Automobile lighting system that includes an exterior indicating device

摘要

In this automobile lighting system there is (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state, (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from the source and an output end to which this light is transmitted by the light guide, (iii) an indicating device at the output end for controlling the passage of light from the output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between the indicating device and the exterior location for receiving light passing through the indicating device from the light guide output end. The indicating device comprises a shutter having an opaque portion, a light blocking position in which the opaque portion blocks the passage of light from the output end to the lens, and a non-blocking position in which light is allowed to pass through the indicating device to the lens. The indicating device also includes shutter-actuating means for shifting the shutter between its light-blocking position and its non-blocking position while the light source remains in its "on" state.