Vehicle horn and control function switch with compensation and method of operation

A method of operation of a vehicle horn and control function switch, comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring a force applied to a surface of a steering wheel and generating a force signal;
• (b) measuring a temperature of the surface of the steering wheel and generating a temperature signal;
• (c) receiving the force signal and amplifying and offsetting the force signal;
• (d) receiving the temperature signal and compensating the amplifying and offsetting of the force signal depending upon the temperature signal and a quiescent force signal;
• and
• (e) determining when the compensated force signal exceeds a threshold value and actuating a horn.

A vehicle horn and control function switch, comprising:

• (a) a force sensing device for measuring a force applied to a surface of a steering wheel and generating a force signal, connected to an input of a biased inverting operational amplifier;
• (b) a compensated force signal at the output of the biased inverting operational amplifier connected to a first input of a programmable microcontroller;
• (c) a temperature sensing device for measuring temperature of the surface of the steering wheel and generating a temperature signal, connected to a second input of the programmable microcontroller;
• (d) an amplifying determining feedback network connected between the output and the input of the biased inverting operational amplifier, the feedback network being controlled from a first output of the programmable microcontroller;
• (e) an offset determining input network connected to the input of the biased inverting operational amplifier, the input network being controlled from a second output of the programmable microcontroller;
• (f) a third output of the programmable microcontroller connected to an input of a horn actuator;
• and
• (g) an output of the horn actuator connected to a horn.