Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Systems Anthropometry of Digital Human Models for Seat Design

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors (AHFE 2017)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 602))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 2360 Accesses

Abstract

Traditional vehicle package engineering assumes that driver anthropometry and the location of vehicle controls determine driver posture, and thus seat parameters. Due failure of this approach to provide comfortable seating conditions, ERL combines a systems anthropometry model with a force deflection model of the seat and soft tissue digital human model (DHM) to design seat specifications for the driving package. With the systems anthropometry model, we optimize seat design for calculated driver positions and postures. We derive comfort scores from measurements of the interface between the DHM, seat and controls. Analysis of 13 passenger cars and 10 utility vehicles shows that drivers adapt to vehicle interiors with different postures that are inconsistently associated with vehicle type. In conclusion, the seat affects how and where we sit. Thus, DHMs are needed for both seat and package design at the very beginning of vehicle development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kyung, G., Nussbaum, M.A., Babski-Reeves, K.L.: Enhancing digital driver models: identification of distinct postural strategies used by drivers. Ergonomics 53(3), 375–384 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Park, J., Ebert, S.M., Reed, M.P., Hallman, J.J.: Statistical models for predicting automobile driving postures for men and women including effects of age. Hum. Factors 58(2), 261–278 (2016)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Paul, G., Pendlebury, J., Miller, J.: The contribution of seat components to seat hardness and the interface between human occupant and a driver seat. Int. J. Hum. Factors Model. Simul. 3(3/4), 378–397 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Grandjean, E.: Sitting posture of car drivers from the point of view of ergonomics. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering and Transport, pp. 205–213 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Geoffrey, S.P.: A 2-D Manikin—The Inside Story. X-rays Used to Determine a New Standard for a Basic Design Tool. SAE Technical Paper 267A. SAE International, Warrendale, PA (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bergman, C., Castro, P.R., Högberg, D., Hanson, L.: Implementation of suitable comfort model for posture and motion prediction in DHM supported vehicle design. Proced. Manuf. 3, 3753–3758 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kolich, M.: A conceptual framework proposed to formalize the scientific investigation of automobile seat comfort. Appl. Ergon. 39, 15–27 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Fai, T., Delbressine, F., Rauterberg, M.: Vehicle seat design: state of the art and recent development. In: Proceedings World Engineering Congress, pp. 51–61 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Dama, K.K., Babu, V.S., Rao, R.N., Madhava, R.: A review on automotive seat comfort design. Int. J. Eng. Res. Technol. 4(4), 678–683 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Herriotts, P., Johnson, P.: Are you sitting comfortably? A guide to occupant packaging in automotive design. In: Gkikas, N. (ed.) Automotive Ergonomics: Driver–Vehicle Interaction, pp. 17–39. CRC Press, Boca Raton (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Stahlecker, H., Kress, H.: Integration of 3D Human Models in the Vehicle Concept Development of BMW. SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-2193. SAE International, Warrendale, PA (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Choi, H., Sah, S., Na, S., Montmayeur, K., Marca, C.: Human Body Modeling for Virtual Seat Comfort Testing. SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-2335. SAE International, Warrendale, PA (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Pankoke, S., Siefert, A.: Virtual Simulation of Static and Dynamic Seating Comfort in the Development Process of Automobiles and Automotive Seats: Application of Finite-Element-Occupant-Model CASIMIR. SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-2459. SAE International, Warrendale, PA (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Reynolds, M.: Sitting posture in design position of automotive interiors. Int. J. Hum. Factors Model. Simul. 3(3/4), 276–293 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Reynolds, H., Wehrle, J.: Validation of Virtual Driver Model for Design of Automotive Seating Packages. SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0450. SAE International, Warrendale, PA (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Brodeur, R., Reynolds, M.: Modeling spine shape for the seated posture (2015). http://www.erlllc.com/reports/ERL_Spine_Report.pdf

  17. Reynolds, H.M., Snow, C.C., Young, J.W.: Spatial Geometry of the Human Pelvis. Memorandum Report No. AAC-119-81-5. Civil Aeromedical Institute, FAA, Oklahoma City, OK (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gordon, C.C., et al.: 1988 Anthropometric Survey of US Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics. Technical Report Natick/TR-89/044. United States Army NATICK, Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, MA (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  19. PeopleSize 2008 Easy anthropometrics software. Open Ergonomics Ltd. (2008). http://www.openerg.com

  20. Dempster, W.T., Sherr, L.A., Priest, J.G.: Conversion scales for estimating humeral and femoral lengths and the lengths of functional segments in the limbs of American Caucasoid males. Hum. Biol. 36(3), 246–262 (1964)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Brodeur, R.R., Reynolds, H.M.: Digital Definition of the Deflected Shape of the Human Body in Seated Postures for Ergonomic Design in CAD Models. SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-2106 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  22. McConville, J.T., Churchill, T.D., Kaleps, I., Clauser, C.E., Cuzzi, J.: Anthropometric Relationships of Body and Body Segments of Inertia. Technical Report AFAMRL-TR-80-119. Air Force Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Young, J.W., Chandler, R.F., Snow, C.C., Robinette, K.M., Zehner, G.F., Lofberg, M.S.: Anthropometric and Mass Distribution Characteristics of the Adult Female. Technical Report FAA-AM-83-16. Office of Aviation Medicine, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC (1983)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the valuable work and contributions of all the personnel at ERL, LLC without whom this work would have never been done: Ray Brodeur, Kal Rayes, George Stockman, Bryce Hauptman, Bob Nemeth, Rich Gregg, Tim Russell, Tom Mitchell, Tom Robinson, Robert Allie, Joe Deming, Florin Burlacu, and Bill McMillan. Without their unique and creative contributions, this model would not have been developed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ERL LLC, 7959 Ashbrook Dr, Haslett, MI, 48840, USA

    Herbert Reynolds

  2. Mackay Institute of Research and Innovation, Mackay Base Hospital, James Cook University, Mackay, QLD, 4740, Australia

    Gunther Paul

Authors
  1. Herbert Reynolds
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gunther Paul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gunther Paul .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of IELM, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong

    Ravindra S. Goonetilleke

  2. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

    Waldemar Karwowski

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Reynolds, H., Paul, G. (2018). Systems Anthropometry of Digital Human Models for Seat Design. In: Goonetilleke, R., Karwowski, W. (eds) Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 602. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60825-9_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60825-9_21

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-60824-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-60825-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation