflecting surface and a lens covering thereon so as to be capable of swinging about an aiming shaft with the lens exposed from the front opening of the vehicle body cover; wherein the lens is formed into a generally spherical surface as a whole, and is formed with spherical portions in the vicinity of the upper edge and the lower edge of the front opening so that it follows the circular arc having a center at the aiming shaft.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT 1970 [39 OF 1970] PROVISIONAL/ COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See Section 10] "VEHICLE HEADLAMP MOUNTING STRUCTURE" HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, a corporation of Japan, 1-1, Minamiaoyama 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed :- The present invention relates to headlamp mounting structure. [Detailed Description of the Invention] [0001] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp mounting structure in which the headlamp comprising a lamp case supporting a bulb and including a reflecting surface and a lens covering thereon is mounted in such a manner that it can be swung about an aiming shaft with the lens exposed from the front opening of the vehicle body cover. [0002] [Description of the Related Art] For example, a vehicle headlamp mounting structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53472/1994, entitled "OPTICAL AXIS ADJUSTING APPARATUS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND THE LIKE" is known. The technology described above is, according to Fig. 6 in the same publication, an optical axis adjusting apparatus for motorcycle or the like constructed in such a manner that an opening 14a is formed on the front cover 14, a headlight 17 of trapezoidal shape in side view is faced toward the opening , 14a, and optical axis' adjusting screws 26, 29 are provided for adjusting the optical axis of the headlight 17. [0003] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the optical axis adjusting apparatus for motorcycle of the like in the technology described above, when the optical axis of the headlight 17 is adjusted by the optical axis adjusting screws 26, 29, a clearance between the headlight 17 (hereinafter referred to as headlamp) and the opening I4a varies, and thus the clearance may be too large depending on the adjustment, when the clearance is large, it does not look nice in terms of exterior design, and water or dust may enter into the front cover 14, whereby the interior may get soiled easily. [0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp mounting structure in which air resistance around the headlamp may be reduced, the design of the vehicle may be improved, and entering of water or dust through the clearance between the headlamp and the vehicle body cover covering the headlamp may be prevented. [0005] [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the object above, the invention according to Claim 1 is a vehicle headlamp mounting structure for mounting the headlamp comprising a lamp case supporting a bulb and including a reflecting surface and a lens covering thereon so as to be capable of swinging about an aiming shaft with the lens exposed from the front opening of the vehicle body cover, wherein the lens is formed into a generally spherical surface as a whole, and is formed with spherical portions in the vicinity of the upper edge and the lower edge of the front opening so that it follows the circular arc having a center at the aiming shaft. [0006] It is preferable to be capable of reducing air resistance around the headlamp while improving the design of the vehicle. Therefore, reduction of air resistance around the headlamp is contemplated by forming the lens into a generally spherical surface as a whole. The lens is formed with spherical portions in the vicinity of the upper edge and the lower edge of the front opening so as to follow the circular arc having a center at the aiming shaft to minimize the clearance between the lens and the front opening, for example. As a consequent, the design of the vehicle improves and entering of water or dust into the clearance between the headlamp and the vehicle body cover covering the headlamp is prevented. [0007] The invention according to Claim 2 is characterized in that light-shielding treatment for blocking light from the bulb is applied by extending the surface of generally spherical shape by providing an extension extending at least from the upper end of the lens and making the extension follow the cover extended from the lamp case. [0008] For example, if the light-shielding treatment can be applied to the lens without using a special member, the cost of the headlamp may be reduced. Therefore, light-shielding treatment is applied to the lens and the cost of the headlamp is reduced by extending the surface of the lens in generally spherical shape by providing the extension extended at least from the upper end of the lens, and making the extension follow the cover extended from the lamp case. The lens may be formed in the shape of a large dome by forming the extension integrally with the upper end of the lens to extend the surface of generally spherical shape, and thus, the designability of the front portion of the vehicle may be enhanced. [0009] The invention according to Claim 3 is characterized in that the cover is extended to both side surfaces of the lamp case, supporting bosses are provided on both of these side surfaces, and these supporting