MULTIFUNCTIONAL ACOUSTIC WARNING DEVICE

Abstract

 The multifunctional acoustic warning device can operate as a conventional acoustic warning device and as an alarm system, generating various sounds for different conditions, events or situations. The device has a control system (10) which can be connected by means of power terminals (T1-T4) to a control unit, and which comprises: a pulse generator (11); a first control circuit (12) for adjusting the frequency and work cycle of the pulse generator (11) which, by means of an electronic switching device (20) energizes the coil (6); and a second control circuit (13) for analyzing a PWM signal from a third power terminal (T3), the PWM signal including the frequency of the sound to be generated and the duration time of the PWM signal. According to the invention, the electronic switching device (20) is connected to both the pulse generator (11) and the second control circuit (13), to connect/disconnect the coil (6).

Description

Object of the Invention

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of audible signaling systems, and more specifically acoustic warning devices using electrical and/or electromagnetic transmission.

[0002] The object of the present invention is a multifunctional acoustic warning device which, in addition to being able to operate as a conventional acoustic warning device, such as the claxon or horn of a vehicle, can also work as an alarm system, generating various sounds for different conditions or situations, all in a way that is more flexible and can be more readily integrated and implemented with respect to current systems, which furthermore expands its field of application, without the inherent limitations of each manufacturer.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Different acoustic warning device models of the type that are included in automotive vehicles for emitting an audible signal are known today in the state of the art. These acoustic warning devices are also of application in other fields, where the user must pay special attention or take precaution in dangerous or emergency situations; or simply to urge those who hear the signal to act in a certain way.

[0004] A conventional acoustic warning device (1) like the one shown in Figure 1 is based on generating a sound pressure on the basis of the movement of a diaphragm (2) which has a metallic core in the center better known as the mobile core (3). This movement causes an airflow through a conduit or duct (4), which amplifies it, generating sound pressure. In the case of a disc-shaped acoustic warning device (1), the sound is generated when this mechanical diaphragm (2) moves and the mobile core (3) impacts against the fixed core (5) of the acoustic warning device (1).

[0005] To cause that movement of the diaphragm (2), the acoustic warning device (1) has a fixed-position coil (6) through which an electric current is circulated, producing a magnetic field. This magnetic field moves the mobile core (3) in the direction of the axial axis shown in Figure 1. The relative position of the mobile core (3) with respect to the coil (6) thereby varies, and it is already known in the current state of the art that the maximum movement of the mobile core (3) with respect to the coil (6) coincides with the resonant frequency of the acoustic warning device (1), i.e., the optimal operating point. Furthermore, acoustic warning devices (1) with an electronic control circuit are known to use a pulse generator for adjusting the movement of the mobile core (3), and therefore for adjusting the frequency and sound pressure of the sound generated by the acoustic warning device (1).

[0006] More particularly, "multifunctional" acoustic warning devices are also known, and they incorporate additional functions, are capable of working as both a conventional acoustic warning device for automotive vehicles (the classic car horn), and as an alarm or warning system which allows generating sounds for different conditions (such as opening/closing doors, proximity to other vehicles while driving or during parking maneuvers, locking the vehicle with people inside, etc.).

[0007] The technical problem herein considered is that current multifunctional acoustic warning devices are based on "closed systems, that is, they only generate preprogrammed sounds. This is because current multifunctional warning devices are limited to set frequencies previously programmed into their control circuits, which correspond to different codes, which are associated with a given alarm signal. The control unit of the vehicle must therefore send previously defined frequency signals, so that the multifunctional warning device can generate a sound corresponding specifically to each code.

[0008] This limitation means that current acoustic warning devices do not allow varying the tone or the sound pressure of the alarm signals, i.e., users cannot enter new sounds without a full update of the entire programming of the acoustic warning device, with the trouble and costs this entails with regard to both time and money, since the users have to take their vehicle to a garage or specialized center so it can be reprogrammed. On the other hand, current acoustic warning devices, in addition to having a fairly complex implementation, have a reduced operative flexibility as they require internal parameters (frequencies, times, temperatures, storage capacity, etc.) to have given values, and this all limits their scope of application.

