Claims:1. A vehicle horn system, comprising:
a first horn (101) and a second horn (102) disposed on a vehicle;
a relay circuit (103) configured to connect a horn pad (104) of the vehicle to at least one of the first horn (101) and the second horn (102) based on gear position of the vehicle; wherein the horn pad (104) is connected to the first horn (101) when the vehicle gear is other than in a reverse position; and
a switch (105) configured to activate the relay circuit (103) when the vehicle gear is shifted to the reverse position to connect the horn pad (104) to the second horn (102), wherein the switch (105) is connected to a reverse lamp of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle horn system as claimed in claim 1 comprises a one-way switch (307), disposed between the first horn (101) and the second horn (102).
3. The vehicle horn system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one-way switch (307) enables current to flow from the second horn (102) to the first horn (101).
4. The vehicle horn system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one-way switch (307) is a forward biased diode.
5. The vehicle horn system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current flows from the horn pad (104) to at least one of the first horn (101) and second horn (102) when the horn pad (104) is activated in the vehicle.
6. A method comprising:
connecting a horn pad (104) of the vehicle to at least one of a first horn (101) and a second horn (102), disposed on the vehicle, based on a vehicle gear position through a relay circuit (103);
connecting the horn pad (104) of the vehicle to the first horn (101) through the relay circuit (103) when the vehicle gear is other than in a reverse position; and
activating the relay circuit (103) by a switch (105) when the vehicle gear is shifted to the reverse position to connect the horn pad (104) to the second horn (102), wherein the switch (105) is connected to a reverse lamp of the vehicle.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 comprises disposing a one-way switch (307) between the first horn (101) and the second horn (102) to enable current to flow from the second horn (102) to the first horn (101).
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one-way switch (307) is a forward biased diode.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein activating the horn pad (104) allows the current to flow from the horn pad (104) to at least one of the first horn (101) and second horn (102).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter is, in general, related to a vehicle horn system more particularly, but not exclusively, to a vehicle horn system and a method for activating horn of the vehicle based on gear position of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND
Generally, vehicles are equipped with a front horn to warn pedestrians in front of the vehicle. For the purpose of warning pedestrians behind the vehicle, a lamp is provided at the rear of the vehicle. When the vehicle moves in reverse direction, the lamp glows. Though the lamp is provided in order to indicate moving of the vehicle in reverse direction, the reverse lamp may be ignored, leading to accidental situations. Also, there is a possibility that pedestrians may not notice the lamp glowing.

At present, reverse horns are available which may be fitted as an accessory. These reverse horns are activated as soon as a reverse gear is engaged and hence not suitable for residential areas and no honking zones such as hospitals schools and the like. There is no control on the horn once it is activated when the vehicle is in reverse gear position.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle horn system. The vehicle horn system comprises a first horn and a second horn disposed on the vehicle. The vehicle horn system also comprises a relay circuit, a horn pad and a switch. The relay circuit is configured to connect the horn pad of the vehicle to at least one of the first horn and the second horn based on gear position of the vehicle. The horn pad is connected to the first horn when the vehicle gear is other than in a reverse position. The switch is configured to activate the relay circuit when the vehicle gear is shifted to the reverse position. The switch is connected to a reverse lamp of the vehicle. Upon activation, the relay circuit connects the horn pad to the second horn.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a vehicle horn system which comprises a one-way switch, disposed between the first horn and the second horn.

In an embodiment, the one-way switch enables current to flow from the second horn to the first horn. Therefore, both the first horn and the second horn may be activated using the one-way switch.

In an embodiment, the one-way switch is a forward biased diode.

Further, the present disclosure relates to a method for connecting horn pad of the vehicle to at least one of first horn and second horn. The horn pad is connected to at least one of the first horn and the second horn based on vehicle gear position through a relay circuit. The method comprises connecting the horn pad of the vehicle to the first horn when the vehicle gear is other than in a reverse position. Further, the method comprises activating the relay circuit by a switch when the vehicle gear is shifted to the reverse position to connect the horn pad to the second horn, wherein the switch is connected to a reverse lamp of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the method comprises disposing a one-way switch between the first horn and the second horn to enable current to flow from the second horn to the first horn. Therefore, both the first horn and the second horn may be activated using the one-way switch.

In an embodiment, the one-way switch is a forward biased diode.

In an embodiment, the method comprises activating the horn pad allows the current to flow from the horn pad to at least one of the first horn and second horn.

