Three-Point Belt Improvements for Increased Occupant Protection

Standard three-point belts offer a maximum of comfort and convenience. We have developed various systems designed to improve protection performance as well. This paper describes two of these systems, presents all necessary data on test equipment and procedure, and discusses test results. These two systems are, respectively:

• The PYROTECHNIC PRETENSIONER, which retracts and preloads the belt by rotating the retractor spindle, thereby eliminating potential belt slack. The relations between actuation time, pretensioning, and improved occupant protection are shown.
• The WEBBING CLAMP to eliminate the spool-out effect of the webbing stored on the retractor spindle, in two different versions:

  • - for clamping at the retractor, or
  • - for clamping at the D-ring.

  The main advantage of these systems is the reduction in occupant forward displacement. The danger of impact is appreciably reduced.