Motor-vehicle lighting device

Abstract

The main subject of the present invention is a lighting device (1) configured to project a light beam, the lighting device (1) comprising a light-emitting module (2) configured to generate the light beam mainly along a longitudinal optical axis (L) and a screen (4) having a main region (6) through which the light beam is projected, the lighting device (1) comprising a system (26) for rotating the light-emitting module (2) that is able to make the light-emitting module (2) move from a first position to a second position about an axis of rotation (R), characterized in that the axis of rotation (R) of the light-emitting module (2) is at distance from the light-emitting module (2), in a space (18) bounded longitudinally by the screen (4) and the light-emitting module (2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title ■ Lighting device for motor vehicle.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of lighting and / or light signaling in the automotive field, and more particularly to systems for adjusting the position of light modules of a lighting device for a motor vehicle.

[0004] The field of lighting and / or light signaling of motor vehicles is subject to regulations which require that each motor vehicle be equipped with light modules capable of generating lighting beams fulfilling specific safety functions, including in particular dipped headlights. Dipped headlights allow a motor vehicle to be seen by other users and its driver to see the roadway properly up to 30 meters, without dazzling users present on the road scene. To this end, the light modules generating these dipped headlights, and in particular an assembly formed of at least one light source, a reflective surface and a projection lens, are arranged in a precise theoretical position so that the lighting beam generated when the light source is switched on remains below a determined horizon line.

[0005] The light module is housed in a projector closed by a protective glass through which the lighting beam is made to pass to illuminate the road scene, this protective glass being able to have a shape specifically associated with the automobile manufacturer offering this lighting device, this specific shape forming a signature of the manufacturer recognizable by road users.

[0006] When the motor vehicle is carrying a heavy load and the rear of the vehicle is sagging, the inclination of the light modules is modified in accordance with the general inclination of the vehicle and the lighting beam may be directed differently from what is intended, in particular above the determined horizon line, which may cause dazzling of other road users. It is known to associate the light module with a device for adjusting the inclination of the light module in order, on the one hand, to lower the dipped headlights of the motor vehicle when it is carrying a heavy load, or on the other hand, to raise the dipped headlights once the motor vehicle is unloaded.The adjustment device is arranged within the housing of the projector and acts on the position of the light module within this housing, in particular to pivot the light module around an axis of rotation, which has the effect of varying the inclination of the light module relative to the housing of the projector.

[0007] In this context, automobile manufacturers or equipment manufacturers are required to provide protective glass that is wider than necessary so that the light beam generated by the light module passes through the protective glass and is not projected against a wall that helps to delimit the opening in which the protective glass is inserted, regardless of the inclination of the light module.

[0008] Therefore, even if such a solution makes it possible to meet regulatory requirements, it generates situations in which a gap appears locally between the wall helping to delimit the opening and an edge of the lighting beam in one or other of the positions of the light module, which harms the signature of the lighting beam.

[0009] The present invention thus proposes an alternative to the already existing solutions by having as its main object a lighting device configured to project a light beam, the lighting device comprising a light module configured to generate the light beam mainly along a longitudinal optical axis and a screen having a main zone through which the light beam is projected when the light module is in a first position, the lighting device comprising a system for rotating the light module capable of making the light module mobile from the first position to a second position by a movement involving at least one rotation around an axis of rotation, remarkable in that the axis of rotation of the light module is at a distance from the light module, crossing a space delimited longitudinally by the main zone of the screen and the light module.

[0010] Such a lighting device can be installed on a vehicle to be used as dipped headlights for example. The lighting device generates a beam capable of illuminating the road of the vehicle on which it is equipped.

[0011] More specifically, it is the light module that generates the light beam and the latter is projected towards the road through the screen so that the driver can see the road and be seen by other users without dazzling them. The rotating movement system of the light module ensures that road users are not dazzled regardless of the vehicle's load and therefore its inclination relative to the road.

[0012] The movement of the light module by this rotational movement system is a movement involving at least one rotation about an axis of rotation, so that this movement may consist of a rotation alone, about an axis of rotation, the combination of a rotation about a given axis of rotation and a translation or the combination of several rotations to form a complex movement, at least one of the rotations being about an axis of rotation which crosses the space delimited longitudinally by the main area of ​​the screen and the light module. More generally, the movement of the light module is made by a rotation about an instantaneous axis of rotation, said instantaneous axis of rotation moving according to a movement of any possible type, the instantaneous axis of rotation crossing the space delimited longitudinally by the main area of ​​the screen and the light module in all stages of the movement.Such an instantaneous axis of rotation can for example be created by a combination of small simultaneous translational movements of two different portions of the light module, each of the two portions moving in a given direction different from that of the other of the two portions.

