Control device for controlling the direction indicators of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Control device (6) for controlling direction indicators (2, 3, 4) of a motor vehicle (5), wherein the control device (6) is designed such that the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators (2, 3, 4) of the motor vehicle (5) can be synchronized with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of another vehicle, characterized in that the control device (6) comprises a transmitting and receiving device (7) or is coupled with a transmitting and receiving device (7) of the motor vehicle (5), via which data relating to the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators (2, 3, 4) can be transmitted to and / or received by at least one other vehicle, wherein the data transmission takes place in the form of wireless communication.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control device for controlling direction indicators of a motor vehicle, wherein the control device is designed such that the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle can be synchronized with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of a third-party vehicle.

[0002] DE 196 24 116 C1 discloses an electronic traffic jam warning and safety system for motor vehicles. It provides that when the hazard warning lights of a motor vehicle are activated in a significant situation, such as approaching the end of a traffic jam, a transmitter in the vehicle is activated, which transmits a warning signal to a receiver in at least one of the following vehicles. The signal is then processed by the receivers in the following vehicles in such a way that the hazard warning lights in those vehicles are also automatically activated.

[0003] German patent DE 100 17 139 B4 also discloses a lighting control device for an automatic follow-up system, in which a leading vehicle is operated by a user and at least one following vehicle automatically follows the leading vehicle. As soon as the user activates a lighting device in the leading vehicle, this information is transmitted to the following vehicles by a transmitter located in the leading vehicle. Receivers located in each following vehicle receive the signal and process it into an actuation signal, which automatically activates the same lighting device in the respective following vehicle that was previously activated in the leading vehicle.

[0004] The Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), which regulate the formal and technical requirements for the registration of motor vehicles in the Federal Republic of Germany, stipulate, among other things, the requirements for direction indicators on motor vehicles. For example, when switched on, direction indicators must flash at a frequency of 1.5 Hz ± 0.5 Hz between bright and dark, and in the same phase on the same side of the vehicle. Due to the statutory frequency tolerance of ± 0.5 Hz and the fact that direction indicators are activated at different times in different vehicles, the problem arises in convoys of vehicles, and especially in queues at traffic lights, that a large number of individual, staggered flashing signals occur. This leads to sensory overload for drivers and can increase the risk of accidents on the road.

[0005] US 2012 / 0 212 320 A1 describes a synchronization system for motor vehicle turn signals in which the timing of the turn signals is based on an external signal. This external signal can be, for example, a signal from a cell phone tower and / or a signal from a GPS satellite. This external signal is received by the motor vehicles via an onboard receiver and an antenna. Based on the received external signal, the vehicles can, for example, have different manufacturer-specific flashing patterns synchronized to the time signal, whereby vehicles from a group or manufacturer can have the same flashing pattern.

[0006] DE 10 2006 019 495 A1 describes a device for emitting a warning signal, as well as an associated motor vehicle and a corresponding method. It addresses the problem that accidents frequently occur during convoys and traffic jams because drivers maintain insufficient safety distance and often only notice braking maneuvers of vehicles ahead, which are indicated by illuminated brake lights, too late. The device described therein therefore has a signal receiver for receiving a status signal, which can be, for example, a brake signal. The motor vehicle, having received the status signal from another vehicle, then emits a warning signal, for example, by activating a brake light, even if the vehicle is not yet braking.

[0007] US 2002 / 0070849 A1 describes a signaling system for vehicles traveling in a convoy. The system includes an external signaling system for informing nearby drivers about the convoy and an internal signaling device for transmitting messages between convoy members. Each convoy vehicle has a signaling system. The external signaling systems may include flashing lights that can be synchronized with other systems, allowing the external signaling systems to flash at the same time for each convoy member.

[0008] US 2007 / 0040666 A1 describes a device for synchronizing vehicle brake indicators to reduce the braking reaction times of following vehicles. It includes a transmitter and signal generator on each vehicle for generating rearward-facing IR or visible radiation in response to the application of the vehicle's brakes, as well as a forward-facing receiver for detecting a counterpart of the IR radiation. The device essentially eliminates the typical reaction times of following drivers of one to two seconds per vehicle, creating additional braking space.

