US2092950A - Horn - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 14, 1937. F. w. BILLIG ET Al.

HORN

Filed July 31, 1934 /Nvf/vrfzs WIT/V535 Patented Sept. 14, 1937 HORN Fred William .Billig and Lloyd Elmer Johnson,

Jackson, Mich.,

assignors to; The Sparks- Withington Company, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of 'Ohio Application July 31, 1934, Serial No. 737,746

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in signaling devices commonly known as horns for power driven vehicles and which involve the use of a magnetically actuated diaphragm.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a sound signal or horn of the magnetically actuated diaphragm type, that is especially light, durable and economical in construction; that is long lived and reliable in operation; that Vmay be readilyassembled and permanently adjusted; and that, at the same time, has exceptionally iine tone qualities.

In carrying out the above mentioned objects, we have by improvements inthe design, construction and arrangement of the various elements of our improved horn reduced the number of parts vfrom about one hundred fifty-one employed in kpreviously constructed horns of the same type to substantially forty-one, ora reduction of approximately seventy-three percent. while the weight of our novel horn is substantially twelve and onehalf percent. Aless than that of similar types of conventionally Aconstructed devices.

The specic manner in which the above mentioned improvements are obtained, as well as other objects and advantages .pertaining to the size and form of the various parts of the structure, will more fully appear from the following description, .taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which: f

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a horn embodying the various features of this invention, illustrating the same with the motor cover removed;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2, Figure 1, and illustrating the motor cover assembled in operative position;

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal sectional View taken on line 3 3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the armature assembly;

Figure 5 is a detail transverse sectional View taken substantially in the plane of the line 5-5, Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the adjacent coacting end portions of the armature and eld studs;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional View taken on line 1 1, 'Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a shim used to adjust the magnet core relative to the armature.

The signaling device comprising thisinvention and as shown in the drawing, comprisesa pressed metal rear diaphragm housing section I,having vits central portion pressed laterally to form .an integral substantially cylindrical cup-.shaped member 2, said member being formed atits central portion with an opening 3, for the reception of an electro-magnet or a magneticeld presenty ly described. 'I'he diaphragm as 5 is clamped between the rear diaphragm housing I and a front diaphragm housing section 6, by bolts 'I extending through alinedgholes provided in the marginal portion of the housing sections I .and .6 and diaphragm .5, Y and nuts 8 which are screw threaded on-zthe bolts ,'I.- Thebolts 'I are ,arranged in uniform circumferential spacedv relationand the nuts 8 coact with the bolts for securely and rigidly clamping these members together. The. front diaphragm housing section 6 has the central portion thereof pressedlaterally to form an integral substantially cup-shaped member 9 arranged in` opposed relation to the central portion 2 of the reardiaphragm housing section to form a diaphragm chamber J0, therebetween. The portion 9.of the front housing section is Vprovided with a central opening II defined by an outwardly extending annular flange I2 which supports a projector I3 of any`desired contour, .and which may be ref movably secured to the flange I2 by any suitable means as screws I4.

Thediaphragm 5 extends as shown in Figure .2 through the chamber I0 intermediate the front and rear walls thereof, and is preferably of serpentine formation in cross-section for the reason that the diaphragm when so formed maybemade from Vthinner stock with the resulting saving in cost thanv when formed substantially.. hat, and further, when the' diaphragm is so formed, it is found to haveimproved tone qualities.-

The electro-magnet or magnetic eldpreviously referred to is preferably ofthe form best illustrated in Figure 2, .and comprises a core 4 of solid stud formation having an enlarged vflange or head I6, at one end, whilethe opposite end portion lof the core or eld stud is vreduced in diameterand externally'threaded to receive a nut =Ii1 thereon. l

The field coil I8 is mounted on thestud 4 between head IB and the threadedportion, 'and is .built up of coiled wire in the well known manner, andis taped or otherwise insulated from the stud 4. The stud 4 and coil I8 arefsecured to the rear diaphragmhousi-ng section `l'by means :of a U-shaped bracket or yoke lf9kpositioned-fat the rear fof therear diaphragm housing section I. The .legs .of theyoke kextend -through :the opening 3 of said section and have the outer end portions thereof extended outwardly from the remaining portion and positioned adjacent the inner or forward face of the housing section portion 2. The yoke I9 is permanently secured in position to the housing section I, preferably by spot welding, so as to form a substantially solid unitary structure of maximum strength.

