CLIAMS:1. A method of auto tuning a horn in a vehicle, said method comprising:
detecting activation of a horn switch 103 by a control unit 101, configured in the vehicle;
providing a predefined input to the horn 104 after detecting the activation of the horn switch 103;
receiving analog voltage by the control unit 101 from a feedback module 109, wherein the analog voltage is proportional to horn current, which is generated by a feedback module 109 after sensing the predetermined parameters of the horn 104;
determining resonant frequency value based on peak analog voltage received by the control unit from the feedback module 109, thereafter, tuning the horn 104 to operate at the resonant frequency value.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horn 104 is an electromechanical horn.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined input to the horn 104 is pulse width modulated signals, which is provided by the output driver circuit 108.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameters of the horn 104 sensed by the feedback module 109 is feedback voltage proportional to the horn current.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auto tuning of the horn 104 is performed after initiating ignition of the vehicle.

6. An auto tuning horn system in a vehicle comprising:
horn switch 103 to active the horn 104 for producing an audible sound;
a control unit 101 configured in the vehicle being capable of:
detecting activation of the horn switch 103;
providing a predefined input to the horn 104 upon activation of the horn switch 103 through an output driver 108;
receiving feedback from the horn 104 to determine resonant frequency;
tuning the horn 104 to operate at the resonant frequency value, thereby performing auto tuning operation on the horn 104 in the vehicle.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the horn 104 is an electromechanical horn.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vehicle is activated after an ignition switch is activated, said ignition switch is configured the vehicle.

9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predefined input to the horn 104 is plurality of pulse width modulated signals provided by the output driver circuit 108.

10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the feedback to the controller is provided by a feedback module 109.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the feedback module 109 comprises a resistor to sense the horn current for providing feedback to the control unit 101.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the feedback provided by the feedback module 109 to the control unit 101 is analog voltage, proportional to the horn current.

13. The system as claimed in claims 6 or 12, wherein resonant frequency value is determined based on peak analog voltage received by the control unit 101 from the feedback module 109.
,TagSPECI:TECHINCAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a horn in a vehicle. More particularly, the embodiments relate to auto tuning of an electromechanical horn in vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
In a known art, a horn device consists of an electronic circuit is used for selecting a particular sound, which is to be generated by sound generating devices such as piezoelectric crystal. Also, the electronic circuit controls the level of sound emitted by the device. The horn used is a piezoelectric horn, which requires a DC excitation for understanding its resonance, which hardly drifts with age. Also, piezoelectric buzzers produces low intensity high pitch sound, low db intensity with 1 KHz frequency and are not suitable for a bus or truck applications where the level of sound is high of around 400 Hz by regulation.

Also, a prior art discloses a horn control circuit with feedback, which is purely for constant power horn operation at same frequency to nullify battery variations, but not for aging effects. The technique used is will not correct aging triggered corrections. External manual adjustments for setting the resonant frequency are also proposed in a prior art, which adds distractions to a driver of a vehicle or automobile.

In automotive applications, electromagnetic horns are designed on magnetic principle and the circuit make-brake is done through contacts of the electromechanical horns. A DC inductive load arcing takes place while contact make-brake, therefore the contact will ware-out very fast and lead to failure. The e-horns have an adjustment screw which adjusts the volume by turning the screw. The major disadvantage is that it needs manual tuning after certain operations and limited lifecycle.

Thus, there is a need of a solution to provide effective system for horns with minimal complexity for auto tuning. In addition, solution needs to be simple and provide a low cost implementation for auto tuning of the horns.

OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE
The objective of the present disclosure is to provide a cost-effective and reliable auto tuning of a horn in a vehicle.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a method of automatic tuning a horn in a vehicle.

Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a system to automatically tune a horn in a vehicle.

SUMMARY
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision 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.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a method of auto tuning a horn for a vehicle. The method comprises detecting activation of a horn switch by a control unit, which is configured in the vehicle. Also, the method comprises providing a predefined input to the horn after detecting the activation of the horn switch. Further, receiving analog voltage by the control unit from a feedback module, wherein the analog voltage is proportional to the horn current, which is generated by a feedback module after sensing the predetermined parameters of the horn. Further, the method comprises determining resonant frequency based on peak analog voltage received by the control unit from the feedback module, thereafter, tuning the horn to operate at the resonant frequency value.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an auto tuning horn system in a vehicle comprising an ignition switch configured to activate the vehicle. The system comprises a horn switch to active the horn for producing an audible sound. Also, the system comprises a control unit configured in the vehicle being capable of detecting activation of the horn switch. The control unit provides a predefined input to the horn upon activation of the horn switch through the output driver. Also, the control unit receives feedback from the horn to determine a resonant frequency value wherein, the resonant frequency value is determined after converting the feedback from the horn into frequency values. Further, the control unit tunes the horn to operate at the resonant frequency value, thereby performing auto tuning operation on the horn in the vehicle.

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 FIGURES
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 shows a block diagram representation of an electromagnetic horn control unit, in accordance with an embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a plot for obtaining a resonant frequency, in accordance with an embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows a timing diagram of the horn control unit, in accordance with an embodiment.

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
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 form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, 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.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.

