JPH07507523A - Multiple voice car horn system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Multiple voice car horn system Technical field The invention generally conveys information to the driver of a motor vehicle and to persons outside the motor vehicle. Regarding the use of audio for. Specifically, this invention provides an audible warning to others. Not only that, but also the driver etc. may notice a change in the status of the car's warning system. A car horn is used to alert people to things such as driving or backing up. This invention relates to a car horn system using a car horn system. This invention also allows the horn switch to be activated. system, a horn system generates one of a pair of sounds depending on the speed of the vehicle. related to music.

Background of the invention A sound generator is installed on the car to generate sounds that convey information to people inside and outside the car. Its use in is well established. Used to convey information to people outside the vehicle Devices include car horns and, more recently, car warning systems. Contains audio transducers used in Convey information to people in cars Devices used to communicate include buzzers or other audio transducers. . This could be, for example, if the door is ajar or if the seat restraint is tightened. It alerts you if you have forgotten to turn off your headlights or if you have forgotten to turn off your headlights.

For many years, electric horns commonly used in automobiles have been powered by electromagnetic motors. It was a type that generated sound by the vibration of the yafram. This horn is typical contains a housing around which a diaphragm is clamped to form the motor chamber. to be accomplished. The electromagnetic coil is installed inside the chamber, and the magnetic pole piece or coil on the housing axially extending relative to the

A magnetic plunger on the diaphragm extends toward the pole piece and provides periodic excitation of the coil. Transmits motion to the diaphragm in response to magnetism. The diaphragm is often used in conjunction with the coil. Provides resilient suspension of the plunger for return movement. Coil splash special the diaphragm and the mass carried by it are It has a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration. The coil is mechanically driven by a switch Excited by the car battery. The switch has a plunger and a diaphragm. It is opened and closed alternately by movement. The horn of this type of car can be turned off mechanically. It is also sometimes called a replacement horn. A specific example of this type of horn is 19 U.S. Patent No. 4 granted to Wilson et al. on March 21, 1989 ．． No. 813.123, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Ru.

More recently, car horns have been developed that use solid state driver circuits in the horn coil. has been done. For example, in September 1991, 170 was granted to Yoon. See US Pat. No. 5,049,853. That disclosure is quoted here. It is used as. This patent provides the necessary pulses of drive current to the horn coil. Discloses a car horn that uses a solid state driver circuit rather than a mechanical switch for . The driver circuit excites the horn coil and causes the diaphragm to vibrate at its resonant frequency. be adapted as much as possible. Solid state driver is adjustable to the frequency of the diaphragm assembly A powerful electronic timer is included to switch the solid state power output stage and time the diaphragm. Drive in synchronization with the master frequency. The driver output stage is a power MO3FET or Equipped with Darlington Vs. This type of horn is sometimes called an electronic switching horn. Ru. Another type of electronically switched horn, sometimes referred to as a "three-wire" horn, The rice filed on April 12, 1991 in the name of Luzon et al. Disclosed in National Application Serial No. 684.693.

Regardless of the horn type or frequency, car horn systems generally have one generates a sound that alerts people nearby to the presence of a target, i.e. a car. Designed to make your life easier. Although horns that generate multiple frequencies have a pleasant effect, It has been discovered that it makes voice more effective for its intended purpose. multiple cycles Generation of wavenumber speech has been accomplished in many ways. For example, 1959 10 U.S. Patent No. 2.910.68, granted to Kelly et al. No. 8 operates at different frequencies and drives the loudspeaker to generate two frequency components. A circuit arrangement comprising two oscillators is disclosed for generating a sound having . 1959 U.S. Patent No. 2.910 granted to Grace on October 27, 2013 ．． See also No. 289.

Another method for generating sound consisting of multiple frequencies was introduced on December 4, 1984. Disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4.486.742 to Kudo et al. be done. This patent describes a piezoelectric vibrator with two (or more) resonances. An oscillator circuit is used to operate at a frequency of 1. The output of the oscillator is a piezoelectric bar. modulated at a frequency equal to the frequency separation between the two resonant frequencies of the ibrator. This is the amplitude of the

Yet another way to generate multi-frequency sounds is to use the electronically switched horn or machine described above. Use any pair of mechanically switched horns. To produce the desired voice , one side of the horn is designed for relatively low frequency operation and the other side is designed for relatively high frequency operation. Designed for operation. For example, one horn has a resonant frequency of 400 hertz. one with a resonant frequency of 500 Hertz. may be done.

