Comprehensive testing procedures ensure innovation and quality at competitive pricesZF LIFETEC continues to develop a physical and virtual (hybrid) test cosmos to accelerate development cyclesFocus on competitive advantage for customers combined with a clear mission and ‘real-life safety’ claimZF LIFETEC focuses on testing and development in three central tech centers and other locations in Europe
When accelerations of more than 50g tug at dummies
test sleds are accelerated from zero to one hundred in an instant to generate data and to validate new designs and products with physical and virtual tests
seat belts and even airbags are tortured in endurance testing equipment
it doesn't necessarily sound safe - but it does ensure greater safety
At least when the tests take place in one of the more than 20 test centers or in the three central ZF LIFETEC Tech Centers in Europe
airbags and steering wheels are tested under the toughest conditions to guarantee the highest quality standards
ZF LIFETEC not only concentrates on testing expertise that has been built up over decades
ZF LIFETEC is shortening vehicle development cycles to give its customers a clear competitive advantage in international markets
The vision is clearly defined: To increasingly adapt occupant safety to real-life accident scenarios (Real Life Safety) and thus further reduce the consequences of road traffic accidents for those affected
What began with the introduction of seat belts in the 1970s and continued with the introduction of airbags in the 1980s is now virtually standard in automotive safety technology
In order to continuously improve these life-saving vehicle systems
the standards for testing them have continued to evolve
Crash tests by car manufacturers have been standard practice since the 1970s at the latest and ZF LIFETEC
as one of the leading system suppliers for passive safety technology for vehicles
also carries out more than 50 dynamic tests per day worldwide
digital test and validation procedures have been added
enabling safety concepts to be adapted even better to the individual occupant
This is because the focus of the real-life safety approach is on people as individuals and the goal of providing them with even better protection - adapted to their individual stature
A wide range of solutions and strategies are available for this adaptive approach to occupant protection
which can only be developed and tested through a combination of physical testing and virtual validation
The holistic evaluation of a test series is based on a large number of individual load cases which
place different loads on the components of a seat belt system
In order to be able to recognize critical dynamic loads in good time and counteract them correctly
all significant dynamic loads on the belt system (force levels
This also applies to the entire occupant protection system
Developing this overall picture without the interaction of real and virtual tests would require a great deal of time and resources
“This is an attractive topic for the future
because the adaptivity of restraint systems is specified by the NCAPs as a development goal in their current roadmap and rewarded accordingly in crash test evaluations,” said Harald Lutz
Another key factor for innovation and quality is testing expertise and equipment
This applies to the testing of individual components as well as complete systems
Dynamic testing refers to the interaction - for example of the seatbelt and airbag - either individually or as a complete system in crash simulations on technically complex sled systems
ZF LIFETEC has sled systems in five key markets (USA
All tests are reliably implemented by test engineers and technicians worldwide
in accordance with the requirements that safety assessment organizations such as Euro NCAP
US NCAP or the US regulations of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) place on international automobile manufacturers
ZF LIFETEC is consistently developing and digitalizing testing
the immense amounts of data from previous tests to increasingly virtualize the testing process
but a good mix of simulation and real tests will make testing much more efficient in the future,” explained Lutz
An important basic requirement for virtual testing is the validation of the underlying assumptions
This is the only way to ensure that virtual tests match reality
ZF LIFETEC has developed the so-called HyDRA (Hyper Dynamic Response Actuator)
enables a quick and precise comparison with reality
This validates a digital twin that enables significantly shorter development cycles and serves as an enabler for ‘real-life safety’
Anyone who is a technology leader in the development and production of restraint systems must also cover a very wide range when it comes to testing components: This is because it involves the development of textiles for belts and airbags
from metal or plastic housings to pyrotechnic propellants and high-precision safety systems
Comprehensive material and environmental simulation tests are on the agenda for all components
ageing and wear processes are simulated and run through under realistic conditions
often with the help of specially developed test benches
as well as thermal changes or vibrations are determined in this way in order to rule out impairments to subsequent functionality
All systems must also be tested for electromagnetic compatibility
which play a central role in the safety and control of a vehicle as a human-machine interface (HMI)
this is important in order to design functions such as hands-on-detection to be fail-safe
