Lighting device for projecting an image onto the ground around a vehicle

Abstract

Lighting device (2) for projecting an image onto the ground around a motor vehicle (1), the lighting device comprising: - a light source (4) capable of producing a light beam (F), - a first mask (5) comprising a first pattern (21) and a second pattern (22, 23), the first mask being movable between a first position and a second position, - a second mask (6) comprising a third pattern (31) and a fourth pattern (32, 33), the second mask being movable between a first position and a second position, - an actuator (12) configured to move the first mask between its first position and its second position, - a drive means (18) configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and its second position at the same time as the first mask.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Luminous device for projecting an image onto the ground around a vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lighting device being configured to project an image such as a pictogram onto the ground. State of the prior art

[0002] Some motor vehicles are equipped with a lighting device configured to project an image onto the ground around the vehicle. These lighting devices comprise a light source and a mask, or slide, locally illuminated by the light source at a lighting zone. The mask comprises a plurality of patterns arranged on its surface and is movable between as many positions as there are patterns it comprises. For each position of the mask, a different pattern is present in the lighting zone, which makes it possible to project a different image onto the ground. The images thus obtained may comprise pictograms intended to provide useful information to a user. For example, when the vehicle is an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, the image projected onto the ground may provide an indication of the state of charge of a battery of the vehicle.A pictogram representing the state of charge of a battery can conventionally include the schematic representation of a battery provided with different stages, these stages being represented full or empty depending on the state of charge.

[0003] In order to transmit a wide range of information to vehicle users, the aim is to increase the number of patterns present on the mask. However, this requires the use of a large mask. The size of the lighting device is thus increased and becomes incompatible with integration in locations in the vehicle where the available volume is limited, such as for example at the level of an exterior rearview mirror or at the level of a vehicle door sill. Alternatively, to increase the number of patterns present on the mask, the dimensions of each of these patterns can be reduced. However, reducing the dimensions of the patterns on the mask leads to the projection of images that are too small and / or blurred. Presentation of the invention

[0004] The aim of the invention is to provide a lighting device and a method of using such a lighting device which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the lighting devices known from the prior art and their methods of using them.

[0005] More specifically, a first object of the invention is a light device that is both compact and capable of projecting a wide variety of images onto the ground. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a light device for projecting an image onto the ground around a motor vehicle, the light device comprising a housing within which are housed at least: - a light source capable of producing a light beam, - a first mask comprising a first pattern and at least one second pattern, the first mask being movable between a first position and at least one second position, the first pattern being positioned across the light beam when the first mask is in its first position, the second pattern being positioned across the light beam when the first mask is in its second position, - a second mask comprising a third pattern and at least a fourth pattern, the second mask being movable between a first position and at least a second position, the third pattern being positioned across the light beam when the second mask is in its first position, the fourth pattern being positioned across the light beam when the second mask is in its second position, - an actuator configured to move the first mask between its first position and at least its second position, and - a drive means configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and at least its second position at the same time as the first mask.

[0007] The first mask and the second mask can be movable in rotation around the same axis.

[0008] The first mask may comprise a generally circular shape, with the patterns of the first mask distributed around a center of the first mask. The second mask may comprise a generally circular shape, with the patterns of the second mask distributed around a center of the second mask.

[0009] The first mask may extend in a first plane and in that the second mask may extend in a second plane, the second plane being parallel to the first plane and offset from the first plane.

[0010] The first pattern may include at least one opaque area and at least one transparent area. The second pattern may include at least one opaque area and at least one transparent area.

[0011] The third pattern and / or the fourth pattern may comprise at least one opaque zone comprising a shape substantially homothetic to the shape of the at least one transparent zone of the first pattern and / or the second pattern, the opaque zone of the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern being capable of extending opposite the at least one transparent zone of the first pattern and / or the second pattern.

