Chair Design Research Articles

Application of ergonomics in the design of desks and chairs for primary school students in Ho Chi Minh City

The application of ergonomics in the product design is currently of great interest, especially for products used in schools, to reduce school-related health issues. This article presented statistical data on the body size of male and female primary school students, aged 7 - 8 years old in Ho Chi Minh City including average body size, size in standing and sitting position. Additionally, the article also gave the specifications of sawn acacia wood, acacia finger joint wood used for the production of student desks and chairs. By integrating the students'body dimensions, ergonomic parameters, Ministry of Health guidelines, and the selection of acacia wood materials, the author devised a set of desks and chairs suitable for elementary school students up to grade 3. The desk dimensions were as follows: height 570 mm, desk width 450 mm, desk length 600 mm; for the chair: height 650 mm, seat height 340 mm, seat width 310 mm, seat depth 264 mm. The angle between the backrest and the chair surface was 95o. As a result, a desk and chair set was designed, followed by trial production, and a proposed manufacturing process for student desks and chairs.

Environmental Assessment of Forest-Based Industry Products with CAD-Integrated LCA Tools: A Comparative Case Study of Selected Software

The study evaluates how the environmental impacts of wooden products could be assessed in the early stages of product development using CAD-integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) tools. Focusing on a wooden chair design, the study compares the environmental impact results derived from LCA tools integrated in SolidWorks, NX and Fusion against a traditional LCA analysis performed using SimaPro. Methods involve analysing a chair model to measure the environmental impacts across different life cycle phases, such as material extraction and manufacturing. The results reveal that manufacturing processes, particularly electricity use, significantly contribute to environmental impacts, especially marine and freshwater ecotoxicity. Comparisons between LCA tools integrated into commercial CAD software and SimaPro 9.5.0.1. showed that while the tools deliver comparable results for global warming potential and other categories, they struggle with certain impact categories. The main distinguishing features of the results were methodological. Overall, the results aligned the most with the impact values calculated in Solidworks Sustainability. The study concludes that CAD-integrated tools are useful for early-stage environmental assessments but have limitations, particularly in their material databases and life cycle scope. For a comprehensive assessment, combining these tools with more detailed analysis methods may be necessary. The research suggests improvements for CAD-based tools to enhance their effectiveness in evaluating the environmental impact of wooden products.

Design Issues and Solutions for Improving the Comfort of Neo-Ming Style Chair

This paper explores the design issues and solutions for improving the comfort of new Ming-style chairs. It first analyzes the historical origins, traditional aesthetics, and modern users' new demands for comfort in these chairs. Then, it highlights the comfort-related challenges in terms of chair form, materials, structure, and usage scenarios. The study proposes design principles from the perspectives of ergonomics, material innovation, structural optimization, and modern usage scenarios. Specific strategies to enhance comfort are provided, such as optimizing the angle between the chair back and chair surface, improving cushion materials, optimizing the chair's supporting structure, and incorporating intelligent design. This paper also discusses the challenges of integrating technology with traditional design, the application of eco-friendly materials, and the diverse demands of consumer groups. Finally, it summarizes the future trends and challenges in the comfort-focused design of Neo-Ming style chair.

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Pop-Art Chair Designs By Ecodesign Strategies

Reducing Carbon Footprint of Pop-Art Chair Designs By Ecodesign Strategies

Theorizing the Chair: History, Culture, and Design

In Arthur Danto’s The Seat of the Soul: Three Chairs, the chair is a source of power and authority. This paper explores the aesthetic importance of chairs and their designers and determines why people from various cultures create different designs that all perform the same function: seating. Here, the chair is examined as an artwork and design phenomenon from historical, cultural, stylistic, and aesthetic perspectives. Data were gathered through a comprehensive literature review, reports, archival materials, and museum visits. Descriptive, historical, and analytical methods were used to explore the religious, symbolic, spiritual, artistic, competitive, and academic legacies of the chair. Despite the similarity in function, the chair is more important than a sofa, bed, or bench. It displays one’s status, education, knowledge, and artistic taste. However, practicality, low-cost materials, and money have trumped aesthetics in recent years. The findings may help young chair designers highlight their competitiveness and inventiveness.

