FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13] TITLE: “AN AUTO CALIBRATING MECHANISM FOR A HORN”
NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE APPLICANT:
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED of Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya, Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE, Fort, Mumbai, Mumbai City, Maharashtra, 400001 India
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to a horn. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an auto calibrating mechanism for the horn.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
A horn is a sound-generating device which is utilized in motor vehicles, bicycles, trains, trams and other types of vehicles. The operator of the vehicle uses the horn to warn others of the vehicle's approach or presence, or to call attention to some hazard. The horns are usually, driven by a diaphragm that has an electromagnet acting on it in one direction and a spring pulling in an opposite direction. The diaphragm is attached to contact points that repeatedly interrupt the current to that electromagnet, causing the diaphragm to spring back the other way, causing a closed circuit. This arrangement of the horn, causes the circuit to open and close multiple times per second, leading to generation of a loud noise.
Over period of time, due to frequent usage of the horn, the electrical contacts wear out. As the electrical contacts wears out due to usage, the position and mass of the electrical contacts changes/reduces. As the position and mass of the electrical contacts reduces, the sound generated by the horn reduces or changes or stops due to the gap formed between the electrical contacts. Thus, frequent calibration of the horn is required to keep the electrical contacts at optimal working positions.
Conventionally, in order to calibrate the horns the electrical contacts of the horn are supported on a screw for manually calibrating the horn. The screw is designed such that tightening or loosening of the screw leads to displacement of one of the electrical contacts thereby adjusting the distance/tension of the electrical contacts to calibrate the horn. However, such a technique is time bound and is generally performed at a service center during servicing of the vehicle. Further, the manual calibration of the horn can only be carried out by a trained technician who is equipped with a tuner kit, which is undesired, as the vehicle will have to be operated with an improperly functioning horn.

Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an auto calibrating mechanism as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment, an auto calibrating mechanism for a horn is disclosed. The mechanism includes a casing and a pin disposed within the casing. The pin is defined with a first end and a second end, where the pin is configured to movably support a first contact member of the horn at a predefined point. The predefined point is located between the first end and the second end of the pin. The mechanism includes a first resilient member which is disposed around a portion of the pin which is defined between the first end of the pin and the first contact member. Further, the mechanism includes a second resilient member that is disposed around a portion of the pin defined between the second end of the pin and the first contact member. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to exert compressive forces on the first contact member to retain the first contact member at the predefined point, for auto calibrating the horn. This configuration of the mechanism mitigates the issue of improper functioning of the horn and the need of requirement of skilled technician for manual calibration.
In an embodiment, the pin is fixed to the casing at the first end and the second end.
In an embodiment, the first resilient member and the second resilient member is a helical spring.
In an embodiment, the first resilient member and the second resilient member comprises same modulus of elasticity, thereby ensuring same compressive forces are applied on the first contact member from both directions to maintain the position of the first contact member at the predefined point.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an horn is disclosed. The horn includes a housing and an electrical circuit disposed within the housing. Further, the horn includes a first contact member that is disposed in the housing and a second contact member disposed in the housing at a location adjacent to the first contact member. The second contact member is communicatively coupled to the electrical circuit. Furthermore, the horn includes an auto calibrating mechanism which is disposed in the housing. The mechanism includes a casing and a pin disposed within the casing. The pin is defined with a first end and a second end, where the pin is configured to movably support the first contact member of the horn at a predefined point, between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the mechanism includes a first resilient member which is disposed around a portion of the pin which is defined between the first end of the pin and the first contact member. Further, the mechanism includes a second resilient member that is disposed around a portion of the pin defined between the second end of the pin and the first contact member. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to exert compressive forces on the first contact member to retain the first contact member at the predefined point and establish contact between the first contact member and the second contact member, for auto calibrating the horn.
In an embodiment, at least one of the first contact member and the second contact member are defined with contact elements which are configured to establish contact between the first contact member and the second contact member.
In an embodiment, the first contact member and the second contact member are positioned parallel to each other.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages

thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a horn, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view an auto calibration mechanism of the horn of Fig. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, assemblies, system, methods and processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent construction do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its construction and features, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter

described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device or a system or a method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such device, assembly, system or method. In other words, one or more elements in a device or an assembly or a system or a method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device or system or method.
The construction and configuration of the mechanism of the present disclosure enables automatic calibration of the horn by maintaining contact between the first contact member and the second contact member. Thus, the mechanism the mitigates the need for manual tuning of the horn.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an horn (200). In an embodiment, the horn (200) may be employed in motor vehicles, bicycles, trains, trams and other types of vehicles, manufacturing industries, houses and the like where an operator may use the horn to warn or alert. For example, the horn (200) may be employed in motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and the like for alerting people who are proximal to the vehicles. In an embodiment, the horn may be including but not limited to an electrical horn, an electromechanical horn and the like. The horn (200) may include a housing (9) which may act as a casing for all components of the horn (200). The horn

