Study and Analysis of Dynamic Seat Pressure Distribution by Human Subjects during Vehicle Running State on Test Tracks

The purpose of this study is to conduct dynamic seat pressure mapping on vehicle seats during its operation on different test tracks under ambient environmental conditions for a defined speed. The test track comprises of pave roads, high frequency track, low frequency track and twist track. The variations in pressure distribution on seat during diverse road load inputs help to understand the seat cushion and back comfort for unique percentiles of human subjects ranging from 50th to 95th percentile population. For conducting the study, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) loaded with leatherette seats has chosen. Totally six participants (human subjects), five male and one female selected for the study based on their BMI (Body mass index) and body morphology.

Pressure mats suitable for taking dynamic load inputs and able to log the data at a defined sampling rate mounted on seats and secured properly. The pressure mats should cover the seat cushion, bolster areas and back seat completely. The obtained data analyzed for the load variations from the normal 1g cushion and back load given by the participant in vehicle static condition. The outcome of this study and data analysis provides the inputs to seat design on dynamic load factors to be considered and seat ingress and egress durability test load case improvement, mainly in settle load case of human subject. Because in static seat pressure mapping, apart from ingress and egress, the human subject settle load have no significant variations since the vehicle in static condition.