The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

The vibration of inclined backrests: perception and discomfort of vibration applied normal to the back in the x-axis of the body

The vibration of inclined backrests: perception and discomfort of vibration applied normal to the back in the x-axis of the body
The vibration of inclined backrests: perception and discomfort of vibration applied normal to the back in the x-axis of the body
The vibration of backrests contributes to the discomfort of drivers and passengers. A frequency weighting exists for evaluating the vibration of vertical backrests but not for reclined backrests often used during travel. This experimental study was designed to determine how backrest inclination and the frequency of vibration influence perception thresholds and vibration discomfort when the vibration is applied normal to the back (i.e. fore-and-aft vibration when seated upright and vertical vibration when fully reclined). Twelve subjects experienced the vibration of a backrest (at each of the 11 preferred one-third octave centre frequencies in the range 2.5–25 Hz) at vibration magnitudes from the threshold of perception to 24 dB above threshold. Initially, absolute thresholds for the perception of vibration were determined with four backrest inclinations: 0° (upright), 30°, 60° and 90° (recumbent). The method of magnitude estimation was then used to obtain judgements of vibration discomfort with each of the four backrest angles. Finally, the relative discomfort between the four backrest angles, and the principal locations for feeling vibration discomfort in the body, were determined. With all backrest inclinations, absolute thresholds for the perception of vibration acceleration were dependent on the frequency of vibration. As the backrest inclination became more horizontal, the thresholds increased at frequencies between 4 and 8 Hz. For all backrest inclinations, the rate of growth of discomfort with increasing magnitude of vibration was independent of the frequency of vibration, so the frequency-dependence of discomfort was similar over the range of magnitudes investigated (0.04–0.6 m s?2 rms). With an upright backrest, the discomfort caused by vibration acceleration tended to be greatest at frequencies less than about 8 Hz. With inclined backrests (at 30°, 60°, and 90°), the equivalent comfort contours were broadly similar to each other, with greatest discomfort caused by acceleration around 10 or 12.5 Hz. At frequencies from 4 to 8 Hz, 30–40 percent greater magnitudes of vibration were required with the three inclined backrests to cause discomfort equivalent to that caused by the upright backrest. It is concluded that with an upright backrest the frequency weighting Wc used in current standards is appropriate for predicting the discomfort caused by fore-and-aft backrest vibration. With inclined and horizontal backrests, a weighting similar to frequency weighting Wb (used to predict discomfort caused by vertical seat vibration) appears more appropriate.
0022-460X
4646-4659
Basri, B.
d7dd50c4-4820-4918-a8bb-cf270c34a36e
Griffin, M.J.
24112494-9774-40cb-91b7-5b4afe3c41b8
Basri, B.
d7dd50c4-4820-4918-a8bb-cf270c34a36e
Griffin, M.J.
24112494-9774-40cb-91b7-5b4afe3c41b8

Basri, B. and Griffin, M.J. (2011) The vibration of inclined backrests: perception and discomfort of vibration applied normal to the back in the x-axis of the body. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 330 (18-19), 4646-4659. (doi:10.1016/j.jsv.2011.04.021).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The vibration of backrests contributes to the discomfort of drivers and passengers. A frequency weighting exists for evaluating the vibration of vertical backrests but not for reclined backrests often used during travel. This experimental study was designed to determine how backrest inclination and the frequency of vibration influence perception thresholds and vibration discomfort when the vibration is applied normal to the back (i.e. fore-and-aft vibration when seated upright and vertical vibration when fully reclined). Twelve subjects experienced the vibration of a backrest (at each of the 11 preferred one-third octave centre frequencies in the range 2.5–25 Hz) at vibration magnitudes from the threshold of perception to 24 dB above threshold. Initially, absolute thresholds for the perception of vibration were determined with four backrest inclinations: 0° (upright), 30°, 60° and 90° (recumbent). The method of magnitude estimation was then used to obtain judgements of vibration discomfort with each of the four backrest angles. Finally, the relative discomfort between the four backrest angles, and the principal locations for feeling vibration discomfort in the body, were determined. With all backrest inclinations, absolute thresholds for the perception of vibration acceleration were dependent on the frequency of vibration. As the backrest inclination became more horizontal, the thresholds increased at frequencies between 4 and 8 Hz. For all backrest inclinations, the rate of growth of discomfort with increasing magnitude of vibration was independent of the frequency of vibration, so the frequency-dependence of discomfort was similar over the range of magnitudes investigated (0.04–0.6 m s?2 rms). With an upright backrest, the discomfort caused by vibration acceleration tended to be greatest at frequencies less than about 8 Hz. With inclined backrests (at 30°, 60°, and 90°), the equivalent comfort contours were broadly similar to each other, with greatest discomfort caused by acceleration around 10 or 12.5 Hz. At frequencies from 4 to 8 Hz, 30–40 percent greater magnitudes of vibration were required with the three inclined backrests to cause discomfort equivalent to that caused by the upright backrest. It is concluded that with an upright backrest the frequency weighting Wc used in current standards is appropriate for predicting the discomfort caused by fore-and-aft backrest vibration. With inclined and horizontal backrests, a weighting similar to frequency weighting Wb (used to predict discomfort caused by vertical seat vibration) appears more appropriate.

Text
14689 BB-MJG 2011 Fore_aft_back_vibration_discomfort - Accepted Manuscript
Download (3MB)

More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 18 May 2011
Published date: 29 August 2011
Organisations: Human Sciences Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 337578
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/337578
ISSN: 0022-460X
PURE UUID: 3b33c3c3-1a84-4bb2-8e70-687703abc6a6
ORCID for M.J. Griffin: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0743-9502

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 30 Apr 2012 09:09
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 10:55

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: B. Basri
Author: M.J. Griffin ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×