Active seat-integrated belt tensioner ACR8.S compact design requires little installation spaceMore comfort and driving pleasure: minimizes belt pressure on the body during normal driving situations
but can gently pull the driver into the seat when corneringTactile warnings: Seat belt interacts and communicates with the driver High level of safety: belt tensioner can bring occupants into a better protected seating position before a crash
fourth generation of the ACR8 active belt tensioner
ZF LIFETEC is also supporting the trend towards connected and automated driving with the new ACR8.S seat-integrated version
The possibility of integration into the seat allows new design freedom for the vehicle interior
the restraint system can bring the occupants into a better protected seating position before a possible crash (repositioning)
the ACR8 system enables further safety functions
for example by tightening the seat belt during critical driving maneuvers such as automatic emergency braking
Such reversible belt tensioning can also increase driving pleasure by giving the person behind the wheel better support during dynamic driving
the belt can be used for highly automated driving by means of tactile warnings
for example to prompt the driver to take over the driving task
If the vehicle sensors detect an unavoidable crash
and the belt pulls the occupant's upper body back towards the seat backrest in a fraction of a second
the person is then guided towards the airbag
which then absorbs the impact energy even further to prevent serious injuries
This tightening is irreversible and is triggered in conjunction with the airbag - only once and only in the event of a correspondingly serious accident
The idea behind all ACR8 variants is to improve the pre-crash behavior of a vehicle's occupant protection systems
the belt slack is reduced and the occupants are held or placed in an ideal seating position
Depending on the car manufacturer's philosophy and the sensors available in the vehicle
the active belt tensioner from ZF LIFETEC can become active in the milliseconds before a potential collision
“With the ACR8 series active belt tensioners
conventional pyrotechnic functions can be combined with reversible electrical tensioning to further increase safety in the pre-crash phase
the electronic control options of the ACR8 are also suitable for offering additional safety and comfort functions,” explains Harald Lutz
the ACR8.S offers a range of options in a modular system
Nine different setup combinations are currently available
The webbing motion sensor and the electric drive unit are particularly noteworthy in this context
Both components are central building blocks for many optional functions
they enable haptic warnings: In automated driving
the active belt tensioner can help to alert the driver to the need to take over the driving task by means of belt vibration
high-frequency pulsation of the seat belt webbing can signal to the occupants that active intervention is necessary
the belt system's pulses close to the body are more efficient warning signals than displays or LEDs and minimize the reaction time,” emphasizes Lutz
Many functions go far beyond the belt's function as a pure safety device
As the seat belt is a constant companion during the journey
it should fit snugly but not restrict the occupants
The optional comfort function of the ACR8.S allows a lower tension level throughout operation
This means that the belt only rests lightly against the body
The innovation can also improve handling during sporty driving
the ACR8.S accesses navigation data in the vehicle and can tighten the belt to offer the occupants more support during dynamic driving
The functions described apply to the current fourth generation of the ACR8 as well as to the ACR8.S
The more compact ACR8.S design is ideal for seat-integrated applications
in convertibles and coupes without a B-pillar
but it will also be advantageous in the future with regard to automated driving
The latter is one of the most important drivers in the development of new interior concepts
If the seatbelt is located in the seat instead of the B-pillar
this opens up new design freedoms for interior design
allowing vehicle seats to be moved and rotated more freely
Extended design options for new vehicle interiors by steering wheels with new driver airbag configurationsEnhanced occupant protection for side impacts with dual-stage side airbagActive seat belts for enhanced driving safetyMarket for passive safety systems expected to grow by approximately 4% annually until 2030
one of the world’s leading suppliers of passive safety systems
airbag and seat belt technologies at its first Technology Day under the new brand
The ZF LIFETEC brand had been introduced in March 2024 for the ZF Passive Safety Systems division
which is currently being set up as a standalone company independent from ZF Group
With a global market share of more than 20 percent
ZF LIFETEC can be found in the vehicles of almost all leading vehicle manufacturers
the share of safety features in new passenger cars is expected to increase significantly – in both electric and combustion vehicles
Demand is driven by increasing global safety regulations and automotive megatrends,” said Rudolf Stark
“Our aim is to outgrow the market – and our technology driven approach combined with leading innovations are an excellent base for that
the independence as a standalone business provides us with greater entrepreneurial flexibility to address the needs of our customers.”
