Load Limiting device for a seat belt of a vehicle

The invention relates to a load limiting device 10 for a seat belt of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a spool (12 fig. 1) for the seat belt, the spool being rotatable about a rotation axis (14 fig. 1) due to unwinding the seat belt from the spool. At least one first load limiting element 18 and at least one second load limiting element 20 having at least one knife edge 22 and are at least indirectly connected to the spool and rotatable about the rotation axis. The second load limiting element is movable away from the rotation axis from a release position into at least one load limiting position due to centrifugal forces acting upon the second load limiting element. The centrifugal forces result from rotating the spool when unwinding the seat belt. When in the load limiting position, the second load limiting element is in contact with the first load limiting element at least temporarily and shears the first load limiting element by means of the knife edge thereby retarding the rotation of the spool. The spool can be connected to the second load limiting element via at least one torsion bar.