Light pattern generator, lighting apparatus, vehicle and method for controlling such a lighting apparatus

Abstract

Light pattern generator, lighting apparatus, vehicle and method for controlling such a lighting apparatus. The invention relates to a light pattern generator (1), comprising: a laser generator (2) for generating a laser beam (3), a screen (4) that is at least partly transparent to the laser beam (3), at least one movable mirror (5) arranged in the beam path of the laser beam (3) and serving to deflect the laser beam (3) in the direction of the screen (4), a respective actuator (6) for actuating a respective mirror (5) and a control device (7) for controlling the respective actuator (6). The light pattern generator according to the invention is characterized in that the control device (7), the actuator (6) and the at least one mirror (5) are configured to deflect the laser beam (3) onto the screen (4) so that the laser beam (3) is continuously guidable along a closed trajectory on the screen (4), with the result that the laser beam (3) creates a knot pattern (8) on the screen (4), wherein the control device (7) controls the actuator (6) by means of at least one control signal at a characteristic frequency, control signals differing at least in terms of having different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control device (7) or are creatable by the control device (7), and a respective control signal for controlling the actuator (6) is selectable by the control device (7) depending on a selection variable (21).

Description

[0001] Light pattern generator, lighting device, vehicle and method for controlling such a lighting device

[0002] The invention relates to a light pattern generator of the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1, a lighting device with such a light pattern generator, a vehicle with such a lighting device, and a method for controlling the lighting device. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0003] Lighting devices play a significant role in the aesthetics and safety of vehicles. Daytime running lights and activated taillights make vehicles more easily visible not only in the dark or in poor visibility conditions, such as fog or heavy rain, but also during the day. An additional brake light and the extra-bright illumination of the taillights can signal to other road users that the vehicle is braking. A direction indicator, such as a turn signal, can indicate a lane change or provide a warning. Furthermore, the special design of lighting elements can add a touch of aesthetics and character to a vehicle's appearance.

[0004] A conventional rear light such as a tail light or brake light is only capable of continuous illumination, possibly with varying brightness levels. This severely limits the possibilities for indicating different events or providing functionalities. Moreover, a lighting device that operates continuously at the same brightness is not an eye-catcher. In prototype construction, the replacement of conventional rear lights with a pixel light designed like a display is common. For example, Audi has presented the OLED display known as the "Swarm Matrix". This is a relatively large OLED display on which red or orange light dots are shown moving like a swarm of insects. The light patterns displayed in this way are animated, which allows information to be conveyed by displaying different light patterns as an additional functionality.Customers are also excited about this innovation. However, due to the use of OLEDs, such displays are comparatively expensive. Furthermore, OLEDs age relatively quickly, resulting in a limited service life.

[0005] DE 10 2016 208 959 A1 discloses a device and method for projecting a light pattern. The device comprises a laser device capable of generating white laser light by combining a red, green, and blue laser. A corresponding laser beam is moved by means of a deflection device to "scan" a two-dimensional field. This allows the implementation of various lighting devices for vehicles, such as matrix headlights or taillights. However, the disadvantage is the complexity of controlling the deflection device and the laser device to guide the laser according to the two-dimensional grid. The corresponding hardware components must be designed to move the laser beam to generate pixel light, which requires a complex structure and thus increases the manufacturing costs of the device.

[0006] DE 10 2015 013 462 A1 further discloses a lighting element on a vehicle and a vehicle with a corresponding lighting element. The luminous intensity, luminous color, luminous frequency, and / or a luminous pattern displayed by the lighting element are varied depending on at least one vehicle parameter. This allows new functionalities to be provided, such as lighting dependent on the speed of travel, engine power, time of day, ambient brightness, or other factors. A person driving the vehicle can use the lighting element to select preferred patterns from a catalog of predefined patterns. The lighting element comprises one or more LEDs as the light source, which limits the possibilities for displaying complex light patterns.

