Physiological Analysis for Universal Design of Public Seat Under Diverse Conditions

Abstract

Public vehicle seats should be universally designed because they are used under diverse conditions. In a previous study, the seat swing function, which is used to assume comfortable sitting posture in public vehicle seats, was optimized from a mechanical aspect under diverse conditions. Reduction in blood flow in the lower limbs, which was recently clarified, causes physiological dysfunction, and thus, is a social issue. Hence, seat swing function design must consider not only mechanical aspects, but also physiological aspects. Herein, in this study, the influence of the seat swing function on blood flow was analyzed with respect to diverse physiques and sitting postures as diverse conditions. As a result, it was clarified that for creating universally designed seat swing functions with respect to physiological aspects, designs should reduce the compressive force on the popliteal vein and small saphenous vein in the lower limbs, especially for short or corpulent physiques.