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 accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a circuit diagram illustrating a vehicle horn system when vehicle gear is not in reverse position in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig.2 shows a circuit diagram illustrating a vehicle horn system when vehicle gear is in reverse position in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig.3 shows a circuit diagram illustrating a vehicle horn system with a one-way switch in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig.4 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for connecting horn pad to one of first horn or the second horn of the vehicle based on vehicle gear position in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Fig.5 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for connecting a horn pad to first horn and second horn of the vehicle through one-way switch simultaneously in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

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 specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including” 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 method.
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle horn system and a method for activating horn of the vehicle based on gear position of the vehicle. The vehicle horn system comprises a first horn and a second horn disposed on the vehicle. The vehicle horn system may also comprise a relay circuit, a horn pad, a switch and a reverse lamp. The relay circuit may be configured in the vehicle to connect the horn pad to at least one of the first horn or second horn based on gear position of the vehicle. The horn pad is connected to the first horn when the vehicle gear is other than in a reverse position. Since the horn pad is connected to the first horn, when the horn pad is activated i.e. when the horn pad is pressed, the first horn honks to provide an indication to pedestrians in front of the vehicle. Further, a switch which is connected to a reverse lamp of the vehicle is configured to activate the relay circuit when the vehicle gear is shifted to the reverse position. Upon activation, the relay circuit may connect the horn pad to the second horn. Since the horn pad is connected to the second horn, when the horn pad is activated, i.e. when the horn pad is pressed, the second horn honks to provide an indication to pedestrians behind the vehicle. The vehicle horn system further comprises a one-way switch disposed between the first horn and the second horn. The one-way switch may be a forward biased diode. When the vehicle is in reverse position the relay circuit is activated which connects the horn pad to the second horn, thereby activating the second horn when the horn pad is pressed. Also, since the relay circuit is activated, current flows from the second horn to the first horn through the one-way switch to activate the first horn as well. In this manner, the present disclosure provides a mechanism to activate the second horn only when the horn pad is pressed thereby eliminating automatic activation of the second horn upon engaging reverse gear and thus avoiding honking at no honking zones.
Fig.1 shows a circuit diagram 100 illustrating the vehicle horn system when vehicle gear is not in reverse position in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle horn system [also referred as system] may comprise a first horn 101, a second horn 102, a relay circuit 103, a horn pad 104 and a switch 105. As an example, the first horn 101 and the second horn 102 may be disposed on the vehicle. The relay circuit 103 may be configured to connect the horn pad 104 of the vehicle to at least one of the first horn 101 and the second horn 102. The horn pad may be a switch, or a button disposed to operate horn of the vehicle, wherein the horn provides audio indication to people around the vehicle. As an example, the relay circuit 103 may be a NO-NC [ Normally Open -Normally Close] relay circuit 103. In an embodiment, the relay circuit 103 may connect the horn pad 104 of the vehicle to the first horn 101 when the vehicle gear is not in reverse position. As an example, the vehicle gear other than the reverse position may be any of the forward gears or neutral position. In one embodiment, in an automatic vehicle, the gear position could be drive mode, parking mode, neutral mode, sports mode. Since the horn pad 104 is connected to the first horn 101, when the horn pad 104 is activated i.e. when the horn pad 104 is pressed, the first horn 101 honk is activated to provide an audio indication in front of the vehicle.

Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram 200 illustrating a vehicle horn system when vehicle gear is in reverse position in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The reverse gear position enables the vehicle to be driven in backward direction. As shown in Fig.2, the relay circuit 103 may be activated when the vehicle is in reverse position. When the vehicle gear position is in reverse position i.e. when the reverse gear is engaged, the reverse lamp is activated which in turn activates the switch 105 connected to circuit connecting the reverse lamp. The revers lamp is a visual indication connected to rare end of the vehicle. As an example, the switch 105 may be a reverse lamp switch. When the switch 105 is activated, current flows from the switch 105 to the relay circuit 103 to activate the relay circuit 103. Upon activation, the relay circuit 103 may connect the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102 of the vehicle. Since the horn pad 104 is connected to the second horn 102, when the horn pad 104 is activated, i.e. when the horn pad 104 is pressed, the second horn 102 produces audio indication at the rear end of the vehicle. This helps in alerting the people near the rear end of the vehicle. Therefore, the second horn 102 is set to ON only when the horn pad 104 is pressed, thereby eliminating automatic switching of second horn 102 when the reverse gear is applied and thus avoiding unnecessary audio indication.
Fig.3 shows a circuit diagram 300 illustrating a vehicle horn system with a one-way switch in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig.3, the vehicle horn system comprises a one-way switch 307 disposed between the first horn 101 and the second horn 102. As an example, the one-way switch 307 may be a forward biased diode. When the vehicle is in reverse position i.e. when the reverse gear is engaged, the reverse lamp is activated which in turn activates the switch 105 connected to the reverse lamp. When the switch 105 is activated, current flows from the switch 105 to the relay circuit 103 to activate the relay circuit 103. Upon activation, the relay circuit 103 may connect the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102 of the vehicle. Also, since the relay circuit 103 is activated, current flows from the second horn 102 to the first horn 101 through the one-way switch 307 to activate the first horn 101 as well simultaneously. Therefore, both first horn 101 and the second horn 102 may be activated when the horn pad 104 is activated using the one-way switch 307 i.e. the horn pad 104 is connected to both the first horn 101 and the second horn 102 to operate both the horns. The one-way switch 307 blocks the current flowing from 101 into 102. In one embodiment, the one-way switch is a diode. In one embodiment the switch is an active device.

