Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a low tension mode in which seat belt webbing engages an occupant of a vehicle with a reduced force. A frame supports a spool on which belt webbing is wound for rotation in belt withdrawal and belt retraction directions. A sun gear is rotatable with the spool. A planet carrier rotatable relative to the sun gear rotatably supports a planet gear in meshing engagement with the sun gear. A ring gear rotatable relative to the spool and to the planet carrier has internal teeth in meshing engagement with the planet gear and external ratchet teeth. A spring connected between the planet carrier and the frame biases the spool in the belt retraction direction. A pawl is engageable with the external ratchet teeth on the ring gear to block rotation of the ring gear in a belt retraction direction to place the retractor in the low tension mode.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor having a comfort mechanism, a spindle having belt webbing wound thereon is supported for rotation in belt retraction and belt withdrawal directions. A wind-up spring biases the spindle to rotate in the belt retraction direction. A rotatable member is rotatable relative to the spindle. Actuating means has a first condition in which the rotatable member is free to rotate and a second condition in which rotation of the rotatable member is blocked. An auxiliary wind-up spring has one end connected to the rotatable member and another end connected to the spindle.