CA2139343A1 - Multi-sound vehicle horn system - Google Patents
Multi-sound vehicle horn systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2139343A1 CA2139343A1 CA002139343A CA2139343A CA2139343A1 CA 2139343 A1 CA2139343 A1 CA 2139343A1 CA 002139343 A CA002139343 A CA 002139343A CA 2139343 A CA2139343 A CA 2139343A CA 2139343 A1 CA2139343 A1 CA 2139343A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- horn
- vehicle
- control circuit
- switch
- input
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
- B60Q1/54—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
- B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
- B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
- B06B1/0223—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time
- B06B1/0269—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies
- B06B1/0276—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies with simultaneous generation, e.g. with modulation, harmonics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- B06B2201/70—Specific application
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
Abstract
MULTI-SOUND VEHICLE HORN SYSTEM
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A vehicle horn system is disclosed which provides a plurality of different sounds, each indicative of the occurrence of a different event.
The horn system includes a vehicle horn, a horn switch, and a control circuit having a plurality of inputs, one of which is coupled to the horn switch.
Activation of the horn switch causes the control circuit to operate the horn to produce a standard horn warning. Other events for which the horn system produces an audible alert include backing-up of the vehicle and changes in the vehicle alarm status. The horn system can include a vehicle speed sensor and a second vehicle horn that produces a different sound than the first horn. The control circuit is configured to operate only one of the horns when the vehicle is travelling below a certain speed and to operate both horns when the vehicle is traveling above that speed.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A vehicle horn system is disclosed which provides a plurality of different sounds, each indicative of the occurrence of a different event.
The horn system includes a vehicle horn, a horn switch, and a control circuit having a plurality of inputs, one of which is coupled to the horn switch.
Activation of the horn switch causes the control circuit to operate the horn to produce a standard horn warning. Other events for which the horn system produces an audible alert include backing-up of the vehicle and changes in the vehicle alarm status. The horn system can include a vehicle speed sensor and a second vehicle horn that produces a different sound than the first horn. The control circuit is configured to operate only one of the horns when the vehicle is travelling below a certain speed and to operate both horns when the vehicle is traveling above that speed.
Description
~ 0 9~/'65~; PCT/I~S93/0;9 1 1 - 2 1 3 ~ 3 4 3 LTI-801JND ~E~ICI,E ~IORN 8YgTE~
TEC~NICA~ FIELD
This invention relates in general to the use of sounds to convey information to a vehicle operator and to persons outside the vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle horn system that uses the vehicle horn or horns not only ls as an audible warning to others, but also to alert the driver or others of the occurrence of an event, such as a change in the status of a vehicle alarm or that the vehicle is backing up. The invention also relates to a horn system that, upon activation of the horn switchj produces one of a pair of sounds depending upon vehicle speed.
` ~ACl~t~ROlJ11D OF T9~1~ SN~ION `
The use of sound generating devices on vehicles to produce sounds that convey information to persons within and without the vehicle is well - -~
stab}ished. Devices employed to convey information to persons outside the vehicle include vehicle horns ~-~ and, more recently, sound transducers used in `;
vehicle alarm systems. Devices employed to convey l`-, I information to occupants of the vehicle include buzzers or other sound transducers which indicate that, for example, a door is ajar, seat belts should i i`
~ ~ 30 be fastened, or the headlights have b-en l-ft on.
: ~ . . ., ;: :,.
` ` ` ~ `.`',:
"`":.`.'.','`.,',', ~.
W0 941'655; 213~ 3 4 3 PCT/USg3loSg~
- 2 ~
For many years, the electric horns commonly used on automotive vehicles have been of the type which generate sound by vibration of a diaphragm driven by an electromagnet motor. The horn typically comprises a housing with the diaphragm peripherally clamped thereto forming a motor chamber. The coil of the electromagnet is mounted within the chamber and a magnetic pole piece on the housi~g extends axially of the coil. A magnetic plunger on the diaphragm extends toward the pole piece for imparting ~otion to the diaphragm in response to periodic energization of the coil. The diaphragm provides a rasilient suspension of the plunger for reciprocating motion relative to the coil; it has a spring characteristic whareby the diaphrag~ and the mass carrisd by it`have a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration. The coil is energized ~rom the vehicle battery through a - ` mechanically actuated switch which is alternately opened and closed by movement of the plunger with the di~phragm. ~ vehicle horn of this kind is sometimas referred to as a mechanically-switched type horn.~ A specific example of this typa of horn is described in U.S. Patent No. 4t813,123, granted - 25 ~arch 21, 1989 to Wilson et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
More recently, vehicle horns that employ a solid state driver circuit for the horn coil have been developed. Sea, for example, U.S. Patent No.
5,04~,853, granted September 17, 1991 to Yoon, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by : . ~
-09~/26i~; 213~3 4 3 pcTl~lss3los9 reference. That patent discloses a vehicle horn that uses a solid state driver circuit instead of a mechanical switch to provide the necessary pulses of driving current to the horn coil. The driver circuit is adapted to energize the horn coil to cause vibrations of the diaphragm at its resonant frequency. The solid state driver has an electronic timer adjustable to the frequency of the diaphragm assembly and switches a solid state power output stage to drive the diaphragm synchronously with the timer frequency. A driver output st,age comprises a power MOSFET or a Darlington pair. This type of horn is sometimes referred to as an electronically-switched type horn. Another type of electronically-switched type horn, sometimes referred to as a "three-wire" horn, is disclosed in U.S.S.N. 684,693, filed April 12, l991 in the name of Wilson et al.
and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Regardless of the type or frequency of the hoxn, vehicl,e horn syst,~ms are generally designed for a singular purpose - to create a sound that alerts persons nearby of the presence of the vehicle. It has been found that a horn which qenerates a plurality of freqùencies provides a sound that has a pleasing effect and yet is effective for its intended purpose. Multiple frequency sound generation has been accomplished in ` 30 many ways. For example, U.S. Paten~ No. 2,glOr~88, granted October 27, 1959 to Kelley et al., disclos~s a circuit arrangement which includes two oscillators ....
, ~
..., ~ ~:
.-, ,-., --~ U'O 94/265i~ 213~ 3 ~ 3 PCTll,'S93/0;911 that operata at different frequencies and that drive ;
a loudspeaker to generate a sound having two frequency components. See also, U.S. Patent No. ~`
2,910,689, granted October 27, 1959 to Grace. ~-~ ~-Another way to generate a sound composed of a plurality of fraquencies is disclosed in U.S. -~
Patent No. 4,486,742, granted December 4, 1984 to - . i:
Kudo et al. In that patent, an oscillator circuit . ,.~
is used to operate a piezoelectric vibrator at one of its two (or more) resonant frequencies. The oscillator output is amplitude ~odulated at a frequency equal to the frequency separation between the two resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric.
` Yet another way to genera~e a multiple frequency sound is to use a pair of either the electronically-switched or mechanically-switched type horns described above. To produce a desirable sound, one o~ tha horns is designed for relatively low frequency operation ~nd the other for relatively high frequèncy operation. For example, one horn may be ~designed to have a reæonant ~requency of four hundred hertz and the other dasigned to have a resonànt fraquency of five hundred her~z.
In all of these arrangements, the various frequencies are generated simultaneously to produce a single horn sound. In the ~elley et al., Grace, and Kudo patents mentioned above, a single ` transducer (i.e., loudspeaker or piez~electric) is energized by a waveform that produces a single sound ` ~,-~os~l2ssss PcTluss3los9ll ~- 2~ 3q~3 5 .
composed of a plurality of frequencies. In the two-horn system described above, the two horns are operated simultaneously by activation of the vehicle horn switch such that their aural output is perceived as a single sound.
In applications other than vehicle horn systems, circuits have been disclosed that allow selection of one of a plurality of sounds. Such circuits have been proposed for applications involving the generation of siren sounds as used, for example, in emergency vehicles. U.S. Patent No.
TEC~NICA~ FIELD
This invention relates in general to the use of sounds to convey information to a vehicle operator and to persons outside the vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle horn system that uses the vehicle horn or horns not only ls as an audible warning to others, but also to alert the driver or others of the occurrence of an event, such as a change in the status of a vehicle alarm or that the vehicle is backing up. The invention also relates to a horn system that, upon activation of the horn switchj produces one of a pair of sounds depending upon vehicle speed.
` ~ACl~t~ROlJ11D OF T9~1~ SN~ION `
The use of sound generating devices on vehicles to produce sounds that convey information to persons within and without the vehicle is well - -~
stab}ished. Devices employed to convey information to persons outside the vehicle include vehicle horns ~-~ and, more recently, sound transducers used in `;
vehicle alarm systems. Devices employed to convey l`-, I information to occupants of the vehicle include buzzers or other sound transducers which indicate that, for example, a door is ajar, seat belts should i i`
~ ~ 30 be fastened, or the headlights have b-en l-ft on.
: ~ . . ., ;: :,.
` ` ` ~ `.`',:
"`":.`.'.','`.,',', ~.