Throughout these arrangements, the various frequencies should produce a single horn sound. occur at the same time. The Kelly et al., Brace, and Kudo patents mentioned above is a single transducer (i.e. loudspeaker or piezo vibrator) ) is excited by a waveform that produces a sound consisting of multiple frequencies. mentioned above In a system with two horns, the two horns are activated by activation of the vehicle's horn switch. They can be operated simultaneously so that the output can be heard or perceived as one sound.

Applications other than car horn systems require a time when one voice can be selected from among multiple voices. The road is disclosed. Such circuits, for example, silencers used in emergency vehicles. It has been proposed for applications related to the generation of sound. Huyu on February 3, 1970 No. 3,493,966 to Human, 1 Vs. an audible alarm with an oscillator and a switch that allows selection of whether the horn sound is the siren sound or not. information device is disclosed.

U.S. Patent No. 2, issued to Carroll on March 25, 1975. 3.873.980, and Nunn Jr. on August 2, 1977. U.S. Patent No. 4.040.050, issued to Jr. A system for emergency vehicles that can switch between a siren sound and a "squeaky" siren sound. reveal the path. However, none of these patents cover the activation of car horn switches. Standards are used to produce these sounds in addition to the normal honking warning sounds produced during sexualization. does not disclose or suggest the use of standard car horns. Nan Ju In the patent to Nia, in order to generate the "woo-woo" and "squeak" sounds, There are clearly separate sirens.

Additionally, some of these patents show how the circuits disclosed therein Nothing teaches or suggests that it can be incorporated into the system. .

A circuit that provides an audible signal to the driver of a motor vehicle in accordance with certain driving conditions of the motor vehicle. is also disclosed. Granted to Fubini et al. on November 15, 1988. U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,280 uses loudspeakers to control fuel level. for various vehicle operating conditions such as oil temperature, oil pressure, and tire pressure. A microprocessor-controlled device that generates an audible signal that gives the driver information about Disclose the system that has been developed. Be aware of which of the various operating conditions being monitored. For each operating condition, the driver can decide whether or not it is necessary to direct the are associated with different sounds. Similarly, on December 20, 1983, U.S. Pat. No. 4.421.052, issued to Cook, discloses that tire pressure Discloses a tire pressure alarm device that generates an acoustic signal when the pressure falls below a predetermined level. do. The acoustic signal is detected by a microphone and a dash board light or A buzzer is used to warn the driver. These two patents are It also provides the driver with information on monitored vehicle conditions that require their attention. Disclosing or proposing the use of a car horn to warn against isn't it. Rather, they are both separate audio transducers (i.e. It teaches the use of a loudspeaker or buzzer).

In fields even further removed from car horn systems, similar arrangements or It is. For example, on September 23, 1980, Kaiser et al. No. 4,224,613, issued for an alarm system for a printing press. This uses one or more speakers to control different movements of the printing press. This produces any one of a plurality of sounds each associated with the operating conditions.

The prior art also provides methods for changing the audio output of a car horn according to the speed of the car. A variety of electrical and mechanical arrangements are known. The aforementioned patent to braces Now consider the sound produced by the loudspeaker as a function of the car's speed. A circuit is disclosed that includes a speed control circuit for adjusting volume. To Fubini et al. The patent discloses a similar system operating under microprocessor control. 1 U.S. Patent No. 11,110, 942, issued to Tibbetts. 2.301.344, and Johnson (J.) on November 16, 1954.

U.S. Patent No. 2.694.806 to A mechanical arrangement that uses a mute to reduce the volume of car horns. column is disclosed.

Summary of the invention In accordance with the present invention, for generating any one of a plurality of sounds via a car horn; An operable car horn system is provided. The horn system is similar to a car horn. , a horn switch that is coupled to a car horn, and a horn switch that is coupled to a car horn and is complex in a circuit. and a control circuit having a plurality of inputs for providing several input signals. control times The road is operated to control the sound generated by the car horn according to the input signal. the horn switch is coupled to the first of the plurality of inputs to As a result, when the horn switch is activated, one of the multiple input signals is sent to the control circuit. Give the first one. Therefore, when the horn switch is activated, the control circuit A horn is operated to generate a first sound. This first voice is preferably This is a continuous honking sound at the resonant frequency of the honking horn. The other inputs of the control circuit are Various automotive electrical appliances such as reversing or reversing switches and alarm systems. Can be connected to air equipment. The horn to be used is either a mechanically switched horn or an electronically switched horn. It can be either of the following.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to resolve conflicts between simultaneous inputs.

