Re-settable vehicle seat belt buckle pre-tensioner presenter system and method of operation

A re-settable vehicle seat belt buckle pre-tensioner presenter, comprising:

• a first member, said member having a hollow body along substantially its length, said first body equipped with at least one anchorage to facilitate fixing said first body in a vehicle proximal a seat;
• a second member, said second member having a body adjustably insertable in said first member at a first end thereof;
• said second member having a seat belt buckle at a second end distal said first end;
• a re-settable seat belt buckle and belt pre-tensioner adjustor;
• said adjustor adapted to adjust said seat belt buckle to a desired position relative said seat to facilitate easy access by an operator;
• said seat belt buckle and belt pre-tensioner adjustor further acting as a re-settable seat belt pre-tensioner in response to various sensed driving condition inputs to resettably pre-tension said seat belt around said operator during pre-crash and crash conditions, and returning to non pre-tension status when said pre-crash conditions have passed.

A method for operating a re-settable vehicle seat belt buckle pre-tensioner presenter system, comprising:

• a) determining whether a vehicle door is opened;
• b) raising said seat belt buckle above a plane of occupation of a vehicle seat for access by an occupant;
• c) determining whether said occupant has buckled said seat belt into said buckle;
• d) locking a seat belt retractor;
• e) lowering said seat belt buckle below said plane of occupation of a vehicle seat to pre-tension said belt around the occupant;
• f) determining whether a threshold vehicle seat belt pre-tension load has been met;
• g) raising said seat belt buckle to a design position;
• h) unlocking said retractor;
• i) determining whether a threat event is imminent;
• j) locking said retractor;
• k) lowering said vehicle seat belt buckle relative to said plane of occupation until a second pre-tension threshold load has been met;
• l) determining whether a crash event is occurring;
• m) deploying a pyrotechnic deployment to secure the occupant in the seat;
• and
• n) unlocking the retractor.