The development of e.Locking—the electrification of the sensor and release system—has been revealed by ZF LIFETEC.
This technology makes it simpler to integrate the seatbelt structurally into the seat, which has major benefits for both production and design. The belt reel is mechanically locked to prevent unfastening the belt in the event of an abrupt deceleration, or to allow unfastening only in response to a force limitation. The combination of a force limiter, retractor, and belt lessens the effects of harsh braking or an accident when the driver and passenger are seated upright.
Every travelers has seen it happen: the seatbelt locks and cannot be pulled any farther when you pull it quickly. In order to guarantee controlled restraint of the occupants in the event of an impending collision, this restraint function is crucial. Up until now, locking the seat belt required two separate mechanical mechanisms that were located directly on the retractor. ZF LIFETEC is now developing a new electromechanical system to series manufacturing in order to protect occupants in innovative seating configurations.
One of the primary features of the most recent ACR8.S seatbelt retractor series is the electrification of the sensor and triggering mechanism, which greatly increases design flexibility and passenger comfort. The other ACR8 and SPR6 generations will also have the option to use it. ZF LIFETEC is reacting to a megatrend in automotive engineering with this new development: new seating ideas that enable the occupants to adopt a resting position will become appealing if autonomous driving features become more common in the future. The new e.Locking system from ZF LIFETEC makes it considerably easier to integrate the seatbelt into the seat, which is necessary for this.