Abstract: A system is provided for utilizing belt movement information in a motorized seat belt (MSB) control system algorithm to achieve better levels of comfort and safety. The MSB control system algorithm controls execution of multiple modes including a no friction mode, a stowage mode, a slack reduction mode, an out of position warning mode, a medium pull-back mode, and a high pull-back mode. The MSB control system algorithm also controls execution of a low power mode initiated after the other vehicle modules are put to sleep to provide the ability to stow the seat belt after the vehicle has been turned off for some period of time. The MSB control system algorithm also controls belt monitoring functions defined based on a buckle switch state that indicates the buckled or unbuckled state of the seat belt. Belt monitoring consists of belt movement being converted to counts based on a resolution provided by a belt movement sensor.

Abstract: A three-point automatic belt has an offering arm, which is rotatably mounted by means of a drive, for a seat in a vehicle. A rotatably mounted offering arm is designed as a belt strap part, which is stiffened in one plane, of a belt strap, and can be deflected by means of an electromotive drive. The deflectable, stiffened belt strap part can be deflected into a forward end position, in which the belt strap is offered to a vehicle occupant, into an intermediate or boarding position and into a rearward end position in which access to a storage compartment and/or a rear space and/or a rear seat is enabled.

Abstract: A safety restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is provided. The safety restraint system includes a cylinder defining an elongate channel therein. A piston is disposed inside the channel, and selectively translates from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A linking member operatively connects the safety belt webbing to the piston such that translation of the piston increases the tension of the belt webbing. The safety restraint system also includes an inflatable cushion operatively attached to the cylinder, and configured to selectively transition from a non-expanded state to an expanded state. An inflation device operable to release inflation fluid is in fluid communication with both the inflatable cushion and the cylinder. Activation of the inflation device operates to transition the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state, and translate the piston from the undeployed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise: an electric motor; a spool that is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint in association with the driving of the electric motor; and a controller for controlling the electric motor. A starting condition can be defined by the state of the seat belt relative to a vehicle occupant and the state of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt and, in cases where a starting condition is satisfied, the controller can be configured to control the electric motor to rotate in the belt winding direction such that the motor output of the electric motor is varied according to a satisfaction pattern of the starting condition.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of a plurality of side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and rotating to wind a seat belt, a motor for rotating the spool, and an electronic control unit for controlling the drive to the motor. The electronic control unit is attached to a surface of the frame in a direction of a vehicle interior.

Abstract: A seat belt tensioner includes a guide, which has a pair of opposing plates connected by a connector, a wire, a first end of which extends upward to be connected to a seat belt, a central portion of which is curved to extend around the connector, and a retracting mechanism, which is connected to the second end of the wire and is operated by an external signal in an emergency. Here, the connector is integrally formed with at least one of the plates. Thus, the seat belt tensioner enables structural simplification, easy assembly, and a reduction in the number of parts.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized retractor includes a spool onto which a webbing belt for restraining an occupant is wound, a motor operated according to a predetermined signal, and a clutch mechanism enabling transmission of power from the motor to the spool. When cancelling power transmission of the clutch mechanism by the operation of the motor, the rotating speed or the driving time period of the motor is varied according to the load on the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting whether a seat belt is worn is disclosed. The system includes a contact type sensor and a non-contact type sensor installed in a seat belt buckle. A Body Control Module (BCM) receives a signal from the contact type sensor and transmitting the signal to a cluster. An airbag control unit receives a signal from the non-contact type sensor. The seat belt control unit determines whether a seat belt is worn using a signal received from the cluster when an ignition key is off, and determines whether the seat belt is worn using a signal received from the airbag control unit when the ignition key is on.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool, and an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor. The electronic control unit is mounted between the side walls of the frame and the back plate is disposed in an inner space of a vehicle body member and faces a vehicle interior direction.

Abstract: A restraint assembly of a type including a seat belt assembly and a side impact air bag assembly. The seat belt assembly and side impact assembly are preferably mounted to a motor vehicle seat. The seat belt assembly includes one or two retractors, preferably each having roto pretensioners. A single gas source is used to actuate retractor pretensioning functions, as well as providing a gas source for initiating the production of inflation gas for the side impact air bag assembly. Preferably, these elements are all mounted to a motor vehicle seat.

