Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is operably coupled to a belt dereeling retarder mechanism which utilizes a magnetorheological fluid and a coil for imposing a magnetic field on the fluid to selectively change the fluid properties and a braking or retarding effect imposed on the belt retractor during dereeling or payout of the belt. The retarder may include a piston coupled to a rotatable shaft coupled to the belt retractor reel and displacing fluid through the magnetic field in response to actuation of the belt. Alternate embodiments include a multiple disc brake coupled to the retractor reel through a gear drive speed increaser or a cylindrical housing and core member defining an annular space occupied by the magnetorheological fluid and connected to the belt retractor reel through a speed increasing gear drive.

Abstract: An occupant crush protection system for a vehicle includes an occupant protection device, such as a seatbelt retraction device, powered by a vehicle battery, a device control unit for controlling the occupant protection device, a relay circuit, a sensor for sensing high possibility of collision and a relay control circuit for bringing the relay to a power supply state only when the sensor senses high possibility of collision.

Abstract: A safety belt apparatus for motor vehicles. The apparatus includes a safety belt and a belt tensioner which can be mounted to the vehicle in the region of a free belt section and which cooperates with the safety belt in the region of the free belt section to alter the effective length of the safety belt.

Abstract: A reinforced fastener assembly (18) for securing a vehicle seat (14, 16) to a vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) is provided. The reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a mounting bracket (34) having a collar portion (36) for coupling to the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) and distributing a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20). This mounting bracket (34) further includes an attachment portion (50) that has a vehicle seat fastener (52) extending therefrom. Finally, the reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a tubular reinforcement member (78) that is coupled to and extends substantially across the collar portion (36) of the mounting bracket (34). This tubular reinforcement member (78) is intended to reinforce the collar portion (36) thereby allowing the collar portion (36) to distribute a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20).

Abstract: A seat belt control device is provided which comprises a drive motor connected to a seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt, a controller for controlling the drive motor, a wearing state sensor for detecting a wearing state of the seat belt, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, and a deceleration sensor for detecting deceleration of a vehicle. The controller shorts electrodes of the drive motor when the seat belt is worn, the vehicle speed is higher than a first predetermined vehicle speed value, and an absolute value of the deceleration of the vehicle is lower than an absolute value of a first predetermined deceleration value. A seat belt control method is also provided.

Abstract: A U-shaped frame for a seat belt retractor has two spaced arms made from a material of a predetermined thickness and having a cutout in the material of each arm for receiving a lockbar. Each cutout has an edge comprising a land portion for supporting the lockbar, which land portion is of a reduced thickness compared to the thickness of the material of the arms, to present a reduced surface area to the lockbar. The frame may be of pressed steel and the lockbar of die-cast non-ferrous material.

Abstract: A vehicular seatbelt retractor comprises a load control for controlling an excessive force applied to a web and a web sensor for sensing the webbing acceleration of a seatbelt to take counteraction against the abnormal state of a vehicle at a quick speed, in which the load control enables a disk to be frictionally engaged with one surface of a spool winding portion, thereby dissipating the force applied to a web, and a torsion bar coupled at one end with a boss to be cooperated with a spool, thereby controlling the force applied to the web and the web sensor enables a latch member elastically supported at one end by an inertia spring to sense the web acceleration in an adjusted time range along with a wing thereby to take counteracts against the abnormal state of a vehicle.

Abstract: The method and device of this invention immobilizes a person in a secure, upright restraint system in a police vehicle. It can be easily and safely applied by public safety officers including police or other law enforcement personnel and medical personnel to secure a person against undesired movement while maintaining them in an upright, sitting position which leaves the diaphragm free for natural, unrestrained breathing movement. The asphyxia-preventing restraining device comprises an ALR/ELR retractor. The ALR/ELR retractor comprises a shoulder harness having a pair of seat belt buckles, which significantly reduce the possibilities of injuries to police officers.

Abstract: In the seat belt apparatus of the invention, a belt retracting motor is operated so as to retract the seat belt by a predetermined amount when it is determined that the vehicle will roll over based on a lateral acceleration, a roll rate and a roll angle which are detected and calculated by a lateral acceleration sensor and a roll rate sensor, according to a predetermined first determination condition. Also, a pretensioner is operated so as to retract the seat belt by a predetermined amount when it is determined that the vehicle will roll over according to a second determination condition indicating that there is a higher possibility of rollover. When it is determined that the vehicle will not roll over, operation of the belt retracting motor is cancelled, and the seat belt is permitted to be pulled out.

