Systems for preventing the automatic retraction of a seatbelt

A system for preventing the automatic retraction of a seatbelt, the system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• one or more host vehicle status sensors communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more host vehicle status sensors output a status signal indicative of the host vehicle being in an off-road driving condition;
• one or more seatbelt braking mechanisms communicatively coupled to the one or more processors and configured to engage a seat belt such to prevent automatic retraction of the seatbelt;
• and
• one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors that store logic that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
• determine that the host vehicle is in an off-road driving condition based on the status signal output by the one or more host vehicle status sensors;
• and
• activate the one or more seatbelt braking mechanisms in response to detecting the host vehicle is in the off-road driving condition to prevent automatic retraction of the seatbelt, wherein:
• the one or more seatbelt braking mechanisms comprise:
• a brake drum;
• an opening configured to receive an auto-retractor for a seatbelt;
• and
• an actuator comprising a brake arm configured to frictionally engage the brake drum to prevent automatic retraction of the seatbelt in response to the one or more processors detecting that the host vehicle is in the off-road driving condition;
• and
• the one or more seatbelt braking mechanisms provide a braking force that is greater than a seatbelt retraction force provided by an auto-retractor and less than a seatbelt pre-tension force provided by a seatbelt pre-tensioner system.