The central or transverse portion as 20 of the yoke, as hereinbefore hinted, is positioned at the outer or rear side of the rear diaphragm housing section I in considerable spaced relation thereto, and is provided with a central opening 2| for the reception of the reduced threaded portion of the stud 4. The hereinbefore mentioned nut I1 is screw threaded on the outer end of said threaded portion of the stud 4 and coacts with the shoulder as 4 formed by the reduced portion of the stud for securely clamping the stud to the yoke.

It is desirable, as will be more readily apparent farther on in the description, that the coil I8 and field stud 4 be maintained against rotary movement as the nut I1 is being threaded to the clamping position, and for this purpose the threaded portion of the field stud is provided with a flat surface as 22 along one side thereof, While the opening 2| is provided with a similarly flattened side adapted to cooperate with said flattened portion of the stud.

The yoke I9 is preferably, in order to obtain maximum strength with minimum weight, a metal stamping. Further, the yoke is formed from a solid piece of hot or cold rolled steel so as to provide a support connected directly to the leld stud which has high permeability characteristics which reduces arcing between the contacts 56 and 51, presently described, and thus eliminate the necessity for a condenser across said contacts.

The yoke I9 has the transverse portion 20 thereof provided with a pair of outwardly extending ribs 25 positioned one adjacent either side thereof, These ribs 25 not only reinforce the yoke member, but also form guide stops yadapted to maintain a cover attaching bracket 26 against rotation as the nut I1 is screw threaded to the clamping position. This bracket 26 is in this instance, a U-shaped slightly resilient member having one leg thereof mounted on the portion 20 of the yoke I9 intermediate the ribs 25 and is provided with an aperture adapted to receive the reduced threaded portion of the magnet :stud 4, therethrough. The other end of the bracket terminates above the kfield stud 4 in spaced relation thereto and is provided with a threaded aperture arranged substantially coaxially with the eld stud 4 for receiving a screw 21 which extends through a suitable opening provided at the center of a cover 28 for securing said cover in position for enclosing the rear diaphragm housing section I, yoke I9, and the members carried thereby. This cover 28 is an inverted cupshaped member having the marginal edge thereof flared outwardly for surrounding the marginal edge of the rear diaphragm housing section I, and adapted to engage the marginal `edge portion of the front diaphragm housing section 6 which, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is slightly larger in diameter than that of the rear section I for the purpose of supporting the cover 28.

It will thus be seen that the cover 28 is-maintained against lateral displacement on the front housing section 6 by the engagement therewith head 33 of the stud 32.

housing section I, While said cover is secured in position by the single screw 21. Further, by forming the bracket 26 slightly resilient, it will be observed that when the screw 21 is threaded inwardly for tightly securing the cover in place, the strain which might otherwise be produced upon the eld stud 4 and yoke I9, will be entirely absorbed by the bracket and thus prevent the adjustment of the horn from being disturbed and the elimination of any distortion of the horn which might otherwise be produced if a rigid connection was provided for securing the cover in place.

The hereinbefor-e mentioned armature 24 comprises, in this instance, a pair of substantially rectangular plates 3|) and 3| secured together in superposed relation by spot welding, rivets, or the like. The inner plate as 30 is of slightly less length than the outer plate 3| and is adapted to extend rearwardly intermediate the legs of the yoke I9, While the other plate 3| extends outwardly at either end some distance beyond the plate 30 into overlying relation with the corresponding legs of the bracket I9, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 4.

The plates 30 and 3| are provided with alined central openings for the reception of the armature stud 32 which is provided at one end with an enlarged flange portion or head 33, while the other end as 34 of the stud is reduced in diameter and externally threaded for the reception of a nut 35. The armature plates 3E) and 3| are secured to the diaphragm 5 by means of the armature stud 32 which extends through a suitable lopening provided at the center of the diaphragm 5 in coaxial relation with the field stud 4. The plates 30 and 3| are maintained in spaced relation to the diaphragm 5 by means of a washer 36 mounted on the stud 32 intermediate the plate 3| and diaphragm 5. The forward or outer end of the stud 32 supports a resonator 31 which is maintained in spaced relation with the diaphragm 5 by a pair of Washers 38 and 39. The plates 30, 3|, stud r32, resonator 31, Washers 35, 38 and 39,

and the diaphragm 5 are rigidly and tightly sesi cured together and to each other by means of the nut 35 and a lock washer 49 coacting with the The head 33 is positioned adjacent the smaller armature plate 30 in close proximity to the head I6 of the eld stud 4 for 5 movement into and out of contact with said head I6 during the flexing of the diaphragm 5.

