A case study of the effects of foam properties and support surface on seat pressure distribution
Résumé
Lightening seat cushions while enhancing seating comfort is a compelling area of research for seat manufacturers. Past studies showed that pre-shaped support could reduce weight and improve comfort. However, the influence of cushion foam properties, including thickness and stiffness, remains relatively unexplored. This case study aimed to address this gap by examining two different foams (softer and harder) with varying thicknesses from 30 to 70 mm using a reconfigurable experimental seat. An eco-class passenger seating on an airplane was simulated. Two types of foam support, one pre-shaped and one flat, were also compared. One short male, one average height male, one tall male and one short female were selected to participate in the experiment. Results show that pre-shaped support significantly reduced the peak pressure and increased the contact area. Big differences in seat pressure distribution were observed between the four participants, suggesting strong effects of sitter's anthropometry. Results also suggest that a harder foam should be used when reducing cushion thickness. Further investigations with a larger sample size of participants and a longer sitting test are needed to confirm the findings of the present work.
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