Handle element for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle element for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle. The handle element comprises at least one operating element, integrated into the handle element, for locking and / or unlocking, in particular electrically, a lock by means of which the vehicle door, which can be arranged on a body of the motor vehicle so as to be movable between a closed position and at least one open position, is to be secured in the closed position. The handle element further comprises a lighting unit which is integrated into the handle element and has a plurality of lighting elements which are each designed to emit coloured light. Finally, a control unit is provided, which is designed to individually control the lighting elements with regard to the colour and / or brightness they emit in order to signal at least one vehicle state using a predetermined light signature in response to receiving a state signal which represents the vehicle state.

Description

[0001] Handle element for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, as well as motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a handle element for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle with a handle element.

[0003] It is known from the prior art that sensor devices are used to actuate moving parts of vehicles, such as doors or tailgates. To detect a user's intention to open a door, the known sensor devices comprise, for example, capacitive sensor units. Such sensor devices usually include an LF or HF antenna for unlocking the moving part. The capacitive sensor units and the LF or HF antenna can be arranged on a circuit board. The sensor devices are usually provided as separate components, which are provided in addition to the handle elements for the vehicle door.

[0004] DE 102010 101 164 A1 discloses a door handle unit for operating a lock of a door or a hatch of a motor vehicle. WO 2020 / 01137 A1 discloses a device for operating a vehicle door of a motor vehicle, which device comprises a sensor device configured to detect a force acting on the vehicle door and generate corresponding sensor data.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle element for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle which enables simple and intuitive operation for the user of the motor vehicle.

[0006] This object is achieved by a handle element according to the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle according to the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a handle element for a vehicle door of a motor vehicle is proposed. The handle element comprises at least one operating element integrated into the handle element for locking and / or unlocking the lock, in particular electrically, by means of which the vehicle door, which can be arranged on a body of the motor vehicle so as to be movable between a closed position and at least one open position, is to be secured in the closed position. A lighting unit integrated into the handle element has a plurality of lighting elements, each of which is designed to emit colored light. A control unit is designed to individually control the lighting elements with regard to the color and / or brightness they emit, in order to signal the at least one vehicle state with a predetermined light signature in response to the receipt of a state signal representing a vehicle state.

[0008] The handle element is arranged in particular on the outside of the vehicle door. The handle element is therefore also referred to as an outside handle or outside door handle. When the motor vehicle is fully manufactured, the vehicle door is held movably, in particular pivotably, on the body of the motor vehicle, so that the vehicle door is held movably, in particular pivotably, on the body. The vehicle door can be moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the body between the closed position and at least one open position. In the closed position, at least a portion of an opening in the vehicle body is closed by the vehicle door. In the open position, the vehicle door releases the portion of the opening, so that when the vehicle door is open, a person can enter or exit the interior via the released portion of the body opening.

[0009] In the installation position of the vehicle door and relative to the closed position of the vehicle door, the handle element of the motor vehicle is arranged in particular above a door sill of the vehicle door. The door sill is also referred to as a parapet or window sill or edge or beltline. The door sill can be formed by a beltline or coincide with the beltline. In particular, the door sill is or forms an edge, in particular a lower edge, by which a window opening, also referred to as a window opening, for a window, in particular for a side window, of the vehicle door is at least partially delimited, in particular in the installation position of the vehicle door and relative to the closed position of the vehicle door of the motor vehicle.

[0010] A person in the vicinity of the motor vehicle and thus the vehicle door can grasp the handle element with their hand and, for example, at least partially grasp it. The person can then exert a force on the handle element and thus, via the handle element, on the vehicle door. The vehicle door can thus be handled, i.e., in particular, moved relative to the structure (i.e., the vehicle body) of the motor vehicle. For example, the person can exert such a force on the vehicle door via the handle element that the vehicle door is opened by the force, i.e., moved from the closed position into the open position relative to the structure. Conversely, the person in the vicinity can, for example, exert such a force on the handle element and thus on the vehicle door that the vehicle door is closed by the force, i.e., moved from the open position into the closed position.

