Vehicle horn

Abstract

The vehicle may comprise a body, a fairing connected to the body, a headlight connected to the body, and a horn connected to the body. The horn may be positioned vertically above the headlight, behind the fairing, and / or in front of a portion of the body. The horn may be positioned to direct sound at least partially forward of the fairing through an opening at least partially defined by the fairing.

Description

【Technical Field]]

[0001] This application generally relates to vehicle horns, and more particularly to the placement of horns on a vehicle for reducing the visibility of the horn while maintaining acoustic performance. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a horn for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is attached to the vehicle at a position that allows the sound to be emitted from the horn without being obstructed. However, placing the horn at such a position may be considered aesthetically undesirable. Therefore, it is desirable to attach the horn in a manner that hides it so as not to degrade the acoustic performance of the horn. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a body, a fairing connected to the body, a headlight connected to the body, and a horn connected to the body and positioned vertically above the headlight, behind the fairing, and in front of a portion of the body, the horn being positioned to direct sound at least partially forward of the fairing through an opening at least partially defined by the fairing. In one aspect of this embodiment, the horn is mounted to the body between the upper and lower portions of the fairing vertically. Another aspect further comprises a bracket connected to the body, to which the horn is connected. In one modification of this aspect, the horn includes an exhaust trumpet, and the bracket positions the horn such that the exhaust trumpet is directed towards the opening. In a further modification, the exhaust trumpet is directed downward and forward and positioned vertically above the opening. In another aspect, the opening is between a headlight and a headlight bezel fixed to the fairing. In one modification, the headlight is mounted inward of the body spaced apart from the headlight bezel. In another modification, the headlight bezel includes an annular wall surrounding the headlight, the annular wall having an upper portion that at least partially defines an opening. In a further modification, the upper portion is substantially horizontal and forms an acute angle with a portion of the headlight adjacent to the opening. In another embodiment, the horn is not visible when the vehicle is viewed from the front of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the vehicle further includes a sound conduit mounted to the body adjacent to the horn, the sound conduit including a lower opening for receiving sound from the horn and a forward-facing opening for directing the sound through a vent formed in the fairing. In one modification, the horn includes an outlet trumpet facing rearward and upward so as to align with the lower opening of the sound conduit. In another modification, the sound conduit includes a tunnel and a body, the tunnel including a lower opening that is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the tunnel, and the tunnel further including an upper opening that is in fluid communication with an opening formed in the lower wall of the body, which is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the body. In another modification, the vent is defined by the upper wall, a pair of side walls, and a top surface of the fairing.In another embodiment, the horn is an electromagnetic disc horn.

[0004] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a horn assembly for a vehicle. The horn assembly comprises a horn, a bracket attached to the body of a vehicle, a fairing connected to the body, and a headlight connected to the body, wherein the bracket supports the horn vertically above the headlight, behind the fairing, and in front of a portion of the body, and the fairing and headlight at least partially define an opening, and the horn is positioned to direct sound through the opening. In one aspect of this embodiment, the horn includes an exit trumpet, and the bracket positions the horn such that the exit trumpet is directed into the opening. In one variation of this embodiment, the exit trumpet is directed downward and forward and is positioned vertically above the opening. In another embodiment, the opening is between a headlight and a headlight bezel fixed to the fairing. In a further variation, the headlight bezel includes an annular wall surrounding the headlight, the annular wall having a top that at least partially defines the opening. In yet another variation, the top is substantially horizontal and forms an acute angle with a portion of the headlight adjacent to the opening. In another embodiment, the horn is an electromagnetic disc horn.

[0005] By referring to the following description of embodiments of this disclosure in conjunction with the attached drawings, the above and other features of this disclosure, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer, and the disclosure itself will be better understood. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is another perspective view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a sound conduit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5A]This is a perspective view of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle shown in Figure 5. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The corresponding reference characters can be shown through several diagrams to illustrate their corresponding parts. It should be understood that the expressions and terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting. The use of “includes,” “equips,” or “has” and their variations herein means that they encompass the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as any additional items. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “supported,” and “joined,” and their variations, are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect attachment, connection, support, and joining. Furthermore, “connected” and “joined” are not limited to physical or mechanical connection or joining.