W0 941'655; 213~ 3 4 3 PCT/USg3loSg~
- 2 ~
For many years, the electric horns commonly used on automotive vehicles have been of the type which generate sound by vibration of a diaphragm driven by an electromagnet motor. The horn typically comprises a housing with the diaphragm peripherally clamped thereto forming a motor chamber. The coil of the electromagnet is mounted within the chamber and a magnetic pole piece on the housi~g extends axially of the coil. A magnetic plunger on the diaphragm extends toward the pole piece for imparting ~otion to the diaphragm in response to periodic energization of the coil. The diaphragm provides a rasilient suspension of the plunger for reciprocating motion relative to the coil; it has a spring characteristic whareby the diaphrag~ and the mass carrisd by it`have a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration. The coil is energized ~rom the vehicle battery through a - ` mechanically actuated switch which is alternately opened and closed by movement of the plunger with the di~phragm. ~ vehicle horn of this kind is sometimas referred to as a mechanically-switched type horn.~ A specific example of this typa of horn is described in U.S. Patent No. 4t813,123, granted - 25 ~arch 21, 1989 to Wilson et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
More recently, vehicle horns that employ a solid state driver circuit for the horn coil have been developed. Sea, for example, U.S. Patent No.
5,04~,853, granted September 17, 1991 to Yoon, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by : . ~
-09~/26i~; 213~3 4 3 pcTl~lss3los9 reference. That patent discloses a vehicle horn that uses a solid state driver circuit instead of a mechanical switch to provide the necessary pulses of driving current to the horn coil. The driver circuit is adapted to energize the horn coil to cause vibrations of the diaphragm at its resonant frequency. The solid state driver has an electronic timer adjustable to the frequency of the diaphragm assembly and switches a solid state power output stage to drive the diaphragm synchronously with the timer frequency. A driver output st,age comprises a power MOSFET or a Darlington pair. This type of horn is sometimes referred to as an electronically-switched type horn. Another type of electronically-switched type horn, sometimes referred to as a "three-wire" horn, is disclosed in U.S.S.N. 684,693, filed April 12, l991 in the name of Wilson et al.
and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Regardless of the type or frequency of the hoxn, vehicl,e horn syst,~ms are generally designed for a singular purpose - to create a sound that alerts persons nearby of the presence of the vehicle. It has been found that a horn which qenerates a plurality of freqùencies provides a sound that has a pleasing effect and yet is effective for its intended purpose. Multiple frequency sound generation has been accomplished in ` 30 many ways. For example, U.S. Paten~ No. 2,glOr~88, granted October 27, 1959 to Kelley et al., disclos~s a circuit arrangement which includes two oscillators ....
, ~
..., ~ ~:
.-, ,-., --~ U'O 94/265i~ 213~ 3 ~ 3 PCTll,'S93/0;911 that operata at different frequencies and that drive ;
a loudspeaker to generate a sound having two frequency components. See also, U.S. Patent No. ~`
2,910,689, granted October 27, 1959 to Grace. ~-~ ~-Another way to generate a sound composed of a plurality of fraquencies is disclosed in U.S. -~
Patent No. 4,486,742, granted December 4, 1984 to - . i:
Kudo et al. In that patent, an oscillator circuit . ,.~
is used to operate a piezoelectric vibrator at one of its two (or more) resonant frequencies. The oscillator output is amplitude ~odulated at a frequency equal to the frequency separation between the two resonant frequencies of the piezoelectric.
` Yet another way to genera~e a multiple frequency sound is to use a pair of either the electronically-switched or mechanically-switched type horns described above. To produce a desirable sound, one o~ tha horns is designed for relatively low frequency operation ~nd the other for relatively high frequèncy operation. For example, one horn may be ~designed to have a reæonant ~requency of four hundred hertz and the other dasigned to have a resonànt fraquency of five hundred her~z.
In all of these arrangements, the various frequencies are generated simultaneously to produce a single horn sound. In the ~elley et al., Grace, and Kudo patents mentioned above, a single ` transducer (i.e., loudspeaker or piez~electric) is energized by a waveform that produces a single sound ` ~,-~os~l2ssss PcTluss3los9ll ~- 2~ 3q~3 5 .
composed of a plurality of frequencies. In the two-horn system described above, the two horns are operated simultaneously by activation of the vehicle horn switch such that their aural output is perceived as a single sound.
In applications other than vehicle horn systems, circuits have been disclosed that allow selection of one of a plurality of sounds. Such circuits have been proposed for applications involving the generation of siren sounds as used, for example, in emergency vehicles. U.S. Patent No.
3,493,966, granted February 3, 1970 to Human, discloses an audible al`arm device having a pair of oscillators and a switch that permits selection of either a horn or a siren sound. U.S. Patent No.
--3,873,980, granted March 25, 1975 to Carroll, and U.S. Patent No. 4,040,Q50, granted August 2, lg77 to Nunn, Jr., disclo~e circuits for emergency vehicles that permit switching between "wail" and "yelp"
iren sounds. Nona of these patents, however, ~ disclose or sugg2st utilizing a standard vehicle ;~ horn for producing tho~s sounds in addition to the usual horn warning sound that is produced upon ~- 25 activation of the vehicle horn switch. The patent to Nunn, 3r. expressly provides a separate siren for producing the "wail" and "yelp" sounds. Moreover, none of these patents teach or suggest how the circuitry disclosed therein could be incorporated into a vehicle horn system.
,,,,.~.
.. .;
i ~W0 94/265;; ~ ~L 3~ 3 4 ~ PCTIUS93/05911 '; . ~:
- ~.: ;"' Circuits have also been disclosed that provide a vehicle operator with audible signals in accordance with certain operating conditions of the vehicle. U.S. PAtent No. 4,785,280, granted November 15, 1988 to Fubini et al., discloses a microprocessor controlled system that uses a loudspeaker to produce audible signals which provide the operator with information concerning various vehicle operating conditions, such as fuel level, oil temperature, oil pressure, and tire pressure. ;~;
Each different operating condition has a different sound associated with it so that the operator can ~`
determine which of the various operating conditions being monitored naeds attention. Similarly, U.S. `~
Patent No. 4,421,052, granted December 20, 1983 to Cook, discloses a tire pressure signalling device - t~at generates an acoustic signal when the ~ire ` pressure falls below a predetermined Ievel. The acoustic signal is datected by a microphone and used to warn the operator via a dashboard light or buzzer. Neither of these two patents disclose or suggest using the vehicle horn to alert the operator of the monitored vehicle condition that needs attention. Rather, they both te~ch using a separate ~sound-tran ducer~(i.e., a loudspeaker or buzzer).
Similar arrangements have been used in fields even more remote from vehicle horn systems. For example, U.S. Patent No~ 4,224,613, granted -September 23, 1980 to Kaiser et al., discloses a warning system for a printing press that uses one or ~;~
more speakers to produce any of a plurality of :~
~VO 9-1/2655; PCTIUS93/059 1 1 ~ 2~3~343 sounds, each of which is associated with a different operating condition of the printing press.
Also known in the prior art are various electrical and mechanical arrangements for varying the sound output of the vehicle horn in accordance with vehicle speed. The above-mentioned patent to Grace ~iscloses a circuit that includes a speed control circuit which adjusts the volume of the sound produced by a loudspeaker as a function of vehicle speed. The patent to Fubini et al. disclose a similar system that operates under con~rol of a microprocessor. Mechanical arrangements using mutes for lowering the volume of a vehicle horn at lower speeds are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2~301,344, granted November 10, 1942 to Ti~ettsj and U.S.
Patent No. 2,694,806, granted November 16, 1954 to Johnson.
8~X~ARY OF T~ I~YENTlO~
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vehicle horn system that is operable to produce any of~a plurality of sounds via the vehicle horn. The horn system includes a vehicle horn, a horn switch couplèd to the vehicle horn, and a control circuit oupled to the vehicle horn and having a plurality of inputs for providing the circuit with a plurality of input signals. The ~` 30 control circuit is operable to control the sound produced by the vehicle horn in accordance with the input signals and the horn switch is coupled to a ; ~ ' '~" ', ,' :"`,' /O 9~1265;; 21 3Y3 4 3 PCT/l,'S93/05911 ~ ;
first one of the plurality of inputs to thereby provide the control circuit with a first one of the plurality of input signals upon the horn switch being activated. Thus, when the horn switch is activated, the control circuit operates the horn to produce a first sound, which preferably is a continuous horn sound at the horn's resonant ; frequency. The other inputs of the control circuit can be connected to various vehicle electrical devices, such as a reverse or back-up switch and an alarm system. The horn utilized can either be a mechanically-switched type horn ox an electronically-switched type horn. `~
Preferably, the control circuit is configured to resolve conflicts between inputs occurring simultaneously. In doing so, activation of t~e horn switch is given top priority and the control circuit therefore produces the normal full horn sound upon activation of the horn switch, even if the control --~ circuit is currently serving another input. ~ ~`
`~ In another aspect of the invention, the horn system includes a second horn having a resonant frequency that is different than the resonan~
frequency of the first horn and the control circuit ~, is operable to control the sound produced by the ~ -second vehicle horn in accordance with the inpu~ -signals. The outputs of the two horns can be -~
combined in various ways to produce different sounds that are associated with different events. -~
:~
:~
wos~/26;~; pcT~tss3lo;9ll r 213ql3~3 In yet another aspect of the invention, the . ~.
first and second vehicle horns can be used as part of a speed-responsive vehicle horn system. This can . .~`
be accomplished using a vehicle speed sensor 5connected to the control circuit with the control ~- .
circuit being configured to operate one or both of ~ -the vehicle horns depending upon the measured ~.. ~.. -.:
vehicle speed. Pre~erably, the control circuit is ........ `.
configured to operate both o~ the vehicle horns when ~ 10the horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is greater than a preset speed, and the control ~ `;
circuit is configured to operate only one of the ~.
vehicle horns when the horn switch is acti~ated and ``.`
the vehicle speed is 1QSS than or egual to the ..