[0013] According to the invention, the light module is made mobile with at least one rotational movement around an axis of rotation which crosses a space delimited longitudinally by the screen and the light module, which implies in other words that the axis of rotation of this at least one rotational movement extends between the light module and the main area of ​​the screen and that it is in particular at a distance from the light module, offset towards the screen. Depending on a possible curve of the screen and in particular of the main area of ​​the screen and depending on the position of the axis of rotation in the space delimited by the main area of ​​the screen and the light module and in particular the proximity of this axis of rotation relative to the main area of ​​the screen, the axis of rotation may be caused to intersect the screen.

[0014] The light module is installed in a projector housing at a distance from the screen, closing at least partially, in particular completely, an opening in this housing, and the offsetting of the axis of rotation of the light module at a distance from said light module in the direction of the screen makes it possible to ensure that the projection of the light beam is always substantially centered on the main area of ​​the screen and that therefore both the regulatory aspect of the projected lighting beam and the aesthetic aspect, or signature, of the vehicle equipped with the lighting device are respected.

[0015] The lighting device may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0016] According to another optional feature of the invention, the light module comprises a light source and an optical element, the light source being configured to emit light rays towards the optical element which is configured to generate the light beam towards the screen.

[0017] As non-limiting examples of the invention, the optical element may consist of a lens onto which the light rays exiting the light source are directly directed, a reflector configured to recover and guide the light rays into a light beam directed towards the screen, or even a combination of these two elements with at least one reflective element and a lens, the light source being configured to emit light rays towards the reflective element so that the rays are reflected towards the lens, the lens being configured to generate the light beam towards the screen. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the screen is arranged at a distance from the lens.

[0018] According to another optional feature of the invention, the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the optical axis and intersects the screen. In other words, the axis of rotation is transverse and extends in the space delimited by the screen and the light module, passing through at least one point on the screen.

[0019] According to another optional feature of the invention, the rotation axis intersects the screen in the main area of ​​the screen.

[0020] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the screen has at least one curvature around a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the space being delimited by vertical and transverse planes passing through edges delimiting the screen. In other words, the screen is configured such that it has in at least one plane comprising the optical axis, and in particular at least one vertical plane or one transverse plane, a curved profile. By curved profile, it is understood that the screen has a shape which is not contained in a plane. More generally, curved means that at least one of the internal and external faces, as defined below, is not contained in a plane. The vertical and transverse planes are to be considered as planes respectively perpendicular to the longitudinal optical axis, and perpendicular to each other.It should be noted that the naming of these plans is arbitrary and may be independent of a vertical or transverse orientation of the vehicle on which the lighting device is intended to be installed.

[0021] More particularly, the screen may be configured to have a curved profile in a vertical plane comprising the optical axis and a curved profile in a transverse plane comprising the optical axis.

[0022] The space which is crossed according to the invention by the axis of rotation of the light module is delimited by vertical and transverse planes passing through edges delimiting the screen, or more particularly edges delimiting the main area of ​​the screen.

[0023] According to another optional feature of the invention, the screen is fixed relative to a projector housing fixed to a motor vehicle, so that it is held in position when the light module moves from one position to another.

[0024] According to another optional feature of the invention, the screen comprises a zone peripheral to the main zone configured to diffuse at least partially additional light rays. It is understood that the additional light rays are different from the light rays constituting the light beam. The additional light rays are used here for example for signaling.

[0025] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the lighting device comprises at least one additional source configured to generate the additional light rays.

[0026] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the screen has an internal face oriented towards the light module, an external face oriented towards the exterior of the lighting device and two opposite lateral edges between which the internal face and the external face extend transversely.

[0027] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the lighting device comprises a controllable liquid crystal screen constituting at least the main area of ​​the screen, the controllable liquid crystal screen being capable of taking on different transparency states including at least one projection state and one diffusion state. The projection state corresponds more particularly to a state in which the controllable liquid crystal screen is transparent, that is to say a state in which the screen lets the light beam pass without significant disturbance.

[0028] The controllable liquid crystal display comprises two transparent walls between which extends a controllable liquid crystal polymer which, when stimulated by an electric current, takes on an optical state different from its initial state.