bosses are also used as an aiming shaft. The cover is extended to both side surfaces of the lamp case, and the supporting bosses are provided on these both side surfaces respectively, so that the rigidity of the lamp case is enhanced. The supporting bosses are provided on the lamp case with increased rigidity, and the supporting bosses are also used as an aiming shaft, so that the accuracy of the aiming adjustment (adjustment of optical axis) of the headlamp is improved. [0010] The invention according to Claim 4 is characterized in that the supporting bosses are positioned above the optical axis of the bulb. The supporting bosses are placed above the optical axis and the headlamp is suspended by the supporting bosses, so that the weight balance of the, headlamp can be maintained and thus the supporting stability of the headlamp is realized. [0011] [Description of the Embodiments] Referring to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated. The terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower" represents the directions viewed from the driver, and the letters Fr represent the front side, Rr represent the rear side, L represents the left side, and R represents the right side. The drawings are to be viewed so that the reference numerals are seen in the right orientation. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a side view of the motorcycle employing the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a side view of the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a side view of the headlamp to be employed in the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a front view of the headlamp to be employed in the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle body cover to be employed in the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5. [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 5. [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a first explanatory drawing showing the operation of the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a second explanatory drawing showing the operation of the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. [0012] Fig. 1 is a side view of the motorcycle employing a headlamp mounting apparatus for vehicles according to the present invention. The motorcycle 10 as a vehicle is a scooter type motorcycle mainly comprising a vehicle body frame 11, a front fork 12 mounted on the head pipe 11a of the vehicle body frame 11, a front wheel 13 mounted on the front fork 12, a handle 14 connected to the front fork 12, a power unit 15 mounted on the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11 so as to be capable of a vertical swinging motion, a rear wheel 16 mounted on the power unit 15, a rear cushion unit 17 suspending the rear end portion of the power unit 15, a storing box 18 mounted on the upper portion of the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11, and a seat 19 disposed on the storing box 18 and attached so as to be capable of being opened and closed. [0013] The power unit 15 comprises a water-cooled engine 21 in the front and the power transmitting mechanism 22 in the rear. The engine 21 is disposed generally horizontally with the cylinder head faced forward. [0014] The motorcycle 10 comprises a vehicle body frame 11 and a body cover 24 covering thereon. The body cover 24 comprises a front cover 81 as a vehicle body cover for covering the front portion of the head pipe 11a, a leg shield 2 6 for covering forwardly of the driver's legs, a step floor (low-floor foot deck) 27 for placing the legs of the driver, floor side covers 28 on the left and right side extending downward from the outer edge of the step floor 27, an under cover 29 for covering the lower edges of these floor side covers 28, a front under seat cover 31 for covering around the front half portion of the storing box 18, a rear under seat cover 32 for covering around the rear half portion of the storing box 18 and the rear portion of the vehicle body, and left and right side covers 33 extending downward from the front/rear under seat covers 31, 32. [0015] The motorcycle 10 comprises a main switch 34 disposed at the portion of the leg shield 26, a fuel tank 35 and a fuel pump 36 disposed under the step floor 27, and a reserve tank for radiator 37, a battery 38, and a control unit 39 disposed in the upper end portion of the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 11. The motorcycle 10 is a vehicle employing a vehicle headlamp mounting structure 60 (hereinafter referred to as "headlamp mounting structure 60") in which air resistance around the headlamp 48 may be reduced and the design of the vehicle can be improved. [0016] In the figures, the reference numeral 41 denotes an air cleaner, the reference numeral 42 denotes a carburetor, the reference numeral 43 denotes a radiator for cooling engine, the reference numeral 44 denotes an exhaust pipe for engine, the reference numeral 45 denotes an exhaust muffler, the reference numeral 46 denotes a front fender, the reference numeral 47 denotes a rear fender, the reference numeral 4 8 denotes a horn, and the reference numeral 49 denotes a meter. [0017] The reference numerals and signs 51L, 51R denote left and right handle grips, the reference numerals and signs 52L, 52R denote left and right brake levers, the reference numerals and signs 53L, 53R denote brake switches as switches controlled by the left and right brake levers 52L, 52R, the reference