Little published research exists about car seat side supports. The objective of the experimental study, here reported, is apprehending the levels at which selected design factors better contribute to the side support's utility. Three seat design factors were manipulated: the cover's friction properties, the distance between the opposing side supports and the side support's size at the hip-lower torso level. Four subjects, with similar body widths, evaluated the test seats, in a standard driving task. Pressure prints were taken, with varying lateral acceleration levels. Video recording of the driving task aimed at characterising shoulder and hip displacements. The seats were rated for comfort, support. egress/ingress characteristics and seat preference. The setting of recommendations for future studies followed the theorising of the reasons for the inconsistency and low level of association of the individual data. The authors' subjective impressions from performing driving evaluations are confronted with the assumptions and hypotheses underlying the experimental design, resulting in strong agreement. Practical design advises are outlined and design concepts worth future study highlighted. A deeper understanding of how the seat provides lateral support is attained, with the building of the problem understanding along the process - a typical pilot study outcome. (A)
Abstract