Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool and a measurement mechanism for determining a measure of the amount of seat belt webbing unwound from the spool. The measurement mechanism includes cycloidal gear transmission. A sensor is provided for detecting movement of a magnet mounted on a sensing gear and a controller may be provided for determining a measure indicating the amount of rotation of the spool and the amount of webbing withdrawal based on the movement of the magnet.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool and a measurement mechanism for determining a measure of the amount of seat belt webbing unwound from the spool. The measurement mechanism includes cycloidal gear transmission. A sensor is provided for detecting movement of a magnet mounted on a sensing gear and a controller may be provided for determining a measure indicating the amount of rotation of the spool and the amount of webbing withdrawal based on the movement of the magnet.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising a rotating member, a moveable actuator configured to selectively interact with the rotating member in order to prohibit rotation of the rotating member in a seat belt withdrawing direction, an inertia sensing element, a guide member having a guide surface configured to guide the movement of the sensing element, and an electromagnetic element coupled to the guide member on an opposing side of the guide surface. The seat belt is configured to wind and unwind around the rotating member. When subject to a force due to acceleration, the sensing element is configured to move along the guide surface, where the electromagnetic element is configured to impart an electromagnetic force on the sensing element to retard the movement of the sensing element when the force due to acceleration is below a threshold.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising a rotating member, a moveable actuator configured to selectively interact with the rotating member in order to prohibit rotation of the rotating member in a seat belt withdrawing direction, an inertia sensing element, a guide member having a guide surface configured to guide the movement of the sensing element, and an electromagnetic element coupled to the guide member on an opposing side of the guide surface. The seat belt is configured to wind and unwind around the rotating member. When subject to a force due to acceleration, the sensing element is configured to move along the guide surface, where the electromagnetic element is configured to impart an electromagnetic force on the sensing element to retard the movement of the sensing element when the force due to acceleration is below a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system provides the seat occupant with options for three-point, four-point and five-point seat belt configurations. In one embodiment, the restraint system includes two three-point seat belt systems arranged as mirror images and a two position buckle located along the center line of the seat cushion.