阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆的通信灯装置 (Communication lamp device for vehicle ) 是由 M·考普 H·舍费尔 于 2020-03-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于车辆的通信灯装置,包括多个光源(10、10'),用于生成光符号的细长光学单元(12),用于控制所述多个光源(10、10')的控制单元,使得在细长光学单元(12)的纵向延伸中生成随位置和/或随时间可变的光辐射和/或发光表面,所述通信灯装置构造为车身附件(1、1'、1”、1”'),该车身附件设置在车身外侧上并且在水平方向上完全沿车辆的前侧(2)和/或完全沿尾侧(3)和/或完全或部分地沿车辆(5)的纵向侧(11、13)延伸。(The invention relates to a communication light device for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of light sources (10, 10'), an elongated optical unit (12) for generating light symbols, a control unit for controlling the plurality of light sources (10, 10') such that a position-dependent and/or time-dependent variable light radiation and/or light emission surface is generated in the longitudinal extension of the elongated optical unit (12), the communication light device being designed as a body attachment (1, 1') which is arranged on the outside of the vehicle body and extends in the horizontal direction completely along the front side (2) and/or completely along the rear side (3) of the vehicle and/or completely or partially along the longitudinal sides (11, 13) of the vehicle (5).)

1. A communication lamp apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

-a plurality of light sources (10, 10'),

an elongated optical unit (12) for generating optical symbols,

a control unit for controlling the plurality of light sources (10, 10') such that a position-wise and/or time-wise variable light radiation and/or light emitting surface is generated in the longitudinal extension of the elongated optical unit (12),

characterized in that the communication light device is designed as a body attachment (1, 1') which is arranged on the outside of the vehicle body and is oriented in the horizontal direction

Completely along the front side (2) of the vehicle and/or

Completely along the rear side (3) of the vehicle and/or

-extends fully or partially along a longitudinal side (11, 13) of the vehicle (5).

2. The communication lamp device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the communication lamp device is constructed in segments, on the one hand the front section of the communication lamp device having a first body attachment (1) extending between a first end region (6) and a second end region (7) of the front side (2) and two body attachments (1) arranged in the region of the longitudinal sides (11, 13) facing the front side (2), and on the other hand the rear section of the communication lamp device having a first body attachment (1') extending between a first end region (8) and a second end region (9) of the rear side (3) and two body attachments (1 ") arranged in the region of the longitudinal sides (11, 13) facing the rear side (3).

3. The communication light device of claim 1, wherein the communication light device is segmented, a first segment of the communication light device being integrally disposed in the grille radiator grille attachment (25) and a second segment of the communication light device being integrally disposed in the headlamp (23).

4. The communication lamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication lamp device extends as a single body fitting (1, 1') from a first end region (6) to a second end region (7) of the front side (2) and from a first end region (8) to a second end region (9) of the rear side (3).

5. A communication lamp device according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the elongated optical unit comprises a line-shaped lens (12) which is assigned with a first longitudinal side (11) to the plurality of light sources (1) arranged in a row and which forms a line-shaped light outcoupling surface with a second longitudinal side (13) extending parallel to the first longitudinal side (11), on which light is outcoupled in the main radiation direction (H).

6. A communication lamp device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control unit has control means such that the row of light sources (10) is switched on individually and/or in groups or dimly in turn from its first end (31) to its second end (32) and increases the illuminance regionally in the switching-on direction (E).

7. A communication lamp device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the optical unit has a light guide (19, 19') which is arranged at opposite end regions (6, 7; 8, 9) of the front side (2) and/or of the rear side (3) and to which a second light source (20) is assigned, the second light source (20) being arranged at the end of the light guide (19, 19') remote from the vehicle longitudinal center plane (M), and the control unit having control means such that the second light source (20) is periodically switched on and off only when one of the first light sources (10) which is switched on in succession in the switching-on direction (E) is projectively covered by the light guide (19, 19') in the main radiation direction (H) in the switching-on state.

