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Vehicle Ergonomics
Vehicle Ergonomics
Vehicle Ergonomics
vehicle
ergonomics
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How do ergonomics work?
Ergonomics is a relatively new branch of science which
celebrates its 50th anniversary in 1999, but relies on
research carried out in many other older, established
scientific areas, such as engineering, physiology and
psychology.
To achieve best practice design, Ergonomists use the
data and techniques of several disciplines:
anthropometry: body sizes, shapes; populations
and variations
biomechanics: muscles, levers, forces, strength
environmental physics: noise, light, heat, cold,
radiation, vibration body systems: hearing, vision,
sensations
applied psychology: skill, learning, errors,
differences
social psychology: groups, communication,
learning, behaviours.
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VEHICLE ERGONOMICS
Vehicle Ergonomics deals with the physical interaction of
motor-vehicle occupants with the vehicle interior during
normal operating conditions. It includes studies to
understand the effects of occupant body dimensions and
vehicle interior design factors on driver and passenger
posture, position, and perception of accommodation and
comfort. Results of these studies are used to develop and
upgrade industry practices and models for vehicle design,
and to establish criteria for determining levels of occupant
accommodation. The results have been used to design a new
seating manikin for improved measurement and
characterization of vehicle seats and interior package
geometry.
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THE TECHNIQUE OF ALTERING THE LENGTH,
ANGLE AND POSITIONS OF DIFFERENT
PARTS OF THE vehicle, (MAINLY THE Seat,
steering wheel AND controls) TO GET
THE BEST ERGONOMICAL DESIGN SUCH THAT
IT PROVIDES MOST COMFORT TO OUR BODY
AND ENABLE LONG DISTANCE PAINFREE
RIDING IS CALLED
vehicle ERGONOMICS or
driving ergonomics....
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WHY vehicle ERGONOMICS IS IMPORTANT?
The following are the reasons why vehicle (or driving)
ergonomics is of huge importance to those people who
rides either long distances or short distances:
The design of the product takes on the form of
your body and leads to a better distribution of
opposing forces. Unpleasant pressure points and
related discomforts are avoided.
Decrease risk of illness, injury and fatigue.
Enhance the productivity of the worker (driver).
To enable the driver reach different controls easily
without any physical strain.
To enable the driver gets a clear view of the street
ahead and also so that he can easily see the
different meters on the board.
To reduce the risk of accidents.
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Different problems
associated with driving:
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Causes of pain while driving:
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Correct sitting posture in a
car driver’s seat and leg
position
Sitting may be considered as a static posture but not without
any muscular contraction. Starting from the top the shoulder
and the neck muscles are involved. The whole of the back, lower
back, muscles, the abdominal muscles and the hip muscles are
involved.
The leg and the thigh muscles and the muscles of the foot are
involved in the pedal controls.
Muscles of the arm and forearm are involved in the directing
the steering.
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to a great extent and also reduces the risk of disc
rupture and enable a good blood circulation.
In the second case we see that the spine is not in its
natural shape and stress pints are developed in the
neck region and in the lumbar region. Also chances of
herniated disc are high in case of a long term exposure
to driving.
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Death grip and carpal
tunnel syndrome
What is death grip?
DEATH GRIP is the case when driver holds the steering wheel
very strongly. There is no exact reason why a driver does so but
in most case the reason is excitement and fear.
Mostly when a driver rides at a very high speed then it is found
that he grips the steering more firmly than required.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME is a common condition that
causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The
condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand —
the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels
through the wrist.
When a driver is death gripping the steering then he may suffer
from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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Different parts of a car
driver ‘s seat and control
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Ergonomic Aspects in
automobile Design
Occupant packaging
Visual aspect
Air Bag warnings
Comfort, usability seat belts
Collision avoidance system
Traction control system
Brake assist system
Navigation system
Vehicle interior, controls, pedals etc
Reach to advanced recreational systems
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Parts of a car which can
be adjusted for better
comfort and control
i) Seat
ii) Back rest
iii) Steering wheel
iv) Arm rest
v) Head restrain
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Parts of a car which cannot
be adjusted but effects the
ergonomics of a car
I) Pedals: accelerator, brake,
clutch
II) Gear stick
III) Foot rest
IV) Other controls
V) Navigation display or g.p.s.
VI) Audio system
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Percentiles for designing
Normally a design engineer considers for the 5th
percentile male to the 95th percentile male.
In designing so a huge part of the population is
considered, so that all of them can fit in the design.
The motto of ergonomics is:
‘Let the small person reach, and
Let the large person fit’.
A design for the complete population, that is for
the 0th percentile female to the 100th percentile
male, is not made as it will cost the manufacturer a
lot more than the net profit.
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Ergonomic aspects
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seat design
All the requirements of seat design must be incorporated
to ensure the comfort of driver and passengers.
Special consideration should be taken for those, who
have, for example, long legs and a short trunk, or vice
versa, and do not conform to the averaged percentile
norms.
The best compromise is obtained when the seated
posture minimizes the strain on the human organism
imposed by external loads as well as equilibrium
between the ligaments and the sections of muscle which
act in the opposite sense to them. So a degree of freedom
of movement must be provided, holding the body in
position.
These dimensions
enable a small person to reach and a large person to fit.
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Backrest design
Sitting flattens lumbar curve changes
biomechanics of spine
Increased forces on discs
Increased length of ligaments
Increased muscle tension
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Seat pan depth
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Seat pan tilt
Adjust your seat pan tilt.
