SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVELY ADJUSTING A SEAT BELT LOAD LIMITER

Systems and methods described herein relate to adaptively adjusting the load limit of a seat belt load limiter. In one embodiment, an adaptive load-limit adjustment system estimates the weight of an occupant of a vehicle seat based on sensor data. The system also adjusts the load limit of the seat belt load limiter in accordance with the estimated weight of the occupant by causing one or more pins to protrude laterally a predetermined length from a torsional bar of the seat belt load limiter to change an effective diameter of the torsional bar and thereby adjust a shear force exerted during a vehicular crash on a STF that surrounds the torsional bar between the torsional bar and a housing of the seat belt load limiter.