[0008] While the structures and components disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms, the embodiments described herein should be considered merely illustrative of the principles described herein, and several specific embodiments are discussed herein under the understanding that this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown.

[0009] Referring now to Figure 1, an embodiment of a vehicle having a horn mounted according to the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a motorcycle including, among other things, a windshield 12, a front body 14, and headlights 16. As shown, the horn 18 is mounted on the body 14 at a position between the headlights 16 and the windshield 12 in the vertical direction. The sound conduit 20 is mounted on the body 14 adjacent to the horn 18, as will be further described below.

[0010] Referring here to Figure 2, a fairing 22 is shown that surrounds the horn 18 and pipe 20 when attached to the vehicle body 14. The fairing 22 includes an upper vent 24 having a pair of side walls 26, an upper wall 28, and a forward-facing opening 30. The upper surface 32 of the fairing 22 cooperates with the side walls 26 and the upper wall to define the opening 30.

[0011] As best shown in Figure 3, the pipe 20 generally includes a tunnel 34 and a body 36. The tunnel 34 includes an upper wall 38, a lower wall 40, and a pair of side walls 42. The upper wall 38, the lower wall 40, and the side walls 42 define an internal volume 44. The tunnel 34 further has a lower opening 46 defined by an upper edge 48, a lower edge 50, and a pair of side edges 52. The lower opening 46 is in fluid communication with the internal volume 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower opening 46 is rectangular in shape. In one embodiment, the upper wall 38, the lower wall 40, and the side walls 42 are curved as shown, thereby forming a curved tunnel 34 and a curved internal volume 44. The tunnel 34 further includes an upper opening 54 which is in fluid communication with the internal volume 44. As will be described later, the upper opening 54 is formed in the lower wall of the body 36 of the pipe 20.

[0012] The main body 36 of the pipe 20 generally includes an upper wall 56, a lower wall 58, a pair of side walls 60, and a rear wall 62. The walls 56-62 define a partially enclosed internal volume 64. The upper wall 56, the lower wall 58, and the side walls 60 define a forward-facing opening 66 that communicates fluidly with the internal volume 64. A pair of inner walls 68 extend between the upper wall 56, the lower wall 58, and the rear wall 62. Each of the inner walls 68 has an inclined leading edge 70 having a lower end 72 and an upper end 74. The leading edge 70 inclins toward the rear wall 62 of the main body 36 from the lower end 72 to the upper end 74. The lower wall 58 of the main body 36 includes an opening 76 corresponding to the upper opening 54 of the tunnel 34. The opening 76 has a rear edge 78 adjacent to the rear wall 62 of the main body 36, a front edge 80, and a pair of side edges 82 adjacent to the inner wall 68 but spaced apart from the inner wall 68.

[0013] The main body 36 of the pipe 20 further includes a peripheral flange 84 that extends along the upper wall 56, the side wall 60, and the lower wall 58 and is spaced apart behind the forward-facing opening 66. The peripheral flange 84 includes a rear wall 86 that extends outward from the main body 36 and a fitting wall 88 that extends forward from the rear wall 86, thereby defining a recess 90 between the flange 84 and the upper wall 56, the side wall 60, and the lower wall 58. As will be further described below, the recess 90 is configured to receive a fitting flange adjacent to the opening 30 of the upper vent 24 of the fairing 22.

[0014] Finally, the main body 36 also includes a pair of mounting brackets 92. Each mounting bracket 92 includes a mounting wall 94 that extends laterally away from one of the side walls 60 of the main body 36. The mounting wall 94 includes an opening 96 for receiving fasteners 98 (Figure 1) for attaching the pipe 20 to the vehicle body 14. Each bracket 92 also includes a pair of ribs 100 for reinforcing and strengthening the connection between the bracket 92 and the side wall 60.

[0015] Referring here to Figure 4, the tube 20 is shown mounted to the vehicle body 14 and engaged with the fairing 22. Furthermore, the horn 18 is shown mounted to the vehicle body 14 and coupled to the tube 20. The horn 18 may be a Seger horn. The horn 18 generally includes a spiral section 102 that extends spirally from its center to an outlet trumpet 104. An electromagnet (not shown) near the center of the horn 18, when activated, generates sound waves by vibrating a diaphragm (not shown), which travel through the spiral section and exit the outlet trumpet 104. Typically, the horn 18 is activated by the driver of the vehicle 10 pressing a button or switch (not shown) mounted in the driver's area of ​​the vehicle 10. The button or switch supplies power to the electromagnet via a wire (not shown) from a power source (not shown). It should be understood that other types of horns may be used, such as air-operated horns or other types of electromagnetic horns, such as disc horns that use a diaphragm directly exposed to the surroundings instead of a trumpet.