15preset speed~ Preferably, only the horn having the .~.``;
lower resonant frequency is operated when the .. `.`.-`
vehicle speed is less than or equal to the preset ~ ?:,i`~
speed. "`~
?; ~
20In another aspect of the present invention, :certain onQs of the plurality of inputs are ..
. connectable to a vehiclQ alarm system that provides . .. ~
.the control circuit with a plurality of alarm ... `-con~rol signals, each of which is associated with a ...
25~ different vshicle alar~ condition. The control ~` : circuit is operable in responsQ to tha alarm control :signals to eause the v hicle horn to produce a `-~
plurality of sounds, each indicative of a different ~ -one of the vehicle alarm conditions. .. ~:
. `~
The horn system of the present invention ~ ~
advantageously pormits use of a conventional vehicle ~.. ``
.,~
: , .:
VO 941265;; 2 1 3 ~ 3 4 3 PCT11~593/05911 .,., ~ .
horn or horns to indicate the occurrence of different events and allows nearby persons to determine which of the different events occurred based on the sound produced by the vehicle horn or horns. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need ~or separate sound transducers used for such ~ .
: things as vehicle alarms and backing-up warnings.
The invention can also be used to call attention to :: :
certain vehicle operating conditions such as fuel - ::
level, tire pressure, etc. For any such `
arrangement, the horn syste~ would be coupled to a ~.
sensor that monitors the operating condition and would be ~on~igured to generate a unique sound . :
~: related to that operating condition.
BRSB~ DX8CaIPTIO~ OF T~E 9RA~I~8~
:- ' ~ ,:
The preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in ~ ~
: 20 conjunction with thQ appended drawings, wherein like ~:
~ designations denote like sl2ments, and: ~
~, :
Figus- 1 is a simplified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle horn system of ~ 25 the pres~nt invention;
-j F~guro 2 is a block diagram as in Fig. 1 -~
: showing some of the datail of the controller; and Figuro 3 is a block diagram of an energizing circuit operable as the horn drivers of Figs. 1 and :~
2. `~
~VO91/265;5 21 3~ 3 4 3 PCT~S93/0;9ll ~ ~
-', ''..
- ~. 1 - . " .. . -. :. . . ~...
DE8CRIP~ION OF T~E PREFERRED E~BODI~EN~
As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle horn system of -`
the present invention, designated generally as 10, -; `
includes a controller 12, a high frequency horn 14, a low frequency horn 16, a driver i8 for horn 14, and a second driver 20 ~or horn 16. Controller 12 is a control circuit having a plurality of inputs .: , . .
connected to various vehicle electrical devices, each of which is operable to provide controller 12 .
with an indication of the occurrence of some event for which an audible alert is desired. Such an indication can be, for example, a change in the ~-voltage or impedance seen by controller 12 on its `
input.
.`..'... .
In general, controller 12 monitors these - ~ e}ectr1cal devices and, in response to an indication of~the occurrence o~ one of the events, operates 20~ hoxn 14 and/or horn 16 to produce a speci~ic sound ~ " .. .- . . i . ~
that is associatad with t~at e~ent. In the `~
illustrated embodiment, controller 12 has ~he followin devices connected to different ones of its input-:~ a speed sensor 22, a horn switch 24, a 2s~ reverse switch 26, an alarm ~system 2~, and an l ~-optional device 30 that can be, for~example, a two- ~-state sensor that monitors a vehicle operating ~
- ~ condition. ; ~-: .. , . ~., ., ~ 30 Speed sensor 22 can be a tachomet-r or other ~-`` ~ device that provides a signal representa~ive of ~` ` vehicle speed. ~orn switch 24 can be, for example~
; ~ ` ". '-',. .:
~ w09~/26s5; 213~3~3 PCT~S~3/Oi911 .
:; .`
- ~2 -,~
a conventional switch mounted on the ve~icle steering wheel with contacts that close upon pres~ure being exerted on the steering wheel pad.
Reverse switch 26 can be, for example, a conventional switch coupled to the gear switch lever to detect placement of the vehicle into reverse ~ear.
Alarm system 28 has four connections to -- lO controller 12, one of which is used for indicating that the alarm has been violated and the ot~er three of which are used for indicating certain changes in the status of the ala~m system, namely, when the alar~ has been armed, dis-armed, or mis-armed. Of course, thase ~our inputs could be provided on a single line using different voltaqe, current, or impedance levels to indicate the various alarm conditions.
~, ~;~ 20 Referring now to Fig. 2, a more specific ;~ implementation of controller 12 is shown as it would be utiliz~d in horn system 10. Controller 12 ` includes a sound selact circuit 40, a group of pulse - generators 42, an enable circuit 44, a summing junction or logical OR 46 feading driver 18, and a second logical OR 48 feeding driver 20. Sound select 40 is provided with most of the inputs to controller 12 and is connected to each of the pulse ~ .
generators 42. In particular, sound select 40 is - 30 separately conr.ected to a horn pulse generator 50, a reverse pulse generator 52, an arm alarm pulse generator 54, a dis-arm alarm pulse generator 56, a .
.
~O 94/265;; PCTIUS93/0;911 ~ -~ 2 1 3q 3 4 3 ..... "- .,, ,.. . ..
- 13 ~
:' .'. ' '` .' mis-arm alarm pulse generator 58, and a alarm violated pulse generator 60. Although only speed ... ~` `
sensor 22, horn switch 24, reverse switch 26, and alarm system 28 are shown connected to controller .
12, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other vehicle electrical devicPs can be ~:.
connected to additional inputs to sound select 40 to . .,:.
thereby indicate the occurrence of other events for which an audible alert is desired. Controller 12:~
would then contain additional pulse generators 42.;
coupled between sound select 40 and logical ORs 4~
48. :
'.: ''.
Upon an indication of the occurrence of an ..
event on one of the inputs to controller 12, sound : select 40 causes the one of the pulse generators 42 associated with that event to generat~ a pulse or pulse train. The signal generated is unique froma~
: the signals genérated by the other ones of the pulse ~:: `20 generators 42 and is used to drive high horn 14 and/or low horn 16 via their drivers 18 and 20. The ~ pulse or pulse train generated by ~àch of the pulse : generators 42 is preselected to produca a sound from `............... : horns 14 andJor 16 that is appropriate in terms of loudness, duration, and rep~tition rate for ~he event that it is announcing.
. ~ .
Sound select 40 monitors the inputs of controller 12 that are connec~ed to horn switch 24, ~:
reverse switch 2S, and alarm system 28. The inputs -~
to controller 12 from these vehicle electrical devices can be independently connected directly to ` .
. :
~ WO 94/26~i; 2 1 3~ 3 4 ~ PCT/US93/05911 their associated ones of the pulse generators 42.
If so, the concurrence on two or more inputs of controller 12 of the indication of different events would cause simultaneous operation of two or more of the pulse generators 42 with a resulting horn output that is a combination of the output of those pulse generators.
Preferably, however, sound select 40 is configured to resolve conflicts between simultaneous input signals from the various electrical devices so that only one of the pulse generators 42 causes operation of horn 14 and/or 16 at any one time.
Generally, this is done on a first-come first-served lS basis so th~t if, for example, reverse switch 26 closes while horn switch 24 is closed, reverse pulse genera~or 52 remains disabled until horn switch 24 is re-opened. Even more preferably, horn switch 24 receives priority over the indic tion on other inputs of other events. Thus, sound select 40 is configured such t~at if, for example, the vehicle is placed in reverse with reverse switch 26 thereby closin~ and causing operation of reverse generator 52, subRequent activ~tion of horn switch 24 is given priority and sound seleet 40 disables operation of reverse generator 52 and enables operation of horn ~'~ generator 50. If reverse switch 26 remains closed after horn switch 24 is re-opened, then operation of ~ reverse generator 52 would resume.
`~ 30 Additionally, sound select 40 could be configured to store and queue signals receiv~d on ~l/O 91/2655' PCT/lJS93/05911 , 213q343 - ~
: `,: :.:. :..
: -. : :::
its inputs so that if, for instance, a pulse is provided to controller 12 on the mis-arm alarm input while horn switch 24 is being activated, the occurrence of that pulse could be stored and, after activation of horn switch 24 ends, used to operate mis-arm pulse generator 58 even though the siqnal on the mis-arm input is no longer present.
Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the enabling and disabling of the pulse generators 42 that is provided by sound select 40 could also be implemented between the pulse generators 42 and logical ORs 46, 48. This could be done by gating the outputs of the pulse genarators 42.
