CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A horn system of a vehicle, comprising:
plurality of horns, wherein each of the plurality of horns are of different tones ;
plurality of relays to activate the plurality horns at a time when a control signal being received, and
an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle to send the control signal to the plurality of relays based on one or more signals received from a plurality of sensors configured at a predefined location in the vehicle.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of horns is two in number.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the horn is one of low tone horn and high tone horn.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of relays is configured in at least one of a series mode and a parallel mode.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are:
a steering wheel horn switch embedded on the vehicle’s steering wheel;
a vehicle speed monitor unit, configured in the vehicle to monitor the vehicle’s speed, wherein the vehicle speed monitor unit is configured to transmit control signal when the vehicle’s speed is above a predetermined value;
a brake monitor sensor, configured in the vehicle, wherein the control signals are sent to the ECU when a brake, configured in the vehicle, is applied only when the vehicle’s speed is above a predetermined value;
a reverse gear sensor configured in the vehicle, sends control signal to the ECU when the vehicle gear is shifted to reverse; and
a direction indication sensor configured in the vehicle, transmits control signal to the ECU.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ECU of the vehicle activates series mode when the control signal is received from one of the reverse gear sensor and the direction indication sensor.

7. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ECU activates a parallel mode when the control signal is received from one of the steering wheel horn switch, the vehicle speed monitor unit and the brake monitor sensor.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a power source is configured in the horn system to power one or more components of the horn system.

9. A method for activating a horn in a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, by the ECU, one or more signals from a plurality of sensors configured in a predefined location in the vehicle, and
generating a control signal, by the ECU, to activate plurality of relays to selectively activate at least one of plurality horns at a time wherein each of the plurality of horns are of different tones;

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprising:
receiving, by the ECU, the one or more signals from at least one of reverse gear sensor and direction indication sensor.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprising:
receiving, by the ECU, the one or more signals from at least one of steering wheel horn switch, vehicle speed monitor unit and brake monitor sensor.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the horn is one of low tone horn and high tone horn.

13. The method as claimed in claims 10 or 11, wherein the ECU activates the horn in series mode when the control signal is received from one of the reverse gear sensor and the direction indication sensor.

14. The method as claimed in claims 10 or 11, wherein the ECU activates the horn in parallel mode when the control signal is received from one of the steering wheel horn switch, the vehicle speed monitor unit and the break monitor sensor.

Dated this 31st day of March, 2015
Sravan Kumar Gampa
Of K & S Partners
Agent for the Applicant

,TagSPECI:
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter is related, in general to a horn system of a vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively to a method, to activate the horn system of the vehicle, based on one or more of inputs from plurality of sensors, configured in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In the existing vehicles, horn is used for pedestrian warning and alerting the front vehicles. Separate music or buzzer system is used for reverse gear engagement. An alarm for panic braking of the vehicle is not available in the present cars. Also, the current horn system in the vehicles is operated at high voltage, thereby causing noise pollution. Further, direction indication and reverse gear engagement are indicated by separate sound systems, thereby increasing space complexity and cost.

Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method to control the horn system of the vehicle, based on one or more of inputs from plurality of sensors, configured in the vehicle.

SUMMARY

The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of 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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a horn system of a vehicle. The horn system comprising, plurality of horns of different tones configured in a vehicle, based on one or more signals received by the control unit. Further, the horn system comprises plurality of relays, at least one control unit, plurality of sensors and at least one power source. The plurality of sensors configured in the vehicle, monitors various parameters of the vehicle. The measured parameters are transmitted to the at least one control unit. The at least one control unit analyses the received signals and powers one of the plurality of relays, electrically connected to the at least one control unit. The corresponding plurality of relays further selectively activates at least one of the pluralities of horns, having different tone compared to other horn of the plurality of horns. The power source configured in the vehicle, supplies power to one or more components of the horn system.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for activating a horn in a vehicle. The method comprises receiving by a ECU, one or more signals from a plurality of sensors configured in a predefined location in the vehicle and generating a control signal, by the ECU, to activate plurality of relays to selectively activate at least one of plurality horns at a time wherein each of the plurality of horns are of different tones.