Structural design and experimental verification of a thin-walled plastic chairs based on the finite element method

This study focuses on the design and preparation of a thin-walled plastic chair, and its mechanical properties were investigated by high load, cyclic load and drop impact. The finite element method (FEM) was employed to accurately evaluate the chair’s safety under these forces. Additionally, the effects of important structural parameters on the loading process in different states were investigated. Furthermore, a solid plastic chair prototype was created for experimental analysis. The findings revealed that increasing the thickness of the key structural parameters enhanced the safety properties of the chair under various load conditions. Optimal results were obtained when both dimensions were set to 5 mm. The deformation errors in FEM, experimental strength analysis, fatigue analysis, and drop impact analysis were measured at 3.7%, 3.6%, and 11.7%, respectively. Similarly, the stress errors were determined to be 5.9%, 5.2%, and 6.5%. These results suggest that the structural design of the chair demonstrates excellent reliability. Studying the crucial structural parameters of a plastic chair can provide valuable insights for the scientific design and safety evaluation of thin-walled furniture.

Innovative Chair and System Designs to Enhance Resistance Training Outcomes for the Elderly.

This study aims to provide a safe, effective, and sustainable resistance training environment for the elderly by modifying chairs and movement systems used during training, particularly under unsupervised conditions. The research focused on investigating the effect of modified chair designs on enhancing physical stability during resistance training by involving 19 elderly participants (mean 72.1, SD 4.7). The study measured changes in the body's acceleration during movements to compare the effectiveness of the modified chairs with those commonly used in chair-based exercise (CBE) training in maintaining physical stability. A system was developed based on experimental video data, which leverages MediaPipe to analyze the videos and compute joint angles, identifying whether the actions are executed correctly. Comparisons revealed that modified chairs offered better stability during sitting (p < 0.001) and stand-up (p < 0.001) resistance training. According to the questionnaire survey results, compared to the regular chair without an armrest, the modified chair provided a greater sense of security and a better user experience for the elderly. Video observations indicated that the correct completion rate for most exercises, except stand-up resistance training, was only 59.75%, highlighting the insufficiency of modified chairs alone in ensuring accurate movement execution. Consequently, the introduction of an automatic system to verify proper exercise performance is essential. The model developed in this study for recognizing the correctness of movements achieved an accuracy rate of 97.68%. This study proposes a new chair design that enhances physical stability during resistance training and opens new avenues for utilizing advanced technology to assist the elderly in their training.

Discussion on the Aesthetic Evolution and Optimization Strategies of Neo-Ming Style Chair Design

This paper explores the balanced development of Neo-Ming style chair design in both traditional and modern contexts, focusing on its design evolution, aesthetic characteristics, and future optimization strategies. By analyzing the cultural background, aesthetic form, material craftsmanship, and structural functions of Neo-Ming style chair, the paper highlights the importance of maintaining a fusion between traditional aesthetics and modern demands in contemporary design. It proposes future optimization directions such as personalization trends, cross-disciplinary integration, and the application of intelligent technology, aiming to provide theoretical support and practical references for the design innovation of Neo-Ming style chair.

A METHOD OF SIMULATING SEAT LOAD FOR NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF WOOD CHAIR STRUCTURE

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic values of the human-seat interface in a normal sitting posture, and to numerically mode the load on the chair seat for the structural design of chairs. The stress distributions and the characteristic values of seat were measured under normal sitting posture by using a human body pressure distribution measurement system considering the effects of gender and body mass index (BMI). The stress distribution on the seat was then numerically modeled using three modeling methods. The observed results and the numerical analysisresults were compared. The results showed that an inverted U-shaped pressure distribution was observed in normal sitting posture. The stress was concentrated on the ischial tuberosity with a maximum value of 0.066 MPa. The ratio of the load on the seat to the gravity of the human body weight was about 65.3%. The numerical model established using the body pressure mapping method was superior to those of the uniform load method and the standard loading pad method in terms of stress distribution, maximum stress, and contact area.