[0007] Furthermore, GB 2 135 536 A discloses a noise-sensitive lighting system and a device comprising such a lighting system.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2020 213 059 A1 discloses a method for environmental detection, a detection device, and a motor vehicle. The detection device comprises a laser headlight, which in turn comprises a laser light source and a mirror arranged in the beam path of the laser. The mirror can be pivoted independently of each other about two mutually perpendicular pivot axes. This makes it possible to generate Lissajous patterns.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 44 06 339 A1 discloses an optical collision warning device for a vehicle. If a following vehicle is about to rear-end the vehicle, rear lights such as the brake lights, indicators, or rear fog lights can be activated to alert the driver of the following vehicle of the impending collision.

[0010] In addition, US 2009 / 0185251 A1 discloses an oscillating mirror for image projection. The mirror performs rotational oscillations around two offset axes at two different rotation frequencies. This allows Lissajous patterns to be generated. The mirror can have a curved surface.

[0011] Furthermore, DE 10 2009 058 762 A1 discloses a deflection device for a projection apparatus, a projection device for projecting an image, and a method for controlling the deflection device. Lissajous patterns can be generated using the projection device. The deflection device comprises a damped, suspended deflection element.

[0012] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved light pattern generator that enables the generation of complex and dynamic light patterns with minimal control effort and can be manufactured cost-effectively. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a light pattern generator having the features of claim 1 and a light pattern generator having the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as a lighting device having such a light pattern generator, a vehicle having such a lighting device, and a method for controlling the corresponding lighting device, are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0013] In a light pattern generator of the type mentioned above, comprising: a laser generator for generating a laser beam, a screen that is at least partially transparent to the laser beam, at least one movable mirror arranged in the beam path of the laser beam for deflecting the laser beam in the direction of the screen, an actuator for actuating the mirror and a control device for controlling the respective actuator, the control device, the actuator and the at least one mirror are configured to deflect the laser beam onto the screen in such a way that the laser beam can be guided continuously along a closed path on the screen, so that the laser beam generates a node pattern on the screen, wherein the control device controls the actuator by means of at least one control signal with a characteristic frequency,control signals which differ by at least different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control unit or can be generated by the control unit and a respective control signal for controlling the actuator can be selected by the control unit depending on a selection variable.

[0014] The light pattern generator according to the invention is constructed and designed such that knot patterns are generated on the screen by means of the laser beam. A knot pattern is understood to be a self-contained line with at least one intersection point. Examples of knot patterns are a line, a loop, a figure eight, or the symbol for infinity. The knot pattern does not necessarily have to be symmetrical, but can also be chaotic. The knot pattern can be static, i.e., retain its shape over time, or animated, i.e., move over time and / or change shape. Such a knot pattern can be generated with comparatively little design and control effort, which keeps the manufacturing costs of the light pattern generator according to the invention low.Due to the special design of node patterns, especially animated and / or moving node patterns, they are particularly easy for a person to grasp, which leads to improved human perception. Depending on the selection variable and the control signal configured at different frequencies, different node patterns can be displayed using the light pattern generator, with the displayed node pattern being modified, in particular, for different application scenarios. The selection variable can thus be changed for different situations, and the displayed node pattern can be varied accordingly. This enables the provision of a wide variety of functionalities for situation-specific reactions and adaptation of the light pattern, which will be discussed in more detail below in the context of a vehicle.

[0015] The control unit is designed, in terms of hardware and / or software, in such a way that the actuator and the at least one mirror are controlled to generate the node patterns on the screen. Appropriate control software can thus be stored in the control unit. A respective control signal can be designed particularly simply, for example, as a sine or cosine oscillation, sawtooth pulse, rectangular pulse, or the like. Each signal has an individual characteristic frequency. This frequency can be freely selected and can, for example, be in the range between 0.1 Hz and 10 kHz. However, other frequencies are also possible. The actuator is then addressed according to the control signal to excite or deflect the mirror. Multiple control signals, each with different characteristic frequencies, can also be superimposed.For example, a first control signal with a characteristic frequency of 1 Hz can be superimposed with a second control signal with a characteristic frequency of 5 Hz and a third control signal with a characteristic frequency of 100 Hz. Corresponding control signals can also be modulated. In particular, for multiple degrees of freedom of movement for moving the mirror(s) by the actuator(s), individual control signals are used for each degree of freedom. For example, the mirror is moved by the actuator in an X direction using a first control signal and in a Y direction orthogonal to the X direction using a second control signal. The control unit can also read in an audio file, for example an MP3 file, a WAV file, or the like, and derive the characteristic frequencies for generating control signals from the audio file.For this purpose, an FFT analysis of the audio signal can be performed, for example. The audio file can also be used directly as a control signal.