drivetrain electrification and smart interior are considered main drivers of change in the automotive industry
A high level of automated driving provides more in-car freedoms such as the ability to adjust seats to comfort positions while the vehicle is in motion
These features present considerable challenges for future occupant protection systems as well as business opportunities for ZF LIFETEC
While new interior concepts are changing the requirements for occupant protection
new passive safety systems are also opening up innovative design opportunities for vehicle manufacturers
The following highlights were among the solutions presented at the ZF LIFETEC Technology Day 2024:
A steering wheel with a pioneering seamless design
allowing customization and enhanced user experience.A driver airbag that deploys from the top of the steering wheel instead of in the frontal surface
This frees up the space in the steering wheel previously occupied by the airbag for new functions.A driver airbag solution (dual contour bag) designed to protect the driver in normal driving or in comfort seating position.An internal side airbag that can be deployed shortly before a side impact and creates an additional crumple zone between the side door and driver in two stages
Global passive safety market providing for structural growth
With its leading innovations across a full portfolio of airbag
ZF LIFETEC is well positioned to serve the demands of a growing market for passive safety systems
with a total market size of about €19 billion in 2023
the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4% until 2030
Increasing safety demands and stepped-up safety regulations – especially in emerging markets with particularly strong vehicle production volume growth such as China and India – as well as innovations to support mobility megatrends
represent the key drivers for outperforming the underlying light vehicle market growth
At the same time the market for passive safety systems is non-disruptive: The demand for safety comes independent from the drivetrain although the safety requirements have been increasing with respect to the higher weight of electric vehicles
ZF LIFETEC – the future standalone group in short
ZF Group initiated the carve-out of its Passive Safety Systems division to provide it with more strategic flexibility to enable higher growth in sales and profitability
ZF LIFETEC continues its journey towards a standalone group
leveraging the robust position in a structural growth market less affected by automotive industry shifts
With sales of approximately €4.6 billion in 2023
ZF LIFETEC is a leading global supplier of passive safety technology for the enhanced protection of vehicle occupants with a market share of more than 20 percent of global sales in its core product categories as of 2023
ZF LIFETEC has a global presence of 48 locations across 20 countries with around 36.000 employees
ZF LIFETEC’s global R&D network focuses on three global R&D centres-of-excellence in Germany
to drive global product portfolio development
and numerous local support facilities enabling close relationship with leading OEMs for product customization to regional market trends and regulatory changes
The comprehensive ZF LIFETEC product system covers three main product categories: inflatable restraint systems is the largest product category providing customers with a full suite of airbags and inflators to meet and exceed global safety standards and enable innovative interior designs
Steering wheel systems add integrated solutions to combine airbag technology with the usability of modern cars
Seat belt systems provide the full suite of restraint solutions with focus on increasing adaptability to the individual needs of passengers
Based on strong relationships with a diversified customer base of global OEMs
ZF LIFETEC products are essential pillars of safety from small vehicles in the volume segment to the most sophisticated luxury vehicles
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The steering wheel is a core element of digital interior conceptsInnovative positioning of the driver airbag enables forward-looking design options for the steering wheel and its controls Integration of force-sensitive controls in a seamless
Since the introduction of driver airbags in the 1980s
they have had a permanent place in the center of the steering wheel
the steering wheel has been more than just the interface between driver and car for transmitting steering commands
it has also become a protective function in the event of an accident
the driver's airbag has been standard equipment in most cars
the steering wheel has become the command center for entertainment and assistance functions in modern cars
ZF LIFETEC has designed a new generation of steering wheel to expand the design possibilities of future-oriented interior concepts
The driver's airbag is nowadays deployed frontal out of center of the steering wheel
In addition to this ZF LIFETEC is going to go a different way in regard of the upcoming new interior designs of the future
the driver airbag deploys from the top side of the steering wheel through the upper steering wheel rim towards the driver
This new installation position of the airbag allows the horizontal spoke
