Design automotive driver seat ergonomically for Malaysian anthropometry measurement

Abstract

Aesthetic value of the automotive car seat has been one of the selling points of each car besides providing functions such as being safe, supportive as well provides comfort to the occupants. Other criteria considered besides the aesthetic element are cushion foam and self-adjustment factor. Ergonomics is not a new issue because most of the existing seat design today have already practiced it. Existing car seat manufacturers have considered anthropometry data. The average upon 95th percentile of human measurement had been deliberated. However, issues such as time spent driving and seat design issue have arisen upon the search of comfort and rising of musculoskeletal disease such as back pain. As a solution, this study would propose an automotive car seat design of ergonomic evolution, which would create comfort by manipulating the seat cushion foams. The proposed seat cushion foam would be use to replace the existing polymers with beanbag foam. This is inspire by the nature of beanbag, fitting up and providing comfort to the occupants of various body sizes and shapes. Malaysian anthropometry measurements are required for design of car seat, which later compared with the existing seats of commercial vehicle. The literature review showed the pressure mapping technique of respondent seating on the existing car seat. The most sensitive compartments where discomfort are experienced studied and placed with sachets filed with beanbag beads. This experiment conducted many times over a few respondents by using the pressure mat to find out, if there are any changes in terms of comfort. This design of new car seat with a manipulation cushion foam replaced with beanbag foam could be a niche to eliminate discomfort to all range body sizes and shapes.