(200) may include an electrical circuit (8) which may be disposed within the housing (9). In an embodiment, the electrical circuit (8) may be in the form of a coil, a coil wound around a core, an electromagnet and the like. The electrical circuit (8) may be electrically connected to a power source. Further, the horn (200) may include a diaphragm [not shown in Figs] connected to the electrical circuit (8). The diaphragm may be configured to displace in a first direction corresponding to current received from the electrical circuit (8) [i.e., activation of the electrical circuit] and may displace back to the original position when the current supply from the electrical circuit (8) [i.e., deactivation of the electrical circuit], may be halted. In an embodiment, the diaphragm may be spring loaded such that, upon deactivation of the electrical circuit (8), the diaphragm may displace back to the original position.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the electrical circuit (8) may be coupled to at least one of a first contact member (5) and a second contact member (6). In an embodiment, the diaphragm may be coupled to one of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6). In an embodiment, the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may be positioned such that free ends of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) are parallel to each other. Further, the at least one of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may be defined with contact elements (7) which may be configured to establish electrical contact between the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6). In an embodiment, the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may be disposed relative to each other such that in a rest condition, where both the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may be in contact with each other. During operation, the electrical current passing through the second contact member (6) may displace the second contact member (6) relative to the first contact member (5) thereby repeatedly opening and closing the electrical circuit (8).
In an illustrated embodiment, the diaphragm and/or the electrical circuit (8) may be electrically coupled to the second contact member (6). The first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may be configured to displace relative to each other repeatedly upon receiving current from the electrical circuit (8) such that the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may vibrate and displace out of contact with each other to interrupt the current from the electrical circuit (8) to the diaphragm. The repeated vibration or displacement of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) relative to each other, vibrates the diaphragm to

generate a required sound. That is, the repeated displacement of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) opens and closes the electrical circuit (8) multiple times, to generate the required sound.
Referring now to Fig. 2, the horn (200) may include an auto calibrating mechanism (100) which may be disposed in the housing (9). The auto calibrating mechanism (100) [hereafter referred to as mechanism (100)] may include a casing (1) and a pin (2) disposed within the casing (1). The pin (2) may be defined with a first end (2a) and a second end (2b). The pin (2) may be fixed to the casing (1) at the first end (2a) and the second end (2b). The pin (2) may be configured to movably support the first contact member (5). That is, the first contact member (5) may be defined with a proximal end (5a) which may be movably connected to the pin (2). In an embodiment, the proximal end (5a) of the first contact member (5) may be defined with a hole which may be configured to receive the pin (2) such that the first contact member (5) may be freely movable along the length of the pin (2). Further, a distal end (5b) which is away from the proximal end (5a) of the first contact member (5) may extend away from the pin (2), and in-turn the casing (1). In an embodiment, the first contact member (5) may be supported on the pin (2) at a predefined point on the pin (2) between the first end (2a) and the second end (2b). The predefined point may be a point on the pin (2), at which the first contact member (5) may be positioned adjacent to the second contact member (6) as per requirement.
Further, the mechanism (100) may include a first resilient member (3) and a second resilient member (4) which may be disposed around a portion of the pin (2). For example, the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) may be including but not limited to compression springs, such as a helical spring. In an illustrated embodiment, the mechanism (100) include the helical springs as the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4), however, the same cannot be considered as a limitation as the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) may be any other component which is capable of exhibiting resilient properties. Further, both the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) include same modulus of elasticity and have equal tension. In an embodiment, the first resilient member (3) may be disposed around a portion of the pin (2) that may be defined between the first end (2a) of the pin (2) and the first contact member (5). The second resilient member (4) may be disposed around a portion of the pin (2) which may be defined between the second end (2b) of the pin (2) and the

first contact member (5). That is, the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member
(4) may be configured to contact top and bottom surfaces, respectively of the first contact member
(5) such that the first contact member (5) may be positioned at the predefined point or fixed portion on the pin (2). In an embodiment, the first resilient member (3) may be defined with two ends where one end of the first resilient member (3) may contact the casing (1) and an other end may contact the proximal end (5a) of the first contact member (5). Further, the second resilient member
(4) may be defined with two ends where one end of the second resilient member (4) may contact
the casing (1) and an other end may contact the proximal end (5a) of the first contact member (5).
In an embodiment, the first resilient member (3) may be configured to bias the first contact member
(5) towards the second end (2b) of the pin (2) and the second resilient member (4) may be
configured to bias the first contact member (5) towards the first end (2a) of the pin (2). The first
resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) having same modulus of elasticity and
have equal tension aids in exerting same amount of compressive forces on top and bottom surfaces
of the first contact member (5) to retain the first contact member (5) at the predefined point, for
auto calibrating the horn (200). In an embodiment, as the contact point between the first contact
member (5) and the second contact member (6) wears out due to prolonged usage, position and
mass of the top surface and the bottom surface of the first contact member (5) changes or reduces
due to which the first contact member (5) may change location from its predefined point or fixed
portion. The mechanism (100) of the present disclosure having the first resilient member (3) and
the second resilient member (4) causes exertion of compressive forces based on kind of wear on
the first contact member (5) to maintain the first contact member (5) at the predefined point. As
an example, if wear is on top surface of the first resilient member (3), may deflect or extend equally
to compensate the gap between the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6)
may remain at the original condition, or vice versa, thereby leading to automatic compensation
and calibration of the horn (200).
In an embodiment, mechanism (100) in which the first contact member (5) is supported on the pin (2) between the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4), facilitates accurate positioning of the first resilient member (3) thereby eliminating any error in calibrating the horn (200).

In an illustrated embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include one first resilient member (3) and one second resilient member (4), however, this should not be considered as a limitation as the mechanism (100) may include more than one first resilient member (3) and second resilient member (4).
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include a washer [not shown in Figs] which may be positioned between first contact member (5) and the first resilient member (3), as well as, between the first contact member (5) and the second resilient member (4). The washer may enables effective transfer of compressive forces from the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) onto the first contact member (5).
In an embodiment, the pin (2) may be coated with a suitable material which may enable smooth movement of the first contact member (5) on the pin (2).
It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the Figs. 1 and 2 the features, construction, position and connections should not be construed as a limitation as the mechanism (100) and the horn (200) may include any other type of features, construction, position, and connections which may work with other combinations for auto calibration of the horn (200).
In an operational embodiment, upon prolonged use of the horn (200), due to frictional contact between the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6), the mass of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) may reduce. The reduction of mass of the first contact member (5) may alter the position of the first contact member (5) in relation to the second contact member (6). The change in position of the first contact member (5) on the pin (2) may be prevented by the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4). As both the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) are defined with the same modulus of elasticity, equal compressive forces may be exerted on the first contact member (5). The reduction in mass of the first contact member (5) allows expansion of both the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) and as both include same modulus of elasticity, both the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) displace equally towards each other. The equal displacement of the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) towards each other results in maintaining the first contact member (5) at the predefined

point, thereby automatically calibrating the horn (200). That is, by maintaining the first contact member (5) at the predefined point, the requirement of manual calibration or tuning of the horn may be eliminated as even when the mass of the first contact member (5) reduces the position of the first contact member (5) relative to the second contact member (6) does not change, thereby maintaining the required horn configuration.
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) is simple in construction and easy to manufacture and aids in automatic calibration of the horn (200). Further, as there are less moving parts, the chance of mechanical failure and costs involved in manufacturing is reduced. Furthermore, requirement of manual tuning or calibration of the horn (200) is mitigated.
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may be configured to be retrofitted to existing horns.
It should be imperative that the mechanism, the horn and any other elements or features described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such device and system should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory

phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments

disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope.

Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Mechanism
200 Horn
1 Casing
2 Pin
2a First end
2b Second end
3 First resilient member
4 Second resilient member
5 First contact member
5a Proximal end
5b Distal end
6 Second contact member
7 Contact element
8 Electrical circuit
9 Housing

We Claim:
1. An auto calibrating mechanism (100) for a horn (200), the mechanism (100) comprising:
a casing (1);
a pin (2) disposed within the casing (1), the pin (2) is defined with a first end (2a) and a second end (2b), wherein the pin (2) is configured to movably support a first contact member (5) of the horn (200) at a predefined point, between the first end (2a) and the second end (2b);
a first resilient member (3) disposed around a portion of the pin (2) defined between the first end (2a) of the pin (2) and the first contact member (5); and
a second resilient member (4) disposed around a portion of the pin (2) defined between the second end (2b) of the pin (2) and the first contact member (5),
wherein, the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) are configured to exert compressive forces on the first contact member (5) to retain the first contact member (5) at the predefined point, for auto calibrating the horn (200).
2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin (2) is fixed to the casing (1) at the first end (2a) and the second end (2b).
3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) is a helical spring.
4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) comprises same modulus of elasticity.
5. A horn (200), comprising:
a housing (9);
an electrical circuit (8) disposed within the housing (9);
a first contact member (5) disposed in the housing (9);

a second contact member (6) disposed in the housing (9) and positioned adjacent to the first contact member (5), wherein the second contact member (6) is communicatively coupled to the electrical circuit (8);
an auto calibrating mechanism (100), disposed in the housing (9), the mechanism (100) comprising:
a casing (1);
a pin (2) disposed within the casing (1), the pin (2) is defined with a first end (2a) and a second end (2b), wherein the pin (2) is configured to movably support the first contact member (5) of the horn (200) at a predefined point, between the first end (2a) and the second end (2b);
a first resilient member (3) disposed around a portion of the pin (2) defined between the first end (2a) of the pin (2) and the first contact member (5); and
a second resilient member (4) disposed around a portion of the pin (2) defined between the second end (2b) of the pin (2) and the first contact member (5),
wherein, the first resilient member (3) and the second resilient member (4) are configured to exert compressive forces on the first contact member (5) to retain the first contact member (5) at the predefined point and establish contact between the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6), for auto calibrating the horn (200).
6. The horn (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) are defined with contact elements (7) configured to establish contact between the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6).
7. The horn (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first contact member (5) and the second contact member (6) are positioned parallel to each other.
8. The horn (200) as claimed in claim 5,wherein the pin (2) is fixed to the casing (1) at the first end (2a) and the second end (2b).

“AN AUTO CALIBRATING MECHANISM FOR A HORN”