Correlation of an Automotive Seat Finite Element Simulation with Dynamic Sled Testing

With the advent of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has become a necessity for the automotive industry to improve and validate all manner of automotive structures. The application of FEA during the design cycle has increased significantly making validation of the FE Models used essential. A comparison of a seat’s structural response during dynamic sled testing is a very effective method of evaluating the accuracy of the FE Models employed.

The goal of the seat development cycle was to design a seat; while also providing an opportunity to move beyond component level design, simulation and testing into full scale dynamic testing of an automotive seat. The proposed seat underwent a full simulation and physical test regimes. This allowed us to demonstrate our ability to build a seat and provide confidence in our component technologies (tracks, locks, recliners, etc.) as well as our simulation and analysis methods.

Comparison of simulations with the test results indicates a reasonable correlate, establishing confidence in FE Methodology used during modeling. Detailed inspection reveled shortcomings in our modeling and indicates area for future improvement.