Automobile airbag deactivation system

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.