In doing so, activation of the horn switch is given top priority and therefore The control circuit is not activated when the horn switch is activated, even if it is processing other inputs at the time. When sexualized, it produces a normal full honking sound.

In other aspects of the invention, the horn system has a resonant frequency that is different than the resonant frequency of the first horn. a second vehicle horn having a frequency, the control circuit triggers the second vehicle horn according to the input signal. It is highly operable to control the sound produced by the whistle. Check the output of the two horns. Different sounds that can be combined in different ways and relate to different things. can be generated.

In a further aspect of the invention, the horns of the first and second vehicles are responsive to speed. It can be used as part of a car horn system that responds to This is the control circuit operates one or both horns of the car according to the measured speed of the car a vehicle speed sensor connected to its control circuit configured to cause This can be accomplished by using . Preferably, the control circuit is a horn switch or If the car is sexually active and the speed of the car exceeds the preset speed The vehicle's horn is configured to operate when both the horn switch and the horn switch are activated. If the speed of one vehicle is lower than the preset speed, only activates one of the car horns when equal to the preset speed configured to allow Preferably, the speed of the vehicle is preset. If it is less than or equal to the code, then only the horn with the lower resonant frequency be made to work.

In another aspect of the invention, some of the human power or vehicle alarm systems It is possible to connect to This car alarm system is designed for each or different car. A plurality of alarm control signals associated with alarm conditions are provided to the control circuit. control The circuit causes the car horn to generate multiple sounds in response to the alarm control mark, each sound being Each of the figures shows a different one of the vehicle alarm conditions.

The horn system of the present invention advantageously uses a conventional car horn to detect different events. It can be used to indicate the occurrence of a A person nearby can tell you which of each event happened based on the sounds that occur. It is designed to allow one river to be cut off. In this way, the present invention Separate audio transducers are required for warnings and warnings while reversing. Eliminate sex. This invention also provides certain automatic controls such as fuel level, tire pressure, etc. It can also be used to draw attention to the vehicle's operating conditions. Such an arrangement For any row, the horn system is equipped with sensors that monitor operating conditions. combined and configured to generate unique sounds related to its operating conditions. cormorant.

Brief description of the drawing Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. this Like designations indicate similar elements in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the car horn system of the present invention. It is a lock diagram.

Figure 2 is a block diagram similar to Figure 1 showing some of the details of the controller. be.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an excitation circuit operable like the horn driver in Figures 1 and 2. This is a diagram.

Description of the preferred embodiment As shown in FIG. , a control device 12, a high-frequency horn 14, a low-frequency horn 16, and a driver for the horn 14. 18 and a second driver 20 for the horn 16. The control device 12 , a control circuit having a plurality of inputs connected to various automotive electrical devices, Each of these electrical devices generates an audible alarm or some desired event occurs. An indication indicating this is provided to the controller 12. Such signs can be, for example, A change in voltage or change in impedance that is perceived by the control device 12 or its inputs. obtain.

Generally, the controller 12 monitors these electrical devices and detects when one or more of the events occur. In response to the indicia, the horn 14 and/or the horn 16 are operated to alert the driver to the event. and generate a specific audio related to it. In the embodiment shown, the controller 12 It has the following devices connected to each of the inputs: That is, speed sensor 2 2, horn switch 24, reverse switch 26, alarm system 28, and optional This is a device 30 for operation. This optional device 30 can be used, for example, under the operating conditions of an automobile. It is possible to use a two-state sensor to monitor the

Speed sensor 22 may be a tachometer or There may be other devices. The horn switch 24 is mounted on the steering wheel of a car, for example. A traditional switch with contacts on the handle pad that closes when pressure is applied. It can be The reversing switch 26 is, for example, coupled to a noft rehearsing It can be a conventional switch that detects when the car is in reverse gear.

Alarm system 28 has four connections to control device 12, one of which is Used to indicate alarm or stimulation; the other three are alarm systems A certain change in the status of the alarm, i.e. when the alarm is armed, is It is used to indicate when something has been prepared or has not been prepared. of course, These four inputs are different on a single line to indicate various alarm conditions. could be provided using different voltage, current, or impedance levels. .

