Light pattern generator, lighting device, vehicle, and method for controlling such lighting device

Abstract

Optical pattern generator, lighting device, vehicle, and method for controlling such a lighting device. The present invention relates to an optical 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) in the direction of the screen (4), one actuator (6) for actuating the mirror (5), and a control device (7) for controlling each actuator (6). The optical pattern generator according to the present invention is set up such that the control device (7), the actuator (6) and at least one mirror (5) can continuously guide the laser beam (3) along a closed path on its own on the screen (4), thereby deflecting the laser beam (3) towards the screen (4), whereby the laser beam (3) generates a knot pattern (8) on the screen (4), and the control device (7) controls the actuator (6) by means of at least one control signal having a characteristic frequency, and control signals that are distinguished at least in terms of different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control device (7) or can be generated by the control device (7), and each control signal for controlling the actuator (6) can be selected by the control device (7) depending on a selection variable (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light pattern generator of the kind defined in detail in the preamble of claim 1, a lighting device comprising such a light pattern generator, a vehicle comprising such a lighting device, and a method of controlling a lighting device. Advantageous embodiments and developments will become apparent from the claims which are dependent thereon.

Background Art

[0002] Lighting devices play an important role in the aesthetics and safety of vehicles. With daytime running lights and illuminated tail lights, vehicles can be better recognized not only in the dark or in poor visibility conditions such as fog or heavy rain, but also during the day. By using additional brake lights and by making the tail lights shine particularly brightly, a vehicle can inform other road users that it is braking. For example, a direction indicator such as a blinker can be used to indicate a lane change or to issue a warning. Furthermore, a special design of the lighting elements can accentuate the aesthetics and characteristic appearance of the vehicle.

[0003] In that case, ordinary rear lights such as tail lights and brake lights can only be continuously lit at different brightness levels in some cases. The possibilities for indicating various events or providing functions are thereby greatly limited. Furthermore, lighting devices that continue to shine at the same brightness are not "eye-catchers".

[0004] In prototype development, it is common practice to replace ordinary taillights with pixel lights designed like displays. For example, Audi has unveiled an OLED display known as "Swarm Matrix," a relatively large OLED display that shows red or orange light-emitting dots moving like a swarm of insects. The light patterns displayed in this way are animated, allowing for the conveyance of information by displaying various light patterns as an additional feature. Furthermore, this novelty can impress customers. However, because it uses OLEDs, a suitable display is relatively expensive. In addition, OLEDs degrade relatively quickly, limiting their lifespan.

[0005] Patent Document 1 provides a device and method for projecting light patterns. This device includes a laser device capable of generating white laser light by combining red, green, and blue lasers. To "scan" a two-dimensional field, the corresponding laser beam is moved using a deflection device. This makes it possible to realize various lighting devices on a vehicle, such as matrix headlights or taillights. However, in this case, the effort required to control the deflection device and laser device in order to guide the laser according to the two-dimensional raster is disadvantageous. The corresponding hardware components must be designed to move the laser beam to generate pixel light, which requires a complex structure and consequently increases the manufacturing cost of the device.

[0006] Patent Document 2 further discloses a vehicle equipped with a light-emitting element on the vehicle and a corresponding light-emitting element. In this case, the light intensity, light color, light frequency, and / or the light pattern displayed by the light-emitting element are changed according to at least one vehicle parameter. This can provide new functions such as lighting according to the speed of travel, motor output, time of day, ambient brightness, and others. In this case, the driver of the vehicle can select their preferred pattern to be displayed from a predetermined catalog of patterns via the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element includes one or more LEDs as light-emitting means, but this limits the possibility of displaying complex light patterns.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a sound-sensitive lighting system and an apparatus equipped with such a lighting system.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a peripheral detection method, a detection device, and an automobile. The detection device has a laser headlight, which also includes a laser light source and mirrors positioned in the beam path of the laser. The mirrors can rotate independently of each other around two pivot axes that are perpendicular to each other. This makes it possible to generate a Lissajous pattern.

