WO2023203368A1

WO2023203368A1 - System and method for honking horn in an automobile

Info

Publication number: WO2023203368A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/055295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Malvin Raj M
Original assignee: Joseph Malvin Raj M
Priority date: 2022-04-20
Filing date: 2022-06-07
Publication date: 2023-10-26

Abstract

A system (100) for honking horn in an automobile is disclosed. A steering wheel (110) encircled by at least two wires (115) connecting to a horn placed in front of engine cabin through an airbag (120). The steering wheel (110) controls movement of the automobile in right or left direction and includes one or more horn buttons (130) mounted on inner circumference of the steering wheel at predefined locations which are actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver; a spring (140) is compressed upon actuation of the one or more horn buttons; a metal piece (150) retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism. The one or more horn buttons includes a metal strip (160) encompassing the steering wheel and connected with the metal piece. The metal strip is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn of the automobile.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HONKING HORN IN AN AUTOMOBILE

EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202241023387, filed on April 20, 2022, and titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HONKING HORN IN AN AUTOMOBILE.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, an automobile control system implemented using automotive technology and more particularly to a system and a method for honking horn in an automobile.

With the rise in total fatalities on road and with increase in number of vehicles every day, the need for communication between vehicles has been enormously raised due to an increase in number of the vehicles and it is done my means of a system that uses sound wave as medium called horn. Nowadays homing and communicating between the vehicles has become difficult due to location of horn and force required for horning in steering column airbag center-based type. Generally, steering wheel centre based horn system is utilized in most of the automobiles. In case of the steering wheel centre based horn system, especially during emergency, the time required to transfer the hand from steering wheel or from gear rod to horn is high and maintaining the stability of the steering wheel while overtakingwith adjacent vehicle is less. As a result, various other types of horns are designed which facilitates honking during crucial times and avoids chances of accidents.

Conventionally, in case of the steering centre based horn systems, while driving in high speed, blowing of horn while over taking requires lifting of hand of a driver from gear rod or the steering wheel which may lead to imbalance and instability in the steering wheel and leads to crash with adjacent vehicle. This not only compromises with safety but also becomes an inconvenient feature for the driver especially in city traffic situation. Moreover, pressing of the horn requires application of a specific amount of force which leads to wrist pain and sometimes much wrist and palm aches while continuously honking diverts concentration of the driver. In addition, with the provision of the steering wheelbased horn on the automobiles number of fatalities on roads increases every day.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system and a method for honking horn in an automobile in order to address the aforementioned issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of a present disclosure, a system for honking horn in an automobile is disclosed. The system includes a steering wheel encircled by at least two wires connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag compressed in the steering wheel centre. The steering wheel is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly. The steering wheel is configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both lefthand driving system and right hand driving steering system. The steering wheel includes one or more horn buttons mounted on inner circumference of the steering wheel at predefined locations. The one or more horn buttons are placed on an inner periphery, wherein the one or more horn buttons comprises a plastic component extended outwards and actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile. The one or more horn buttons includes a spring which is compressed upon actuation of the one or more horn buttons. The one or more horn buttons includes a metal piece operatively coupled to the spring. The metal piece is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism. The one or more horn buttons includes a metal strip encompassing the steering wheel and connected with the metal piece to ensure the series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for honking horn in an automobile is disclosed. The method includes providing a steering wheel encircled by at least two wires connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag compressed in the steering wheel centre, wherein the steering wheel is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly and configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left- hand driving system and right hand driving steering system. The method also includes mounting one or more horn buttons on inner circumference of the steering wheel at predefined locations. The method also includes providing a plastic component extended outwards and actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile. The method also includes coupling a spring to the one or more horn buttons, wherein the spring is compressed upon actuation of the plastic component. The method also includes coupling a metal piece to the spring, wherein the metal piece is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism. The method also includes connecting a metal strip with the metal piece to ensure the series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip encompasses the steering wheel, wherein the metal strip is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a top isometric view of a system for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 represents a schematic representation of working of a horn button of a system for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 represents a schematic representation of an embodiment of a two-piece design of steering wheel connected by means of snap fit arrangement for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and a method for honking horn in an automobile. The system includes a steering wheel encircled by at least two wires connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag compressed in the steering wheel centre. The steering wheel is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly. The steering wheel is configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left-hand driving system and right hand driving steering system. The steering wheel includes one or more horn buttons mounted on inner circumference of the steering wheel at predefined locations. The one or more horn buttons includes a plastic component extended outwards and actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile. The one or more horn buttons includes a spring which is compressed upon actuation of the one or more horn buttons. The one or more horn buttons includes a metal piece operatively coupled to the spring. The metal piece is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism. The one or more horn buttons includes a metal strip encompassing the steering wheel and connected with the metal piece to ensure the series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a top isometric view of a system (100) for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (100) includes a steering wheel (110) encircled by at least two wires (115) connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag (120) compressed in the steering wheel centre. In one embodiment, the steering wheel (110) may include a hollow steering wheel. In another embodiment, the steering wheel may include a solid steering wheel. In some embodiment, at least two wires may include at least two copper wires connected with a metal piece and a metal strip. The steering wheel (110) is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly. The steering wheel (110) is configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left-hand driving system and right hand driving steering system.