Fig.4 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for connecting horn pad to one of first horn or the second horn of the vehicle based on vehicle gear position in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in Fig.4, the method includes one or more blocks illustrating a method of activating horn based on gear position of the vehicle.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein

At block 401, method may include detecting gear position of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the position of the vehicle gear may be in reverse position or other than the reverse position. The position of the vehicle gear may be in reverse position when the reverse gear is engaged. The position of the vehicle gear may be in other than the reverse position i.e. forward gear or neutral position.

At block 403, the method may include determining, whether the vehicle gear is in the reverse position or other than the reverse position. When the vehicle gear is in reverse position, the method proceeds to block 405 via “Yes”. When the vehicle gear is in other than reverse position, the method proceeds to block 407 via “No”.

At block 407, the method may include connecting the horn pad 104 to the first horn 101. Since the position of the vehicle gear is detected as other than reverse position, the relay circuit 103 connects the horn pad 104 of the vehicle to the first horn 101. Since the horn pad 104 is connected to the first horn 101, on activating the horn pad 104 i.e. when the horn pad 104 is pressed, the first horn 101 provides an audio indication to people in front of the vehicle.

At block 405, the method may include activating the relay circuit 103. When the vehicle gear is in reverse position, a reverse lamp is activated which activates the switch 105 connected to the reverse lamp. When the switch 105 is activated, current flows through the switch 105 and activates the relay circuit 103.

At block 409, the method may include connecting the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102. When the relay circuit 103 is activated, the relay circuit 103 may connect the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102. Since the horn pad 104 is connected to the second horn 102, on activating the horn pad 104 i.e., when the horn pad 104 is pressed, the second horn 102 provides audio indication to the people at rear end of the vehicle.

Fig.5 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for connecting a horn pad to first horn and second horn of the vehicle through one-way switch simultaneously in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in Fig.5, the method includes one or more blocks illustrating a method for connecting the horn pad 104 to first horn 101 and second horn 102 simultaneously.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein

At block 501, the method may include detecting gear position of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the position of the vehicle gear may be in reverse position or other than the reverse position. The position of the vehicle gear may be in reverse position when the reverse gear is engaged. The position of the vehicle gear may be in other than the reverse position i.e. forward gear or neutral position.

At block 503, the method may include determining, whether the vehicle gear is in the reverse position or other than the reverse position. When the vehicle gear is in reverse position, the method proceeds to block 505 via “Yes”. When the vehicle gear is in other than reverse position, the method proceeds to block 507 via “No”.

At block 507, the method may include connecting the horn pad 104 to the first horn 101. Since the position of the vehicle gear is detected as other than reverse position, the relay circuit 103 connects the horn pad 104 of the vehicle the first horn 101. Since the horn pad 104 is connected to the first horn 101, on activating the horn pad 104 i.e. when the horn pad 104 is pressed, the first horn 101 provides an audio indication to people in front of the vehicle.

At block 505, the method may include activating the relay circuit 103. When the vehicle gear is in reverse position, a reverse lamp is activated which activates the switch 105 connected to the reverse lamp. When the switch 105 is activated, current flows through the switch 105 and activates the relay circuit 103.

At block 509, the method may include connecting the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102. When the relay circuit 103 is activated, the relay circuit 103 may connect the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102. Since the horn pad 104 is connected to the second horn 102, on activating the horn pad 104 i.e., when the horn pad 104 is pressed, the second horn 102 provides audio indication to the people behind the vehicle.

At block 511, the method may include activating the one-way switch 307. When the relay circuit 103 is activated, the relay circuit 103 may connect the horn pad 104 to the second horn 102 of the vehicle. Also, since the relay circuit 103 is activated, current flows from the second horn 102 to the first horn 101 through the one-way switch 307 to activate the first horn 101 as well simultaneously. Therefore, both first horn 101 and the second horn 102 may be activated when the horn pad 104 is activated.

Advantages
In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a vehicle horn system with first horn and second horn. The first horn disposed at front side of vehicle and second horn disposed at rear side of the vehicle. the second horn is activated through a relay circuit when reverse gear is engaged and only when the horn pad is pressed thereby eliminating automatic switching of second horn when reverse gear is applied and thus avoiding unnecessary audio indication.
Equivalents

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 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 clear that more than one device/article (whether they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether they cooperate), it will be clear 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.

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 embodiments of the present invention are 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 being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
101 First horn
102 Second horn
103 Relay circuit
104 Horn pad
105 Switch
307 One-way switch