[0016] By using particularly simple and straightforward control signals or by directly using an audio file to control the respective actuator, the control effort required to generate the node patterns can be simplified.

[0017] The laser generator can, for example, be a laser diode. This generates laser light with a comparatively narrow wavelength spectrum, especially with a fixed wavelength. The laser beam can, for example, have a color attributable to the visible spectrum, such as red, green, or blue.

[0018] It can also be an infrared laser or, preferably, a UV laser. Thus, the screen can be coated with a fluorescent material and / or this material can be embedded in the screen. The fluorescent material is then excited to fluoresce by the UV laser, which allows the creation of particularly bright and colorful knot patterns. An afterglow effect can be achieved by integrating a material capable of phosphorescence. In particular, different fluorescent materials can be applied to different local regions of the screen. This allows different colors to be generated in different regions of the screen using the same laser beam. As will be explained below, the light pattern generator according to the invention can be integrated into a vehicle, for example.For example, in the area of ​​a turn signal, a fluorescent material that fluoresces yellow or orange can be installed in the screen, and in the area of ​​a rear light and / or brake light, a fluorescent material that glows red when stimulated by the UV laser beam can be installed. The use of infrared or UV lasers minimizes the risk of living beings being blinded by the laser beam. The seal does not necessarily have to be a physical mirror. A mirror is understood to be a surface or a section of a surface that has sufficient reflectivity to deflect the laser beam towards the screen, for example a metal sheet.

[0019] The screen is transparent enough to allow light to pass through, so that the knot pattern can be seen from the side opposite the laser beam. However, the transparency is low enough that a living being looking at the screen is not blinded by the laser beam passing through the screen.

[0020] According to the invention, the actuator is configured to translationally move the mirror or a holding element supporting the mirror, wherein the actuator is particularly formed by a piezo element or a loudspeaker. This allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective design of the light pattern generator. The mirror can be attached directly to the actuator or indirectly via a corresponding holding element. Through translational deflection, the actuator then excites the mirror to oscillate or deflects it. A translational deflection can occur in one direction of movement or in two different directions of movement. An individual pair of mirror and actuator can also be provided for each direction of movement.

[0021] It is therefore generally possible to deflect the laser beam several times, for example two or three times, from the laser generator until it hits the transparent screen.

[0022] When using a loudspeaker as an actuator, the audio file is particularly suitable for use as a control signal. This allows the audio signal to be applied directly to the loudspeaker as an input signal to excite it into vibration.

[0023] An advantageous development of the light pattern generator provides for the mirror to have a convex or concave curvature. By providing a curved mirror, the angle at which the mirror deflects the laser beam can be varied depending on the degree of deflection. Thus, the speed of travel of the laser beam on the screen is continuously changed during the generation of the knot pattern. This creates a special luminous effect. This allows even more complex knot patterns to be created, especially with a perceived brightness that varies in different sections, since sections of the knot pattern along which the laser beam moves faster appear darker to the observer.

[0024] A further advantageous embodiment of the light pattern generator further provides that the mirror is connected to the actuator via a holding element in the form of a lever arm extending essentially orthogonally from a translation direction of the actuator. By designing the holding element as a lever arm, the degree of deflection of the mirror during translation of the actuator can be increased. The lever arm thus acts as a deflection amplifier. Due to the stiffness of the lever arm, it has a characteristic natural frequency, which allows vibration excitation of the mirror with corresponding characteristic vibration modes. Depending on the design of the lever arm, the shape of the node patterns that can be generated on the screen can thus be changed.