Design and Development from the Qing Dynasty Armchair Inspired for Modern Home Decoration Business

Background and Aims: Chinese traditional culture is extensive and profound, among which the Qing Dynasty culture has a more profound influence on modern home decoration. The Qing Dynasty was a period of rapid development of Chinese furniture culture, and many representative works appeared in the history of furniture. In these works, the chair of the Qing Dynasty has a unique style, unique design, atmospheric beauty, and simple beauty. Thus, this paper aims (1) to define and characterize the Qing Dynasty Armchair. (2) to study 5 well-known brands of new Chinese-style chairs in the market. And (3) to develop and design new Chinese chairs based on the Qing Dynasty style. Methodology: Three new Chinese chairs that skillfully combine tradition and innovation are the result of the research process, which carefully combined cultural heritage with modern design trends. The final designs were confirmed to be in line with modern consumers' preferences for distinctive shapes, eco-friendly materials, and functional versatility through surveys and expert interviews. This strategy emphasizes how important it is to respect cultural heritage while satisfying the changing needs of the modern furniture market. Results: Nowadays, the progress of modern home improvement enterprises has brought new changes to people's needs, so the design of the chair must also change. The main consumers of the modern home improvement market are young customers, so it is important to meet their needs. We should make some chairs that conform to the trend of The Times and have Chinese characteristics. To sum up, the author thinks that this research should develop and design a new Chinese chair based on the Qing Dynasty style. Through the questionnaire survey of 30 people and the interview of 3 people, we understand the consumers' evaluation and expectations of the existing 3 new Chinese chair design cases and then improve the chair cases to determine the final design innovation scheme. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for contemporary home improvement companies to modify chair designs while preserving Chinese cultural elements to satisfy the changing demands of younger consumers. The study emphasizes the significance of creating new Chinese chairs with Qing Dynasty design inspirations and incorporating customer and expert interview feedback to improve designs that meet modern trends and expectations.

Design of Table and Chairs for Packaging Tempe Chips Work Station for Reducing the Risk of Occupational Diseases in Putra Tunggal Home Industry Wonosobo

Home Industry Putra Tunggal Wonosobo is a tempeh chip industry whose production process is manual, so it can have a negative impact on worker ergonomics. Preliminary research was conducted by interviewing pain complaints and assessing work posture using the OWAS method. The tempeh chips packaging workstation was the workstation that had the most pain complaints at 67.86% (19 of 28 body parts) and the highest OWAS score at 4, so this was at high risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders. The next study used the NBM questionnaire to analyze the level of pain due to work and RULA for work posture. CATIA software was used to design tables and chairs, as well as assess the posture of the design results using the RULA method. Worker performance will be compared before and after using tables and chairs based on the level of body pain due to work (NBM) and work posture (RULA). The research results showed a decrease in the risk of work-related diseases by 80 and 78 to 40 and 44 (from high to low-risk levels) as well as a decrease in the RULA score from 7 (dangerous posture) to 2 (good posture).

A Study on the Comfort Level of Standing Chairs Based on Pressure Sensors and sEMG

This study explores the health consequences of prolonged sitting by introducing a standing chair and examining the effects of seat tilt angles on comfort. Using synchronized pressure distribution testing and surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal analysis, we assessed pressure and sEMG responses at tilt angles of 0°, 20°, and 40° during tasks such as computer work, writing, and ironing. Initial measurements with body pressure distribution sensors targeted the buttocks and feet, while surface electromyographic equipment captured signals from the bilateral lumbar erector spinae, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius muscles. MATLAB processing facilitated the analysis of integrated electromyographic values and mean power frequencies, elucidating the effects of tilt angles on comfort. Our research findings indicate that a 20° tilt angle significantly enhances comfort during computer and writing tasks and noticeably increases the comfort of the erector spinae muscles during ironing. Conversely, a 0° tilt angle is more beneficial for the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles. These results underscore the importance of selecting appropriate tilt angles to improve comfort across various tasks. Furthermore, integrating pressure sensors and surface electromyographic signals enables a comprehensive evaluation of chair ergonomic quality, offering valuable insights for chair design optimization.

