Claims:We claim:
1. A system (100) for providing an alert in a vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprises:
a directional speed sensor (101) mounted on a differential housing (102) of the vehicle;
a control unit (103); and
a horn (104);
wherein the control unit (103) is configured to operate the horn (104) to provide the alert, on determining that the vehicle is moving at more than a pre-defined speed limit in a reverse direction.

2. The system (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional speed sensor (101) is configured to:
sense speed of rotation of a differential gear shaft (106) and a direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106), wherein the differential gear shaft (106) is present in the differential housing (102);
generate at least one signal based on the sensed speed of rotation and the sensed direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106);
provide the generated at least one signal to the control unit (103) using a wiring harness (105); and
the control unit (103) is configured to:
operate the horn (104) to provide the alert, on determining that the vehicle is moving at more than the pre-defined speed limit in the reverse direction using the at least one signal provided by the directional speed sensor (101).

3. The system (100), as claimed in claim 2, wherein said system (100) includes,
a sensor target (107) adapted to be mounted on the differential gear shaft (106), wherein the sensor target (107) defines a plurality of holes (107H) thereon,
wherein
the directional speed sensor 101 senses the speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) by counting the holes (107H) defined on the sensor target (107) on rotation of the differential gear shaft (106); and
an air gap of 1±0.5mm is maintained between the directional speed sensor (101) and a sensor target (107) which is mounted on the differential gear shaft (106).

4. The system (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional speed sensor (101) is mounted directly on the differential housing (102) of the vehicle.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein an angle of the directional speed sensor (101) is 90 degree with respect to the sensor target (107).

6. A method (300) for providing an alert in a vehicle, wherein the method (300) comprises:
sensing (301), by a directional speed sensor (101) mounted on a differential housing (102), a speed and a direction of rotation of a differential gear shaft (106);
generating (302), by the directional speed sensor (101), at least one signal based on the sensed speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106);
providing, by the directional speed sensor (101), the generated at least one signal to a control unit (103) using a wiring harness (105); and
operating (306), by the control unit (103), a horn (104) to provide the alert, on determining (304, 305) that the vehicle is moving at more than a pre-defined speed limit in a reverse direction.

7. A mounting configuration (10) for a directional speed sensor (101) in a vehicle, said mounting configuration (10) comprising:
a differential housing (102), said differential housing (102) is adapted to facilitate mounting of the directional speed sensor (101) thereon.

8. The mounting configuration (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mounting configuration (10) includes,
a fastener (108) adapted to secure the directional speed sensor (101) onto the differential housing (102).

9. The mounting configuration (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein an angle of the directional speed sensor (101) is 90 degree with respect to a sensor target (107) which is mounted on a differential gear shaft (106).

10. The mounting configuration (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said mounting configuration (10) includes a pad (110) adapted to be interposed between the differential housing (102) and the directional speed sensor (101),
wherein
said pad (110) is a separate part or an integral part of the differential housing (102).

11. The mounting configuration (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the directional speed sensor (101) sense speed of rotation of a differential gear shaft (106) and a direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106).

12. The mounting configuration (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the directional speed sensor 101 senses the speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) by counting the holes (107H) defined on the sensor target (107) on rotation of the differential gear shaft (106).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to vehicle alert systems and more particularly, to using a horn in a vehicle as an alert in the vehicle, on the vehicle running in reverse at more than a pre-defined speed.