[0025] Thanks to the lever arm's amplifying effect on the mirror's deflection, the amplitude of the actuator's deflection can be reduced. This can save energy and / or reduce noise pollution when using a loudspeaker as the actuator.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the light pattern generator, the lever arm has different bending stiffnesses in its main direction of extension and in a direction perpendicular to this. When the lever arm is excited to vibrate by the actuator, depending on the design, it is not only excited to bending vibrations along its main direction of extension, but also transversely to this. In particular, with different bending stiffnesses in the corresponding directions, a translational deflection of the actuator in only one direction enables a deflection of the mirror in at least two different directions, whereby knot patterns can be generated in a particularly simple manner. To influence the bending stiffness of the lever arm, it can have a special shape and / or comprise different materials at different points. The E modulus of a material also affects the bending stiffness.

[0027] Preferably, the actuator is connected to a higher-level structure via a damping element. The hardware components of the light pattern generator can, for example, be enclosed by a housing. The screen can form a section of the housing or be integrated into the housing. Since the actuator is excited to move, in particular to oscillate harmonics, the actuator can become a source of noise. The actuator can thus also excite the housing to vibrate, which can lead to disruptive noise. However, by connecting the actuator to the higher-level structure via a damping element, such cases can be avoided. Any material, such as Styrofoam, cured plastic foam, rubber, cardboard, an elastomer, or the like, can be used to form the damping element. The damping element can be passive or active.Thus, the damping element can also include or represent active vibration dampers. When the actuator is designed as a loudspeaker, an active damping element provides the option of active noise cancellation.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment of the light pattern generator according to the invention, the actuator is configured to rotate the mirror or a support element supporting the mirror, wherein the mirror is connected to the actuator such that it is inclined at an angle relative to its rotational axis. According to the invention, at least two mirrors arranged in the beam path of the laser beam and moved in rotation are arranged and aligned relative to one another such that the laser beam is moved along a Lissajou pattern on the screen when the mirrors rotate.

[0029] By rotating a mirror, the laser beam is guided along a path. This allows the use of electric motors, for example, as actuators, which are also inexpensive and readily available. If the light pattern generator comprises several mirrors and several actuators, one mirror can be deflected translationally and one mirror rotationally. Combinations are therefore possible.

[0030] A Lissajou pattern is a special type of knot pattern. These are symmetrical and therefore particularly aesthetically pleasing. A Lissajou pattern is also called a Lissajou figure. As already mentioned, a Lissajou pattern can be static or moving. A moving Lissajou pattern on the screen, in particular, creates a particularly aesthetic and easily perceptible light pattern.

[0031] An illumination device according to the invention comprises at least one light pattern generator as described above. The individual light pattern generators can have laser generators, each generating a laser beam of a different color. The two laser beams can then be projected onto a common screen. Thus, different-colored node patterns can be generated in different spatial regions of the screen. The node patterns can also overlap at least partially.

[0032] According to the invention, a vehicle comprises such a lighting device. In particular, the lighting device is designed as a rear light. Preferably, one lighting device is provided each to form a turn signal, a rear light, a brake light, a headlight, a radiator grille light, or the like. Several vehicle lights, such as a turn signal and a rear light, can also be integrated into a common lighting device. This relationship has already been described above. When the lighting device according to the invention is used as a turn signal, the displayed node pattern can be changed, in particular with each newly displayed turn signal. This creates a particularly easily perceptible turn signal. The shape of the node pattern can also be changed, for example, when the left turn signal is activated, the right turn signal is activated, or the vehicle's hazard warning lights are activated.The control unit of the light pattern generator can be implemented as a computing unit of the vehicle or integrated into such a unit. In a method for controlling a lighting device included in a vehicle as described above, the selection variable is determined by a computing unit of the vehicle as a function of a vehicle parameter, a distance measured by the vehicle from a vehicle following the vehicle, and / or an operating action input via a human-machine interface. By changing the selection variable as a function of the aforementioned variables, various functions can be provided.The vehicle parameter can be the use of a specific drive type, for example the use of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, a speed of travel of the vehicle, an operation of the accelerator pedal, i.e. the performance of an acceleration, the operation of the brake, and / or the operation of the vehicle in a comfort, sport or dynamic driving mode.