The steering wheel (110) includes one or more horn buttons (130) mounted on inner circumference of the steering wheel (110) at predefined locations. In a specific embodiment, the one or more horn buttons may include three horn buttons. In one embodiment, the predefined locations may include a thirty-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 2 o’ clock position, a ninety-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 12 o’ clock position and a one-hundred-and-fifty- degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or 10 o’ clock position.

The one or more horn buttons (130) are placed on an inner periphery, wherein the one or more horn buttons includes a plastic component (135) extended outwards and actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile. In some embodiment, the one or more horn buttons includes one or more pressure sensors to detect an external force applied by the finger of the driver. In such embodiment, the one or more pressure sensors are made of piezoelectric material. In one embodiment, the predefined force applied by the finger of the driver may include a force of magnitude of two newton (2N).

The one or more horn buttons (130) includes a spring (140) which is compressed upon actuation of the one or more horn buttons. In one embodiment, the spring may include a metal spring. The one or more horn buttons (130) includes a metal piece (150) operatively coupled to the spring (140). The metal piece (150) is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism.

The one or more horn buttons (130) includes a metal strip (160) encompassing the steering wheel (110) and connected with the metal piece (150) to ensure the series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip (160) is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons. In a preferred embodiment, the metal piece and the metal strip is fabricated from copper metal, steel metal or aluminium metal. The one or more horn buttons (130) includes a guide (not shown in FIG. 1) plastic bush running through the metal strip and covered with the spring to avoid horn switch from falling. In some embodiment, the guide plastic bush is fabricated from polypropylene material or ABS plastic material.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic representation of working of a horn button (130) of a system for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes one or more horn buttons (130) mounted on inner circumference of a steering wheel. Cavity is taken in the steering wheel to provide the one or more horn buttons (130) in required location as a thumb of the driver can reach such positions easily. When the one or more horn buttons (130) are pressed, a spring (140) gets compressed and a metal piece (150) touches a metal strip (160) and thus the horn gets blown. Due to spring force the metal piece (150) is retracted to the original position. There is a guide (165) plastics bush running through the metal strip and covered with spring which stops at the end of metal strip to avoid horn switch from falling down. Since the metal strip (160) is continuous for all the one or more horn buttons to ensure series connection therefore, any of the one or more horn buttons can be pressed for honking of the horn which contains individual metal piece for conductance of power.

FIG. 3 represents a schematic representation of an embodiment of a two-piece design of steering wheel connected by means of snap fit arrangement for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The solid steering wheel (110) includes with two pieces such as a top section and a bottom section. The top section of the steering wheel and the bottom section of the steering wheel is connected by means of a snap fit arrangement (155). The solid steering wheel also includes one or more horn buttons (130) on an inner circumference.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (200) for honking horn in an automobile in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (200) includes providing a steering wheel encircled by at least two wires connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag compressed in the steering wheel centre, wherein the steering wheel is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly and configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left-hand driving system and right hand driving steering system in step 210. In one embodiment, providing the steering wheel for controlling movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left-hand driving system and right hand driving steering system may include providing a hollow steering wheel. In another embodiment, providing the steering wheel for controlling movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively may include providing a solid steering wheel.

The method (200) also includes mounting one or more horn buttons on inner circumference of the steering wheel at predefined locations in step 220. In a specific embodiment, the one or more horn buttons may include three horn buttons. In one embodiment, the predefined locations may include a thirty-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 2 o’ clock position, a ninety-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 12 o’ clock position and a one-hundred-and-fifty- degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or 10 o’ clock position.

