The engine, transmission and control system are not the only important components of the car. In addition, any vehicle is equipped with other significant, but less noticeable details. For example, one of these is the horn. This is an indispensable thing that no car can do without, because in some situations it can even save the life of both the driver and the pedestrian.
What is a horn?
Klaxon is a device for delivering an audio signal. Often, such devices are called simply sound signals.
The term "horn" itself came from the name of the company, which first massively began to produce devices. This company was Klaxon Signals Ltd.
What are the devices used for?
Virtually any transport has a horn built in. Cars, motorbikes and even some bicycles are equipped with this device, as it helps in the prevention of many emergency situations. For example, a driver may signal to let people pass at a pedestrian crossing or perform a maneuver when overtaking another car.
Unfortunately, in the modern world, audio signals are rarely used, since they are practically not needed, especially if there are traffic jams on the roads. But also some drivers forget about the rules of the road and use horn for personal use only. For example, to honk a friend or show off a car in front of girls.
A brief excursion into history
Klaxon is not a new invention. It was in use long before the first car. They, for example, used the coachman, managing the crew. In those days, in order to signal, it was necessary to blow a horn into such a strong one. But since most people did not like this method, the horn was supplemented with a rubber bulb. Now it was enough just to click on the pear to issue a corresponding beep. A little later, the first cars began to be equipped with similar devices.
One of the first horn, which was intended for cars, no longer looked like horns with rubber pears. Now these were completely mechanical devices that were equipped with special spring plates with locking rivets. When these mechanisms were activated, the plates came into contact with the gears, which produced the specific sound of the horn. Often, to amplify the signal, special horns were attached to the devices. Later, Thomas Edison and electrical engineer Miller Reese Hutchinson invented and patented the electric horn.
Types of modern horn
After the invention of Edison and Hutchinson, other horn models began to appear with various sound signals, which are of several types, depending on the principle of action:
- A pneumatic horn in which the air flow coming from the compressor is used to create sound vibrations in the pipe. In the past, a horn equipped with a rubber bulb worked similarly. The sound signal of the horn can reach 120 dB.
- Electronic horn. The basis of the operation of such a device is an electronic sound generator and an electrodynamic loudspeaker, which allows you to convert an electrical signal into a sound one. The signal volume of the electronic horn reaches 110 dB.
- Electromagnetic horn. The main element due to which the operation of the horn is possible is an electromagnet equipped with a contact switch. With this simple element, the main movement of the membrane responsible for the sound signal is provided. Electromagnetic horn is the most common device that can be found in almost any car or motorcycle.
Types of electromagnetic horn
As was said, almost all vehicles are equipped with electromagnetic horn, which, depending on the type of sound emitter, are:
- In the form of disks. Such a device can take the form of a holistic or collapsible design, which is installed under the hood even at the stage of assembly of the vehicle. Such horn is equipped with most models of motorcycles and cars.
- In the form of "snails" ("shells"). The shape of the “snail” resembles a wind musical instrument horn. Just like a musical instrument, the funnel-shaped extension of such a horn has a curved shape with a forward directed end. The volume of such a device can reach about 120 dB, which is quite powerful, especially considering that the frequency of sound vibrations of the horn is only 250 Hz. Typically, such a horn is installed on VAZ, GAZ and other models of domestic cars.
- In the form of "horns." These types of horn are often confused with "snails", but do not forget that the "horns" have one significant difference. The funnel-shaped extension of these devices is direct, not curved, as in previous models. Such klaxons are easier to install under the hood, but they have poor audio quality.
Application of automobile horn in different countries
In each country, drivers use the horn in cars differently. For example, in India you can hear signals everywhere, regardless of whether it is a city or a village. Drivers continuously send signals to each other when overtaking and other maneuvers.
Similar can be seen in the countries of Southeast Asia, as well as in Africa. Here, drivers are constantly honking passersby, who often cross their path.
Apparently, in the least developed countries car audio signals are most often used. This is because here they control traffic on the roads much more strictly and drivers try not to violate traffic rules.