[0033] For example, the vehicle's speed can be continuously divided into 10 km / h increments, and the selection variable is changed for each speed segment, whereby a new control signal with a different characteristic frequency is output by the control unit to control the actuator. Preferably, control signals are used by changing the selection variable to control the actuator such that the node pattern displayed by the lighting device appears more dramatic with increasing speed. In this context, "more dramatic" means, in particular, that the size of the node pattern increases, the luminosity increases, the speed of movement increases, more nodes are included in the node pattern, and / or the node pattern flashes.

[0034] Similarly, the knot pattern appears more dramatic when the vehicle performs a braking maneuver. This can alert other vehicles following the vehicle to the braking maneuver, similar to an additional brake light.

[0035] Preferably, the vehicle measures the distance to the corresponding following vehicle and adjusts the node pattern depending on the measured distance. This can then be used to issue a collision warning to the other vehicle following the vehicle. For example, the vehicle can display a specific node pattern while driving, which is changed when the brakes are applied. If the other vehicle approaches, the node pattern is changed further until, for example, when the distance falls below a critical level, it is displayed in its most dramatic form, for example, particularly large, brightly lit, containing many nodes and flashing. This improves road safety because the person driving the other vehicle is made aware of an impending rear-end collision and is thus instructed to carry out a particularly strong emergency braking maneuver.

[0036] It is possible for a user of the vehicle, such as the person driving the vehicle, to set a preference for which node pattern should be displayed on the lighting device for which scenario or boundary condition via the human-machine interface, for example a touch-sensitive display. The vehicle user can also set which node pattern should be used for which situation, even if the node pattern is automatically displayed differently depending on the situation. The vehicle user can also preferably make this setting while driving the vehicle. A mobile device linked to the vehicle can also be used as the human-machine interface. Accordingly, an app suitable for setting the selection variable is run on the mobile device, for example a smartphone.

[0037] Preferably, the control signal selected by the control unit as a function of the selection variable is output visually and / or acoustically in the vehicle and / or the contour pattern that can be generated on the screen as a function of the respective control signal is output visually in the vehicle.

[0038] This provides a variety of options for indicating to the user how the node pattern is displayed via the lighting device. A visual representation of the control signal and / or the node pattern can be provided via any display device in the vehicle or on the vehicle user's mobile device. An acoustic output of the control signal, in particular the audio file, can be provided via the vehicle's sound system or a loudspeaker on the mobile device. In particular, the simultaneous display of the control signal and the node pattern enables the user to perceive the influence of the control signal on the node pattern that can be generated.

[0039] Further advantageous embodiments of the light pattern generator according to the invention, the lighting device according to the invention, the vehicle according to the invention and the method for controlling a lighting device comprised by such a vehicle also emerge from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0040] Showing:

[0041] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a light pattern generator according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the light pattern generator shown in Fig. 1;

[0043] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a light pattern generator according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0044] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a lighting device according to the invention;

[0045] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a rear light of a vehicle according to the invention;

[0046] Fig. 6 Examples of various Lissajou patterns;

[0047] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the light pattern generator according to the invention;

[0048] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a user selection for setting favorite node patterns to be displayed on a lighting device according to the invention; and

[0049] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an input mask for setting the node patterns by a user.

[0050] As can be seen from Figure 1, a light pattern generator 1 according to the invention comprises a laser generator 2 for generating a laser beam 3, a screen 4 that is at least partially transparent to the laser beam 3, at least one movable mirror 5 arranged in the beam path of the laser beam 3 for deflecting the laser beam 3 in the direction of the screen 4, an actuator 6 for each mirror 5 for actuating it, and a control unit 7 shown in Figure 2 for controlling the respective actuator 6.

[0051] The control unit 7 is configured to control the actuator 6 such that the laser beam 3 is continuously guided along a closed path on the screen 4 by means of the mirror 5, so that the laser beam 3 generates a node pattern 8 on the screen 4 as shown in Figure 3 and in the other figures.