Preferably, the pulse generators 42 are configured to produce signals for driving a three-wire electronically-switched type horn. Before describing the operation of pulse generators 42, a suitable three-wire electronically-switchad type horn 62 suitable for use as horns 14 and 16 (including th~ir drivers) will be descri~ed in connection with Fig. 3. Three-wire horn 62 comprises an electric horn 64 and an energizing circuit 66 having a signal ganerator 68 and a solid state power switch in the form of a power MOSFET 70.
Circuit 66 is shown for energizing horn 64 as it , , ~, .: ., .
would be connected in an automotive vehicle. Horn 64 has its electromagnet coil 72 connected in series ~-circuit with a DC voltage source 74 and power MOSFET
70. More specifically, power MOSFET 70 has its source 76 connected to ground and its drain 78 is : , ~
'~: " ' ,:
~ w0941265;5 21 3q3 ~ 3 PCT~S93/05911 connected through coil 72 to the positive terminal of the voltage source 74, through an unswitched power circuit, tha negative terminal of voltage source 74 being connected to ground. A horn switch 24', which is manually actuable by the vahicle driver, has its fixed contact connected directly t~
ground and its movable contact connected through an on/off circuit 80 to t~e positive terminal of voltaga source 74. When horn switch 24', is closed, the battery voltage is applied by on/off circuit 80 to the input of a voltage regulator 82. Voltage regulator 82 supplies a regulated supply voltage for an oscillator 84 and a time on compensator 86.
Oscillator 84 is a sawtooth osrillator having an output frequency determined by a capacitor 88 and an adjustable resistor 90. Time on compensator 86 develops a control signal which is combined with the output of oscillator 84 to generate a pulse train which is applied to a driver stage 92. The control signal produced by time on compensator 86 determines ~`~ the duty cycle of the pulse train and i5 adjustable by an adjustable resistor 94. The pulse train output of driver stage 92 is applied to tha gata 96 of power MOSFET 70 which is switched on and off by 25 ~ the pulse train. A snubber 98 is connected from the drain to the gate of power MOSFET 70 to protect the . circuit from transients. Energizing circui~ 66 can be implemented on a printed circuit board located on or within a housing 100 of electric horn 64.
U.S.S.N. 684,693, filed April 12, 1991 in the name of Wilson et al. and assigned to the assignee of the presant invention, provides further details sn a ,~WO 94126555 PCT/U593/05911 -' '` 2 1 3q 3 4 3 , .~ . ". , ` ..:' .':.~, ' ' ~,.-~,..,,.,., ", -- 1 7 ~
'`' ''' . ' specific implementation of horn 62 and is hereby ~
incorporated by reference. ` ~;
As will now be appreciated, horn 62 is an ;
electronicalIy-switched horn because coil 72 is driven by a solid state switching circuit rather than by the more conventional mechanical switches describsd above. Additionally, horn 62 is a three-wire horn because, in order to connect it as it would be implemented on an automotive vehicle, ~ -three-wires are used: one leading to DC voltage source 74 (e.g., the vehicle battery), one providing a ground return path, and one leading to horn switch ~ ;~
24'.
Horn 62 can suitably be employed ~or high horn 14 and its driver-18 of Figs. l and 2. To do `
so, terminal 102 of horn 62 (shown in Fig. 3 as bein~ connected to horn switch 24') would be coupled ~ ~
- 20 to the output of logical OR 46 of Figs. 1 and 2. In ~`
a like manner, a horn 62 can be used for low horn 16 1~ ;
and its driver 20 of ~i~s. 1 and 2, the only difference being that high hsrn 14 has a higher~ ~`
res~nant frequency of mechanical vibration than low - ~ 25 horn 16 and resistors 90 and 94 and capacitor 88 for `~;
both horns will be selected for proper opera~ion of each horn at its resonant frequency. ~-.
; Referring again to Fig. 2, t~e preferred profiles for the pulses and pulse trains generated by each of the pulse generators 42 will now be described. For the purpose of describing these ` ;
~; . '"' .~ ' .: :
~ 094l26;i; 2 ~ 3q 3 4 3 ~cT~ss3lo;sll .
signals and the operation of controller 12, an active hi~h convention is utilized so that, when disabled, each of the pulse generators 42 output a logical zero. However, as discussed below, any or all of the signals generated by controller 12 can be activP low, the only requirement being that the logic functions combining the various signals be altered accordingly.
Horn pulse generator 50 generates a pulse of indefinite duration, the pulse width ~eing determined solely by the length of time that horn switch 24 is activated. Thus, horn generator 50 produces a continuous DC level (logical one) as long .
as horn switch 24 is depressed. This signal is provided directly to logical OR 48 to automatically cause op~ration of low horn 16. This signal is gated by a logical AND 110 which passes the signal " ` ~ only if its other input is ~lso a logical one. The 2Q ~ other input to logical AND 110 is connected to the output of a co~parator 112 that receivas as its inputs ~h~ output from speed sensor 22 and a presat speed-114 which provides a minimum vehicle speed for ~;~ ` which operation of high horn 14 is enabled. In ~` ` 25 ~`particular, comparator 112 compares the vehicle ~speed as determined by speed sensor 22 with preset , ! speed 114. If the vehicle speed is greater than preset speed 114, then comparator 112 outputs a logical one, thereby passing the output of horn generator 50 (whether a logical zero or one) to driver 18. Conversely, if the vehicle speed is less than or egual to preset speed 114, then comparator :
~ ' .
~vos~/265s; PCT~S93/059 ~., 2 ~ 3q 3 4 3 ' ~
. : ., ~:
,'~ :'''`.'' - 19 - ' .. ,.:~
112 outputs a logical zero, thereby preventing the passage of the output of horn generator 50 to logical OR 46. Since only one horn is operated at lower speeds, the normal horn sound produced by horn system 10 has a lower decibel level in situations involving a stopped or relatively slow-moving vehicle than in situations in which the vehicle is -~
moving guickly and both horns are utilized. -~
: ::: -: -; 10 Upon closure of reverse switch 2~, reverse generator 52 provides a pulse train of nine millisecond pulses at a repetition rate of one pulse ~
every thirty-eight milliseconds. This pulse train ;~-is generated for five hundred milliseconds at a rate ., .
of one hertz until reverse switch 26 is re-opened.
This signal is provided directly to logical OR 46 to thereby operate high horn 14~ This signal is also provided to a delay circuit 116 which provides a nine~een millisecond delay before providing the signal to logical OR 48 to thereby operate low horn 6. Thus, closure of reverse switch 26 results in high and low horns 14 and 16 being alternately pulsed for nine milliseconds at a relatively hiqh r-petition rate for a period of half a second, ~ollowed by one half of a second of silence, followed by another set of alternating nine millisecond pulses, and so on until reverse switch 26 is re-opened.
Upon sound selector 40 receiving a signal from alarm system 28 that the vehicle alarm ha~ been armed, arm pulse generator 54 produces a single . A . ~ . ., ~
~vos~/26~5s 2 1 3 q 3 4 3 PCT~'593/05911 pulse having a nine millisecond duration that is provided only to logical OR 46 and, hence only to high horn 14. Similarly, upon sound selector 40 receiving a signal from alarm system 28 that the vehicle alarm has been dis-armed, dis-arm pulse generator 56 produces a single pulse having a nine millisecond duration that is provided only to logical OR 48 and, hence only to low horn 16. Mis-arm generator 58 also produces a single nine millisecond pulse, but this pulse is first provided to logicaI OR 46 to operate high horn 14 and then, after a three hundred twelve millisecond delay produced by a delay circuit 118, is provided to ~` ~ logical OR 48 to operate low horn 16.
Upon sound selector 40 receiving a signal from alarm system 28 that the vehicle alarm has been violated, alarm violated pulse generator 60 produces a pulse train of one half of a second pulses at a repetition rate of one hertz. This pulse train is provided simultanQously to both logical ORs 46 and 48 so that horns 14 and 16 are operatad together.
; ; It wi}l be appreciated:~that, of the above pulsès and pulse trains, the minimua pulse width is nine milliseconds. Thus, for a horn operating at a frequency of four-hundred hertz, signal generator 68 pul~es power MOSFET 70 on every two and one half ; milliseconds, thereby operating ~OSFET 70 for three ~ 30 full cycles during the nine millisecond pulse.
:;:
. . .. . .: , - .
~og~/265;; pcTlus93los9ll ~
.. :,.................................................................. : .
2 ~ ~q ~ ~1 3 :
The operation of controller 12 has been des~ribed using an active high convention. It will of course be appreciated that controller 12 can be implemented with some or all of the Yarious signals being active low and the functions provided by elements 46, 48, and llO would then be chosen accordingly. Moreover, if the convéntion used throughout is active low, then logical AND llO could be replaced by a logical OR and logical Ors 46 and 48 could be replaced by logical ANDs. Horn pulse generator 50 would then not be needed and horn switch 24 could then be connected directly to element 48 (now a logical AND), as indicated by the brok~n lines in Fig. 2. Horn switch 24 could even be connected directly to on-off circuit 80 as horn switch 24' is s~own in Fig. 3, with the signals from the other pulse generators 42 being coupled to on~
off circuit 80 in any of various ways known to those skilled in the art.
