Dynamic analysis of seatbelt systems with anti-inertial release mechanisms

In order to prevent the uncontrolled release of seatbelt buckles due to high acceleration caused by pretensioners, anti-g buckles that have pendulum-shaped g-masses to block the releasing motion are commonly adopted in seatbelt systems. However, even with the wide applications of anti-g buckles, the underlying operational principles of anti-g buckles have yet to be investigated. This work studies conditions for the engagement of the g-mass to prevent inertial release, and conditions for maintaining a blocked state under very high acceleration. Using a multibody model of an anti-g buckle, the effects of various design parameters on the performance of the anti-g buckle have been examined. It turns out that design variables associated with the geometry of the g-mass and its contacting surface configuration play important roles. In order to account for the dynamic interaction between driver and seatbelt, a multibody model of a seatbelt system is combined with a dummy model to form a single dynamic system. Using the measured displacement of the buckle during the explosion of a pretensioner as the driving condition for simulation, dynamic analysis of the seatbelt with driver interaction has been carried out. Through comparison with measured and computed accelerations of webbing, which shows good agreement, the validity of the model has been demonstrated. The dynamic model for seatbelt and driver can be used as a design tool for the development of anti-g buckles.