Types of Car Horns and Their Benefits
Vehicles are equipped with various internal and external components. One of the most important components for ensuring safety is the horn. The car horn is essential for warning others of the presence of your vehicle. This way, you can drive comfortably and safely.
What is a Car Horn?
A car horn is a crucial part of the internal components of a vehicle that supports safety. With this component, drivers can feel safer and more comfortable while driving. Although it may seem simple and straightforward, the horn has a significant function in a vehicle, whether it is a car, train, motorcycle, ship, and so on.
A horn must be present in every vehicle with various types according to the vehicle type. However, there are also many variations and models of horns, even with unique and interesting sounds. Thus, it can be used as a distinctive feature or character of your vehicle. The diverse sounds of horns can differentiate one vehicle from another.
This component is not only used for cars or motorcycles. In fact, in the past, horns were also manually applied to bicycles. The horns still in use are made from iron components that are struck. This produces a loud and clear sound.
Functions of the Horn in Vehicles
This safety component provides significant benefits and functions for vehicles. One of its purposes is to give signs or signals to others. Whether to other drivers, pedestrians, and so on using sound.
The sound occurs due to vibrations in the horn's mechanism itself. A horn can be heard clearly and loudly if it has a vibration frequency between 1800 to 3550 Hz. If the horn's frequency is below or above that range, the sound cannot be heard well.
The horn is also an essential vehicle safety component. When there is danger in front, the driver can activate the horn to give a sign or signal. Therefore, always ensure that the horn is in good and normal condition. With a clear and loud sound that can be heard by others outside within a certain distance.
Types of Horns in Vehicles
As a means of transportation, cars must be equipped with a functioning horn that is ready to use. If any component is not working, repair it immediately before it affects others. Even if the damaged component is small, never underestimate it. Because many significant damages occur due to neglecting small issues in the car.
There are several types of horns that can be used in vehicles, including car horns for motorcycles, among others:
1. AC Electric Horn
The advancement of the automotive world today has led to many car components being developed to be more sophisticated. Car horns can use electric magnets to produce sound. This horn is known as an electric horn that operates with AC current.
The electric magnet at the poles alternates from south to north and vice versa. This creates an electric frequency or alternating current. The change in the magnetic poles will produce vibrations in the membrane. From these vibrations, a loud and clear sound can be generated from the horn.
AC horns also use electric dynamos, making them commonly used for small vehicles. The membrane will vibrate and produce sound when the electric magnets alternately switch places between the north and south poles. This type of horn still carries risks. Among them, when the engine speed decreases, it can lower the vibration frequency of the horn, causing the sound to become softer.
2. DC Electric Horn
Like in an electrical circuit, there are also electric horns with direct current or DC. This type of horn is different from the AC horn and can even be the opposite of the previous horn. In a DC horn, there is no change in frequency in the current. Because the current flows in one direction and does not alternate.
DC horns are used to generate vibrations in the membrane through a contact breaker. The working system of a DC electric horn is that when the contact breaker is closed, the current flowing to the electric magnet occurs. This causes the membrane to be attracted in that direction to produce vibrations.
When the plunger opens, the magnetic force will disappear. This causes the membrane and plunger to reconnect. If this happens continuously, it will produce vibrations and a loud and clear sound. In this DC horn, there are two types: spiral or snail DC horns and disc DC horns.
3. Air Horn
The best type of car horn that can produce vibrations or sound from air pressure is the air horn. This horn utilizes an electric compressor or air brake compressor, also known as an electro-pneumatic valve. Unlike the previous types of horns, air horns do not use electric magnets to vibrate the membrane inside the horn.
The working system of air horns is faster and easier compared to other types of horns. Because the air source or electric compressor is located close to the horn. Thus, when using a longer hose, the air pressure takes longer to reach the horn. This can cause the horn sound to be softer or even inaudible.
Therefore, the placement of the horn with the electric compressor must be close. So that the compressed air can reach faster and produce a loud and clear sound. To obtain quality air, make sure you choose a type of compressor and horn that supports and is in good condition.
Car horns are very important to support vehicle use. With the presence of this horn, safety can be maximized and guaranteed. It can also help regulate traffic on busy roads. A car without a horn is like being lifeless and creates anxiety when needing to signal or give a sign to other drivers.