[0009] DE 200 10 768 U1 describes a device for indicating changes in direction of motor vehicles to other road users. It provides a control module equipped with a clock for controlling flashing signal lights. Synchronization of the clock can be ensured by periodic adjustment to a time standard located on Earth or on a satellite using a suitable signal. The flashing modes of the signal lights for the change in movement, with regard to the frequency and position of the light and dark phases for changes in direction to the right and left, as well as the hazard warning flashing, can be freely configured and differentiated from one another.

[0010] WO 2009 / 106162 A1 describes a method for assisting a vehicle user, in which driving state variables are detected via vehicle sensors, and a vehicle camera records a detection area of ​​a road scene in front of the vehicle and outputs image signals. From the image signals, it is determined whether another vehicle is within the detection area and is emitting turn signals. Depending on the determined driving state variables of the vehicle and on the determination of whether other vehicles are indicating a change of direction, information signals can be output to the user and / or automatic driver assistance control can be implemented, in which control signals are output for interventions in a vehicle control system for longitudinal and / or lateral control. Various possible control interventions can be determined and implemented in each case.

[0011] US Pat. No. 3,793,621 A describes a device in which the brake lights and / or hazard warning lights of a motor vehicle are activated when the brake lights or indicators of a vehicle ahead are detected. The device has photodiodes with filters for different colors, so that a turn signal or a brake signal from a vehicle ahead can be detected. Upon detection of a left turn signal or a right turn signal from the vehicle ahead, the device activates the left or right turn signals of the driver's own vehicle.

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved control device for controlling the direction indicators of motor vehicles.

[0013] To achieve this object, a control device of the type mentioned at the outset is provided, which is designed such that the control device comprises a transmitting and receiving device or is coupled to a transmitting and receiving device of the motor vehicle, via which data relating to the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators can be transmitted to at least one other vehicle and / or received by at least one other vehicle, wherein the data transmission takes place in the form of wireless communication.

[0014] The invention is based on the finding that sensory overload in road traffic can be reduced by synchronizing the flashing of motor vehicle turn signals, resulting in a single, consistent signal. This creates a consistent appearance for the turn signals. This leads to fewer distractions and significantly reduces the risk of accidents.

[0015] For this purpose, according to the present invention, a transmitting and receiving device arranged in the motor vehicle is provided as a component of the control device, which can both transmit data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators to at least one other vehicle and receive data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators from at least one other vehicle. Data transmission takes place wirelessly, preferably using GSM, UMTS, GPRS, LTE, WLAN, or Bluetooth as the data transmission method. However, the invention is not limited to the described methods; any other suitable method for wireless data transmission can also be used.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, an optical detection device can be installed in the vehicle as part of the control system, which can detect the phase and / or frequency of the flashing direction indicator of a foreign vehicle. Conventional cameras or infrared cameras can be considered as the optical detection device. Furthermore, any suitable optical detection device can be used. The optical detection device preferably consists of several cameras or infrared cameras arranged at various locations on the motor vehicle, allowing comprehensive detection of the vehicle's surroundings.

[0017] According to the invention, a control device with a transmitting and receiving device and an optical detection device is also conceivable, so that the detection of data relating to the phase and / or frequency of the flashing direction indicators of at least one other vehicle can be carried out optionally via one of the two devices. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, data from other vehicles that do not have their own transmitting device can also be detected, and, on the other hand, the advantage that data detection can be excellently adapted to the environmental conditions. For example, data detection can take place via wireless communication in poor visibility conditions, while the data can be detected optically in locations where experience has shown a poor radio connection, such as in underpasses or tunnels.

[0018] The control device is connected to the transmitting and receiving device and / or the optical detection device, with communication preferably taking place via the vehicle electronics of the motor vehicle. However, it is also readily possible to provide wireless communication between the individual devices. In this way, it is possible, on the one hand, to feed data received from other vehicles regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators to the control device for synchronizing the direction indicators, and, on the other hand, to transmit data provided by the control device regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators to other vehicles, so that synchronization can be carried out by a control device of a other vehicle.

[0019] The synchronization of the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least two motor vehicles can be carried out in various ways using a control device according to the invention.

