Development of a shear force measurement dummy for seat comfort.

Seong Guk Kim,Han Sung Kim,Dohyung Lim,Chang-Yong Ko,Dong Hyun Kim,Tae Uk Kang,Ye Eun Song,Sungwoo Ahn,Jun Xu

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187918

Seong Guk Kim, Han Sung Kim + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187918

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Abstract

Seat comfort is one of the main factors that consumers consider when purchasing a car. In this study, we develop a dummy with a shear-force sensor to evaluate seat comfort. The sensor has dimensions of 25 mm × 25 mm × 26 mm and is made of S45C. Electroless nickel plating is employed to coat its surface in order to prevent corrosion and oxidation. The proposed sensor is validated using a qualified load cell and shows high accuracy and precision (measurement range: −30–30 N; sensitivity: 0.1 N; linear relationship: R = 0.999; transverse sensitivity: <1%). The dummy is manufactured in compliance with the SAE standards (SAE J826) and incorporates shear sensors into its design. We measure the shear force under four driving conditions and at five different speeds using a sedan; results showed that the shear force increases with speed under all driving conditions. In the case of acceleration and deceleration, shear force significantly changes in the lower body of the dummy. During right and left turns, it significantly changes in the upper body of the dummy.

Highlights

Seat comfort is of substantial interest to automotive engineers as it is one of the major factors that consumers consider when purchasing a car
In particular, has been widely evaluated [4,5,6], but it may be inadequate for evaluating the seat comfort of drivers or passengers during driving because vibration is generated by several factors, including road conditions, car conditions, and seating
The sensitivity of the sensors was 0.1 N; the transverse sensitivity was found to be less than 1% in all sensors

Summary

Introduction

Seat comfort is of substantial interest to automotive engineers as it is one of the major factors that consumers consider when purchasing a car. Seat comfort has been evaluated using various methods. The most common method for evaluating seat comfort has been questionnaires [1,2,3]. In particular, has been widely evaluated [4,5,6], but it may be inadequate for evaluating the seat comfort of drivers or passengers during driving because vibration is generated by several factors, including road conditions, car conditions, and seating. The interfacial pressure between the seat and the human body has been used to quantitatively evaluate seat comfort [7,8,9,10].

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