Referring now to FIG. 2, a control device such as may be used in the horn system 10 is shown. Twelve more specific implementation examples are shown.

The controller 12 includes an audio selection circuit 40, a group of pulse generators 42, and an enabler. 44, a summing contact or logic 0R46 supply driver 18, and a second logic 0R48 supply driver 20. Audio selection 40 is one of the inputs to control device 12. most of which are provided and connected to each of the pulse generators 42. specific , the audio selection 40 includes a horn pulse generator 50 , a reverse pulse generator 52 , and an alarm pulse generator 50 . A preparation pulse generator 54, an alarm release pulse generator 56, and an alarm level pulse generator It is separately connected to the generator 58 and the alarm stimulation pulse generator 60. to the control device 12 What is shown connected are a speed sensor 22, a horn switch 24, and a reverse switch 26 and alarm system 28 or other vehicle electrical equipment. Connect to additional inputs to the audio selection 40 to provide an audible alarm or other as desired. It will be appreciated that it is possible to indicate the occurrence of an event.

The control device 12 then connects between the voice selection 4o and the logic 0R 46 and 48. It will include an additional pulse generator 42 which has been

When one of the inputs of the controller 12 is signaled that an event has occurred, the audio selection 40 causes one of the pulse generators 42 associated with the event to generate a pulse or pulse train. let The generated signal is a signal generated by another part of the pulse generator 42. It is unique and different from the high frequency horn 14 and/or the low frequency horn 16. through their drivers 18 and 20. pulse generation The pulse or pulse train generated by each of the generators 42 is transmitted to the horn 14 and/or the pulse train. or 16, the loudness, duration, and repetition rate indicate that it is The audio is pre-selected to produce sounds appropriate to the event in question.

The α reselection 40 includes a horn switch 24, a reverse switch 26, and a double alarm system 28. monitors the input of control device I2 connected to From these car electrical devices The human power to the control device 12 is directly independent of those associated with the pulse generator 42. can be connected to. In that case, two or more human forces of the control device 12 may be When signs indicating an event occur simultaneously, two or more of the pulse generators 42 or more simultaneously, resulting in a combined alarm output of these pulse generator outputs. Power is brought.

Most preferably, however, the audio selection 40 includes simultaneous human input from various electrical devices. Resolve the conflict between the signals so that any one time (Komohon 14 and so that only one of the pulse generators 42 operates the pulse generators 42 and/or 16. It is composed of Generally, this is done on a first-come-first-first basis. Therefore, for example, when the horn switch 24 is closed, the reverse switch 26 is closed. For example, the reverse pulse generator 52 is disabled until the horn switch 24 is opened again. It remains as it is. Even more preferably, the horn switch 24 is connected to other inputs. takes precedence over the signs of the event. Therefore, the voice selection 4o is, for example, a car. is placed opposite the reverse switch 26, and the reverse switch 26 is thereby closed. , the subsequent activation of the horn switch 24 results in operation of the retraction generator 52. is given priority, and the voice selection 40 disables the operation of the retraction generator 52 and activates the horn generator 50. Activate the operation of Reverse switch 26 after horn switch 24 is opened again remains closed, operation of the retraction generator 52 will be resumed.

In addition, the voice selection 4o stores and queues the signals that are received manually. For example, the controller 12 can be configured to If the alarm switch 24 is activated while the pulse is being applied, the After the alarm switch 24 has been activated, the alarm is no longer ready. Operating the unready pulse generator 58 even in the absence of a signal at the input It could be used for. Additionally, as would be recognized by those skilled in the art , the activation and deactivation of the pulse generator 42 provided by the voice selection 4o is , could also be implemented between pulse generator 42 and logic 0Rs 46 and 48.

This can be done by gating the output of pulse generator 42. It will be possible.

