Citation

Wang X, Grébonval C, Beillas P. Ergonomics 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2023.2236818

PMID

37470482

Abstract

Recent studies on occupants' safety in reclined positions suggest that a more inclined seat pan could be needed to reduce the occurrence of submarining. This study aimed to investigate whether a more inclined seat pan would also be comfortable for occupants. Eighteen volunteers participated in the experiment. They were asked to self-select seat pan inclination for seat back angles from 20 to 60 degrees using a reconfigurable experimental seat from two initial seat pan angles (10 and 40 degrees from the horizontal). On average, preferred seat pan angle varied from 11.3(±2.1, standard deviation) o 29.9(±6.8), 12.5(±3.8) to 37.4(±3.7), and 12.8(±4.8) to 38.6(±2.7) degrees for seat pan angles of 20, 40, and 60 degrees respectively. The shear force analysis suggests that the seat pan inclination might be self-selected to reduce the forward shear, while a high inclination angle with a noticeable backward shear was also preferred.

Language: en

Keywords

Comfort; highly automated vehicles; Reclined seat; Relaxing; Seating