Abstract: An adaptive seat belt system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12). The system (10) includes a seat belt (16) extensible about an occupant (42) of a seat system (14). A seat belt tension sensor (18) is coupled to the seat belt (16) and generates a seat belt tension signal. A seat belt actuator (20) is mechanically coupled to the seat belt (16) and adjusts tension of the seat belt (16). A controller (26) is electrically coupled to the tensioner sensor (18) and the actuator (20). The controller (26) generates a seat belt tension adjustment signal in response to the seat belt tension signal and adjusts tension of the seat belt (16) in response to the seat belt tension adjustment signal. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU applies voltage having a predetermined waveform to the DC motor, and then detects a waveform of current flowing to the DC motor. The MPU carries out fault diagnosis of the DC motor, based upon the detected waveform of current when the voltage having the predetermined waveform is applied to the DC motor. Thus, accurate fault diagnosis of the apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus prevents damage to a seatbelt. An electric retractor having a motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt includes the automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus. The motor is controlled by a CPU. The CPU detects whether the seatbelt is attached to, or disconnected from, the occupant, and whether the seatbelt has been retracted to a limit thereof. The motor is controlled by the CPU such that when the CPU detects that the seatbelt is retracted and when the CPU subsequently detects that the seatbelt has been fully retracted to the limit thereof, the seatbelt is prevented from being further retracted.

Abstract: A motorized seat belt retractor configured to be activated in response to a signal generated by a dangerous state detection device indicating that a vehicle is in a dangerous state. The retractor is configured so that in response to the signal the retractor operates to retract a seat belt webbing prior to a collision thereby restraining an occupant positioned in a seat in the vehicle. The retractor is activated every time a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a dangerous state is received from the detector.

Abstract: A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion (24). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor with a ball type pretensioner including a pipe in which the balls are retained. A front end portion of the pipe is securely retained so that reliable operation of the pretensioner is provided. The pipe does includes a cut-out that does not extend to the front-most end of a pipe. A guide block is fitted in the front-most end of the pipe. The pipe and the guide block are fixed to the plate together by a fastener. The portion where the guide block is fitted to the pipe can provide high rigidity and is thus hardly deformed in every directions. The fastener may be hardened or the material for the fastener may be selected to obtain sufficient strength.

Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus includes a deceleration detecting sensor for detecting a decelerating state of a vehicle and a controller for controlling the drive of a motor for the seatbelt apparatus corresponding to a detected value of the deceleration detecting sensor. The controller is provided with a correcting unit for correcting the detected value of the deceleration detecting sensor in anticipation of the future so as to advance the operational timing of the motor. By advancing the judgment timing for urgency so that the operational timing of the motor is hastened, it is possible to restrain a passenger's body in an emergency certainly without enhancing a restraining force of a webbing unnecessarily.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a spool mounted for rotation in the retractor for retraction or pay-out of seat belt webbing depending upon the direction of rotation of the spool. A locking ring is attached to one end of the spool. A device for locking locks the locking ring against rotation in a crash. A force limiting device allowing further pay-out of the seat belt webbing after the locking ring has locked, under the influence of a vehicle occupant's forward momentum. The force limiting device has a length of wire, attached at one end to one of the spool or the locking ring, and wound, at a distance spaced from said one end, on a pin fixed to the other end of the spool or the locking ring. Under the influence of crash forces above a predetermined value the wire is pulled around the pin.

Abstract: A programmable seat belt damper assembly for a seat belt in a motor vehicle. The programmable seat belt damper assembly includes a retractor operatively connected to the seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt. The programmable seat belt damper assembly also includes a rotary damper operatively connected to the retractor and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat belt damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the rotary damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease a damping torque of the rotary damper for the unwinding of the seat belt.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is capable of winding a seatbelt webbing on a spool driven by a spring and a motor. The seatbelt retractor includes a motor-power transmission device for controlling a motor-power transmission path to turn on and off transmission of motor power to the spool. The motor-power transmission device turns on only when the motor rotates in the belt winding direction to connect the motor-power transmission path and transmit the motor power to the spool. After a specific period of time since a buckle-releasing signal detecting release of a tongue from a buckle is received from a buckle switch, the motor control device rotates the motor in the belt winding direction. When a winding speed of the seatbelt webbing by the spring becomes less than a constant value, the motor-power transmission device is set to turn on so as to connect the motor-power transmission path.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) comprises a seat belt (20) and a seat belt retractor (30) including a spool (60) supported for rotation about a spool axis (64) in a seat belt withdrawal direction (68) and an opposite seat belt retraction direction (66). An electric motor (110) is energizable to rotate the spool (60) in the seat belt retraction direction (66) and is de-energizable. The electric motor (110) is energizable to rotate the spool (60) in the seat belt retraction direction (66) to apply a predetermined amount of tension to the seat belt (20). An electrically actuatable brake (140) associated with the motor (110) is actuatable to maintain the predetermined amount of tension on the seat belt (20) after the motor applies the predetermined amount of tension to the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a housing and a spool in the housing. A toothed ratchet wheel is coupled to the spool. A locking assembly has a lock bar pivotally mounted to the housing and moveable by means of a camming arrangement from an initial position clear of the ratchet wheel to a position whereby the lock bar locks the ratchet wheel to the housing. An adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of the initial position of the lock bar.