Preferably, the pulse generator 42 provides a signal for driving a three-wire electronically switched horn. is configured to generate. To explain the operation of the pulse generator 42, FIG. suitable for use as horns 14 and 16 (including their drivers) in conjunction with A suitable three-wire electronic switching horn 62 will now be described. The three-wire horn 62 is a horn 64, an excitation circuit 66 with a signal generator 68, and a solid state power switch It is equipped with a power MO3FET70C7). Circuit 66 energizes horn 64 It is illustrated as being connected inside a car. 64 horns A magnetic coil 72 is connected in a series circuit to a DC voltage source 74 and a power MO3FET 70. It will be done. More specifically, source 76 of power MOFSET 70 is grounded. , the drain 78 is connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source 74 via the coil 72 and the switch The negative terminal of voltage source 74 is connected to ground through an unconnected power circuit. Automotive The horn switch 24', which is manually activated by the driver, has its fixed connection. The positive terminal of the voltage source 74 is directly connected to ground via a movable contact or an on/off circuit 8o. connected to. If the horn switch 24' is closed, the battery voltage or on/off cycle A line 80 provides an input to a voltage regulator 82. Voltage regulator 82 is regulated The supplied power supply voltage is supplied to an oscillator 84 and a time-on compensator 86. Oscillator 84 is key has an output frequency determined by capacitor 88 and adjustable resistor 90. It is a wave control oscillator. Time-on compensator 86 develops a control signal and is combined with the output of oscillator 84 to generate a pulse train, which is applied to driver stage 92. available. The control signal generated by the time-on compensator 86 is determines the cycle and can be adjusted by adjustable resistor 94. Wear. The pulse train output of the driver stage 92 is connected to the gate 96 of the power MO3FET 70. given, the power MO3FET 70 is switched on and off by a pulse train It will be done. Connect from the drain of Snatsupa 98 or power MO3FET 70 to the gate. protects the circuit from transient conditions. The excitation circuit 66 is connected to the housing 1 of the electric horn 64. It can be implemented on a printed circuit board placed on or inside 00. . Filed April 12, 1991 in the name of Wilson et al. No. 684.693, filed in U.S. Application Serial No. 684.693, describes a specific implementation of horn 62. provides further details regarding the examples and is incorporated herein by reference. Ru.

As is now recognized, the horn 62 is an electronically switched horn. , coil 72 or a solid state switching circuit rather than the more conventional mechanical switch described above. This is because it is driven by the road. In addition, the reason why the horn 62 is a three-wire horn is that In order to connect the (e.g. car battery), one wire provides a return-to-ground path, and one wire This is because three wires are used, which are connected to the horn switch 24'.

The horn 62 is suitable for the high frequency horn 14 and its driver 18 of FIGS. It can be used in any way. To do this, the terminal 102 of the horn 62 (the horn switch in FIG. (shown connected to switch 24') is the output of logic 0R46 in FIGS. It will be combined with power. In a similar manner, the horn 62 is a low frequency It can also be used for the horn 16 and its driver 20. only one The difference is that the resonance frequency of the mechanical vibration is higher in the high frequency horn 14 or in the lower frequency horn 16. The capacitor 88 for both horns is selected for proper operation at a resonant frequency of .

Referring again to FIG. 2, the pulses generated by each of the pulse generators 42 and A preferred profile for the pulse train is now described. These signals and To describe the operation of controller 12, the active high convention is used, whereby the Each of the pulse generators 42 outputs a logic zero when disabled. However, below is the reason As discussed, any of the signals generated by controller I2 can also be can also be made active low. What is required is a variety of beliefs. It is only a matter of changing the logical function that connects the symbols accordingly.

The alarm pulse generator 50 generates a pulse of indeterminate duration, the pulse width of which It is determined solely by the length of time that whistle switch 24 is activated. However, Therefore, the horn generator 50 continues to output D as long as the horn switch 24 is pressed down. Generate C level (logic I). This signal is directly given to logic 0R48 and Dynamically effecting the operation of the low frequency horn 16. This signal also has a logic 1 on the other input. It is gated by an AND 110 that allows the signal to pass only in certain cases. logic The other input of AND l 10 is connected to the output of comparator 112 and comparator +12 The output from the speed sensor 22 and the high frequency horn 14 are activated as its inputs. a preset speed of 114 that provides the minimum vehicle speed to be Receive. Specifically, comparator 112 calculates the speed determined by speed sensor 22. The speed of the moving vehicle is compared to a preset speed 114. car speed If the speed is faster than the preset speed 114, the comparator 112 outputs a logic l. output, thereby causing the output of the horn generator 50 (whether logic O or l) It is sent to the driver 18. On the other hand, speed 1 is the preset speed of the car. 14, comparator 112 outputs a logic 0; This prevents the output of the horn generator 50 from being sent to logic 0R46. lower Since there is only one horn that can be operated at speed, it is activated by the horn system IO. The normal horn sound produced by a stationary or relatively slowly moving vehicle In a situation involving a moving vehicle, the vehicle is moving quickly and both horns are used. having a lower decibel level than in the situation.

