HORNS AND BUZZER

WARNING SYSTEM
• Both horns and buzzer warning systems play crucial
roles in vehicle safety and are integral components of
automotive design and engineering.
Horns
• Most cars have two horns and at the front of the car. Horns are
electrically-operated noise makers used by the driver to provide a loud
warning signal. Pressing a horn button in the steering wheel or column
grounds the circuit connecting the battery to the horn relay. This closes
contact points in the relay and connects the horns through the relay to
the battery. The electric current then causes the diaphragm in each horn
to vibrate and produce the sound.
• When current flows through the coil winding in the horn, the resulting
magnetic field pulls the armature toward the pole. The armature
attaches to a diaphragm normally-closed contact points and opens the
circuit.
• As the circuit opens, the magnetic field collapses. The diaphragm and
armature “spring back” to their at-rest position. This movement closes
the contact points and again completes the circuit. The cycle repeats
many times per second to produce the sound, as long as the horn
button is depressed. The number of vibrations per second determines
the pitch of the sound. The greater the number of vibrations, the higher
pitch.
Horn diagram
Types of Automotive Horns
• Electromechanical horns
• Air horns
• Electronic horns
Electromechanical horns
• Electromechanical horns are one of the most common types of
automotive horns. It consist of a vibrating diaphragm and an
electromagnetic coil. When electricity flows through the coil, it
creates a magnetic field that attracts the diaphragm, causing it to
move back and forth rapidly, this movement creates sound waves,
producing the characteristic horn sound.
Air horns

• Are type of horn commonly found in larger vehicles like trucks, buses,
and boats.
Construction:
• Consist of a compressor, air tank, and horn assembly.
• The compressor pumps air into the tank, storing it at high pressure.
• When the horn button is pressed, air is released from the tank into the
horn assembly.
Operation:
• Pressing the horn button activates a solenoid valve, allowing
compressed air to flow from the tank to the horn assembly.
• The sudden release of air causes a diaphragm or reed inside the horn
assembly to vibrate rapidly, producing a loud sound.
Advantages:
• Air horns are incredibly loud and
can easily grab the attention of other
road users, making them ideal for emergency situations or signaling
over long distances.
• They have a distinct sound that is difficult to ignore, contributing to
overall road safety.
Electronic horns
• Are modern alternative to traditional electromechanical horns, offering
several advantages. Here’s an overview:
Construction:
• Electronic horns use solid-state circuitry to generate sound instead of
electromechanical components like diaphragms and coils.
• They typically consist of a speaker, amplifier, and electronic control unit.
Operation
• When the horn button is pressed, the electronic control unit activates
the amplifier.
• The amplifier boosts the electrical signal and sends it to the speaker.
• The speaker converts the electrical signal into sound waves, producing
the horn sound.
Sound characteristics:
• Electronic horns can produce a wide range of sounds, including
traditional horn sounds as well as more modern or customized tones.
• The sound quality is consistent and can be easily adjusted to meet
specific requirements.
Buzzer warning systems

• Are often used for various alerts within the vehicle, like seatbelt
reminders or door ajar notifications, providing auditory cues for safety
and convenience.
Purpose:

• Buzzer warning systems provide auditory alerts for various conditions

or events within the vehicle to enhance safety and convenience.
Applications:

• Common applications include seatbelt reminders, door ajar

notifications, low fuel warnings, key-in-ignition reminders, and other
vehicle status alerts.
Activation:

• Buzzer alerts are typically triggered by sensors or switches detecting

specific conditions, such as a door being open while the engine is
running or a seatbelt being unbuckled while the vehicle is in motion.
Sound:

• Buzzer sounds are often distinct from the horn, usually softer and
less attention-grabbing, but still noticeable to occupants of the
vehicle.
Customization:

• Some vehicles allow customization of buzzer settings, such as volume

or duration of the alert, through onboard settings or diagnostic tools.