[0012] The first pattern and / or the second pattern may comprise at least one opaque zone, a first transparent zone and at least one second transparent zone, the second transparent zone being separated from the first transparent zone by the opaque zone of the first mask, the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern comprising a transparent zone and an opaque zone, the transparent zone of the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern being able to extend opposite the first transparent zone of the first pattern and / or the second pattern, and the opaque area of ​​the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern being able to extend opposite the second transparent area of ​​the first pattern and / or the second pattern.

[0013] The drive means may comprise a first stop secured to the first mask, the first stop cooperating with a second stop secured to the second mask, so that the movement of the first mask causes the movement of the second mask when the first stop is pressing against the second stop.

[0014] The drive means may comprise an electromagnetic means configured to optionally secure the second mask with the first mask and / or with an element of the actuator.

[0015] The first mask may be movable in rotation between its first position and its second position, said drive means being configured so that: - a rotation of the first mask from its first position to its second position in a first direction of rotation causes a movement of the second mask, and - a rotation of the first mask from its first position to its second position in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction does not cause a movement of the second mask. Presentation of figures

[0016] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with a lighting device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a first mask of the light device.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a second mask of the light device.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a first configuration.

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a second configuration.

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a third configuration.

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a fourth configuration.

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a fifth configuration.

[0025] Figure 9 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a sixth configuration.

[0026] Figure 10 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a seventh configuration.

[0027] Figure 11 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in an eighth configuration.

[0028] Figure 12 is a schematic view of the superposition of the first mask and the second mask in a ninth configuration.

[0029] Figure 13 is a schematic top view of the vehicle and a first image projected by the light device next to the vehicle.

[0030] Figure 14 is a schematic top view of the vehicle and a second image projected by the light device next to the vehicle.

[0031] Figure 15 is a schematic top view of the vehicle and a third image projected by the light device next to the vehicle. Detailed description

[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 may be, for example, a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or even a bus. The vehicle 1 comprises a lighting device 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The lighting device 2 is configured to project an image onto the ground around the vehicle 1. The image may, for example, be projected a few tens of centimeters onto the ground along one side of the vehicle. The lighting device 2 may, for example, be attached to the vehicle at an exterior rearview mirror of the vehicle or at a door sill of the vehicle. The image projected onto the ground may include information on the state of the vehicle and / or on the environment of the vehicle. Advantageously, the image projected onto the ground is in the form of one or more pictograms.

[0033] The light device 2 comprises a housing (not shown) within which are housed at least one light source 4 capable of producing a light beam F, a first mask 5 and a second mask 6. The first mask 5 and the second mask 6 are positioned at least partially on the path of the light beam F.

[0034] As a note, the enumeration adjectives "first", "second", ... appearing in this document do not characterize an order relationship between the different objects to which they relate but simply aim to distinguish them from each other.

[0035] The light source 4 may be, for example, a light-emitting diode or a set of light-emitting diodes. Alternatively, it could take any other form, such as, for example, an incandescent lamp. Advantageously, the light source may have sufficient power to project an image onto the ground that is visible even in broad daylight. Preferably, the light source 4 may project white-colored light rays. The light source 4 may be connected to a printed circuit board 7. The printed circuit board may be held by a support 8 possibly comprising a heat sink. The lighting device 2 is not intended to produce nighttime lighting of the vehicle's surroundings, or to make the vehicle clearly visible to other road users. Thus, the lighting device 2 is distinguished from headlights usually fitted to vehicles and which have main beam and / or dipped beam headlights.

[0036] The lighting device 2 also comprises an optical guide 10 arranged between the light source 4 and a portion of the first mask 5. The optical guide 10 is configured to guide the light rays coming from the light source 4 towards a portion of the first mask 5. Thus, according to the embodiment presented, the lighting device 2 comprises an illumination zone ZI of the first mask 5, and only the part of the first mask 5 positioned in the illumination zone ZI contributes to the projection of an image on the ground. It is also possible to define an illumination zone Z2 of the second mask 6 as being the projection of the illumination zone ZI onto the second mask following the trajectory of the light rays. The optical guide 10 may be, for example, a light guide, a collimator, an illumination lens or any type of optical part capable of collecting and / or directing the light.