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 5 discloses an optical forward collision warning device for a vehicle. When a forward collision with a vehicle by a following vehicle is likely to occur, the vehicle's rear lights, such as brake lights, turn signals, or fog warning lights, can be activated to indicate to the driver of the following vehicle that a forward collision is likely to occur.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Document 6 discloses a vibrating mirror for image projection. The mirror performs rotational vibration around two mutually offset axes at two different rotational frequencies. This can generate a Lissajous pattern. The mirror may have a curved surface. Furthermore, Patent Document 7 discloses a deflection device for a projection device, a projection device for projecting an image, and a method for controlling the deflection device. The projection device can generate a Lissajous pattern. The deflection device comprises a vibration-damped and suspended deflection element. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] DE102016208959A1 [Patent Document 2] DE102015013462A1 [Patent Document 3] GB2135536A [Patent Document 4] DE102020213059A1 [Patent Document 5] DE4406339A1 [Patent Document 6] US2009 / 0185251A1 [Patent Document 7] DE102009058762A1 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an improved light pattern generator that can generate complex and dynamic light patterns with minimal control effort and can be manufactured cost-effectively. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to the present invention, the above problems are solved 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 developments, as well as lighting devices equipped with such light pattern generators, vehicles equipped with such lighting devices, and methods for controlling the corresponding lighting devices, will become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0014] In the optical pattern generator of the type described above, comprising a laser generator for generating a laser beam, a screen at least partially transparent to the laser beam, at least one movable mirror positioned in the beampath of the laser beam for deflecting the laser beam toward the screen, one actuator for each of the mirrors for operating them, and a control device for controlling each actuator, the control device, actuators and at least one mirror are configured to deflect the laser beam toward the screen so that the laser beam can be continuously guided on the screen along a self-closed trajectory, thereby generating a knot pattern on the screen, the control device controls the actuators by at least one control signal having a characteristic frequency, the control device stores or can generate control signals that are distinguished in that at least their characteristic frequencies differ, and each control signal for controlling the actuators is selectable by the control device according to a selection variable.

[0015] The optical pattern generator according to the present invention is configured and designed to generate knot patterns on a screen using a laser beam. A knot pattern is understood as a self-closed line having at least one intersection point. Examples of knot patterns include lines, loops, figure eights, or infinity symbols. In this case, the knot pattern does not necessarily have to be symmetrical and can extend randomly. The knot pattern can be static, i.e., it can maintain its shape over time, or it can be animated, i.e., it can move and / or change shape over time. Such knot patterns can be generated with relatively little design and control effort, which can keep the manufacturing cost of the optical pattern generator according to the present invention low. Due to the special design of the knot patterns, especially animated and / or moving knot patterns, these knot patterns are particularly easily recognizable by humans, which leads to improved human perception. Depending on the selection variable and, therefore, the control signals formed according to different frequencies, the optical pattern generator can display different knot patterns, and the knot patterns displayed are changed in particular for various usage scenarios. The selection variable can be changed for various situations, and the displayed knot pattern can be altered accordingly. This allows for various functions to enable the lighting pattern to react and adapt to the situation, which will be explained in more detail below in relation to the vehicle.

[0016] The control device is designed, via hardware and / or software, to control actuators and at least one mirror to generate a knot pattern on a screen. The control device can store the corresponding control software. Each control signal can be easily formed, for example, as a sine wave or cosine wave, a sawtooth pulse, a rectangular pulse, etc. In this case, each signal has a distinct characteristic frequency. This frequency can be arbitrarily selected, for example, in the range of 0.1 Hz to 10 kHz. However, other frequencies are also possible. Next, the actuators are activated according to the control signals to excite or deflect the mirrors to vibrate. In this case, multiple control signals, each having a different characteristic frequency, can 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. The corresponding control signals can also be modulated. In particular, if there are multiple degrees of freedom of motion to move one or more mirrors by one or more actuators, a separate control signal is used for each degree of freedom of motion. For example, the mirror's movement is controlled by an actuator using a first control signal in the X direction, and by a second control signal in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the X direction.

