Passive Preloaded Energy-Absorbing Seat Belt System 720433

Safety belt restraint systems can be improved by using semipassive and full passive devices which lead to a high and increasing utilization without a considerable decrease on the user's comfort.

Improvements for increased injury protection are given by introducing belt force limiters and devices which eliminate the belt slack at the moment of crash beginning and, furthermore, give a certain preload to the belts, enabling the passenger to take part in the vehicle deceleration almost from crash onset.

Results of sled tests complete the description.

A final comparison with the airbag shows the higher protection possibilities of belt restraint systems against injuries.