a seat belt for semi-autonomous driving

ZF Lifetec presents new electromechanical seat belt locking technology for semi-autonomous driving.

Semi-autonomous driving involves a comfortable seating position, which requires seat belt adjustments. For that, ZF Lifetec imagined the technology e.Locking d”electrification of the sensor and the unlocking system.

ZF Lifetec improves seat belt for semi-autonomous driving

The semi-autonomous driving also has implications that we might not necessarily think about, such as in the area of ​​seat belts adapted to comfortable seating positions. ZF Lifetec offers this innovative solution called e.Locking, which consists of the electrification of the sensor and the seat belt unlocking system. This technology allowsintegrate more easily the structure of the seat belt in the seatwhich allows us to offer advances in design and production.

During sudden decelerations, the belt retractor is mechanically locked, so that the belt cannot be released, or can only be released with the action of a force limiter. When the driver and passenger are in an upright seated position, the combination of the belt, retractor and force limiter reduces the consequences of sudden braking or an accident. Until now, two redundant mechanical systems located directly on the retractor were required to lock the seat belt. To further protect occupants, ZF Lifetec has designed a new electromechanical system.

A new technology for electrifying the sensor and the trigger system

L’electrification of the sensor and trigger system is a key function of the ACR8.S seat belt retractors, with greater comfort for occupants. ZF Lifetec thus responds to the advent of autonomous driving, which will offer new seat concepts allowing occupants to adopt a resting position, by integrating the seat belt into the seat with its new e.Locking system.

The new e.Locking system, available in the seat-integrated belt retractor ACR8.S from ZF Lifetec, replaces the steel ball used by the electromagnetic coil allowing the retractor to be locked electromechanically, via a signal from a central computer. The acceleration, deceleration and inclination of the vehicle are measured centrally by sensors in a computer, evaluated by an algorithm, and then a signal is sent to the coil when the belt retractor needs to be mechanically locked.

The e.Locking system makes it easy to integrate the retractor into the seat, and the seat belt locking function can also be triggered by control software, allowing it to be used by other systems vehicle safety, such as emergency braking or occupant protection systems, or through driving modes, for example allowing more support during dynamic cornering in sporty driving mode.