[0052] To this end, control unit 7 controls actuator 6 using at least one control signal with a characteristic frequency. Control signals differing by at least different characteristic frequencies are stored in control unit 7, for example, stored on a physical storage medium or generated by control unit 7. A respective control signal for controlling actuator 6 can be selected by control unit 7 depending on a selection variable. The selection variable can be communicated to control unit 7 externally or determined by control unit 7 depending on various boundary conditions.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the actuator 6 is such an actuator 6 that can move the mirror 5 or a holding element 9 to which the mirror 5 is attached, translationally in a translation direction T. For example, the actuator 6 is a piezo element or a loudspeaker. Various components of the light pattern generator 1, such as the laser generator 2 and the actuator 6, can be attached to a higher-level structure 13, for example a housing. The screen 4 can be embedded in the housing or form part of it. To prevent the actuator 6 from exciting the higher-level structure 13 to vibrate, the corresponding actuator 6 can be connected to the higher-level structure 13 via a passive or active damping element 12. The damping element 12 can be, for example, a rubber, elastomer, or plastic foam damper.Piezo elements and loudspeakers typically have a comparatively short stroke, with the holding element 9 advantageously being designed as a lever arm 10 to nevertheless enable a comparatively wide deflection of the laser beam 3. In Figure 1, the lever arm 10 is illustrated in its rest position by a thick line. If the holding element 9 is excited to oscillate in the direction of translation T via the actuator 6, the holding element 9 oscillates according to the oscillation modes resulting from its structure, with maximum deflection positions indicated by dashed lines in Figure 1.

[0054] In particular, the lever arm 10 or the holding element 9 is designed such that when excited in only one direction, an oscillation is carried out in at least two directions by the mirror 5.

[0055] Particularly preferably, the laser generator 2 is a UV laser or infrared laser, wherein the screen 4 is coated with a fluorescent material on the side facing the mirror 5 and / or a corresponding material or material mixture is embedded in the screen 4. This reduces the risk of a person viewing the screen 4 being blinded by the laser beam 3, while still enabling the creation of particularly aesthetic and bright knot patterns 8.

[0056] A viewing direction is indicated by an eye 16.

[0057] Figure 2 shows the corresponding circuit diagram of the light pattern generator 1 shown in Figure 1. The actuator 6 is connected to an amplifier 18 via a line 17. The amplifier 18, in turn, is connected via a line 17 to a DC voltage source such as a battery 19 for power supply. This can also be an accumulator. The amplifier 18 receives an input signal via a control unit 7, which is not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity. With reference to Figure 1, the control unit 7 can be located outside a cavity delimited by the higher-level structure 13. In particular, if the actuator 6 is a loudspeaker, the amplifier 18 can be connected to the control unit 7 via a jack plug 20. If the light pattern generator 1 is implemented using a different actuator 6, the amplifier 18 can be omitted and the actuator 6 can be addressed directly by the control unit 7.

[0058] The control unit 7 can receive a selection variable 21 from an external source or determine it itself based on a measured value. Depending on the selection variable 21, the control unit 7 selects a suitable control signal to control the actuator 6. As already mentioned, various signals, each with characteristic frequencies, are stored in the control unit 7 or can be generated by it.

[0059] Also shown is the laser generator 2 connected to a battery 19 via a line 17.

[0060] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the light pattern generator 1 according to the invention. Here, the light pattern generator 1 comprises two electric drives as actuator 6, which are capable of setting the two illustrated mirrors 5 in rotation. The two mirrors 5 are arranged and aligned with one another in such a way that the laser beam 3 is guided on the screen 4 along a so-called Lissajou pattern 11. For this purpose, the mirrors 5 are each connected to the respective electric motor in a tilted manner. Thus, a central axis M of a respective mirror 5 is tilted by an angle a relative to a rotation axis R of the respective electric motor. This results in the laser beam 3 being deflected by a slightly modified angle when it strikes the mirror 5, depending on the rotational position.The respective mirrors 5 are aligned to one another in such a way that the laser beam 3 on the screen 4 is deflected by one of the mirrors along a first direction X and by a second of the mirrors 5 around a second direction Y which is orthogonal to the first direction X.

