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US 2009/0267339 A1Published application
Belt retractor utilizing active material actuation
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsPatrick B. Usoro, Alan L. Browne, Steven G. Corrion, Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Lawrence C. Maugh, William B. Carter, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. Mc Knight
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Abstract
A seat belt retractor utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tension in a seat belt.
Claims20
A seat belt retractor adapted for use with a seat belt presenting a first tensile load, said retractor comprising:
- a tensioning mechanism coupled to the belt and including an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal,
- said mechanism being configured to selectively adjust the tension in the belt to a second tensile load, as a result of the change.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.