[0016] As shown again in Figure 4, the horn 18 is mounted to the vehicle body 14 such that the outlet trumpet 104 faces rearward and upward and aligns with the lower opening 46 of the tunnel 34 of the pipe 20. The outlet trumpet 104 is operably connected to the lower opening 46 by, for example, being positioned adjacent to the opening 46, partially positioned within the opening 46, or connected to the opening 46. The pipe 20 engages with the upper vent 24 of the fairing 22 as shown. More specifically, the upper wall 28 of the upper vent 24 includes a rearward projecting fitting flange 106, and the side wall 26 includes a rearward projecting fitting flange (not shown). In addition, the upper surface 32 of the fairing 22 adjacent to the opening 30 includes a rearward projecting fitting flange 108. The fitting flanges 106, 108 are received by peripheral recesses 90 formed around the body 36 of the pipe 20 by peripheral flanges 84. The engagement between the mating flanges 106, 108 and the recess 90 may be by adhesive bonding, clips or other mechanical fasteners, friction fitting or other types of connection. When the driver activates the horn 18 as described above, the sound enters the lower opening 46 of the tunnel 34 from the central portion of the spiral 102 through the exit trumpet 104, through the internal volume 44 of the tunnel 34, through the opening 76 into the internal volume 64 of the body 36, and exits the body 36 through the forward opening 66.

[0017] As described above, the method of mounting the horn 18 and tube 20 so as to direct sound through the opening 30 of the upper vent 24 of the fairing 22 provides acceptable acoustic performance for the horn 18 while concealing it. In other words, the mounting and orientation of the horn 18 and tube 20 adds functionality to the fairing vent 24, which is originally primarily decorative, improving the appearance of the vehicle 10 while maintaining forward-directed sound propagation of the horn 18.

[0018] Referring here to Figures 5A and 5B, another embodiment of a vehicle having a horn assembly mounted according to the present invention is shown. For illustrative purposes, similar components are identified using the same reference numerals used above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, the horn assembly 109 has a horn 18 mounted on a bracket 110 connected to the vehicle body 14, with the exit trumpet 104 of the horn 18 facing downward and forward toward the gap or opening 112 between the headlight 16 and the headlight bezel 114 (best shown in Figure 6). As shown, the bracket 110 includes a base 116 to which the horn 18 is mounted, a pair of legs 118 (one shown) extending from the base 116 toward the vehicle body 14, and a pair of mounting plates 120 (one shown) extending from the legs 118. As best shown in Figure 5B, the legs 118 are triangular in shape and, when the bracket 110 is attached to the vehicle body 14, direct the exit trumpet 104 of the horn 18 toward the opening 112. The horn 18 is attached to the base 116 of the bracket 110 using fasteners 122, and the mounting plate 120 is attached to the vehicle body 14 using fasteners 124. The bracket 110 may be made from a rigid material such as steel and may be selected so as not to be affected by the natural frequency of the horn 18.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, the headlight bezel 114 includes an annular wall 126 that is attached to the fairing 22 using a plurality of engagement features 128 (two of which are shown in Figure 5B). The annular wall 126 includes a lower part 130, a pair of side parts 132, and an upper part 134. The headlight 16 is mounted inward from the vehicle body 14, spaced apart from the bezel 114, such that an opening 112 is formed between the headlight 16 and at least the upper part 134 and side parts 132 of the bezel 114. As best shown in Figure 5B, the upper part 134 of the annular wall 126 of the bezel 114 is substantially horizontal and forms an acute angle 136 with the portion of the headlight 16 adjacent to the opening 112. Also, as best shown in Figure 5B, the horn 18 is positioned by a bracket 110 such that the exit trumpet 104 of the horn 18 is spaced a distance A away from the opening 112. Distance A may allow insects, road debris, and / or elements to fall behind the headlight 16 and through the vehicle body 14, avoiding the possibility of them entering the exit trumpet 104 of the horn 18. However, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the horn 18 may be positioned closer to the opening 112 than distance A, or a tunnel or sound conduit may be positioned between the horn 18 and the opening 112.

