PREDICTING PRESSURE LEVEL FELT UNDER THE SEAT PAN DUE TO CHANGES IN DRIVING POSITION

Year 2017, , 325 - 334, 30.06.2017

N.k. Khamis B.m. Deros D. Schramm N. Maas M. Z. Nuawi M. Koppers

https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2017.607

Abstract

In
ergonomics perspective, car seat is defined as one of the main workstation when
the driver is performing driving task. The car seat itself provides support and
space for the driver over the head, at the upper and lower back, at the buttock
and also at the thigh. There has been abundant research regarding car seat in
the past decades. However, in spite of vast studies on this issue, limited
studies were found on sitting effect to the pressure when adopting different
driving position. Hence, this study integrates objective and subjective
evaluation to predict pressure felt level. Mapping of the pressures
distribution was taken to the seat pan. This study is a static field experiment
where data acquired are in the quantitative form. Findings show that the
pressure of the heavier subject is more scattered at the buttock area, while the
lighter subject has mild stress concentrated under ischium tuberosity.  

Keywords

Pressure, car, seat pan, driver, discomfort

References

• Andersson, G.B.J. 1980. The load on the lumbar spine in sitting postures. D.J. Oborne and J.A. Levis (eds.) Human Factors in Transport Research. New York: Academic Press, 231-239.
• Andreoni, G., Santambrogio, G.C., Rabuffetti, M., & Pedotti, A. 2002. Method for the analysis of posture and interface pressure of car drivers. Applied Ergonomics, 33(6): 511-522.
• Antonson, H., Ahlström, C., Mårdh, S., Blomqvist, G., & Wiklund, M. 2014. Landscape heritage objects’ effect on driving: a combined driving simulator and questionnaire study. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 62: 168-177.
• Balasubramanian, V., & Adalarasu, K. 2007. EMG-based analysis of change in muscle activity during simulated driving. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 11(2): 151-158.
• Coelho, D.A., & Dahlman, S. 1999. A pilot evaluation of car seat side support : Leading to a redefinition of the problem. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 24: 201-210.
• Daruis, D.D.I. 2010. Model bersepadu untuk pengukuran dan penilaian tahap ketidakselesaan tempat duduk kereta. Tesis Doktor Falsafah, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
• De Looze, M.P., Kuijt-Evers, L.F.M., & van Dieën, J. 2003. Sitting comfort and discomfort and the relationships with objective measures. Ergonomics, 46(10): 985-997.
• Graf, M., Guggenbiihl, U., & Krueger, H. 1993. Investigations on the effects of seat shape and slope on posture, comfort and back muscle activity. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 12: 91-103.
• Graf, M., Guggenbuhl, U., & Krueger, H. An assessment of seated activity and postures at five workplaces. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 15(2): 81-90.
• Grandjean, E., 1980. Sitting posture of car drivers forms the point of view of ergonomics. Hum. Fact. Trans. Res., 2: 205-213.
• Gross, C.M., Goonetilleke, R.S. and Menon, K.K., 1994. New developments in the biomechanical assessment and prediction of seat comfort. Hard facts about soft machines: The ergonomics of seating.
• Hubbard, R.P., & Reynolds, H. M. 1984. Anatomical geometry and seating. SAE Technical Paper 840506. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc
• Lueder, R. 2004. Ergonomics of seated movement: A review of the scientific literature. Humanics Ergosystem Inc.
• Mohamad, D., Deros, B.M., Daruis, D.D.I., Ramli, N.F., & Sukadarin, E.H. 2016. Comfortable driver's car seat dimensions based on anthropometrics data. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 45(1): 106-113.
• Mohamad, D., Deros, B.M., Wahab, D.A., Daruis, D.D.I., & Ismail, A.R. 2010. Integration of comfort into a driver’s car seat design using image analysis. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(7): 937-942.
• Na, S., Lim, S., Choi, H.-S., & Chung, M.K. 2005. Evaluation of driver’s discomfort and postural change using dynamic body pressure distribution. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 35(12): 1085-1096.
• Ng, D., Cassar, T., & Gross, C.M. 1995. Evaluation of an intelligent seat system. Applied Ergonomics, 26(2): 109-116.
• Piaw, C.Y. 2006. Asas statistik penyelidikan. Cetakan Pertama. Shah Alam, Selangor: McGrraw-Hill (Malaysia).
• Porter, J.M., Gyi, D.E. & Tait, H.A., 2003. Interface pressure data and the prediction of driver discomfort in road trials. Applied Ergonomics, 34(3): 207-214.
• Porter, J.M., Gyi, D.E. & Tait, H.A., 2003. Interface pressure data and the prediction of driver discomfort in road trials. Applied Ergonomics, 34(3): 207-214.
• Shackel, B., Chidsey, K.D., Shipley, P., 1969. The assessment of chair comfort, Ergonomics, 12(2): 269-306
• Shen, W., & Galer, I.A.R. 2015. Development of a pressure related assessment model of seating discomfort. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting.
• Thakurta, K., Koester, D., Bush, N., Bachle, S. 1995. Evaluating short and long term seating comfort. Society of Automotive Engineers, 950144.
• Wilke, H.J., Neef, P., Caimi, M., Hoogland, T. & Claes, L.E. 1999. New in vivo measurements of pressures in the intervertebral disc in daily life. Spine, 24(8): 755-762
• Wu, X., Rakheja, S., & Boileau, P.-É. 1999. Distribution of human–seat interface pressure on a soft automotive seat under vertical vibration. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 24(5): 545-557.
• Yamazaki, N. 1992. Analysis of sitting comfortability of driver's seat by contact shape. Ergonomics. 35(5-6): 677-692.