Work - Volume 68, issue s1

Authors: Vink, Peter | Frohriep, Susanne | Mansfield, Neil | Naddeo, Alessandro | Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

Abstract: Various aspects related to comfort are described in this special issue. Some papers are focused on the environment, like smell, temperature, light, acoustics, space and some on an artefact touching the human, like the floor angle, the seat, a bed and light. However, in this special issue also topics like modelling and behavior get more attention.

Keywords: Review, comfort, model, main findings, ICC2019

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208000

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S1-S5, 2021

Authors: Anjani, Shabila | Song, Yu | Vink, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recent research indicated that an 18′′  ×30′′ aircraft seat resulted in nearly the same level of comfort as a 17′′  ×34′′ seat. However, it took less space in the floor plan. OBJECTIVES: This study explores seat layouts preferred by experts regarding different criteria. Those results of the experts are later compared to layouts produced by computational algorithms to evaluate the advantages of each method. METHODS: Eighty-eight experts in the field of aircraft interior were invited to make a floor plan of a part of a Boeing 777 aircraft where comfort was one of …the main goals. Participants worked in groups of 3 and are given the freedom to design a section of the cabin between economy and first-class (5.87 m wide and 3.7 m long), where besides these two types of seats, an old business-class size seat of 20′′  ×36′′ was introduced as well for more flexibilities in design. Computational algorithms were also applied with the same inputs and constraints to generate layouts as a comparison. RESULTS: In total, 29 floor-plans were made, and these plans were analysed to compare against the complexity of the operations, the number of passengers on board, the revenue of the airline, and the width of the aisle. Results showed that 14 groups opted for the economy seats, while the rest utilized a hybrid setup where the business class seats were used in the configuration. These results are compared to the 126 computerized layouts generated. CONCLUSIONS: Among all layouts designed by experts, a combination of 28 18′′  ×30′′ seats and 20 17′′  ×34′′ seats had the highest potential revenue of US$21,984. This floor plan fits the regulations with an aisle width of 0.93 m. The computerized layout had a better outcome in maximizing profit of US$22,416 with 32 18′′  ×30′′ seats and 16 20′′  ×36′′ seats. However, the comfort of such results was to be explored as some seats were rotated 90 degrees. Show more

Keywords: Aircraft seat, pitch, width, comfort, layout

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208001

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S7-S18, 2021

Authors: Anjani, Shabila | Kühne, Manon | Naddeo, Alessandro | Frohriep, Susanne | Mansfield, Neil | Song, Yu | Vink, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Selecting the most suitable questionnaire(s) in comfort research for product design is always a challenge, even for experienced researchers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to create a list of Preferred Comfort Questionnaires (PCQ) for product design to help researchers in the selection of questionnaires for comfort research. METHODS: Fifteen questionnaires that are often used in comfort research for product design were selected as candidate questionnaires. During the Second International Comfort Congress (ICC 2019), 55 researchers and practitioners working in the field of comfort joined together in a workshop to rate these questionnaires individually …as well as rank them in groups based on their experience. The criteria of rating and ranking included easiness to answer, easiness for data interpretation, time needed to complete, the need for prior training, as well as mapping the applicable design phases and field of application. RESULTS: The elicited responses related to each questionnaire were analyzed. For comfort research in five proposed application fields and four design phases, the preferred questionnaires were highlighted and categorized into four categories: preferred questionnaire, suitable for less prior training, suitable for fast completion and generally applicable, which led to a list of PCQ for product design. CONCLUSION: We expect that the PCQ list can be used as a useful instrument to help researchers in selecting questionnaires for comfort research in product design. Show more

Keywords: Comfort, discomfort, questionnaire, product design, research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208002

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S19-S28, 2021

Authors: Backes, Damian | Trenktrog, Marten | Eckstein, Lutz

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The increasing electrification poses new challenges with respect to thermal comfort in vehicle passenger cabins. While conventional air heating with electric heaters is technically possible, it causes significant reductions in the electric driving range. OBJECTIVE: Two contradicting objectives are to be achieved: Fast heat up to provide thermal comfort and high energy efficiency to maximize the driving range under all conditions. METHODS: This apparent area of conflict can be eased by the usage of low temperature radiation reducing the energy intensive heat up of the cabin air. In order to provide high energy efficiency, the …emitted radiation should mostly be directed towards relevant body regions of the passengers, resulting in the necessity to redesign the passenger cabin. RESULTS: A novel approach to redesign and optimize the dashboard and a resulting radiation heating system are presented. In order to reduce computational effort of such an optimization, the complex three-dimensional geometry is sliced into simplified two-dimensional regions which are considered individually. The resulting heating system has been manufactured and integrated into a class A vehicle. Objective thermal comfort measurements as well as subjective comfort ratings have been conducted to validate the simulative approach and the resulting energy savings of approximately 30 %. CONCLUSIONS: The developed approach to achieve a fast time to comfort as well as an increased energy efficiency shows promising results as the heating system based on it cuts performs well considering objective and subjective measurements. Show more