[0017] The control device can read audio files, such as MP3 or WAV files, and derive characteristic frequencies from them to generate control signals. For this purpose, it can perform, for example, FFT analysis of the audio signal. The audio file can also be used directly as a control signal.

[0018] In particular, the effort required to generate knot patterns can be simplified by using simple and straightforward control signals, or by directly using audio files to control each actuator.

[0019] The laser generator can be, for example, a laser diode. This generates a laser beam with a relatively narrow wavelength spectrum, particularly a laser beam with a fixed wavelength. The laser beam can have a color assigned to the visible spectrum, for example, red, green, or blue.

[0020] It can also be an infrared laser or preferably a UV laser. The screen can be coated with a fluorescent material and / or this material can be embedded in the screen. In that case, the fluorescent material is fluorescence-excited by the UV laser, which enables the generation of particularly bright and colorful knot patterns. A phosphorescent material can be incorporated to achieve an afterglow effect. In particular, different fluorescent materials can be attached to different local regions of the screen. Thereby, different colors can be generated in different regions of the screen using the same laser beam. As will be further explained below, the light pattern generator according to the invention can be incorporated, for example, into a vehicle. In that case, for example, in the screen, a fluorescent material that emits yellow or orange fluorescence can be provided in the region of the blinker, and a fluorescent material that glows red when excited by a UV laser beam can be attached in the region of the taillight and / or brake light. By using an infrared laser or a UV laser, the risk that a living being is dazzled by the laser beam is minimized.

[0021] <U+ The mirror does not necessarily have to be a physical mirror. A surface or surface part having a sufficient reflecting ability to deflect the laser beam in the direction of the screen, for example, a metal plate, is understood as a mirror.

[0022] In that case, the screen has sufficient transparency to allow light to pass through, so that the knot pattern can be perceived from the side opposite to the side where the laser beam hits. However, in that case, the transparency is very low, so that a living being looking at the screen is not dazzled by the laser beam passing through the screen. <000U+

[0023] According to the present invention, the actuator is designed to cause translational motion of a mirror or a holding element supporting the mirror, and in particular the actuator is formed by a piezoelectric element or a speaker. This enables a particularly simple and cost-effective structure for the light pattern generator. The mirror can be directly attached to the actuator or indirectly attached via a corresponding holding element. In this case, the actuator excites or deflects the mirror to vibrate by translational deflection. Translational deflection can be performed in one direction of motion or in two different directions of motion. A separate pair of mirrors and actuators can also be provided for each direction of motion.

[0024] In other words, it is generally possible to deflect the laser beam several times, for example two or three times, before it hits the transparent screen from the laser generator.

[0025] When using a speaker as an actuator, it is particularly preferable to use an audio file as a control signal. The audio signal can be directly applied to the speaker as an input to excite it to vibrate.

[0026] An advantageous development of the light pattern generator involves using a mirror with convex or concave curvature. By providing a curved mirror, the angle at which the mirror deflects the laser beam can be changed according to the degree of deflection. Thus, the speed at which the laser beam moves on the screen is continuously changed during the generation of the knot pattern. This results in a special luminescence effect. In this way, parts of the knot pattern where the laser beam moves faster appear darker to the observer, making it possible to generate more complex knot patterns with brightness perceived at different intensities in different parts.

[0027] Another advantageous embodiment of the light pattern generator further intends that the mirror is connected to the actuator in the form of a lever arm extending from the actuator substantially orthogonal to the translational direction of the actuator. By designing the holding element as a lever arm, the degree of deflection of the mirror can be increased when the actuator is translated. Thus, the lever arm functions like a deflection amplifier. The rigidity of the lever arm gives it a characteristic natural frequency, which allows the mirror to vibrate in a corresponding characteristic vibration mode. Therefore, depending on the design of the lever arm, the shape of the knot pattern that can be generated on the screen can be varied.

