Abstract
This paper describes the application of an alternative seating system. The aim of this alternative approach was to determine the comfort of offi ce armchairs equipped with new construction solutions ensuring articulated support of the seat as well as articulated mounting of the gas spring. An offi ce armchair with a differ- ent seat support and gas spring was selected. Operational loads were applied to the seat surface. The following parameters were measured and calculated in the course of the performed experiments: contact area, average contact pressure and coeffi cient of seat pressure distribution (SPD). A new discomfort coeffi cient D expressing seat quality was elaborated. Preliminary data suggests that the prototypes provided greater sitting comfort than did the conventional chair. It was demonstrated that the new construction solution of the gas spring support guaranteed the highest comfort of the use of the examined armchairs.
Highlights
IntroductionMany workers are still required to adapt to the machines and accept less than ideal working conditions
The aim of this alternative approach was to determine the comfort of office armchairs equipped with new construction solutions ensuring articulated support of the seat as well as articulated mounting of the gas spring
The armchair selected for the investigations was an office armchair with the backrest manufactured from 34 mm thick Atria® foam and 7.85 kPa hardness (PN-EN ISO 2439), whereas the seat was made from 47 mm thick and 8.9 kPa stiffness Event® foam (Fig. 1)
Summary
Many workers are still required to adapt to the machines and accept less than ideal working conditions. Computer dominated jobs and industrial automation have created more sedentary tasks often characterized by constrained postures, high frequency (repetitive work), monotonous work requiring good eyesight, and precision work with repetitive movements in the arms, hands, and fingers. As a result of these limitations, a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, involving the entire upper limb, neck and back, have approached the forefront of work related disorders (Fernandez et al, 1999). Evaluation of a dynamic arm support for seated and standing tasks suggested that a dynamic forearm support may improve subjective comfort and reduce static muscle loads in the upper extremity for tasks that involve horizontal movement of the arms (Odell et al, 2007)
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