Comfort and Ergonomics: Innovative Seating for Commercial Vehicles

This project focuses on developing an innovative 6-degree-of-freedom seating system for commercial vehicles to enhance driver comfort and safety. The research addresses the critical issue of driver fatigue and potential injuries resulting from long-term exposure to vibrations and poor seat design. The project investigates the impact of various parameters, including H-points, R-points, and inclination angles, on driver comfort and proposes optimization techniques to mitigate risks like low back pain and whiplash. The research includes a literature review of existing studies and proposes adjustments in seat design, foam materials, and headrest positions to reduce discomfort and improve overall driver well-being. The expected outcome is a custom ergonomically built seat that can be widely used in industry.

Title: Comfort and Ergonomics: Innovative Seating Solution for Commercial Vehicle
Abstract:
Drivers are the lead roles of the transportation systems and if there performance degrades then the
passengers also have to suffer. There is a possibility of fatigue or even accident. Today, the driving
experience is not at all good for them. Poor designed of the seats imposes a great amount of stress on
them. Long term injuries such as low back pain and whiplash are common. This research proposes
some 6-degree solutions by the variation of certain parameters such as H-points, R-points, inclination
angles and many more. Optimization techniques have been discussed.
Literature Review:
As per [1], the driver’s seat is an important part of the commercial vehicle. If not properly taken care
of, it can cause fatigue. Before a seat is devised, many issue are taken into consideration. Many
musculoskeletal problems have been identified and researches also trying to combat them. Different
approaches have been made in the areas of safety and comfort. Some are pressure, mechanical,
vibratory, ergonomic [2]. When the risk is reduced, the performance of the drivers will increase.
There are primarily two types of injuries- Whiplash and low back pain. The seat has to be constructed
using the body contour [3]. In order to achieve the required comfort level, anthropometric and
ergonomic conditions have to be applied at same time [4]. The driver feels uneasy then his
performance will be degraded. For optimisation, anthropometric and technical aspects have to be
taken into consideration [5]. The two organisations namely, the Society of Automobile Engineers
(SAE) and automotive industry standards (AIS) have proposed various ranges of specifications and 6-
degree solutions for commercial vehicle seats and the placement of the control units with respect to
the H-point. Low back pain is a very common issue found in the drivers that drive for long distances.
This has to be reduced. Many measures have been taken to grant lumbar assistance, side help and
many more. Headrest has also been provided, rubber mat. These helped to reduce the lower back pain
considerably [6]. Whiplash injuries due to rear end of the neck affects the head more than the neck
[7]. Neck injuries cannot take a life but their long-term.
Volvo Whiplash Protection Story (WHIPS) devised some guidelines and methods to reduce these
injuries of the neck. It included backrest. All the tests are covered in [8]. Muscle fatigue is another
type of injury in which the forces on the joint and muscle is exerted on the driver. [9] Revealed that
long- distance travelling causes fatigue and many submission methods were used to model this
phenomena. There are two types of foods namely static and dynamic comfort [10]. In order to
increase the comfort level, supports have to be provided. The headrest should be changed its position
as shown in [11]. Articulation was done so that the injury due to whiplash is prevented [12].
Ergonomic process helps in defining the driver posture along with the specifications of the seat, the
parameters such as seat, head and back rest angles. When the seats inclination angle is perpendicular
without any lumbar support, it a very low comfortable level. But when this angle is 120° without any
lumbar support, it provides a greater level of comfortable [11]. The type of home that is used in the
seat rest also affects the level of comfortable. The static liberal position changes with the different
type of foam used. This affects H point location [13]. There are many characteristics of 6-degree
solutions that are defined by the Automobile industry of India such as H-point, torso angle R-point
and many more. H-point and R-point are very important parameters that are used industrially [14].
Research Questions:
1) Can the adjustments of seat back, and seat head rest angles help in the reduction of discomfort
of the driver?
2) Is it possible that the change in the material of the foam reduce the injuries caused to the
driver?
3) How can H-points and R-points improve the design characteristics of the driver’s seat?

