Automatic seatbelt

From ArticleWorld

Automatic seatbelts are designed to secure the drivers and right front passengers seatbelts without the need for manual input. The technology was originally developed as a protection measure to safeguard those who often do not wear a seatbelt because of negligence or choice. Many manufacturers discontinued producing vehicles with automatic seatbelts when airbags became mandatory.

Automatic shoulder belt

Most automatic shoulder restraints have one end of the belt permanently fixed to a center point on the vehicle and the other end attached to a retractor in the door’s window frame. The occupant enters the vehicle by sliding under the belt, when the door is closed, the retractor pulls the belt over the occupants shoulder. This system requires the occupant to manually fasten the lap belt. In order to use a child safety seat with this system, the retractor for the shoulder belt must be disconnected. This type of automatic seatbelt was widely used and offered on many different types of vehicles.

Automatic shoulder and lap belt

Most vehicles equipped with automatic shoulder and lap belts have both ends of the seatbelt fastened to the door. One end is attached to a retractor in the door’s window frame and the other end is fastened to the doors lower rear corner or a retractor on the rear of the door. The belt passes through a loop that is secured to a center point on the vehicle. Occupants enter the vehicle by sliding under the belts, when the door is closed, the retractors engage and secure the occupant. Child safety seats for this type of automatic seatbelt require dealer installation. This type of automatic seatbelt is mostly found on General Motors vehicles.