It will be observed that the stud 32, armature plates 39 and 3|, diaphragm 5 and resonator 31 will be rigidly secured together by the nut 35 for I" unitary movement while the thickness of the washer 36 is such as to normally maintain the outer end surface of the head 33 in the plane of or slightly at the rear of the rear or`outer surface of the central portion .2 of the rear diaphragm housing section I. The length of the central portion of the eld stud 4 relative to the yoke I9 is such as to maintain the head I6 of the stud 4 normally in slightly spaced relation with the head 33 of the armature stud 32 so that the head 33 of the armature stud will strike against the head I6 of the eld stud when drawn toward the eld stud upon energizing the field magnet bycurrent flowing through the coil I8.

Further, the thickness of the head 33 and armature plate 30 areY such that when the head 33 is in contact with the head I6, the armature plate 3| will almost, but not quite, contact with the adjacent portion of the legs of yoke I9. with the "peripheral -edge of the rear diaphragm l It will thus be seen that inasmuch as the stud Cil comes energized by the current passing -through the coil I8, with the result that a maximum amount of magnetic force will be exerted upon the Aarmature for a given rcurrent passing .through the coil.

By referring to Figure 6, it will be observed that the contacting surface of the head I6 is ,formed substantially flat and normal to the axis of the stud 4, while the contacting surface of head v33 is slightly convex, so that there will always be a uniform surface contact of the stud members, even though the armature stud 32 may be moved or tilted out of axial alinement with the vfield stud 4, due to an uneven flexing of diiferent portions of the diaphragm 5.` This arrangement oi the contacting surfaces of the heads I6 and 33 also insures a uniform predetermined vibratory movement Vof the diaphragm and armature assembly 24,.

Itis very essential in this horn that the normal clearance between the armature stud 32 and eld stud 4 be very slight, and this clearance is necessarily conned between very close limits to obtain the maximum efficiency and tone qualities of the horn. This clearance can be accurately obtained and permanently maintained in the present structure in a very easy andeflicient manner, as follows:

The gap between the heads I6 and 33 is obtained by rst inserting a thickness gaugecorresponding in size to the required gap between the heads I5 and 33. This is readily accomplished as illustratedby broken lines in Figure 5, bypass ing the gauge, when the cover 28 is removed, over the top or rear surface of the central portion 2 of housing I, and between the legs of the yoke I9 until the end of the gauge rests upon the lower or forwardly positioned head 33, which, as previously stated, is in substantially the same plane as said surface of the housing section. The eld stud I4 is then released by the screwing of the nut I1 outwardly and moved into engagement with the gauge G, after which a shim as 42, or possibly a plurality of shims, of required thickness for spacing the head I6 from the head 33 is inserted over the coil I8 and between the eld stud shoulder 4' and the adjacent portion of the yoke I9. The stud 4 is then securely and rigidly clamped to the yoke by screw threading the nut tightly against the yoke or bracket 26.

As it usually requires the trying of shims of different thicknesses before obtaining the proper adjustment of the stud 4, it will now be readily understood that some means, as the flattened portion 22 of the stud 4, is necessary to maintain the stud and particularly the coil I8 mounted on said stud, from turning to prevent breaking or injuring the electrical connection between the coil and associated terminals as the nut I1 is screw threaded toward and from the clamping position. An automatic circuit breaker as is usual in horns of this type is provided whereby the field coil I8 is caused to be energized intermittently. This circuit breaker provided herewith is of novel construction in that it is composed of a very lfew simply constructed parts. Further, the circuit breaker is quickly and readily adjusted .by the manipulation of but one member, whereas, the manipulation of two or more members-is usually required in horns of this type as formerly con-.

structed. As illustrated in Figures '1, 5 and 7, two contact plates 44 and 45, two terminal plates 45 and 41, and a supporting bar 48are secured together by screws 49. The contact plates 44 and 45 and the supporting bar 48 are maintained in electrically insulated spaced relation with each Vother by means of insulating plates 5i) and .tub-

ing 5I composed of any suitable insulating material. One of the contact plates as 44 and the terminal plate as 4'6 are mounted in contact with each other, while the contact plate 45 is maintained in electrical connection with the other terminal plate as 41 Aby the screws 49 which are screw threaded in the contact plate 45. This circuit breaker assembly is mounted in the dia-v phragm chamber I0, at one side of the armature resilient member and extends transversely of the contact plates 44 and 45 with the ends thereof extending beyond the sides of said contact plates. The supporting bar has .either end thereof .permanently secured by a rivet 54, or its equivalent, to

the housing section I at a respective side of the opening 53.