8. A communication lamp device according to claim 7, wherein the sequential on/off frequency of the first light source (10) coincides with the on/off frequency of the second light source (20).

9. A communication lamp device according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the optical axis of the second light source (20) extends perpendicular to the optical axis of the first light source (10).

10. A communication lamp device according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the first light source (10), the second light source (20), the light conductor (19, 19') and the elongated lens (12) are mounted in one single housing.

11. A communication lamp device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the communication lamp device is constructed in segments, with a front segment (1) on the front side (2), a rear segment (1') on the rear side (3) and a side segment (1 ") extending on the longitudinal side of the vehicle, circumferentially around a vertical axis (40), and is provided with control means to switch on the segments with a time delay and periodically in a switch-on direction (E) from a starting point (41) to an end point (42) of the vehicle depending on the vehicle state.

12. A communication lamp device according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that the light sources are controlled such that the light pattern continues in two different switch-on directions from the start point (41) of the light pattern up to the end point (42) of the light pattern, the end points (42) of the two light pattern branches coinciding or being arranged spaced apart from each other.

13. The communication lamp device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the optical luminous pattern is formed by luminous marks, in particular arrow marks, which are arranged one after the other in the switch-on direction (E).

14. A communication lamp device according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that light sources of different colors are provided, so that the light pattern can at least partly emit light in different colors.

15. A communication lamp device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the body attachment (3, 3', 3 ") has a plurality of elongated optical units extending parallel to one another and a light source assigned to an elongated optical unit for displaying a plurality of different light symbols or for displaying a plurality of sub-light symbols superimposed into one light symbol.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a communication light device for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of light sources, an elongated optical unit having a light symbol generating function, and a control unit for controlling the plurality of light sources such that a light radiation and/or a light emitting surface variable with position and/or with time is generated in the longitudinal extension of the elongated optical unit.

Background

A communication lamp device for a vehicle is known from DE 102016118717 a1, which has a plurality of light sources and an elongated optical element along which the light sources are arranged in a row. The elongated optical element is configured as an elongated lens, on one longitudinal side of which the light source is arranged and on the opposite longitudinal side of which the light exit surface is arranged. This advantageously provides a uniform linear light radiation for generating the indication of the direction of travel. Since the communication lamp device is integrated in the head lamp or the tail lamp of the vehicle, the visibility of the function of the running direction indicator lamp is limited with respect to the side view direction of the vehicle. The same applies to the communication lamp device disclosed in WO 2015/090535 a1, which is arranged in a space-saving manner in the headlights or taillights of a vehicle. The control unit acts on the light source in such a way that a variable light emission is achieved in the longitudinal extension of the optical element as a function of position and/or time, which is known as a wiper flash (wischender).

DE 102016001179 a1 discloses a communication light device having a plurality of light sources, an elongated optical unit and a control unit for controlling the light sources in the sense of a wiping-type driving direction indicator function, which communication light device is arranged in the vehicle interior, i.e. in the vehicle interior space. Based on the navigation information, the light source is controlled by the control unit in such a way that the direction of travel of the vehicle is optically signaled to the passenger. No provision is made for signalling to external traffic participants.

A communication lamp device for a vehicle is known from DE 202016103822U 1, which has a plurality of light sources, an elongated optical unit and a control unit for controlling the light sources. The light source is configured as a planar light emitting diode, which is arranged on the a-pillar of the vehicle. The control unit is designed such that the light sources are sequentially switched on and/or off, thereby achieving a wiping light effect. By placing the light source on the a-pillar of the vehicle, it is possible to display the change in direction of travel to other traffic participants. However, the running light direction or the directional wiping effect cannot be directed in the driving direction of the driver, since the running light direction extends substantially perpendicular to the driving direction change.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to improve a communication light device for a vehicle in such a way that other traffic participants are informed of the vehicle state in a simple and effective manner by means of light symbols.

