Buckle up please!

Coburg (18.10.2006). The driver and front seat passenger in the new BMW 3 series coupé can look forward to having a power seat-belt-carrier, located in the side panel, which will facilitate buckling up. This additional comfort-enhancing feature comes from the automotive supplier Brose. The development of the seat-belt-carrier, which celebrates its premiere in the BMW two-door vehicle, is just one of the numerous product innovations launched on the market by the specialist for seat adjustment technology. 
 
Getting in the car, shutting the doors, putting the key in the ignition – the seat belt is conveniently and with a pleasant sound level handed to the car occupants. This function is coupled with the seat occupant detection system, which means the front seat passenger seat-belt-carrier will only be activated if the seat is occupied. The feature’s space-saving integration in the side panel ensures that the look of the interior in its entirety is not impaired. The galvanized cap in the visible area has been harmoniously adapted to the design of the interior. 
 
This solution is a response to customer satisfaction survey results where the accessibility of the seat belt was criticized, in particular, by convertible and coupé drivers. In such car models the upper seat belt attachment is located way behind on account of the bigger doors.
 
Brose is expanding its product portfolio in seat adjusters through the launch of the seatbelt-carrier. In doing so, the automotive supplier exploits synergies from its other product segments: Brose utilizes the expertise it has gained in the development and production of mechatronic systems in doors, liftgates and seats.
 
Furthermore, the seatbelt-carrier is equipped with an anti-trap function. The load limitation feature detects obstacles, e.g. the shoulders of the occupants, at which point the seat-belt-carrier stops and reverses. There is another safety function designed to shield occupants from injuries: if the seat-belt-carrier detects resistance when returning to the side panel, a mechanical anti-trap feature is activated.

Technical highlights

The functionality of the seat-belt-carrier is based on a tooth-shaft gear-drive with a small motor. The design developed by Brose and with its own patents enables use even where there is very little space, since the required travel range of the seat-belt-carrier is achieved with 15° twist and curve in the tooth shaft, which minimizes the packaging space required between seat and door. The positioning and block detection is effected by means of hall signals and current measurement, which are processed by the electronic control unit (ECU).
 
The seat specialist’s innovation is characterized by its compact design, optimized acoustics and improved functionality. The weight could be clearly reduced through the use of high-quality plastic components. The fact that it is also easy to assemble in the side panel provides further cost benefits for the automaker.
 
The BMW 3 series Coupé is the first vehicle on the market to be equipped with the seat-belt-carrier from Brose. “Given the ever-greater demand for more comfort in the automobile, functions such as the power seat-belt-carrier will be found increasingly in other vehicle segments as well,” said Brose Executive Vice-President, Periklis Nassios.


Press contact:
Gabi Rujoub
Telefon: +49 9561 21 1653
Telefax: +49 9561 21 1704
E-mail: gabi.rujoub@brose.net