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.

OBJECTIVE OF THE DISCLOSURE

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a horn system for a vehicle to issue warning during one of, reverse gear engagement, direction indication and panic braking.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for controlling plurality of tone horns, thereby indicating a warning signal and/or reducing sound pollution caused by the loud horns in the vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic 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 embodiment 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 an exemplary block diagram of a horn system in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2A shows a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling plurality of horns, based on receiving one or more control signals from plurality of sensors configured in the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 2B shows a state diagram illustrating controlling of plurality of horns in the vehicle 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 structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 embodiment thereof has 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 alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or 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 setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a system and a method for controlling plurality of horns in a vehicle. The plurality of horns is controlled by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to perform honking, by receiving one or more control signals from plurality of sensors, configured in the vehicle.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary horn system 100 of a vehicle, wherein the horn system comprises plurality of horns, each of the plurality of horns with different tones, plurality of relays, to selectively activate at least one of the plurality of horns with different tone compared to other horns of the plurality of horns, at least one Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 104 to power at least one of the plurality of relays, plurality of sensors, configured in the vehicle at predefined location to monitor one or more parameters of the vehicle and a power source to power one or more components of the horn system.

As shown in Fig. 1, the horn system of a vehicle comprising, plurality of horns, plurality of relays, electrically connected to at least one of plurality of horns, to selectively activate at least one of plurality of horns with different tone, compared to other horns of the plurality of horns, at least one Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 104, to power at least one of pluralities of relays, plurality of sensors configured in the vehicle to monitor one or more parameters of the vehicle and a power source 101 to power one or more components of the horn system.
In one embodiment, each of the plurality of horns comprises one of low tone horn 102 and high tone horn 103. Each of the horns is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of relays, wherein the pluralities of relays selectively activates at least one of the pluralities of horns, in the horn system. The plurality of relays are three in number, one of each of the plurality of relays is a serial relay, electrically connected in series with the ECU 104, two of each of the plurality of relays are parallel relays, electrically connected in parallel with the ECU 104. The ECU 104 receives one or more signals from plurality of sensors, configured at predefined location in the vehicle, and powers at least one of the pluralities of relays. The corresponding relays selectively activate at least one of the pluralities of horns. The plurality of sensors is one of: a steering wheel horn switch 109 embedded on the vehicle’s steering wheel to transmit control signals to the ECU 104. A vehicle speed monitor unit 108, configured in the vehicle to monitor the vehicle’s speed, and transmit control signal if the vehicle’s speed is above a predefined value. A brake monitor sensor 107, configured in the vehicle, to indicate the ECU 104 when a brake, configured in the vehicle, is applied only when the vehicle’s speed is above the predefined value. A reverse gear sensor 106 is configured in the vehicle to transmit control signals to the control unit when the vehicle’s gear is shifted to reverse. Finally, a direction indication sensor 105, which is configured in the vehicle to transmit indicator signals to the ECU 104.

The ECU 104, by receiving one or more control signals from one of, steering wheel horn 109, vehicle speed monitor unit 108 and the brake monitor sensor 107, powers each of the serial relays. Further, the ECU 104, by receiving control signals from one of, reverse gear sensor 106 and direction indication sensor 105, powers each of the parallel relays. Further, the serial relays selectively activate each of the low tone horns 102 and the parallel relays activate each of the high tone horns 103.