[0020] In a first embodiment, the control device synchronizes the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle such that the phase and frequency of the flashing of the motor vehicle and all other vehicles involved match after synchronization. This means that the flashing of the motor vehicle and each other vehicle has the same start time and the same flashing duration after synchronization. This has the advantage that in traffic situations in which several vehicles are lined up and performing the same flashing, such as in a line of vehicles at a red light, only a single flashing signal is perceptible. This reduces sensory overload for drivers and pedestrians, and a uniform appearance of the flashing is created.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle is synchronized by the control device in such a way that the frequency of the flashing of the motor vehicle and of each other vehicle involved matches after synchronization, while the phase of the flashing of the motor vehicle and of each other vehicle involved is shifted. This means that the flashing of the motor vehicle and of each other vehicle after synchronization has the same flashing duration but different flashing times. In this way, it is possible to create a so-called running light, in which in a chain of direction indicators, such asWhen several vehicles are parked in a row at a red traffic light, the direction indicators of following vehicles in one direction light up one after the other, giving the impression that the light source itself is moving.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a control device for controlling direction indicators of a motor vehicle.

[0023] In the method according to the invention, the motor vehicle has direction indicators and a control device for controlling the direction indicators. The control device is designed such that it synchronizes the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle, wherein by means of a transmitting and receiving device, data relating to the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators is transmitted to at least one other vehicle and / or data relating to the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators is received from at least one other vehicle, wherein the data transmission takes place in the form of wireless communication.

[0024] The motor vehicle is provided with a transmitting and receiving device that transmits data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators to at least one other vehicle and / or receives data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators from at least one other vehicle. The transmitting and receiving device then feeds the data to the control device so that it can synchronize the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle, and also transmits the data to at least one other other vehicle.

[0025] Alternatively, the acquisition of data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle can be carried out via an optical acquisition device provided in the motor vehicle. The optical acquisition device records the data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle and forwards them to the control device for synchronization.

[0026] However, analogous to the control device according to the invention, a combination of the transmitting and receiving device with the optical detection device is also possible here.

