SKEDSOFT

Automobile Engineering

Introduction:
 The horn (or audible warning device) is a device which is established to produce a uniform sound. This consequently proves sirens and melody type fanfare horns illegal.

 

 Properties of the horns:
 

  • Most horns draw a large current, so are switched by a suitable relay.
  • The standard horn operates by simple electromagnetic switching.
  • As current flow causes an armature that is attached to a tone disc to be attracted to a stop, a set of contacts is opened.
  • This disconnects the current allowing the armature and disc to return under spring tension.
  • The whole process keeps repeating when the horn switch is on.
  • The frequency of movement and hence the fundamental tone is arranged to lie between 1.8 and 3.5 kHz.
  • This gives good penetration through traffic noise.
  •  Twin horn systems, which have a high and low tone horn, are often used.
  • This produces a more pleasing sound but is still very audible in both town and higher speed conditions.