[0029] According to another optional feature of the invention, the lighting device comprises a control member for the controllable liquid crystal screen intended to change the controllable liquid crystal screen from a projection state to a diffusion state and vice versa. When the controllable liquid crystals are in a projection state, the light beam extends along the optical axis, while when the controllable liquid crystals are in a diffusion state, the light beam bounces in the screen on the controllable liquid crystals and gives a diffuse appearance to the lighting device. As mentioned, the projection state corresponds to a state in which the controllable liquid crystal screen is transparent, without significant impact on the propagation of the light beam passing through it while the diffusion state corresponds to a state in which it is desired that the screen has a diffusing impact on the light beam.

[0030] According to another optional feature of the invention, the controllable liquid crystal screen comprises at least two portions, the control member being capable of changing the state of one and / or the other of the portions of the controllable liquid crystal screen. One of the portions of the controllable liquid crystal screen forms the main zone, and the other portion forms the peripheral zone.

[0031] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the lighting device comprises a housing on which is fixed on the one hand the screen and on the other hand the system for moving the light module.

[0032] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with at least one lighting device according to the present description.

[0033] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0034] [Fig. i] is a schematic representation of a lighting device according to the invention, making visible in particular a light module made mobile in rotation within a projector housing by a rotational movement device represented schematically;

[0035] [Fig. 2] is a schematic representation of two different positions of the light module within the lighting device of figure i, an example of a rotational movement device being shown in more detail; [Fig. 3] is a simplified representation of the projector housing showing boundary markers of a space within which the rotation axis of the light module must pass;

[0036] [Fig. 4] is a simplified representation of the projector housing, in a different section plane than that of Figure 3, making other boundary markers of this space visible.

[0037] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0038] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0039] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a lighting device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a direction parallel to the optical axis of a light beam generated by the lighting device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of a light module of the lighting device, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference frame L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T.

[0040] In Figure 1 is illustrated a lighting device 1 configured to be mounted on a motor vehicle and to project a light beam, and in particular a dipped beam type lighting beam intended to illuminate the road in front of the motor vehicle on which it is equipped. More specifically, the lighting device 1 comprises a light module 2 configured to generate the light beam mainly along a longitudinal optical axis L and a screen 4 having a main zone 6 through which the light beam is projected and a peripheral zone 7 which borders the main zone 6. The light module 2 here generates the light beam which is guided towards the main zone 6 of the screen 4 to be thus projected onto the road in front of the motor vehicle in order to illuminate the road in front of the motor vehicle while being visible to other road users.

[0041] Vertical transition edges 67 and transverse transition edges 76 are arbitrarily defined as being the junction zones of the screen between the main zone 6 and the peripheral zone 7, respectively arranged on either side of the main zone in the vertical direction V and in the transverse direction T.

[0042] Advantageously, the main zone 6 is centered both along the vertical direction V between the vertical edges of the screen, and along the transverse direction T between the transverse edges of this screen.

[0043] As illustrated in Figure 1, the lighting device 1 comprises a housing 8 having an opening, on which the screen 4 is fixed and in which the light module 2 is housed. The screen 4 at least partially closes the opening of the housing 8, by having an external face 10 oriented towards the outside of the lighting device 1, and an internal face 12 which helps to delimit at least in part a housing of the light module 2.

[0044] The screen 4 has a complex profile with a first curvature visible in Figures 1 to 3 and arranged around a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis L, here the transverse direction T, and at least one second curvature visible in Figure 4 and arranged around a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and to the optical axis L, here the vertical direction. This complex profile makes it possible in particular to inscribe the screen, and the projector of which the screen is part, in the continuity of the curve of the vehicle, at the junction of the wing and the front face.

[0045] The screen 4 is delimited by two vertical end edges 16 and by two transverse end edges 17 and the previously mentioned complex profile of the screen implies that, as visible in figures 1 to 3, the two vertical end edges 16 can be offset longitudinally with respect to each other and that, as visible in figure 4, the two transverse end edges 17 can also be offset longitudinally with respect to each other.

[0046] Likewise, the main zone 6 can have this double curvature both transversely and vertically, so that the vertical transition edges 67 and the transverse transition edges 76 are similarly offset longitudinally relative to each other.