[0027] The control device can carry out the synchronization on the one hand in such a way that the phase and the frequency of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle and of at least one participating other vehicle match after the synchronization, and on the other hand in such a way that the frequency of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle and of at least one participating other vehicle match after the synchronization, while the phases of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle and of at least one participating other vehicle are shifted.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a control device according to the invention for controlling direction indicators, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0029] Further advantages and details of the invention are described using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with a control device according to the invention for controlling direction indicators, Fig. 2 a representation of the motor vehicle equipped with the control device according to the invention, which is parked at a red traffic light behind a first other vehicle, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the time course of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the control device according to the invention and of the first other vehicle before synchronization by the control device according to the invention, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the time course of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the control device according to the invention and of the first other vehicle after the synchronization has been carried out in such a way that the frequency and phase of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle and the first other vehicle match, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the time course of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the control device according to the invention and of the first other vehicle, after the synchronization has been carried out in such a way that the frequency of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle and the first other vehicle matches, the phases being shifted, Fig. 6 a representation of the motor vehicle standing at a red traffic light between a first other vehicle and a second other vehicle, Fig. 7 a representation of the motor vehicle which is at a red traffic light between the first other vehicle and the second other vehicle.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a control device 6 for controlling direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of a motor vehicle 5, wherein the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 are formed in the front, side, and rear areas of the motor vehicle 5. The control device 6 is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle 5 and connected to the vehicle electronics of the motor vehicle 5. A transmitting and receiving device 7 is provided on the roof area of ​​the motor vehicle 5 and is also connected to the vehicle electronics of the motor vehicle 5 and, via these, to the control device 6. Furthermore, an optical detection device 8, 9 is arranged in the area of ​​the windshield and the rear window, which can detect the vehicle's surroundings and is also connected to the vehicle electronics of the motor vehicle 5 and, via these, to the control device 6.In this way, communication between the control device 6, the transmitting and receiving device 7, and the optical detection device 8, 9 is ensured. Alternatively, transmitters and receivers can be attached to all three components to establish a wireless communication network for data transmission.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a representation of the motor vehicle 5 equipped with the control device 6 for controlling direction indicators from the Fig. 1, which is parked at a red traffic light 10 behind a first other vehicle 11. The direction indicators 12, 13, 14 of the first other vehicle 11 as well as the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5 flash due to a turning maneuver pending after the traffic light 10 has been switched. The optical detection device 8 arranged in the area of ​​the windshield of the motor vehicle 5 detects the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicator 14 of the first other vehicle 11 and forwards this information to the control device 6. As already described, the transmission can take place both via the vehicle electronics of the motor vehicle 5 and via wireless communication between the optical detection device 8 and the control device 6.The control device 6 then synchronizes the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5 with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 12, 13, 14 of the first other vehicle 11. The synchronization can be carried out, on the one hand, such that the phase and the frequency of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle 5 and the first other vehicle 11 match after the synchronization, and, on the other hand, such that the frequency of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle 5 and the first other vehicle 11 match, while the phases are shifted.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5 with the control device 6 for controlling direction indicators, as well as of the first other vehicle 11, prior to synchronization by the control device 6. The abscissa axis of the diagram indicates time, and the ordinate axis indicates the switching state of the direction indicators, with switching state 0 meaning that the direction indicator is not flashing, and switching state 1 meaning that the direction indicator is flashing. It can be seen that phase 17 and frequency 18 of the flashing process of the first other vehicle 11 are shorter than phase 15 and frequency 16 of the flashing process of the motor vehicle 5 with the control device 6. Put simply, this means that the flashing time and flashing duration are different for the two vehicles, resulting in asynchronous flashing behavior.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle 5 with the control device 6 for controlling direction indicators and of the first other vehicle 11 after synchronization by the control device 6. The definition of the axes corresponds to the Fig. 3. The control device 6 has adapted the phase 15 and the frequency 16 of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5 to the phase 17 and frequency 18 of the direction indicators 12, 13, 14 of the first other vehicle 11 in such a way that the frequency and phase of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle 5 and the first other vehicle 11 match. In simple terms, this means that the flashing time and flashing duration of both vehicles match exactly after synchronization. In this way, a uniform flashing signal can be perceived in both vehicles. However, the invention is not limited to the synchronization of the direction indicators of two vehicles. Rather, it is possible to synchronize the direction indicators of an unlimited number of vehicles.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle 5 with the control device 6 for controlling direction indicators and the first other vehicle 11 after synchronization by the control device 6. The definition of the axes corresponds to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The control device 6 of the motor vehicle 5 has adapted the phase 15 and the frequency 16 of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5 to the phase 17 and the frequency 18 of the direction indicators 12, 13, 14 of the first other vehicle 11 in such a way that the frequency of the flashing processes of the motor vehicle 5 and the first other vehicle 11 matches, while the phases are shifted. As a result, a running light is generated from the flashing processes of the motor vehicle 5 and the first other vehicle 11. This means that the subsequent direction indicator in one direction successively assumes a illuminated state, giving the impression that the light source itself is moving.

[0035] Fig. 6 shows the motor vehicle 5 equipped with the control device 6 for controlling direction indicators, which is parked at the red traffic light 10 between a second other vehicle 19 and a third other vehicle 28. The second other vehicle 19 and the third other vehicle 28 also have control devices 24, 33 for controlling direction indicators, wherein the control devices 24, 33 contain the same components and functional features as the control device 6 of the motor vehicle 5. The direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the first motor vehicle 5, the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19, and the direction indicators 29, 30, 31 of the third other vehicle 28 flash due to a turning maneuver pending after the traffic light 10 has been switched.Immediately after the activation of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19 in first place, a transmitting and receiving device 25 transmits a signal 37 with data regarding the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 in the direction of the following vehicles. The signal 37 is received by the transmitting and receiving device 7 of the motor vehicle 5 and forwarded to the control device 6. The phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 are then synchronized by the control device 6 with the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19 such that the phase and frequency of the flashing of the two vehicles match.

[0036] Immediately after receiving the signal 37, the transmitting and receiving device 7 also forwards the signal 37 in the direction of the third other vehicle 28, where it is received by a transmitting and receiving device 34 and forwarded to a control device 33. The phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 29, 30, 31 are then also synchronized by the control device 33 with the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19 such that the phase and frequency of the flashing of the two vehicles match. This ensures that the direction indicators of the motor vehicle 5 and the second and third other vehicles 19 and 28, which are lined up in a row in front of the red traffic light, only emit a uniform flashing signal.