Abstract: A belt brake is described for a safety belt for protecting occupants in a vehicle, which belt can be wound onto and unwound from a belt drum mounted rotationally about a belt shaft. A method for locking a safety belt is also described. The invention comprises at least one displaceable braking element for displacement along the belt shaft which is rotationally fixed to the belt shaft and is located between a first and a second thrust bearing. A first thrust bearing is forcibly guided along the belt shaft, thereby enabling the first thrust bearing to be transferred from a first position, in which the safety belt is wound on the belt drum with an axial distance a1 between the at least one braking element and the first thrust bearing, and to a second position, in which the safety belt is at least partially unwound from the belt drum with an axial distance a2 between the at least one braking element and the at least one thrust bearing where a2<11.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically supporting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat when lateral dynamic forces are acting includes a restraint system for securing an upper body of the vehicle occupant in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle as a function of the lateral dynamics.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including an integral electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is detachably installed between lower edges of respective both side walls of a frame. Further, a motor is detachably fixed to a lower surface of a case of the ECU. Since the ECU is disposed between the frame and the motor, the ECU can be protected from an external force by means of the frame and the motor.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor integrated with an electronic control unit. A motor is disposed above both side walls of a frame and on the same side as a spool with respect to a back board. The motor is detachably fixed to at least one of the back board and the both side walls and of the frame. The ECU is detachably mounted to an upper stay extending upward from the back board of the frame and to be mounted to the vehicle body. In this manner, the motor and the ECU are integrated with a seatbelt retractor. Since the ECU is mounted to the upper stay, the weight of the ECU is dispersed not only to the main body of the seatbelt retractor but also to the upper stay. Thus, the vibration of the seatbelt retractor may be reduced.

Abstract: In a tongue storage device according to the present invention, a pickup portion (4c) is picked up and an anchor tongue (5) is then rotated, which causes the anchor tongue (5) to abut on an occupant restraint tongue (6). The tongue (6) is then rotated together with the tongue (5) clockwise with a pivot rib (12f) as a pivot. The rotation of the two tongues (5), (6) is stopped when the tongue (6) abuts on a tongue support portion (12h). Under this condition, a lock tab (5a) of the tongue (5) is inserted through a tongue insertion hole (12g) and locked in tongue lock-and-hold means (13), thereby storing the tongue (5). At this time, the other tongue (6) is stored by being clamped between a seat belt (4) and the pivot rib (12f), and between the tongue (5) and the tongue support portion (12h). A single action for storing the tongue (5) allows both tongues (5), (6) to be stored.

Abstract: To protect a wire without increasing the manufacturing cost. A pretensioner 10 comprises a housing 12 through which the wire 11 is passed and a cylinder 14 supported to the housing 12. One end of the wire 11 is connected to a seat belt buckle, and the other end of the wire 11 is connected to a piston 15 slidably received in the cylinder 14. A gas generator 23 for generating a high-pressure gas for moving the piston 15 in the direction of retracting the wire 11 is provided on the housing 12. Furthermore, a seal member 30 for sealing a clearance between the wire 11 and the inner wall of the housing 12 is provided in the housing 12. An agent for improving heat resistance is applied onto an agent applied portion 11A of the wire 11 positioned within a gas passage 24.

Abstract: A personal restraint system for a seat in a motor vehicle including a three-point belt system and a two-point belt system. The three-point belt system including a first belt retractor, and a first belt web having a first belt latch plate, and a first belt buckle. The two-point belt system including a second belt retractor, and a second belt web having a second belt latch plate, and a second belt buckle. The second belt retractor including a blocking device which engages a spool of the second belt retractor when both belt webs are wound up on their respective retractors to prevent engagement of the two-point belt system if the three-point belt system is not engaged.

Abstract: A locking mechanism of an inertia reel assembly of a vehicular seatbelt restraint system is selectively disabled based on a latch status of a seatbelt buckle of the seatbelt restraint system. In one embodiment, a sensor at a latch assembly determines whether the seatbelt buckle is engaged with the latch assembly and provides an output signal based on this determination. A controller receives the output signal and selectively drives an actuator based on the output signal so as to enable or disable the locking mechanism of the inertia reel assembly. By disabling the locking mechanism of the inertia reel assembly when the seatbelt buckle is detected as unlatched, an occupant is able to quickly latch the seatbelt buckle even in the event of an inertial event that otherwise would have prevented any further extension of the seatbelt.

