J1516_198510 ACCOMMODATION TOOL REFERENCE POINT

Reference lines have been developed to which driver workspace accomodation tools can be located in vehicle space. The lines describe horizontal reference point locations as a function of vehicle H-point height (H30). One reference line has been established for use in vehicles with H-point heights (H 30) and steering wheel diameters (W9) less than 405mm and 450mm, respectively. (Class A Vehicles) This point can be used to reference appropriate workspace tools to accommodate a driver population with a male to female ratio of one to one. Separate reference lines have been established for use in vehicles with H-point heights (H30) between 405 and 530mm and steering wheel diameters (W9) between 450 and 560mm with treadle type pedals. (Class B Vehicles) See Fig. 1. Three lines are available for use in Class B vehicles depending on the percentages of males and females in the population the designer wishes to accommodate. Separate points can be used to reference appropriate workspace tools to accommodate driver populations with male/female ratios of 50/50, 75/25 and 90/10 to 95/5. Different procedures for locating Class A and Class B Accommodation Tool Reference Lines in vehicle space have been established based on unique packaging considerations of the two categories of vehicles.