[0011] In order to be able to operate the vehicle door, in particular via the handle element, it is provided that at least one operating element for electrically locking and / or unlocking a lock is integrated into the handle element, wherein the vehicle door, which is arranged on the body of the motor vehicle and can be moved between the closed position and the open position, is to be secured in the closed position by means of the lock. The operating element can be held on the handle element or be a component of the handle element. In particular, the operating element can be held on a base of the handle element; it can also be formed separately from the base. The operating element can be held immovably or movably, in particular pivotably, on the base or on the handle element. The lock can then be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked by means of the operating element.For example, to open the vehicle door, which is initially in the locked position and thus closed and secured by the lock in the locked position, particularly relative to the body, the person in the vicinity operates or actuates the control element, whereby the lock is, for example, electrically unlocked. In particular, the person touches the control element. It is also conceivable that, for example, the lock is electrically locked by means of the control element, particularly after the vehicle door has been closed, whereby the vehicle door is secured in the closed position relative to the body.

[0012] By unlocking the lock, the lock releases the vehicle door for movement from the closed position to the open position. In particular, the lock can be part of the vehicle door, so that the lock can be moved, in particular pivoted, between the closed position and the open position, for example, in the vehicle door relative to the structure. The lock can be adjusted, for example, between a locked state and an unlocked state. By unlocking the lock, the lock is moved, i.e. transferred, from the locked state to the unlocked state. By locking the lock, the lock is moved, i.e. transferred, from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0013] The operating element can be, for example, a mechanical operating element, such as a knob, a pushbutton, or a key, so that the operating element can be moved relative to the handle element and / or relative to the base between the initial position and an operating position, in particular translationally and / or rotationally. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the operating element to be designed as a touch-sensitive surface or to comprise a touch-sensitive surface, wherein the operating element is operated by touching the touch-sensitive surface.

[0014] Alternatively, the operating element can comprise an electronic component or at least or exactly one electronic component. The operating element can thus be designed to detect the approach of a person, i.e. for example the approach of a body part such as a person's finger to the operating element. This allows the operating element to be operated without contact, i.e. without the person touching the operating element. The electronic component can then be a proximity sensor, by means of which said approach is detected. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic component can be a touch sensor, which can detect said touching of the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the touch sensor can, for example, comprise the touch-sensitive surface.Alternatively, it can be provided that the control element can only be operated by touching the touch-sensitive surface. This means that an opening or closing process of the lock is only triggered when a person touches the touch-sensitive surface with their finger.

[0015] The feature that allows the lock to be electrically unlocked and / or locked by operating the operating element is to be understood in particular as meaning that, for example, an electrically operable actuator, e.g., an electric motor, is electrically controlled as a result of operating the operating element. By controlling the actuator, the actuator is electrically operated, so that, for example, the lock is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position and / or from the unlocking position to the locking position using electrical energy. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the actuator is electrically operated by controlling the actuator, so that, for example, a securing element is moved from a securing position to a release position and / or from the release position to the securing position using electrical energy, for example, using the actuator.

[0016] The control element can also be implemented as a gesture sensor, by means of which at least one gesture of a person can be detected. As a result of detecting the gesture, a function of the vehicle door, in particular the lock, can be executed. For example, as a result of detecting the gesture, the lock can be electrically unlocked and / or electrically locked in the manner described above.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the control element integrated into the handle element can be or comprise a voice recognition sensor, by means of which at least one voice command uttered acoustically by a person, such as a person in the vicinity, can be detected. As a result of the detection of the voice command, a function of the vehicle door, in particular the lock, can be executed, for example. For example, as a result of the detection of the voice command, the lock can be electrically locked and / or electrically unlocked in the manner described above.

[0018] According to the invention, a lighting unit is integrated into the handle element. The lighting unit is designed to emit light. For this purpose, the lighting unit comprises a plurality of lighting elements, each designed to emit colored light. The lighting elements can be, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, light of different light colors (e.g., red, green, and blue) from several light-emitting diodes can be mixed to create a desired light color. Alternatively, the lighting elements can be designed as so-called RGB light-emitting diodes (RGB-LEDs). Red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes, so-called RGB-LEDs, derived from the term RGB color space, are combined in an LED housing in such a way that their light mixes well and thus appears white from the outside when the individual LEDs are controlled accordingly. Additional optical components, such as a diffuser, are usually provided for better light mixing.With this combination of LEDs, different colored light can be produced by controlling the individual LEDs accordingly, and smooth color transitions are also possible.

