Procon-ten

Procon - ten ( contraction of Programmed and tension ) was a brand for a system to increase the passive safety in motor vehicles, which retracts the steering column in a frontal collision and tightens the seatbelts. The system was developed in the 1980s by Audi and registered as a trademark, which was deleted in 2002.

Mechanically working Procon th consists of steel wires, which connect the steering column and the front seat via deflecting rollers in the region of the front wheel suspensions of the engine block. During a frontal collision, the engine block between the front wheels is pushed toward the compartment in the initial phase. By the deflection of the cables, this offset is used to pull the steering column in the opposite direction by the driver, and to tension the belts.

Purpose of the system is particularly at reducing the risk of head injury from impact with the steering wheel. The belt tensioners reduce the risk of injury in addition. Meanwhile Procon - ten has been replaced by a sensor-controlled airbags and seat belt pretensioners.