[0037] The first mask 5 comprises a first pattern and at least one second pattern. The first mask 5 is movable between a first position and at least one second position. In particular, the first mask is movable between as many positions as it comprises patterns. A distinct pattern of the first mask is positioned across the light beam F, in the illumination zone Zl, for each distinct position of the first mask.

[0038] Likewise, the second mask 6 comprises a third pattern and at least one fourth pattern. The second mask 6 is movable between a first position and at least one second position. In particular, the second mask is movable between as many positions as it comprises patterns. A distinct pattern of the second mask is positioned across the light beam F, in the illumination zone Z2, for each distinct position of the second mask.

[0039] The patterns of the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 are configured to intercept or filter light rays from the light source 4 so as to produce images. The image finally projected onto the ground results from the combination of the patterns of the first mask and the second mask which are positioned across the light beam.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 are movable in rotation around the same axis X. The first mask comprises a generally circular shape, the patterns of the first mask being distributed around a center 01 of the first mask, in particular in distinct angular sectors of the first mask. Similarly, the second mask comprises a generally circular shape, the patterns of the second mask being distributed around a center 02 of the second mask, in particular in distinct angular sectors of the second mask. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the volume occupied by the first mask and the second mask does not vary according to their orientation. The light device 2 can therefore remain very compact. The diameter of each mask 5, 6 can be, for example, between 1cm and 5cm inclusive.

[0041] The first mask 5 extends in a first plane PI and the second mask 6 extends in a second plane P2. The plane PI in which the first mask 5 extends in its first position is identical to the plane in which it extends in its second position. Similarly, the plane P2 in which the second mask 6 extends in its first position is identical to the plane in which it extends in its second position. The second plane P2 is parallel to the first plane PI and offset from the first plane. In particular, the first plane PI and the second plane P2 are perpendicular to the X axis. The second mask is positioned behind the first mask in the direction of propagation of the light rays. Thus, a pattern of the second mask is intended to be superimposed with a pattern of the first mask to produce an image resulting from the combination of these two patterns.All or part of the patterns of the second mask can thus be combined with all or part of the patterns of the second mask, so as to produce a large number of different images.

[0042] According to different embodiments, the first mask and / or the second mask could be movable according to a movement other than rotation, for example movable in translation. The first mask and / or the second mask could be movable in rotation around a point which is not necessarily the center of the first mask and / or the second mask. The first mask and / or the second mask could be movable in rotation around a point arranged at an edge of the first mask, and / or respectively an edge of the second mask. The first mask and / or the second mask could comprise a shape other than a circular shape, for example a polygonal shape. The second mask could be positioned in front of the first mask according to the direction of propagation of the light rays.

[0043] An optical device 11, such as a projection lens or a set of projection lenses, may be provided downstream of the masks 5, 6, i.e. on the other side of the masks 5, 6 relative to the light source 4, in order to shape and direct the light beam towards the ground, and / or in order to correct color effects, and / or to correct image distortion effects and / or to improve sharpness.

[0044] To move the first mask 5 between its first position and its second position, the light device 2 comprises an actuator 12 in mechanical connection with the first mask 5. In particular, the actuator 12 is an electric motor. The electric motor is positioned behind the printed circuit board 7 and behind the support 8. It comprises a rotating shaft 13 passing through an opening 14 provided in the printed circuit board 7 and in the support 8. The rotating shaft 13 extends along the axis X and is fixed to the center 01 of the first mask 5. According to an alternative embodiment, the connection between the actuator 12 and the first mask 5 could be arranged differently. For example, the first mask 5 could be rotatably or slidably mounted on a separate support The actuator 12. The actuator could be mechanically connected to an edge of the first mask 5. A translational and / or rotational movement of the first mask 5 could also be obtained thanks to the cooperation of a toothed wheel secured to the actuator and a rack secured to the first mask 5.

