Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and allows the locking lever to rotate due to the position of its center of gravity relative to its pivot point allowing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle includes a frame assembly having a frame and an attachment bracket adapted to be interlocked to have an inner space for receiving the spindle, a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator. In addition, the housing is formed with at least two levels including an inboard portion and an outboard portion to store the pretensioner rod after pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator. In addition, the housing is formed with at least two levels including an inboard portion and an outboard portion to store the pretensioner rod after pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle includes a frame assembly having a frame and an attachment bracket adapted to be interlocked to have an inner space for receiving the spindle, a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, and a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube. Further, the pretensioner rod has a proximal end disposed towards the gas generator and a distal end disposed away from the gas generator.

Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and allows the locking lever to rotate due to the position of its center of gravity relative to its pivot point allowing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube including a body portion and an exit portion, and having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube, and a stopper disposed between the gas generator and the pretensioner rod. Further, the exit portion of the tube is formed to neck down such that the exit portion is configured to prevent the stopper from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a pretensioner wheel rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a pretensioner rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The pretensioner rod engages with the pretensioner wheel during pretensioning. In addition, the pretensioner wheel includes a body portion, a pair of flanges radially extending from the body portion and a plurality of vanes with the cavities formed between adjacent two of the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly having a seat belt retractor with a spool rotatable with respect to a retractor frame, the spool storing a seat belt webbing wrapped thereon. The retractor also includes a primary locking mechanism for selectively locking the spool with respect to the retractor frame to provide vehicle occupant restraint. The retractor further includes an auxiliary locking mechanism for selectively locking the spool with respect to the retractor frame upon a predetermined restraint load acting on the spool.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the guide plate further includes a couple of tabs and ribs for avoiding rattling of the pretensioner tube in normal use of the retractor assembly.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a polymer rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The polymer rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the rod guide is configured for preventing the polymer rod from trapping before engaging with the sprocket or after pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a pretensioner wheel rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a pretensioner rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The pretensioner rod engages with the pretensioner wheel during pretensioning. In addition, the pretensioner wheel includes a body portion, a pair of flanges radially extending from the body portion and a plurality of vanes with the cavities formed between adjacent two of the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly having a seat belt retractor with a spool rotatable with respect to a retractor frame, the spool storing a seat belt webbing wrapped thereon. The retractor also includes a primary locking mechanism for selectively locking the spool with respect to the retractor frame to provide vehicle occupant restraint. The retractor further includes an auxiliary locking mechanism for selectively locking the spool with respect to the retractor frame upon a predetermined restraint load acting on the spool.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a polymer rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The polymer rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the rod guide is configured for preventing the polymer rod from trapping before engaging with the sprocket or after pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the guide plate further includes a couple of tabs and ribs for avoiding rattling of the pretensioner tube in normal use of the retractor assembly.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a one-piece tread head pinion including a ring portion having a plurality of teeth and a pair of flanges on each side of the teeth. The tread head pinion is formed as a single piece and includes a shaft extending from a side and a bearing portion extending from a second side. A bending element mounting portion extends from the bearing portion. The one-piece tread head pinion is attached to a spindle via a torsion bar, and the spindle bears against the bearing portion when the spindle rotates relative to the tread head pinion. The one-piece tread head pinion may include a staking cavity extending into the bearing portion with a staking wall that is deformable toward a digressive bending element inserted into the staking cavity.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for use with a seat belt webbing includes a spindle, a tread head part, a torsion bar, a stop nut and an energy management element. The spindle is configured for winding the seat belt webbing around the spindle. The tread head part is configured for having a locked condition or a free condition. The torsion bar is engaged with the spindle and the tread head part and configured to deflect torsionally by allowing relative rotation between the spindle and the tread head part when the tread head part is in the locked condition. The stop nut is operatively coupled with the tread head part and the spindle and configured to move in axial direction. Furthermore, the energy management element placed between the stop nut and the tread head part is configured to be deformed by the axial movement of the stop nut.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for use with a seat belt webbing includes a spindle, a tread head part, a torsion bar, a stop nut and an energy management element. The spindle is configured for winding the seat belt webbing around the spindle. The tread head part is configured for having a locked condition or a free condition. The torsion bar is engaged with the spindle and the tread head part and configured to deflect torsionally by allowing relative rotation between the spindle and the tread head part when the tread head part is in the locked condition. The stop nut is operatively coupled with the tread head part and the spindle and configured to move in axial direction. Furthermore, the energy management element placed between the stop nut and the tread head part is configured to be deformed by the axial movement of the stop nut.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle device includes a housing, a frame, a latching arrangement and a release button. The frame includes a bottom wall and first and second laterally spaced walls. The latching arrangement selectively retains a latch plate within the housing. The release button is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A proximal end, a distal end and first and second laterally spaced apart legs of the release button cooperate to define an opening into which a projecting portion distally from the proximal end. At least one shield member laterally extends from the projection portion toward the first and second laterally spaced apart legs. Each shield member includes an outboard side spaced from an adjacent leg of the first and second legs by a gap. Each gap slidingly receives one of the first and second laterally spaced walls of the frame.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a one-piece tread head pinion including a ring portion having a plurality of teeth and a pair of flanges on each side of the teeth. The tread head pinion is formed as a single piece and includes a shaft extending from a side and a bearing portion extending from a second side. A bending element mounting portion extends from the bearing portion. The one-piece tread head pinion is attached to a spindle via a torsion bar, and the spindle bears against the bearing portion when the spindle rotates relative to the tread head pinion. The one-piece tread head pinion may include a staking cavity extending into the bearing portion with a staking wall that is deformable toward a digressive bending element inserted into the staking cavity.