BACKGROUND
[002] When operating a vehicle, a buzzer sound may not be typically audible, as existing sound levels are very less and may not be audible, when the vehicle is in operation. Hence, the driver may not realize that he has exceeded a speed limit in reverse.
[003] For example, consider that the speed limit in reverse is 20 kmph. Consider that the vehicle is moving in reverse and exceeds 20 kmph, the driver of the vehicle may not realize that the vehicle has exceeded 20 kmph due to the low volume of the buzzer being used as an alert.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for enabling use of a horn in a vehicle as an alert in the vehicle, on the vehicle running in reverse at more than a pre-defined speed.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to disclose a mounting configuration for a directional speed sensor in a vehicle.
[006] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[007] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[008] FIG. 1 depicts a system for providing alerts on a vehicle on the vehicle exceeding a speed limit when the vehicle is moving in reverse, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 2 depicts an example scenario, wherein alerts are being provided on the vehicle on the vehicle running in reverse at a speed greater than the pre-defined speed limit, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the process of providing alerts on a vehicle on the vehicle exceeding a speed limit when the vehicle is moving in reverse, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a mounting configuration of a directional speed sensor in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts orientation of the directional speed sensor, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts another perspective view of the directional speed sensor mounting configuration, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for enabling use of a horn in a vehicle as an alert in a vehicle, on the vehicle running in reverse at more than a pre-defined speed. Another embodiment herein achieves a mounting configuration for a directional speed sensor in a vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for providing alerts on a vehicle on the vehicle exceeding a speed limit when the vehicle is moving in reverse. The system 100, as depicted, comprises a directional speed sensor 101, a differential housing 102, a control unit 103, and a horn 104. The directional speed sensor 101, the control unit 103, and the horn 104 can be connected to each other using a wiring harness 105.
[0017] The directional speed sensor 101 can be mounted on the differential housing 102. The directional speed sensor 101 is adapted to sense a speed and a direction of rotation of a differential gear shaft ((106), (as shown in fig. 4 to fig. 6)) through a sensor target ((107), (as shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5)) which is mounted on the differential gear shaft (106). In an embodiment, the sensor target (107) defines a plurality of holes ((107H), (as shown in fig. 5)), thereon. In another embodiment, the sensor target (107) defines a cavity or protrusions thereon. For example, the directional speed sensor 101 senses the speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) by counting the holes (107H), or cavity or protrusions defined on the sensor target (107) on rotation of the differential gear shaft (106). In an embodiment herein, the directional speed sensor 101 can be directly mounted on the differential housing 102 by using a fastener ((108), (as shown in fig. 6)). In an embodiment herein, an air gap is maintained between the directional speed sensor 101 and the sensor target (107), so that the directional speed sensor 101 can sense the speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106). In an example herein, an air gap of 1±0.5mm is maintained between the directional speed sensor 101 and the sensor target (107), so that the sensor 102 can sense the speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106). The directional speed sensor 101 can detect the speed of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) and the direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106). The speed of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) can indicate the speed of the vehicle. The direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) can indicate the direction of motion of the vehicle. Based on the sensed speed and direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106), the directional speed sensor 101 can generate one or more pulses/signals and provide the generated pulses/signals to the control unit 103, via the wiring harness 105. The generated pulses/signals can depend on the speed of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) and the direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106).
[0018] In an embodiment herein, the control unit 103 can be a dedicated control unit, wherein the dedicated control unit can be dedicated to performing the functions of the control unit 103 (as disclosed herein). In an embodiment herein, the control unit 103 can be a control unit, wherein the control unit can perform other functions, in addition to the functions of the control unit 103 (as disclosed herein). In an embodiment herein, the control unit 103 can be a part of a module in the vehicle. In an example herein, the control unit 103 can be an instrument cluster or an ECU, which can perform the functions of the control unit 103 (as disclosed herein).
[0019] The control unit 103 can convert the received pulses/signals to a corresponding speed. If the control unit 103 determines that the vehicle is moving in the reverse direction, the control unit 103 can compare the corresponding speed to a pre-defined speed limit. The pre-defined speed limit can be defined by one or more of an authorized authority, an authorized user, a user of the vehicle, and so on. If the corresponding speed is greater than the pre-defined speed limit, the control unit 103 can operate the horn 104 to provide an audible alert, wherein the control unit 103 can communicate with the horn 104 using the wiring harness 105. The control unit 103 continues to operate the horn 103, till the control unit 103 determines that the vehicle has stopped moving in the reverse direction or the vehicle is currently moving in the reverse direction at less than the pre-defined speed limit.
[0020] Consider an example scenario (as depicted in FIG. 2), wherein the vehicle is a tractor, and the vehicle is moving in reverse direction at more than 20 kmph (i.e., the pre-defined speed limit, in the current example). On the control unit 103 determining that the vehicle is moving in the reverse direction and on determining that the vehicle is moving more than 20 kmph, the control unit 103 operates the horn 104, till the control unit 103 detects that the vehicle has stopped moving in the reversing direction or the vehicle is moving in reverse direction at less than 20 kmph.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the process (300) of providing alerts on a vehicle on the vehicle exceeding a speed limit when the vehicle is moving in reverse. In step 301, the directional speed sensor 101 senses the rotation of the differential gear shaft (106), which can comprise of detecting the speed of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106) and the direction of rotation of the differential gear shaft (106). Based on the sensed rotation of the differential gear shaft (106), in step 302, the directional speed sensor 101 generates one or more pulses/signals and provides the generated pulses/signals to the control unit 103, via the wiring harness 105. In step 303, the control unit 103 converts the received pulses/signals to a corresponding speed. If the control unit 103 determines that the vehicle is moving in the reverse direction (step 304), in step 305, the control unit 103 compares the corresponding speed to the pre-defined speed limit. If the corresponding speed is greater than the pre-defined speed limit, in step 306, the control unit 103 operates the horn 104 to provide an audible alert, till the control unit 103 determines that the vehicle has stopped moving in the reverse direction or the vehicle is currently moving in the reverse direction at less than the pre-defined speed limit. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0022] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0023] The embodiment disclosed herein describes methods and systems for enabling use of a horn in a vehicle as an alert in a vehicle, on the vehicle running in reverse at more than a pre-defined speed. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in at least one embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g., Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could be e.g., hardware means like e.g., an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g., an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g., using a plurality of CPUs.
[0024] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a mounting configuration (10) of a directional speed sensor (101) in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The directional speed sensor mounting configuration (10) includes, a differential housing (102) adapted to facilitate mounting of the directional speed sensor (101) thereon. Further, the directional speed sensor mounting configuration (10) includes a fastener (108) adapted to secure the directional speed sensor (101) onto the differential housing (102). In an embodiment, an angle of the directional speed sensor (101) is 90 degree with respect to a sensor target ((107), (as shown in fig. 5)) which is mounted on a differential gear shaft (106). Further, the directional speed sensor mounting configuration (10) includes a pad ((110), (as shown in fig. 6)) adapted to be interposed between the differential housing (102) and the directional speed sensor (101). The pad (110) is a separate part or an integral part of the differential housing (102).
[0025] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.