[0045] The printed circuit board 7 and the actuator 12 are electrically connected to an electronic control unit 15 comprising a memory 16 and a microprocessor 17. The memory 16 of the electronic control unit 15 is a data recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing a method for automatically controlling the lighting device 2. The microprocessor 17 is capable of executing this computer program. In particular, the electronic control unit 15 is configured to control the switching on or off of the light source 4 and the rotation of the first mask. The electronic control unit 15 can also control the direction of rotation of the first mask.

[0046] The second mask 6 is mounted to rotate freely around the X axis. For this purpose, it can be fixed to an element of the lighting device by means of a bearing, for example a rolling bearing. The lighting device may optionally comprise a resistor or a brake acting on the second mask so that it does not move too easily between its first position and its at least second position, for example under the effect of vibrations of the lighting device.

[0047] The lighting device 2 also comprises a drive means 18 configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and its second position at the same time as the first mask. In other words, the lighting device 2 can be in two particular operating states: in a first operating state, the first mask can be freely moved by the actuator 12, without causing the movement of the second mask. In a second operating state, the movement of the first mask automatically causes the movement of the second mask.

[0048] The drive means 18 can be produced in several ways. According to one embodiment, the drive means comprises a first stop 19 secured to the first mask 5, the first stop 19 being able to come into contact with a second stop 20 secured to the second mask 6. When the first stop 19 comes into contact with the second stop 20, a subsequent movement of the first mask in the direction of the first stop 19 pressing against the second stop 20 causes the second mask to move. On the other hand, as long as the first stop 19 is not pressing against the second stop 20, the first mask can be moved freely without causing the second mask to move. The driving or lack of driving of the second mask can thus be easily controlled by adapting the direction of movement of the first mask 5. In particular, in the case where the first mask and the second mask are mobile in rotation, the choice of the direction of rotation of the first mask between its first position and its second position makes it possible to cause or not the movement of the second mask.

[0049] The first stop 19 and the second stop 20 may, for example, be arranged at an outer periphery of the first mask and respectively of the second mask. The first stop 19 may project from the first mask 5 in the direction of the second mask and / or the second stop 20 may project from the second mask 6 in the direction of the first mask 5. The first mask and / or the second mask may each comprise one or more stops. By using several stops for the same mask, a smaller displacement of the first mask may be sufficient for a stop of the first mask to come into contact with a stop of the second mask. On the other hand, the use of several stops for the same mask may possibly make it impossible to combine certain patterns of the first mask with certain patterns of the second mask.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the drive means 18 may comprise an electromagnetic means configured to optionally secure the second mask with the first mask 5 and / or with an element of the actuator 12. For example, the second mask may be movable between an engaged position in which it is secured to the first mask or to an element of the actuator and a disengaged position in which it is not secured to either the first mask or to an element of the actuator. For example, the second mask 6 may be movable in translation parallel to the X axis between its disengaged position and its engaged position. In the engaged position, stop means, friction surfaces or even magnetized elements of the second mask may cooperate with conjugate means arranged on the first mask 5 or on the rotating shaft 13, so as to allow the second mask to be driven.In the disengaged position, these stop means, friction surfaces or magnetic elements no longer cooperate with the conjugate means of the first mask or the rotating shaft, so as to allow free rotation of the first mask without driving the second mask. Alternatively, it is the first mask which could be movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0051] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the first mask 5. According to the embodiment presented, the first mask comprises three patterns 21, 22, 23 whose illumination by the light source makes it possible to project three distinct images onto the ground. The patterns 21, 22, 23 are distributed around the center 01. The patterns are distributed so that only one pattern at a time can be located in the illumination zone Z1. It is noted that the illumination zone Z1 has a circular shape. Alternatively, the illumination zone could comprise any other shape, such as for example a generally polygonal shape, in particular a generally trapezoidal or pseudo-trapezoidal shape, the optical guide 10 then being adapted accordingly. The number of patterns appearing on the first mask could be different, for example two patterns, four patterns, five patterns or even any number greater than or equal to six.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the patterns 21, 22, 23 each comprise opaque zones 27 and transparent zones 28. The opaque zones 27 (represented as a hatched surface in FIG. 2) are zones blocking or reflecting the light rays coming from the light source 4. They may be, for example, black or chrome-plated. The transparent zones 28 are zones allowing the light rays coming from the light source 4 to pass through. The opaque zones 27 and the transparent zones 28 are zones complementary to the surface of the first mask 5. For example, the first mask 5 may comprise a transparent support, for example made of glass, locally covered by an occulting substrate deposited by lithography. Lithography advantageously makes it possible to obtain high geometric precision of the transparent zones and the opaque zones.Alternatively, other methods could be envisaged, such as for example cutting openings in a support made of opaque material, in particular by laser cutting. According to an alternative embodiment, the patterns 21, 22, 23 could comprise translucent zones so as to produce an image projected on the ground comprising more or less strongly illuminated portions. The first mask could also comprise colored filters so as to produce color images.

