Force limiting device, belt retractor having a force limiting device, and method for switching over a force limiting device

A method of reversing a force limiting device for a belt retractor in a vehicle from a higher restraining force level to a lower restraining force level comprising the steps of:

• performing a reversing operation for lowering the restraining force from the higher restraining force level to the lower restraining force level;
• providing a force limiting element of the force limiting device having a performance which at least partially determines the lower restraining force level;
• during the reversing operation accomplishing an additional work share by plastically deforming a deformation element by transferring a retaining element from a retaining position engaging the deformation element to prevent deformation to a release position spaced from the deformation element to permit plastic deformation of the deformation element;
• rotating a transmission element relative to the retaining element to cause the deformation element to plastically deform;
• and
• adding the additional work share to the performance of the force limiting element to temporarily increase the restraining force of the force limiting device.

A force limiting device for a belt retractor in a vehicle comprising:

• a reversing device for switching a force limiting phase from a higher restraining force level to a lower restraining force level, the lower restraining force level being determined in at least in part by a performance of at least one force limiting element;
• a deformation element that is plastically deformed to provide force limitation during switching of the force limiting phase;
• and
• a retaining element positioned radially outward of the deformation element relative to a central axis of the belt retractor, the retaining element being adapted to be transferred from a retaining position engaging the deformation element to prevent deformation of the deformation element to a release position spaced from the deformation element to permit deformation of the deformation element;
• wherein the reversing device is arranged so that during reversal a work share is accomplished which is added to the work share of the force limiting element to thereby temporarily increase the restraining force of the force limiting device.