[0020] As is apparent from the above, the horn 18 is placed at an isolated position inside the fairing 22, reducing the risk of water and debris entering the horn 18 as a result of operating the vehicle 10. Additionally, the horn 18 is not visible from the front of the vehicle 10 and is protected by the fairing 22 and the headlight 16. The opening 112 is configured to direct sound towards the front and sides of the vehicle 10, and the horn 18 can serve the function of notifying nearby people or animals of the presence of the vehicle 10. Further, the opening 11 is downward-facing and is partially hidden from view by the upper portion 134 of the bezel 114 when the vehicle 10 is viewed at eye level. Additionally, the hidden horn 18 may require a more powerful horn in order to comply with government regulations. In the embodiments described herein, the opening allows sound to exit the vehicle body 14 and directs the sound in a desired direction (i.e., primarily forward), so the hidden horn 18 can still comply with regulations without being relatively powerful. This reduces the cost and weight, which are important parameters of the vehicle 10 such as a motorcycle.

[0021] The following items are further variations and examples of the embodiments described with reference to the drawings. Example 1. The vehicle may include a vehicle body. The vehicle may further include a fairing connected to the vehicle body. The vehicle may further include a headlight connected to the vehicle body. The vehicle may further include a horn connected to the vehicle body. The horn may be disposed above the headlight in the vertical direction, behind the fairing, and / or in front of a part of the vehicle body. The horn may be disposed to direct sound at least partially forward of the fairing through an opening. The opening may be at least partially defined by the fairing.

[0022] Example 2. In the vehicle according to Example 1, the horn may be attached to the vehicle body between the upper and lower ranges of the fairing in the vertical direction. Example 3. In the vehicle according to Example 1, the vehicle may further include a bracket connected to the vehicle body. The horn may be connected to the bracket.

[0023] Example 4. In the vehicle according to Example 3, the horn may include an outlet trumpet. The bracket arranges the horn such that the outlet trumpet can be directed toward the opening. Example 5. In the vehicle according to Example 4, the outlet trumpet may be directed downward and forward, and may be disposed above the opening in the vertical direction.

[0024] Example 6. In the vehicle according to Example 1, the opening may be between the headlight and the headlight bezel fixed to the fairing. Example 7. In the vehicle according to Example 6, the headlight may be mounted inward of the vehicle body away from the headlight bezel.

[0025] Example 8. In the vehicle according to Example 6, the headlight bezel may include an annular wall surrounding the headlight. The annular wall may have an upper portion that at least partially defines the opening. Example 9. In the vehicle according to Example 8, the upper portion may be substantially horizontal and may form an acute angle with a part of the headlight adjacent to the opening.

[0026] Example 10. In the vehicle according to Example 1, the horn may not be visible when viewing the vehicle from the front of the vehicle. Example 11. In the vehicle according to Example 1, the vehicle body may further include a sound guide tube attached adjacent to the horn. The sound guide tube may include a lower opening for receiving sound from the horn and a forward opening for directing sound through a vent formed in the fairing.

[0027] Example 12. In the vehicle according to Example 11, the horn may include an outlet trumpet that faces rearward and upward so as to be aligned with the lower opening of the sound guide tube. Example 13. In the vehicle described in Example 11, the sound conduit may include a tunnel and a main body. The tunnel may include a lower opening that is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the tunnel. The tunnel may further include an upper opening that is in fluid communication with an opening formed in the lower wall of the main body that is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the main body.

[0028] Example 14. In the vehicle described in Example 11, the vent may be defined by the upper wall of the fairing, a pair of side walls, and the top surface. Example 15. In the vehicle described in Example 1, the horn may be an electromagnetic disc horn.

[0029] Example 16. A horn assembly for a vehicle may comprise a horn and a bracket. The bracket may be mounted to the vehicle body. The horn assembly may further comprise a fairing that can be connected to the vehicle body. The horn assembly may further comprise a headlight that can be connected to the vehicle body. The bracket may support the horn above the headlight in the vertical direction, behind the fairing, and in front of a portion of the vehicle body. The fairing and headlight may define an opening at least partially. The horn may be positioned to direct sound through the opening.

