Locking retractor mechanism for a seatbelt system and a method for actuating the same

A seatbelt system comprising:

• a retractor mechanism including a spool mounted for selective rotation about an axis;
• a length of a seatbelt webbing having a first end engaged with the spool;
• a ratchet wheel operatively engaged with the spool, said ratchet wheel and spool being selectively rotatable in unison about the axis in a first direction to wind the seatbelt webbing onto the spool and in a second direction to wind the seatbelt webbing off of the spool;
• a control mechanism operatively engaged with the retractor mechanism;
• said control mechanism including:
• a slider;
• an electrical actuator operable to move the slider between a first position and a second position;
• a pawl;
• wherein the slider pivots the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel when the slider is moved to the first position and pivots the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel when the slider is moved to the second position;
• and
• a trigger mounted for rotation about a trigger axis;
• wherein the pawl comprises an arm that extends outwardly from the trigger;
• and wherein the slider includes a first finger and a second finger that are spaced laterally apart from each other;
• and where the arm is captured in a space defined between the first finger and the second finger.

A seatbelt system comprising:

• a retractor mechanism including a spool mounted for selective rotation about an axis;
• a length of a seatbelt webbing having a first end engaged with the spool;
• a ratchet wheel operatively engaged with the spool, said ratchet wheel and spool being selectively rotatable in unison about the axis in a first direction to wind the seatbelt webbing onto the spool and in a second direction to wind the seatbelt webbing off of the spool;
• a control mechanism operatively engaged with the retractor mechanism;
• said control mechanism including:
• a slider;
• an electrical actuator operable to move the slider between a first position and a second position;
• a pawl;
• wherein the slider pivots the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel when the slider is moved to the first position and pivots the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel when the slider is moved to the second position;
• a buckle assembly including a buckle housing;
• a locking tongue provided on the webbing;
• wherein the locking tongue is selectively engageable in a cavity defined in the buckle housing;
• and
• a switch provided on the buckle housing;
• wherein the switch is movable in one of a first direction and a second direction;
• and wherein when the switch is moved in the first direction the buckle assembly is placed in an adult mode, and when the switch is moved in the second direction, the buckle assembly is placed in a car seat mode.