Light pattern generator, illumination device, vehicle and method for controlling such an illumination device

A light pattern generator comprising:

• a laser generator configured to generate a laser beam;
• a screen that is at least partially transparent to the laser beam;
• at least one moveable mirror arranged in a beam path of the laser beam and configured to deflect the laser beam in a direction of the screen;
• an actuator configured to actuate the at least one moveable mirror;
• and
• a control device configured to control the actuator,
• wherein the control device, the actuator, and the at least one moveable mirror are configured to deflect the laser beam onto the screen in such a way that the laser beam is guided continuously along an inherently closed path on the screen, such that the laser beam generates a node pattern on the screen, wherein the screen here has a degree of transparency for light to pass through, such that the node pattern can be seen from a side of the screen opposite a side of the screen on which the laser beam strikes,
• wherein the control device is configured to control the actuator by at least one control signal with a characteristic frequency, wherein control signals of the at least one control signal and differing by at least different characteristic frequencies are held in the control device or are generatable by the control device, and a respective one of the control signals is selectable by the control device depending on a selection variable,
• wherein the actuator is configured to rotationally move the at least one moveable mirror or a holding element supporting the at least one moveable mirror, wherein the at least one moveable mirror is attached to the actuator in such a way the at least one moveable mirror is inclined at an angle relative to an axis of rotation of the at least one moveable mirror, and
• wherein the at least one moveable mirror comprises at least two mirrors arranged in the beam path of the laser beam, wherein the at least two mirrors are arranged and aligned in relation to each other in such a way that the laser beam is moved on the screen along a Lissajou pattern when rotating the at least two mirrors.

A method for controlling an illumination device of a vehicle, wherein the illumination device comprises a laser generator configured to generate a laser beam;

• a screen that is at least partially transparent to the laser beam;
• at least one moveable mirror arranged in a beam path of the laser beam and configured to deflect the laser beam in a direction of the screen;
• an actuator configured to actuate the at least one moveable mirror;
• and a control device configured to control the actuator, wherein the control device, the actuator, and the at least one moveable mirror are configured to deflect the laser beam onto the screen in such a way that the laser beam is guided continuously along an inherently closed path on the screen, such that the laser beam generates a node pattern on the screen, wherein the screen here has a degree of transparency for light to pass through, such that the node pattern can be seen from a side of the screen opposite a side of the screen on which the laser beam strikes, wherein the control device is configured to control the actuator by at least one control signal with a characteristic frequency, wherein control signals of the at least one control signal and differing by at least different characteristic frequencies are held in the control device or are generatable by the control device, and a respective one of the control signals is selectable by the control device depending on a selection variable, and wherein the actuator is configured to translationally move the at least one moveable mirror or a holding element supporting the at least one moveable mirror, the method comprising:
• determining, by a computing unit of the vehicle, the selection variable depending on a vehicle parameter, a distance measured by the vehicle to a different vehicle following the vehicle, or an operating action input via a human-machine interface, wherein the at least one moveable mirror comprises at least two mirrors arranged in the beam path of the laser beam;
• and
• rotating, by the actuator, the at least two mirrors so that the at least two mirrors are arranged and aligned in relation to each other in such a way that the laser beam is moved on the screen along a Lissajou pattern.