[0019] The individual lighting elements are controlled by the control unit. The control unit, for example a microchip, is designed to individually control the individual lighting elements with regard to the color and / or brightness they emit. The control unit uses corresponding control signals for this purpose. Control occurs in response to the receipt of a status signal. The status signal can be received, for example, from the control element, but also from any other component of the motor vehicle. The status signal represents a vehicle status, which is then signaled by controlling the individual lighting elements with a predetermined light signature. The term “light signature” refers to a dynamic or static light or light pattern, whereby all lighting elements or alternatively parts of the lighting elements are individually controlled with regard to the color and / or brightness they emit.The light signature can, for example, be a static light of a specific color, where either all or a subset of the light elements emit light of the specific color. A dynamic light signature is created by varying the brightness of all or a subset of the light elements over time.

[0020] For example, a specific vehicle state can be achieved by controlling a single light element, while another vehicle state can be achieved by controlling a plurality of light elements with the same or different light colors. Likewise, in a light signature, certain light elements can be controlled with a first light color and other light elements with at least one other light color. Individual or multiple light elements can be controlled continuously, i.e., to emit continuous light in one or more light colors, while other light elements are set to flash, for example.

[0021] Depending on the number of vehicle states that need to be signaled to a person in the vehicle, different light signatures can be provided. Generally, each vehicle state is assigned at least one light signature.

[0022] Because a lighting unit designed to signal a vehicle status to a person is integrated into the handle element, no separate lighting units need to be provided on the motor vehicle. In particular, it is possible to signal the vehicle status on just one handle element of the motor vehicle, in particular on the handle element that a person in the motor vehicle is approaching or moving away from. As a result, the vehicle status does not activate all of the motor vehicle's lights, as is the case, for example, with the use of flashing lights when unlocking or locking the motor vehicle, thus enabling the vehicle status to be signaled discreetly.

[0023] As already explained, in a practical embodiment, the control element comprises at least one sensor configured to detect the approach of a person to the vehicle and / or a person's gesture and to provide a proximity signal. In particular, the control unit is configured to signal at least one vehicle state depending on the received proximity signal.

[0024] Another practical embodiment provides for the control unit to be integrated into the handle element. This allows for the creation of an "intelligent" handle element that includes all the components required for its intended functionality. This can be provided as a semi-finished product and installed in the motor vehicle or its door during production.

[0025] As already explained, in a practical embodiment, the lighting unit comprises LEDs, in particular RGB LEDs, as lighting elements. Alternatively, the lighting unit can comprise a screen with micro-LEDs as the lighting element. In an alternative embodiment, multiple screens could also be provided in the lighting unit or in the handle element. The use of a screen enables a variety of light signatures, in particular of a dynamic nature. The control unit is controlled using control signals similar to those used to control a monitor. Furthermore, the handle element can be provided with a simpler mechanical design.

[0026] A further expedient embodiment provides for at least one circuit board to be arranged in the handle element, on which the at least one operating element and / or the lighting unit and / or the control unit are arranged. In particular, according to this embodiment, all electronic components are provided in a "compact" assembly. This enables simplified production and further processing of the handle element during vehicle production.

[0027] A particularly simple production and a particularly high-quality visual appearance result when the at least one circuit board and / or the at least one operating element and / or the lighting unit and / or the control unit are overmolded with a material of the handle element and together with this at least partially form a visually and haptically perceptible outer skin.

[0028] Such manufacturing processes are known from the prior art. For example, a process developed by the company Tactotek can be used here. According to a further expedient embodiment, the lighting unit is arranged in the handle element in the direction of a person approaching the motor vehicle. The term "in the direction of a person approaching the motor vehicle" is to be understood as meaning that this occurs in the installed position of the vehicle door, which assumes its installed position when the motor vehicle is fully manufactured. This embodiment makes it easier for the person approaching the motor vehicle to perceive the signaling of the vehicle's status.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, the lighting unit in the handle element can be directed toward a light-reflecting body component. The light-reflecting body component can, for example, be part of the vehicle's outer skin of the vehicle door. For example, this can be a recessed grip located in the vehicle door in the area of ​​the handle element.

[0030] A further expedient embodiment provides that the vehicle state comprises one or more of the following states, to which a respective light signature is assigned: a charge state of a vehicle accumulator; a door opening state when electrically opening and / or closing the vehicle door; a door locking state; an approach of a person known to the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle by varying the brightness depending on the distance between the person and the motor vehicle; a recognized voice command of a person approaching the motor vehicle; an error state, in particular when the driver's door or window is not completely closed.

