Print Email Facebook Twitter Implementing spring-foam technology to design a lightweight and comfortable aircraft seat-pan Title Implementing spring-foam technology to design a lightweight and comfortable aircraft seat-pan Author Dangal, S. (TU Delft Circular Product Design) Smulders, M. (TU Delft Mechatronic Design) Vink, P. (TU Delft Applied Ergonomics and Design) Date 2021 Abstract This paper investigates whether spring-foam technology in an aircraft seat-pan can reduce weight and at the same time provide equal or better comfort. Firstly, through literature studies and using an iterative design process a prototype seat-pan was designed and developed using spring-foam technology. The (dis)comfort of this seat was compared with a standard aircraft seat-pan. Twenty two participants were asked to sit in each seat for 90 min, completing a questionnaire every 15 min. At the end of each seating session pressure map recordings were made of the seat-pans. The results showed that the prototype seat-pan has on average a significantly higher comfort for the first 30 min and at a 60 min recording than the standard seat-pan. The discomfort and long term comfort were not significantly influenced. The pressure distribution on the prototype seat-pan was significantly closer to an ideal pressure distribution than a conventional seat-pan. In addition, the prototype seat-pan had a significantly larger contact area and lower average pressure. The seat-cushion weighs 20% less than the conventional seat-cushion. The study indicates that a seat-pan design using spring-foam technology can be lighter and more comfortable than conventional foam cushion materials. It is recommended to optimize the prototype seat further and conduct long term (dis)comfort studies with a broader variation in subjects’ age. Subject Aircraft seatComfortIdeal seat contourPressure distribution To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:a95164bf-c143-4ee9-89b7-708290adf1af DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103174 Embargo date 2022-10-28 ISSN 0003-6870 Source Applied Ergonomics: human factors in technology and society, 91 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2021 S. Dangal, M. Smulders, P. Vink Files PDF Dangal_et_al_2021_Impleme ... at_pan.pdf 2.9 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:a95164bf-c143-4ee9-89b7-708290adf1af/datastream/OBJ/view