numeral 54 denotes a water temperature sensor for detecting the water temperature, the reference numeral 55 is a speed sensor provided on the rear wheel 16 side of the power transmission mechanism 22 for detecting the vehicle velocity, the reference numeral 56 denotes a fuel unit mainly comprising a resistor for detecting the remaining amount of fuel, the reference numeral 57 denotes a stop lamp, the reference numeral 58 denotes a illuminating circuit unit for illuminating the stop lamp 57, the reference numerals 59L, 59R denote left and right winkers, the signs He denotes a helmet. The speed sensor 55 is preferably a hall sensor using a hall element. [0018] Fig. 2 is a side view of the headlamp mounting structure of the vehicle according to the present invention. The headlamp mounting structure 60 comprises a front opening 83 on the front cover 81, and a headlamp 61 facing toward the front opening 83, wherein air resistance around the headlamp 61 may be reduced and the design of the motorcycle 10 (See Fig. 1) is improved. [0019] Fig. 3 is a side view of the headlamp to be employed in the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. The headlamp 61 comprises a lamp case 63 for supporting the bulb 62, a lens 64 in generally spherical surface covered on the lamp case 63, and an optical axis adjusting mechanism 65 formed around the lamp case 63. The lamp case 63 comprises a reflecting surface 67 for reflecting light from the bulb 62, a circumferential portion 68 extending forward from the reflecting surface 67, a cover 69 formed by folding the circumferential portion 68 back, supporting bosses 71, 71 (the boss 71 located behind is not shown) as an aiming shaft for mounting on the side of the front cover 81 so as to be capable of a swinging motion, and a fitting portion 72 to be fitted to the component of the optical axis adjusting mechanism 65. The reference numeral and sign 63a...(... represents that there are a plurality of those, hereinafter) is a locking portion for securing the lens 64 to the lamp case 63. [0020] The lens 64 comprises a transmitting portion 73 for transmitting light from the bulb 62, an extension 74 on which light-shielding treatment is to be made, which will be described later, and spherical portions 75, 76 formed on both ends. The reference numeral and sign 64a... denote claws for fastening the lens 64 to the lamp case 63. [0021] Fig. 4 is a front view of the headlamp to be employed in the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. The optical axis adjusting mechanism 65 comprises supporting bosses 71, 71 (aiming shaft) of the lamp case 63 described above, the fitting portion 72 of the lamp case 63, the optical axis adjusting screw 78 to be screwed into the fitting portion 72, a bracket 79 rotatably mounted to the optical axis adjusting screw 78, mounting portions 87, 87 formed on the front cover 81 (See Fig. 1) side for mounting the bracket 79, and supporting portions 86, 86 formed on the front cover 81 side for rotatably mounting the supporting bosses 71, 71 (aiming shaft). The configuration of the supporting portion 86 to be formed on the front cover 81 side will be described in conjunction with Fig. 6, and the configuration of the mounting portion 87 will be described in conjunction with Fig. 7. [0022] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle body cover to be employed in the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. The front cover 81 (vehicle body cover) is formed with a front opening 83 on the main body 82, an optical axis adjusting hole 84 for adjusting the optical axis adjusting screw 78 of the optical axis adjusting mechanism 65 (see Fig. 4) from outside of the front cover 81, horn holes 85. .. for passing sound emitted from the horn 48 (See Fig. 1) through, supporting portions 86, 86 for rotatably supporting the supporting bosses 71, 71 of the lamp case 63 (See Fig. 4), and mounting portions 87, 87 for mounting a bracket 79 (See Fig. 4) of the optical axis adjusting mechanism 65. [0023] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing a cross section of the supporting portion 86 of the front cover 71. The supporting portion 86 is formed with a ribs 86a, 86a on the main body 82 thereof, and these ribs 86a, 86a are connected by the flat member 86b, and then a supporting hole 86c in the shape of a key hole (See Fig. 5 regarding the configuration) is formed on the flat member 86b. [0024] Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 5, showing the cross section of the mounting portion ST of the front cover Ti. The mounting portion 87 is formed with a boss 87a on the main body 82 thereof, and a screw hole 87b is formed on the boss 87a, and then reinforcing ribs 87c... are formed on the boss 87a. [0025] Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4, and is a side view in cross section of the headlamp 61. It is referable that a headlamp mounting structure 60 is a vehicle headlamp mounting structure in which the headlamp 61 comprising a lamp case 63 supporting a bulb 62 and including a reflecting surface 67 and a lens 64 covering thereon is mounted so as to be capable of swinging about the supporting boss 71 (aiming shaft) with the lens exposed from the front opening 83 of the front cover 81 (vehicle body cover), and the lens 64 is formed into a generally spherical surface as a whole, and is formed with spherical portions 75, 76 in the vicinity of the upper edge 83a and the lower edge 83b of the front opening 83 