[0053] The transparent zones 28 have shapes, in particular contours, suitable for the projection onto the ground of images representing a pictogram. The contours of each transparent zone 28 are therefore linked to the contours of the pictogram. In practice, the shape of the transparent zones 28 can be adapted to take into account the geometric deformations linked to the projection of the light beam onto the ground, in particular to take into account the angle of incidence of the light rays on the ground. The pattern 21 can comprise the shape of a battery comprising three levels, each level representing a charging level of the battery. In particular, the pattern 21 comprises four distinct transparent zones 28A, 28B, 28C and 28D. The four transparent areas 28A, 28B, 28C and 28D are separated from each other by opaque areas 27. In this case, the transparent area 28A represents an outline of the stack shape and the transparent areas 28B, 28C and 28D each represent a level of the stack.The pattern 22 may comprise three arrow-shaped symbols and the pattern 23 may comprise three snowflake-shaped symbols. Alternatively, any other geometric shape, symbol, or pictogram could be envisaged. The largest dimension of a transparent area 28 may be, for example, between 1 mm and 10 mm inclusive. The pictogram projected onto the ground preferably has a simple geometric shape. The image projected by the light device is non-pixelated.

[0054] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the second mask 6. As with the first mask, the second mask comprises three portions intended to extend through the light beam F depending on the position of the second mask. Each portion comprises a distinct pattern 31, 31, 33. The patterns 31, 31, 33 are distributed around the center 02. The patterns are distributed so that only one pattern at a time can be in the illumination area Z2. The number of patterns on the second mask could be different, for example two patterns, four patterns, five patterns or even any number greater than or equal to six.

[0055] The patterns 31, 32, 33 each comprise opaque zones 34 and / or transparent zones 35. The opaque zones 34 and the transparent zones 35 are complementary zones of the surface of the second mask 6. The pattern 31 comprises only one transparent zone. The pattern 31 therefore does not block any light ray of the light beam which passes through it. The pattern 31 therefore makes it possible to project an image onto the ground which results solely from the shape of the pattern of the first mask located in the lighting zone Z1.

[0056] The patterns 32 and 33 are intended to locally mask transparent areas of the patterns 21, 22 and 23 so as to locally modify the image projected on the ground. The pattern 32 comprises an opaque area of ​​rectangular shape. The dimension of the opaque area of ​​the pattern 32 is suitable for being positioned opposite the transparent area 28D and thus for masking a level of the pattern 21 and / or one of the three symbols of the pattern 22 or of the pattern 23. Advantageously, the opaque area 34 of the pattern 32 comprises a shape substantially homothetic to the shape of the transparent area 28D of the pattern 21. This makes it possible to mask only the transparent area 28D without masking the other transparent areas 28A, 28B and 28C. The transparent zone 35 of the pattern 32 extends opposite the transparent zones 28A, 28B and 28C when the pattern 21 is in the lighting zone Z1 and the pattern 32 is in the lighting zone Z2. Thus the transparent zones 28A, 28B and 28C are not obscured.This makes it possible to remove an element forming the pictogram projected onto the ground without modifying or altering the appearance of the other elements of the pictogram. As a remark, in the event that the light beam coming from the first mask is diverging or converging, it is possible to provide shapes for the opaque zone 34 of the second mask that are not identical to the shapes of the transparent zones of the first mask but more generally homothetic. As we will see later, the opaque zones 34 of the patterns of the second mask can also be provided with larger dimensions than the transparent zones of the first mask that they are intended to cover, so as to support positioning offsets between the first mask and the second mask.

