Dangal S, Smulders M, Vink P
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Landbergstraat 15, 2628, CE, Delft, the Netherlands.
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Landbergstraat 15, 2628, CE, Delft, the Netherlands.
Appl Ergon. 2021 Feb;91:103174. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103174. Epub 2020 Oct 28.
This paper investigates whether spring-foam technology in an aircraft seat-pan can reduce weight and at the same time provide equal or better comfort. Firstly, through literature studies and using an iterative design process a prototype seat-pan was designed and developed using spring-foam technology. The (dis)comfort of this seat was compared with a standard aircraft seat-pan. Twenty two participants were asked to sit in each seat for 90 min, completing a questionnaire every 15 min. At the end of each seating session pressure map recordings were made of the seat-pans. The results showed that the prototype seat-pan has on average a significantly higher comfort for the first 30 min and at a 60 min recording than the standard seat-pan. The discomfort and long term comfort were not significantly influenced. The pressure distribution on the prototype seat-pan was significantly closer to an ideal pressure distribution than a conventional seat-pan. In addition, the prototype seat-pan had a significantly larger contact area and lower average pressure. The seat-cushion weighs 20% less than the conventional seat-cushion. The study indicates that a seat-pan design using spring-foam technology can be lighter and more comfortable than conventional foam cushion materials. It is recommended to optimize the prototype seat further and conduct long term (dis)comfort studies with a broader variation in subjects' age.
本文研究了飞机座椅座盘采用弹簧泡沫技术是否能够减轻重量，同时提供同等或更好的舒适性。首先，通过文献研究并采用迭代设计流程，利用弹簧泡沫技术设计并开发了一个原型座盘。将该座椅的（不）舒适度与标准飞机座盘进行了比较。22名参与者被要求在每个座椅上坐90分钟，每15分钟完成一份问卷。在每次就座结束时，对座盘进行压力分布图记录。结果表明，与标准座盘相比，原型座盘在前30分钟以及在60分钟记录时平均具有显著更高的舒适度。不舒适度和长期舒适度没有受到显著影响。与传统座盘相比，原型座盘上的压力分布显著更接近理想压力分布。此外，原型座盘具有显著更大的接触面积和更低的平均压力。座垫重量比传统座垫轻20%。该研究表明，采用弹簧泡沫技术的座盘设计可能比传统泡沫垫材料更轻且更舒适。建议进一步优化原型座椅，并针对更广泛的受试者年龄差异进行长期（不）舒适度研究。
