Hao Wu and Grantham Pang
Seat design, comfort, pressure distribution
Sitting pressure distribution is closely related to sitting comfort, health, and chair ergonomics. This study describes the development of a novel chair that can monitor and adjust seat pressure with the aim of relieving seat pressure. A mat device was developed to collect pressure distribution data from the seat surface. Electric extension/retraction mechanisms were designed from the base of the seat to redistribute seat pressure. Evaluations are presented for monitoring the pressure distributions of three different seat materials when a person was in four different postures, demonstrating that the performance of the pressure sensing mats was satisfactory. In an evaluation of the efficacy of the electric extenders’ mechatronics features, the retraction function is viable for decreasing surface pressure. We expect that this study will contribute to novel chair design, and successful engineering development could contribute to the prevention of pressure ulcers by adjusting seat pressure for people in prolonged sitting positions.
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