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How Does it Work /
Seat Belts
How Seat Belts Work
Seat belts, also known as safety belts, are a safety feature that secures the
passenger to the vehicle seat in case of an accident. Seat belts are part of the
occupant restraint system which avoids harmful movement to passenger which could
lead to injuries and protects the occupants from ejecting from the vehicle. Many
seat belt designs have been developed to several different applications. The most
common safety belt is the three point seat belt found in most cars. This belt is
attached in three places, two mount near the rear of the seat and one towards the
top of the side pillar.
Car Safety Belt
The safety belt is worn over the waist and shoulder and is adjustable. Harness
style of safety belts are worn diagonally over the chest. This five point harness
seat belt is meant for children is car seats and racing applications. They provide
extra safety and consists of two shoulder belts and a lap portion which is connected
to a belt in between the legs.
Safety Belt Receptacle
Active Seat Belts
Active seat belts are also known as inertia belts. They increase their effectiveness
by self adjusting to the occupant in the event of an accident. This is done by tightening
the belt instantly with the help of a piston which is driven by expanding gas. These
are triggered by sensors placed in the car, like the air bag system. The function
of the web-clamps is to clamp the webbing as the webbing is tightened on the central
drum, when the car encounters an accident. It is created with a special stitch which
rips when it determines pressure. This functionality is useful when the occupant
is trapped in a fire inside the car and the seat belt won’t let go. The active seat
belt concept combined with the three point seat belts produce a much safer vehicle.
The seat belt light on the dashboard indicates when the seat belt has been fastened
properly. A warning sound is also given for few seconds before the light switches
off in most vehicles. A study has revealed that drivers who wear seat belts, along
with air bags safety systems will survive an accident better than people that don't.
How Does it Work
/ Seat Belts
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