[0061] Figure 4 shows the arrangement of two light pattern generators 1 according to the invention in a lighting device 14 according to the invention. The two laser generators 2 can each generate a laser beam 3 of the same color or of different colors. The screen 4 shown in Figure 4 can also be designed differently depending on a local position, for example in a different color and / or having a different material capable of fluorescence. For example, when the lighting device 14 is integrated into a vehicle 15 according to the invention and shown in Figure 5, a first node pattern 8 can serve to form a rear light and a second node pattern 8 can serve to form a direction indicator such as a turn signal. During the generation of a node pattern 8, a respective laser beam 3 is continuously guided along a respective closed path.However, the laser generator 2 can then also be switched off and then reactivated. After reactivating the laser generator 2, a different node pattern 8 can be generated, for example, by controlling the respective actuator 6 with a different control signal, or the same as before.

[0062] Figure 5 shows an exemplary external view of the vehicle 15 according to the invention already mentioned. The illustration shown in Figure 5 clearly shows the application of the light pattern generator 1 according to the invention and correspondingly the lighting device 14 according to the invention for forming a vehicle rear light.

[0063] Figure 6 shows various Lissajou patterns 11 by way of example. Depending on the application and the desired pattern, these can then be displayed using an inventive lighting device 14. The respective Lissajou patterns 11 or knot patterns 8 can appear static or moving, i.e., animated.

[0064] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for controlling the lighting device 14, i.e., corresponding to the light pattern generator(s) 1. In a method step 701, the control unit 7 is informed which selection variable 21 is to be output. Corresponding specifications can be communicated to the control unit 7 externally, for example, via a human-machine interface, or also depending on a vehicle parameter; for example, individual selection variables 21 are determined for different travel speed ranges of the vehicle 15.

[0065] In a method step 702, the control unit 7 selects various control signals, each with different characteristic frequencies, depending on the selection variables 21 and transfers these to the actuator 6 for control in method step 703. In method step 704, the mirror 5 is thereby moved or excited to oscillate.

[0066] In method step 705, a corresponding knot pattern 8 or Lissajou pattern 11 is projected onto the screen 4.

[0067] Figure 8 illustrates the process for setting the behavior of the control unit 7 under which boundary conditions which selection variable 21 should be selected.

[0068] In a method step 801, a user of the vehicle 15 sets, via a human-machine interface, which control signal should be output in the control unit 7 for which boundary conditions. The node patterns 8 that can be set in this way can be visually displayed to the user. According to a setting 802, the user selects a node pattern 8 that is permanently statically illuminated while driving the vehicle 15. The user can determine which control signal should be used for this purpose, i.e., the user can select or set the respective characteristic frequency of the control signal.

[0069] According to a setting 803, the vehicle 15 automatically selects the respective control signal depending on a set driving mode, such as a comfort, sport or dynamic driving mode.

[0070] According to a setting 804, the vehicle 15 selects the respective control signal itself depending on a distance measured to the rear of the vehicle 15 to a vehicle following the vehicle 15. Thus, the control unit 7 changes the selection variable 21 when the distance between the vehicle 15 and the following vehicle changes.

[0071] According to a setting 805, the selection variable 21 and the corresponding control signals are adjusted depending on the speed of the vehicle 15. The speed ranges for which the same node pattern is displayed can be defined arbitrarily, for example: standstill, scanning speed, walking speed, walking speed up to 30 km / h, 30 km / h up to 50 km / h, 50 km / h up to 100 km / h, and greater than 100 km / h. A speed range for reversing can also exist.

[0072] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of an input mask 22 for setting the node patterns 8 to be displayed by the user of the vehicle 15. Using a selection field 23, the user can select the type of control signal, for example a harmonic oscillation, a rectangular pulse or a sawtooth pulse.

[0073] Using a controller 24, the user can adjust the amplitude of the control signal, i.e. the volume of an audio file.

[0074] Using a controller 25, the user can set various modulations for the control signal.

[0075] The user can adjust the characteristic frequency using a control 26. Rasterization can be performed in any step size, for example, in 1 Hz increments.

[0076] Using a selection field 27, the user can output the control signal thus generated acoustically and / or visually via a display area 28. The correspondingly representable node pattern 8 can also be visualized in the display area 28. Completed control signals can be saved and / or loaded using a selection field 29.