Force sensitive controls for the vehicle's entertainment and assistance functions are integrated behind a continuous surface
This design blends seamlessly into the digitally designed dashboards of modern vehicle interiors
we are enabling design freedom for steering wheels without compromising safety," explains Harald Lutz
which has become increasingly popular in recent years
can also be found in modern vehicle interiors
Manufacturers are increasingly eliminating joints and gaps in the interior
This is also reflected in innovative lighting options and displays
which are integrated throughout the vehicle interior
This development will also continue with future steering wheels
Seamless design variants with greater integration of HMI functions and new surfaces will decisively influence the appearance and functionality of tomorrow's steering wheel
The seamless design not only opens many possibilities for the use of new materials and shapes
On-demand functions (freely assignable fields)
as the steering wheel is also a safety-relevant component in the vehicle
Hybrid solutions can therefore also be implemented with this concept
the combination of an alternatively rotary switch with a force-sensitive and tactile surface also integrated in the steering wheel as an anchor point
thus enabling the driver to operate the system safely
These functions can also be combined with hands-on detection which is a component of current and future steering wheels
A capacitive sensor under the leather surface recognizes whether the driver is merely touching or safely gripping the wheel
This technology is a further module for safe vehicle control
Heightened safety in the event of a crash including comfort seating positions for advanced automated drivingZF's inflator enables inflation of particularly large airbags due to increased volumeThe internal pressure in the airbag can be adjusted to the occupant's stature and weight
drivers will have flexible seating position options
To provide the best possible protection in the event of a crash
new airbag concepts are required that adapt their depth of effect to the respective seating position
ZF LIFETEC has developed a dual contour airbag for the passenger side
which can be inflated in two different sizes
ZF LIFETEC is also developing a dual contour airbag for the driver's side for the next generation of partially or fully automated vehicles
Level 3 highly automated driving is possible in more vehicles and is being approved in more countries
Drivers can turn away from the traffic when the system is activated - provided they can take back control of the vehicle at any time if they are asked to do so
this restriction could be removed if the vehicle covers certain sections of the route completely independently
Drivers will also be able to change the seat position and angle of the backrest to a slightly more comfortable seating position if the automated control system takes over the driving task
For both the driver and front passenger side
occupant protection is only guaranteed for the standard upright seating position
“Our aim is to ensure that occupants in comfort seating positions also enjoy at least the same safety standards they are accustomed to in automated driving,” said Harald Lutz
Crash tests have shown that if a frontal crash occurs while the front occupants are in the comfort seat position - a backrest angle of around 40 degrees - the classic combination of seat belt and airbag may no longer provide optimum protection for the occupants
the distance between the inflated airbag and the occupant is too great to optimally cushion and restrain the passenger
It is important to note that the 90-degree angle from the backrest to the seat surface is defined as 0 in this recline specification — meaning that the normal seating position is around 20 degrees
a solution is needed that offers a high level of safety for both positions
This is the idea behind the dual contour airbag
the solution consists of an airbag that is designed for the standard seating position that can also be enlarged when the occupants are in a comfort seating position
ZF LIFETEC utilized experience gained from the development of a dual-contour passenger airbag
which will be ready for application this year
The new driver airbag also offers two stages
which extend accordingly depending on whether the person behind the steering wheel is in an upright or comfort seating position
The two-stage function can be regulated via a control unit that switches a system of bag-cushion-tethers
These tethers are connected to an active release unit
In order for the dual-contour driver airbag to fully deploy
which ZF LIFETEC has developed for airbags with particularly large volumes
It can fill the two volume sizes of the driver airbag integrated in the steering wheel within milliseconds
Lutz emphasizes that this type of airbag can provide a depth adaptivity of approximately 200 mm on the driver's side
The maximum total inflation volume of a dual-contour airbag is currently achieved on the passenger side and is up to 190 liters
“This is the absolute benchmark in this field,” noted Lutz
“ZF LIFETEC thus offers a high level of safety and covers all future requirements in terms of adaptivity.”
