Objectives: Since the riding comfort upon seating is determined according to the driving environment or the driver’s preference, objective evaluations are accompanied by many constraints. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Variations in stiffness distribution of the seat cushion were analyzed by using body pressure distribution. First, to identify loaddeflection characteristics of the seat cushion, static load tests were conducted and stiffness characteristics as a function of load were affirmed by application of quadratic spline interpolation method. And, body pressure distribution of the male subject produced upon seating in the cushion was measured under actual vehicle conditions. Findings: Variations in stiffness distribution of the seat cushion produced when a driver comes aboard a vehicle, and the following conclusions could be obtained. First, by conducting static load tests for the seat cushion to obtain load-deflection curves, deflection characteristics per load point were identified. Second, through quadratic function for the load-deflection curves derived from static load tests, stiffness distributions were derived. Stiffness characteristics were continuously varied as a function of load distribution applied to the seat cushion, which was analyzed to have an effect on stiffness distribution as a function of body pressure distribution for the driver. Third, based on body pressure distribution data for the male subject and load-deflection curves for the seat cushion, variations in stiffness of the seat cushion were analyzed as a function of body pressure distribution. As a result, the extent of hardness felt by the human body was greater for the right side even if body pressure of the male subject was shown to be larger in the left-side region. Application/Improvements: Characteristics of seat stiffness distribution as a function of body pressure distribution which were derived in the present study are considered to be utilized for pad development of car seat.
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