Description of the Invention

[0009] The aforementioned drawbacks are solved by means of the present invention by providing a multifunctional acoustic warning device which, in addition to being able to operate as a conventional acoustic warning device, such as the horn of a vehicle, can also work as an alarm system, generating various sounds for different conditions or situations taking place, such as, for example, opening/closing doors, the proximity of other vehicles, locking the vehicle with people inside, etc., all in a way that is more flexible and can be more readily integrated and implemented than current systems, making it more suitable for a broader field of application.

[0010] The multifunctional acoustic warning device of the invention has at least one coil and a control system that can be connected by means of power terminals to a control unit, said control system comprising a pulse generator. Furthermore, the control system additionally comprises: a first control circuit, connected to a first terminal, for adjusting the frequency and work cycle of the pulse generator which energizes the coil in a normal operating mode; a second control circuit for analyzing a pulse width modulated PWM signal from a third power terminal, the PWM signal including the frequency of the sound to be generated and the duration time of the PWM signal thereof in a variable operating mode; and an electronic switching device connected to both the first and second control circuit, to connect/disconnect the coil.

[0011] Preferably, the first power terminal has a first A/D converter, which is in turn connected to the aforementioned first control circuit.

[0012] It has also been envisaged for the warning device to additionally comprise a voltage protection and detection device connected between the first power terminal and a second power terminal, which preferably has a second A/D converter in turn connected to the second control circuit.

[0013] Therefore, the invention lies in integrating in one and the same electronic connector two control circuits of the coil with separate power terminals. Therefore, a first control circuit is in charge of managing the current circulating through the first terminal, and of configuring the pulse generator for energizing, through a switching device, the coil at the frequency and work cycle established for that warning device. On the other hand, a second control circuit is configured for analyzing the information received by the third terminal, and where appropriate, managing the current circulating through the second terminal. The information received by the third terminal contains the frequency at which, through the switching device, the coil is to be energized, as well as the duration time of the PWM signal.

[0014] Therefore, the multifunctional warning device of the invention allows combining the conventional function of acoustic warning devices, with a novel function for generating acoustic sounds depending on different characteristics (frequency, times, work cycle, etc.) of a control signal, particularly a pulse width modulated PWM signal. The invention does all this by means of two separate control circuits, connected to a control unit by means of different power terminals. This control signal passes through analog and/or digital filters, so that the multifunctional warning device generates acoustic signals at a frequency and sound pressure linked with the control signal. Unlike current systems, the warning device herein described does not use preprogrammed codes, and it enables continuous detection of the input variables to be able to constantly update the output.

[0015] Some of the main advantages and improvements obtained by means of the multifunctional acoustic warning device of the invention are listed below:

• It has the capacity to generate a larger number of different sounds, with the possibility of varying both the tone and the sound pressure of each signal during one and the same activation, as well as the capacity to emit sounds that are the result of the combination of multiple tones.
• It automatically detects new frames for generating new sounds, without requiring re-programming.
• It can be more readily integrated and implemented in the control circuits.
• It is more flexible and has a broad field of application, since the acoustic warning device herein described is independent of the type of coil of the warning device, of the mechanical characteristics thereof, or of the parameters of each manufacturer.

Description of the Drawings

[0016] To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following is depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

Figure 1 shows a sectioned view of the internal mechanical components of a conventional acoustic warning device.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the multifunctional acoustic warning device of the invention according to a first preferred embodiment, provided with four terminals of the connector.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the control system of the multifunctional acoustic warning device according to the first preferred embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows another block diagram of the control system of the multifunctional acoustic warning device according to a second preferred embodiment.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0017] Several preferred embodiments are described below in reference to the aforementioned drawings, without this limiting or reducing the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] According to a first preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, the multifunctional acoustic warning device (1) has a connector (7) internally housing an encapsulated control system (10), which is connected by means of power terminals (T1-T4) to a control unit, such as the control unit of a vehicle. More specifically, Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the control system (10) of the warning device according to this first embodiment, comprising:

• a coil (6) connected at one of its ends to a first terminal (T1), while its other end is connected to a fourth terminal (T4) through different elements described below,
• a pulse generator (11) in charge of energizing the coil (6) through an electronic switching device (20),
• a first control circuit (12) for adjusting the frequency and work cycle of the pulse generator (11); and controlling the current circulating through the first power terminal (T1) according to a first normal operating mode,
• a second control circuit (13) for analyzing a pulse width modulated PWM signal from the third power terminal (T3), the PWM signal including the frequency of the sound to be generated and the duration time of the PWM signal; in addition to controlling the current circulating through a second terminal (T2) according to a second variable operating mode;
• where the electronic switching device (20) is connected to both the pulse generator (11) and the second control circuit (13) to connect and/or disconnect the coil (6), where it can be configured for a negative ("Low Side") or positive ("High Side") switching system;
• a pair of A/D converters (30.1, 30.2), connected to both the first and second power terminal (T1, T2) and to their respective control circuits (12, 13), for converting an analog voltage to digital voltage; and
• a voltage protection and detection device (40) connected between the first and second power terminal (T1, T2) as a safety element to prevent overheating problems.

[0019] Therefore, in the case of the normal operation of the acoustic warning device (1), the first control circuit (12) will adjust the pulse generator (11) to the desired frequency and work cycle for energizing the coil (6) by means of the electronic switching device (20) for a standard operation of the acoustic warning device.

[0020] On the other hand, when the warning device is to be used for a functionality other than the standard functionality, the powering of the second terminal (T2) will be activated, and then the second control circuit (13) will receive from the third terminal (T3) a PWM signal the frequency of which will be the frequency of the sound to be generated as well as the duration time of the PWM signal. This second control circuit (13) will detect this information and will adapt the frequency and work cycle of the signal controlling the electronic switching device (20) for energizing the coil (6) at the transmitted values. It is thereby possible to generate multiple tones, with different durations and levels of sound pressure, as well as combinations of any tones.

[0021] According to a second preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4, the control system (10) dispenses in this case with the second terminal (T2), the voltage protection and detection device (40), and the second A/D converter (30.2), therefore being structurally simpler with respect to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, as can be seen in Figure 4, in this second embodiment the second control circuit (13) is directly connected to the first A/D converter (30.1), and is equally suited for analyzing a pulse width modulated PWM signal from the third power terminal (T3), said PWM signal including the frequency of the sound to be generated and the duration time of the PWM signal.

[0022] Unlike current systems used in automotive vehicles, where there is one electrical system for the acoustic warning device and another electrical system for the alarm/information device, such as a buzzer, for example; the control system of the warning device of the invention allows a simpler integration as it has at least two separate activation feeds. Furthermore, the fact that the operating frequency of the warning device will be determined by the frequency of the PWM signal that the second control circuit (13) receives through the third terminal (T3) makes the warning device have a broader field of application.

[0023] As there are no programmed frequencies for certain codes, as occurs in current systems, the acoustic warning device (1) will generate an alarm at any frequency transmitted from the control unit of the vehicle through the third terminal (T3). This design is extremely useful taking into account the diverse platforms and clients existing in the automotive sector, as well as the wide diversity of current applications that can be covered by the use of an acoustic warning device.

[0024] The design set forth in the present invention enables generating sounds in a very broad range of sound powers and frequencies, without having to re-program the control circuit. The adjustment is achieved by modifying the characteristics of the PWM signal that the second control circuit (13) receives through the third terminal (T3).

Claims

1. Multifunctional acoustic warning device (1) which has at least one coil (6) and a control system (10) that can be connected by means of power terminals (T1-T4) to a control unit, said control system (10) comprising a pulse generator (11), characterized in that the control system (10) additionally comprises:

- a first control circuit (12), connected to a first terminal (T1), for adjusting the frequency and work cycle of the pulse generator (11) which, through an electronic switching device (20), energizes the coil (6) for a normal operating mode;

- a second control circuit (13) for analyzing a pulse width modulated PWM signal from a third power terminal (T3), the PWM signal including the frequency of the sound to be generated and the duration time of the PWM signal for a variable operating mode; and

- where the electronic switching device (20) is connected to both the pulse generator (11) and the second control circuit (13), to connect/disconnect the coil (6).

2. Multifunctional acoustic warning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first power terminal (T1) has a first A/D converter (30.1), in turn connected to the first control circuit (12).

3. Multifunctional acoustic warning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a voltage protection and detection device (40) connected between the first power terminal (T1) and a second power terminal (T2).

4. Multifunctional acoustic warning device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second power terminal (T2) has a second A/D converter (30.2), in turn connected to the second control circuit (13).

Drawing