Keywords: Thermal management, thermal comfort, comfort simulation, comfort measurement

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208003

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S29-S35, 2021

Authors: Burkhard, Georg | Berger, Tobias | Enders, Erik | Schramm, Dieter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the development of autonomous driving, the occupants’ comfort perception and their activities during the drive are becoming increasingly the focus of research. Especially in one of the first applications, a drive on a motorway, vertical dynamics play a major role. OBJECTIVE: To be able to robustly objectify ride comfort, better models need to be developed. Initial studies have shown, that the current ISO-2631 standard creates good results in the objectification and can be regarded as benchmark. METHODS: To increase the accuracy in objectification, an extended model with the occupants’ head as additional measuring point …is introduced. Instead of the known frequency filters, weighting (k-factors) is used to differentiate possible excitations. For comparing the model with the ISO-2631, a simulator study with 5 excitations and 50 inattentive subjects is carried out. RESULTS: Evaluating the study with the ISO-2631, 3 out of 5 excitations indicate a significant difference between the occupant’s impression and the calculated comfort value. In comparison the extended model has no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results further show, that inattentive occupants move their heads significantly more. By measuring accelerations of the head, the extended model creates equivalent or more accurate comfort values than the ISO-2631. Show more

Keywords: Objectification, comfort model, ISO-2631, whole body vibrations, inattentive occupant

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208004

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S37-S45, 2021

Authors: Califano, Rosaria | Cecco, Marianeve | De Cunzo, Giuseppina | Napolitano, Nicoletta | Rega, Emanuela | Fiorillo, Iolanda | Naddeo, Alessandro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, a growing interest in ergonomics and comfort perception in secondary schools and universities can be detected, to go beyond the UNI-EN regulations and understanding how practically improve students’ perceived comfort during lessons. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the (dis)comfort perceived by students while sitting in a combo-desk during lessons; it proposed a method for understanding and weighing the influence of postural factors on overall (dis)comfort. METHODS: Twenty healthy students performed a random combination of three different tasks in two sessions - listening, reading on a tablet and writing. Subjective perceptions were …investigated through questionnaires, in which the expected and the overall comfort were evaluated; postural angles were gathered by processing photos through Kinovea® software and were used for the virtual-postural analysis, using a DHM (Digital Human Modelling) software; statistical analysis was used to investigate the influence of subjective comfort of each body part on the overall perceived comfort. RESULTS: The statistical correlations were used to perform an optimization problem in order to create a general law to formulate the overall comfort function, for each task, as a weighted sum of the comfort perceived in each body part. The test procedure, additionally, evaluated the influence on comfort over time. The results showed how the upper back and the task-related upper limb are the most influencing factors in the overall comfort perception. CONCLUSIONS: The paper revealed a precise and straightforward analysis method that can be easily repeated for other design applications. Obtained results can suggest to designers easy solution to re-design the combo-desk. Show more

Keywords: Perceived (dis)comfort, school seat, combo-desk, school activities, students wellbeing

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208005

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S47-S57, 2021

Authors: Cappetti, Nicola | Manso, Emmanuel Di

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: One of the aspects that influences the sitting comfort is the distribution of the pressure applied to the skin by the seat surface. In the scientific literature, many studies show experimental activities in order to evaluate the influence of pressure distribution at the seat-human interface on the comfort evaluation. The main limitation in seat design is based on the difficulties to predict the contact pressures distribution without prototypes because of the complex interaction among body muscles, wearing, human’s anthropometric characteristics, shape and materials of the seat. Moreover, the same human can assume different postures on the same seat, and …different people, seated on the same chair, can assume different postures even if they have the same anthropometric percentile. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to propose a mathematical model evaluating interaction loads between human segments and seat segments. METHOD: In this model, a human body represented by 8 segments is placed on a 6 segments seat with posture dependent on seat segments and on position of the coccyx on seat and feet on floor. Human segments can be configured in length and weight and friction between body and seat is considered. A model validation study based on an experimental comparison with contact pressures is also presented. RESULTS: The experiment showed that there is a remarkable recursion of some stress values of the articular joints of the pelvis, hip and knee. By imposing these values in the calculation model, it is possible to determine, for each chair configuration, which postures will be assumed by a person, and to make a preliminary assessment of the level of comfort possible. Show more

