Title: Defining the ergonomic parameters of the driver's seat in a competition single-seater

Authors: F. Javier Sanchez-Alejo, Miguel A. Alvarez, Nuria Flores Holgado, Jose M. Lopez

Addresses: INSIA (Automobile Research Institute), Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ctra. Valencia km 7, 28031 Madrid, Spain. ' INSIA (Automobile Research Institute), Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ctra. Valencia km 7, 28031 Madrid, Spain. ' INSIA (Automobile Research Institute), Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ctra. Valencia km 7, 28031 Madrid, Spain. ' INSIA (Automobile Research Institute), Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ctra. Valencia km 7, 28031 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: This paper sets out a design methodology for the cockpit of a competition vehicle that applies ergonomic criteria. Through a practical design case of a Formula SAE single-seater, a methodology is proposed that ranges from taking anthropometric measurements of the comfort posture of a population of 22 possible drivers to the use of an ergonomic module of a three-dimensional (3D) design program and the construction of the chassis and the driver|s seat. This methodology, which can be used in other different applications, is at all times documented with the results obtained from measurements, with the parameters used in the design and with photographs that capture the data collection and manufacturing process.

Keywords: ergonomics; driver seat; cockpit design; comfort posture; Formula SAE; human factors; vehicle design; competition vehicles; single-seater vehicles; single seaters; anthropometric measurements; 3D design; driver comfort; ride comfort; seat design; vehicle seating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2011.040580

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2011 Vol.55 No.2/3/4, pp.139 - 161

Published online: 10 Apr 2015 *

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