Automobile airbag deactivation system

• US 20020084636A1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David G. Lewallen, Richard J. Lovett
• Original Assignee: David G. Lewallen, Richard J. Lovett
• Inventors: Lewallen, David G., Lovett, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US09/943,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084636A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches

Abstract

An automobile airbag deactivation system is provided to enable emergency services personnel to prevent uninflated airbags from inflating when crash victims are being extricated from crashed automobiles. The system would enable emergency services personnel to deactivate all airbag inflation systems. The airbag deactivation system includes an interrupt switch and a switch control. The interrupt switch is located so as to prevent airbag inflation, such as between the airbag control circuitry and the airbag actuator or between the airbag actuator and the airbag. The switch control includes a device to open the interrupt switch and an access control device. The access control device prevents deactivation of the airbag inflating system by non-emergency personnel. Embodiments of the access control device include restricted electromagnetic band communication between a signal source and a signal transducer. The transducer opens the interrupt switch to deactivate the airbag inflation system. In other embodiments, a mechanical lock is used. Keys to these locks may be made available to emergency services personnel.

Claims

1. A system for deactivating an automotive airbag inflating system comprising airbag control circuitry, an airbag actuator, and an airbag, the deactivating system comprising:

an interrupt switch operably proximate the airbag inflating system and configured to prevent the airbag from being inflated when opened; and

a switch control configured to open the interrupt switch, the switch control including an access control device for preventing the switch from being opened by non-emergency personnel.

2. The deactivating system of claim 1, in which the switch control is configured to open and close the interrupt switch.

3. The deactivating system of claim 1, the switch control including a transducer and signal source, the transducer in electronic communication with the interrupt switch, the signal source emitting an electromagnetic signal, the transducer receiving the emitted electromagnetic signal and opening the interrupt switch.

4. The deactivating system of claim 3, in which the signal source emits electromagnetic signals selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation, radio frequency radiation, very high frequency radiation, ultra high frequency radiation, magnetic radiation, and any combination thereof.

5. The deactivating system of claim 1, in which the switch control comprises a lock opening the interrupt switch.

6. The deactivating system of claim 1, in which the switch control comprises a lock and switch circuitry, the lock actuating the switch circuitry to open the interrupt switch when the lock is operated using a key.

7. The deactivating system of claim 1, in which the interrupt switch is configured to interrupt electrical communication between the airbag control circuitry and the airbag actuator.

8. The deactivating system of claim 1, in which the interrupt switch is configured to interrupt electrical communication between the airbag actuator and the airbag.

9. A method of preventing automotive airbag inflation in a system present in an automobile, the system including airbag control circuitry, an airbag actuator, and an airbag, the airbag control circuitry activating the airbag actuator in response to sensing an automotive impact, the airbag actuator inflating the airbag after being activated by the airbag control circuitry, the method comprising:

providing an interrupt switch and a switch control, the interrupt switch configured to prevent the airbag from being inflated when opened, the switch control configured to open the interrupt switch and including an access control device for preventing the interrupt switch from being opened by non-emergency personnel; and

operating the switch control, thereby opening the interrupt switch and preventing the airbag from being inflated.

10. The method claim 9, in which opening the interrupt switch includes interrupting a signal from the airbag control circuitry.

11. The method of claim 9, in which opening the interrupt switch includes interrupting a signal from the airbag actuator.

12. The method of claim 9, the switch control including a transponder and a signal source, the transponder in electrical communication with the interrupt switch, the signal source in electromagnetic communication with the transponder, and in which operating the switch control includes operating the signal source to send an electromagnetic signal to the transponder, the transponder sending a signal to the switch in response to the electromagnetic signal, the switch opening in response to the signal from the transponder.

13. The method of claim 12, in which operating the signal source includes sending an electromagnetic signal selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation, radio frequency radiation, very high frequency radiation, ultra high frequency radiation, magnetic radiation, and any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 9, the switch control including a lock in electromechanical communication with the interrupt switch, and in which operating the switch control includes operating the lock to open the interrupt switch.

15. The method of claim 14, in which the switch control includes a switch circuitry in electromechanical communication with the lock and the interrupt switch, and in which operating the switch control includes operating the lock, thereby inducing the switch circuitry to open the interrupt switch.