Vehicle airbag deactivation system

• US 6,206,415 B1
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Simmons, Paul, Drummond, J B, Ross, Richard Michael, Niesluchowski, Matt Alan, Cuddihy, Mark Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US08/993,958
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/282, 307/10.1, 702/781, 702/782, 250/227.1
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01034 Controlling a plurality of restraint devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01564 Manually or key-actuated inhibition switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition

Abstract

An airbag deactivation system for the airbags mounted in a motor vehicle. The system provides a switch and circuitry to allow for selective deactivation of driver and/or passenger airbags in a motor vehicle via a conventional ignition key inserted into a key cylinder. The switch includes interchangeable key cylinders to allow for limited selective deactivation and a key stop to limit the amount of insertion of the ignition key into the key cylinder. LED'"'"'s emit light from the deactivation module when indicating a deactivation condition, which is viewable by both a driver and a front seat passenger. Alternatively, LED'"'"'s are mounted in a remote indicator assembly, separate from the deactivation module, to provide improved visual indication to the driver and front seat passenger of the state of airbag deactivation.

Claims

1. An airbag restraint system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a first airbag assembly adapted to be mounted within the vehicle;

a second airbag assembly adapted to be mounted within the vehicle;

an airbag control circuit, operatively engaging the first and the second airbag assemblies, including a wiring harness, a diagnostics module having a connector adapted for receiving the wiring harness, and a deactivation module having a connector interchangeable with the connector for the diagnostic module connected to the wiring harness and wiring extending to the diagnostic module connector;

an airbag deactivation circuit, operatively engaging the deactivation module, including a single switch having multiple positions for selectively deactivating the first airbag assembly, the second airbag assembly, and both airbag assemblies; and

a remote indicator assembly, spaced from and operatively engaging the airbag deactivation circuit, having indication means for indicating the switch positions where one or more airbag assemblies are deactivated.

2. The airbag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the indication means includes a first and a second LED, the first LED operatively engaging the airbag deactivation circuit to indicate a deactivation condition for the first airbag assembly and the second LED operatively engaging the deactivation circuit to indicate a deactivation condition for the second airbag assembly.

3. The airbag restraint system of claim 2 wherein the indication means further includes a third LED electrically connected in parallel with the first LED and a fourth LED electrically connected in parallel with the second LED.

4. An airbag restraint system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a first airbag assembly adapted to be mounted within the vehicle;

a second airbag assembly adapted to be mounted within the vehicle;

an airbag control circuit operatively engaging the first and the second airbag assemblies;

an airbag deactivation circuit, operatively engaging the airbag control circuit, including a switch having multiple positions whereby one or more airbag assemblies can be selectively deactivated; and

a remote indicator assembly, spaced from and operatively engaging the airbag deactivation circuit, having means for indicating the switch positions where one or more airbag assemblies are deactivated.

5. The airbag restraint system of claim 4 wherein the means for indicating includes a first LED.

6. The airbag restraint system of claim 5 wherein the remote indicator assembly further includes a second LED, the first LED operatively engaging the airbag deactivation circuit to indicate a deactivation condition for the first airbag assembly and the second LED operatively engaging the deactivation circuit to indicate a deactivation condition for the second airbag assembly.

7. The airbag restraint system of claim 6 wherein the remote indicator assembly further includes a third LED electrically connected in parallel with the first LED and a fourth LED electrically connected in parallel with the second LED.

8. The airbag restraint system of claim 7 wherein the airbag control circuit includes a wiring harness, a diagnostics module having connector adapted for receiving the wiring harness, and a deactivation module having a connector interchangeable with the connector for the diagnostic module connected to the wiring harness and wiring extending to the diagnostic module connector.

9. The airbag restraint system of claim 4 wherein the airbag control circuit includes a wiring harness, a diagnostics module having connector adapted for receiving the wiring harness, and a deactivation module having a connector interchangeable with the connector for the diagnostic module connected to the wiring harness and wiring extending to the diagnostic module connector.

10. A vehicle instrument panel for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:

an instrument panel main portion, including a glovebox;

a steering wheel extending from the instrument panel;

a first airbag assembly mounted juxtaposed the glovebox;

a second airbag assembly mounted in the steering wheel;

an airbag control circuit operatively engaging the first and the second airbags;

an airbag deactivation circuit mounted within the glovebox, operatively engaging the airbag control circuit and including a switch having multiple positions whereby one or more of the airbag assemblies can be selectively deactivated; and

remote indicator assembly, spaced from and operatively engaging the airbag deactivation circuit, having means for indicating the switch positions where one or more airbag assemblies are deactivated.

11. The vehicle instrument panel of claim 10 wherein the means for indicating includes a first and a second LED, the first LED operatively engaging the airbag deactivation circuit to indicate a deactivation condition for the first airbag assembly and the second LED operatively engaging the deactivation circuit to indicate a deactivation condition for the second airbag assembly.