Research on harmonious design of chairs based on the Kano model and analytic hierarchy process

To meet the functional and emotional needs of users for outdoor leisure chairs, the three-level theory of harmonious design was applied. A product design process was put together based on the Kano model and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The Kano model obtained demand attributes and influence coefficients, while the AHP obtained total weights. The target products were designed and evaluated based on the three-level theory of harmonious design to improve the user experience and satisfaction of outdoor leisure chairs. The attribute categories of harmonious demand were obtained based on the Kano model, and the harmonious demands were ranked by importance. The design analysis and design practice were conducted with the goal of harmonious design. The AHP was used to analyze the comprehensive weights of the index factors, evaluate the user satisfaction of the three design schemes, and conduct consistency test and feasibility verification of the design schemes. The optimal design scheme was selected based on the total weight mean of three design schemes. The design and analysis method based on the Kano-AHP model can focus on user demand. It can objectively and efficiently analyze design pain spots, and effectively guide the harmonious design practice, which improves user satisfaction and market transformation efficiency of creative products.

Rancang Ulang Meja dan Kursi untuk Kelas 1 di SMK Negeri 3 Medan dengan Menggunakan Metode RULA dan Pahl &amp; Beitz

SMKN 3 students use tables and chairs for approximately six hours a day during the teaching and learning process. If the sitting posture of this student is not correct, such as leaning forward or a footrest that is too high, of course it can cause pain in the waist and pain in the knees. This study aims to make tables and chairs that are comfortable for use by students of SMKN 3 MEDAN and to find out the design for ergonomic tables and chairs so that when using tables and chairs students do not feel pain in the waist or other complaints. This study resulted in a new table and chair design. Based on the calculation results, the results of the new chair dimensions were as follows: table height 71.15 cm, table length 58 cm, table width cm, seat cushion width 32 cm, seat cushion length 43 cm, height seat cushion 40 cm, backrest height 54 cm. The dimensions of the bag are 10 cm for width, 40 cm for height, 30 cm for length. Therefore the tables and chairs that have been redesigned are in accordance with the anthropometry of students at SMKN 3 MEDAN

Influence of Material and Decoration on Design Style, Aesthetic Performance, and Visual Attention in Chinese-Style Chairs

Abstract Chinese-style chairs are appreciated by many consumers for their elegant design. The material and decoration have a significant impact on the design of Chinese-style chairs. Exploring the influence of these two factors on design styles and aesthetic expressions, as well as the related visual attention patterns, is of great importance for the design of Chinese-style chairs. This study aimed to investigate the impact of material (wood/metal) and decoration (pattern/no pattern) on the design style, aesthetic performance, and visual attention patterns of Chinese-style chairs. Fifty-six Chinese university students wore eye-tracking glasses to view four types of chair designs and completed subjective rating scales. The results show that material and decoration have both independent and interactive effects. Wood chairs exhibit a traditional design style and superior aesthetic performance compared to metal chairs. Traditional Chinese patterns enhance design style and aesthetic performance, particularly when applied to wooden chairs. Visual attention was not significantly different across chair designs, except for wooden chairs with traditional patterns on the backrest, which attracted more attention. These research findings provide reference for designers to design Chinese-style chairs.

Modelling physical ergonomics and student performance in higher education: the mediating effect of student motivation

PurposeThe study aims to explore factors that influence students’ academic performance in the context of physical ergonomics and assess the mediating effect of motivation between lighting, noise, temperature, chair design and students’ performance from the student’s perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe research was categorised as a correlational study and employed non-contrived and cross-sectional methods to achieve its objectives. The target population was university students aged 18 years old and above enrolled in Malaysia’s higher education institutions. Due to the inaccessibility of the sample frame, convenience sampling, a type of non-probability sampling, was utilised. Data collection was conducted through an online survey primarily distributed among student groups.FindingsThe study’s findings reveal that only two exogenous variables, lighting and noise, directly influence students' performance. Additionally, motivation is a potent and significant factor in shaping students' performance. Motivation is also identified as a mediator in the complex relationship between lighting, noise, temperature and student performance. Surprisingly, although temperature does not directly influence student performance, it indirectly influences performance through motivation.Originality/valueThis study is an original exploration into the intricate factors shaping students' academic performance within the domain of physical ergonomics from a student perspective. The research uniquely investigates the mediating impact of motivation on the relationships between lighting, noise, temperature, seating arrangements and academic outcomes. The findings will contribute novel insights to the existing body of knowledge, offering a distinct perspective on the complex dynamics that influence student learning experiences and performance in educational settings.