When retraction switch 26 is closed, retraction generator 52 generates one pulse of reaction every 38 milliseconds. A pulse train consisting of 9 ms pulses at a repeating rate is applied. This pulse train is generated for 500 milliseconds at a rate of 1 hertz until switch 26 is opened again. . This signal is applied directly to logic 0R 46 to operate high frequency horn 14. child The signal is also given to the delay circuit 116, which has a delay of 19 milliseconds. and then feed that signal to logic 0R48, which causes low frequency horn 1 Operate 6. In this way, by closing the reverse switch 26, The high frequency horn 14 and the low frequency horn 16 have a relatively high repetition rate for a period of one-half second. Alternating pulses of 9 ms were given at the start, followed by 1/2 second of silence, and then then another set of alternating 9 ms pulses...and the retract switch 26 or again. It will continue until it is opened.

Receives a signal from the audio selection device 40 or the alarm system 28 that an alarm is prepared. and the preparation pulse generator 54 generates one pulse having a duration of 9 milliseconds; This pulse is applied only to the logic 0R46 and therefore only to the high frequency horn 14. Ru. Similarly, the voice selection device 40 indicates that the alarm system 28 indicates that the alarm has been canceled. Upon receiving the signal, the release pulse generator 56 generates a pulse having a duration of 9 milliseconds. This pulse is applied to the logic 0R48 only and therefore to the low frequency horn 16. given to you. The unready generator 58 also generates one 9 millisecond pulse; A pulse is first applied to logic 0R46 to operate high frequency horn 14, then applied to logic 0R48 after a 312 millisecond delay caused by delay circuit 118. to operate the low frequency horn 16.

A signal from the voice selection device 40 or the alarm system 28 indicates that a vehicle alarm has been triggered. When a signal is received, the alarm stimulation pulse generator 60 is activated at a repetition rate of 1 Hertz and a pulse rate of 1/2 second. A pulse train consisting of pulses is generated. This pulse train is logic 0R46 and 48 are applied simultaneously, both horns 14 and 16 are operated.

For the pulses and pulse trains described above, the minimum pulse width is 9 ms. It will be recognized. Therefore, for a horn operating at a frequency of 400 hertz, signal generator 68 pulses power MO3FET 70 every 2.5 milliseconds. gives MO3FET 70 three full cycles during a 9 ms pulse. Operate for a minute.

The operation of the control device 12 has been described using the active high convention. Of course, the control device 12 by having some or all of the various signals active low. It will be recognized that it is possible. In that case elements 46.48, The functions provided by and 110 are selected accordingly. Furthermore, -kan If the convention used is active low, then the logic It is also recommended to use an OR and use a logical AND instead of the logical 0R46 and 48. It will be. The horn pulse generator 50 is not needed in that case and the horn switch 24 is Directly connected to element 48 (here a logical AND) as shown by the dashed line in FIG. You can do it. The horn switch 24 may be replaced by the horn switch 24' or the horn switch 24' shown in FIG. The signal from the other pulse generator 42 can be directly connected to the on-off circuit 80 as shown in FIG. may be coupled to on-off circuit 80 in any of a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art. It might even be possible.

As mentioned above, the horn system IO is not the fully explained electronic switching type, but a mechanical one. This can also be achieved by using a switchable horn.

If mechanically switched horns are used, drivers 18 and 20 are in response to signals from respective logic 0Rs 46 and 48. and I6 will be connected to a DC power source, such as a car battery. In addition, mechanically The frequency of the acoustic wave output from the horn that is switched varies from O hertz to the resonance frequency of the horn. rise to a number. This rise occurs relatively rapidly and is usually I can't feel it. However, this effect may cause different You will be able to generate sounds that are More specifically, different voices can be used to power the horn. can be generated by controlling the amount of time given. For example, mechanically It takes 1039 seconds for the switched horn to fully rise to its natural frequency. So, by giving the horn a 4.5 millisecond pulse, between each pulse The frequency reached by the horn will be lower than the horn's resonant frequency. the The result is a lower decibel level than when the horn is operated at its resonant frequency. Different voices in the file are introduced. Additionally, the pulse repetition rate is If it is high, the generated sound will be perceived as a continuous sound.