In order to solve this object, the invention is characterized in that, in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1, the communication light device is designed as a body attachment which is arranged on the outside of the vehicle body and extends in the horizontal direction completely along the front side and/or completely along the rear side of the vehicle and/or completely or partially along the longitudinal sides of the vehicle.

A particular advantage of the invention is that the light symbol can be provided over the entire width of the vehicle and, if necessary, also laterally of the vehicle. For example, if the light symbol is designed as a driving direction indicator symbol, a person standing on the right in front of the vehicle can easily see that the vehicle intends to turn left. The increase in the recognizable angle range for other traffic participants associated with the present invention leads to improved road safety.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the communication light device is constructed in sections, the first vehicle body attachment being arranged on the rear side and/or front side and the second vehicle body attachment being arranged on the opposite longitudinal side of the vehicle, so that the front and/or rear communication light device extends with the corner region on the rear side or front side of the vehicle and on the longitudinal side of the vehicle. Advantageously, the communication light device can also be recognized by a traffic participant located on the side of the vehicle. Thus, for example, a cyclist moving on the side can more quickly identify which direction the vehicle is intended to turn, left or right.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the communication light device is constructed in sections such that the intermediate section is integrated in the radiator grille. The other sections are integrated in the head or tail light. The communication light device can therefore advantageously be integrated not only in the headlights and taillights known per se, but also in the radiator grille structure, so that the cost is reduced.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the body attachment extends at least continuously from a first end region of the rear side and/or front side of the vehicle to a second end region of the same rear side or front side of the vehicle. Preferably, the body attachment is designed as a single component, so that the body attachment is mounted on the vehicle in addition to the headlights or taillights. Therefore, the communication indication or the traveling direction indication function is provided in a housing different from other signal lamp functions of the vehicle. There is no need to modify the existing tail lights or head lights, so that, for example, the driving direction indicating function according to the present invention can be selectively provided to the customer.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the elongated optical unit is designed as a linear lens element, a first longitudinal side of which is designed as a light coupling-in surface and an opposite second longitudinal side of which is designed as a light coupling-out surface. This advantageously allows uniform illumination. According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit has a control device such that the row of light sources is switched on or switched off in a dimmed manner, individually and/or in groups, in succession from its first end to its second end, the illumination intensity being increased in the on direction in regions. The wiping flash function (running light) is thereby advantageously provided by increasing the brightness in a locally critical signaling region of the device, preferably at its ends. By increasing the brightness, the attractiveness of the signal function is further improved.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical unit comprises, in addition to the linear lens element assigned a row of light sources, a light conductor in the end region of the linear lens element, which is arranged offset from the linear lens element in the main radiation direction and to which a further light source is assigned. The light guide therefore has a significantly smaller length than the linear lens element, which preferably extends over the entire length of the trailing/leading side. The second light source is switched on only when a section of the line-shaped lens element is lit, which section is covered by the light conductor in a projection perpendicular to the main radiation direction. In this way, the wiping function and the flashing function can be controlled separately. The flashing function produced by the second light source and the light guide is limited to the end region of the trailing side or the front side, while the wiping light function covers a larger section, preferably the entire length of the trailing side or the front side.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the on/off frequency of the operation of the first light source and the second light source is the same. Therefore, the wiping frequency coincides with the blinking frequency. Thereby causing optical and spatial highlighting of the direction of travel indication.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the segments of the communication light device extend continuously around the vertical axis of the vehicle, so that the endless belt extends to some extent along the vehicle body, preferably in a horizontal direction. By means of a corresponding control of the segments of the communication light device, the light source is switched on in the switching-on direction to the end region with a time delay and periodically from one region of the thus formed encircling communication light ring. The running light is thus run in the opposite direction from the starting point until it ends at a common end point or end points arranged at a distance from one another. If the optical unit is designed such that a plurality of luminous markings, such as arrow markings, can be generated in each segment, the running light can be moved towards a specific body part depending on the current vehicle state. For example, the arrow marks may periodically indicate that the doors are still open even if the vehicle operator has locked the vehicle with the remote operator after parking.

