German multinational ZF just announced a new, networked seatbelt that uses the vehicle’s sensors, and can “actively shift occupants into a more optimal seating position prior to a potential collision”.
In potentially dangerous situations, and when the system is alerted, the belt shifts the occupant in the seat which can enhance the functionality of the restrain system. This functionality is provided by the ACR8 electromechanical belt tensioner that can also reduce belt slack or alert the driver by vibrating the belt webbing.
The new solution gets both the restraint systems – the seatbelt and the airbag – to work together as protective systems. “The seatbelt initially restrains the upper body, but in the milliseconds after the crash it releases it in a defined manner, in the direction of the airbag until the air cushion catches the occupant. If the belt lacks these reserves, for example, because the upper body was already tilted too far forward prior to or during the crash, this can increase the likelihood of injury. This is where the idea of repositioning comes in,” explained ZF in a release.
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The ACR8 actively reduces any perceived belt slack as soon as the seat belt is buckled up. It basically tightens the belt once in a defined manner so that it fits snugly against the occupant. If the vehicle sensors detect a critical driving situation that could lead to hard braking or possibly a collision, the seat belt system can use this time to enhance protection for the occupant.
For this purpose, ZF has connected the system not just to the sensors but also to the automatic emergency brake assistant and shifts the occupant toward the right position and holds them there during the braking manoeuver. In the event of a subsequent crash, “pyrotechnic tightening then begins and functionality of the airbag and seatbelt restraint system is enhanced”, said ZF in a release.
ACR8 Active Belt Tensioner
The advanced Active Control Retractor ACR8 connects information available in the vehicle, retracts the belt by electric motor and builds up belt force in a targeted manner. The ACR8 requires no separate NCAP self-certification, said the company.
Further, the ACR8 is also available as a seat-integrated version in which it requires an installation depth of only 60 mm instead of 82 mm. This allows integration of the system into many types of car seats without restricting the design.
The ACR8 seat belt system can also be used as a haptic signal transmitter, which means it can transmit warning or convey information to the occupant. Also, when switching from automated to manual driving, “the ARC8 can use high-frequency pulsing of the seatbelt webbing to alert the driver that they must take control again. In this way, the seat belt system can be integrated into the user interface of automated vehicles to get the driver’s attention”, ZF stated.
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