[0030] Example 17. In the horn assembly described in Example 16, the horn may include an exit trumpet. The bracket may position the horn such that the exit trumpet is oriented toward the opening.

[0031] Example 18. In the horn assembly described in Example 17, the exit trumpet may be directed downward and forward, and may be positioned above the vertical opening. Example 19. In the horn assembly described in Example 16, the opening may be located between the headlight and the headlight bezel, which is fixed to the fairing.

[0032] Example 20. In the horn assembly described in Example 19, the headlight bezel may include an annular wall surrounding the headlight. The annular wall may have an upper portion that at least partially defines the opening.

[0033] Example 21. In the horn assembly described in Example 20, the upper part may be substantially horizontal. The upper part may form an acute angle with a portion of the headlight adjacent to the opening. Example 22. In the horn assembly described in Example 16, the horn may be an electromagnetic disc horn.

[0034] While the present invention has been described as having exemplary designs, it can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this application is intended to encompass any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention using its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to encompass departures from this disclosure that fall within the scope of known or customary practices in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Claims

1. It is a vehicle, The car body and, A fairing connected to the aforementioned vehicle body, The headlights connected to the vehicle body, The vehicle is connected to the vehicle body and includes a horn positioned vertically above the headlight, behind the fairing, and in front of a part of the vehicle body, The horn is positioned to direct sound at least partially forward of the fairing through an opening at least partially defined by the fairing, in a vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the horn is mounted on the vehicle body between the upper and lower ranges of the fairing in the vertical direction.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket connected to the vehicle body, wherein the horn is connected to the bracket.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the horn includes an outlet trumpet, and the bracket positions the horn such that the outlet trumpet is directed toward the opening.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the exit trumpet is oriented downward and forward and positioned above the opening in the vertical direction.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the opening is located between the headlight and the headlight bezel fixed to the fairing.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the headlight is mounted inward of the vehicle body, spaced apart from the headlight bezel.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the headlight bezel includes an annular wall surrounding the headlight, and the annular wall has an upper portion that at least partially defines the opening.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the upper part is substantially horizontal and forms an acute angle with a portion of the headlight adjacent to the opening.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the horn is not visible when the vehicle is viewed from the front of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a sound conduit attached to the vehicle body adjacent to the horn, the sound conduit including a lower opening for receiving sound from the horn and a forward opening for directing sound through a vent formed in the fairing.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the horn includes an outlet trumpet that faces rearward and upward so as to be aligned with the lower opening of the sound conduit.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the sound conduit includes a tunnel and a body, the tunnel includes a lower opening that is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the tunnel, and the tunnel further includes an upper opening that is in fluid communication with an opening formed in the lower wall of the body that is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the body.

14. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the vent is defined by the upper wall, a pair of side walls, and the top surface of the fairing.

15. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the horn is an electromagnetic disc horn.

16. A horn assembly for a vehicle, Horn and, A bracket attached to the vehicle body, A fairing connected to the aforementioned vehicle body, The vehicle body is equipped with headlights connected to the vehicle body, The bracket supports the horn in the vertical direction above the headlight, behind the fairing, and in front of a part of the vehicle body. A horn assembly comprising the fairing and the headlight, which at least partially define an opening, and the horn, which is positioned to direct sound through the opening.

17. The horn assembly according to claim 16, wherein the horn includes an outlet trumpet, and the bracket positions the horn such that the outlet trumpet is directed toward the opening.

18. The horn assembly according to claim 17, wherein the exit trumpet is directed downward and forward and positioned above the opening in the vertical direction.

19. The horn assembly according to claim 16, wherein the opening is located between the headlight and the headlight bezel fixed to the fairing.

20. The horn assembly according to claim 19, wherein the headlight bezel includes an annular wall surrounding the headlight, and the annular wall has an upper portion that at least partially defines the opening.

21. The horn assembly according to claim 20, wherein the upper portion is substantially horizontal and forms an acute angle with a portion of the headlight adjacent to the opening.

22. The horn assembly according to claim 16, wherein the horn is an electromagnetic disc horn.

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