Therefore, in this way the various sounds cause the pulse generator 42 to follow. It can be generated by configuring

Accordingly, there is a motor vehicle police system according to the present invention which achieves the objects and advantages specified herein. It should be clear that a whistle system is provided. Of course, the above explanation The present invention is directed to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which It should be understood that there is no limitation to the specific examples. skilled in the art Various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and and modifications thereof are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the following claims. Illustrated.

FIG-3 Continuation of front page (72) Inventor: Farris, Nidward G-United States of America, 49203 Mi 3881 Kirkwood, Jackson, Sigan (72) Inventor Dietrich, Steven L. USA, 492 01 Leora, Jackson, Michigan 6024 (72) Inventor: Herchinstein, Jeffrey Gee - United States of America, 62 823 Illinois, Flora, Rural Route 2, Box 323 E stomach

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A horn having a car horn and a horn switch coupled to the car horn. The improvements in Ipu's car horn system are as follows: a plurality of circuits coupled to the vehicle horn for providing a plurality of input signals to the circuit; a control circuit having inputs for the vehicle according to the input signals; the horn switch is operable to control the sound generated by the horn of the horn; is coupled to the first of the plurality of inputs, thereby activating the horn switch. a car horn system which, when activated, provides a first of the input signals to said control circuit; Mu. 2. The car horn has a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration, and the control circuit operating the vehicle horn at the resonant frequency in response to activation of a whistle switch; An automobile horn system according to claim 1. 3. a second resonant frequency of the mechanical vibration different from said first mentioned resonant frequency; further comprising a second vehicle horn having a second vehicle horn, the control circuit further comprising a second vehicle horn having a second vehicle horn; coupled to a horn and generated by the second vehicle horn according to an input signal. 3. The vehicle horn system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle horn system is operable to control the sound generated by the vehicle. 4. further comprising a sensor coupled to a second of the plurality of inputs; the sensor is operable to provide a signal representative of the speed of the vehicle to the second input; and the control circuit is activated when the horn switch is activated and the speed of the vehicle is high. in order to operate both horns of the car when exceeds a predetermined value. further configured to control the control circuit when the horn switch is activated and the alarm switch is activated. If the speed of the moving vehicle is less than or equal to the predetermined value, The automobile according to claim 3, configured to operate only one of the automobile horns. Vehicle horn system. 5. The car horn system according to claim 1, wherein the car horn is a switchable horn. stem. 6. an electric horn; and an electronic switch for selectively powering the electric horn. The vehicle horn system of claim 1, further comprising an electronically switched horn comprising: 7. Some of the plurality of inputs provide a plurality of alarm control signals to the control circuit. and each of said alarm control signals has a different associated with a vehicle alarm condition, the control circuit being responsive to the alarm control signal. and the horn of the vehicle is provided with multiple signals, each representing a respective one of the vehicle alarm conditions. The car horn system of claim 1, wherein several sounds are generated. 8. Selectively generate multiple different sounds, each associated with a different event A car horn system for car horn and a control circuit having a first and a second input, the first input being the first input; a first controller capable of informing the control circuit of the occurrence of the first event via an input of the controller; connectable to an electrical device, the second input connecting the control via the second input; connectable to a second electrical device capable of notifying the control circuit of the occurrence of the second event; and the control circuit has an indicia on the first input indicating the occurrence of the first event. is operable to cause the vehicle horn to generate a first sound when given a first sound; and further, the control circuit sends an indication to the second input indicating the occurrence of the second event. is operable to cause the vehicle's horn to generate a second sound when a signal is given. A car horn system. 9. coupled to the first input and when activated causes the control circuit to activate the vehicle alarm. further comprising a horn switch for activating a whistle, thereby accomplishing the first thing. 9. The automobile horn system of claim 8, wherein an activation of the horn switch results in activation of the horn switch. 10. A speed-responsive car horn system in which the first component of mechanical vibration is a first automobile horn having a vibration frequency; a second automatic vibration having a second resonant frequency of mechanical vibration different from the first resonant frequency; in response to a vehicle horn and first and second input signals, the first and second horns; a control circuit coupled to the horn for controlling operation of the horn; a horn switch operated by a motor vehicle driver to generate the first input signal; and, a sensor operable to generate the second input according to the speed of the vehicle. , The control circuit determines that the horn switch is activated and the speed of the vehicle is activating horns of the first and second cars when a predetermined value is exceeded; , the horn switch is activated and the speed of the vehicle is set to the predetermined speed. the first vehicle's horn is activated only when the A car horn system that is configured as much as possible.