Modeling and Evaluation of FSAE Vehicle Cockpit Ergonomics

This paper seeks to define an analytical approach to ergonomic design, utilizing RAMSIS software to create a driver model that considers the discomfort, fatigue, and force availability to evaluate cockpit designs that are produced from defined constraint inputs. The multifunctional model is applicable to various settings of vehicle design and is tuned toward proving performance in operation tasks, as well as setting the groundwork for a multi-variable optimization to determine the preferred driver controls positions for effort and fatigue pareto surfaces. Initial research done in the RAMSIS ergonomic software develops a collection of fatigue and joint discomfort data related to individual joint angles. Anthropometric data is compiled to show the proportional limb lengths from an individual’s sex and height percentile. The optimization function works by selecting a range of driver percentiles and creating random vehicle control positions within the bounds established. From this, each driver is positioned to the car in the random configuration and inverse kinematics calculate the driver’s limb and joint angles in the driving position. Using the discomfort and fatigue values in the ergonomic dataset, the penalty function evaluates each driving position. The optimization function works towards a minimum discomfort and fatigue rating using provided convergence criteria. Once the acceptance criteria are met, the optimal cockpit position for the desired range of driver percentiles is reported from the position function. The results from this algorithm output a visualization of the driver position with respect to key cockpit features, as well as the pain and fatigue values of the knee and elbow.