[0077] In the example in Figure 9, setting fields 30 are shown for three different control signals. The user can select whether the corresponding control signals should be merged to generate a common control signal. However, control can also be achieved with a single one of the control signals shown.

Claims

Claims: Light pattern generator (1), comprising: a laser generator (2) for generating a laser beam (3), a screen (4) that is at least partially transparent to the laser beam (3), at least one movable mirror (5) arranged in the beam path of the laser beam (3) for deflecting the laser beam (3) towards the screen (4), an actuator (6) for actuating the mirror (5) and a control unit (7) for controlling the respective actuator (6), wherein the control unit (7), the actuator (6) and the at least one mirror (5) are configured to deflect the laser beam (3) onto the screen (4) in such a way that the laser beam (3) can be guided continuously along a closed path on the screen (4) so ​​that the laser beam (3) generates a nodal pattern (8) on the screen (4), wherein the screen (4) has sufficient transparency to allow light to pass through.so that the node pattern (8) is perceptible from the side opposite the side to which the laser beam (3) strikes, and wherein the control unit (7) controls the actuator (6) by means of at least one control signal with a characteristic frequency, control signals differing by at least different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control unit (7) or can be generated by the control unit (7), and a respective control signal for controlling the actuator (6) can be selected by the control unit (7) depending on a selection variable (21), characterized in that the actuator (6) is configured to move the mirror (5) or a holding element (9) supporting the mirror translationally. Light pattern generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (6) is formed by a piezoelectric element or a loudspeaker. Light pattern generator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mirror (5) has a convex or concave curvature. Light pattern generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mirror (5) is connected to the actuator (6) via a retaining element (9) in the form of a lever arm (10) extending substantially orthogonally from the actuator (6) in a translation direction (T) of the actuator (6). Light pattern generator (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lever arm (10) has different bending stiffnesses in its main direction of extension and in a direction transverse thereto. Light pattern generator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuator (6) is connected to a higher-level structure (13) via a damping element (12).Light pattern generator (1), comprising: a laser generator (2) for generating a laser beam (3), a screen (4) at least partially transparent to the laser beam (3), at least one movable mirror (5) arranged in the beam path of the laser beam (3) for deflecting the laser beam (3) towards the screen (4), an actuator (6) for actuating the mirror (5) and a control unit (7) for controlling the respective actuator (6), wherein the control unit (7), the actuator (6) and the at least one mirror (5) are configured to deflect the laser beam (3) onto the screen (4) such that the. The laser beam (3) on the screen (4) can be guided continuously along a closed path, such that the laser beam (3) generates a node pattern (8) on the screen (4), wherein the screen (4) has sufficient transparency to allow light to pass through so that the node pattern (8) is perceptible from the side opposite the side where the laser beam (3) strikes the screen, and wherein the control unit (7) controls the actuator (6) by means of at least one control signal with a characteristic frequency, control signals differing by at least different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control unit (7) or can be generated by the control unit (7), and a respective control signal for controlling the actuator (6) can be selected by the control unit (7) depending on a selection variable (21), and wherein the actuator (6) is configured to rotate the mirror (5) or a holding element (9) supporting the mirror (5).wherein the mirror (5) is connected to the actuator (6) such that it is inclined at an angle (a) to its axis of rotation (R), characterized by at least two mirrors (5) arranged in the beam path of the laser beam (3), wherein the mirrors (5) are arranged and aligned with each other such that the laser beam (3) is moved along a Lissajous pattern (11) on the screen (4) when the mirrors (5) are rotated. Lighting device (14), characterized by at least one light pattern generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Vehicle (15), characterized by at least one lighting device (14) according to claim 8, in particular a lighting device (14) designed as a rear light. Method for controlling a lighting device (14) comprised of a vehicle (15) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The selection variable (21) is determined by a computing unit of the vehicle (15) depending on a vehicle parameter, a distance measured by the vehicle (15) to a vehicle following the vehicle (15), and / or an operating action entered via a human-machine interface. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that - the control signal selected by the control unit (7) depending on the selection variable (21) is output visually and / or audibly in the vehicle (15); and / or - the node pattern (8) that can be generated on the screen (4) depending on the respective control signal is visually displayed in the vehicle (15).

Images