Title: Automotive seat cushion nonlinear phenomenon: experimental and theoretical evaluation

Authors: Jian Pang, Changki Mo, Gang Sheng

Addresses: Powertrain Subsystems Engineering (PTSSE), Family Vehicles, North American Car Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI 48121, USA. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, SangJu National University, Kyungbuk 742-711, Korea. ' Gates Corporation, Rochester Hill, MI, USA

Abstract: The paper describes the nonlinear phenomenon of automotive seat cushion structure. The tested transfer function between seat butt and seat track reveals that both the magnitude and frequency of the transfer function shift smaller with excitation level increases. The transfer function|s magnitude also becomes smaller with the sandbag mass increases, which contradicts with linear system assumption. The tested results reveal that automotive seat cushion structure is nonlinear. A nonlinear model is developed to validate the tested nonlinear phenomenon. The discovery is significant for understanding seat cushion structure, and further could provide analysis guidance to seat design in order to reach customer satisfaction.

Keywords: vibration; seat; automotive seat cushions; nonlinear modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVAS.2003.004381

International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems, 2003 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.421 - 435

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article