Piezoelectric Glass Breaking Component for Emergency Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for breaking tempered safety glass, such as those used by emergency responders, require significant force and energy, and are not easily accessible or operable by vehicle occupants in panic or disoriented states, especially when the vehicle is submerged or on fire.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a support plate with a glass breaking component that includes a base and a member with a glass breaking portion, which can be driven into the safety glass using minimal force, utilizing a piezoelectric disc and power source to fracture the glass with resonance frequency vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If spring actuated spikes or hammers are used to break safety glass, then the glass can be fractured, but significant force and energy are required that ordinary occupants cannot provide in panic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a piezoelectric disc that generates high-frequency vibrations (resonance frequency) when electrical current is applied. This vibration concentrates energy at a specific point on the glass, allowing fracture with minimal applied force - specifically, the patent states the device requires less than 10 lbs of force, which ordinary occupants can easily provide even in panic situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spring-actuated systems with an electro-mechanical system. Instead of using compressed springs to deliver high-force impacts, the invention uses a piezoelectric disc converted by electrical current from a battery into mechanical vibrations. This substitution enables force multiplication, transforming minimal manual pressure into high-frequency vibrations that concentrate energy effectively.
2Productivity
If traditional glass breaking devices are used, then glass can be broken, but the devices are complex and require two-handed operation or significant strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the piezoelectric disc serves both as the vibration generator and the active breaking element, the battery provides power, and the housing protects all components. This consolidation achieves rapid glass breaking (under 0.5 seconds as stated in the patent) while maintaining simple, compact structure that can be easily held and operated with one hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from high-force, slow-impact mechanical striking to low-force, high-frequency vibration. The piezoelectric disc operates at resonance frequency, which maximizes energy transfer to the glass at minimal power consumption. This parameter change enables both rapid operation and simplified device structure.
3Strength
If safety glass is designed with high surface tension for strength, then the glass is more resistant to breaking, but it requires proportionally more force to fracture when struck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration at resonance frequency to counteract the glass's surface tension. The high-frequency vibrations create stress cycles that accumulate at the point of contact, eventually exceeding the glass's strength threshold. This approach bypasses the need for high static force by using dynamic vibration energy, allowing the device to break even strongly tempered glass with minimal applied pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric disc delivers periodic vibrations at the glass's resonance frequency, creating cumulative stress effects. Each vibration cycle adds energy to the system, and the periodic nature of the action allows the stress to build up progressively until the glass fractures. This periodic energy delivery is more effective than a single high-force impact.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and efficient breaking of safety glass with less than 10 lbs of force, allowing single-handed operation and rapid glass panel fracture in under 0.5 seconds, suitable for high-stress situations like submerged or burning vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a piezoelectric disc and power source to fracture the glass with resonance frequency vibrations
Implementation Method 2
fracture the glass with resonance frequency vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for breaking safety glass comprising a support plate having first and second opposed sides, a glass breaking component configured to connect to the support plate, the glass breaking component comprising: a base having first and second opposed sides, and a member having first and second opposed ends, the first end of the member connected to and extending from at least one side of the base and the second end of the member comprising a glass breaking portion, the glass breaking portion having at least one glass cutting edge and configured to break safety glass. Also disclosed herein are methods for using the disclosed systems and devices.