As mentioned above, horn system lO can be implemented using mech~nically-switched type horns rather than the electronically-switched type just de~cribed. If a mechanically-switched type horn is ~ utilized, then the drivers lR and 20 would be ~`~ responsive to signals fro~ their respective logical , . ~- :-, :
Ors 46 and 48 to connect their respective horns 14 and 16 to a DC power source such as the vehicle battery. Additionally, In mechanically-switched horns, the frequency or the outputted acoustic waves ~` ramps up from zero hertz to the resonant frequency - of the horn. This~ ra~ping occurs relatively fast ```~: - `,'' :
W094/265;; PCT~S93/059ll 2~3q3~ :
and is not normally perceived by the human ear.
This effect, however, permits generation of different sounds in a manner other than has been described above. More specifically, different sounds can be produced by controlling the amount of time that power is applied to the horn. If, for example, it takes a mechanically-switched horn ten milliseconds to ramp up to its full natural frequency, then by providing pulses to the horn of four and one half milliseconds, the frequency reached by the horn during each pulse will be something less than the horn's resonant frequency.
The result will be a different sound at a decibel :
level less than when the horn is being operated at its resonant ~requency. Moreover, if the repetition rate of the pulses is high enough, the sound ` produced will be perceived as a continuous sound.
Thus, various sounds can be produced in this manner , . , by configuring pulse generators 42 accordingly.
It will thus be apparent that~there has been provided in accordance with the ~resent invention a vehicle horn system which achieves the aims and advanta~es specified herein. It will of course be ~understood that the foregoing description i~ of preferred exemplary embodimen~s of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown. Various changes and ~` modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and all such variations and modifications are intended to come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
--3,873,980, granted March 25, 1975 to Carroll, and U.S. Patent No. 4,040,Q50, granted August 2, lg77 to Nunn, Jr., disclo~e circuits for emergency vehicles that permit switching between "wail" and "yelp"
iren sounds. Nona of these patents, however, ~ disclose or sugg2st utilizing a standard vehicle ;~ horn for producing tho~s sounds in addition to the usual horn warning sound that is produced upon ~- 25 activation of the vehicle horn switch. The patent to Nunn, 3r. expressly provides a separate siren for producing the "wail" and "yelp" sounds. Moreover, none of these patents teach or suggest how the circuitry disclosed therein could be incorporated into a vehicle horn system.
,,,,.~.
.. .;
i ~W0 94/265;; ~ ~L 3~ 3 4 ~ PCTIUS93/05911 '; . ~:
- ~.: ;"' Circuits have also been disclosed that provide a vehicle operator with audible signals in accordance with certain operating conditions of the vehicle. U.S. PAtent No. 4,785,280, granted November 15, 1988 to Fubini et al., discloses a microprocessor controlled system that uses a loudspeaker to produce audible signals which provide the operator with information concerning various vehicle operating conditions, such as fuel level, oil temperature, oil pressure, and tire pressure. ;~;
Each different operating condition has a different sound associated with it so that the operator can ~`
determine which of the various operating conditions being monitored naeds attention. Similarly, U.S. `~
Patent No. 4,421,052, granted December 20, 1983 to Cook, discloses a tire pressure signalling device - t~at generates an acoustic signal when the ~ire ` pressure falls below a predetermined Ievel. The acoustic signal is datected by a microphone and used to warn the operator via a dashboard light or buzzer. Neither of these two patents disclose or suggest using the vehicle horn to alert the operator of the monitored vehicle condition that needs attention. Rather, they both te~ch using a separate ~sound-tran ducer~(i.e., a loudspeaker or buzzer).
Similar arrangements have been used in fields even more remote from vehicle horn systems. For example, U.S. Patent No~ 4,224,613, granted -September 23, 1980 to Kaiser et al., discloses a warning system for a printing press that uses one or ~;~
more speakers to produce any of a plurality of :~
~VO 9-1/2655; PCTIUS93/059 1 1 ~ 2~3~343 sounds, each of which is associated with a different operating condition of the printing press.
Also known in the prior art are various electrical and mechanical arrangements for varying the sound output of the vehicle horn in accordance with vehicle speed. The above-mentioned patent to Grace ~iscloses a circuit that includes a speed control circuit which adjusts the volume of the sound produced by a loudspeaker as a function of vehicle speed. The patent to Fubini et al. disclose a similar system that operates under con~rol of a microprocessor. Mechanical arrangements using mutes for lowering the volume of a vehicle horn at lower speeds are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2~301,344, granted November 10, 1942 to Ti~ettsj and U.S.
Patent No. 2,694,806, granted November 16, 1954 to Johnson.
8~X~ARY OF T~ I~YENTlO~
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vehicle horn system that is operable to produce any of~a plurality of sounds via the vehicle horn. The horn system includes a vehicle horn, a horn switch couplèd to the vehicle horn, and a control circuit oupled to the vehicle horn and having a plurality of inputs for providing the circuit with a plurality of input signals. The ~` 30 control circuit is operable to control the sound produced by the vehicle horn in accordance with the input signals and the horn switch is coupled to a ; ~ ' '~" ', ,' :"`,' /O 9~1265;; 21 3Y3 4 3 PCT/l,'S93/05911 ~ ;
first one of the plurality of inputs to thereby provide the control circuit with a first one of the plurality of input signals upon the horn switch being activated. Thus, when the horn switch is activated, the control circuit operates the horn to produce a first sound, which preferably is a continuous horn sound at the horn's resonant ; frequency. The other inputs of the control circuit can be connected to various vehicle electrical devices, such as a reverse or back-up switch and an alarm system. The horn utilized can either be a mechanically-switched type horn ox an electronically-switched type horn. `~
Preferably, the control circuit is configured to resolve conflicts between inputs occurring simultaneously. In doing so, activation of t~e horn switch is given top priority and the control circuit therefore produces the normal full horn sound upon activation of the horn switch, even if the control --~ circuit is currently serving another input. ~ ~`
`~ In another aspect of the invention, the horn system includes a second horn having a resonant frequency that is different than the resonan~
frequency of the first horn and the control circuit ~, is operable to control the sound produced by the ~ -second vehicle horn in accordance with the inpu~ -signals. The outputs of the two horns can be -~
combined in various ways to produce different sounds that are associated with different events. -~
:~
:~
wos~/26;~; pcT~tss3lo;9ll r 213ql3~3 In yet another aspect of the invention, the . ~.
first and second vehicle horns can be used as part of a speed-responsive vehicle horn system. This can . .~`
be accomplished using a vehicle speed sensor 5connected to the control circuit with the control ~- .
circuit being configured to operate one or both of ~ -the vehicle horns depending upon the measured ~.. ~.. -.:
vehicle speed. Pre~erably, the control circuit is ........ `.
configured to operate both o~ the vehicle horns when ~ 10the horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is greater than a preset speed, and the control ~ `;
circuit is configured to operate only one of the ~.
vehicle horns when the horn switch is acti~ated and ``.`
the vehicle speed is 1QSS than or egual to the ..
15preset speed~ Preferably, only the horn having the .~.``;
lower resonant frequency is operated when the .. `.`.-`
vehicle speed is less than or equal to the preset ~ ?:,i`~
speed. "`~
?; ~
20In another aspect of the present invention, :certain onQs of the plurality of inputs are ..
. connectable to a vehiclQ alarm system that provides . .. ~
.the control circuit with a plurality of alarm ... `-con~rol signals, each of which is associated with a ...
25~ different vshicle alar~ condition. The control ~` : circuit is operable in responsQ to tha alarm control :signals to eause the v hicle horn to produce a `-~
plurality of sounds, each indicative of a different ~ -one of the vehicle alarm conditions. .. ~:
. `~
The horn system of the present invention ~ ~
advantageously pormits use of a conventional vehicle ~.. ``
.,~
: , .:
VO 941265;; 2 1 3 ~ 3 4 3 PCT11~593/05911 .,., ~ .
horn or horns to indicate the occurrence of different events and allows nearby persons to determine which of the different events occurred based on the sound produced by the vehicle horn or horns. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need ~or separate sound transducers used for such ~ .
: things as vehicle alarms and backing-up warnings.
The invention can also be used to call attention to :: :
certain vehicle operating conditions such as fuel - ::
level, tire pressure, etc. For any such `
arrangement, the horn syste~ would be coupled to a ~.
sensor that monitors the operating condition and would be ~on~igured to generate a unique sound . :
~: related to that operating condition.
BRSB~ DX8CaIPTIO~ OF T~E 9RA~I~8~
:- ' ~ ,:
The preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in ~ ~
: 20 conjunction with thQ appended drawings, wherein like ~:
~ designations denote like sl2ments, and: ~
~, :
Figus- 1 is a simplified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle horn system of ~ 25 the pres~nt invention;
-j F~guro 2 is a block diagram as in Fig. 1 -~
: showing some of the datail of the controller; and Figuro 3 is a block diagram of an energizing circuit operable as the horn drivers of Figs. 1 and :~
2. `~
~VO91/265;5 21 3~ 3 4 3 PCT~S93/0;9ll ~ ~
-', ''..
- ~. 1 - . " .. . -. :. . . ~...
