The Evaluation of Hose Insertion Tasks Using Digital Human Models

The use of digital human models (DHM) to perform geometric evaluations of hand clearances and reach zones has become common practice at Ford Motor Company. Moreover, DHMs have also been used for performing strength evaluations to ensure ergonomically acceptable jobs. A process called Hose Connections Acceptability Ratings (HCAR) was developed to establish insertion force targets in the early phases of product design. Once targets are set, design and release engineers provide design intent data to achieve sign off from manufacturing engineering. The process is complete when the hose efforts are confirmed at physical part validation build events.