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In this investigation we have taken five automotive seats and shown the relationship that exists between the end users subjective comfort response versus an objective body pressure distribution measure. Using psychometric methods, each participant in this study evaluated the comfort of five automotive seats. Through such an investigation a continuous comfort scale is created. With a precise comfort scale we have successfully correlated end user comfort responses to body pressure distribution. This methodology successfully evaluated automotive seating comfort, identified comfort benchmarks, quantified potential improvements to automotive seats, and illustrated the relationship between a psychometric comfort score and body pressure distribution.

The Woodbridge Group continues to explore the role of the PUF cushion in the measured comfort of the entire seating system. In this investigation our expanded comfort analysis of 60 PUF cushions, currently in the market, is illustrated through statistical analysis and comparisons drawn between PUF front seat driver cushions designed in North America, Europe, and Japan. All of the cushions included in this study were obtained from production moulds using production chemistries. A principal component analysis was conducted on sixteen different physical properties. In this manner we sought to reveal relationships not previously understood and subsequently allow for simpler interpretation. Using multivariate statistical methods all cushions, regardless of cushion type or origin, can be simultaneously analyzed. This analysis has revealed a number of critical foam characteristics. We have also identified those physical property tests that are highly correlated with each foam characteristic.

In this investigation, we have selected a number of PUF driver seat cushions from a wide range of vehicles assembled in the U.S.A. and Canada. These driver seat cushions have been characterized with respect to both static and dynamic foam comfort. It has been determined that cushions considered good with respect to static comfort may not have the same rating when analyzed via vibrational transmissivity as a measure of dynamic comfort. Furthermore, we have also examined the vibrational transmissivity response of various PUF chemical systems in an attempt to measure the impact of the PUF chemistry on cushion design. This was accomplished by selecting two driver seat cushion molds and pouring four different chemistries into each mold. In addition to the observed effect of the PUF chemistry, the cushion design was also found to play a role in the dynamic comfort as indicated by the vibrational response.