Seat Belts 101: The Different Types of Pre-Tensioners

Many parts of a car make it so you won’t have to bother with long commutes, focusing on car handling and speed. Conversely, other components of a vehicle ensure safety, such as the seat belt pre-tensioner. The pre-tensioner is a necessary component of any seat belt system because it’s what holds a person in place while seated in the event of a car crash, especially in front or head-on collisions. It’s also what allows the passenger to come into contact with the airbag in a safe, controlled manner.

What many people don’t know about seat belt pre-tensioners is that there are different variants of them. We’ll know more about them in this article, so read on below to learn more.

More about Seat Belt Pre-Tensioners

In essence, the seat belt pre-tensioner is an add-on component of the seat belt system, which locks it in place during a crash. The basic seat belt has already been proven to reduce severe injuries and save lives. However, continuing research and tests have shown that it’s not perfect, and there’s always room for improvement.

This is evident when a person’s body rushes to the front during a crash. A pre-tensioner helps avoid this because the seat belt stiffens up to restrain the passenger from any forward motion. Unfortunately, the passenger may still be shaken in place, which doesn’t always end well with an airbag.

The 3 Types of Seat Belt Pre-Tensioners

Since cars are built under different brand manufacturers, each product line's SRS system will also vary. Here are the three types of seat belt pre-tensioners:

Mechanical Pre-Tensioner

As the name suggests, a mechanical pre-tensioner is operated mechanically. It’s typically attached to the seat belt buckle’s assembly via a long, powerful spring that’s compressed in a tube, restrained by a latching mechanism.

The mechanical variant of pre-tensioners is comprised of an inertial wheel combined with a pendulum. This pendulum moves to lock the belt in place in the event of sudden deceleration. You’ll know a seat belt uses a mechanical pre-tensioner if you try to pull a seat belt from the reel only to have it lock against your wishes. Aside from that, a mechanical pre-tensioner generally makes you feel the seat belt gradually getting tighter while driving.

Electrical Pre-Tensioner

Akin to its mechanical counterpart, the electrical pre-tensioner swaps the pendulum for an electrical sensor. This prevents the false locking condition that’s present in mechanical pre-tensioners.

The electrical sensor can also be integrated with the other systems in a vehicle, such as airbag sensors. This connection makes sure that the seat belts will lock regardless if the sudden deceleration needed to lock mechanical pre-tensioners occurs or not.

Electronic Pre-Tensioner

Also known as the pyrotechnic pre-tensioner, the electronic pre-tensioner users an engine control unit (ECU) and a gas generator system in the same vein as airbag systems. As a matter of fact, an electronic pre-tensioner’s effectiveness is drastically improved when used in conjunction with these systems.

It’s arguably the most cutting-edge variant among pre-tensioning devices because an explosive charge is used and causes the gas generator to produce a little amount of gas. This volume of gas then accumulates enough pressure that will act as a mechanical link to pull the seat belt. When used, an electronic pre-tensioner, including the seat belts, must be replaced.

Conclusion

Airbags may help you prevent injuries during a car crash, but it’s best if it doesn’t get deployed at all. Seat belts are the only thing that will decide life or death for any passenger who experiences a car crash, so it’s crucial to wear them at all times inside a car. Pre-tensioners give an extra layer of protection, so you’d do well to fit your seat belts with them.

Repair My SRS provides top-quality services for seat belt buckle pre-tensioner repair. Safety is a top priority when driving, which is why we make sure that our work is up to standard before getting back to our clients. Contact us today to learn more!