Jack E-Factory Correlation to Real World Seating Reach and Effort Applications

It is unknown how efficient Jack E-factory is in producing outputs that correlate with automotive seating applications. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, it was to assess how the judgment of the Jack operator when manikin positioning affects the Jack output. This was achieved by collecting clinic data where participants executed specific seat functions, comparing this information with existing Jack simulations, and repeating those simulations with observed posture changes, noting the difference in results. The second purpose was to develop a correlation between capability and acceptability. Jack E-factory generates data on the percentage of a population capable of performing a certain task, but does not provide any insight as to whether the task is acceptable to these people. Therefore, data on human acceptability of the same tasks were also collected.

The results showed that Jack outputs are sensitive to the positioning of the manikin within its environment. A correlation between capability and acceptability of reach and effort was not possible because it was found that the relationship was task dependent. A third limitation of the software was observed after the clinic. Tasks that were completed with a whole body force did not correlate with Jack outputs.