Lighting device for a motor vehicle
A lighting device is provided for a motor vehicle, and contains numerous light modules for generating a different lighting functions. A segmented liquid-crystal display is placed in front of the light modules in the direction in which light is emitted, and that can be backlit, in which each segment of the LCD has a dedicated light module or group of light modules.
1 . A lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising:
numerous light modules for generating different lighting functions;
a segmented liquid-crystal display (“LCD”) placed in front of the light modules in a direction in which light is emitted from the numerous light modules, that is configured to be backlit, wherein each segment of the LCD has a dedicated light module or group of light modules,
wherein liquid crystals of the LCD are in a nematic phase and switchable to be parallel to a surface of the LCD when in use and perpendicular to the surface of the LCD when not in use.
2 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the segments of the LCD each have different optical properties.
3 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the segments of the LCD each have different liquid crystals.
4 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the segments of the LCD each have different colored pigments.
5 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the segments of the LCD each have pixels of different sizes and/or shapes.
6 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the segments of the LCD are each controllable differently.
7 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting functions that can be generated with the light modules comprise low beams, daytime running lights, tail lights, marker lights, turn signals, and front or rear signal lights.
8 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , further comprising an active matrix display wherein each pixel within the LCD has an individual switch.
9 . The lighting device according to claim 1 , further comprising a passive matrix display wherein pixels in each LCD segment are controlled using a matrix control.