To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background, the disclosure provides auto tuning of a horn or electromagnetic horn, which is also a cost effective solution.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and a system to auto tune a horn in an automobile/vehicle. The horn is an electromechanical horn or e-horn. In automotive applications, e-horns are designed on magnetic principle and the circuit make-brake is done through contacts of the electromechanical horns. A DC inductive load arcing takes place while contact make-brake, therefore the contact will ware-out very fast and lead to failure. The e-horns have an adjustment screw which adjusts the volume by turning the screw. The major disadvantage is that it needs manual tuning after certain operations and limited lifecycle. In order to avoid this, the present disclosure provides an automatic tuning of the electromechanical horn.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of auto tuning a horn 104, provided in a vehicle or automobile. The horn 104 is an electromagnetic horn (e-horn). A control unit or controller 101 performs the auto tuning operation, which is one of electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle or a microcontroller. When a horn switch for the horn is pressed, the electromagnet causes the diaphragm to move toward the magnet. When the diaphragm is as stretched to the extent it can be, the connection to the current is broken and the diaphragm relaxes. Upon the disconnection with the contacts the diaphragm is relaxed. The electromagnet applies current again and the diaphragm moves toward the magnet again. This cycle is continuously repeated which causes the diaphragm to vibrate and produce the sound of a horn.

Fig. 1 shows a system block diagram 100 for auto tuning a horn 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in the fig. 1, a control unit or controller 101 performs the operation of auto tuning of the e-horn 104. The horn 104 is an electromagnetic horn (e-horn). The control unit 101 is powered when an ignition 102 of the automobile or the vehicle is pressed. After the ignition switch is turned ON, the power supply 110 provides the necessary power to the control unit. Alternatively, the control unit receives the power from the vehicle battery. Also, the system 100 comprises an input circuit 107 configured with the control unit 101 to receive digital input, upon initiating a horn switch 103 connected to input circuit107. Further, the system comprises an output driver module or circuit 108 to drive the e-horn 104. The control unit 101 drives the e-horn 104 using predetermined signals through the output driver circuit 108. The predetermined signals are pulse width modulated (PWM) signals or any other signals which can drive the e-horn 104. The output driver circuit 108 is a low side switch. The e-horn 104 is connected to a voltage supply Vbatt 105 at one end and other end is grounded through the output driver circuit 108.

Also, the system as shown in the fig. 1 comprises a feedback voltage or feedback circuit or feedback module 109 connected to the control unit 101, wherein the feedback module 109 senses a voltage proportional to the horn current 104 to determine resonant frequency. The feedback module 109 comprises a resistor for sensing the horn current for providing feedback i.e. analog voltage to the control unit 101. A signal from horn switch 103, which is a digital signal and the current feedback of horn output are the inputs to the control unit or the controller 101. The current feedback is an analog signal which is the voltage proportional to the horn current. A PWM output of predefined frequency is generated by control unit 101 which makes and breaks the horn circuit to produce audible sound. The predefined frequency is a base frequency or a resonant frequency. The sound varies with the frequency of PWM pulses. At resonant frequency, e-horn 104 provides the maximum pitch sound. When the horn 104 is turned ON by the output driver circuit 108, the feedback circuit 109 senses the current flowing through the horn 104 and sends the corresponding voltage feedback to the control unit 101. The auto tuning of the e-horn 104 is performed once, when the ignition of the vehicle is initially operated activated and the horn switch 103 is pressed. Any user or driver of the vehicle may be aware of the auto tuning of the horn 104. The initial horn time period is extend for a predefined period of half a second.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of auto tuning an electromechanical horn 104 in a vehicle or an automobile. Upon initiating an ignition of the vehicle and pressing or switching the horn switch 103 in the vehicle, the control unit 101 output will be turned ON at resonant frequency. Once the horn switch 103 is released initially, i.e. upon initiating the ignition of the vehicle, the control unit 101 will be in an auto-tuning mode. In the auto tuning mode, output frequency is swept from minimum frequency to maximum as per tolerance and respective feedback voltage proportional to the horn current is sensed. The maximum feedback voltage proportional to the horn current received at a predefined frequency will be selected as resonant frequency of the horn 104. The selected frequency will be set as resonant frequency for the e-horn 104 till next ignition cycle. Fig. 2 illustrates a plot showing the frequency variation with respect to the current sensed from the e-horn 104. As shown in the fig. 2, at maximum current sensed is where the original resonant frequency occurs.

Fig. 3 illustrates a timing diagram of the horn control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the fig. 3, during the start-up of the vehicle, the ignition is initiated. Thereafter, when a horn switch 103 is pressed or activated to produce a audible horn sound, and later released. Upon releasing the horn switch 103, the e-horn 104 will be in auto-tuning mode for a predetermined time interval. The output driver module 108 provides PWM signals for driving to the e-horn 104, during the said predetermined time interval the feedback module 109 of the auto tuning system in the vehicle senses feedback voltage proportional to the horn current produced by the e-horn 104. The control unit 101 determines resonant frequency from the sensed maximum feedback voltage proportional to the horn current and thereafter tunes the e-horn 104 to operate at the determined resonant frequency. The predetermined time interval the control unit 101 takes to perform auto-tuning is about half a second time. Thus, there is no need of manual intervention or adjustments required in the auto tuning of the e-horn 104.

The advantages of the auto tuning of the e-horns in a vehicle is that that problems of manual tuning after certain operations, EMI / EMC problem due to mechanical make and brake of contacts, limited lifecycle, aging effects can be overcome. Also, the auto tuning E-Horn system is a low cost implementation. An electronic control unit will be replaced by the contact and tuning screw, which in turn will improve the e-horn life. The e-horn also provides or confirms the driver safety, since the horn tuning is performed when the horn is kept in turned ON, which is for half a second after driver of the vehicle releases the horn switch 103. The e-horn takes about half a second time to perform the auto tuning operation, which the driver of the automobile or vehicle may not know about the auto tuning of the e-horn. The vehicle may be one of a bus, truck, or any other transport vehicle having e-horn.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and devices within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

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.

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 and spirit being indicated by the following claims.