Citation

Franz M, Durt A, Zenk R, Desmet PM. Appl. Ergon. 2012; 43(2): 336-343.

Affiliation

BMW AG, Knorrstrasse 147, D-80788 München, Germany; Delft University of Technology, Industrial Design Engineering, Landbergstraat 15, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apergo.2011.06.009

PMID

21944482

Abstract

This paper describes the design of a neck-/headrest to increase car comfort. Two studies were undertaken to create a new comfortable headrest with neck support. In experiment one, neck- and headrest data were gathered using 35 test subjects. The pressure distribution, stiffness of the foam material and position of the head and neck support were determined. In experiment two a full adjustable final headrest with adjustable neck support was constructed and tested with 12 subjects using a new adjustable headrest under virtual reality driving conditions. Experiment two showed that the headrest with the new/adjustable neck support was favoured by the majority of the subjects. 83% were satisfied with the stiffness of the material. 92% were satisfied with the size of the neck- and headrest. All subjects mentioned that the neck support is a comfort benefit in calm traffic conditions or on the motorway.

Language: en