[0028] The lever arm's amplification effect on the mirror's deflection allows the actuator to be deflected, reducing its amplitude. This saves energy and / or reduces noise when using a speaker as an actuator.

[0029] According to another advantageous embodiment of the optical pattern generator, the lever arm has different bending stiffnesses in its principal extending direction and in a direction transverse to the principal extending direction. When the lever arm is vibrated and excited by an actuator, the lever arm is excited to bend and vibrate not only along its principal extending direction but also in a direction laterally to it, depending on its design. In particular, if the bending stiffnesses differ in the corresponding directions, translational deflection of the actuator in only one direction allows for deflection of the mirror in at least two different directions, thereby making it particularly easy to generate knot patterns. To affect the bending stiffness of the lever arm, the lever arm may have a special shape and / or contain different materials in different places. The E-module of the material also affects the bending stiffness.

[0030] Preferably, the actuator is connected to a higher-level structure via a damping element. The hardware components of the light pattern generator can be enclosed, for example, by a housing. In this case, the screen can form part of the housing or be integrated into the housing. Since the actuator is excited to move, particularly to harmonic vibration, the actuator can potentially form a noise source. Thus, the actuator can also be excited to vibrate the housing, which can lead to noise. However, such cases can be avoided by connecting the actuator to a higher-level structure via a damping element. Any material such as polystyrene foam, hardened plastic foam, rubber, cardboard, or elastomer can be used to form the damping element. The damping element can be designed to be passive or active. Thus, the damping element may include or be an active vibration damper. When the actuator is designed as a speaker, the active damping element provides the possibility of active noise cancellation.

[0031] According to an alternative embodiment of the optical pattern generator according to the present invention, the actuator is configured to rotate a mirror or a holding element supporting the mirror, and the mirror is connected to the actuator such that the mirror is tilted at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the mirror. According to the present invention, at least two mirrors that are positioned and rotate in the beam path of a laser beam are positioned and aligned such that when these mirrors rotate, the laser beam is moved along a Lissajous pattern on the screen.

[0032] The rotation of the mirror guides the laser beam along its trajectory as the mirror rotates. This makes it possible to use, for example, an electric motor, which is equally cost-effective and readily available, as an actuator. Even when the optical pattern generator includes multiple mirrors and multiple actuators, one mirror can be used for translational deflection and another for rotational deflection; in other words, combinations are possible.

[0033] Lissajous patterns are knot patterns of a special shape. Because they are symmetrical, they possess a particularly high level of beauty. Lissajous patterns are also called Lissajous figures. As already mentioned, the Lissajous patterns in question can be static or movable. In particular, Lissajous patterns displayed in a movable manner on a screen create especially beautiful and easily perceptible light patterns.

[0034] The lighting device according to the present invention comprises at least one of the aforementioned light pattern generators. In this case, each light pattern generator may comprise a laser generator that produces a laser beam of a different color. In this case, the two laser beams can be projected onto a common screen. This makes it possible to generate knot patterns of different colors in different spatial regions of the screen. In this case, the knot patterns can intersect at least partially.

[0035] According to the present invention, a vehicle is equipped with such a lighting device. In particular, the lighting device is designed as a taillight. Preferably, lighting devices are provided to form turn signals, taillights, brake lights, front lights, radiator grille lights, etc. Multiple vehicle lights, such as turn signals and taillights, can also be integrated into a common lighting device. This has already been described above. When the lighting device according to the present invention is used as a turn signal, the displayed knot pattern can be changed, especially each time a new flashing signal is displayed. This generates a particularly well-perceptible flashing signal. For example, the shape of the knot pattern can be changed when a left turn signal, a right turn signal, or the vehicle's hazard lights are activated. In this case, the control device for the light pattern generator can be formed by the vehicle's computing unit or integrated into the computing unit.

