A study on seat feeling of seating support tool for wheelchair.

Ergonomic evaluation of the cushion material.

Abstract

In this study, we have investigated how seating posture is influenced by the characteristics of seat materials from data of the subjective preference, the free-fall test and body pressure distribution. Firstly, seat feelings in initial and steady states of seating are evaluated on subjective rating. Secondly, we have tried free-fall test that is the application of the evaluation method of automotive seat for reproducing seat condition. We have analyzed body pressure distribution on seating surface and studied the relationship between the characteristics of a seat-cushion and seating posture. As a result, tendencies are revealed that seat feeling depends on the subjective rating in initial state of seating and hard cushion is evaluated as “worse”. In addition, it is demonstrated that free-fall test data have consistency with the subjective rating in initial state of seating. Furthermore, it turns out effective that the body pressure distribution is analyzed not only with high-pressure distribution or pressure variation but also with a distribution map for each ischium and femoral region. Thus it is shown that the body pressure distribution depends on characteristics of cushion.