[0031] The charge level of the vehicle's battery could, for example, be signaled by the number and / or color of the controlled light elements of the lighting unit. A small number of controlled light elements or micro-LEDs could signal a low charge level, while the activation of all light elements or micro-LEDs signals a full charge level. The light color and / or the dynamics of the light emitted by the light elements (e.g., continuous light or flashing in one or more predefined rhythms) could signal an error during battery charging, communication between a charger and the vehicle, and the like.

[0032] The door opening status during electrically operated vehicle doors can be signaled to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle by flashing during the opening and closing process. This can provide a "warning" of a moving part of the vehicle to the person approaching the vehicle. This can also be reinforced by additional acoustic information if necessary.

[0033] The door locking status can be signaled by a light color after the vehicle has been parked. If the person using the vehicle has closed the vehicle door but has not yet completed the locking process, a specific color can indicate that the lock is still unlocked. After the locking process has been completed, a different color can signal the locking of the lock, particularly electrical locking. This intuitive color scheme alerts the vehicle user to the vehicle's status.

[0034] Corresponding status information can also be displayed when a person known to the motor vehicle (i.e. the user) approaches the motor vehicle by varying the brightness and / or the color, also depending on the distance between the person and the motor vehicle.

[0035] If the motor vehicle is configured to receive a voice command from a person outside the vehicle, the successful implementation or analysis of the voice command can be signaled to that person by a corresponding light signature. For example, a first color can signal non-recognition of the voice command, and a second color can signal recognition and execution of the voice command.

[0036] A fault condition can be signaled by a suitable light color and / or dynamic light, e.g., flashing. This is particularly useful when a user has parked and exited the vehicle. Leaving the vehicle means that the user has closed the vehicle door and, if necessary, electrically locked it. A fault can be represented, for example, by a door that is not fully closed and / or a window and / or sunroof that is not fully closed or not closed at all.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to signal the vehicle status using a dynamic lighting function. A "dynamic lighting function" is understood to mean a light pattern that changes over time with regard to its light color and / or brightness and / or the control of the number of light elements.

[0038] The handle element can be designed as a conventional bow handle, extendable handle, recessed handle, or pull element. However, it can also be designed, for example, in a particularly aerodynamically advantageous manner, as a so-called "winglet," as used in newer vehicles.

[0039] According to a second aspect, a motor vehicle having at least one vehicle door with an externally arranged handle element according to one or more embodiment variants of the invention is proposed.

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in the drawing. They show:

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a left vehicle door in a closed state without a structure of a body of the motor vehicle surrounding the vehicle door;

[0042] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a handle element according to the invention of the vehicle door shown in Figure 1;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the handle element shown in Figure 2 in a side view.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a left-hand vehicle door 1 of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail), viewed from the rear. The vehicle door 1 is pivotally attached in a known manner to a passenger compartment (i.e., a body of the motor vehicle designed in particular as a self-supporting body). In its installed position, it is located in a left-right direction (transverse axis direction) of the motor vehicle on a left side of the body of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail), with the spatial arrangement also being made clear by the coordinate system arranged next to the vehicle door 1. In this coordinate system, the left-right direction corresponds to the transverse axis direction of the motor vehicle (not shown). The top-bottom direction corresponds to the vehicle's vertical axis direction. The front-rear direction corresponds to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.As is known to those skilled in the art, the vehicle door 1 is assigned a body opening of the body (not shown), wherein the body opening is designed as a lateral door opening of the body. The vehicle door 1 is held on the body so that it can be moved, here pivoted, between a closed position and at least one open position relative to the body. In the closed position, at least a portion of the body opening is closed by the vehicle door 1.

[0045] In the open position, the vehicle door 1 releases at least the partial area of ​​the body opening, so that, for example, a person initially located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 (i.e., on the vehicle exterior 3) can enter the interior (i.e., toward the vehicle interior 4) via the released partial area of ​​the body opening. Furthermore, the person initially located in the vehicle interior 4 can, for example, exit the vehicle interior 4 via the released partial area of ​​the body opening and thus reach the surrounding area or the vehicle exterior 3.

[0046] The vehicle door 1 has a base body 7, which has a shell not visible as a door shell in Figure 1. The shell holds the vehicle door 1 pivotably on the body of the motor vehicle 1. The base body 7 comprises a visible trim element, which is formed separately from the shell and connected to it. The trim element is referred to as a door trim or outer door trim. At the upper end of the base body 7 is a door sill 8. This is also referred to as the beltline or forms a beltline of the motor vehicle. The vehicle door 1 also comprises a side window 6, referred to as a window, which is displaceable relative to the shell and relative to the trim element in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, at least with respect to the closed position of the vehicle door 1.

