Occupant Packaging : Seat Part V (Video)

I found some useful video in the youtube. So enjoy...

Occupant Packaging : Seat Part IV

With the advance of technology, the using of computer aided design(CAD) helps the engineers to reduce time in drawing the seat. In ergonomics aspects,engineers will simulate driver behaviour and measure key criteria such as reach,visibility,comfort,posture, biomechanics,strength and anthropometrics. This analysis will enable the team to make driver oriented decisions about cockpit design, while respecting the overall aerodynamics of the race car body.

Example of CAD

To optimize cockpit ergonomics, engineers will first create a digital model of each driver using a combination of laser scanning and manual anthropometrical techniques. The resulting virtual models will be used to analyze and improve specific accommodation issues such as driver comfort and security, and accessibility and serviceability of components inside the cockpit during pit stops—without the need to involve the actual drivers.
Example of CAD are:

a)  RAMSIS -  A 3D computer model simulating the driver,which is the leading CAD tool for ergonomic analysis of vehicle. Its goal is to overcome the limitation of 2D human templates, as well as to provide methods for predicting driver postures and comfort.

Instrument panel layouts by RAMsis

b) The SAMMIE system -  produced by an Ergonomics Design Consultancy dedicated to improving product,workplace, and service design for the benefit of the user and ultimately the producer and is it approved by SAE.

The SAMMIE system is a computer based Human Modeling tool. Its capabilities make it an invaluable tool to the designers and design teamw working on products that are used by people. The system offers the following advantages :

 

   1. 3D analysis of fit, reach, vision and posture.
   2. reduced timescale.
   3. early input of ergonomics expertise.
   4. rapid interactive design.
   5. improved communication.
   6. cost effective ergonomics.
 

Driver View Points-Sammie System

Occupant Packaging : Seat Part III

 So, in order to learn more in this we have to know about the H- point. As a quote from wikipedia;

the H-point (or hip-point) is the theoretical, relative location of an occupant's hip, specifically the pivot point between the torso and upper leg portions of the body, either relative to the floor of the vehicle^[1] or relative to the height above pavement level -- and pertinent to seating comfort, visibility from the vehicle into traffic and other design factors. Technically, the measurement uses the hip joint of a 50th Percentile male occupant, viewed laterally.^[2]

From the definition I believe we understand that the design of seat should be to achieved greater stability and comfortability of H-point.

Below are some of important imformation found in the internet.

Occupant Packaging : Seat Part II

In this topic, we are going to discuss on driver's "cockpit". The seat that are going to be designed must follow a thorough inspection so that when it produced massively, will later satisfy the customers expectation. For example, in Asian region where the average human is 175cm height compared to in Europe which is 7cm more. That is why,if we look at todays demand for car, most Asian buyer prefer to buy a compact car rather than truck sized car(quite famous for American).

Below is a diagram which explain the optimum features for a completely built seat.

## The working-place drive must be designed for different sizes of humans. The two-dimensional design dummies cover the 5% female up to the 95% male, as shown below.

 

Occupant Packaging : Seat Part I

Criteria for driver's Seat :

1. the seat should position the driver with unobstructed vision and within reach of all vehicle control
2. the seat must accommodate the driver's size and shape
3. the seat should be comfortable for extended period
4. the seat should provide a safe zone for the driver in a crash

All aspects that contribute to a more comfortable drive also help to reduce accidents, for example:

         @ comfortable entry and egress from the  vehicle
@ the entrance and seat not too low above the road
@ a good adjustable seat
@ a seat back with lumbar support.

COMFORT AND ERGONOMICS

When we talk about comfort,we cannot run from discussing about the car design especially the seat, on which we sit for all the time during driving session.

There are many aspect to consider in designing a vehicle:

• Occupant packaging
• Computer Aided Ergonomics Design Of Car
• Visual Aspects in Vehicle Design
• Automotive Seat Design For Sitting Comfort (H-Point)
• Physical Aspect of Car Design
• Design of Symbols For Automobile Control And Displays
• Informational Aspect Of Vehicle Design

For vehicle Ergonomics,there are 5 aspects to be concentrated,that are:

1. Safety   
2. Comfort
3. Ease of Use
4. Productivity/performance
5. Aesthetics

Introduction

    As we all know, vehicle especially car plays an important role in our daily life. They help us in mobilizing ourselves and goods to another place. Before, in the eve of transportation industry, the cost to produce vehicle is very enormous which contribute to its expensiveness. Only a rich people can have it. Normal people only opt for another cheaper type of transportation such as by walking or cycling.
    But today, as we can see on the road, more vehicles from many types of car has been found. Many people can afford to buy a car since more people earn lots of money. In Malaysia, the most affordable car is known produced by PERODUA and comes PROTON to the second. People who intend to buy a new car consider mostly on the price before choosing from variety of car offered. As for me, they should consider also another important aspect such as safety.
    But, since safety means we have to installed lot of high-tech things buy choosing a premier type or executive type, thus it will contribute to an increase of price. So, another aspect that we should consider before choosing is its comfortablities and ergonomics. This aspect does not affect the price since its already fitted to the standard car.
   Therefore in this blog, we, as a team, will discuss this topic to enlighten the people like you.

Physiological Issues

The illustration below shows some of the factors that we deal with in seat design. The red arrows show the main gravitational forces on the body, and the green arrows show how the seat has to deliver its support.

The seat has to:

• keep the correct curvature in the spine
• stop the pelvis tilting backwards
• minimise pressure under the coccyx (tail) and buttocks
• manage high pressure under the pelvis (ischial tuberosities)
• limit pressure under the hamstring muscles
• provide good support under the pelvis and feet

To achieve this, the seat has to have an ergonomics specification, which includes dimensions, shape, geometry, adjustment ranges and cushioning.Other factors can include head and shoulder posture, armrests, footrest, and movements associated with seated tasks.


SEAT DESIGN

The working-place drive must be designed for different size of human. There are 3 ways to test whether the design of the seat is ergonomic which is :

"What-Is-It" gather cushion data

NO, it’s not a car of the future, nor the past either. The strange-looking contraption in which the young woman seems to be going for a drive is designed to gather information for engineers. Installed at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where thousands of persons have sat in it, the apparatus was built for a cushion manufacturer who hopes from countless measurements made on it to obtain an average-size automobile-seat cushion that will be comfortable for the majority of motorists. This method was used since 1940.

Get Started..

This blog had been created to share some ideas about vehicle comfort and ergonomics. We will be more focus on car information. We will try our best to update this blog with good and useful information. So please enjoy yourself to go through this blog.. ^_^v