Application of ideal pressure distribution in development process of automobile seats

BACKGROUND: In designing a car seat the ideal pressure distribution is important as it is the largest contact surface between the human and the car. Because of obstacles hindering a more general application of the ideal pressure distribution in seating design, multidimensional measuring techniques are necessary with extensive user tests. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to apply and integrate the knowledge about the ideal pressure distribution in the seat design process for a car manufacturer in an efficient way. METHODS: Ideal pressure distribution was combined with pressure measurement, in this case pressure mats. In order to integrate this theoretical knowledge of seating comfort in the seat development process for a car manufacturer a special user interface was defined and developed. RESULTS: The mapping of the measured pressure distribution in real-time and accurately scaled to actual seats during test setups directly lead to design implications for seat design even during the test situation. Detailed analysis of the subject's feedback was correlated with objective measurements of the subject's pressure distribution in real time. Therefore existing seating characteristics were taken into account as well. CONCLUSIONS: A user interface can incorporate theoretical and validated 'state of the art' models of comfort. Consequently, this information can reduce extensive testing and lead to more detailed results in a shorter time period.