Abstract: A belt anchor comprises an anchor portion which changes the extending direction of a belt body toward a vehicle front, a bolt which supports the anchor portion, and a nut which fastens the bolt. The belt anchor is fixed to a lift gate inner and a second reinforcement at a position which is located near a pivotal axis of a hinge. Accordingly, a seatbelt device of a vehicle which can ensure both the properly-large slant angle of the belt body and the support strength of the belt anchor, keeping appropriate flexibility of the vehicle layout, can be provided.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a inhibiting section for inhibiting a belt-reel driving motor from being driven when it determines, on the basis of an output signal from a rotational position detecting unit associated with a belt reel, that variation in the rotational position of the belt reel, which is less than or equal to a predetermined value, has occurred, on condition that a door opened/closed state detecting units detects that a vehicle door has shifted from a closed state to an opened state.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a detecting unit and a controller which controls a motor to rotate in a winding direction of a webbing when the detecting unit detects that an adjust-through which adjusts a position of a D-ring through which the webbing is inserted is moved down.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle presenter adapted for use with a translatable buckle includes an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the buckle, and configured to cause the buckle to translate between deployed and stowed positions as a result of the change.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor, which is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint by mechanism of an electric motor, removes slack of the seat belt and controls the restraining feeling on a vehicle occupant to be as little as possible. A seat belt retractor of a seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is adapted to control a motor to perform an action of increasing seat belt tension to wind up a seat belt which is excessively unwound from the spool when a vehicle occupant wears the seat belt and to be driven according to such a setting that, at the initial stage of the action of increasing the seat belt tension, the tension increasing rate until the seat belt tension reaches a target tension is lower than a predetermined rate.

Abstract: An enhanced head-and-neck restraint system is provided for use with a vehicle having a passenger compartment with a seat assembly and a safety belt assembly mounted therein. The restraint system includes first and second collar straps each having an inflatable cushion integrated thereto. A first end of each collar strap is attached to a headrest portion of the seat assembly to transition between a retracted position, in which the collar straps are substantially inside the headrest portion, and a use position, in which each collar strap attaches to a belt webbing of the safety belt system. A fluid dispensing apparatus is in fluid communication with the inflatable cushions, and operable to selectively transition the inflatable cushions from a non-expanded state to an expanded state when the collar straps are in the use position.

Abstract: The disclosed woven belt may include first filament yarn bundles extending in a substantially longitudinal direction of a webbing and second filament yarn bundles extending in a substantially transverse direction of the webbing. At least one of the first filament yarn bundles and the second filament yarn bundles may comprise filament yarn bundles containing middle-shrinking synthetic filament yarns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat belt retractor including a pretensioner especially for use in motor vehicles. The seat belt retractor includes a spool belt which supports belt webbing of the seat belt and rotates in the take-up direction of the safety belt when the pretensioning drive coupled to the belt spool is activated. The belt spool is associated with a drivewheel with recesses on the periphery thereof for accepting mass bodies acting as drive means for pretensioning the seat belt. The mass bodies are stored in a tube, which tangentially flows into the drivewheel, and the mass bodies are accelerated in the tube by means of a gas generator arranged at one end of the tube.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (6) according to the present invention, when mounted on a vehicle body, has an ECU (16) laid out in such a manner that an ECU connector (16c) faces a vehicle side connector (18) mounted to a predetermined position of the vehicle body. Such a vehicle side connector (18) is connected to a power supply (17). Such a layout of the ECU (16) allows the ECU connector (16c) to be directly electrically connected to the vehicle side connector (18).

Abstract: When the worn state of the webbing is lifted, current of a current value I0 corresponding to the appropriate storing speed of the webbing is supplied to the motor, whereby a take-up shaft rotates and the webbing is taken up. At a point in time when the webbing has been taken up to the extent that the webbing does not hinder the exiting of a vehicle by a passenger, the size of the supply current to the motor is reduced from the initial current value I1 to a current value I1. A reference current value IL of a stall current for determining whether to stop the motor when a foreign object or the like has become entangled between the webbing and an in-vehicle part can also be set to be small in correspondence to the reduced current value I1.

Abstract: An improved seatbelt clip is defined by a retractable tether anchored at the buckle intersection of a seatbelt. The retractable tether is connected at its end to a clipping device that accommodates a folded section of seatbelt. A user folds the shoulder strap of a seatbelt in half longitudinally and inserts the folded strap into the clip which holds it in a position to fit between the breasts of a user. In the event of an accident, the tether causes the clip to dislodge and pulls the clip down and away from the wearer.

