Adaptive seat belt system

A method for adjusting a safety restraint system of a vehicle, the safety restrain system having a seat belt webbing for restraining an occupant of the vehicle, a seat belt retractor mounted to a first structural member of the vehicle for securing the seat belt to the vehicle and allowing protraction and retraction of the seat belt, the retractor having at least two load limiting modes, a deflector for receiving the seat belt webbing and directing the seat belt webbing across the shoulder of the occupant, a height adjuster for securing the deflector to a second structural member of the vehicle, a latch plate deflector for receiving the seat belt webbing and redirecting the seat belt webbing across the lap of the occupant and a buckle for receiving and removably securing the latch plate deflector when the seat belt is in use by the occupant, the method comprising:

• monitoring the height adjuster, which secures the deflector to a second structural member of the vehicle, to determine the location of the deflector along the height adjuster, wherein the deflector is positionable between at least two locations along the height adjuster;
• communicating the location of the deflector along the height adjuster using a communication link attached at a first end adjacent the height adjuster and at a second end to the retractor;
• and
• switching the retractor from at least one load limiting mode to another based on the location of the deflector along the height adjuster.

A safety restraint system for a vehicle, the safety restraint system comprising:

• a seat belt webbing for restraining an occupant of the vehicle;
• a seat belt retractor mounted to a first structural member of the vehicle for securing the seat belt to the vehicle and allowing protraction and retraction of the seat belt, the retractor having at least two load limiting modes;
• a deflector for receiving the seat belt webbing and directing the seat belt webbing across the shoulder of the occupant;
• a height adjuster for securing the deflector to a second structural member of the vehicle, wherein the deflector is positionable between at least two locations along the height adjuster;
• a latch plate deflector for receiving the seat belt webbing and redirecting the seat belt webbing across the lap of the occupant;
• a buckle for receiving and removably securing the latch plate deflector when the seat belt is in use by the occupant;
• and
• a means for communicating the location of the deflector along the height adjuster, wherein the means is attached at a first end adjacent the height adjuster and at a second end to the retractor for switching the retractor from at least one load limiting mode to another.