Keywords: Seating posture, seat, contact pressures, modelling

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208006

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S59-S68, 2021

Authors: Erol, Tugra | Diels, Cyriel | Shippen, James | Richards, Dale

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The role of appearance of automotive seats on perceived comfort and comfort expectancy has been acknowledged in previous research but it has not been investigated in depth. OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of the appearance of production automotive seats, based on the hypothesis that visual design differentiations are affective in creating comfort expectations. The significance of the descriptors Sporty , Luxurious and Comfortable and the associated visual design attributes was of interest. METHOD: Images from 38 automotive production seats were used in an image-based card sorting app (qCard) with a total of 24 …participants. Participants were asked to categorize the different seat designs varying from 1: least, to 9: most for all three descriptors.The resulting data was analyzed using hierarchical clustering analysis. RESULTS: The results indicated that the perceived Sporty , Luxurious and Comfortable were descriptor items that significantly differentiated seats with certain design attributes. It was found that for the Sporty perception the integrated headrest design and angular shapes were key. On the other hand, the Comfort perception was characterised by seating with a separate headrest and rounded seat back/cushion shapes. CONCLUSIONS: For seat design processes, the method enables a practical way to identify elements conveying Sporty, Comfortable and Luxurious perception. Show more

Keywords: Automotive, seat, comfort experience, visual impression, attribute mapping

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208007

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S69-S85, 2021

Authors: Fiorillo, Iolanda | Anzisi, Federico Jacopo | Carbone, Alfonso | Califano, Rosaria | Naddeo, Alessandro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: According to ergonomic researches regarding a good sitting posture, it is essential to ensure a natural back-curve in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. A brief observation among the Scientific Technology Library inside the University of Salerno showed that students used to complain about neck and lumbar pain, especially after a study day. OBJECTIVE: On the light of this background, a sitting posture comfort analysis had been performed on chairs inside the library to check the critical factors that influence the postural comfort and, consequently, the learning. METHODS: A prolonged sitting posture, that is common during …the daily study activity, had been simulated with fifteen volunteer students performing 1-hour tests (divided into four 15-minutes tasks). Subjective perceptions had been gathered through questionnaires rating on a 5-point Comfort scale, both the expected comfort at the beginning of the experiment and the Localized Postural Comfort at the end of each task have been investigated. Then, postural angles had been gathered through photographic acquisition and Kinovea®. CaMAN software had been used to calculate the objective (dis)comfort indexes. Finally, subjective and objective data had been statistically processed and compared. RESULTS: Lumbar area scored the lowest perceived comfort while the perceived comfort was independent of participants and tasks, but dependent on time. CONCLUSIONS: After this comfort-driven analysis, critical factors of the chair-design were checked, and a proposal for a future re-design was hypothesized. Show more

Keywords: Comfort, office seat, students, library, postural comfort-driven redesign

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208008

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S87-S100, 2021

Authors: Gentner, Alexandre | Gradinati, Giuliano | Favart, Carole | Gyamfi, Kojo Sarfo | Brusey, James

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: For passengers in private or public transportation systems, comfort is a major interest. Available comfort models are already used to correlate thermal comfort to influencing factors. However, the available models do not other sensory comfort aspect and specific influences as fragrances and ambient light. OBJECTIVE: This publication investigates the impact of fragrances with “warm” and “cold” associated meanings on thermal and overall comfort perception. METHODS: Human subject trials (n  = 47) were performed in different temperature-controlled environments following a 3×3 within-subject design considering ambient fragrance (“neutral scent”, “peppermint”, “orange & cinnamon”) and ambient light as variables. …RESULTS: Olfactory comfort is shown to have the larger effect on overall comfort perception, comparable in weight to the one of thermal comfort. The impact observed on thermal sensation was in line with the meanings associated the fragrances, whereas it was positive on thermal comfort appreciation regardless of the type of fragrance diffused. CONCLUSIONS: These initial results suggest that olfactory stimulations have the potential to positively impact thermal and overall comfort. The appreciation of the fragrance appears to have a major impact on these interactions and should be deeply considered in future research and features development. Show more

Keywords: Overall comfort, olfactory comfort, thermal comfort, fragrance diffusion, automotive context

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208009

Citation: Work, vol. 68, no. s1, pp. S101-S110, 2021