Fig. 2A shows a method illustrating a method for controlling plurality of horns using a control unit in a horn system 200. The method comprises: as step 201, receiving one or more control signals from plurality of sensors configured at predefined locations in a vehicle, by the ECU, to power at least one of the plurality of relays. As step 202, activating at least one of the pluralities of horns with different tone compared to other horns of the plurality of horns, by the corresponding relays, based on the received one or more control signals.
The ECU, by receiving control signals from one of, reverse gear sensor and direction indication sensor, powers each of the serial relays, electrically connected in series with the ECU. Further, the each of the serial relays selectively activates each of the low tone horn, thus performing honking at a low tone. The ECU, by receiving one or more control signals from one of, steering wheel horn switch, vehicle speed monitor unit and break monitor sensor, powers each of the parallel relays, electrically connected in parallel with the ECU. Further, the each of the parallel relays selectively activates each of the high tone horn, thus performing honking at high tone.

Fig. 2B illustrates a state diagram of a horn system in a vehicle. The states, as shown in the figure comprises: “series mode”, wherein the serial relays are powered by the ECU. Further the serial relays activates the low tone horns, thus performing honking at a low tone. A “parallel mode”, wherein the parallel relays are powered by the ECU, the parallel relays activates the high tone horns, thus honking at a high tone. An “off mode”, wherein the plurality of tone horns do not receive any power. The transition between one or more states of the horn system:

Off mode to series mode, wherein the horn system shifts from off mode to series mode, by receiving reverse gear engaged signals from one of reverse gear sensor and direction indication sensor.

Series mode to off mode, wherein the horn system shifts from series mode to off mode, by receiving reverse gear disengaged signals from one of reverse gear sensor and direction indication sensor.

Off mode to parallel mode, wherein the horn system shifts from off mode to parallel mode, by receiving switch activated signals from one of steering wheel horn switch, vehicle speed monitor unit and break monitor sensor.

Parallel mode to off mode, wherein the horn system shifts from parallel mode to off mode, by receiving switch deactivated signals from one of steering wheel horn switch, vehicle speed monitor unit and break monitor sensor.

Serial mode to parallel mode, wherein the horn system shifts from serial mode to parallel mode, by receiving switch activated signals from one of steering wheel horn switch, vehicle speed monitor unit and break monitor sensor and switch deactivated signals from one of reverse gear sensor and direction indication sensor, when the present state of the horn system is serial mode.

Parallel mode to serial mode, wherein the horn system shifts from parallel mode to serial mode, by receiving reverse gear engaged signals from one of reverse gear sensor and direction indication sensor and reverse gear disengaged signals from one of steering wheel horn switch, vehicle speed monitor unit and break monitor sensor, when the present state of the horn system is parallel mode. The below table shows the sensor arrangement in the horn system and the corresponding operations performed by the relays:

S No Vehicle operating condition Horn operating mode
1 Reverse gear engagement Series mode
2 Turn signal Indicator Series mode
3 Panic braking of vehicle Parallel mode
4 Normal condition Parallel mode

Advantages of the embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated herein.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure illustrates a horn system of a vehicle, controlled by a control unit to perform honking, by receiving one or more inputs from plurality of sensors, thus reducing manual honking.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method to control plurality of tone horns using a control unit, which issues a low tone warning during one of, reverse gear engagement and direction indication.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method to control plurality of tone horns using a control unit, which issues a high tone warning during one of, steering wheel horn switch, is active and break monitor unit transmits signal, when the vehicle’s speed is above a predetermined value.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system that eliminates the need of separate indication systems for reverse gear engagement and direction indications.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a system that provides panic braking warning. Also, the system makes use of low tone horns to reduce the noise caused by the horn system.

The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "including", "comprising", “having” and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

The illustrated operations of Fig. 2A show certain events occurring in a certain order. In alternative embodiments, certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the above described logic and still conform to the described embodiments. Further, operations described herein may occur sequentially or certain operations may be processed in parallel. Yet further, operations may be performed by a single processing unit or by distributed processing units.

Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

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 and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 A Horn System for a vehicle
101 A Power Source device
102 Low tone horn
103 High tone horn
104 Electronic Control Unit
105 Direction indication sensor
106 Reverse gear sensor
107 Break sensor
108 Vehicle speed monitor unit
109 Steering wheel horn switch