A Seat Sensitivity Study on Vertical Vibrations and Seat Pressure Distributions using Numerical Models

The introduction of a new comfortable car seat or interior is a time consuming and costly process for car and seat manufacturers. The application of numerical models of human and seat could facilitate this process. Vertical vibrations and seat pressure distributions are two objective parameters that have been related to the subjective feeling of (dis)comfort that can be predicted by numerical tools. In this paper, human models suitable for prediction of human behaviour in vertical vibrations and seat pressure distributions are applied in a seat sensitivity study. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the applicability of the human models as design tools for car and seat developers in an early stage of the design process. The sensitivity of the output of the models for variations in seat characteristics for seat developers in the design process of a new comfortable car seat has been studied. The human models proved to be valuable tools for seat developers in an early stage of the design process. The design study shows that human model behaviour in vertical vibrations is sensitive to variations in cushion and suspension stiffness. Seat pressure distributions are sensitive to variations in cushion thickness and cushion stiffness.