Abstract: A retractor includes a pretensioner whereby increased control and variation over the load limitation characteristics of the retractor are provided. The seat belt and spool are linked to a locking mechanism through a first force limiting element, while the pretensioner is linked to the seat belt and spool through a second force limiting element. A selectively actuatable clutch is provided to operatively link the pretensioner to the spool via the second force limiting element.

Abstract: A seat belt system for motor vehicle applications incorporating a dual retractor restraint system with a portion of the seat belt webbing having a locally thick segment such as an inflatable seat belt portion. The dual retractors include electrically controlled actuating clutching mechanisms which operate to maintain the inflatable belt portion in a desired position relative to the upper torso of the seat occupant without requiring the inflatable belt portion to pass through the system D-ring or latch tongue or a high mounted retractor. When the occupant is donning the belt, the shoulder retractor is locked and the webbing is extracted from the lap retractor. Once the tongue is latched into the latch plate, the lap retractor is locked and movement of the occupant is permitted by allowing extraction of webbing from the shoulder retractor.

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 safety belt arrangement is provided that has a belt retractor that includes a force-limiting device. When triggered in a collision, the belt retractor is associated with limited belt release therefrom. Associated with the belt retractor is a tensioning device that is actuated subsequent to the primary collision and that eliminates slack in a belt that occurs when the force-limiting device is triggered during the primary collision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor (10) with a switchable force limiter. Said belt retractor (10) comprises as the force limiter at least one energy absorbing element (13; 14, 15; 61) that is linked with the reel shaft (12) and with the locking device of the belt retractor (10) via a profiled bead (50). The belt retractor is further provided with a switch device with which the energy absorption is adjusted. The aim of the invention is to provide a switch device that functions independent of the transmission of power between the reel shaft and the torsion bar. Said switch device (latch 21) is designed in such a manner that it can be switched at any time during the already existing energy absorption via the drive (26) that is independent of the reel shaft (12) and/or the switch device.

Abstract: A self-locking belt roller is provided and includes a belt winding shaft rotatably mountable in a housing, a profiled head, and a torsion rod which becomes operational to resist further extraction of a belt from the belt roller so as to effect thereby a first force limiting operation of the belt roller. The belt roller also includes a resistance facilitating element on the belt winding shaft or the profiled head and a deformation element for increasing the resistance force of the belt roller to further extraction of the belt either at the time before the actuation of the torsion rod to resist further belt unwinding or at the time during which the torsion rod resists further belt extraction. The deformation element is engaged by the resistance facilitating element during further rotation of the belt roller in a manner to increase the resistance of the belt roller to further extraction of the belt.

Abstract: A self-locking belt roller is provided and includes a belt winding shaft rotatably mountable in a housing, a profiled head, and a torsion rod which becomes operational to resist further retraction of a belt from the belt roller so as to effect thereby a first force limiting operation of the belt roller. The belt roller also includes a resistance facilitating element on the belt winding shaft or the profiled head and a deformation element for increasing the resistance force of the belt roller to further retraction of the belt either at the time before the actuation of the torsion rod to resist further belt unwinding or at the time during which the torsion rod resists further belt retraction. The deformation element is engaged by the resistance facilitating element during further rotation of the belt roller in a manner to increase the resistance of the belt roller to further retraction of the belt.

Abstract: A self-locking belt roller has a housing and a belt winding shaft rotatably mounted in housing. A torsion rod has a first end connected in the belt winding shaft. A profile head is connected to a second end of the torsion rod. A blocking member, that is vehicle-sensitive and/or belt-sensitive, is mounted on the profile head and moveable into a locking position at the housing in which rotation of the belt winding shaft is blocked. An energy-dissipating structure is positioned within a force transmission path, including the profile head, the torsion rod, and the belt winding shaft, for increasing a restraining force before the torsion rod becomes effective or simultaneously to the torsion rod becoming effective and for obtaining a degressive force characteristic curve.

Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor has a belt reeling shaft having a belt connected thereto. A locking device, activatable in a vehicle sensitive and/or belt-sensitive manner for preventing belt removal from the belt reeling shaft is provided. The locking device has a locking member and a profiled head connected to the belt reeling shaft. The belt reeling shaft is locked when the locking member engages the profiled head. At least two force-limiting elements are arranged in parallel or in series to one another, wherein one of the force-limiting elements is a torsion bar allowing a limited belt removal when the locking device locks the belt reeling shaft. A switching device for selectively engaging at least one of the force-limiting elements is provided to thereby connect the belt reeling shaft and the profiled head.

Abstract: A self-locking belt roller has a housing and a belt winding shaft rotatably mounted in housing. A torsion rod has a first end connected in the belt winding shaft. A profile head is connected to a second end of the torsion rod. A blocking member, that is vehicle-sensitive and/or belt-sensitive, is mounted on the profile head and moveable into a locking position at the housing in which rotation of the belt winding shaft is blocked. An energy-dissipating structure is positioned within a force transmission path, including the profile head, the torsion rod, and the belt winding shaft, for increasing a restraining force before the torsion rod becomes effective and for obtaining a degressive force characteristic curve.