Abstract: A seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that a motor for rotating a spool of a seat belt retractor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a first tension on a seat belt before a vehicle collision and the motor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a second tension on the seat belt during the vehicle collision.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a passenger protection device that includes, a brake pedal sensor configured to detect the amount by which a brake pedal of a vehicle is operated, a webbing, one end of the webbing fixed to the vehicle, configured to restrain a passenger seated on a seat of the vehicle, a retractor connected to the other end of the webbing, the rector configured to retract the webbing and inhibit of the webbing extraction, and an ECU electrically coupled to the brake pedal sensor, the ECU configured to detect that the brake pedal operation amount detected by the pedal sensor exceeds a first threshold value, the ECU configured to revise the threshold value based on safety related information of the vehicle to control the inhibition of the webbing extraction of the retractor.

Abstract: Each ECU in a system configuration based on a motorized seatbelt retractor having an ECU combined with a motor shortens the harness length along which many currents flow as much as possible. A main ECU and a subsidiary ECU each have functions corresponding to those are provided to a control unit for controlling a motor for a motorized seatbelt retractor. The main ECU determines output start conditions and transmits commands, and the subsidiary ECU autonomously performs detailed motor current control and the like.

Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle includes a belt reel for winding a belt for restraining a target object, a motor for driving the rotation of the reel, and a control unit. The control unit determines whether the target object to be restrained is a child seat or a vehicle occupant on the basis of a winding position of the belt while no electricity is being supplied to the motor and the winding position of the belt when electricity is being supplied to the motor.

Abstract: An assembly having a retractor and a pretensioner whereby the pretensioner can be employed to provide load limitation features. The pretensioner may also be used without the load limitation features. The pretensioner has a drive mechanism including a plurality of pretensioner balls sized to engage a pinion, the pinion operatively connected to the seat belt through a force limiting element. The pretensioner defines a guide surface structured to guide the pretensioner balls along a ball path along the pinion. The guide surface includes features to engage a pretensioner ball and block the pinion.

Abstract: A safety belt roll-up mechanism is provided, and includes a force limitation device that operates in a multi-stage manner and has a two-stage torque rod and a pyrotechnically operating switching device that couples the torque rod, in various clamping lengths, with a belt shaft. The extent of the belt strap unwound from the belt shaft is utilized for actuation of the force limitation device. A ratchet wheel is connected to the belt shaft via a reduction gear mechanism. A portion of the periphery of the ratchet wheel has a toothing for engaging the reduction gear mechanism. A further portion of the periphery of the ratchet wheel has a switching contour that rests against a contact pin of an electric switch. The switching contour has a profile that effects the connection or disconnection of the switching device for the torque rod.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraint system is disclosed. The restraint system has a pair of vertically extending shoulder strap portions, horizontally extending positioning strap portions attached to the shoulder strap portions, and horizontally extending lower strap portions spaced vertically below the positioning strap portions. The shoulder strap portions may be contiguous with one another, so as to form one continuously linked shoulder strap portion. The shoulder strap portions and positioning strap portions may be connected to retractors. The restraint system is particularly suitable for use in emergency vehicles such as ambulances, and may be used in forward-facing, rearward-facing or side-facing seating.

Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus (15) includes a seatbelt (14) for restraining an occupant (10) in a seat (13) of a vehicle, an actuator (29) for tightening the seatbelt (14) at various levels of tension and for loosening the seatbelt (14), plural collision prediction devices (38, 39) for predicting occurrence of a collision, and a control device (35) for controlling the actuator (29) so as to exert one of the various levels of tension on the seatbelt (14) depending on the prediction results by the collision prediction devices (38, 39).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt winding device for winding up a seat belt by actuation of a motor and a control unit. The control unit, under a predetermined condition, repeats a process of stopping the actuation of the motor when an overload of the motor is detected and restarting the actuation of the motor after a lapse of a predetermined time period. The control unit includes a timer for clocking the time period from the start to the stop of the actuation of the motor, a counter for counting up the number of times of starting the actuation of the motor, and a determination module that based on the result of the timer and the counter determines whether or not actuation of the motor, which is stopped by the detection of an overload, is to be restarted.

Abstract: In a lock device of a sliding mechanism, a pair of locking claws provided on a moving member are brought into resilient engagement with locking grooves of a locking groove group, whereby downward sliding of the moving member is permitted but upward sliding thereof is locked. The distance between the locking claws is longer than distance between the locking grooves, so that the moving member becomes locked against upward sliding at an interval smaller than the distance between the locking grooves. Thus, the moving member adapted to slide in one (downward) direction along a guide rail can be reliably locked against movement in the opposite (upward) direction at a very small interval.

