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Automotive Airbag

Airbag disposal system
Wireless Solution to meet Legislative Requirements

The brief
UK-based ART (Automotive Recycling Technologies) - specialists in the development of advanced depollution techniques and products for the professional recycling of motor vehicles that have reached end-of-life - approached MLE with a brief to re-engineer its system, originally designed in China, for local offshore production. The unit has to render vehicles safe for recycling and disposal by remotely sensing any undeployed airbags and exploding them from a safe distance. It needed to logairbags the disposal details for traceability and reduce the risks of environmental contamination from unused explosive material.

The challenge
In deciding to bring the project back to the UK, ART posed the challenge of getting four working prototypes to market within just eight weeks. Cost-reduction and ease/speed of manufacture were critical issues to be resolved.

The solution
The airbag disposal unit is configured as a front-end module attached magnetically to the car door, which connects to airbag electronics via a disposable cable. It's controlled by a remote hand-held controller that communicates with the front-end via a wireless link. To dispose of the airbags, the operator first inputs a four-digit PIN that identifies and authenticates the operator. Vehicle details are then input, also via the controller's waterproof membrane keypad. Next the unit is instructed to detect all the airbags present. There is capability for detecting up to 21 bags. Operators can then detonate each of them in turn, repeating the detection process as often as required, just to make sure. Once completed, all the results are stored for traceability, the external front-end module is removed and theAirbag disposal car is despatched for final disposal, taking its sacrificial cable and connectors with it.

Fast turnaround
Our solution is based on dependable proven electronic components; we have a wide experience with standard RF modules and PIC microprocessors, and were able to assemble much of the controller code from our extensive home-grown PIC library. As a result, development time was lowered dramatically.

Cost reduction
Simplified controller board design led to reduced cost as well as reduced complexity. We also sourced the keypad membrane to provide enhanced cost, longevity and outdoor environmental performance. Cost reduction of the sacrificial cable proved a significant factor in reducing the incentive to jeopardise safety by re-using the cable assemblies.

Outcomes
Our experience and technical creativity delivered an airbag disposal solution that is easier and cheaper to manufacture. Its adoption is helping to improve safety standards for the automotive disposal industry, and ultimately to reduce waste - improving the environment for all.

At present this product is considered to be the only safe, economical and auditable method of pyrotechnic deployment on the market.

 

 

 

 

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