Home > Transportation & Automobile > Cars, Trucks & Roadway Safety > News



TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.


Company \| News \| Products \| Contact Us

TRW: New generation of seat belt retractor offers weight and packaging advantages

6/23/2014

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), today announced that it is launching its next generation seat belt retractor - the Floating Spool 1 (FS1) - which offers reduced weight and smaller dimensions when compared with previous systems. The global FS1 technology is starting production with several vehicle manufacturers in Asia, Europe, North America and South America during the second quarter of 2014.

In a crash scenario, most seat belt retractors use a lock pawl to hold the webbing in place. Instead, the new FS1 design with fewer components uses the forward movement of the occupant to apply force to the webbing, which then moves the spool, locking the retractor. It offers a simpler, standardized component design that can be easily adapted to local market requirements at a highly competitive cost, and can be produced using fully automated or semi-automated manufacturing processes.

Aziz Canatar, global engineering director, TRW Seat Belt Systems, said: "Our new FS1 technology weighs approximately 15 percent less than the previous generation, making it a more environmentally friendly product that can help automobile manufacturers meet emissions and fuel economy targets. In addition, the smaller retractor offers significant packaging advantages and greater installation options."

The new retractor technology is suitable for front and rear seat applications using buckles and/or anchor pretensioners. The FS1 is available as a standard retractor without load limiter, but also with a constant load limiter using a standard torsion bar.

Both standard and reverse payout versions are available with the FS1. The sensor locking mechanism, with fewer moving parts, gives it excellent NVH characteristics. Optional functions include a child seat restraint feature, sensor blockout for folding seats and a noise dampening system.

Canatar added: "The design of the new FS1 offers many advantages related to weight, size and packaging flexibility. Standardized components and assembly options make it a truly cost-competitive, global technology. TRW believes FS1 is the retractor of choice to meet global market needs both now and in the future."

Plastindia 2015 to Boost Plastics in Automotive Industry 5/27/2014

Celanese XAP® Technology Helps Automakers Achieve Low-Emission Standards for Vehicle Interior Applications 5/7/2014

Piedrafita Selects Moog for Fatigue Test System 5/6/2014

Firestone launches Destination HP tyre for SUVs 4/18/2014

Moog Launches Electric Simulation Table with Tilt for Fluid Tank Tests 4/8/2014

ESI releases the latest version of Virtual Performance Solution 3/2/2014

Clariant focuses on benchmark sustainable technology for high-power electric vehicle batteries 2/27/2014

Avery Dennison Outperforms Competition in Vehicle Wrap Benchmark Study 7/4/2013

A Strategic Milestone: ContiTech Vibration Control Opens a New R&D Centre in China 3/6/2013

Cars, Trucks & Roadway Safety Exhibitions
	CENTROPARTS 2026 7/29/2026 - 8/1/2026 Goiania, Brazil
	Green Vehicle Expo 2026 7/29/2026 - 7/31/2026 Bengaluru, India
	GIIAS Jakarta 2026 7/30/2026 - 8/9/2026 Jakarta, Indonesia
	Auto Components Show 2026 7/31/2026 - 8/2/2026 Chennai, India
	CTAA SUN 2026 8/5/2026 - 8/7/2026 Monterey CA, United States
More Trade Shows