[0037] However, the synchronization of the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle 5 and the second and third other vehicles 19 and 28 can also be carried out such that the frequency of the respective flashing processes matches, while the phases are shifted, thus forming a running light. It is of course also possible for the transmitting and receiving device 25 of the second other vehicle 19 to transmit the signal 37 directly to the transmitting and receiving device 7 of the motor vehicle 5 and to the transmitting and receiving device 34 of the third other vehicle 28, instead of forwarding the signal 37 via the transmitting and receiving device 7 of the motor vehicle 5 to the transmitting and receiving device 34 of the third other vehicle 28.

[0038] Fig.7 also shows a representation of motor vehicle 5, which is parked at red traffic light 10 between second other vehicle 19 and third other vehicle 28. The direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the first motor vehicle 5, the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19, and the direction indicators 29, 30, 31 of the third other vehicle 28 flash due to a turning maneuver pending after the traffic light 10 has been switched. Immediately after the activation of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19, which is in first position, the optical detection device 8 of motor vehicle 5 detects the flashing, determines its phase and / or frequency, and forwards the determined data to the control device 6.The phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 are then synchronized by the control device 6 with the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19 in such a way that the phase and frequency of the flashing of the two vehicles match.

[0039] The optical detection device 35 of the third other vehicle 28 detects the flashing of the motor vehicle 5, determines its phase and / or frequency, and forwards the determined data to the control device 33. The phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 29, 30, 31 are then synchronized by the control device 33 with the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 of the second other vehicle 19 and the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5 such that the phase and frequency of the flashing of the third other vehicle 28 match the phase and frequency of the flashing of the second other vehicle 19 and the motor vehicle 5.

[0040] However, the synchronization of the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle 5 and of the second and third other vehicles 19 and 28 can also be carried out such that the frequency of the respective flashing processes matches, while the phases are shifted, so that a running light is formed. It is of course also readily possible to combine the transmission of data relating to the phase and / or frequency of a motor vehicle's flashing process with the optical detection of the data. For example, the transmitting and receiving device 25 of the second other vehicle 19 can transmit the data relating to the phase and frequency of the flashing process of the direction indicators 20, 21, 22 to the transmitting and receiving device 7 of the motor vehicle 5, while the optical detection device 35 of the third other vehicle 28 optically detects the phase and frequency of the flashing process of the direction indicators 2, 3, 4 of the motor vehicle 5.

Claims

[1] Control device (6) for controlling direction indicators (2, 3, 4) of a motor vehicle (5), wherein the control device (6) is designed such that the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators (2, 3, 4) of the motor vehicle (5) can be synchronized with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of a foreign vehicle, characterized by that the control device (6) comprises a transmitting and receiving device (7) or is coupled to a transmitting and receiving device (7) of the motor vehicle (5), via which data relating to the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators (2, 3, 4) can be transmitted to at least one other vehicle and / or received by at least one other vehicle, wherein the data transmission takes place in the form of wireless communication. [2] Control device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the transmitting and receiving device (7) is designed for wireless communication for one of the following communication protocols: GSM, UMTS, GPRS, LTE, WLAN, Bluetooth. [3] Control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by in that it has an optical detection device (8, 9) via which the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle can be detected. [4] Control device according to claim 3, characterized by that the optical detection device (8, 9) is designed as a camera or as an infrared camera. [5] Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators (2, 3, 4) can be synchronized with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle via the control device (6) in such a way that the frequency and phase of the flashing processes of the at least two motor vehicles match after synchronization. [6] Control device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators (2, 3, 4) can be synchronized with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle via the control device (6) in such a way that the flashing processes of the at least two motor vehicles are phase-shifted at the same frequency after synchronization. [7] Method for operating a control device for controlling direction indicators of a motor vehicle, wherein the control device synchronises the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of the motor vehicle with the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle, wherein by means of a transmitting and receiving device data relating to the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators are transmitted to at least one other vehicle and / or data relating to the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators are received from at least one other vehicle, wherein the data transmission takes place in the form of wireless communication. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized bythat the motor vehicle detects the phase and / or the frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least one other vehicle via an optical detection device, wherein the optical detection device is a camera or an infrared camera. [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the phase and frequency of the flashing of the direction indicators of at least two motor vehicles are the same after synchronisation. [10] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the flashing of the direction indicators of at least two motor vehicles is phase-shifted after synchronisation at the same frequency. [11] Motor vehicle, comprising a control device (6) for controlling direction indicators according to one of claims 1 to 6, suitable for carrying out a method according to one of claims 7 to 10.

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