[0036] In the method for controlling the lighting device provided by the vehicle described above, according to the present invention, the selection variable is determined by the vehicle's computing unit in accordance with vehicle parameters, the distance from the vehicle to other vehicles following it as measured from the vehicle, and / or the operation input via the man-machine interface. By changing the selection variable in accordance with the above quantities, various functions can be provided. Vehicle parameters can be the use of a particular type of drive system, i.e., the use of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, the vehicle's speed, the operation of the accelerator pedal, i.e., the execution of acceleration, the operation of the brakes, and / or the driving of the vehicle in comfort, sport, or dynamic driving modes.

[0037] For example, the vehicle's speed can be continuously divided into 10 km / h increments (Schritten), and a selection variable is changed for each speed section, thereby the control unit outputs a new control signal having a different characteristic frequency for controlling the actuator. Preferably, such a control signal is used to control the actuator by changing the selection variable so that the knot pattern displayed through the lighting device appears more dramatically as the speed increases. In this context, more dramatically means, in particular, that the size of the knot pattern increases, the luminosity increases, the speed increases, more knots are incorporated into the knot pattern, and / or the knot pattern flashes.

[0038] Similarly, when a vehicle applies the brakes, the knot pattern becomes more dramatic. This makes the braking operation more easily perceptible to other vehicles following the vehicle, much like additional brake lights.

[0039] Preferably, the vehicle measures the distance to a corresponding following vehicle and adapts the knot pattern according to the measured distance. This allows the vehicle to issue a collision warning to the following vehicle. For example, the vehicle may display a specific knot pattern that changes when the brakes are applied while driving. In this case, as another vehicle approaches, the knot pattern changes further, and is displayed in its most dramatic form, for example, when it falls below the limit distance. That is, for example, a large number of knots flash widely, particularly large and brightly shining. This makes it easier for the drivers of other vehicles to perceive an impending rear-end collision, thereby prompting them to perform particularly strong emergency braking, and thus improving safety in road traffic.

[0040] In this case, the vehicle user, such as the driver, can set their preference for which knot pattern should be displayed on the lighting fixture under which scenario or boundary conditions, via a human-machine interface such as a touch sensor display. Even if the knot patterns are automatically displayed in various ways depending on the situation, the vehicle user can still set which knot pattern to use in which situation. This setting can preferably be done while the vehicle is in motion. A mobile terminal device connected to the vehicle can also be used as a human-machine interface. Therefore, an application suitable for setting selection variables runs on a mobile terminal device, such as a smartphone.

[0041] Preferably, a control signal selected by the control device according to a selection variable is output visually and / or audibly within the vehicle, and / or a knot pattern that can be generated on a screen according to each control signal is output visually within the vehicle.

[0042] This provides a variety of possibilities for showing the user how the knot pattern is displayed via the lighting device. The control signals and / or the visual display of the knot pattern can be done via any display device in the vehicle or via the vehicle user's mobile terminal device. The control signals, in particular the audio output of the audio file, can be done via the vehicle's sound system or the speakers of the mobile terminal device. In particular, when the control signals and knot patterns are displayed simultaneously, the user will be able to perceive the effect of the control signals on the generated knot pattern.

[0043] Other advantageous embodiments of the light pattern generator, the lighting device, the vehicle, and the method for controlling the lighting device provided in such a vehicle will also be apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below in detail with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of the light pattern generator of the present invention according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of the optical pattern generator shown. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view of the light pattern generator of the present invention according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic perspective view of the lighting device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle taillight according to the present invention. [Figure 6] These are examples of various Lissajous patterns. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of a method for controlling the light pattern generator according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a user selection flowchart for setting a preferred knot pattern displayed in the lighting device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of an input panel for users to set knot patterns. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] As can be seen from Figure 1, the optical pattern generator 1 according to the present 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 positioned in the beam path of the laser beam 3 for deflecting the laser beam 3 toward the screen 4, one actuator 6 for operating each of the mirrors 5, and a control device 7 for controlling each actuator 6 shown in Figure 2.