As the airbag control system is integrated into the car's electronics
the vehicle can identify which seat position the driver is in at the moment of the crash and which stage of the gas generator needs to be triggered
In addition to seat tilt and weight sensors
can be integrated into the system for a more precise assessment of the scenario in the interior
It is possible to implement a further adaptation in the dual-contour airbag
This allows the inflation pressure of the airbag to be varied depending on the size
If sensors or interior cameras provide the relevant information and detect a tall
air vents can be opened to modulate the inflation pressure and thus optimize restraint for the occupant
which ZF LIFETEC already offers in other airbags in series applications
the restraint function of the airbag in many vehicles is already more efficient today and at the same time takes into account the ‘real-life safety’ approach,” summarized Lutz
Advanced external pre-crash airbag helps create a lateral crumple zone – can be deployed immediately prior to a collision‘Dual contour’ airbags designed to cover extended passenger positions in automated driving scenarios‘Far-side airbags’ are designed to help enhance occupant protection in far side crashesKnee airbag module will offer best-in-class weight and packaging
The future of mobility presents new challenges for occupant safety
combining active and passive safety technology to
trigger airbags immediately before a crash
Protecting passengers in autonomous vehicles with new seating configurations is another area where restraint systems are undergoing modifications
traditional passive safety systems are being designed to help improve weight
installation space and protection performance
At the ‘Airbag 2018’ symposium in Mannheim from November 26 to 28
ZF will present the current state of development as well as new solutions
“Occupant safety is paramount when developing new vehicles for automated and autonomous driving,” says Dr
Head of ZF’s Passive Safety Systems Division
“Our concept of the pre-crash external side airbag is a great example of how ZF wants to achieve its Vision Zero
Designed to be deployed externally from the side of the vehicle
this airbag helps serve as an additional crumple zone in the event of an accident
Tests have shown it can help reduce the occupant injury severity up to 40 percent
ZF will present the current state of development of this external pre-crash system at the symposium
describing amongst other things the activation strategy and pole test requirements
Well protected also in new seating positions
In addition to the ever-stronger connection of active and passive safety technologies
occupant safety must also be adapted to new seating positions
A vehicle travelling in highly automated mode would ideally allow the driver to relax or work
it will be possible to recline the seat or turn it to face other directions
Restraint systems like seatbelts and airbags must be designed to help protect the occupants in these flexible seating positions and will increasingly be integrated into the seat itself
Adaptive ‘dual contour’ airbags have been developed for this purpose
These airbags are designed to adapt to the occupant position and the new degree of freedom in the passenger compartment that automated driving has created
To help lower the risk of collision between front seat occupants or with interior structural components during cases such as far side impact
ZF’s development of a far-side airbag is well advanced
It unfolds in the vehicle’s center and is designed to help meet future regulatory testing: “The new test requirements of Euro NCAP
extend occupant safety requirements for the side facing away from the occupants in case of a side impact,” as Norbert Kagerer
Head of Development at ZF’s Passive Safety Systems Division
the far-side airbag may be necessary in order to receive a 5-star crash safety rating.” 
ZF is also addressing other automotive megatrends with the lightest knee airbag in the automotive industry: “Due to its lower weight
the vehicle consumes less fuel and gives off fewer emissions,” says Kagerer
the smaller and more flexible size helps meet new interior requirements of future electric and autonomous vehicles.” Featuring a housing made of fabric instead of metal
ZF’s new development weighs up to 30 percent less than conventional knee airbags
Today the driver airbag is located in the steering wheel and both are integral parts of the occupant safety system
Partly or highly automated vehicles will for the foreseeable future feature a steering wheel that will evolve with new design features
flat and to some extent open forms will also be available on the market
In combination with new folding mechanisms
they will ensure more freedom of movement for the occupants
will increase interaction with the occupants and allow for more control of interior systems from the steering wheel
Where to find ZF at the ‘Airbag 2018’ symposium:
2018:4:55 – 5:20 p.m.,Enabling Technologies for Future Vehicles – Integrated SafetyWednesday
2018:11:25 – 11:50 a.m.,PROSIP: Proactive Side Impact Protection System – Insight into a Scenario Driven Top-Down Development ApproachNovember 26 – 28:all day,Alternative Approach to Steering Devices of the Future (poster presentation)
Technology group honors eight companies with ZF Supplier AwardsAward ceremony as part of the ZF Global Supplier Summit with the theme of "Committed to sustainability"Awards reflect new ZF technology fields and service areas
ZF recognized eight of its almost 30,000 suppliers worldwide for their excellent performance
The ZF Supplier Awards were given as part of the company's own Global Supplier Summit
which this year was primarily focused on sustainability
Around a thousand participants from all over the world received insights into the corporate strategy
new technologies and the resulting new requirements relating to purchasing and logistics from ZF's top management at the virtual conference
“Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy
ZF is anchored in our Green Power Roadmap with the goal that we will be climate neutral by 2040 ten years earlier than envisaged in the Paris Climate Agreement
The overarching goal is to reconcile society's mobility needs with the requirements of a healthy ecosystem,” said ZF board member Wilhelm Rehm