[0047] A handle element 10 is located in the area of ​​the door sill 8. The handle element 10 comprises a first partial area 11, which forms a fastening section and, starting from the base body 7, extends outwards (to the left) in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis. From the free end of the fastening section 11, a second partial area 12, which is referred to as the handle section, extends upwards in the direction of the vehicle's vertical axis. The handle element 10 enables a user of the motor vehicle to reach into the handle section 12 from above or to at least partially grasp it and exert a mechanical force on the handle element 10 and then on the door 1. A lock 9 is provided in the shell 10 of the vehicle door 1, by means of which lock the vehicle door 1 can be fixed to the body of the motor vehicle 2.By means of the lock 9, the vehicle door 1 can be secured in the closed position relative to the body, preventing any unwanted movement of the vehicle door 1 from the closed position to the open position. By unlocking the lock 9, the lock releases the vehicle door 1 for movement from the closed position (shown in Figure 1) to the open position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the lock 9 is a component of the vehicle door 1, so that it can be moved within the vehicle door 1 relative to the body between the closed position and the open position.

[0048] The lock 9 can be adjusted between a locked state and an unlocked state. By unlocking the lock 9, the lock 9 is moved from the locked state to the unlocked state, i.e., transferred. By locking the lock 9, the lock is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state, i.e., transferred.

[0049] If the vehicle door 1 is in the closed position shown in Figure 1 and the lock 9 is in the locked state, the vehicle door 1 is secured by means of the lock 9 in the closed position and against an undesired movement into the open position relative to the body.

[0050] As can be seen from the illustration in Figure 2, the handle element 10 comprises one or more operating elements 14 integrated into the handle element 10, which serve, in particular, to electrically lock and / or unlock the lock 9. By means of the operating element 14, which comprises, for example, a sensor, the state of the lock 9 can be changed from the locked state to the unlocked state. The sensor can, for example, be a touch sensor, a mechanical button, or the like. Upon actuation of the operating element 14, for example, an actuator (not shown in the figures) is controlled, which unlocks the lock 9.

[0051] In addition to the operating element 14, the handle element 10 comprises a lighting unit 15 integrated into the handle element 10. The lighting unit 15 comprises a plurality of lighting elements 16, each of which is designed to emit colored light.

[0052] The lighting elements 16 of the lighting unit 15 are controlled by means of a

[0053] Control unit 17, which in the present embodiment is also integrated into the handle element 10. However, this is not mandatory. The control unit could also be a central control unit of the motor vehicle.

[0054] The control unit 17 is designed to individually control the lighting elements 16 with regard to the color and / or brightness emitted by them in order to signal the at least one vehicle state with a predetermined light signature in response to the receipt of a state signal representing a vehicle state.

[0055] Optionally, a sensor 18 integrated into the handle element can also be provided, which is designed to detect the approach of a person to the vehicle and / or a person's gesture and provide a corresponding proximity signal. In this case, the proximity signal represents a status signal that represents a vehicle status and causes the control unit 17 to control the lighting element(s) 16 in such a way that a predetermined light signature is generated.

[0056] The operating element 14, the lighting unit 15 with the lighting element(s) 16, the control unit 17, and the optional sensor 18 are arranged on a circuit board 19, which is arranged, for example, in the handle portion 12 of the handle element 10. These components are preferably overmolded with a material of the handle element 10 and, together with the latter, form a visually and haptically perceptible outer skin 13 of the handle element 10.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a side view of the handle element 10 shown in Figure 2. The handle element 10 extends in the front-to-back direction in the plane of the drawing. The lighting unit 15 comprises a lighting element 16 in the form of a screen with micro-LEDs. This illustration shows that the lighting unit 15 or element 16 in the form of the screen with micro-LEDs is arranged in the direction of view of a person approaching the motor vehicle. This enables the person to clearly recognize the vehicle's condition or the light signature.

[0058] The vehicle status includes one or more of the following states, whereby the following light signatures can be signaled:

[0059] A charge level indicator for a vehicle battery (not shown) for operating an electric drive motor of the motor vehicle can be represented, for example, by a light bar, with the length of the light bar indicating the charge level of the battery. If the charge level of the battery has fallen below a specified lower limit, for example, a different color can signal that the battery needs to be charged.