The contact plates extend radiallyinwardly from the supporting bar and have coacting contact members as 56 and 51 secured respectively therewith. The lower or forwardly positioned contact plate as 45 is a relatively short, thick inflexible member, While the other contact plate 44 is a relatively thin, flexible member, and extends inwardly beyond the contact plate 45 in a plane over or rearwardly of the armature plates 30 and 3|.' The inner end of the contact plate 44 terminates in the path of movement of a lug or projection as 30 secured to or made integral with the armature plate 30. The contact points 56 and 51 are normally maintained in contact with each other, but the flexible contact plate 44 is so positioned relative to the armature plates that when the armature assembly is drawn inwardly or rearwardly as the eld coil is energized, the contact plate 44 will be engaged by the lug 36' and flexed upwardly or rearwardly thereby sufficiently to move the contact point 56 out of engagement with the-contact point 51 to break the circuit passing therethrough.

To obtain the correct adjustment of the contact plate 44 relativek to the armature plates 30 and 3|, we have provided a screw member 58 which is screw threaded in that `portion as `2' of the central portion 2 of the rear diaphragm housing section I which overlies the contact plates 44 and 45 and which, in this instance, is pressed outwardly or rearwardly slightly to receive the plate 44 and permit the free iiexing thereof. The inner end of the screw 58 is maintained in electrical insulated relation with the contact plate 45 by the adjacent insulating member 50 which is extended inwardlyover the contact plate as illustrated in Figure 5. The contact plates 44 and 45 are assembled on the' supporting bar 48 in such a manner that the contact points 56 and 51 will normally remain in engagement with each other, while the contact plate al is normally maintained by the supporting bar 48 in considerable spaced relation with the armature plates, 5 so that,in order to bring the contact plate 44 into correct relation with the armature plate 3U,

it is only necessary to move the inner ends of the f contact plates 44 and i5 outwardly or frontwardly towards the armature plates.

l This movement of the plates is effected by screw threading the adjusting screw 58 inwardly, inasmuch as the inward movement of the contact plates is permitted by the flexing 0f the supporting bar 38, and the contact plates may be 15 maintained in the adjusted position by a lock nut 59 screw threaded on the adjusting screw 58.

The horn is also provided with a pair of terminal members as 6i which, in this instance, comprises a pair of spring members connected 20 to the rear housing section l in insulated spaced relation to each other and to said section by a rivet 62, or its equivalent, and insulatingmember 63. One of the terminal members 6l is connected in the usual manner with one end of the eld coil, while the other terminal member is oonnected with one of the terminal plates as dt, the other terminal plate 4l being electrically connected with the other end of the coil i8.

Although we have shown and described a spe- 30cic structure, We do not wish to restrict ourselves to the details or form of said structure as various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

35 1. A sound signal comprising a sheet metal diaphragm housing section, a diaphragm mounted on one side of said section, an armature secured to said diaphragm, said section having a substantially central opening, an electro-magnet 40 mounted on the other side of said section in operative relation with said armature, said section having a second opening spaced laterally from the rst named opening, the portion separating said openings being offset in a direction away from said diaphragm, a circuit breaker for intermittently breaking the circuit to said electromagnet, support means for resiliently securing one end of said circuit breaker to said housing section within said second named opening, the other end of said circuit breaker extending in underlying spaced relation with respect to said offset portion and into operative relation with said armature, and means supported by said oiset portion and engaging the circuit breaker for adjusting said circuit breaker relative to said armature.

2. In a warning signal of the class wherein a diaphragm housing section provided with a substantial central opening has a diaphragm connected therewith to extend across said opening at one side of the section, an electro-magnet including a core is mounted on the other side of said section with said core in co-axial relation with said central opening, and wherein said diaphragm has an armature connected therewith in cooperative relation with said core, said signal being characterized by said housing section having a second opening spaced laterally from the central opening and a circuit breaker comprising two contact plates for intermittently breaking the circuit to said electro-magnet, support means fixedly secured to said housing section at two points disposed at opposite sides of said second opening, said support means being connected with the contact plates in insulated spaced relation thereto for securing said plates to said housing section within said second named opening, one of said contact plates being a relatively flexible member and extended into operative relation with said armature, and means supported by the housing section and engaging the other contact plate for ladjusting said circuit breaker relative to the armature.

FRED WILLIAM BILLIG. LLOYD ELMER JOHNSON.

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