Further advantages of the invention are given by the dependent claims.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. The attached drawings are as follows:

fig. 1 shows a front view of a multi-track vehicle with a communication light device according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of a communication lamp device;

fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of an alternative communication lamp device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a vehicle including a communication light device;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a vehicle having a communication light device;

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a vehicle having an alternative communication light arrangement;

fig. 7 shows a schematic front view of a single-track vehicle with a communication light device;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a vehicle having a wrap-around communication light device; and

fig. 9 shows a top view of the vehicle.

Detailed Description

The communication light device according to the invention can be used, for example, in a multi-track vehicle, such as a passenger car, to generate an elongated light symbol, in particular to signal a change in the direction of travel of the vehicle (direction of travel indicator symbol) to other traffic participants.

The communication light device comprises at least one body attachment 1, 1 ″ which is mounted on a front side 2, a rear side 3 and optionally on opposite longitudinal sides 11, 13 of the vehicle, respectively. The vehicle body attachment is fixed on the outside of the vehicle body.

According to a first embodiment of the invention according to fig. 1 and 2 of the communication light device, which is arranged exclusively on the front side 2 and the rear side 3 of the vehicle 5, the front body attachment 1, which is arranged in a single housing, extends from a first end region 6 of the front side 2 to an opposite second end region 7 of the front side, and the rear body attachment 1' extends from a first end region 8 of the rear side 3 to an opposite second end region 9 of the rear side 3. The body attachment 1, 1 'is thus configured to be elongate, the length of the body attachment 1, 1' corresponding substantially to the width of the vehicle 5. The entire width of the vehicle 5 is thus used for the running direction indicating function.

As can be seen from fig. 2, the body attachment 1 arranged on the front side 2 and the body attachment 1' arranged on the rear side 3 each have a plurality of light sources 10 which are arranged along a first longitudinal side 11 of the elongated optical unit (optical element 12). A second longitudinal side 13 of the elongated optical unit 12, which is opposite the first longitudinal side 11, has a scattering optical element 14, by means of which light 15 emitted by the light source 10 is coupled out in the main radiation direction H of the device. A predetermined travel direction indication light distribution is generated by means of the elongated optical unit 12. The elongated optical element 12 consists of juxtaposed lenses 17, which are preferably integrally connected to each other.

The light sources 10 arranged in a row and preferably in a straight row are controlled by a control unit, not shown, in such a way that a light radiation and/or a light emitting surface that is variable with position (or locally) and/or variable with time (temporally variable) is generated in the longitudinal extension 16 of the elongated optical unit 12. This produces a wiping flashlight or running light in which the light source 10 is switched on in succession from the first end 6, 8 to the second end 7, 9 of the front side 2 or the rear side 3, or vice versa, depending on the direction of travel to be indicated; more precisely, it corresponds to a switch-on direction E, which points in the direction of travel of the vehicle 5 to be changed. If the driving direction "right" is to be displayed in accordance with a right turn, the light sources 10 are switched on sequentially to the right in the switching-on direction starting from the first end region 6 (left end region in the driving direction) until all light sources 10 are switched on with the switching-on of the last light source 10 on the second end region 7 (right end region in the driving direction). The wiping cycle then ends simultaneously with the switching off of all light sources 10. With the following cycle, the light sources are switched on again in sequence in the switching-on direction E, starting from the first end region 6. The driving direction indication is thus generated only by the wiping light function, wherein the light source 10 is switched on and off at a predetermined wiping frequency.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light sources 10 are not controlled with the same light intensity. In order to optically indicate the direction of travel, the light source 10' which is arranged last in the switch-on period and is arranged in front in the switch-on direction E is acted upon with a greater light intensity than the light source 10 which is switched on at the beginning of the wiping period. As can be seen from fig. 2, when the driving direction is indicated as "right", the lens 17 of the elongated optical unit 12 assigned to the light source 10 emits light of a greater intensity in the second end region 7 than in the first end region 6, which is indicated by the greater light arrow 15. For example, the light source 10 that is switched on first may be switched on dimly, while the light source 10' that is switched on last is operated at full load. This is illustrated in the second end region 7 according to fig. 2 by the larger light arrow 15.

