OPTIMUM AIR PRESSURE FOR AN AIR-CELL SEAT TO ENHANCE RIDE COMFORT

Several air cells are installed in the seat cushion to adjust the stiffness of seat by changing the air pressure. To select proper air pressure in the air cells, two kinds of tests are performed. For the pressure distribution on the seat, the maximum pressure and mean pressure are compared. And for the dynamic ride values, SEAT (Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility) values are calculated and compared. These experiments are carried out with three different drivers, three different vehicle speeds on the highway and two different speed on the primary road, and three different air pressures. From the real car tests, optimum air cell pressure depending on the vehicle speed and driver’s weight are recommended.