Study of Seating Comfort in Passenger Vehicles
Umi Salmah Binti Seraj, Mohd. Farid Aladdin*
Introduction
The comfort of a driver is now given equal importance as the
functionality of automobiles. Seating comfort is divided into two
types: Static (geometry and upholstery) and Dynamic (vibration
transmissibility) [1]. Seat geometry affects the posture adapted by
occupants. Postural comfort is a subjective measure and must be
balanced between being physiologically appropriate while
accommodating the preference of a driver. Poor posturing can lead
to musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Excessive whole body
vibrations have been linked to similar disorders [2]. A method will
be created to allow definition of preferred posture angles by
varying seat back contour. It will be applied in both static and
dynamic conditions by measuring changes in posture and vibration
properties to identify a relationship between the two aspects and
bridge the gap between objective and subjective comfort study.
Research Questions
What is a more accessible method to measure current and
preferred posture angles of a variety of car drivers?
What are the differences in posture angles and static comfort to
car drivers based on existing and varied seat contours?
Do the different seat contours and posture angles affect
corresponding dynamic comfort to the driver compared to existing
seat contours and posture angles?
Research Objectives
Create a more accessible method to measure current and
preferred posture angles per variable seat contour.
Identify the differences in postures angles according to existing
and adjusted seat contour and its comfort relevance to drivers.
Evaluating the effect of adjusted seat contour and posture angles
on the vibration transmission and perception to the driver
compared to existing seat contours and posture angles?
Literature Review
Umi Salmah Binti Seraj Mohd. Farid Aladdin
umisalmahseraj@sd.taylors.edu.my mohdfarid.aladdin@taylors.edu.my
School of Engineering, Taylors University, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: mohdfarid.aladdin@taylors.edu.my
The support parameter of the seat, which is defined by its
contour, plays the biggest role in posture. Most common is
lumbar support. However, there is a lack of standardization for
this support due to the wide preference of users without ways to
define these actual preferences. Recently, studies have proven
that lumbar supports may cause more harm to the spine, instead
recommending support in the sacral and lower thoracic area for
improved posture [3]. These studies were performed in labs, and
their validity in actual conditions have become a topic of interest.
Posture analysis methods such as EMG, spinal shrinkage, pressure
distribution and joint angles have proven that backrest support
has contradicting comfort effects in static and dynamic
conditions, with unfavourable effects from increased exposure to
vibration. Advancement in physical and virtual simulation
methods like Manikins and Digital Human Modelling (DHM) have
been adapted to achieve a balance in overall comfort by means of
occupant. This is the whole body vibration
posture prediction and recommendation based on
anthropometric data. However, researchers acknowledge high
Power Law will be used to quantify the
chances that these suggestions may be out of the comfort
constraints of target subjects, and continuous research in this
existing and new seat contour.
field is almost useless without subjective verification [4].
Research methodology
The method has been designed based on
anthropometry of Malaysian drivers to
accommodate sitting dimensions. Palpation to
locate and mark body landmarks will be
performed. The landmarks and transformation
to joints-segments chosen are based on popular
and validated information by Reed [5].
Adjustable linkages attached to the subject will
mimic approximated body segments, which will
be used to calculate the postural angles. Subject
may alter seat contour through the method, and
the change in postural angles will be measured.
The vibration apparatuses that will be utilized
are a seat pad triaxial accelerometer and a
vibration analyser to measure 3-axis RMS
acceleration values in between the seat and the
(WBV) transmitted to the occupant. Stevens
difference in the vibration magnitude felt with
Expected outcomes
Fabrication of tool using affordable material and simple
technique that produces accurate results with minimum errors.
Quantification of postural angles in static condition to prove
variety of subjective seating preferences.
Justification of these angles in dynamic conditions by
measurement of vibration aspects.
Recommendation of the need of variable seat contour to
improve overall automobile seating comfort.
References
[1] K. Ormu and O. Mufti, Main Ambient Factors Influencing Passenger Vehicle
Comfort, Proc. 2nd Int. Ergon. Conf. Ergon., pp. 7784, 2004.
[2] M. J. Griffin, Evaluation of Vibration with Respect to Human Response, SAE Int., 1986.
[3] L. W. Reed, Mathew P.; Schneider, Lumbar Support in Auto Seats: Conclusions from a
Study of Preferred Driving Posture (960478 Technical Paper)no. 960478, pp. 1928, 1996.
[4] M. Dietz, Validation and Application of the 3-D CAD Manikin RAMSIS in Automotive
Design, no. 724, 2012.
[5] M. P. Reed, M. A. Manary, and L. W. Schneider, Methods for Measuring and
Representing Automotive Occupant Posture, Soc. Automot. Eng., no. 724, 1999.