who is responsible for the technology company's materials management
“This goal has a decisive impact on the entire supply chain
we expect our suppliers to join us on the path to a climate-neutral future,” emphasizes Rehm
The winner of this year's ZF Supplier Award in the “Sustainability” category is the AE Group from Gerstungen in Germany
The specialist for ready-to-install light metal cast components has been one of ZF's strategic suppliers for over 20 years and supplies
aluminum die-cast components for control units
Primary reason for the award: The AE Group has been producing completely CO2-neutrally since June of this year
the company is relying on the increased use of recycled aluminum and offsetting the annual emissions of 35,000 tons of CO2 by purchasing the required energy in the form of one hundred percent green electricity and one hundred percent CO2-neutral gas
which is offset by a hydropower plant in India
The Supplier Award in the “Digitization / Networking” category goes to Microsoft in 2021
Microsoft supports ZF significantly in its digital transformation
ZF uses the Azure cloud platform to develop a digital production platform
A quick rollout of Microsoft Teams during COVID-19 connected more than one hundred thousand ZF employees with one another and enabled a hybrid work culture
Flex Automotive wins a supplier award in the “Production Material” category
whose headquarters are in Singapore and whose entrepreneurial roots are in Silicon Valley
supplies ZF with electronic modules for the area of active safety
the company provided ZF with significant support in its localization efforts in Europe
The award winners in the "Non-Production Material" category are Grob-Werke
universal machines and assembly lines has been a strategic ZF supplier for many years and supplies the technology group with high-quality machines for in-house production
The company has a global manufacturing presence in North and South America
Europe and China and has made a decisive contribution to ZF's technological transformation
Another four categories reflect the technology fields strategically defined by ZF
one of the world's leading providers of software for autonomous vehicles
supports the technology group in its transformation into a digitized and software-oriented mobility service provider
The two companies have also agreed a strategic partnership to develop an automated system for transporting people and goods
In the "Integrated Safety" category
ZF honored Elastic-Berger from Alfdorf in Germany
one of the leading manufacturers of belt straps for car seat belts
The globally operating company supplies ZF with belts that have heating wires woven into them
They serve as a heat source and lead to a more efficient heating process
especially in electrically powered vehicles
They also increase driving comfort for the occupants
The technology supports ZF in the development of the first heated seat belt system in the automotive market
The winner of the award in the "Vehicle Motion Control" technology field is the plastics manufacturer Weißer und Grießhaber
The ZF supplier from Mönchweiler in the German Schwarzwald-Baar district has developed a glass fiber-reinforced all-plastic micro-filter using a novel production process
Such high-precision and extremely high-performance plastic parts and assemblies for the automotive industry provide efficiency and cost advantages and reduce the complexity of the parts
the ZF supplier award goes to Panasonic Industry Europe
The division of the Japanese electronics group supplies the ZF Electrified Powertrain Technology division with size
weight and performance-optimized capacitors for the power electronics of electric drives
which enable end customers to have a longer range with the battery capacity available
New seat belt is designed to provide uniform warmth close to the body Enhanced comfort with no compromise in performance Reducing power to heat the vehicle may increase range for e-vehicles when compared to other climate control systems
ZF has developed a heated seat belt option for electric vehicles
This technology allows drivers to reduce the energy used to heat the vehicle — especially in combination with other contact heaters such as a seat heater
the system may increase range by up to 15 percent by reducing the energy required to heat the interior of the vehicle
The ZF heated seat belt is based on a special webbing with integrated heating conductors that minimally increase the thickness of the webbing
This makes integration easier for vehicle manufacturers and offers occupants the same comfort as normal seat belt webbing
The heated belt is designed to provide occupants with a uniform feeling of warmth close to the body
ZF’s new heated seat belt can provide close-to-body warmth immediately after the driver starts driving
typically between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius
the heated seat belt has the potential to provide occupant comfort quickly
the climate control system is powered by battery current
as there is no usable waste heat as with the combustion engine
Reducing the amount of battery current used to heat the interior of the vehicle may enable a range gain of up to 15 percent using contact heaters and reducing the usage of conventional climate control systems
Other advantages of ZF’s heated seat belt are decisive for its broad acceptance among drivers and passengers: It behaves like a conventional seat belt
ZF used a special textile processing method for this innovation
The heating conductors are woven into the seat belt structure
The contact elements for the electrical heating circuits are positioned in such a way that they do not interfere with belt operation or retraction
Special belt retractors at other installation positions are not necessary
Since all relevant characteristics of the seat belt remain the same
there are not any added procedures or qualifications for the OEM
The heated seat belt is in no way inferior to its conventional counterparts in terms of occupant protection
Occupant experience and safety potential are generally enhanced by reducing bulky clothing
This allows the belt to lie much closer to the body while continuing to restrain and protect the occupant in a crash.