Abstract: A number of variation may include a seat belt buckle assembly having a first shell and a second mating shell, the first shell having a first inner face and second shell having a second inner face, a seat belt latching assembly received inside of the first shell and second shell a hydrophobic coating over at least one of the first inner face, second inner face, or the seat belt latching assembly.

Abstract: A buckle presenter for moving a seat belt buckle with a vehicle seat of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat has a seat frame connected to a seat adjustment mechanism that moves the vehicle seat. The buckle presenter includes an anchor strap and a buckle strap. The anchor strap is anchored with respect to the vehicle seat such that it is substantially restricted from moving when the vehicle seat is being adjusted vertically. The buckle is attachable to the buckle strap, which is connectable to the vehicle seat such that it moves with the vehicle seat when it is being adjusted vertically. The buckle strap is configured to move along the anchor strap. When a load is applied to the seat belt buckle, the buckle strap and the anchor strap are configured to interlock such that the buckle strap is substantially restricted from moving vertically.

Abstract: A number of variation may include a seat belt buckle assembly having a first shell and a second mating shell, the first shell having a first inner face and second shell having a second inner face, a seat belt latching assembly received inside of the first shell and second shell a hydrophobic coating over at least one of the first inner face, second inner face, or the seat belt latching assembly.

Abstract: A method is presented of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle. The method includes defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of an airbag is suppressed above the first value. Next, one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat are determined. The airbag suppression threshold is set to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met. The factors include determining whether a locking feature in a set belt webbing retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing. Other factors may include determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range and whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range.

Abstract: A buckle presenter for moving a seat belt buckle with a vehicle seat of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat has a seat frame connected to a seat adjustment mechanism that moves the vehicle seat. The buckle presenter includes an anchor strap and a buckle strap. The anchor strap is anchored with respect to the vehicle seat such that it is substantially restricted from moving when the vehicle seat is being adjusted vertically. The buckle is attachable to the buckle strap, which is connectable to the vehicle seat such that it moves with the vehicle seat when it is being adjusted vertically. The buckle strap is configured to move along the anchor strap. When a load is applied to the seat belt buckle, the buckle strap and the anchor strap are configured to interlock such that the buckle strap is substantially restricted from moving vertically.

Abstract: A method is presented of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle. The method includes defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of an airbag is suppressed above the first value. Next, one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat are determined. The airbag suppression threshold is set to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met. The factors include determining whether a locking feature in a set belt webbing retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing. Other factors may include determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range and whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range.

Abstract: A seat belt guide includes a housing defining an interior region, and a guide member at least partially disposed within the interior region. The guide member defines a channel for receiving and guiding a webbing of a seat belt. The guide member is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, with the channel concealed when in the stowed position, and the channel exposed when in the deployed position. The guide member includes a base portion and a guide portion, with the guide portion rotatable relative to the base portion to allow for automatic withdrawal of the webbing from the channel when the seat is moved into a position that does not require the use of the seat belt guide.

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

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle includes a seat frame. The seat belt system also includes a lap belt having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a buckle and the second end is connected to an anchor. The seat belt system additionally includes a single retractor-pretensioner operatively connected to the seat frame and configured to simultaneously tension the first end and the second end. A vehicle having a seat with a frame that is operatively connected to the vehicle structure and employing the seat belt system is also provided.

Abstract: A seat belt guide includes a housing defining an interior region, and a guide member at least partially disposed within the interior region. The guide member defines a channel for receiving and guiding a webbing of a seat belt. The guide member is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, with the channel concealed when in the stowed position, and the channel exposed when in the deployed position. The guide member includes a base portion and a guide portion, with the guide portion rotatable relative to the base portion to allow for automatic withdrawal of the webbing from the channel when the seat is moved into a position that does not require the use of the seat belt guide.

Abstract: A safety belt webbing presenter including an active material actuator configured to selectively cause a webbing engaging mechanism to translate between deployed and stowed conditions, wherein the deployed condition, the mechanism engages a safety belt webbing causing it to translate to a more readily fastened position.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat of a vehicle, a safety belt, and a guide assembly. The seat includes a seat back and an attachment feature that is operatively connected to the seat back. The safety belt includes webbing that is configured to extend in a generally diagonal direction across the seat back. The guide assembly includes a clip, a cord, an attachment mechanism, and a breakaway mechanism. The clip is configured for operative attachment to the webbing of the safety belt. The cord operatively extends from the clip. The attachment mechanism is operatively connected to the cord. The attachment mechanism is configured for selective attachment to the attachment feature of the seat back. The breakaway mechanism operatively interconnects the cord and the clip and is configured to separate such that the cord pulls free from the clip upon the application of a force to the clip or the cord.

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 assembly includes a seat of a vehicle, a safety belt, and a guide assembly. The seat includes a seat back and an attachment feature that is operatively connected to the seat back. The safety belt includes webbing that is configured to extend in a generally diagonal direction across the seat back. The guide assembly includes a clip, a cord, an attachment mechanism, and a breakaway mechanism. The clip is configured for operative attachment to the webbing of the safety belt. The cord operatively extends from the clip. The attachment mechanism is operatively connected to the cord. The attachment mechanism is configured for selective attachment to the attachment feature of the seat back. The breakaway mechanism operatively interconnects the cord and the clip and is configured to separate such that the cord pulls free from the clip upon the application of a force to the clip or the cord.

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 safety belt webbing presenter including an active material actuator configured to selectively cause a webbing engaging mechanism to translate between deployed and stowed conditions, wherein the deployed condition, the mechanism engages a safety belt webbing causing it to translate to a more readily fastened position.

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

Abstract: A seat belt buckle (12) includes a latch mechanism (20) and a Hall effect assembly (26). The latch mechanism (20) releasably interlocks with a seat belt tongue (16). The Hall effect assembly (26) has a first output if the seat belt tongue (16) is not interlocked with the latch mechanism (20) and has a second, different output if the seat belt tongue (16) is interlocked with the latch mechanism (20). The output of the Hall effect assembly (26) thus indicates whether or not the seat belt tongue (16) is interlocked with the latch mechanism (20).

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (70) which is rotatable about a first axis (52). An idler gear (270) is disposed in an opening (254) in a drive disc (240) which is rotatable about the first axis (52). The idler gear (270) rotates, in response to rotation of the spool (70), about a second axis (256) which is spaced from the first axis (52). As the idler gear (270) rotates about the second axis (256), it also orbits about the first axis (52) and causes the drive disc (240) to rotate about the first axis. The drive disc (240) moves a cinch lever (200) into a cinching position to block rotation of the spool (70) in a belt withdrawal direction (76) after a first predetermined amount of webbing (16) is withdrawn from the spool (70) and then a second predetermined amount of webbing is rewound on the spool.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (18) includes a frame (110), a spool (112), and a locking pawl (126). The spool (112) has ratchet teeth (122) and is supported on the frame (110) for rotation in a seat belt winding direction and a seat belt unwinding direction. The pawl (126) is movable into a locking position in which it extends into the path of movement of the ratchet teeth (122) to block rotation of the spool (112) in the unwinding direction. The retractor (18) further includes an actuator assembly (150) for moving the pawl (126) into the locking position. The actuator assembly (150) includes a first actuator member (152), a second actuator member (154) and a spring (156). The first actuator member (152) is supported for movement into an actuated position against the bias of the spring (156). The second actuator member (154) is supported for movement with the first actuator member (152).