Static Factors in Sitting Comfort: Seat Foam Properties, Temperature, and Contact Pressure

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The seat characteristics have high relevance in overall comfort on any transportation means. In particular, the foam’s mechanical properties, interface pressure, and contact temperature play an important role in low- or no-vibration situations regarding static comfort. The present work presents the complete protocol for a static evaluation of different foams and seat covers to assess railway seats. Based on the evaluation of the foam’s mechanical properties and interface pressure profiles, it was concluded that higher-density foam (80 kg/m3) is the most favorable. Regarding the foam cover, a thermographic assessment demonstrated that the fabric cover that induces lower temperatures at passenger interface contact promotes higher comfort levels. It should be highlighted that experiments were conducted on real train seat cushions and environments using a thermographic camera and pressure map sensor.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app14177753

Authors: P. Silva, D. Ribeiro, O. Postolache, E. Seabra, J. Mendes

Institutions: Universidade do Porto, Institute of Research and Development in Structures and Construction, University of Minho, Universidade Técnica do Porto, Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Mangement

Language: English

Topic: Textile materials and evaluations

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728

Funders: European Commission, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, European Regional Development Fund

OpenAlex ID: W4402189013