Originally, the horn consisted of a rubber pear attached to a trumpet or bugle.
Claxon is a term used in Spain , Mexico and other countries to refer to an electric horn . The concept comes from Klaxon , a registered trademark.
The first meaning of horn that the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) mentions in its dictionary refers to a conical utensil that allows the sound emitted to be reinforced . In the specific case of vehicles, the horn is an electronic or mechanical device that makes it possible to emit acoustic signals .
Evolution of the horn
Originally, the horn was an instrument consisting of a pear made of rubber and a trumpet . When the pear was squeezed, air was expelled through the trumpet, thus generating the sound .
The first automobiles used this horn to produce acoustic signals that served as a warning . Thus it was possible to notify pedestrians or other motorists of certain maneuvers, situations , etc.
Since the '20s , anyway, cars began to have a horn that runs on electricity . The acoustic signal, in this framework, is no longer created with the release of air through a trumpet.
Today the horn is usually activated through a button located in the center of the steering wheel . When the driver presses this button, a contact is produced that carries electricity from the car battery to the horn, where an electromagnet receives the current and attracts a metal component that is linked to a membrane . The vibration of the membrane in question emits the sound.
Improper use of the horn is usually prohibited.
Proper use
The horn is a safety element. Its purpose is to alert pedestrians or other drivers of danger , alerting them of the situation through the sound signal.
Suppose that a motorist is about to pass through an intersection when he observes that a person is preparing to cross the road without looking to the sides. If the driver is not in a position to brake to allow the pedestrian to pass, he must use the horn so that the person traveling on foot notices what is happening.
In the event that a vehicle is transporting someone in an emergency (for example, heading to a hospital), the horn must be combined with emergency lights so that other cars give it priority of passage.
The horn and noise pollution
In urban environments, especially in larger cities , it is common to experience a high level of noise pollution . Excessive noise threatens the health and well-being of citizens, so it is important not to add meaningless strident sounds.
In this context, many times the use of the horn is inappropriate. In some legislations, it is even punished with fines if the use is not justified.
The horn should not be used to hurry or hurry other drivers. It also does not have to be used as a protest or to greet. Although in such situations many individuals have the habit of honking, the practice is discouraged or even prohibited, depending on the case.