[0057] The pattern 33 comprises an opaque area of ​​rectangular shape and of larger dimension than the opaque area of ​​the pattern 32. The dimension of the opaque area of ​​the pattern 33 is suitable for positioning itself opposite the transparent areas 28C and 28D, and thus for masking two levels of the pattern 21 and / or two of the three symbols of the pattern 22 or of the pattern 23.

[0058] By means of the drive means 18, the second mask 6 can be moved so that one of its patterns 31, 32, 33 is located through the light beam F, i.e. in the illumination zone Z2. The pattern 31 makes it possible to keep the image resulting from the first mask. Patterns 32 and 33 allow you to mask larger or smaller parts of the images resulting from the first mask.

[0059] Figures 4 to 12 illustrate nine possible configurations of the first mask and the second mask. Figure 4 illustrates a first configuration in which the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 are positioned so that the patterns 21 and 31 are located through the light beam, that is to say respectively in the lighting zones Z1 and Z2. In this configuration, the first stop 19 bears against the second stop 20. When the light source 4 emits a light beam, the latter is guided by the optical guide 10 and illuminates the first mask 5 at the lighting zone Z1. The light rays incident at the opaque zones 27 of the first mask are reflected or absorbed. The light rays incident at the transparent zones 28A, 28, 28C, 28D of the first mask pass through the first mask and reach the second mask.Since the first pattern 31 of the second mask does not have an opaque area, all the light rays incident on the second mask 6 pass through it. The light rays are then guided towards the ground by the optical device 11. The image obtained represents the pictogram of a battery whose three stages are full, as illustrated in Figure 13. Such a pictogram means that the vehicle's battery is fully recharged.

[0060] From the first configuration, the actuator 12 can be controlled by the electronic control unit to rotate the first mask 5 in a first direction of rotation (corresponding to the clockwise direction in the figures) or conversely in a second direction (corresponding to the counterclockwise direction). With reference to Figure 5, if the first mask 5 rotates a third of a turn counterclockwise, then the first stop 19 moves away from the second stop 20 and the rotation of the first mask does not cause any rotation of the second mask. Such a rotation results in the pattern 22 of the first mask being in the lighting zone Z1. The pattern 31 of the second mask remains in position in the lighting zone Z2. This results in the projection onto the ground of an image comprising three arrow-shaped symbols.A further rotation of the first mask by one third of a turn counterclockwise causes the light device to change from the configuration of Figure 5 to the configuration of Figure 6. Pattern 23 of the first mask is located in the lighting zone Z1 and pattern 31 of the second mask remains in position in the lighting zone Z2. This results in the projection onto the ground of an image comprising three snowflake-shaped symbols.

[0061] From the configuration of Figure 4, the first mask can also be controlled by the actuator so as to rotate one-third of a turn clockwise. In this case, the first stop 19 presses on the second stop 20 and the rotation of the first mask causes the rotation of the second mask. The lighting device is then in a new configuration illustrated in Figure 7. The pattern 23 of the first mask is located in the lighting zone Z1 and the pattern 32 of the second mask is located in the lighting zone Z2. This produces the projection onto the ground of an image comprising two snowflake-shaped symbols.