DE8CRIP~ION OF T~E PREFERRED E~BODI~EN~
As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle horn system of -`
the present invention, designated generally as 10, -; `
includes a controller 12, a high frequency horn 14, a low frequency horn 16, a driver i8 for horn 14, and a second driver 20 ~or horn 16. Controller 12 is a control circuit having a plurality of inputs .: , . .
connected to various vehicle electrical devices, each of which is operable to provide controller 12 .
with an indication of the occurrence of some event for which an audible alert is desired. Such an indication can be, for example, a change in the ~-voltage or impedance seen by controller 12 on its `
input.
.`..'... .
In general, controller 12 monitors these - ~ e}ectr1cal devices and, in response to an indication of~the occurrence o~ one of the events, operates 20~ hoxn 14 and/or horn 16 to produce a speci~ic sound ~ " .. .- . . i . ~
that is associatad with t~at e~ent. In the `~
illustrated embodiment, controller 12 has ~he followin devices connected to different ones of its input-:~ a speed sensor 22, a horn switch 24, a 2s~ reverse switch 26, an alarm ~system 2~, and an l ~-optional device 30 that can be, for~example, a two- ~-state sensor that monitors a vehicle operating ~
- ~ condition. ; ~-: .. , . ~., ., ~ 30 Speed sensor 22 can be a tachomet-r or other ~-`` ~ device that provides a signal representa~ive of ~` ` vehicle speed. ~orn switch 24 can be, for example~
; ~ ` ". '-',. .:
~ w09~/26s5; 213~3~3 PCT~S~3/Oi911 .
:; .`
- ~2 -,~
a conventional switch mounted on the ve~icle steering wheel with contacts that close upon pres~ure being exerted on the steering wheel pad.
Reverse switch 26 can be, for example, a conventional switch coupled to the gear switch lever to detect placement of the vehicle into reverse ~ear.
Alarm system 28 has four connections to -- lO controller 12, one of which is used for indicating that the alarm has been violated and the ot~er three of which are used for indicating certain changes in the status of the ala~m system, namely, when the alar~ has been armed, dis-armed, or mis-armed. Of course, thase ~our inputs could be provided on a single line using different voltaqe, current, or impedance levels to indicate the various alarm conditions.
~, ~;~ 20 Referring now to Fig. 2, a more specific ;~ implementation of controller 12 is shown as it would be utiliz~d in horn system 10. Controller 12 ` includes a sound selact circuit 40, a group of pulse - generators 42, an enable circuit 44, a summing junction or logical OR 46 feading driver 18, and a second logical OR 48 feeding driver 20. Sound select 40 is provided with most of the inputs to controller 12 and is connected to each of the pulse ~ .
generators 42. In particular, sound select 40 is - 30 separately conr.ected to a horn pulse generator 50, a reverse pulse generator 52, an arm alarm pulse generator 54, a dis-arm alarm pulse generator 56, a .
.
~O 94/265;; PCTIUS93/0;911 ~ -~ 2 1 3q 3 4 3 ..... "- .,, ,.. . ..
- 13 ~
:' .'. ' '` .' mis-arm alarm pulse generator 58, and a alarm violated pulse generator 60. Although only speed ... ~` `
sensor 22, horn switch 24, reverse switch 26, and alarm system 28 are shown connected to controller .
12, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other vehicle electrical devicPs can be ~:.
connected to additional inputs to sound select 40 to . .,:.
thereby indicate the occurrence of other events for which an audible alert is desired. Controller 12:~
would then contain additional pulse generators 42.;
coupled between sound select 40 and logical ORs 4~
48. :
'.: ''.
Upon an indication of the occurrence of an ..
event on one of the inputs to controller 12, sound : select 40 causes the one of the pulse generators 42 associated with that event to generat~ a pulse or pulse train. The signal generated is unique froma~
: the signals genérated by the other ones of the pulse ~:: `20 generators 42 and is used to drive high horn 14 and/or low horn 16 via their drivers 18 and 20. The ~ pulse or pulse train generated by ~àch of the pulse : generators 42 is preselected to produca a sound from `............... : horns 14 andJor 16 that is appropriate in terms of loudness, duration, and rep~tition rate for ~he event that it is announcing.
. ~ .
Sound select 40 monitors the inputs of controller 12 that are connec~ed to horn switch 24, ~:
reverse switch 2S, and alarm system 28. The inputs -~
to controller 12 from these vehicle electrical devices can be independently connected directly to ` .
. :
~ WO 94/26~i; 2 1 3~ 3 4 ~ PCT/US93/05911 their associated ones of the pulse generators 42.
If so, the concurrence on two or more inputs of controller 12 of the indication of different events would cause simultaneous operation of two or more of the pulse generators 42 with a resulting horn output that is a combination of the output of those pulse generators.
Preferably, however, sound select 40 is configured to resolve conflicts between simultaneous input signals from the various electrical devices so that only one of the pulse generators 42 causes operation of horn 14 and/or 16 at any one time.
Generally, this is done on a first-come first-served lS basis so th~t if, for example, reverse switch 26 closes while horn switch 24 is closed, reverse pulse genera~or 52 remains disabled until horn switch 24 is re-opened. Even more preferably, horn switch 24 receives priority over the indic tion on other inputs of other events. Thus, sound select 40 is configured such t~at if, for example, the vehicle is placed in reverse with reverse switch 26 thereby closin~ and causing operation of reverse generator 52, subRequent activ~tion of horn switch 24 is given priority and sound seleet 40 disables operation of reverse generator 52 and enables operation of horn ~'~ generator 50. If reverse switch 26 remains closed after horn switch 24 is re-opened, then operation of ~ reverse generator 52 would resume.
`~ 30 Additionally, sound select 40 could be configured to store and queue signals receiv~d on ~l/O 91/2655' PCT/lJS93/05911 , 213q343 - ~
: `,: :.:. :..
: -. : :::
its inputs so that if, for instance, a pulse is provided to controller 12 on the mis-arm alarm input while horn switch 24 is being activated, the occurrence of that pulse could be stored and, after activation of horn switch 24 ends, used to operate mis-arm pulse generator 58 even though the siqnal on the mis-arm input is no longer present.
Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the enabling and disabling of the pulse generators 42 that is provided by sound select 40 could also be implemented between the pulse generators 42 and logical ORs 46, 48. This could be done by gating the outputs of the pulse genarators 42.
Preferably, the pulse generators 42 are configured to produce signals for driving a three-wire electronically-switched type horn. Before describing the operation of pulse generators 42, a suitable three-wire electronically-switchad type horn 62 suitable for use as horns 14 and 16 (including th~ir drivers) will be descri~ed in connection with Fig. 3. Three-wire horn 62 comprises an electric horn 64 and an energizing circuit 66 having a signal ganerator 68 and a solid state power switch in the form of a power MOSFET 70.
Circuit 66 is shown for energizing horn 64 as it , , ~, .: ., .
would be connected in an automotive vehicle. Horn 64 has its electromagnet coil 72 connected in series ~-circuit with a DC voltage source 74 and power MOSFET
70. More specifically, power MOSFET 70 has its source 76 connected to ground and its drain 78 is : , ~
'~: " ' ,:
~ w0941265;5 21 3q3 ~ 3 PCT~S93/05911 connected through coil 72 to the positive terminal of the voltage source 74, through an unswitched power circuit, tha negative terminal of voltage source 74 being connected to ground. A horn switch 24', which is manually actuable by the vahicle driver, has its fixed contact connected directly t~
ground and its movable contact connected through an on/off circuit 80 to t~e positive terminal of voltaga source 74. When horn switch 24', is closed, the battery voltage is applied by on/off circuit 80 to the input of a voltage regulator 82. Voltage regulator 82 supplies a regulated supply voltage for an oscillator 84 and a time on compensator 86.
Oscillator 84 is a sawtooth osrillator having an output frequency determined by a capacitor 88 and an adjustable resistor 90. Time on compensator 86 develops a control signal which is combined with the output of oscillator 84 to generate a pulse train which is applied to a driver stage 92. The control signal produced by time on compensator 86 determines ~`~ the duty cycle of the pulse train and i5 adjustable by an adjustable resistor 94. The pulse train output of driver stage 92 is applied to tha gata 96 of power MOSFET 70 which is switched on and off by 25 ~ the pulse train. A snubber 98 is connected from the drain to the gate of power MOSFET 70 to protect the . circuit from transients. Energizing circui~ 66 can be implemented on a printed circuit board located on or within a housing 100 of electric horn 64.
U.S.S.N. 684,693, filed April 12, 1991 in the name of Wilson et al. and assigned to the assignee of the presant invention, provides further details sn a ,~WO 94126555 PCT/U593/05911 -' '` 2 1 3q 3 4 3 , .~ . ". , ` ..:' .':.~, ' ' ~,.-~,..,,.,., ", -- 1 7 ~
'`' ''' . ' specific implementation of horn 62 and is hereby ~
incorporated by reference. ` ~;
As will now be appreciated, horn 62 is an ;
electronicalIy-switched horn because coil 72 is driven by a solid state switching circuit rather than by the more conventional mechanical switches describsd above. Additionally, horn 62 is a three-wire horn because, in order to connect it as it would be implemented on an automotive vehicle, ~ -three-wires are used: one leading to DC voltage source 74 (e.g., the vehicle battery), one providing a ground return path, and one leading to horn switch ~ ;~
24'.