Abstract: A motorized seat belt retractor having a load limiter to control the tensile load on a seat belt webbing, especially when the webbing is withdrawn due to an emergency condition. The load limiter controls the tension by controlling the condition of the motor that drives the retractor.

Abstract: Shear ribs are formed at a bottom portion of a fitting hole of a spool for positioning a lock base, and respective end portions of the positioning portion abuts on a shear rib. Further, ribs are formed between the shear ribs. When the spool rotates in an unwinding direction with respect to the lock base, the end portion of the positioning portion deforms and breaks a shear rib, a rib and then another shear rib in that order. By being able to combine the effects of energy absorption due to deformation of the ribs with that of energy absorption due to twisting deformation of the torsion bar, a force limiter load immediately increases as soon as the spool starts to rotate.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a pretensioner, which has a cover with integral projections made of aluminum. A pretensioner gear with complementary holes is attached to the cover, with the projections inserted into the holes to immobilize the pretensioner gear. A spool driving gear for driving a spool of the retractor is spaced and disengaged from the pretensioner gear so that the pretensioner gear does not interfere with normal operation of the spool. To tension the seat belt, the pretensioner gear is driven to break the projections to mobilize the pretensioner gear, engage the pretensioner gear with the spool driving gear, and drive the spool driving gear, which rotates the spool and tension the seat belt.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor of a vehicle with a belt reel for the seat belt has a frame with two frame legs in which a belt reel is rotatably mounted. A torque rod is arranged in the belt reel with one end if the torque rod connected to a first belt reel part arranged inside an aperture in a frame leg. Another end of the torque rod is connected to a second belt reel part which receives the wound seat belt. A blocking device capable of engagement with the first belt reel part with support in one of the two planes of the two frame legs. In the event of an excessive force issuing from the seat belt the second belt reel part can be rotated with respect to the first belt reel part blocked on the frame by torsion of the torque rod.

Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus is provided to apply a proper restrictive feeling on passengers, corresponding to traveling condition of a vehicle. In the seatbelt apparatus, on receipt of detection signals from a fore-and-aft acceleration sensor 97 and a left-and-right acceleration sensor 99, a controller 101 controls respective tensions of seatbelts for driver seat and assistant driver's seat individually. Owing to the controller 101, it is established at a vehicle's breaking to make a seatbelt tension of the assistant driver's seat larger than that of the driver seat. When the vehicle is turning, it is carried out to make a seatbelt tension of the driver seat larger than that of the assistant driver's seat.

Abstract: A safety belt apparatus for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles having at least one safety belt, which is wound to a greater or lesser degree onto a belt reel rotatably secured on the vehicle chassis about an axis of rotation and preferably biased by a spring retraction mechanism. A toothed ratchet wheel is rotationally coupled to the belt reel and cooperating with a blocking pawl secured to the housing. The blocking pawl is movable into and out of engagement with respect to the toothed ratchet wheel by a cam ring concentric to the belt reel axis via a step down transmission. A toothed control wheel is connected to the belt reel via an eccentric transmission and has at its periphery a preferably wavelike arrangement of teeth which is surrounded by an inner toothed ring fixed to the housing of larger diameter and with complementary, but with a smaller or preferably larger number of teeth.

Abstract: A clamp for relieving the tension in a seatbelt. An air operated actuator is activated by the passenger at a location remote from the clamp to lock the clamp to the seatbelt. The clamp is slidable on a track with a first endstop and an opposite second endstop. The clamp can be initially secured to the seatbelt at the first endstop. Subsequent movement by the passenger results in the clamp moving along the track. Upon reseating by the passenger, the clamp will be supported at a support position intermediate of the first and second endstops, resulting in increased slack in the shoulder portion of the seatbelt, reduced tension in the shoulder portion, and increased comfort for the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a vehicle seat belt has a belt reel for the seat belt. A free-flowing load limiting medium is arranged in a working chamber. A displacement means is drivable by the belt reel. The load limiting medium is transported through at least one flow channel by the displacement means. The flow cross-section in the flow channel is selected as a function of the kinematic viscosity of the load limiting medium, to achieve a belt force limitation profile over time which approaches that of a torque rod.