[0062] From the configuration of Figure 7, the first mask can be controlled by the actuator so as to rotate one-third of a turn counterclockwise. The first stop 19 moves away from the second stop 20 and the rotation of the first mask does not cause the rotation of the second mask. The lighting device is then in a new configuration illustrated in Figure 8. The pattern 22 of the first mask is located in the lighting zone Z1 and the pattern 32 of the second mask is located in the lighting zone Z2. The opaque zone 34 of the pattern 32 of the second mask then covers the transparent zone 28D of the pattern 21 of the first mask. As shown in Figure 14, this results in the projection onto the ground of an image representing a battery with only two of its three levels illuminated. Such a pictogram means that the vehicle battery is two-thirds charged.

[0063] Conversely, from the configuration of Figure 7, the first mask can be controlled by the actuator so as to perform a new rotation of one third of a turn in the clockwise direction. The first stop 19 presses on the second stop 20 and the rotation of the first mask causes the rotation of the second mask. The lighting device is then in a new configuration illustrated in Figure 9. The pattern 22 of the first mask is located in the lighting zone Z1 and the pattern 33 of the second mask is located in the lighting zone Z2. The opaque zone 34 of the pattern 33 of the second mask then covers two of the three symbols of the pattern 22. This results in the projection onto the ground of an image comprising a single arrow-shaped symbol. From the configuration of Figure 9, a rotation of the first mask respectively of one third of a turn or two thirds of a turn in the counterclockwise direction makes it possible to obtain the configurations of Figures 10 and 11.The configuration of Figure 10 leads to the projection onto the ground of an image representing a stack with a single illuminated floor, as shown in Figure 15. The configuration of Figure 12 can be obtained from the configuration of Figure 8 by rotating the first mask a third of a turn counterclockwise.

[0064] Finally, the invention therefore proposes to project images onto the ground by superimposing two patterns belonging to two separate masks. Advantageously, each of the patterns of the first mask can be combined with each of the patterns of the second mask so as to produce a different image. The invention thus makes it possible to obtain a large number of different images from a limited number of patterns. According to the embodiment presented, the first mask and the second mask each comprise three patterns. Alternatively, this number could be different. The number of patterns appearing on the first mask is not necessarily equal to the number of patterns appearing on the second mask. If N denotes the number of patterns present on the first mask and P denotes the number of patterns present on the second mask, the number of different images can thus reach N x P.

[0065] As a remark, the patterns 21, 22, 23 are advantageously formed by a plurality of transparent zones separated from each other by opaque zones. The light device 2 thus tolerates a certain positioning imprecision between the first mask 5 and the second mask 6. Indeed, the opaque zones 34 of the second mask can be slightly offset relative to the transparent zones of the first mask which they cover provided that the opaque zones of the second mask are both large enough to cover the transparent zones of the first mask despite the offset, and provided that the opaque zones of the second mask are not too large so as not to protrude onto another transparent zone of the first mask.Thus, the wider the opaque zones 27 separating the different transparent zones of the first mask, the more the lighting device will be able to tolerate significant positioning shifts between the first mask and the second mask without altering the quality of the image projected on the ground.

[0066] Advantageously, the stops 19 and 20 make it possible to obtain very good positioning of the second mask relative to the first mask when they are in contact with each other. It is therefore possible to obtain very precise positioning of the masks for certain configurations independently of the precision of the actuator 12. In particular, according to the embodiment presented, the configurations of FIGS. 4, 7 and 9 benefit from this particularly precise relative positioning. It will therefore be possible to envisage for these configurations a superposition of patterns requiring greater precision.

[0067] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to propose a lighting device whose masks include fewer patterns on their surface while retaining a significant number of different images. Since each mask includes fewer patterns, each pattern can be larger, which improves the resolution of the projected image.

[0068] The light source may optionally be switched off during the movement of the first mask so as to mask the transition between the projected images. Whatever the initial configuration, a new configuration may be obtained by rotating the first mask in one direction and then in another. Advantageously, the memory 16 of the electronic control unit 15 may comprise a series of instructions making it possible to reach any configuration of the lighting device 2 from any other configuration. It is thus possible to control the position of the first mask 5 and the second mask 6 with a single actuator.

