The previous seat belt E-pretensioner that was developed possessed a function for retracting the seat belt with a motor in a pre-crash area when the Collision Mitigation Braking System or brake assistant was operated. However, that operation scenario was limited.Development efforts to address this issue were conducted to expand the range of operation of the pre-crash area and enhance the comfort of routine use of the seat belt. As for the pre-crash area, according to an analysis of serious injury accidents in which seat belts were worn, the system operation range was increased from 18% to 45%. Regarding the comfort area, by halving the occupant movement during sports driving and the pull-out load on the seat belt, and by reducing the retraction load by 30% when the seat belt is worn, the pull on the seat belt was lightened and the feeling of pressure when wearing the seat belt was reduced, improving comfort.
Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.25 No.1 (63 - 67)