3239243 - Introduction - FRONT SEATS

GLOSSARY

Magnesium

A metal which is exceptionally light, in relation to its volume (density 1.74 g/cm3) , and has excellent strength properties. It is used in mechanical constructions in the form of alloys of various types (parts may be cast or forged).

Pretensioners

These are safety devices fitted to the front seat belts which replace normal reels. In the case of a fairly severe frontal impact the device, activated by a small explosive charge, intervenes preventing the sliding of the belt and thereby securing the occupant to the seat, overcoming the inertia force which would tend to project them forwards.

Passive safety

This is the collection of measures which interact to reduce the consequences to the occupants of the vehicle after an accident. The following come into this category: the stratified windscreen, the collapsible steering column, the door opening cables, the material from which the steering wheel is made, the absence of dangerous projections and corners in the dashboard, the structure of the pedals, the shape and resistance of the seats, the head restraints, the seat belts (also with pre-tensioners), the air bags and the bodyshell with differentiated resistance, in other words the passenger survival cell which is as rigid as possible and the front and rear sections, on the other hand, with crumple zones designed to gradually absorb the energy of the impact.

Submarining

This is the phenomenon which can occur in the case of a frontal impact. Even with the seat belt fastened, the body of the occupant of the sea tends to slide under the belt.

VIEW OF ASSEMBLY

The diagram shows the entire subassembly
1, Lower cushion 2, Magnesium alloy structure 3, Reach adjustment lever 4, Guide 5, Height adjustment switches 6, Squab rake adjustment knob 7, Lumbar adjustment knob 8, Head restraint 9, Seat belt 10, Pretensioner

INTRODUCTION

The front seats have been designed to optimize comfort and safety and, thanks to the wraparound design, guarantee a safe driving position even on tortuous routes.

STRUCTURE

The frame of the lower cushion and squab is made out a single piece of aluminium alloy (*).

This technological innovation brings the following benefits:

  • Significant reduction in seat weight.
  • Reduction in internal squeaks and noise due to the single-piece structure of both parts of the frame.
  • Increase in seat frame rigidity with a consequent increase in passive safety (*) in the case of shunting.

ADJUSTMENTS

The shape of the seat and the extensive adjustment possibilities, coupled with the possibility of adjusting the steering wheel, allow the optimum driving position for different "sized" drivers with diverse driving styles.

This is the range of possible adjustments:

  • Longitudinal adjustment. The sliding guides offer a wide range of travel and are angled by 3° so that the seat lifts as it moves forward.
  • Height adjustment Vertical travel is 40 mm. The control is carried out by an easy to use ratchet lever which requires little effort to operate.
  • Adjustment of the backrest angle. It is operated by a rotary handle that allows micrometric adjustment.
  • Lumbar adjustment (driver's seat on some versions). This is achieved by operating a knob on the backrest which controls a butterfly mechanism which varies the lumbar carrying capacity of the backrest.

SEAT BELTS

The front seat belts, fitted with pretensioners, have a double mounting on the seat.In this way the belt follows the seat in the various positions it can assume, adapting to them to guarantee maximum safety in all situations.In addition, the shape of the seat cushion and the profile of the seat belt greatly limit the phenomenon of the body sliding under the belt in the case of a frontal impact (submarining).

HEAD RESTRAINT

The head restraints are fitted with a height adjustment device which is fixed in such a way as to allow an optimum, stable position in the various intermediate positions.