A webbing take-up device in which, when a pretensioner mechanism is activated and turning of a pinion relative to a spool is allowed, a lock pawl is turned by the pinion and a trigger wire is sheared by the lock pawl. Thereafter, the pinion turns more relative to the lock pawl and shears a lock pin of the lock pawl. Hence, the lock pawl turns and activates an activation mechanism. Therefore, the activation mechanism may be activated without a torsion shaft of a force limiter mechanism allowing turning of a lock base in the take-up direction relative to the spool.

A webbing take-up device in which, when a pretensioner mechanism is activated and turning of a pinion relative to a spool is allowed, a lock pawl is turned by the pinion and a trigger wire is sheared by the lock pawl. Thereafter, the pinion turns more relative to the lock pawl and shears a lock pin of the lock pawl. Hence, the lock pawl turns and activates an activation mechanism. Therefore, the activation mechanism may be activated without a torsion shaft of a force limiter mechanism allowing turning of a lock base in the take-up direction relative to the spool.

An occupant detection apparatus, installed in a vehicle, including a seat belt configured to be extendable and rewindable, and to be worn by an occupant sitting on a seat of a vehicle, and a motor configured to rewind the seat belt, includes a counter electromotive force determination unit configured to determine whether a counter electromotive force is generated in the motor; and an occupant determination unit configured to determine whether the occupant sitting on the seat in the vehicle is wearing the seat belt, based on a determination result by the counter electromotive force determination unit while the vehicle is traveling.

An occupant detection apparatus, installed in a vehicle, including a seat belt configured to be extendable and rewindable, and to be worn by an occupant sitting on a seat of a vehicle, and a motor configured to rewind the seat belt, includes a counter electromotive force determination unit configured to determine whether a counter electromotive force is generated in the motor; and an occupant determination unit configured to determine whether the occupant sitting on the seat in the vehicle is wearing the seat belt, based on a determination result by the counter electromotive force determination unit while the vehicle is traveling.

Disclosed is an improved reel assembly for use in conjunction with an occupant restraint system. The assembly employs a dual locking arrangement whereby an occupant can be restrained during both major and minor incidents. After a minor incident, the reel assembly can be conveniently unlocked, without the need for accessing the push button, by applying counter tension to the webbing. After a major incident, the reel assembly remains locked until the occupant disengages the reel via a push button. When the reel assembly experiences the force of a major incident, rotation of the webbing shaft may be first partially arrested by the engagement of a first of two locking teeth on a locking dog with a first of two engagement surfaces on a geared end plate and subsequently completely arrested by the combined engagements of the first and second locking teeth with their respective first and second engagement surfaces.

A prelock prevention device for use with a web retractor in a vehicle restraint system is described herein. The web retractor can include a sidewall adjacent a rotatable spool with a web wound thereon. A prelock prevention device configured in accordance with aspects of the present technology can include a base having a first flange portion spaced apart from a second flange portion to define a space therebetween. At least one of the first flange portion or the second flange portion is resiliently biased toward the other of the first flange portion or the second flange portion to grip an edge portion of the retractor sidewall sandwiched therebetween. The prelock prevention can further include an arm resiliently supported by the base and having a contact surface configured to compress the web against the spool during rotation thereof to reduce web retraction velocity.

A seat belt retractor that functions to cancel both a function of a vehicle sensor and a function of a webbing sensor on a predetermined condition with a simple structure and a small number of components. When a seat belt is fully retracted, a cam follower of a first lever comes into contact with a second cam portion of a cam plate. An actuator pressing portion of the first lever presses an actuator of a vehicle sensor to a non-operation position. The function of the vehicle sensor is thereby cancelled. Further, when an engaging claw of a second lever separates from a ratchet tooth of a ring gear, the ring gear is allowed to rotate in a seat belt withdrawing direction. Therefore, the function of the webbing sensor is cancelled.

A seat belt retractor that functions to cancel both a function of a vehicle sensor and a function of a webbing sensor on a predetermined condition with a simple structure and a small number of components. When a seat belt is fully retracted, a cam follower of a first lever comes into contact with a second cam portion of a cam plate. An actuator pressing portion of the first lever presses an actuator of a vehicle sensor to a non-operation position. The function of the vehicle sensor is thereby cancelled. Further, when an engaging claw of a second lever separates from a ratchet tooth of a ring gear, the ring gear is allowed to rotate in a seat belt withdrawing direction. Therefore, the function of the webbing sensor is cancelled.