Enhancement of Driver Ride-Comfort through Reduction of Transmitted Vibrations by using Different Materials for Car Seat Cushion

Abstract

The aim of this work is to simulate reduction of whole-body vibration represented by acceleration that is transmitted through seat to the driver in a passenger car by studying different cushion materials for the seat. The accelerations at the interface of driver and seat are studied for an exposure period of eight hours as per ISO 2631-1(1997) standards. The entire study is done using FEA analysis in ANSYS 19.2. The simulation has been carried out for three different base accelerations representing three different road conditions and also for three different weights of drivers which are assigned to the manikin model sitting on the seat. Two cushion materials namely melamine foam and rebonded foam, in addition to regufoam which is commonly used in the cars have been taken up for study. For 65 kgf, 75 kgf and 85 kgf driver weights, rebonded foam results in an average A(8) reduction by 13.8%, 19.48% and 30.34% respectively whereas melamine foam has reduced it by 5.19%, 5.80% and 14.54% respectively for the same conditions. It is therefore suggested that rebonded foam gives better comfort compared to the existing regufoam and melamine for seat cushioning of the car studied.