Abstract: A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Abstract: In order to provide a safety device for a comfortable seat having a seat surface and a backrest which may be transferred from a sitting position into a resting position and vice versa, the safety device being used to increase the safety of vehicle occupants on the comfortable seat, the comfortable seat includes with a seat belt system which includes a belt strap which is fixed in the region of the seat surface via a belt end fitting and is stored on a belt-retracting mechanism arranged in the upper region of the backrest, a belt buckle being provided on that side of the seat surface which is opposite the belt end fitting so as to couple up the belt strap via a belt tongue in accordance with a three-point belt system, and, in the event of an accident, the belt strap being tightened via the belt-retracting mechanism and a pretensioning system engaging on the belt end fitting.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a base frame, a spool journalled to the base frame, a webbing wound around the spool, and a motor for rotating the spool. A speed-reduction mechanism is interposed between the motor and the spool. The speed-reduction mechanism includes at least one transmission train with a predetermined gear ratio, a common transmission element connected to the transmission train, and a resistant torque device connected to the transmission train. The common transmission element transmits rotation of the motor to the spool when the torque of the rotation is smaller than the preset value. Winding of the webbing is made based on the wearing condition of the webbing and the running condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device and a vehicle are provided in which different force limiter loads can be selected at arbitrary times with a simple structure. A wire is inserted into a spool. One end portion of the wire is fixed to a lock base. Thus, when rotation of the lock base is impeded, a twisting load of a torsion bar and a drawing-through load of the wire are applied to a webbing as force limiter load. Further, a cutting gear is disposed between the spool and the lock base. When the cutting gear is rotated at an arbitrary time, the wire is cut. In this way, the force limiter load is reduced to only the twisting load of the torsion bar. As a result, different force limiter loads can be selected at arbitrary times with a simple structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for fastening a belt retractor to the body part of a motor vehicle. Said assembly comprises a mounting plate, which is involved in the fastening of the belt retractor, and which is provided as a separate reinforcement plate (13) with a continuous opening (14) for a fastening means. The reinforcement plate (13) comprises a slot-like opening (25) for placing it on the fastening bracket (12) of the belt retractor (10) such that the fastening bracket (12), when mounting the belt retractor (10) on the body part (26), rests between the reinforcement plate (13) and the body part (26), and the continuous openings (14) of the fastening bracket (12) and reinforcement plate (13) are aligned with one another.

Abstract: The torque developed at a belt shaft of a belt retractor coupled to an electric motor via a drive belt is controlled so as to avoid a hysteresis. For this purpose, the direction of rotation of the belt shaft is detected and, depending on the direction of rotation as detected, the electric current supplied to the electric motor is changed from a first value to a second value that is different from the first value by an amount required to compensate for hysteresis.

Abstract: A seat belt retracting device having a motor for retracting a seat belt having a tongue adapted to engage a buckle. The device includes an electrical circuit for controlling operation of the motor with a one-chip integrated circuit (IC). The circuit includes a control output power circuit; a motor control power circuit; and a communication control power circuit. The motor is configured to operate for a first prescribed period of time to retract the seatbelt from the moment at which disengagement between the buckle and the tongue is detected.

Abstract: In controlling a seat belt retractor, at least one of signals selected from a state signal showing a movement of an occupant wearing a seat belt and an external signal obtained from detecting means installed in a vehicle during running thereof is received. Then, a rotation of a spool for a webbing is controlled by switching a rotational torque of a motor to a predetermined reduction ratio corresponding to at least one of the state signal and the external signal, or a driving state of the motor is controlled to a predetermined torque, to thereby wind the webbing on the spool.

Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a belt spool, at least one locking member which at least largely prevents a belt spool rotation in the case of restraint, and a force limiter. The force limiter opposes a defined force to a rotation of the belt spool on unwinding of the safety belt. Furthermore, a blocking mechanism and an adjusting element for the blocking mechanism are provided. The blocking mechanism is able to be moved by the adjusting element at least partially toward a blocking position. In the blocking position, the blocking mechanism deactivates the force limiter. After a primary impact, a non-used force limiter is force transmitting, or the force limiter or force limiters are deactivated.

