TRW's Second Generation Active Control Retractor Seat Belt System Starts Production in Europe and Asia

LIVONIA, Mich., April 23 -- TRW Automotive GmbH, a subsidiary of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. , today announced that its second generation Active Control Retractor system (ACR2) has started production on the new Hyundai Equus. The technology offers comfort and functionality enhancements over TRW's first generation product and at a lower cost.

Uwe Class, manager of reversible systems for TRW's Occupant Safety Systems, said: "Like the original product, ACR2 is designed to use braking and stability control sensor information to detect a potential accident. If this happens, the system removes the seat belt slack to help better position the occupant in relation to the vehicle's airbag restraint system."

"The new system also offers additional comfort features such as slack removal after the belt is buckled."

Additionally, the ACR2 provides dynamic driving support which has been developed to help keep the driver in a more stable position in the seat during highly dynamic situations and during rapid deceleration. This features an improved version of TRW's proprietary situation management algorithm.

"The ACR2 situation management algorithm continuously processes signals from the vehicle's relevant dynamic systems such as ABS, electronic stability control or the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) radar," continued Class. "The algorithm evaluates events such as braking, sliding or vehicle angle, and if a critical situation is identified, the ACR system pretensions the seat belt, helping place the occupant in a better position for a potential crash and acting as a warning to the driver that an accident may be likely. Should the accident be avoided, the system automatically resets itself via the reversible actuator."

Compared to its predecessor, the new system is significantly reduced in both size and weight based on the addition of a brush motor (instead of a brushless motor), a redesigned clutch and a toothed belt with spur gear transmission. Such features provide improved packaging and design flexibility, and help to reduce costs for the vehicle manufacturer.

"We have worked independently and in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers to enhance the TRW ACR2 system and offer a more affordable product while improving its safety and convenience features," concluded Class.

TRW was first to market an active seat belt system when it launched on the Mercedes S Class, and ACR remains standard equipment as part of the S Class's "Pre-Safe" system. TRW has continued to work to integrate the Active Control Retractor system with other advanced comfort and safety systems including drowsy driver warning functions and interaction with radar enabled emergency brake assist technology.