[0060] If vehicle door 1 is an electrically operated vehicle door, the opening and closing can be signalled by flashing during an opening and closing process.

[0061] A locked vehicle door 1 can, for example, be signaled by a first signal color, and an unlocked vehicle door by a different signal color.

[0062] If a known person approaches motor vehicle 2, the approach can be signaled by varying the brightness and / or a flashing frequency depending on the distance between the person and the motor vehicle.

[0063] If the vehicle has the ability to process voice commands from a person who is outside the motor vehicle 2 and is in the vicinity of the vehicle, then if a voice command is recognized, an optical feedback with a first status signal or a first light signature (comprising a specific light pattern in at least one specific light color) can be given, and if a voice command is not recognized, a different light signature (e.g. a different light pattern and / or a different light color) can be given.

[0064] The light signature can also signal an error, e.g. if vehicle door 1 is not completely closed or a window is not (completely) closed.

[0065] The light signature can be of any type and / or brightness and / or dynamics.

[0066] In particular, different colors and / or brightness and / or light patterns can be used for different vehicle conditions.

[0067] 1 vehicle door

[0068] 2 motor vehicles

[0069] 3 Vehicle exterior

[0070] 4 Vehicle interior

[0071] 5 Window area

[0072] 6 side window

[0073] 7 base bodies

[0074] 8 Door parapet

[0075] 9 Castle

[0076] 10 handle element

[0077] 11 first section (fortification section)

[0078] 12 second section (handle section)

[0079] 13 Handle outer skin (outer skin)

[0080] 14 Control element

[0081] 15 lighting units

[0082] 16 lighting elements

[0083] 17 Control unit

[0084] 18 Sensor

[0085] 19 circuit board

Claims

Claims 1. Handle element (10) for a vehicle door (1) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising: at least one operating element (14) integrated into the handle element (10) for locking and / or unlocking a lock (9), in particular electrically, by means of which the vehicle door (1), which can be arranged on a body of the motor vehicle (2) so as to be movable between a closed position and at least one open position, is to be secured in the closed position; a lighting unit (15) integrated into the handle element (10) with a plurality of lighting elements (16), each of which is designed to emit colored light; a control unit (17) designed to individually control the lighting elements (16) with regard to the color and / or brightness emitted by them, in order to signal the at least one vehicle state with a predetermined light signature in response to the reception of a state signal representing a vehicle state.

2. Handle element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged on the outside of a vehicle door (1).

3. Handle element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating element (14) comprises at least one sensor (18) which is designed to detect the approach of a person to the vehicle and / or a gesture of a person and to provide an approach signal.

4. Handle element (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit (17) is designed to signal the at least one driving state as the state signal depending on the received approach signal.

5. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (17) is integrated into the handle element (10).

6. Handle element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lighting unit (15) comprises LEDs, in particular RGB LEDs, as lighting elements (16).

7. Handle element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lighting unit (15) comprises a screen with micro-LEDs as a lighting element (16).

8. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one circuit board (19) is arranged in the handle element (10), on which the at least one operating element (14) and / or the lighting unit (15) and / or the control unit (17) are arranged.

9. Handle element (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one circuit board (19) and / or the at least one operating element (14) and / or the lighting unit (15) and / or the control unit (17) are encapsulated by a material of the handle element (10) and together with the latter at least partially form a visually and haptically perceptible outer skin (13).

10. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (15) is arranged in the handle element (10) in the direction of a line of sight of a person approaching the motor vehicle (2).

11. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (15) in the handle element (10) is directed in the direction of a light-reflecting body component.

12. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle state comprises one or more of the following states, to which a respective light signature is assigned: - state of charge of a vehicle battery; - Door opening status when electrically opening and / or closing the vehicle door (1); - Door locking status; - approach of a person known to the motor vehicle (2) to the motor vehicle (2) by varying the brightness depending on the distance between the person and the motor vehicle (2), - recognized voice command of a person approaching the motor vehicle; - Fault condition, especially when the vehicle door (1) or window is not completely closed.

13. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (17) is designed to signal the vehicle status through a dynamic light function.

14. Handle element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a bow handle, extendable handle, recessed handle, or pull element.

15. Motor vehicle (2) with at least one vehicle door (1) with a handle element (10) arranged on the outside of the door according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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