Static Seating Comfort as the Foundation of Every Comfort Assessment

For a pleasant driving experience, optimal support of the occupant in their ideal seating position is essential. With our manikins—digital human models—in CASIMIR/Automotive for various percentiles and specific anthropometries, this can already be verified and optimized during the virtual development phase.

The importance of static seat comfort for the driving experience

Based on ergonomic analyses and the resulting seat adjustment panel, it must be ensured that the occupant experiences minimal discomfort in their respective seating position. This can be assessed through seat pressure distribution, i.e., the local pressure distribution in different body areas that have contact with the seat (the so-called body map areas). Criteria such as the maximum pressure value and the pressure distribution across different body parts can be defined based on measurements. The development specifications vary depending on the vehicle category and manufacturer.

Optimizing static seating comfort during the development phase

With the CASIMIR manikins, seat pressure distribution can be determined early in the virtual seat development process. At the same time, criteria for body map areas can be thoroughly reviewed and evaluated. This approach not only optimizes the overall seat design but also local effects, such as the targeted placement of fans, heating elements, or vibration components. As a result, the number of time-consuming and costly subject measurements, as well as the number of necessary development cycles, is significantly reduced, making the entire development process more efficient and cost-effective.

Detailed seat analysis and volumetric strain distribution (VSD)

A tremendous advantage of virtual seat comfort development with CASIMIR/Automotive, compared to traditional measurements, is the ability to visualize and evaluate numerous additional parameters. Particularly valuable is the insight into the seat, which allows for a better understanding of the deformation behaviour and interaction of the various layers. This greatly enhances the interpretation of the pressure distribution and the derivation of improvement options. Additionally, the analysis of the volumetric strain distribution (VSD) in the foam enables the optimization of force flow and material utilization.

The identified deformations in the foam can serve as a basis for further simulations, such as analyzing volume flow during climate control. The strain during entry and exit can also be simulated, providing the basis for ageing and wear predictions.

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We will be happy to support you in solving your tasks relating to virtual seat development, seating comfort and virtual human models.