Lumbar Support Prominence and Vertical Position Measurement Methods in an Occupied Seat

In the automotive seating industry measurements of lumbar support prominence and height are performed to assess their effects on occupant comfort. This project investigated measurement methods for lumbar support prominence and height in an occupied seat. Fifteen participants provided subjective responses of their perceived lumbar support prominence and height utilizing specifically developed visual analog scales. Also, pressure measurements were taken while the participants were seated. The recently developed H-point manikin II was utilized as a standardized sitter. Specifically, the lumbar support prominence (LSP) measure was used for the prominence measures. Pressure mat readings with the seated manikin was used for lumbar support height determination and prominence correlations. With both manikin and participants in the seat, the lumbar support was digitized through the rear of the seat. Participants on average perceived the lumbar support prominence increases moderately well but poorly located the height of the lumbar support. The manikin measurements resulted in high correlations to the digitized measures for both prominence and height. Comparisons between the manikin and participants resulted in similarities in prominence measures and large differences in height measures. The manikin prominence measures using the LSP feature provided a linear relationship to people’s perceptions of lumbar support prominence. Further investigation into the relationship between manikin pressure height results and the digitized heights are necessary before developing standardized procedures for vertical location measurements.