Significance:
The seat is a very important issue today because with the growing populations. Long driving results in
many health issues and therefore strategies mentioned in this proposal can be implemented. The need
of the customers for a better and safe solution in the area of driving safety is continuously increasing
[15]. The need is increasing and therefore the manufacturers have to respond fast and provide them
quality solutions and products. Not only this market is fruitful today, but also in the future because the
demand for cars is a never ending process.
Context in the Current Body of Knowledge:
As per [16], the back rest, head and the seat rest angle need to be altered to provide a better
experience to the driver while reducing his discomfort. The angle of inclination should be around 120
degrees with no lumbar support to maximise the comfort. The back angle of the seat should be
adjusted in such a way that it at 25 degrees in relation to rearward inclination from the torso line. My
aim is to propose an arrangement in which the pressure is distributed more efficiently between the
neck and the head rest [11]. An articulation could be done 43.5 cm such that it above the H-point and
the mean sitting height of 88cm. This will help the driver to sit in his normal Position. This addresses
my research question number 1.
Next challenge is the reduction in the number of injuries, the type of foam can be changed so that
maximum comforting item is used in the seat back and seat bottom. This can help to find the
equilibrium of the driver’s siting position. [14] The location of the H-point will also change using
different foam type. My aim is to make use of this variation in H-point and choose that foam that
gives the least discomfort and prevents the injuries. This addresses my research question number 2.
Finally, various parameters that are declared as important, playing key roles in reducing the
inconvenience. 3DH machines can calculate H-point and torso angle that determine the optimised
seating for commercial vehicles. The height of the head restraint should be more than 750mm and this
value need to be found out between the cases of lowest and highest adjustments [7]. My aim is to
provide the head support properly, keeping the retrained area more than 85cm on both side to improve
the design characteristics further. This addresses my research question number 3.
Expected Outcomes:
This research reveals that a common product for all the clients is not a good option. Each person has a
different body shape, contour and physical features and therefore custom ergonomically built seats for
the drivers in commercial vehicles is mandatory. The safety always comes first over any other thing
and hence driving safety is to be followed. Earlier methods and techniques resulted in injuries, long
term back pains, neck-pains and even headaches. This degraded the performances of the drivers to a
significant level and hence that of the passengers. Head and neck are one of the important parts of our
body. Therefore, there protection is a must. These injuries may become serious some day or result in
the accidents. Driving safety is a very serious issue and if the methods mentioned in this proposal are
followed and developed further then surely the scenario will be much better to that what is now.
Moreover, the global market of seat comfort is increasing day by day and is likely to increase in the
future as well [15]. This market is a very good opportunity for the investors and manufacturers
because continuous research and development is going on.

References:
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design of taxi cabs in Nigeria”, ARPN Journal of science and technology, Nigeria, April 2012, vol. 2, pp. 214-
220.
[2] T.C Fai, F. Delbressine and M. Rauterberg, “Vehicle seat design: state of the art and recent
development”, Proceedings world engineering congress, Penang Malaysia, 2007, pp. 51-61.
[3] Irene Kamp, “The influence of car-seat design on its character experience”, Applied Ergonomics,
2012, vol.43, pp. 329-335.
[4] Mike Kolich, “Automobile seat comfort: occupant preferences vs. anthropometric accommodation”
Applied Ergonomics, 2003, vol.34, pp. 177–184.
[5] C.R. Mehta, L.P. Gite and S.C. Pharade, “Review of anthropometric considerations for tractor seat
design", International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, science direct, 2008, vol. 38, pp. 546–554.
[6] Hirochi udo, Takaoki Tajmi and shinichi uda, “Low back load in two car driver seats”, International
journal of industrial ergonomics, Elsevier, 1997, vol. 20, pp. 215-222.
[7] Mats Y. Svensson, per lovesund and Yngve haland, “The influence of seat-back and head restraint
Properties on the head-neck Motion during rear-impact”, A&d. Anal., 1996, Vol. 28, pp. 22l-227.
[8] Bjorn Lundell, Lotta Jackobsonn and Bo Alfredson, “The whips seat –A car seat for improved
protection against neck injuries in rear end impact”, Auto liv, Sweden, Paper Number 98-S7-O-08,
Unpublished.
[9] M. Grujicic, B. Pandurangan and X. Xie, “Musculoskeletal computational analysis of the influence of
car-seat design/adjustments on long-distance driving fatigue”, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics,
Elsevier, 2010, vol. 40, pp. 345-355.
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static and dynamic effects on drivers’ seating comfort”, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Elsevier,
2008, vol. 38, pp. 410–424.
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support”, Applied Ergonomics, 2012, vol. 43, pp. 336-343.
[12] Denis Alves Coelho and Sven Dahlman, “Articulation at shoulder level - A pilot experimental study
on car seat comfort”, Applied Ergonomics, 2012, vol. 43, pp. 27-37.
[13] R.K Ippili, P. Davies and A.K. Bajaj, “Nonlinear multi-body dynamic modelling of seat occupant
system with polyurethane seat and H-point prediction”, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2008,
Vol. 38, pp. 368-383.
[14] Indian Automobile Industry standards (AIS-097), “Procedure for determining the "H" point and the
torso angle for 50th percentile adult male in Seating positions of motor vehicles”, 2007, Printed by the
automotive research association of India, Pune, Publication No. 832.
[15] Attwood, D. A.; Deeb, J. M.; Danz-Reece, M. E. Ergonomic Solutions for the Process Industries. Elsevier
Inc., 2004.
[16] Giuseppe Andreoni, Giorgio C. Santambrogio and Marco Rabuffetti, “Method for analysis of posture
and interface pressure of car drivers”, Applied ergonomics, 2002, vol. 33, pp. 511-522.