ELECTRIC
DRIVE
FIAT PUNTO TRAINING OUTLINE
Fiat Auto S.p.A.
After Sales Training
7.4 Steering column
The steering column consists of two coaxial stubs. It contributes to a significant extent to
avoiding dangerous steering wheel penetration into the passenger compartment in case of
head-on collisions.
The lower portion consists of a metal tube that slides to keep the steering wheel position fixed
in case of collision. The max. sliding load is 8 kg and is obtained by means of an injected
plastic insert. The upper portion, manufactured in such a way as to ensure steering wheel
position adjustment, is:
sliding, to allow for axial adjustments (when requested or previously provided for by the body
version), and
pivoting, to allow for vertical adjustment (when requested or previously provided for by the
body version).
The steering column is borne by a support which is, in turn, bound to a bracket (both of these
items are made of steel). These components contribute to a significant extent, thanks to their
very high rigidity, to reduce the steering wheel vibrations.
All of this makes it possible to achieve important results in terms of:
vehicle passive safety;
driving comfort.
The vehicle’s safety performance is further enhanced by the collapsible steering column. The
device is based on magnesium capsules (of the wafer type) with plastic injection. In case of
collision, the column folds back by causing controlled energy absorption. All of this reduces to
a large extent the load suffered by the occupant’s thorax during the collision.
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