In the present exemplary embodiment according to fig. 2, the optical unit 12 comprises 14 lenses 17 of equal size, which each have coupling-in optics 18 on the first longitudinal side 11 and coupling-out optics 14 on the second longitudinal side 13. In the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 2, the last three light sources 10' in the switching-on direction E are operated with a greater luminous intensity than the previously switched-on light sources 10.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, the light sources 10 can also be operated with the same light intensity.

According to a further alternative embodiment, which is not shown, it is also possible to operate a different number of light sources 10 'which are last switched on in the switching-on direction E with a higher luminous intensity, or to operate a different number of light sources 10' which are last switched on in the switching-on direction E with a higher luminous intensity. The light sources 10' operating with higher light intensity can be switched on simultaneously or sequentially in the switching-on direction E.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to fig. 3, a communication lamp device is shown, which differs from the previously described communication lamp device in that additionally in the first end region 6 and the second end region 7 of the front side 2 or in the first end region 8 and the second end region 9 of the rear side 3 in front of the elongate lens 12 in the main radiation direction H there are light conductors 19, 19'. The light conductors 19, 19' are assigned second light sources 20 which extend in the height of the front 2 and rear 3 ends, respectively.

The same components or component functions of different embodiments have the same reference numerals.

The light conductor 19 is arranged parallel to the elongated lens 12, but is significantly shorter in length than the elongated lens 12. The light guide 19 extends in the end regions 6, 7 and 8, 9 of the front side 2 or the rear side 3 and is smaller than 1/3 of the width of the vehicle 5. The light guide therefore covers and/or delimits the first end region 6 and the second end region 7 of the front side 2 or the first end region 8 and the second end region 9 of the rear side 3.

A second light source 20 is assigned to one end face 21 of the light guide body 19, which serves as a light coupling-in face. The light guide 19 preferably has coupling-out elements on the rear side, so that the coupled-in light is deflected by the coupling-out elements in the forward main radiation direction H, so that the coupled-in light leaves the light guide on the front longitudinal side 22 of the light guide 19. The light beams which do not impinge on the coupling-out element are transmitted by total reflection in the light guide 19 to the opposite end face 21 ″, which may optionally also be embodied as reflective.

The control unit is designed such that the light sources 10 assigned to the elongate lens 12 by the control means are switched on sequentially from one end region 6, 7, 8, 9 to the other end region 6, 7, 8, 9 in accordance with the running light and all light sources 10 are switched off after the last light source switched on, so that the same switching-on process now starts from the beginning in accordance with the wiping frequency. The second light source 20 is switched on and off as a function of the direction of travel, depending on which direction either the light conductor 19 or the further light conductor 19' is switched on and off in accordance with the flashing frequency.

The second light source 20 is preferably switched on when the running light has reached the light guide 19 or 19' to be illuminated from the opposite end region. This is the case when all light sources 10 not covered by the light conductor 19, 19' to be illuminated are switched on in sequence. Advantageously, the end region of the communication light device, which is intended to indicate the direction of travel, can emit light with a higher intensity in this way than the remaining region. This makes it possible to achieve an optical projection to the side to which the direction of travel is to be changed.

It is preferable that the wiping frequency of the light source 10 is turned on is the same as the blinking frequency of the second light source 20. Alternatively, the wiping frequency may be different from the blinking frequency.

The optical axis of the second light source 20 extends perpendicularly to the main radiation direction H of the vehicle direction indicating device or to the optical axis of the first light source 10.