The method (200) also includes providing a plastic component which is extended outwards and actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile in step 230. In some embodiment, the one or more horn buttons includes one or more pressure sensors to detect an external force applied by the finger of the driver. In such embodiment, the one or more pressure sensors are made of piezoelectric material. In one embodiment, the predefined force applied by the finger of the driver may include a force of magnitude of two newton (2N).

The method (200) also includes coupling a spring to the one or more horn buttons, wherein the spring is compressed upon actuation of the one or more horn buttons in step 240. The method (200) also includes coupling a metal piece to the spring, wherein the metal piece is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism in step 250.

The method (200) also includes connecting a metal strip with the metal piece to ensure the series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip encompasses the steering wheel, wherein the metal strip is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of the horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons in step 260. In one embodiment, connecting the metal strip with the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism may include connecting the metal piece and the metal strip fabricated from copper metal, steel metal or aluminium metal. Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an inner circumference-based horn-finger trigger type system on steering wheel which reduces crucial time of blowing the horn of automobile during critical emergency situations and helps in prompt communication. Also, the travel of hand to apply horn on steering centre based horn system is reduced by providing horn on the steering wheel thumb contour.

Moreover, the present disclosed system not only provides safety but also a convenience feature to driver especially in city traffic situation as time required to honk with thumb in horn system is less than time required for honk with the steering centre based horn system. This saves a significant time and can help drivers to take appropriate decision during emergency situations. With this provision of thumb-based horn becoming common on passenger cars it helps in reducing fatalities on roads and thus saves lots of life.

Furthermore, the present disclosed system helps both left-handed as well as right-handed drivers as the horn button is located at multiple positions. In addition, since it is buttonbased horn type a lesser amount of force is required for pressing the horn of the automobile for honking.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

LAIM:

1. A system (100) for honking horn in an automobile comprising: a steering wheel (110) encircled by at least two wires (115) connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag (120) compressed in the steering wheel centre, wherein the steering wheel (110) is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly and configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left-hand driving system and right hand driving steering system, wherein the steering wheel (110) comprises: one or more horn buttons (130) mounted on an inner circumference of the steering wheel (110) at predefined locations, wherein the one or more horn buttons (130) comprises: a plastic component (135) extended outwards and actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile; a spring (140) operatively coupled to the one or more horn buttons (130), wherein the spring (140) is compressed upon actuation of the external trigger button; a metal piece (150) operatively coupled to the spring (140), wherein the metal piece (150) is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism; and a metal strip (160) encompassing the steering wheel (110) and connected with the metal piece (150) to ensure series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip (160) is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering wheel (110) comprises a hollow steering wheel.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hollow steering wheel comprises a top section and a bottom section, wherein the top section and the bottom section of the steering wheel is connected by a snap fit arrangement (155).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined locations comprises a thirty-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 2 o’ clock position, a ninety-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 12 o’ clock position and a one-hundred-and-fifty-degree angle from a centre position of the steering wheel or a 10 o’ clock position.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic component (135) comprises a plastic trigger button.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic component (135) comprises one or more pressure sensors to detect an external force applied on the external trigger button by the finger of the driver.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more pressure sensors are made of piezoelectric material.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined force is having a magnitude of two newton.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal piece (150) and the metal strip (160) is fabricated from copper metal, steel metal or aluminium metal.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more horn buttons (130) comprises a guide (165) plastic bush running through the metal strip and covered with the spring to avoid horn switch from falling.

11. A method (200) for honking of horn of an automobile comprising: providing a steering wheel encircled by at least two wires connecting to a horn placed in front of an engine cabin through an airbag compressed in the steering wheel centre, wherein the steering wheel is connected to a rack and pinon arrangement of wheel assembly and configured to control movement of the automobile in right direction or left direction respectively in both left-hand driving system and right hand driving steering system (210); mounting one or more horn buttons on an inner circumference of the steering wheel at predefined locations (220); providing a plastic component extended outwards from the one or more horn buttons, wherein the plastic component is actuated based on a predefined force applied by a finger of a driver driving the automobile (230); coupling a spring to the one or more horn buttons, wherein the spring is compressed upon actuation of the one or more horn buttons (240); coupling a metal piece to the spring, wherein the metal piece is retracted from and to an original position based on a spring compression mechanism (250); and connecting a metal strip with the metal piece to ensure series connection of the one or more horn buttons, wherein the metal strip encompasses the steering wheel, wherein the metal strip is adverted by the metal piece based on the spring compression mechanism, thereby enables honking of horn in the automobile by pressing any one of the one or more horn buttons (260).