Abstract: A three-point seat belt system for a motor vehicle front seat has a belt tightening drive fastened to the front seat. The belt tightening drive engages an anchoring point of the seat belt fastened to the vehicle seat. The drive element of the belt tightening drive is securely connected to a belt webbing part, which derives from the lap belt and is guided through a belt webbing guide fastened to the seat substructure.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU applies voltage having a predetermined waveform to the DC motor, and then detects a waveform of current flowing to the DC motor. The MPU carries out fault diagnosis of the DC motor, based upon the detected waveform of current when the voltage having the predetermined waveform is applied to the DC motor. Thus, accurate fault diagnosis of the apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: Provided is a seatbelt device capable of realizing a comfortable seatbelt-wearing environment as well as appropriately securing and protecting a passenger. The seatbelt device is further capable of realizing an immediate escape or rescue of a passenger after a vehicle accident, thereby providing extra safety and a swift escape by protracting the webbing in accordance with the state of the vehicle accident. This seatbelt device is provided with a retractor which uses a motor for retracting and protracting the webbing that secures a passenger to his/her seat, and a controller for rotating the motor and at least retracting the webbing. The controller is capable of altering the protraction mode of the webbing in accordance with the state of the webbing fastened by the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt control device is provided which comprises a drive motor connected to a seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt, a controller for controlling the drive motor, a wearing state sensor for detecting a wearing state of the seat belt, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, and a deceleration sensor for detecting deceleration of a vehicle. The controller shorts electrodes of the drive motor when the seat belt is worn, the vehicle speed is higher than a first predetermined vehicle speed value, and an absolute value of the deceleration of the vehicle is lower than an absolute value of a first predetermined deceleration value. A seat belt control method is also provided.

Abstract: The belt retractor of the occupant restraint system comprises a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a locking mechanism for selectively blocking the belt reel and a vehicle-sensitive sensor. The locking mechanism is actuated by an actor. An electronic control unit is provided with an input interface and an output interface. The vehicle-sensitive sensor is connected to the input interface and the actor is connected to the output interface.

Abstract: A pretensioner comprises a pyrotechnic force generating device including a horizontal tube with a propellent charged cartridge, a housing receiving one end of the cylinder with the horizontal tube being supported to cooperate with the force generating device in order to reverse-rotate the reel; a force transmitting portion including an arm positioned in a first chamber of the housing, one end of which is directed to the piston in the cylinder and the other end of which is extended out of the cylinder, a pulley rotatably mounted on the other branched end of the arm and a cable fixed at one end to the housing, passed through the pulley, wound around the clutch disk and fixed at the other end to the clutch disk; and a pretensioner positioned in a second chamber, which comprises the clutch disk and a clutch portion, in which the clutch disk includes a circular groove formed around the periphery thereof to allow a length of the cable to be wound thereon, a plurality of second coupling projections each having a rig

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU controls the DC motor. Protraction of the seatbelt by the occupant is detected. When the protraction of said belt is detected, the MPU controls the DC motor so as to protract the seatbelt.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor is formed of a frame, a reel rotationally supported by the frame for winding a seat belt, a reel urging device connected to the reel for urging the reel in a seat belt winding direction, a locking device provided between the frame and the reel for allowing the reel to rotate freely in a normal state and preventing the reel to rotate in a belt unwinding direction when necessary, and a belt tension control mechanism for controlling a belt tension of the seat belt. The belt tension control mechanism includes a motor, and a power transmission path situated between the motor and the reel and actuated by the motor. The power transmission path has an OFF-state in which a rotational torque of the motor is not transmitted between the motor and the reel, and an ON-state in which the rotational torque is transmitted between the motor and the reel. A power transmission path switching mechanism selectively switches the power transmission path between the ON-state and the OFF-state.

Abstract: A system (20) comprising a buckle presenter (100) and/or a tongue presenter (200) and mechanism to activate and control each presenter. The buckle presenter and tongue presenter (200) are used to respectively move a seat belt buckle (26) and a corresponding tongue (24) from a stowed position to activated positions generally in front of the occupant to make the process of inserting the tongue into the buckle more convenient.

Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU controls the DC motor. Protraction of the seatbelt by the occupant is detected. When the protraction of said belt is detected, the MPU controls the DC motor so as to protract the seatbelt.

Abstract: In controlling a seat belt retractor, at least one of signals selected from a state signal showing a movement of an occupant wearing a seat belt and an external signal obtained from detecting means installed in a vehicle during running thereof is received. Then, a rotation of a spool for a webbing is controlled by switching a rotational torque of a motor to a predetermined reduction ratio corresponding to at least one of the state signal and the external signal, or a driving state of the motor is controlled to a predetermined torque, to thereby wind the webbing on the spool.