Horn 62 can suitably be employed ~or high horn 14 and its driver-18 of Figs. l and 2. To do `
so, terminal 102 of horn 62 (shown in Fig. 3 as bein~ connected to horn switch 24') would be coupled ~ ~
- 20 to the output of logical OR 46 of Figs. 1 and 2. In ~`
a like manner, a horn 62 can be used for low horn 16 1~ ;
and its driver 20 of ~i~s. 1 and 2, the only difference being that high hsrn 14 has a higher~ ~`
res~nant frequency of mechanical vibration than low - ~ 25 horn 16 and resistors 90 and 94 and capacitor 88 for `~;
both horns will be selected for proper opera~ion of each horn at its resonant frequency. ~-.
; Referring again to Fig. 2, t~e preferred profiles for the pulses and pulse trains generated by each of the pulse generators 42 will now be described. For the purpose of describing these ` ;
~; . '"' .~ ' .: :
~ 094l26;i; 2 ~ 3q 3 4 3 ~cT~ss3lo;sll .
signals and the operation of controller 12, an active hi~h convention is utilized so that, when disabled, each of the pulse generators 42 output a logical zero. However, as discussed below, any or all of the signals generated by controller 12 can be activP low, the only requirement being that the logic functions combining the various signals be altered accordingly.
Horn pulse generator 50 generates a pulse of indefinite duration, the pulse width ~eing determined solely by the length of time that horn switch 24 is activated. Thus, horn generator 50 produces a continuous DC level (logical one) as long .
as horn switch 24 is depressed. This signal is provided directly to logical OR 48 to automatically cause op~ration of low horn 16. This signal is gated by a logical AND 110 which passes the signal " ` ~ only if its other input is ~lso a logical one. The 2Q ~ other input to logical AND 110 is connected to the output of a co~parator 112 that receivas as its inputs ~h~ output from speed sensor 22 and a presat speed-114 which provides a minimum vehicle speed for ~;~ ` which operation of high horn 14 is enabled. In ~` ` 25 ~`particular, comparator 112 compares the vehicle ~speed as determined by speed sensor 22 with preset , ! speed 114. If the vehicle speed is greater than preset speed 114, then comparator 112 outputs a logical one, thereby passing the output of horn generator 50 (whether a logical zero or one) to driver 18. Conversely, if the vehicle speed is less than or egual to preset speed 114, then comparator :
~ ' .
~vos~/265s; PCT~S93/059 ~., 2 ~ 3q 3 4 3 ' ~
. : ., ~:
,'~ :'''`.'' - 19 - ' .. ,.:~
112 outputs a logical zero, thereby preventing the passage of the output of horn generator 50 to logical OR 46. Since only one horn is operated at lower speeds, the normal horn sound produced by horn system 10 has a lower decibel level in situations involving a stopped or relatively slow-moving vehicle than in situations in which the vehicle is -~
moving guickly and both horns are utilized. -~
: ::: -: -; 10 Upon closure of reverse switch 2~, reverse generator 52 provides a pulse train of nine millisecond pulses at a repetition rate of one pulse ~
every thirty-eight milliseconds. This pulse train ;~-is generated for five hundred milliseconds at a rate ., .
of one hertz until reverse switch 26 is re-opened.
This signal is provided directly to logical OR 46 to thereby operate high horn 14~ This signal is also provided to a delay circuit 116 which provides a nine~een millisecond delay before providing the signal to logical OR 48 to thereby operate low horn 6. Thus, closure of reverse switch 26 results in high and low horns 14 and 16 being alternately pulsed for nine milliseconds at a relatively hiqh r-petition rate for a period of half a second, ~ollowed by one half of a second of silence, followed by another set of alternating nine millisecond pulses, and so on until reverse switch 26 is re-opened.
Upon sound selector 40 receiving a signal from alarm system 28 that the vehicle alarm ha~ been armed, arm pulse generator 54 produces a single . A . ~ . ., ~
~vos~/26~5s 2 1 3 q 3 4 3 PCT~'593/05911 pulse having a nine millisecond duration that is provided only to logical OR 46 and, hence only to high horn 14. Similarly, upon sound selector 40 receiving a signal from alarm system 28 that the vehicle alarm has been dis-armed, dis-arm pulse generator 56 produces a single pulse having a nine millisecond duration that is provided only to logical OR 48 and, hence only to low horn 16. Mis-arm generator 58 also produces a single nine millisecond pulse, but this pulse is first provided to logicaI OR 46 to operate high horn 14 and then, after a three hundred twelve millisecond delay produced by a delay circuit 118, is provided to ~` ~ logical OR 48 to operate low horn 16.
Upon sound selector 40 receiving a signal from alarm system 28 that the vehicle alarm has been violated, alarm violated pulse generator 60 produces a pulse train of one half of a second pulses at a repetition rate of one hertz. This pulse train is provided simultanQously to both logical ORs 46 and 48 so that horns 14 and 16 are operatad together.
; ; It wi}l be appreciated:~that, of the above pulsès and pulse trains, the minimua pulse width is nine milliseconds. Thus, for a horn operating at a frequency of four-hundred hertz, signal generator 68 pul~es power MOSFET 70 on every two and one half ; milliseconds, thereby operating ~OSFET 70 for three ~ 30 full cycles during the nine millisecond pulse.
:;:
. . .. . .: , - .
~og~/265;; pcTlus93los9ll ~
.. :,.................................................................. : .
2 ~ ~q ~ ~1 3 :
The operation of controller 12 has been des~ribed using an active high convention. It will of course be appreciated that controller 12 can be implemented with some or all of the Yarious signals being active low and the functions provided by elements 46, 48, and llO would then be chosen accordingly. Moreover, if the convéntion used throughout is active low, then logical AND llO could be replaced by a logical OR and logical Ors 46 and 48 could be replaced by logical ANDs. Horn pulse generator 50 would then not be needed and horn switch 24 could then be connected directly to element 48 (now a logical AND), as indicated by the brok~n lines in Fig. 2. Horn switch 24 could even be connected directly to on-off circuit 80 as horn switch 24' is s~own in Fig. 3, with the signals from the other pulse generators 42 being coupled to on~
off circuit 80 in any of various ways known to those skilled in the art.
As mentioned above, horn system lO can be implemented using mech~nically-switched type horns rather than the electronically-switched type just de~cribed. If a mechanically-switched type horn is ~ utilized, then the drivers lR and 20 would be ~`~ responsive to signals fro~ their respective logical , . ~- :-, :
Ors 46 and 48 to connect their respective horns 14 and 16 to a DC power source such as the vehicle battery. Additionally, In mechanically-switched horns, the frequency or the outputted acoustic waves ~` ramps up from zero hertz to the resonant frequency - of the horn. This~ ra~ping occurs relatively fast ```~: - `,'' :
W094/265;; PCT~S93/059ll 2~3q3~ :
and is not normally perceived by the human ear.
This effect, however, permits generation of different sounds in a manner other than has been described above. More specifically, different sounds can be produced by controlling the amount of time that power is applied to the horn. If, for example, it takes a mechanically-switched horn ten milliseconds to ramp up to its full natural frequency, then by providing pulses to the horn of four and one half milliseconds, the frequency reached by the horn during each pulse will be something less than the horn's resonant frequency.
The result will be a different sound at a decibel :
level less than when the horn is being operated at its resonant ~requency. Moreover, if the repetition rate of the pulses is high enough, the sound ` produced will be perceived as a continuous sound.
Thus, various sounds can be produced in this manner , . , by configuring pulse generators 42 accordingly.
It will thus be apparent that~there has been provided in accordance with the ~resent invention a vehicle horn system which achieves the aims and advanta~es specified herein. It will of course be ~understood that the foregoing description i~ of preferred exemplary embodimen~s of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown. Various changes and ~` modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and all such variations and modifications are intended to come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. In a vehicle horn system of the type having a vehicle horn and a horn switch coupled to said vehicle horn, the improvement comprising:
a control circuit coupled to said vehicle horn and having a plurality of inputs for providing said circuit with a plurality of input signals, said control circuit being operable to control the sound produced by said vehicle horn in accordance with the input signals;
wherein said horn switch is coupled to a first one of said plurality of inputs to thereby provide said control circuit with a first one of the input signals upon said horn switch being activated.
a control circuit coupled to said vehicle horn and having a plurality of inputs for providing said circuit with a plurality of input signals, said control circuit being operable to control the sound produced by said vehicle horn in accordance with the input signals;
wherein said horn switch is coupled to a first one of said plurality of inputs to thereby provide said control circuit with a first one of the input signals upon said horn switch being activated.
2. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 1, wherein said vehicle horn has a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration and said control circuit is responsive to activation of said horn switch to operate said vehicle horn at said resonant frequency.
3. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 2, further comprising a second vehicle horn having a second resonant frequency of mechanical vibration that is different than said first-mentioned resonant frequency, wherein said control circuit is coupled to said second vehicle horn and is operable to control the sound produced by said second vehicle horn in accordance with the input signals.
4. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 3, further comprising a sensor coupled to a second one of said plurality of inputs, said sensor being operable to provide said second input with a signal representative of vehicle speed;
wherein said control circuit is configured to operate both of said vehicle horns when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value and, further, wherein said control circuit is configured to operate only one of said vehicle horns when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is less than or equal to said predetermined value.
wherein said control circuit is configured to operate both of said vehicle horns when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value and, further, wherein said control circuit is configured to operate only one of said vehicle horns when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is less than or equal to said predetermined value.
5. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 1, wherein said vehicle horn is a mechanically-switched type horn.
6. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an electronically-switched type horn that includes an electric horn and an electronic switch for selectively supplying power to said electric horn.
7. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 1, wherein certain ones of said plurality of inputs are connectable to a vehicle alarm system that provides said control circuit with a plurality of alarm control signals, each of which is associated with a different vehicle alarm condition, said control circuit being operable in response to the alarm control signals to cause said vehicle horn to produce a plurality of sounds, each indicative of a different one of said vehicle alarm conditions.
8. A vehicle horn system for selectively producing a plurality of different sounds, each of which is associated with a different event, comprising:
a vehicle horn; and a control circuit having first and second inputs, said first input being connectable to a first electrical device that, via said first input, is capable of providing said control circuit with an indication of the occurrence of a first event, said second input being connectable to a second electrical device that, via said second input, is capable of providing said control circuit with an indication of the occurrence of a second event;
said control circuit being operable to cause said vehicle horn to produce a first sound when said first input is provided with an indication of the occurrence of said first event and, further, said control circuit being operable to cause said vehicle horn to produce a second sound when said second input is provided with an indication of the occurrence of said second event.
a vehicle horn; and a control circuit having first and second inputs, said first input being connectable to a first electrical device that, via said first input, is capable of providing said control circuit with an indication of the occurrence of a first event, said second input being connectable to a second electrical device that, via said second input, is capable of providing said control circuit with an indication of the occurrence of a second event;
said control circuit being operable to cause said vehicle horn to produce a first sound when said first input is provided with an indication of the occurrence of said first event and, further, said control circuit being operable to cause said vehicle horn to produce a second sound when said second input is provided with an indication of the occurrence of said second event.
9. A vehicle horn system as defined in claim 8, further comprising a horn switch coupled to said first input to cause said control circuit to operate said vehicle horn when said horn switch is activated, whereby said first event is the activation of said horn switch.
10. A speed-responsive vehicle horn system, comprising:
a first vehicle horn having a first resonant frequency of mechanical vibration;
a second vehicle horn having a second resonant frequency of mechanical vibration different than said first resonant frequency;
a control circuit responsive to first and second input signals and coupled to said first and second horns to control the operation of said horns;
a horn switch operable by the vehicle operator to produce said first input signal; and a sensor operable to generate said second input signal in accordance with vehicle speed;
wherein said control circuit is configured to operate said first and second vehicle horns when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value and to operate only said first vehicle horn when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is less than or equal to said predetermined value.
a first vehicle horn having a first resonant frequency of mechanical vibration;
a second vehicle horn having a second resonant frequency of mechanical vibration different than said first resonant frequency;
a control circuit responsive to first and second input signals and coupled to said first and second horns to control the operation of said horns;
a horn switch operable by the vehicle operator to produce said first input signal; and a sensor operable to generate said second input signal in accordance with vehicle speed;
wherein said control circuit is configured to operate said first and second vehicle horns when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined value and to operate only said first vehicle horn when said horn switch is activated and the vehicle speed is less than or equal to said predetermined value.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US6343293A | 1993-05-18 | 1993-05-18 | |
| US08/063,432 | 1993-05-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2139343A1 true CA2139343A1 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
Family
ID=22049144
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002139343A Abandoned CA2139343A1 (en) | 1993-05-18 | 1993-06-21 | Multi-sound vehicle horn system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0655980A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07507523A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR950702481A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2139343A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994026555A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT250164Y1 (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2003-07-24 | Fiamm Componenti Accessori Spa | MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC ACOUSTIC WARNING DEVICE |
| IT1318298B1 (en) | 2000-08-01 | 2003-07-28 | Fiamm Spa | ELECTROMECHANICAL SOUNDER. |
| JP2005529378A (en) * | 2002-06-06 | 2005-09-29 | ファブリカ イタリアーナ アクムラトリ モトカーリ モンテッキオ − エフ．イ．アー．エンメ．エンメ． エッセ．ピー．アー． | Vehicle device for producing acoustic signals |
| JP2005528659A (en) * | 2002-06-06 | 2005-09-22 | ファブリカ イタリアーナ アクムラトリ モトカーリ モンテッキオ − エフ．イ．アー．エンメ．エンメ． エッセ．ピー．アー． | Electronic control circuit and acoustic signal output device for vehicle |
| CN102529805B (en) * | 2012-02-29 | 2013-11-20 | 奇瑞汽车股份有限公司 | Automobile horn controlling device and automobile |
| JP6510241B2 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2019-05-08 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Alarm device |
| WO2017193301A1 (en) * | 2016-05-11 | 2017-11-16 | 万喻 | Method and circuit for controlling multi-purpose loudspeaker by using bus |
| AU2018318475B2 (en) * | 2017-08-18 | 2023-11-16 | David Hegarty | A device for operating a sounder to produce a plurality of different sounds, and a method for operating a sounder to produce a plurality of different sounds |
| US11472336B2 (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2022-10-18 | Ramasamy Krishnaswamy | Electronically operated forward and reverse warning / sound signalling device |
| US11390295B2 (en) | 2019-12-20 | 2022-07-19 | Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation | Vehicle control system |
| DE102020201319B4 (en) | 2020-02-04 | 2021-09-16 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Method for generating a signal or warning tone by a motor vehicle and motor vehicle for carrying out the method |
| DE102021105501A1 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2022-09-08 | Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Vehicle with an air guide element and method for adjusting an air guide element on a vehicle |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2283659A (en) * | 1939-05-26 | 1942-05-19 | Gen Motors Corp | Horn control system |
| JPS5121625A (en) * | 1974-08-16 | 1976-02-20 | Inoue Electric Mfg | Jidoshano sokosokudo nyoru keitekionkahensochi |
| JPS5618236U (en) * | 1979-07-23 | 1981-02-18 | ||
| JPS57148545U (en) * | 1981-03-13 | 1982-09-18 | ||
| US4540975A (en) * | 1982-04-06 | 1985-09-10 | Marukokeihouki Co., Ltd. | Electric horns |
| JPS5992227A (en) * | 1982-11-18 | 1984-05-28 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Vehicular alarm sound generator |
| IT1187882B (en) * | 1986-01-28 | 1987-12-23 | Fiat Auto Spa | CONTROL SYSTEM AND ACOUSTIC SIGNALING OF FUNCTIONAL CONDITIONS OF A VEHICLE |
| US4885572A (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1989-12-05 | Iwata Electric Co., Ltd. | Anti-theft alarm device for vehicle |
| IT1228767B (en) * | 1989-03-29 | 1991-07-03 | Electronsystem Spa | ELECTRONICALLY PILOTED HORN FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. |
| JPH0317944U (en) * | 1989-07-05 | 1991-02-21 |
-
1993
- 1993-06-21 WO PCT/US1993/005911 patent/WO1994026555A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-06-21 KR KR1019950700102A patent/KR950702481A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-06-21 EP EP93916647A patent/EP0655980A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1993-06-21 CA CA002139343A patent/CA2139343A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-06-21 JP JP6525372A patent/JPH07507523A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0655980A4 (en) | 1996-05-08 |
| KR950702481A (en) | 1995-07-29 |
| JPH07507523A (en) | 1995-08-24 |
| EP0655980A1 (en) | 1995-06-07 |
| WO1994026555A1 (en) | 1994-11-24 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2139343A1 (en) | Multi-sound vehicle horn system | |
| US6154123A (en) | Driver alertness monitoring system | |
| US4950915A (en) | Impact sensor with a testing circuit for a vehicle | |
| US6744370B1 (en) | Vibro-tactile alert and massaging system having directionally oriented stimuli | |
| US3872470A (en) | Audible signal generating apparatus having selectively controlled audible output | |
| US4450430A (en) | Lane change guidance system | |
| EP0856432A2 (en) | Inside indicating device for a vehicle | |
| US4879542A (en) | Alarm systems | |
| AU2007200517A1 (en) | Reversing alarm | |
| CA2197300C (en) | Variable speed warning device | |
| US4851836A (en) | Audio-tactile pedestrian push button signalling system | |
| US4565991A (en) | Chime generator circuit for connection with existing automobile radio speaker | |
| US20020145510A1 (en) | Sounding-body driving circuit and operating sound generating apparatus using the same | |
| JPH06249956A (en) | Oscillator for accelerator pedal | |
| KR100806639B1 (en) | The apparatus recognition to operate a every conditions | |
| CA2145101A1 (en) | Turn Indicator Safety Augmentor | |
| US4056741A (en) | Audible signal generating apparatus having selectively controlled audible output | |
| US5373281A (en) | Failsafe module | |
| KR100760013B1 (en) | The apparatus recognition to operate a every conditions | |
| JPH11189066A (en) | Alarm device for vehicle | |
| JPS6225387Y2 (en) | ||
| JPH10329604A (en) | Alarm device for vehicle | |
| WO2023074269A1 (en) | Notification device, control program for notification device, and seat system | |
| JP3241428B2 (en) | Alarm device | |
| KR970040061A (en) | Drowsiness operation prevention device and method using car audio |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |