DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a horn assembly, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle horn with a constant current supply.

BACKGROUND

The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.

An electronic horn is an electric device used in a vehicle to general aural signal for traffic ahead or around the vehicle. Typically, the electronic horns utilize electromagnetism to function. When the electronic horn is activated, an electromagnet energizes and moves a diaphragm. Once the diaphragm reaches the maximum point and then contracts quickly by switching off the current supply which allows the diaphragm to come to its initial position. Again, the current is restored, and the entire process is repeated continuously. These rapid cycles of back and forth of the diaphragm result in generation of sound.

Commercially available electric horns operate only within a prescribed voltage input. As these horns come with limited voltage range of operation, user must purchase different horns for different voltage inputs. In the existing vehicle horns, the regulated voltage supply is provided only to the microcontroller and not to the horn coil and the voltage sensing circuit. The voltage supply to the horn more than a predefined range may lead to damage of wire harness.

Therefore, there is a need for a system which provides constant power to the electric horn irrespective of variation in source voltage supply.

The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purposes and the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, disclosed herein is a system to supply constant current to a horn assembly. The system includes a voltage regulator adapted to receive an input voltage and regulate the input voltage to a first predetermined range of voltage. A horn coil adapted to receive the first predetermined range of voltage from the voltage regulator. A voltage sensing circuit adapted to receive the predetermined range of voltage from the voltage regulator and convert to a second predetermined range of voltage. A microcontroller in communication with the voltage sensing circuit and the horn coil. The microcontroller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an output value of the voltage sensing circuit. The microcontroller compares the output value from the voltage sensing circuit with a predefined range and generate a constant Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal based on the comparison to actuate the horn coil through a switching device.

In another embodiment, a method for supplying a constant current to a horn assembly. The method includes receiving via a voltage regulator an input voltage from the power source. Further, the method includes regulating via the voltage regulator, the input voltage to a first predetermined range of voltage to power a horn coil. Furthermore, the method includes receiving a signal indicative of an output value of the voltage sensing circuit. The method further includes comparing via the microcontroller, the output value from the voltage sensing circuit with a predefined range. The method further includes generating via the microcontroller, a constant Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to actuate a switching device based on the comparison of the output value.

In yet another embodiment, a horn assembly is disclosed herein. The horn assembly may include a horn coil and a system. The horn coil may be adapted to generate sound at a predetermined voltage range. Further, the system may be coupled to the horn coil and may be adapted to regulate the input voltage and supply a constant current to the horn coil.

The disclosed horn assembly is capable of operating with wide voltage input from a power source. Irrespective of the supply voltage, a constant current is supplied to the electronic horn. This reduces the damage of wire harness of the user vehicle and makes it more reliable. Additionally, all child parts of the electronic horn may be made common for all horn voltage segments. Also, the proposed electronic horn consumes similar current in the voltage range of from 9V to 72V irrespective of the input voltage and makes it more efficient.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a horn assembly with constant current supply, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) cycle in the horn assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for constant current supply to the horn assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a horn assembly 100 with constant current supply (hereinafter “horn assembly 100”), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the horn assembly 100 may be employed in a vehicle to blow the horn with a constant current supply. The vehicle may be embodied as one of a two-wheeler, a three-wheeler, a four-wheeler, and other types of vehicles. Further, the horn assembly 100 may be employed in an automobile without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the horn assembly 100 may include but is not limited to, a horn coil 114 and a system 101. The horn coil 114 may be adapted to generate sound at a predetermined range of voltage. The system 101 may be coupled to the horn coil 114 and adapted to regulate the current supply to the horn coil 102. The horn assembly 100 in the present disclosure provides for an operation in a wide range of input voltage from an external power source. Also, the horn assembly 100 provides constant current to the horn coil irrespective of the changes in the input voltage. Constructional and operational details of the system 110 are explained in subsequent paragraphs.

As shown in Figure 1, the horn assembly 100 may include a voltage regulator 104, a voltage sensing circuit 108, a DC-DC converter 106, and a microcontroller 110. An external power source 102 may provide an input voltage to the horn assembly 100 for its operation. In an embodiment, the external power source 102 may be a battery. Further, the external power source 102 may operate in a voltage range from 9V to 72V. The input voltage may be supplied to the voltage regulator 104 which maintains a first predetermined range of voltage irrespective of the input voltage. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first predetermined voltage range from the voltage regulator 104 is in the range from 11.12V to 12.79V. The working of the voltage regulator 104 is already known in the art therefore not explained in detail to maintain brevity of the specification.

Further, the regulated voltage output from the voltage regulator 104 may be supplied to the horn coil 114, the voltage sensing circuit 108 and the DC-DC converter 106. The voltage regulator 104 may be configured to supply a constant voltage of 12V to the horn coil 114. The horn coil 114 may receive the regulated power supply from the voltage regulator 104 to generate desired sound. Furthermore, the DC-DC converter 106 may receive the regulated voltage from the voltage regulator 104 and step down the voltage to a predefined voltage rating. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predefined voltage rating of the DC-DC converter 106 steps down is from 12V to 5V. This reduced voltage is supplied to the microcontroller 110 for its operation.

Further, the first predetermined range of voltage from the voltage regulator 104 may be supplied to the voltage sensing circuit 108. The voltage sensing circuit 108 may sense the input voltage and send a second predetermined range of voltage to the microcontroller 110. In an embodiment, the second predetermined range of voltage sent to the microcontroller 110 from the voltage sensing circuit 108 is 6V. The voltage sensing circuit 108 may reduce the input voltage from the voltage regulator 104 and convert it to a sensible range for the microcontroller 110 to read and process a signal. The microcontroller 110 may be configured to receive the signal indicative of an output value of the voltage sensing circuit 108. Furthermore, a voltage sensing pin may be provided in the microcontroller 110 to sense the output of the voltage sensing circuit 108 and provide a constant Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal.

Figure 2 illustrates a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) cycle in the horn assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a logic may be installed in the microcontroller 110 to produce the constant PWM signal irrespective of the sensed voltage. Furthermore, the constant PWM helps to maintain the constant current that is supplied to the horn coil 114. Further, the microcontroller 110 may generate the PWM signal only if the output value is within a predefined range. The microcontroller 110 may generate the PWM signal with a set of predefined parameters to be constant. In an embodiment, the predefined parameters may include a duty cycle, a frequency and signal voltage level.
The predefined range of voltage may be sensed at the voltage sensing pin of the microcontroller 110. The microcontroller 110 may be adapted to compare the output value with the predefined range. Upon detecting the output value is above the predefined range the microcontroller 110 may generate the PWM signal to actuate a switching device 112. The switching device 112 may be actuated by closing the circuit to supply current to the horn coil 114. In an embodiment, the switching device 112 is a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET). Further, the system 101 may include a snubber unit connected to the MOSFET. The snubber unit may be adapted to suppress voltage spikes occurred due to sudden changes in a current to protect the system 101.

In an embodiment, the switching device 112 may close or open the circuit for movement of a diaphragm. If the output value sensed at the voltage sensing pin in the microcontroller 110 is within the predetermined range, the microcontroller 110 may generate the PWM signal and actuate the switching device 112 and close the circuit facilitating the flow of current to the horn coil 114. The switching device 112 may get actuated only when the predefined parameters in the generated PWM signal is constant. Further, if the output value sensed at the voltage sensing pin of the microcontroller 110 is beyond the predetermined range, the microcontroller 110 may not generate the PWM signal to actuate the switching device 112 thus the circuit remains open and prevent the further flow of current to the horn coil 114. . This deactivation of the switching device 112 by the microcontroller 110 confirms that the sensed voltage was beyond the predetermined range thus the voltage is not supplied to the horn coil 114. Since the horn coil 114 relies on a steady current supply, a decrease in the sensed voltage level leads to reduced power generation, potentially causing the horn coil 114 to fail in pulling the diaphragm effectively.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for constant current supply to the horn 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The order in which the method steps are described below is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps can be combined in any appropriate order to execute the method or an alternative method 200. Additionally, individual steps may be deleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.

The method can be performed by programmed computing devices, for example, based on instructions retrieved from non-transitory computer readable media. The computer readable media can include machine-executable or computer-executable instructions to perform all or portions of the described method 200. The computer readable media may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable data storage media.

In one example, the method 200 may be performed partially or completely by the horn assembly 100 shown in Figure 1. The method 200 begins at step 202, where an input voltage from the external power source 102 is supplied to the horn assembly 100. Thereafter at step 204, the input voltage is detected to be in a predetermined range. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined range of voltage detected may be within a range from 9V to 72V. If yes, then in step 206, a voltage regulator 104 regulates the input voltage to a first predetermined range of voltage and supplies it to the horn coil 114, the voltage sensing circuit 108, and the DC-DC converter 106. In an embodiment, the first predetermined voltage range is in the range from 11.12V to 12.79V. Next in step 208, the DC-DC converter 106 sends a predefined voltage rating to the microcontroller 110 for its operation. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predefined voltage rating is 5V. Thereafter, in step 208, a voltage sensing circuit 108 senses the input voltage and sends a second predetermined voltage range to the microcontroller 110. In an embodiment, the second predetermined voltage range sent to the microcontroller 110 from the voltage sensing circuit 108 is 6V.

Thereafter in step 212, the microcontroller 110 receives a signal indicative of an output value from the voltage sensing circuit 108 and detects the output value from the voltage sensing circuit 108 and in step 214 based on the detected voltage, the microcontroller 110 decides on generation of PWM signal to actuate the switching device 112. Further, the microcontroller 110 generates the PWM signal with a set of predefined parameters to be constant. In an embodiment, the predefined parameters include a duty cycle, a frequency and signal voltage level. In step 216, if the output value sensed by the microcontroller 110 is within the predetermined range, the microcontroller 110 may generate the PWM signal with predefined parameters to be constant and actuate the switching device 112 and close the circuit facilitating in the flow of current to the horn coil 114. If not, then in step 218, if the output value sensed at the voltage sensing pin in the microcontroller 110 is beyond the predetermined range, the microcontroller 110 may not generate the PWM to actuate the switching device 112 thus the circuit remains open and prevents the further flow of current to the horn coil 114.

The advantages of the horn assembly 100 are now explained. The horn assembly 100 supports a wide range of input voltage from an external power source. This increases the flexibility of using the horn assembly 100 with different power sources in different vehicles. Additionally, the functionality of the horn assembly 100 remains the same at any voltage within a range from 9V to 72V and will achieve the desired sound pressure level irrespective of the supply voltage.

Further, irrespective of the supply voltage, a constant voltage is supplied to the horn assembly 100. This reduces the damage to the wire harness in the vehicle making it more reliable. Additionally, all child parts of the horn assembly 100 may be made common for all horn voltage segments. Also, the proposed horn assembly 100 consumes similar current in the voltage range of from 9V to 72V irrespective of the input voltage making the horn assembly 100 efficient.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A system (101) to supply constant current to a horn assembly (100), comprising:
a voltage regulator (104) adapted to receive an input voltage and regulate the input voltage to a first predetermined range of voltage;
a horn coil (114) adapted to receive the first predetermined range of voltage from the voltage regulator (104);
a voltage sensing circuit (108) adapted to receive the first predetermined range of voltage from the voltage regulator (104) and convert to a second predetermined range of voltage;
a microcontroller (110) in communication with the voltage sensing circuit (108) and the horn coil (114), wherein the microcontroller (110) is configured to:
receive a signal indicative of an output value of the voltage sensing circuit (108);
compare the output value from the voltage sensing circuit (108) with a predefined range; and
generate, based on the comparison, a constant Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to actuate the horn coil (114) through a switching device (112).

2. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein to actuate the switching device (112), the microcontroller (110) is configured to:
identify the output value from the voltage sensing circuit (108) is above the predefined range;
generate the PWM signal with a set of predefined parameters to be constant, wherein the predefined parameters include a duty cycle, a frequency and signal voltage level; and
close or open, based on the identification, a circuit to supply current to the horn coil (114).

3. The system (101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein upon identifying the output value is above the predefined range the microcontroller (110) generates the constant PWM signal with the set of predefined parameters to be constant, the microcontroller (110) actuates the switching device (112) and close the circuit to supply current to the horn coil (114).

4. The system (101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein upon identifying the output value is less than the predefined range, the microcontroller (110) does not generate the constant PWM signal to actuate the switching device (112) keeping the circuit open and restricting supply of current to the horn coil (114).

5. The system (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching device (112) is a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) connected to the microcontroller (110) and the horn coil (114), and the switching device (112) is adapted to receive the PWM from the microcontroller (110) and adapted to supply the current to the horn coil (114).

6. The system (101) as claimed in claim 5, comprises a snubber circuit (114) connected to the switching device (112) and adapted to suppress voltage spikes occurred due to sudden changes in a current to protect the system (101).

7. A horn assembly (100), comprising:
a horn coil (114) adapted to generate sound at a predetermined voltage range; and
a system (101), as claimed in claims 1-6, coupled to the horn coil (114) and adapted to regulate an input voltage and supply a constant current to the horn coil (114).

8. A method (200) for supplying a constant current to a horn assembly (100), comprising:
receiving, via a voltage regulator (104), an input voltage from the power source;
regulating, via the voltage regulator (104), the input voltage to a first predetermined range of voltage to power a horn coil (114);
receiving a signal indicative of an output value of the voltage sensing circuit (108);
comparing, via the microcontroller (110), the output value from the voltage sensing circuit (108) with a predefined range;
generating, via the microcontroller (110), a constant Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to actuate a switching device (112) based on the comparison of the output value.

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, actuating the switching device (112) comprises:
identifying, by the microcontroller (110), the output value from the voltage sensing circuit (108) is above the predefined range;
generating, by the microcontroller (110), the PWM signal with the set of predefined parameters to be constant, wherein the predefined parameters include a duty cycle, a frequency and signal voltage level; and
closing or opening, based on the identification, a circuit to supply current to the horn coil (114).