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 driving element as a pretensioner rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The pretensioner rod extends in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. In addition, the pretensioner rod forms a recessed portion or a recessed section to facilitate engaging with the sprocket during pretensioning.

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 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 driving element as a pretensioner rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The pretensioner rod extends in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. In addition, the pretensioner rod forms a recessed portion or a recessed section to facilitate engaging with the sprocket during pretensioning.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the polymer rod. In one example, a seal member is disposed between the gas generator and the stopper. In another example, the tube has an opening that is adjacent to an exit to facilitate venting gas from the gas generator.

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 seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod with a recessed portion. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the polymer rod. The tube includes a projection extending within the tube adjacent to the exit to define a constriction portion. The constriction portion is sized to permit the recessed portion of the polymer rod to pass therethrough while preventing the stopper from passing therethrough. The polymer rod has a retention feature for releasably engaging the projection.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod. A stopper is coupled to a proximal end portion of the polymer rod. A piston-safety valve member is disposed between the gas generator and the stopper and is configured to allow gas from the gas generator to pass therethrough when the gas is at or above a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the polymer rod. In one example, a seal member is disposed between the gas generator and the stopper. In another example, the tube has an opening that is adjacent to an exit to facilitate venting gas from the gas generator.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod with a recessed portion. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the polymer rod. The tube includes a projection extending within the tube adjacent to the exit to define a constriction portion. The constriction portion is sized to permit the recessed portion of the polymer rod to pass therethrough while preventing the stopper from passing therethrough. The polymer rod has a retention feature for releasably engaging the projection.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod. A stopper is coupled to a proximal end portion of the polymer rod. A piston-safety valve member is disposed between the gas generator and the stopper and is configured to allow gas from the gas generator to pass therethrough when the gas is at or above a predetermined pressure.