A horn (warning device) for vehicles such as cars and motorcycles that can produce a chord of three or more notes.

Abstract

To improve upon the typically unpleasant warning sounds of car and motorcycle horns and provide horns for cars or motorcycles that allow for pleasant, enjoyable, and comfortable signaling. [Solution] The structure utilizes the electrical signals from a chord generator 6 that generates chords for electronic musical instruments such as synthesizers, and plays the electrically amplified signals through a connected speaker 5, making it possible to play three or more sounds as chords.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for generating, with an accurately tuned sound, three or more harmonics (such as three-harmonic, four-harmonic, etc.), called chords, in a horn mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile or a motorcycle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional horns are designated as important safety components for signaling to others, and most of them generate sound in tones such as "Poo", "Boo", "Pee", "Farn" by electrically operating a diaphragm. A considerable number of them, including off-the-shelf products, are lined up for each manufacturer and vehicle type within the volume range defined by the Road Traffic Law. Among these, there are also horns (called double horns) that combine two tones of high and low.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Conventional horns prioritize audibility as their first purpose, and it is difficult to say that they produce beautiful sounds. Rather, they are often felt to be "threatening" and consequently "unpleasant" sounds. This is why neither the person who hears the horn nor the person who sounds it ever feels good. The volume is also quite large and startling.

[0004] According to the Road Traffic Law, in addition to the regulation of volume, it is stipulated that the volume and pitch should not change midway. The only thing a driver can adjust is the time (length) of sounding the horn. It is quite difficult to send a subtle and polite signal. Because it is an unfamiliar function in daily use, it is also a rather difficult device that may be sounded too much or not sounded at all. This is the difficulty of use unique to an "ON-OFF" device that has no intermediate state between being energized and not being energized. In addition, conventional diaphragm-based horns have drawbacks such as the pitch changing depending on the battery voltage state and the sound quality and pitch changing due to deterioration such as rust over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Chords have various structures such as major, minor, seventh, and diminished, and they can easily express emotions such as "bright," "dark," "intellectual," "mysterious," and "stylish." By playing a gentle sound, the listener can think "Thank you for letting me know," and the person playing it, not out of anger but out of necessity, can think "I'm glad you noticed." The musical charm of chords makes conversations more pleasant, and this is even more true when both parties use them.

[0006] The device consists of three main components: ▲1▼ A chord-playing device using electronic musical instrument technology; ▲2▼ Amplifier; ▲3▼ Speaker. These components are all integrated or partially integrated (e.g., ▲1▼ + ▲2▼), connected by wiring, or configured with a wireless transmitter and receiver such as Bluetooth. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Conventional horns for cars and motorcycles have only served the simple purpose of "signaling" and "responding," merely to comply with regulations. This invention adds "color" to these "signals" with chords, enabling "bright," "fun," "gentle," and "pleasant" communication, and contributing to the creation of a better automotive society. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Example of a conventional horn wiring diagram [Figure 2] An example of a wiring diagram for the horn of this invention. [Figure 3] Example of wiring diagram for an integrated amplifier unit. [Figure 4] Image of the simplest form of a remote-controlled all-in-one type [Figure 5] [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Cars and motorcycles have a built-in horn switch around the handlebars. When this switch is pressed, an electric current flows to the horn, causing the horn's diaphragm to vibrate and produce a sound. The sound source in this invention has a structure similar to that of an electronic musical instrument. For example, using a keyboard instrument as an analogy, pressing the keys is replaced with pressing the horn switch, and the wiring is rearranged. The signal from the generator is amplified by an amplifier and sent to a speaker. Instead of the sound coming from the conventional horn, the sound is emitted from this speaker. [Examples]

[0010] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The wiring in [Figure 1] is a typical conventional horn wiring, but the power from the battery is wired to the switch around the handlebars, and when the switch is pressed, current flows to the conventional horn, and when it is grounded (negative), it produces a sound.

[0011] On the other hand, Figure 2 shows an example of a connection where the chord generator and amplifier are separate units. To use a keyboard instrument as an analogy, the moment you press a key (= switch (Figure 2, 3)), a signal is sent via c and d in Figure 2, amplified by the amplifier in Figure 2-7, and the sound comes out of speaker 5. The keyboard instrument (in this case, the chord generator, Figure 2, 6) is shown with the power already on. This is because it is difficult for electronic instruments to produce a stable sound the moment they are switched on, so it is necessary to turn on the power to the device in advance.

[0012] Figure 3 shows a chord generator with a built-in amplifier. In all types, only the switch circuit is output externally, and it is intended that by cutting points a and b in Figure 1 and using them as part of the circuits in Figures 2 and 3, it can be connected to the horn switch of a car or motorcycle. When operated using this connection method, it can be used as a horn that does not violate regulations, i.e., it will be compliant with vehicle inspections. Furthermore, if the sound generation response of the chord generator of this invention is fast immediately after power is turned on, it is also possible to short-circuit (directly connect) this external switch circuit and directly insert a switch between the battery power and this device (position 17 in Figure 3).

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a method of using wireless technology, such as Bluetooth, to play music from a remote speaker. This eliminates the need to run wires to the speaker itself, as the only wiring required is within the car's interior, aside from the speaker's installation.

[0014] The circuits described so far have been based on the premise of "replacing the original horn" to comply with vehicle inspection regulations. However, since it can also be used in conjunction with the main unit under special conditions (such as signaling pedestrians or in emergencies), Figure 4 shows an additional explanation of the simplest circuit with a remote control switch. The main unit is a rechargeable, all-in-one chord generator with a built-in amplifier and speaker. It can be charged via USB or a standard 100V household power supply, making it suitable for various locations. The remote control has functions for power ON / OFF, chord generation, chord switching, chord pitch adjustment, and volume setting. It can be used in a variety of ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0015] 1 Battery 2 horns 3. The horn switch on the car or motorcycle itself. 4 Earth 5 speakers 6. Chord Generator 7 Amplifier 8. Amplifier-integrated chord generator (one example) 9. Example of a magnified view of a remote control. 10 ON-OFF switch 11 Volume adjustment button 12 Harmony (chord) type changeover button 13 Harmony pitch adjustment 14 Harmony generation switch 15 Example of all-in-one type of rechargeable remote control operated harmony generation device 16 Indicator lamp a Any position on the + side of the horn switch of the body of an automobile or motorcycle b Any position on the - side of the horn switch of the body of an automobile or motorcycle c Signal (harmony) + side output to the amplifier when input to the switch of 3 d Signal (harmony) - side output to the amplifier when input to the switch of 3

Claims

1. A car or motorcycle horn (warning device) that uses a device that combines an electronic musical instrument sound source, amplifier, and speaker to produce a chord of three or more notes.

2. A horn (warning device) for automobiles or motorcycles that generates a chord of three or more notes and operates via wireless communication such as Bluetooth, thereby simplifying the electrical wiring connections.

3. A car or motorcycle horn (warning device) that simplifies electrical wiring by using a charging device to operate a device that generates chords of three or more tones.

4. A car or motorcycle horn (warning device) that integrates a device for generating three or more chord tones and is operated by a remote control switch.

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