[0047] This longitudinal offset of the vertical transition edges 67 and transverse transition edges 76 helps to delimit a space 18, set back from the screen, that is to say between the screen and the light module, planes passing through the vertical transition edges and the transverse transition edges forming boundaries of the space 18.More particularly, the space 18 is delimited longitudinally between the screen 4 and the vertical and transverse plane 180 passing through the vertical transition edge 67 closest to the light module, namely conventionally the upper transition edge as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 for example, delimited vertically between the longitudinal and transverse planes 181, 182 passing respectively through one of the vertical transition edges 67 and delimited transversely between the screen 4 and the longitudinal and vertical plane 184 passing through the transverse transition edge 76 furthest from the light module, namely conventionally the transverse transition edge facing the interior of the vehicle, as illustrated in FIG. 4 for example. The vertical transition edge 67 closest to the light module may also be, in certain cases, the upper transition edge.The transverse transition edge 76 furthest from the light module may also be, in certain cases, the transverse transition edge facing the outside of the vehicle. When the lighting device is in the mounting position on the vehicle, "facing the inside of the vehicle" means that the element having this characteristic is located on the side facing the centerline of the vehicle, and "facing the outside of the vehicle" means that the element having this characteristic is located on the side facing the fender of the vehicle, where appropriate in comparison with another element. According to the invention, and as will be explained more precisely below in particular with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the light module is made movable in rotation such that the axis of rotation is arranged in the vicinity of the screen 4 and more particularly in the space 18 to intersect the screen 4 at at least one point.It should be noted that the space 18 is here bounded vertically by the vertical transition edges 67 and transverse 76, due to the division of the screen 4 into a main zone 6 and a peripheral zone 7, but that the space would be bounded similarly by the vertical end edges 16 and the transverse end edges 17 if the screen 4 were to be produced uniformly without presenting any discontinuity of zones.

[0048] The light module 2 is arranged in the headlight so that the light beam output from the light module can be projected onto the main area 6 of the screen 4, both in a standard position, which corresponds to a theoretical position of the light module when it is mounted in the headlight and the vehicle is not subject to any particular load, and in a compensating inclined position, which corresponds to a position pivoted relative to the standard position to compensate for the inclination of the vehicle due to an overload of the vehicle and which is obtained by means of a rotational movement system which will be described below.

[0049] The light module 2 preferably comprises a light source 20, at least one reflective element 22 and a lens 24. The light source 20 is configured to emit light rays towards the reflective element 22 so that the rays are reflected, forming a light beam directed towards the lens 24, the lens 24 being configured to project the light beam and generate a corresponding lighting beam towards the screen 4. In other words, the reflective element 22 groups the light rays emitted by the light source 20 to direct a maximum of them towards the lens 24. The lens 24 is configured more particularly to project the lighting beam towards the main zone 6 of the screen 4.

[0050] In another embodiment, the light module comprises at least one reflective element 22 configured to reflect light rays from the light source 20 towards the screen 4, in particular towards the main zone 6. In this case the presence of a lens is not necessary.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, the light module comprises a lens 24 configured to directly receive light rays from the light source 20 and to project them towards the screen 4, in particular towards the main zone 6.

[0052] In other embodiments, several of the embodiments described above in relation to the light source 20, the at least one reflective element 22 and / or the lens 24 are combined. For example, the light module comprises at least one reflective element 22 and a lens 24, certain rays emitted by the light source 20 being reflected by the reflective element 22 in the direction of the screen 4, in particular in the direction of the main zone 6, while other rays emitted by the light source 20 are reflected by the reflective element 22 towards the lens 24, the lens 24 being configured to project these rays in the direction of the screen 4, in particular in the direction of the main zone 6.

[0053] The lighting device 1 comprises a system 26 for moving the light module 2 in rotation, capable of making the light module 2 movable, around an axis of rotation R, from a first position, namely the standard position previously mentioned, to a second position, namely the inclined compensation position.

[0054] The movement system 26 is controlled by an appropriate control unit, configured to receive data relating to the inclination of the vehicle chassis, for example due to an overload, and which determines accordingly an inclination to be given to the light module 2 so that it takes the inclined compensation position, or second position, previously mentioned and illustrated by way of example in Figure 2 in solid lines.

[0055] To facilitate understanding, the first position of the light module 2, or standard position, has been shown in this figure 2 in dotted lines. The movement of the light module 2 from one position to the other is independent of the housing 8 of the lighting device 1, and of the screen 4 at least partially closing the opening of the housing 8, so that the rotation of the light module 2 around the axis of rotation R can be considered as a relative rotation with respect to the housing and the screen.

[0056] According to the invention, the rotational movement system 26 is configured so that the rotation axis R of the light module 2 extends transversely at a distance from the light module 2, in the direction of the screen 4. More particularly, the rotation axis R, substantially transverse, extends in the space 18 previously defined set back from the screen 4, so as to intersect the screen 4 at at least one point, or else passes through the screen 4 over the entire transverse dimension of the projector. This particularly clever arrangement of the rotation axis R makes it possible to ensure that the projection of the lighting beam by the light module 2 remains in the main zone 6 of the screen 4, whether the light module 2 is in the first position or in the second position.

