AND SOUND DEVICE

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[OUOI J Tins application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

61 /790,379, ti led on March 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety .

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[0002] Apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a contact !ess und device, such as a horn, that may be configured to output different and/or multiple pitches using a replaceable, or interchangeab e, electronic integrated circuit ("ICp module. In particular, the exemplary embodiments relate to a more energy-efficient and longer-lasting sound device thai utilizes a contacttess horn or sound device m connection wi th a replaceable, or interchangeable, electronic ^~ \C module to generate sound,

[0003] Apparatuses of the related art include a metal contact, typical ly made out of tungsten, which is magnetically manipulated by an electromagnet in order to cause the diaphragm of a horn to move, thus generating sound in a single pitch. By varying the distance between the contact and the diaphragm, one may manipulate the hor to output different pitches. However, in order to vary the distance between the contact and the diaphragm, and thus achieve these different pitches, the horn's physical structure must be changed, which is a time- consuming, labor-intensive, and costly exercise.

[0004] Furthermore, in the related art, the contact used by the sound device requires a relatively large amount of energy to move the diaphragm doe to the extra weight of the metal contacts required by the related art horn designs. The use of metal contacts in a horn or sound device may also cause sparking around the contact, which increases the risk of fire when the horn is u ed in certain envnvairaents, thus making these related art apparatus s unsuitable tor use in highly iharunable ia uvwwocs mch as m m operations. The fire ns inherent, in rebued ah horn and sound devices also limits the types of materials thai can be used in the construction of the horn to rriaieriais that are nonflammable, thus precluding die use of some lightweight and/or leas expensive alternative materials m the horn design.

[0005] The metal contacts used in related art horn devices also frequently wear our or corrode,, thereby forcing ihe user to replace the contact or, in some eases, the enure horn.

100061 in certain applications, such as in vehicle horns, there is a need for a horn that can produce multiple pitches. Currently, vehicle manufacturers use multiple horns (typically one low note horn and one high note horn) to overcome this limitation. However, the use of multiple horns increases ihe weight of the vehicle, which negatively impacts the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and. increases the energy usage of the vehicle. Indeed, extant vehicle horns consume a large amount of energy, making them undesirable for use; in elecrne and hybrid vehicles.

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[0007] According to an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a contactless horn and sound device including a replaceable, or interchangeable, electronic IC .module, which provides greater energy-efficiency over related art horn and sound devices by eliminating the metal contacts required by prior art designs.

[ 0008] According lo another aspect of one or more e emplary embodiments, there is provided a eomaci!ess horn and sound device with a replaceable, or interchangeable, electronic IC module, with longer expected lifespan than prior an horn and sound devices through the elimination of the metal contacts required, by poor art designs. [0009] According ΐο another aspect of one or mor exem lary effilx diments, there e provided a replaceable, or inierchangeable, lC module that: allows a single contactiess horn and sound device to generate multiple frequency tones.

[001 ϋ I According to another aspect or one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a replaceable, or interchangeable, IC module that allows for faster and easier modification of the tones produced by the contactiess horn and sound device.

[001 I ] Accordi ng to another aspect f one or more exemplar embodiments, there is provided a conlactless horn and sound device thai may be used in highly flammable

environments.

[001 2] According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a contactiess horn and sound device that may be constructed out of lighter weight materials,

[0013] According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a contactiess horn and sound device that may be constructed out ot less expensive materials.

[0014] According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a contactiess horn and sound device that is more energy efficient and more suitable for use in hybrid and electric vehicles,

[00151 According to an aspect of one or mote exemplary embodiments.; there is provided a contactiess horn tha may be configured to output different and/or multiple pitches at different intervals using a replaceable, or interchangeable,, electronic IC module. ^' The electronic IC module may include nne or more sequencers elec trically connected via one ot mor , relays to at least, one signal generator which is electrically connected to an otapai driver, if present, (he one or more sequencers may be usee! to select the at least one signal generator. Each si al generator is configured to generate at least one frequency signal, and optional ly multiple frequency signals. The output of the signal generator is electrical ly connected to an output driver, which amplifies the signal received from the signal generator. The electronic IC module may be physically attached to an IC connection interface located on the exterior of the eontactiess horn body, he LC connection interface electrically connects the electronic IC module to an electromagnet that drives the diaphragm of the eontactiess horn to create the selected preconiigured frequency sound(s).

[0016] Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an electronic circuit for a eontactiess horn and sound device according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a eontactiess horn and sound device with attached electronic integrated circuit module according to an exemplary embodiment,

fOO.18] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the side and bottom view of the diaphragm portion of a contactless horn and sound device according to an exemplary embodiment.

J 001 J Reference will now be made in detail to the following exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated m the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments may be embodied in various iorms without being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Descriptions of well- kn wn parts are omitted ior clarity,

[00.20] Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of an electronic circuit tor a eontactiess horn and sound device according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to fig. 1 , a eontactiess horn a d sound device according k> an exemplar y enrbodknent may include a sequencer 100, a relay 80, a ss nai genes ator 200, an oopHU driver 300, and a couiaodess horn and housing 400.

