Vehicle Window Breaker Alert Using Impact and RF Location Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety hammers do not effectively prevent false alarms when breaking glass and lack a mechanism to determine if the hammer is being used within the vehicle, especially in scenarios like being submerged in water.
Innovation Solution
A hammer tool equipped with an accelerometer to generate a signature signal upon impact, an RF signal communication device to determine its location relative to the vehicle, and a controller to process these signals and output an alert only when the hammer is used within the vehicle and submerged in water, thereby avoiding false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an alert signal is always generated when the hammer breaks glass, then emergency assistance is provided, but false alarms occur when the hammer is used outside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of RF communication devices and a controller to determine whether the hammer is inside or outside the vehicle. The RF transmitter in the hammer communicates with RF receivers in the vehicle, and the controller processes this communication data to determine location. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate alert generation only when needed (hammer inside vehicle) without requiring complex direct sensing of vehicle boundaries.
2Productivity
If the hammer provides automatic alert functionality, then emergency response is improved, but false alarms are generated when used outside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring RF communication between the hammer and vehicle to determine hammer location. The controller receives feedback about whether the hammer is inside or outside the vehicle and adjusts alert generation accordingly. This feedback loop ensures alerts are only generated when the hammer breaks glass inside the vehicle, eliminating false alarms from external usage while maintaining automatic emergency response capability.
3Reliability
If location determination mechanisms are added to the hammer, then false alarms are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination function into two parts: a simple RF transmitter embedded in the hammer and RF receivers integrated into the vehicle's existing structure. This segmentation places the complex reception and processing infrastructure in the vehicle rather than the portable hammer, keeping the hammer relatively simple while achieving accurate location determination through the distributed system.
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
The tool accurately determines when to generate an alert signal, ensuring that alerts are only sent when the hammer is used within the vehicle and in a submerged state, thus preventing false alarms and providing reliable assistance in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer operatively coupled to the body to sense acceleration during impact and generate a signature signal
Implementation Method 2
an RF signal communication device located on the tool for communicating with a plurality of RF signal communication devices on the vehicle to determine a location of the tool relative to the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A window breaker tool for use on a vehicle includes a body having a handle to enable a user to grip the tool, a glass breaker member extending from the handle configured to contact a glass window with force to break the glass window, and an accelerometer operatively coupled to the body to sense acceleration during impact and generate a signature signal. The tool also includes an RF signal communication device located on the tool for communicating with a plurality of RF signal communication devices on the vehicle to determine a location of the tool relative to the vehicle, wherein the RF signal communication device communicates with a controller for processing the signature signal and determining whether the signature signal is indicative of the tool in use to break a window, and wherein the controller further determines the tool is within the vehicle based on the location and outputs an alert signal.