[0046] The control device 7 is configured to control the actuator 6 so that the laser beam 3 is continuously guided by the mirror 5 along a self-closed trajectory on the screen 4, thereby causing the laser beam 3 to generate the knot pattern 8 shown in Figure 3 and other figures on the screen 4.

[0047] To this end, the control device 7 controls the actuator 6 by at least one control signal having a characteristic frequency. Control signals distinguished in terms of at least different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control device 7, for example, in a physical storage medium, or generated by the control device 7. Each control signal for controlling the actuator 6 can be selected by the control device 7 according to a selection variable. The selection variable can be notified to the control device 7 from an external source, or it can be determined by the control device 7 according to various boundary conditions.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the actuator 6 is an actuator that can cause the mirror 5 or the holding element 9 to which the mirror 5 is attached to be to be to be to be moved in the direction of translational direction T. For example, the actuator 6 is a piezoelectric element or a speaker. Various components of the light pattern generator 1, such as the laser generator 2 and the actuator 6, can be mounted on a higher structure 13, for example, a housing. In this case, the screen 4 can be placed inside the housing or form part of the housing. To prevent the actuator 6 from exciting the higher structure 13 to vibrate, the corresponding actuator 6 can be connected to the higher structure 13 via a passive or active damping element 12. The damping element 12 can be, for example, a rubber damper, an elastomer damper, or a plastic foam damper.

[0049] Typically, piezoelectric elements and speakers have relatively small strokes, and advantageously, the holding element 9 is designed as a lever arm 10, still allowing for a relatively wide deflection of the laser beam 3. In Figure 1, the lever arm 10 in its stationary position is shown by a thick line. When the holding element 9 is excited via the actuator 6 to vibrate in the direction of translational direction T, the holding element 9 vibrates according to the vibration modes due to its structure, and in Figure 1, the maximum deflection position is shown by a dashed line.

[0050] In particular, the lever arm 10 or the holding element 9 is designed so that when excited in only one direction, the mirror 5 causes vibration in at least two directions.

[0051] Particularly preferably, the laser generator 2 is a UV laser or an infrared laser, and the screen 4 is coated with a fluorescent material on the side pointing towards the mirror 5, and / or the corresponding material or mixture of materials is embedded in the screen 4. This reduces the risk of a person viewing the screen 4 being dazzled by the laser beam 3, while in which case it becomes possible to generate a particularly aesthetically pleasing and bright knot pattern 8.

[0052] In that case, the direction of gaze is indicated by eye 16.

[0053] Figure 2 shows the corresponding circuit diagram of the light pattern generator 1 shown in Figure 1. Actuator 6 is connected to amplifier 18 via line 17. Amplifier 18 is also connected via line 17 to a DC voltage source, such as a battery 19 for power supply. In this case, this could be, for example, an accumulator. Amplifier 18 receives an input signal via control device 7, but the input signal is not shown in Figure 1 for clarity. Referring to Figure 1, control device 7 can be located outside the hollow space defined by the superstructure 13. In particular, if actuator 6 is a speaker, amplifier 18 can be connected to control device 7 via a jack plug 20. If light pattern generator 1 is formed by another actuator 6, amplifier 18 can be omitted, and actuator 6 can be directly activated by control device 7.

[0054] The control device 7 can receive a selection variable 21 from an external source, or it can determine it itself according to the measured quantity. The control device 7 selects an appropriate control signal for controlling the actuator 6 according to the selection variable 21. In this case, as already mentioned, various signals, each with its own characteristic frequency, can be stored in or generated by the control device 7.

[0055] Furthermore, a laser generator 2 connected to a battery 19 via line 17 is shown.