[0057] The rotational movement system 26 may in particular consist of the combination of a telescopic thrust device 261, a base 262 of which is secured to the housing 8 and a free end of a piston 263 of which is in abutment against the light module 2, and at least one guide device 264 comprising a pin 265 and a groove 266 whose curvature is centered on the point C arranged at the junction of a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the main zone of the screen and the desired axis of rotation of the light module. In a schematic manner, and not limiting the invention, Figure 2 illustrates such a movement system with a groove formed on the light module and a fixed pin secured to the housing, it being understood that several of these guide devices may be formed on the same face of the light module and / or on opposite faces.

[0058] In another example, the guidance device comprises two pins and two grooves, in particular each of a rectilinear shape, superimposed in the vertical direction, and each oriented in a direction different from that of the other, each of the grooves being associated with one of the two pins. When the piston of the telescopic pushing device pushes on the light module, each pin moves in translation in its associated groove, according to the direction of the latter. The combination of each elementary translation of each of the pins in different directions generates a rotation around an instantaneous axis of rotation. This instantaneous axis of rotation moves slightly if we consider the complete amplitude of the movement between the two possible extreme positions.

[0059] According to the invention, as mentioned above, the axis of rotation R, around which the light module rotates when the rotational movement system 26 is activated, is a transverse axis offset from the light module which extends through the screen, or which at least intersects the main zone 6 of the screen at least at one point. In other words, the axis of rotation passes through the space 18 delimited between the screen and the light module by the position of the two vertical end edges 16 and the two transverse end edges 17, or where appropriate by the position of the vertical transition edges 67 and the transverse transition edges 76 between the main zone 6 and the peripheral zone 7. Figures 3 and 4 make it possible in particular to illustrate the definition of the space 18 by the position of the vertical transition edges 67 and the transverse transition edges 76 between the main zone 6 and the peripheral zone 7.

[0060] More particularly, figure 3 illustrates longitudinal and vertical boundaries of the space 18, and figure 4 illustrates the longitudinal boundaries and transverse boundaries of this same space 18, four examples of rotation axes Ri, R2, R3, R4, in accordance with the invention, that is to say intersecting the screen at at least one point and more particularly here the main zone 6 of the screen.

[0061] The longitudinal boundaries of the space 18 are here formed on the one hand by the portion of the main zone of the screen 4 located furthest forward of the vehicle, that is to say furthest from the light module, and on the other hand by the vertical and transverse plane 180 passing through the upper transition edge arranged between the main zone 6 and the peripheral zone 7. The vertical boundaries of the space 18 are here formed on the one hand by a first longitudinal and transverse plane 181 passing the upper vertical transition edge and on the other hand by a second longitudinal and transverse plane 182 passing the lower vertical transition edge.

[0062] The transverse boundaries of the space 18, visible in Figure 4, are here formed on the one hand by the portion of the main zone of the screen 4 located furthest to the outside of the vehicle and on the other hand by the longitudinal and vertical plane 184 passing through the transverse transition edge 76 furthest from the light module, namely conventionally the transverse transition edge facing towards the inside of the vehicle, as illustrated in Figure 4 for example.

[0063] As visible in Figures 3 and 4, each of the axes of rotation making it possible to make the light module mobile in accordance with the invention is included in the space 18, advantageously over the entire transverse dimension of the light module. Without departing from the context of the invention, the axis of rotation could alternatively have an inclination relative to the transverse direction, provided that this axis intersects the screen 4 at least once and more particularly here the main zone 6 of the screen. Two examples of this alternative are illustrated in Figure 4, in bold chain lines.

[0064] The peripheral zone 7 may in particular be configured to have a diffusion coefficient of the light rays which is greater than the same coefficient, substantially zero, of the main zone of the screen. If necessary, this peripheral zone may be intended to be crossed by additional light rays coming from a source separate from the light module 2. It is understood that the additional light rays are different from the light rays constituting the light beam generated by the light module, and that they may be used for example for signaling. In this particular embodiment, the light beam passing through the main zone 6 of the screen 4 is used for lighting purposes, while the additional light rays projected against the peripheral zone 7 are used for signaling purposes.

[0065] For this, the lighting device 1 comprises at least one additional source configured to generate the additional light rays. The additional source may for example comprise several light-emitting diodes, commonly called LEDs.

