Automobile airbag deactivation system

• US 6,296,273 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David G. Lewallen, Richard J. Lovett
• Original Assignee: David G. Lewallen, Richard J. Lovett
• Inventors: Lewallen, David G., Lovett, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRAPER, DEANN L
• Application Number:
  US09/507,963
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 701/45, 701/47
• 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 in an automobile, the 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 a transponder and a signal source, the transponder in electronic communication with the interrupt switch, the signal source external to the automobile and emitting an electromagnetic signal, the transponder receiving the emitted electromagnetic signal and opening the interrupt switch in response to the received electromagnetic signal.

2. The deactivating system of claim 1, in which the electromagnetic signal is selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation, radio frequency radiation, very high frequency radiation, ultra high frequency radiation, an electromagnetic field, and any combination thereof.

3. 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.

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

5. A method of extracting a person from an automobile with an airbag inflation system, the airbag inflation system comprising:

an airbag control circuitry, an airbag actuator, an airbag, an interrupt switch, and a switch control, the airbag control circuitry activating the airbag actuator in response to an impact sustained by the vehicle, the activated airbag actuator inflating the airbag, the interrupt switch operably proximate the airbag inflation system and configured to prevent the airbag from being inflated when the interrupt switch is in an open position, the switch control including a signal source and a transponder, the signal source emitting an electromagnetic signal, the transponder receiving the emitted electromagnetic signal and opening the interrupt switch in response to said received electromagnetic signal,

the method comprising;

actuating the signal source to emit the electromagnetic signal, said electromagnetic signal being received by the transponder, the transponder opening the interrupt switch in response to the received electromagnetic signal; and

extracting the person from the automobile.

6. The method of claim 5, in which actuating the signal source comprises sending an electromagnetic signal selected from infrared radiation, radio frequency radiation, very high frequency radiation, ultra high frequency radiation, an induced electromagnetic field, and any combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 5, the interrupt switch configured to interrupt electrical communication between the airbag control circuitry and the airbag actuator, and

in which a signal from the airbag control circuitry to the airbag actuator is interrupted when the signal source is actuated.

8. The method of claim 5, the interrupt switch configured to interrupt electrical communication between the airbag actuator and the airbag, and

in which a signal from the airbag actuator to the airbag is interrupted when the signal source is actuated.