so that it follows the circular arc having a center at the supporting boss 71 (aiming shaft). [0026] It is preferable that air resistance around the headlamp 61 can be reduced and the design of the motorcycle 10 (See Fig. 1) can be improved. Therefore, air resistance around the headlamp 61 is reduced by forming the lens into generally spherical surface as a whole. The lens 64 is formed with spherical portions 75, 76 near the upper edge 83a and the lower edge 83b of the front opening 83 so as to follow the circular arc having a center at the supporting boss 71 (aiming shaft) so that, for example, the clearance between the lens 64 and the front opening 83 is minimized. As a consequent, the design of the motorcycle 10 (See Fig. 1) may be improved and entering of water or dust into the clearance between the headlamp 61 and the front cover 81 (vehicle body cover) covering the headlamp 61 may be prevented. [0027] The headlamp 61 is shown to be such that the supporting bosses 71, 71 (71 located behind is not shown in the figure) are positioned above the optical axis C of the bulb 62. The supporting bosses 71,71 are placed above the optical axis C of the bulb 62 and the headlamp 61 is suspended by the supporting bosses 71, 71, so that the weight balance of the headlamp 61 can be maintained and thus the supporting stability of the headlamp 61 is realized. The optical axis adjusting mechanism 65 is constructed in such a manner that the headlamp 61 is supported with its load dispersed to three points of the supporting bosses 71, 71 located above the optical axis C and the optical axis adjusting screw 78 located below the optical axis C, and thus promoting supporting stability of the headlamp 61. [0028] Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 4, and showing that the headlamp 61 comprises a cover 69 extending to both side surfaces of the lamp case 63, and supporting bosses 71, 71 provided on these both side surfaces respectively so that these supporting bosses 71, 71 serve as an aiming shaft. The cover 69 is extended to both side surfaces of the lamp case 63, and the supporting bosses 71, 71 are provided on these both side surfaces respectively, so that the rigidity of the lamp case 63 is enhanced. The supporting bosses 71, 71 are provided on the lamp case 63 with increased rigidity, and the supporting bosses 71, 71 are also used as an aiming shaft, so that the accuracy of the aiming adjustment (adjustment of optical axis) of the headlamp 61 is improved. The reference numeral 77 is a sealing member for sealing the lamp case 63 and the lens 64. [0029] The operation of the headlamp mounting structure 60 for vehicles described thus far will now be described. Figs. 10(a)-(c) are the first explanatory drawings of the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. Fig. 10(a) shows a headlamp 61 with the optical axis oriented in the horizontal direction. In Fig. 10(b), the optical axis of the headlamp 61 is inclined by the optical axis adjusting mechanism 65 as shown by the arrow (1) for an aiming adjustment (adjustment of the optical axis). In Fig. 10(c), the optical axis of the headlamp 61 is further inclined as shown by the arrow (2). [0030] In (a)-(c), since the portion of the lens 64 near the upper edge 83a and the lower edge 83b of the front opening 83 is formed with a spherical portions 75, 7 6 so that it follows the circular arc having a center at the supporting boss 71 (aiming shaft), for example, the clearance between the lens 64 and the front opening 83 does not vary according to aiming adjustment, in other words, the clearance stays constant. As a consequent, the clearance between the lens 64 and the front opening 83 can be minimized and thus the design of the motorcycle 10 (See Fig. 1) can be improved. Though the optical axis C is adjusted downward from the horizontal position as shown by the arrows (1) and (2), it is also possible to adjust the optical axis C upward from the horizontal position. [0031] Fig. 11 is a second explanatory drawing showing the operation of the vehicle headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention. It is referable that the headlamp mounting structure 60 is applied with light-shielding treatment for blocking light from the bulb 62 (See Fig. 8) off by extending the surface of generally spherical shape by providing extension 74 extended at least from the upper end of the lens 64, and by making the extension 74 follow the cover 69 extended from the lamp case 63. [0032] For example, if the light-shielding treatment can be applied to the lens 64 without using a special member, the cost of the headlamp 61 may be reduced. Therefore, light-shielding treatment is applied to the lens 64 and the cost of the headlamp 61 is reduced by extending the surface of the lens 64 in generally spherical shape by providing the extension 74 extended at least from the upper end of the lens 64 , and making the extension 74 follow the cover 69 extended from the lamp case 63. The lens may be formed in the shape of a large dome by forming the extension 7 4 integrally with the upper end of the lens 64 to extend the surface of generally spherical shape. As a consequent, the possibility of design at the front portion of the vehicle may be enhanced. As shown in the figure, the headlamp 61 does not disturb the driver M even though the lens 64 surface facing upward. [0033] In this embodiment, though the lens 64 is formed into a spherical shape as shown in Fig. 3, this spherical