It goes without saying that the components of the body fitment 1, 1', i.e. the light sources 10 and 20 and the lens 12 and the light conductors 19, 19' are arranged in a common housing. The housing of the body attachment 1, 1' thus formed is fixed as a separate component to the body of the vehicle 5. As can be seen from fig. 1, the vehicle body attachment 1 is located below the conventionally provided head lamp 23 and tail lamp 24 and below the radiator grill attachment 25.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the communication light device can have, in addition to the body attachment 1, 1', further body attachments 1 ″ which are arranged on the first longitudinal side 11 and on the second longitudinal side 13 of the vehicle 5, see fig. 5. The further body attachment 1 ″ extends in the same horizontal plane as the body attachments 1, 1', but at right angles to the body attachments 1, 1'. The further body fitting 1 ″ can extend the communication light device arranged on the front side and/or the rear side of the vehicle 5. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the first end 31 of the communication light device is not formed by the first end regions 6, 8 of the front side 2 or the rear side 3 and the second end 32 of the communication light device is not formed by the second end regions 7, 9 of the front side 2 or the rear side 3. Instead, the first end region 6, 8 of the front side 2 or the rear side 3 and the second end region 7, 9 of the front side 2 or the rear side 3 are located within the elongated communication lamp device. Instead, the communication light device is constructed in sections, wherein the body attachment 1 arranged on the front side 2 and the body attachment 1' arranged on the rear side 3 are constructed as intermediate body attachments or intermediate sections. The first end 31 of the communication light device is formed by a first further body fitting 1 "arranged on the first longitudinal side 11 of the vehicle. The second end 32 of the communication light device is formed by a second further body fitting 1 "arranged on the second longitudinal side 13 of the vehicle 5. The front communication light device consists of three segments, namely a front-side central body attachment 1 and a longitudinal-side further body attachment 1 ″. The rear communication light device is also composed of three segments, namely a rear body attachment 1' and two longitudinal body attachments 1 ″.

The light sources of the body attachments 1, 1', 1 ″ are controlled in such a way that the wiping light effect (running light) for the front region of the vehicle 5 runs from one body attachment 1 ″ (first outer section) via the body attachment 1 (middle section) arranged on the front side 2 to a second body attachment 1 ″ (outer section) arranged opposite on the other longitudinal side. For example, if a left turn of the vehicle 5 in the direction of travel 30 is to be signaled, the light sources 10 of the front body attachment 1 ″ assigned to the second longitudinal side 13 are first switched on sequentially, then the light sources 10 of the front body attachment 1 are switched on sequentially in the switching direction E toward the second end region 7 and then the light sources of the other side body attachment 1' arranged on the first longitudinal side 11 of the vehicle 5 are switched on sequentially. The switch-on direction E thus changes its direction. Initially, the switch-on direction is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis M. In the second section, the switch-on direction is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis M, and in the third section, the switch-on direction is again parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis M, in which case the switch-on direction is opposite compared to the first section.

After a predetermined on-time of the light source 10 of the communication light device which is to be switched on last, all light sources 10 are switched off simultaneously, so that the light sources 10 can subsequently be switched on again in sequence starting from the body attachment 1 ″ on the second longitudinal side 13 of the vehicle 5. The communication light device on the trailing side 3 is controlled in the same manner.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, in addition to the body attachment 1 ″ arranged on the longitudinal sides 11, 13 of the vehicle 5, a further body attachment can be arranged between the front wheel housings 33 and the rear wheel housings 34, in order to ensure that the driving direction indicator signal is emitted circumferentially around the vertical axis of the vehicle 5.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to fig. 6, the communication light device can be embodied in segments in the front region of the vehicle 5, the first driving direction indicator portion 36 being integrated in the radiator grille attachment 27 and the second driving direction indicator portion 38 being integrated in the headlight 23.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to fig. 7, the body attachment 1'″ is integrated on the rear side and on the front side of the single-track vehicle 5'. The body attachment 1'″ is arranged below the headlight 23' or a not shown tail light and extends from the first end region 6 to the second end region 7 of the front side 2. The structure of the body attachment 1' ″ corresponds substantially to the structure of the body attachment 1.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, a communication light device for a vehicle is provided, which differs from the previous embodiment of the communication light device in that the light radiation of the body attachments 1, 1', 1", 1'" takes place simultaneously in accordance with the flashing frequency. No wiping light function (running light) is provided. Only the light source 10 of the body fitting 1, 1', 1", 1'" which is arranged on the right or left side relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis and therefore is to represent a change in the direction of travel is periodically switched on and off.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the body attachment 1, 1' ″ of the front communication light device can be fastened to a front module, to which a heat exchanger and radiator grille attachment 25 can also be fastened in addition to the headlights and tail lights. The front module is connected to the body of the vehicle by means of fixing means.

