Research on the design and evaluation method of vehicle seat comfort for driving experience

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of different driving durations on the distribution of seat interface pressure and the perceived comfort of vehicle occupants. The comfort of vehicle occupants was assessed using the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) scoring table, while pressure mats were employed to analyze pressure distribution during driving. The subjective and objective data underwent statistical analysis through repeated measures one-way ANOVA and Tukey's Honestly Significantly Different (HSD) test. Additionally, the mapping relationship between pressure variables and subjective comfort was investigated. The results indicated that the duration of driving had a significant impact on upper back contact pressure, left buttock contact force, lower back contact force, upper back contact area, and lower back contact area. The majority of pressure variables exhibited significant correlations with overall comfort, particularly in the area of lower back contact. Practical measures for enhancing long-term driving comfort were suggested based on the results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the linear model. In addition, the developed nonlinear model successfully captures the driver's comprehensive comfort ratings, with an R2 value of 0.605. Our study revealed the patterns of subjective comfort and objective pressure distribution during the driving process, providing a reliable approach for evaluating seat comfort. Automotive seat development companies and designers can utilize these findings to enhance seat design and maintain comfort during prolonged periods of sitting. In summary, this study contributes to the development of the automotive seat comfort design industry.