A three-point seatbelt device includes: a webbing configured to function as a shoulder belt and a lap belt; a shoulder-side reeler that includes a pre-tensioner mechanism and a shoulder-side force limiter mechanism, and is configured to reel up an end portion of the webbing on a shoulder belt side so as to allow the webbing to be pulled out; a tongue mounted on the webbing; and an inner belt including a buckle to which the tongue is coupled, the inner belt including, of a pre-tensioner mechanism and a buckle-side force limiter mechanism, only the buckle-side force limiter mechanism. An initial load of the buckle-side force limiter mechanism is set to be larger than an initial load of the shoulder-side force limiter mechanism.

Provided are a seat belt retractor and a seat belt device with which it is possible to improve an occupant-restraining property and energy absorption characteristics. A seat belt retractor 1 including a spool 2 that winds up a webbing W for restraining an occupant, a shaft 3 inserted through an axial center of the spool 2, and a locking base 4 connected to the shaft 3 and capable of switching between a rotating state and a non-rotating state, further includes an energy absorption device 5 capable of changing an energy absorption amount according to a relative rotation speed between the spool 2 and the shaft 3, and a load adjustment member 6 that blocks or reduces load transmission when a load equal to or greater than a threshold is applied to the shaft 3 or the spool 2. The spool 2, the shaft 3, the locking base 4, the energy absorption device 5, and the load adjustment member 6 are serially connected.

Provided are a seat belt retractor and a seat belt device with which it is possible to improve an occupant-restraining property and energy absorption characteristics. A seat belt retractor 1 including a spool 2 that winds up a webbing W for restraining an occupant, a shaft 3 inserted through an axial center of the spool 2, and a locking base 4 connected to the shaft 3 and capable of switching between a rotating state and a non-rotating state, further includes an energy absorption device 5 capable of changing an energy absorption amount according to a relative rotation speed between the spool 2 and the shaft 3, and a load adjustment member 6 that blocks or reduces load transmission when a load equal to or greater than a threshold is applied to the shaft 3 or the spool 2. The spool 2, the shaft 3, the locking base 4, the energy absorption device 5, and the load adjustment member 6 are serially connected.

A method for actively adjusting an adjustable component in a vehicle seat includes the steps of: (1) providing a seat assembly having a seat portion with first and second side bolsters disposed on opposite sides of the seat portion, first and second adjustable components and first and second sensors disposed in the first and second side bolsters, and a controller operably coupled to both the first and second adjustable components and the first and second sensors; (2) detecting a pressure value using one of the first and second sensors; (3) determining if the pressure value exceeds a threshold value; and moving an articulating support plate of the adjustable component associated with the sensor detecting the pressure value towards an extended position from a retracted position to a degree commensurate with pressure value detected.

A method for adjusting an adjustable component in a seat assembly includes the steps of: (1) providing a seat assembly having an adjustable support plate and a sensor; (2) supporting a seat occupant on the seat assembly; (3) moving the support plate into contact with the seat occupant; (4) sensing a pressure value applied to the support plate using the sensor as the support plate contacts the seat occupant; and (5) retaining the support plate in a deployed position. The movement of the support plate is configured to cease when the pressure value is initially detected or when the pressure value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In a seatbelt device, when paying out webbing from a spool of a webbing take-up device to fit the webbing over the body of an occupant, drive of a first motor of the webbing take-up device is controlled based on the magnitude of a signal level of a load detection signal output by a load sensor according to the physical build of the occupant, and pulse data stored in a storage unit corresponding to each signal level of the load detection signal.

An apparatus and method for improving the safety-relevant wear-comfort of a seatbelt worn by an occupant of a vehicle seat uses at least one sensor to detect the contour and/or position of the seatbelt, at least one actuator system for moving the seatbelt in order to change the contour and/or position, and at least one control module for controlling the actuator system. The control module is operative to control the actuator system automatically as a function of a deviation of the seatbelt contour/position, as detected by the sensor, from a predefined contour/position which reflects correct wear of the seatbelt.

An apparatus and method for improving the safety-relevant wear-comfort of a seatbelt worn by an occupant of a vehicle seat uses at least one sensor to detect the contour and/or position of the seatbelt, at least one actuator system for moving the seatbelt in order to change the contour and/or position, and at least one control module for controlling the actuator system. The control module is operative to control the actuator system automatically as a function of a deviation of the seatbelt contour/position, as detected by the sensor, from a predefined contour/position which reflects correct wear of the seatbelt.

A method of controlling the motor speed of an electric retractor motor (18) of a belt retractor (10) for reducing a belt slack in the comfort mode comprises the following steps of: a) measuring the motor current (I.sub.M) applied to the retractor motor (18) as well as the voltage applied to the retractor motor (18), b) estimating the motor speed taking the time curve of the motor current (I.sub.M) applied to the retractor motor (18), the curve of the voltage as well as plural motor parameters (R.sub.M, I.sub.M, K.sub.M) into account, c) adapting the motor current (I.sub.M) in response to the estimated motor speed, and d) repeating the steps a) to c) until the estimated motor speed has reached a defined value.

A method of controlling the motor speed of an electric retractor motor (18) of a belt retractor (10) for reducing a belt slack in the comfort mode comprises the following steps of: a) measuring the motor current (I.sub.M) applied to the retractor motor (18) as well as the voltage applied to the retractor motor (18), b) estimating the motor speed taking the time curve of the motor current (I.sub.M) applied to the retractor motor (18), the curve of the voltage as well as plural motor parameters (R.sub.M, I.sub.M, K.sub.M) into account, c) adapting the motor current (I.sub.M) in response to the estimated motor speed, and d) repeating the steps a) to c) until the estimated motor speed has reached a defined value.