According to a further embodiment of the invention according to fig. 8, the body attachment 1 ″ is arranged on the entire longitudinal side 11, 13 of the vehicle, in contrast to the embodiment according to fig. 5. This results in a continuous communication light system, which is surrounded by a vertical vehicle axis 40 and is composed of a front body attachment 1 (front section), a rear body attachment 1' (rear section) and a side body attachment 1 "(side section). Depending on the vehicle state, all segments of the body attachment 1, 1', 1 ″ are switched on and preferably simultaneously off in sequence and periodically in the switching-on direction E from a starting point 41 on the rear body attachment 1' to an end point. In the present embodiment, the start point 41 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle. From there the running light runs simultaneously via the left and right longitudinal sides to the end point 42, which is located on the right door 34 in the vehicle direction. It is assumed in this example that the vehicle driver forgets to turn off the passenger door 43 after parking. By actuating the locking function of its remote control, the communication light device is switched on and indicates the non-locked passenger door 43 by means of a luminous marking 44 designed as an arrow that is illuminated by the segments.

Starting from the starting point 41, the switch-on directions E extend in opposite directions until they reach the end point. The end points 42 of the two running light branches can be identical or, as in the present embodiment, arranged spaced apart from one another.

For example, light sources of different light colors can be provided, so that the running light is, for example, red. According to another embodiment, the courtesy running light may be, for example, blue in color to indicate, for example, to the driver, the driver's door.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the segments can also be controlled in such a way that they are switched on sequentially and periodically about the vertical axis in a single switching direction E, the end point of the running light being arranged in the region to be indicated.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the body fitment 3, 3', 3 ″ has, instead of a single elongate optical unit, a plurality of elongate optical units extending parallel to one another, to which the light sources are respectively assigned. This enables multirow (Mehrzeiligkeit) to be achieved when generating optical symbols. Thus, different optical symbols may be emitted, for example an arrow direction in one direction and an arrow direction in another direction. Alternatively, an optical symbol consisting of sub-optical symbols may also be generated. The specific mark may be formed, for example, by superimposing a plurality of sub-optical symbols. The light symbols may be displayed statically or dynamically. In the static display of optical symbols, a position-dependent variable light radiation or light emission surface is generated in the extension of the optical unit.

List of reference numerals

1. 1', 1' bodywork accessory

2 front side

3 caudal side

5. 5' vehicle

6 first end region

7 second end region

8 first end region

9 second end region

10 first light source

11 first longitudinal side

12 elongated optical unit

13 second longitudinal side

14 scattering optical element

15 light

16 extend longitudinally

17 lens

18 incoupling optical device

19. 19' light conductor

20 second light source

21. 21' end face

22 longitudinal side

23 head lamp

24 taillight

25 radiator grille accessory

30 direction of travel

31 first end part

32 second end portion

36 travel direction indication section

37 radiator grille accessory

38 travel direction indicating section

40 vertical axis

41 starting point

42 terminus point

43 auxiliary driving door

44 luminous mark

H main radiation direction

E direction of connection

M vehicle longitudinal center plane