Abstract: Seatbelt apparatus includes a control device connected with a vehicle-mounted battery for controlling an operational state of a seatbelt on the basis of an opened/closed state of a buckle switch and electric power supplied by the battery. The control device has a first operation mode for operating with low-level electric power, and a second operation mode for operating with higher-level electric power. In the second operation mode, the control device is kept in a state capable of detecting the opened/closed state of the buckle switch. The apparatus also includes a storage section for storing a current state value of the buckle switch when the control device shifts from the second operation mode to the first operation mode.

Abstract: A torsion bar, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an elongated bar has a first end, a second end, and a mid-section between the first and second ends. The first end of the elongated bar has a material void. The first end preferably has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the mid-section. In one design, the material void is a slot extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending longitudinally. In another design, the material void is a bore extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of slots extending longitudinally and extending from the bore through an exterior surface of the elongated bar to leave a plurality of fingers at the first end. In these designs and other, the torsion bar and the material void may be cold forged, thereby eliminating a second forming step.

Abstract: [Problems] To allow an occupant to easily wear a seat belt without twisting his or her body when the occupant sits in a seat. [Means for Solving the Problems] When a door sensor 60 detects the opening of a door, a motor is driven to wind up a seat belt 2 so as to move a belt guide 4 against biasing force of a spring 9, thereby evacuating the seat belt 2 to a rear side of a vehicle relative to a seat back 1a. When the door sensor 60 detects the closing of the door and a seat sensor 61 detects the sitting of the occupant, the motor is driven in the reverse direction to make a clutch mechanism 34 in the disconnected state so as to protrude the seat belt 2 in the forward direction of the vehicle by the biasing force of the spring 9.

Abstract: The seatbelt device includes: a current wound position detection unit; a driving state detection unit that detects a driving state of the vehicle to transmit a driving state detection signal; a driving state change determination unit that determines a driving state change status based on the driving state detection signal from the driving state detection unit to transmit a driving state change signal; a target wound position setting unit that sets a target wound position of the belt reel based on the current wound position detection signal and the driving state change signal; and a motor control unit that controls a current to be supplied to the motor so as to maintain a state in which the current wound position of the belt reel is equal to the target wound position in accordance with the driving state change signal.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus includes: a retracting device that retracts one end side of a webbing for restraining an occupant so that the webbing can be withdrawn; a webbing holding portion that holds the other end side of the webbing; and a fixing member to which the retracting device and the webbing holding portion are attached.

Abstract: A seat belt device is provided where a pretensioner moves a ball train to the distal end side of a ball guide pipe by means of gas discharged from a gas generating device, and the movement rotates the spool for winding the seat belt in a belt winding direction so as to eliminate slack of the seat belt, while imparting necessary tension to the seat belt by loading rotational resistance on the spool in a belt withdrawing direction with gas pressure exerted on the ball train. The ball stopper stops movement of the ball train before all the balls in the ball train are ejected from the ball guide pipe in a state where the ball train functions to rotate the spool in the belt winding direction.

Abstract: A kinetic-energy absorbing member absorbs the kinetic energy of a pull-in member such as a buckle or a lap anchor when reaching a bottom position. The kinetic-energy absorbing member, which includes a thin-walled tubular member that may be made of metal such as iron or aluminum, is arranged between a bracket and buckle. As the pretensioner is actuated, the buckle is pulled by a wire, thereby depressing the kinetic-energy absorbing member against the bracket so that the kinetic-energy absorbing member collapses and the kinetic energy of the buckle is absorbed when reaching the bottom position.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a seatbelt system is provided having a seat belt with a latch slidably disposed thereupon and operable to connect with a buckle to fasten the belt, having a pillar extending within the vehicle and covered by a garnish and having a protrusion extending from the garnish configured to support at least a portion of the latch when the belt is retracted and unfastened such that the latch is restrained from rattling during vehicle travel.

Abstract: A device is provided in a vehicle for monitoring the environment around the vehicle. The device includes a sensor system such that objects in a detection range of the sensor system are selected as a function of predetermined parameters so that only the selected objects are tracked by the sensor system. This permits adaptive use of reversible restraint means based on the sensor system output.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tension in a seat belt.

Abstract: A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic portion (97) of vehicle occupant (98) and directly prevents outward lateral displacement of the side pelvic portion (97) during a side collision event.