shape must only be generally spherical shape as a whole (overall near-spherical shape). [0034] [Advantages] The present invention achieves the following effects by the construction described above. According to Claim 1, in a vehicle headlamp mounting structure for mounting the headlamp comprising a lamp case supporting a bulb and including a reflecting surface and a lens covering thereon so as to be capable of swinging about an aiming shaft with the lens exposed from the front opening of the vehicle body cover, the lens is formed into a generally spherical surface as a whole, and is formed with spherical portions in the vicinity of the upper edge and the lower edge of the front opening so that it follows the circular arc having a center at the aiming shaft. Therefore, for example the clearance between the lens and the front opening may be minimized. As a consequent, the design of the vehicle may be improved and entering of water or dust into the clearance between the headlamp and the vehicle body cover covering the headlamp is prevented. [0035] According to Claim 2, since light-shielding treatment for blocking light from the bulb is applied by extending the surface of generally spherical shape by providing an extension extending at least from the upper end of the lens and making the extension follow the cover extended from the lamp case, the cost of the headlamp may be reduced. The lens may be formed in the shape of a large dome by forming the extension integrally with the upper end of the lens to extend the surface of generally spherical shape. As a consequent, the possibility of design at the front portion of the vehicle may be enhanced. [0036] According to Claim 3, since the cover is extended to both side surfaces of the lamp case, and supporting bosses are provided on both of these side surfaces, rigidity of the lamp case may be increased * Since the supporting bosses are provided on the lamp ca.se with increased rigidity, and the supporting bosses are also used as an aiming shaft, the accuracy of the aiming adjustment (adjustment of optical axis) of the headlamp is improved. [0037] According to Claim 4, the supporting bosses are positioned above the optical axis of the bulb and the headlamp is suspended by the supporting bosses, so that the weight balance of the headlamp can be maintained. As a consequent, the supporting stability of the headlamp is realized. [Reference Numerals] 10...vehicle (motorcycle), 61...headlamp, 62...bulb, 63...lamp case, 64...lens, 67...reflecting surface, 69...cover, 71...aiming shaft (supporting boss), 74...extension, 75, 76...spherical portion, 81...vehicle body cover (front cover), 83...front opening, 83a...upper edge, 83b...lower edge, C...optical axis We Claim: 1. A vehicle headlamp mounting structure for mounting a headlamp comprising a lamp case supporting a bulb and including a reflecting surface and a lens covering thereon so as to be capable of swinging about an aiming shaft with the lens exposed from the front opening of the vehicle body cover; wherein the lens is formed into a generally spherical surface as a whole, and is formed with spherical portions in the vicinity of the upper edge and the lower edge of the front opening so that it follows the circular arc having a center at the aiming shaft. 2. A vehicle headlamp mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein light-shielding treatment for blocking light from the bulb is applied by extending the surface of generally spherical shape by providing an extension extending at least from the upper end of the lens and making the extension follow the cover extended from the lamp case. 3. A vehicle headlamp mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is extended to both side surfaces of the lamp case, supporting bosses are provided on both of these side surfaces, and these supporting bosses are also used as an aiming shaft. 4. A vehicle headlamp mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting bosses are positioned above the optical axis of the bulb. 5. A vehicle headlamp mounting structure for mounting a headlamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

1130-mum-2001-abstract(03-06-2008).doc

1130-mum-2001-abstract(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-cancelled pages(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-claims(granted)-(03-06-2008).doc

1130-mum-2001-claims(granted)-(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-correspondence(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-correspondence(ipo)-(31-10-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-drawing(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 1(26-11-2001).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 13(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 18(25-11-2005).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 2(granted)-(03-06-2008).doc

1130-mum-2001-form 2(granted)-(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 3(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 3(26-11-2001).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 5(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-form 5(26-11-2001).pdf

1130-mum-2001-petition under rule 137(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-petition under rule 138(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-power of authority(03-06-2008).pdf

1130-mum-2001-power of authority(08-03-2002).pdf

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