ENBIS: European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics

Seat design improvement via a new postural comfort index

23 September 2009, 10:05 – 10:25

Abstract

Submitted by

Antonio Lanzotti

Authors

Antonio Lanzotti, Giovanna Matrone, Amalia Vanacore

Affiliation

University of Naples Federico II Department of Aerospace Engineering Address: Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli (Italy)

Abstract

Since the early stages of new seat design, when several prototypes are developed and compared, designers have to face the problem of comfort evaluation on the basis of a scientific approach.
In this paper a new postural comfort index based on contact pressure maps is proposed. The new index allows one to evaluate the sitter’s comfort loss due to an uneven pressure distribution over her/his buttocks and thigh regions; in this way it provides useful information to support designers in the new product development process (e.g. in the choice of cushion size and materials).
A correct estimate of the proposed comfort index requires a careful experiment planning, thus in this paper a statistical procedure for data collection and analysis is illustrated through a case study concerning a comparative comfort evaluation, carried out on different seats by a stratified sample of potential users.

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