[0066] By way of example, the lighting device 1 comprises a controllable liquid crystal screen 32 constituting at least the main zone 6 of the screen 4, the controllable liquid crystal screen 32 being capable of taking on different transparency states including at least one projection state and one diffusion state. The controllable liquid crystal screen 32 comprises two transparent walls between which extends a controllable liquid crystal polymer which, when stimulated by an electric current, takes on an optical state different from its initial state. It is understood that the transparent walls are optically neutral, and that it is the controllable liquid crystal polymer which impacts the state of the controllable liquid crystal screen 32, by authorizing or not the diffusion of light rays through the main zone 6 of said screen 4.

[0067] The liquid crystals suspended in the controllable liquid crystal polymer orient themselves differently depending on whether they are electrically stimulated or not. Indeed, when they are electrically stimulated, the liquid crystals organize themselves so that the light beam passes through the screen 4 along the optical axis L. In the absence of electrical stimulation, the liquid crystals arrange themselves randomly, at least partially blocking the passage of the light beam through the screen 4, the light rays being deflected by the liquid crystals.

[0068] As illustrated in Figure 1, the lighting device 1 comprises a control member 34 of the controllable liquid crystal screen 32 intended to change the controllable liquid crystal screen 32 from a projection state to a diffusion state and vice versa. The control member 34 is electrically connected to the screen 4 and is configured to emit or not emit an electrical stimulation. In other words, when the control member 34 electrically stimulates the controllable liquid crystal screen 32, the latter is in a projection state and the illuminating light beam generated by the light module 2 can pass through the main zone 6 of the screen 4 along the optical axis L without significant disturbance.Conversely, when the control member 34 does not electrically stimulate the controllable liquid crystal screen 32, the latter is in a diffusion state and the light beam generated by the light module is either made diffuse or blocked by the liquid crystals arranged in the screen 4.

[0069] In another embodiment, the entire screen 4 is a controllable liquid crystal screen 32, a first portion forming the main zone 6 while a second portion forms the peripheral zone 7. The control member 34 is in this example configured to transmit only to one or the other of the portions an electrical stimulation independently of the other portion. Preferably, the control member 34 generates an electrical stimulation only for the first portion, the second portion of the controllable liquid crystal screen 32 remaining in a diffusion state while the first portion can be in a projection or diffusion state depending on whether it is electrically stimulated by the control member 34.In each of these embodiments, it is advantageous for the light module 2 to be able to generate a beam centered on the main zone 6 of the screen and it is important that the axis of rotation R passes through at least one point in the space 18 delimited by the screen 4 and planes passing through the transition edges 67, 76 forming a junction between the main zone 6 of the screen and the peripheral zone 7.

[0070] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Lighting device (i) configured to project a light beam, the lighting device (1) comprising a light module (2) configured to generate the light beam mainly along a longitudinal optical axis (L) and a screen (4) having a main area (6) through which the light beam is projected when the light module is in a first position, the lighting device (1) comprising a rotational displacement system (26) of the light module (2) capable of moving the light module (2) from the first position to a second position by a movement involving at least one rotation about an axis of rotation (R), characterized in that the axis of rotation (R) of the light module (2) is at a distance from the light module (2), passing through a space (18) delimited longitudinally by the main area (6) of the screen (4) and the light module (2).

2. Lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the light module (2) comprises a light source (20) and an optical element, the light source (20) being configured to emit light rays in the direction of the optical element which is configured to generate the light beam in the direction of the screen (4).

3. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of rotation (R) is perpendicular to the optical axis (L) and intersects the screen (4).

4. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (4) has at least one curvature about a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (L), the space (18) being delimited by vertical and transverse planes passing through edges delimiting the screen (4).

5. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (4) comprises a peripheral area (7) to the main area (6) configured to diffuse at least partially additional light rays.

6. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a controllable liquid crystal display (32) constituting at least the main area (6) of the display (4), the liquid crystal display controllable (32) being capable of taking different transparency states including at least one projection state and one diffusion state.

7. Lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a control element (34) of the controllable liquid crystal screen (32) intended to change the controllable liquid crystal screen (32) from a projection state to a diffusion state and vice versa.

8. Lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the controllable liquid crystal display (32) comprises at least two portions, the control member (34) being capable of changing the state of one and / or the other of the portions of the controllable liquid crystal display (32).

9. Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (8) on which is fixed on the one hand the screen (4) and on the other hand the movement system (26) of the light module (2).

10. Motor vehicle equipped with at least one lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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