When seated, scoot your tail bone as far back
to the seat back as possible.
Tilt the seat pan tilt until your thighs are
supported along the full length of the cushion
without there being pressure at the back of
your knees.
The seat of your car should allow for your
knees to be slightly higher than your hips.
This helps in:
Opens up your hip flexors.
Increases circulation to the back.
Decreases pressure on lower back.
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Back rest tilt
Adjust the backrest so it provides continuous support
along the length of the back and is in contact up to
shoulder height.
Adjust your back tilt.
The least amount of pressure on the back occurs
when your seat back is 100-110 degrees so that you
are slightly reclined.
The back support should fully support your back.
If you are leaning too far back, you may end up
bending your head and neck forward, which may
cause muscle fatigue, neck or shoulder pain,
tingling in the fingers, etc.
If you cannot recline your seat, take frequent breaks
from your upright posture by shifting your weight
side to side and using small upper body motions to
relax the back
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Lumbar support
Lumbar support is an important tool to maintain the
backrest in its position.
It helps the spine in maintaining the ‘Double S’
position.
Adjust your lumbar support up-and-down and in-and-
out until you feel an even pressure along your back from
the hips to shoulder height.
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Vibration : its affect and
possible cure
Vibration is transmitted through the back & legs
when sitting.
Every object has a ‘resonant frequency’ (RF) 3-5
Hz – vibration from the road is often in the body’s
RF range; this increases the risk of injury.
Long-Term exposure:
Disc displacement
Degenerative spinal changes
Lumbar scoliosis
Intervertebral disc disease
Herniated discs
Disorders of gastrointestinal system
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Reducing Effects of Vibration :
Reduce transmission
Improve vehicle suspension
Maintain equipment properly
Proper engineering of seating
Use of materials that generate LESS vibration
Decrease amount Reduce speed of travel
Increase rest/recovery time between exposure
Alternate tasks to minimize vibration exposure
Modify the seat and control positions Back rest
support
Reduce forward/sideways leaning of trunk
Eliminate awkward postures Difficulty seeing
displays or reaching
Reduce or isolate from the vibration source
Seated – spring or cushion (as an isolator)
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Head restrain
Avoid forcing awkward postures.
Middle of headrest should be level with middle of
ear.
While sitting, raise the head rest until the top of it
is level with top of your head.
Adjust the angle of the head rest until it is almost
touching the back of your head when you are in
your sitting posture.
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Ideal ergonomic design for
the driver’s seat
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Arm rest
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Steering wheel
Features of a Steering Wheel:
Adjustable steering wheel – in/out, up/down and
tilt.
Power steering
How to adjust the steering wheel:
Centrally positioned and not ‘off-set’ to prevent
rotation of the spine.
Ensure steering wheel does not obstruct the display
panel.
The centre of the steering wheel should be about 10
- 12 in from the driver's breast bone.
Your arms should be in a comfortable position (not
too high or too low).
Check for clearance with thighs and knees when
using pedals.
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Pedals
There are three pedal controls provided and they are the
Clutch, the Brake and the Accelerator, starting from left
to right.
Pedals should be:
Centrally positioned
Sufficiently large
Sufficiently apart so that accelerator and brake are
not simultaneously applied.
Reached Comfortably
ACCELERATOR
CLUTCH
BRAKE
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Working from your vehicle
Working from a vehicle can entail use of a laptop,
general paperwork, mobile use or manual handling. This
could involve:
Static and awkward postures
Twisting and leaning to one side
Leaning forward
Slouching
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Steps to a comfortable
drive (from manufacturers
point)
Gear Stick should be easy to reach
Gear Stick should be movable with less force
Materials transferring vibration should be
avoided.
Cushioning of the seats and backrest should be
provided.
Hand break should be close to the driver’s
seat.
Other controls and aids for recreation and
navigation should be within the forward reach
the driver.
Sufficient platform for footrest rest should be
provided.
Meters should be placed where it can be easily
seen.
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Steps to a comfortable
drive (from driver’s point)
Learn how to get in and out of vehicle
Use a good sitting posture
Avoid slouching
If possible, change positions while driving
Check your hand position on the steering
wheel
Avoid lifting immediately after driving – give
yourself on or two minutes to stretch and rest
before lifting
Try to take regular rest/stretch breaks. Only 5
minutes will suffice
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CONCLUSION
In the report we are able to point out :
Different parts of our body involved while
driving.
Different problems associated with prolonged
driving.
All major adjustments which can be made in a
car or any vehicle to enhance more comfort
and safety.
Tips for driver to enjoy a long pain free ride.
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Bibliography
www.drivingergonomics.com
www.aohnp.co.uk/media/Vehicleergonomicsb
estpracticeguide$28Highwaysagency$29.pdf
http://safety.dept.shef.ac.uk/guidance/DRIVI
NG%20POSTURE.pdf
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-
hood/trends-innovations/car-ergonomics.htm
http://www.umtri.umich.edu/our-
focus/vehicle-ergonomics
https://www.recovre.com.au/wp-
content/uploads/2014/08/Vehicle-
Ergonomics-Fact-Sheet.pdf
http://drivingergonomics.lboro.ac.uk/downlo
ads/vehicle%20ergonomics%20and%20best%
20practice%20guide.pdf
https://www.quora.com/What-is-ergonomics-
in-automobile-design
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