A Current Design Approach for Ming Chairs

Ergonomics are key in the design and application of Ming-style chairs. However, there are presently few specific design frameworks to guide Ming-style chair design. Under this background, the present study developed a questionnaire on the ergonomic design of Ming-style chairs and assessed its validity and reliability. Fifty-two respondents involved in the design and manufacture of Ming-style chairs participated in this study. The statistics of the questionnaire were analyzed and yielded a significant reliability coefficient (α &gt; 0.70, p &lt; 0.01). This ergonomic design framework study of Ming-style chairs analyzed the domains of Chair Form, Aesthetics, Safety, Comfort, Ease-of-use, and Productivity. To assess the importance of various design elements, we used a five-point Likert scale to score items within each domain. This scoring system enabled us to prioritize features, allowing the designers to focus on the essential elements before beginning the design process. We found that designers and manufacturers focused primarily on the Four-headed Official Chair with Armrests form.

Design of breastfeeding chairs for maternity rooms based on Kano-AHP-QFD: User requirement-driven design approach

In maternity rooms, breastfeeding chairs are crucial pieces of equipment that greatly influence the breastfeeding experience. However, an abundance of data indicates that there are still issues with breastfeeding chairs, including inadequate support for breastfeeding, poor body type adaptability, and failure to adequately analyse the requirements of mothers and baby users. This study used an innovative research approach to breastfeeding chair design from the standpoint of user requirements to improve breastfeeding willingness and user experience. We propose a user requirement assessment design approach that integrates the Kano model, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and quality function development (QFD) based on the requirements of mother and baby groups. This approach was intended to build a user experience evaluation model for mother- and baby-friendly products. Following this approach to breastfeeding chair design, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) was used to assess the chair. Compared to the original breastfeeding chairs, the designs of breastfeeding chairs that met important requirements for mothers and infants, such as safety, hygiene, and breastfeeding support, resulted in an approximately 23 % increase in user satisfaction. This effectively improved the user experience of both mothers and infants. This approach is centred on the basic requirements of mothers and babies. It evaluates the essential requirements that impact the breastfeeding experiences of mothers and babies and provides multifaceted data regarding the attributes of the different requirements of mothers and babies. This results in theoretical research references for ensuing user-driven design products that cater to the requirements of mothers and their infants and play a pivotal role in formulating design guidelines for mother- and baby-friendly products.

Mechanistic Modeling of Hydraulic Energy Transmission Technology of an Improved Dental Patient Chair Design

This work focused on mechanistic modeling of hydraulic technology of an improved dental chair design. ISO 6385 standard for P(M)95 patient were basis for system parameters, and fathom masses between 60kg-93kg, corresponding to DINED 2003 mass of patients, produced total load on the pantograph. The force exerted by the lower limb of the dentist is an ergonomic stressor that was experimentally studied using Pascal’s law of the hydraulic system. Methodology adopted was mechanistic modeling technique. The results indicated that pedal force of 0.1375kN elevated trimmed chair (dead load) of 0.55kN, while pedal force of 211N to 277N were required to recline between 60kg-93kg masses on the system. It infers that the pump has a mechanical advantage of approximately 5, with displacement volume, 11.7825cm-2, that produced a platform displacement of 3. 75cm during a 15cm hydraulic pedal travel stroke. The experimental results corroborated Pascal’s laws and is has technological significance on carrier-long musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of lower limb among dental practitioners.

DESIGN OF AUTOMATIC VIBRATING CHAIR WITH ECCENTRIC-AND-PITMAN FOR PROLONGED SEDENTARY ACTIVITIES

Sedentary behavior has become one of main inducted cause of physical decline. The pressure of modern life has further increased more working or studying time at home or office, contributing to the growing population of sedentary people furthermore. Prolonged sitting will affect people’s physical health, injuring our muscles, and causing physical discomfort. Seriously, it will lead to death. The purpose of this paper is to design a small convenient automatic vibrative chair for sedentary groups, which are driven by eccentric-and-pitman drive system, producing vibration and body movement to relieve physical problems. Double diamond design thinking method was used to find out the health problems including sedentariness and isolation. As a solution, design of the vibrative automatic chair was set as the theme of this study. The automatic vibrative chair was designed with biomimetic method, combining with industrial design principles and mechanical theories throughout structural design. The vibrating performance of the chair was verified using simulation method by adopting SolidWorks software.