[0056] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the optical pattern generator 1 according to the present invention. Here, the optical pattern generator 1 includes two electrically driven devices as actuators 6 that can rotate two illustrated mirrors 5. In this case, the two mirrors 5 are positioned relative to each other so that the laser beam 3 is guided on the screen 4 along a so-called Lissajous pattern 11. For this purpose, each mirror 5 is tilted and connected to its respective electric motor. The central axis M of each mirror 5 is tilted by an angle α with respect to the rotation axis R of each electric motor. As a result, the laser beam 3 is deflected by an angle that is slightly changed depending on the rotation position when it strikes the mirror 5. In this case, each mirror 5 is positioned relative to each other so that the laser beam 3 on the screen 4 is deflected by one mirror along a first direction X and by the second mirror 5 around a second direction Y that is perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0057] Figure 4 shows the arrangement of two light pattern generators 1 according to the present invention in a lighting device 14 according to the present invention. In this case, the two laser generators 2 can each generate laser beams 3 of the same or different colors. The screen 4 shown in Figure 4 can also be designed in various ways, for example, to have different colors and / or different fluorescent materials depending on the local location. For example, when the lighting device 14 according to the present invention is incorporated into a vehicle 15 shown in Figure 5, the first knot pattern 8 can be used to form a taillight and the second knot pattern 8 can be used to form a turn signal such as a turn signal. In this case, during the generation of the knot pattern 8, each laser beam 3 is continuously guided along its respective closed track. However, the laser generators 2 can then be stopped and then restarted. After restarting the laser generators 2, different knot patterns 8 can be generated or the same knot pattern as before can be generated, for example, by controlling each actuator 6 with different control signals.

[0058] Figure 5 shows an exemplary appearance of the vehicle 15 according to the present invention. The illustration in Figure 5 illustrates the use of the light pattern generator 1 according to the present invention and, correspondingly, the lighting device 14 according to the present invention for forming the taillights of the vehicle.

[0059] Figure 6 illustrates various Lissajous patterns 11. Depending on the application and desired pattern, these can be displayed using the illumination device 14 according to the present invention. In this case, each Lissajous pattern 11 or knot pattern 8 can appear stationary or in motion, i.e., as an animation.

[0060] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to the present invention for controlling a lighting device 14, and therefore one or more light pattern generators 1. In step 701 of the method, the control device 7 is notified of which selection variable 21 should be output. The corresponding specification can be notified to the control device 7 from an external source, for example, via a human-machine interface, or, depending on vehicle parameters, separate selection variables 21 can be determined for different driving speed ranges of the vehicle 15, for example.

[0061] In step 702 of the method, the control device 7 selects various control signals, each having a different characteristic frequency, according to the selection variable 21, and transmits them to the actuator 6 for control in step 703 of the method.

[0062] In step 704 of the method, the mirror 5 is moved or excited to vibrate as a result.

[0063] In step 705 of the method, the corresponding knot pattern 8 or Lissajous pattern 11 is projected onto the screen 4.

[0064] Figure 8 shows the procedure for setting the behavior of the control device 7, which determines which selection variable 21 should be selected under which boundary conditions.

[0065] In step 801 of the method, the user of the vehicle 15 sets, via the man-machine interface, which control signals should be output to the control device 7 for which boundary conditions. In this case, the configurable knot patterns 8 can be visually displayed to the user. According to setting 802, the user selects a knot pattern 8 that glows continuously and statically while the vehicle 15 is in operation. In this case, the user can decide for themselves which control signals are used for this, that is, the user can select or set the characteristic frequencies of each control signal.

[0066] According to setting 803, the vehicle 15 automatically selects each control signal according to the set driving mode, such as Comfort, Sport, or Dynamic driving mode.

[0067] According to setting 804, vehicle 15 selects the appropriate control signal based on the distance measured behind it from other vehicles following it. If the distance between vehicle 15 and the following vehicles changes, the selection variable 21 is modified by the control device 7.