[0069] As a note, according to the illustrated embodiment, the light device comprises two masks 5, 6. Alternatively, the number of masks of the light device could be any number greater than or equal to two, for example three masks, four masks, or even more masks. For example, the light device could comprise a third mask comprising a fifth pattern and at least one sixth pattern, the third mask being movable between a first position and at least one second position, the fifth pattern being positioned across the light beam when the third mask is in its first position, the sixth pattern being positioned at across the light beam when the third mask is in its second position. The light device could then comprise a first drive means configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and its second position at the same time as the first mask and a second drive means configured to optionally move the third mask between its first position and its second position at the same time as the first mask and / or at the same time as the second mask.

Claims

Claims

1. A light device (2) for projecting an image onto the ground around a motor vehicle (1), the light device comprising: - a light source (4) capable of producing a light beam (F), - a first mask (5) comprising a first pattern (21) and at least one second pattern (22, 23), the first mask being movable between a first position and at least one second position, the first pattern being positioned across the light beam when the first mask is in its first position, the second pattern being positioned across the light beam when the first mask is in its second position, - a second mask (6) comprising a third pattern (31) and at least a fourth pattern (32, 33), the second mask being movable between a first position and at least a second position, the third pattern being positioned across the light beam when the second mask is in its first position, the fourth pattern being positioned across the light beam when the second mask is in its second position, - an actuator (12) configured to move the first mask between its first position and at least its second position, - a drive means (18) configured to optionally move the second mask between its first position and at least its second position at the same time as the first mask.

2. Luminous device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first mask (5) and the second mask (6) are movable in rotation around the same axis (X).

3. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mask (5) comprises a generally circular shape, the patterns (21, 22, 23) of the first mask being distributed around a center (01) of the first mask, and / or in that the second mask (6) comprises a generally circular shape, the patterns (31, 32, 33) of the second mask being distributed around a center (02) of the second mask.

4. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mask (5) extends in a first plane (PI) and in that the second mask (6) extends in a second plane (P2), the second plane being parallel to the first plane and offset relative to the first plane.

5. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pattern (21) comprises at least one opaque zone (27) and at least one transparent zone (28), and / or in that the second pattern (22, 23) comprises at least one opaque zone (27) and at least one transparent zone (28).

6. Luminous device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern (32, 33) comprises at least one opaque zone (34) comprising a shape substantially homothetic to the shape of the at least one transparent zone (28C, 28D) of the first pattern (21) and / or of the second pattern, the opaque zone of the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern being able to extend opposite the at least one transparent zone of the first pattern and / or the second pattern.

7. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first pattern (21) and / or the second pattern comprises at least one opaque zone (27), a first transparent zone (28A) and at least one second transparent zone (28B, 28C, 28D), the second transparent zone being separated from the first transparent zone by the opaque zone of the first mask, the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern (32) comprising a transparent zone (35) and an opaque zone (34), the transparent zone of the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern being able to extend opposite the first transparent zone of the first pattern and / or the second pattern, and the opaque zone of the third pattern and / or the fourth pattern being able to extend opposite the second transparent zone of the first pattern and / or the second pattern.

8. Lighting device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means (18) comprises a first stop (19) integral with the first mask (5), the first stop cooperating with a second stop (20) integral with the second mask (6), so that the movement of the first mask causes the movement of the second mask when the first stop is in contact with the second stop.

9. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means (18) comprises an electromagnetic means configured to optionally secure the second mask with the first mask and / or with an element of the actuator.

10. Luminous device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mask (5) is movable in rotation between its first position and its second position, said drive means (18) being configured so that: - a rotation of the first mask (5) from its first position to its second position in a first direction of rotation causes a movement of the second mask (6), and - a rotation of the first mask (5) from its first position to its second position in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction does not cause a movement of the second mask (6).

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