[0021 j Hie sequencer 1 Oi) is responsible for selecting di frequency of the sound to be output by the signal generator 200 through the u e of the relay i 80, as well as the interval or the sound signal. The sequencer j 00 may include timer IC chip I 10. such as the LM 55 ^' Timer IC chip of Texas Instruments, configured to output a signal waveform that drives a relay between (wo states. Alternatively, the sequenc er can use a transistor or other suitable circuitry or electronics instead of an LM555 Timer IC chip.

[0022 j The control voltage pin (8) and reset pin (4) of the timer IC chip I 10 may be connected to a voltage source that may range b om 5V to 15V DC. An adjustable resistor 120 may be wired to the voltage source and to control voltage pin (8 ). leset pin (4), threshold pin (6s, and discharge pin (?) of the timer IC chip 1 10, a.nd may also be wired to electrolytic capacitor 130. A. switch 1 50 may he connected to the trigger pin (2) of the timer IC chip 1 10, The output pin (3 ) of the timer IC chip i 10 may be connected to a forward-biased diode 160. The diode 160 may be connected to a reverse-biased diode 170 and may also be connected to a relay 180.

Electrolytic c apacitors 130 and ΐ , ground pin (1) of the timer IC chip 1 10, switch 150, and diode 170 may liven be wired to ground.

[0023] The output signal of t he timer IC 1 1 0 may be used to select the position of the relay 180.. thereby selecting the frequency generated by the signal generator 200. Sign l generator 200 may include two tinier i C chips 210 and 220, each of which may be configured to produce a set frequency signal by adjusting the resistance values of the adjustable resistors 230, 240, 260, and 270, as well as adjusting the capacitance values of electrolytic capacitors 250 and 280. Some exemplary frequencies that may be produced include 250 Hz, 300 H , and 435 I 1 however, the diner IC chips may be configured to produce any frequency that may be d sir ble in a particular application.. Timer IC chips 210 and 220 may be the 555 timer Id chip discussed above or any other suitable inner IC chip.

[0024] The output of the relay 1 80 may be connected to (he control voltage pin ( 8) and reset pin (4) of the timer IC chips 210 and 220, and also may be connected to the adjustable resistors 230 and 260, respectively. The adjustable resistors 230 and 260 may be connected to the discharge pin (7) of the timer IC chips 210 and 220. respectively, and may also be comreoied to adjustable resistors 24U and 270, respectively- Adjustable resistors 240 and 270 may be connected to threshold pin (6) and trigger pin (2) of the timer IC chips 210 and 220, respectively, and may also be connected to electrolytic capacirors 250 and 280 respectively, Grouud pin (1) of the tuner IC chips 210 and 220 and electrolytic capacitors 250 and 280 may be wired to ground. Output pin ( 3) of the timer I C chips 210 and 220 may be connected to forward- biased diodes 290 and 201 , respectively, and may output a si gnal of a preconfigured frequency and interval to those diodes.

[0025] The diodes 290 and 291 may be connected to the output driver 300. The output driver 300 may be used to amplify the signal outputted by the circuitry of signal generator 200, Output driver 300 may comprise a resistor 310 which may be connected to the base of the NPN transistor 320. The emitter of the NPN transistor m y be connected to ground and the diode 330 may also be connected to ground, The col lector of the NPN transistor 320 may be connected to the reverse -biased diode 330 and may also be connected to the contact! ess horn and housing 400.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrat ing a eontacdess horn and sound device with attached electronic integrated, circuit module according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring no to Fig. 2., the ooniaoiless horn and housing 400 may comprise an electromagnet 410 which may magnetscal iv manipulate i.e. , repel and attraen the meiai plate 490 secured to the buttons diaphragm 430 oi the contaetless horn to create a tone in accordance with die selected frequency generated by the signal generator 200. T he electromagnet 410 rnay be comprised of a coil., preferably a copper coil that is 28 gauge or higher (i.e... smaller in diameter κ wrapped around a moral (e.g. , steel, iron, or other magnetizable metal} boll. The output of the output driver 300 is electrically connected to the electromagnet 41 0 via the IC connection interface 450. which is preferably positioned on the extenor of the base 440. ^' I ^' he base 440 may be constructed using a lightweight plastic, a lightweight metal., or another suitable material. Top diaphragm 420 and bottom diaphragm 430 may be secured iogether using bolt 460 and washers 470 and 480 and the bottom diaphragm 430 may then be secured to the base 440 along the rim of the base 440, thereby allowing the tree movement of the center portion of the diaphragms 420 and 430 so as to produce the preooimgured frequency sound,

[0027] Fig, 3 is a diagram illustrating the side view and bottom view of the diaphragm portion of a coniactless horn and sound device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring now to big. 3, there may be a separation between the electromagnet 410 and the metal plaie 480, The separation, or ^' ah gap, ^" preferably comprises a distance between 0.05 to 0.10 inches, with a tolerance of +/- 0.05 inches.

I ^' 0028 ^' j Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize thai the contaetless hoot device may be modified to play additional frequency tones by adding additional signal generators 200 and additional sequencers 1.00 to the electronic IC module and configuring them according to the present teachings,

[0029] Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing irorn the principles and spirit oi the general inventive concept, the scope oi ^' which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.