[0068] According to setting 805, the selection variable 21, and therefore the control signal, is adapted according to the vehicle's speed. Several speed ranges can be arbitrarily defined, each displaying the same knot pattern, such as stop, touch speed (Tastgeschwindigkeit), step speed (Schrittgeschwindigkeit), up to 30 km / h, 30 km / h to 50 km / h, 50 km / h to 100 km / h, and step speeds exceeding 100 km / h. A reverse speed range may also exist.

[0069] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the input panel 22 for the user of the vehicle 15 to set the knot pattern 8 to be displayed. The user can select the type of control signal, such as harmonics, rectangular pulses, or sawtooth pulses, via the selection field 23.

[0070] The user can set the amplitude of the control signal, i.e., the volume in the case of an audio file, via the controller 24.

[0071] The user can set various modulations of the control signal via the controller 25.

[0072] The user can set the characteristic frequency via the controller 26. Screening can be performed with any step size, for example, 1 Hz increments.

[0073] The user can output the control signals thus generated audibly and / or visually via the display area 28 through the selection field 27. The display area 28 can also visualize the correspondingly displayable knot pattern 8. The completed control signals can be stored and / or loaded via the selection field 29.

[0074] In the example in Figure 9, setting fields 30 for three different control signals are shown. The user can choose whether to merge the corresponding control signals to generate a common control signal. However, control can also be performed using only one of the shown control signals.

Claims

1. A 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) positioned in the beam path of the laser beam (3) for deflecting the laser beam (3) toward the screen (4); one actuator (6) for operating each of the mirrors (5); and a control device (7) for controlling each of the actuators (6), The control device (7), the actuator (6), and the at least one mirror (5) are configured to deflect the laser beam (3) toward the screen (4) so ​​that the laser beam (3) can be continuously guided toward the screen (4) along a self-closed trajectory, thereby causing the laser beam (3) to generate a knot pattern (8) toward the screen (4), in which case the screen (4) has sufficient transparency to allow light to pass through, so that the knot pattern (8) can be perceived from the opposite side of the side toward which the laser beam (3) strikes. In the optical pattern generator (1), the control device (7) controls the actuator (6) by at least one control signal having a characteristic frequency, and control signals that are distinguished by having at least different characteristic frequencies are stored in the control device (7) or can be generated by the control device (7), and each control signal for controlling the actuator (6) is selectable by the control device (7) according to a selection variable (21), The light pattern generator (1) is characterized in that the actuator (6) is set to cause the mirror (5) or the holding element (9) supporting the mirror to undergo translational motion.

2. The light pattern generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (6) is formed by a piezoelectric element or a speaker.

3. The optical pattern generator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mirror (5) has a convex or concave curvature.

4. The light pattern generator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mirror (5) is connected to the actuator (6) via a holding element (9) in the form of a lever arm (10) that extends from the actuator (6) substantially orthogonal to the translational direction (T) of the actuator (6).

5. The light pattern generator (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lever arm (10) has different bending rigidity in the main extending direction of the lever arm and in a direction transverse to the main extending direction.

6. The light pattern generator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (6) is connected to a higher structure (13) via a damping element (12).

7. A lighting device (14), characterized by at least one light pattern generator (1) according to claim 1.

8. A vehicle (15), characterized by at least one lighting device (14) according to claim 7.

9. A method for controlling a lighting device (14) provided in a vehicle (15) according to claim 8, The method, characterized in that the selection variable (21) is determined by the calculation unit of the vehicle (15) in accordance with vehicle parameters, the distance from the vehicle (15) to other vehicles following the vehicle (15) as measured from the vehicle (15), and / or an operation input via a man-machine interface.

10. The method according to claim 9, - The control signal selected by the control device (7) in accordance with the selection variable (21) is output visually and / or audibly within the vehicle (15), and / or - A knot pattern (8) that can be generated on the screen (4) in accordance with each control signal is visually output within the vehicle (15). The method characterized by the above.

Images