Improve the Ergonomic Experience with Pressure Mapping

Transcription

1 Improve the Ergonomic Experience with Pressure Mapping A Technical Overview Demonstrating How Capturing Pressure Profile Data Can Help Design Engineers Create More Comfortable Products

2 Table of Contents Actionable Data that Advances the Science of Ergonomics What is Pressure Mapping? Discover a Better Way to Evaluate Comfort Real-world Comfort & Ergonomic Applications Analyze Body Pressure Distribution Test Packaging Grip & Seal Optimize Fit For Wearable Devices Ease the Rigors Of Occupational Activities Ensure Comfort in Medical Therapy Quantify Comfort in Ways Your Competitors Can t

3 3 INTRODUCTION Actionable Data that Advances the Science of Ergonomics The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics (or human factors) as the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. Considering that every individual has their own unique ergonomic experience, the word scientific in that statement may be debatable to some. Even though comfort can be a key factor in the purchase decision of many different types of products, obtaining measurable data on comfort is often a challenge. Take the automobile industry for instance claims like the best fuel economy, or highest safety rating of its class, are usually supported by quantifiable, repeatable data. On the other hand, making a comfort claim like the most comfortable driver s seat while braking at 45 mph, will more than likely be met with some skepticism. However, with advancements in pressure assessment technology, R&D design engineers now have access to data that can be used to essentially quantify an ergonomic environment. Above all other testing methods, pressure mapping is the technology that truly drives ergonomic innovations. Pressure mapping is a minimally-invasive sensor technology that provides highresolution insights between nearly any two interfacing and interacting surfaces. Unlike other pressure analysis tools, pressure mapping technology offers the benefit of being able to dynamically assess changes in pressure as they occur. This gives design engineers the actionable insight needed to optimize their product designs, identifying and addressing very specific user needs for comfort and functionality. This ebook will provide a technical overview of pressure mapping technology, and show how it can be used to help enhance ergonomic testing processes. This technology will be supported with real-world examples of how pressure mapping technology delivered critical insight into ergonomic R&D applications.

4 4 COMPONENTS OF A PRESSURE MAPPING SYSTEM SENSOR SOFTWARE WHAT IS PRESSURE MAPPING? Even between relatively flat surfaces, one finds the interface pressure distribution is often not uniform with localized areas of peak pressure. Pressure mapping technology helps design engineers obtain insight into areas that may impact design and quality. Minimal invasiveness High resolution Thin & flexible ELECTRONICS Display pressure distribution data in multiple formats for superior analysis Display pressure data graphs in 2D & 3D Capture peak pressures and center of force in real time Pressure mapping systems require 3 components sensors, scanning electronics, and software to deliver real-time, actionable data, in ways other methods cannot. The sensor transforms compressive pressure loads to a change in resistance. The scanning electronics collect analog data from the sensor and convert the data to a digital signal. Scan thousands of sensing points within each sensor Instant data relay to PC via USB or WiFi Allow for video playback of pressure data The software displays real-time activity of the sensor area, allowing the user to see force, pressure, contact area, and timing data.

5 DISCOVER A BETTER WAY TO EVALUATE COMFORT CURRENT USES FOR PRESSURE MAPPING IN ERGONOMIC APPLICATIONS From prototyping to verifying material selection, pressure mapping technology can be an ROI-driving tool to help improve the ergonomic qualities of many different types of products and devices. 5 The slightest changes in pressure can make a major impact on an ergonomic environment, whether that change occurs in an instant, or over time. With pressure mapping technology, design engineers have access to the entire landscape of pressure changes as they happen. As shown on the right, this data can help expose new opportunities and benchmark against competitors in a wide spectrum of ergonomic and comfort aspects. Furniture & Mattress Design Headphones & Eye Wear Sports Equipment & Apparel Medical Care & Physical Therapy Grip Addressing Occupational Risks Transportation

6 6 REAL-WORLD COMFORT & ERGONOMIC APPLICATIONS The following pages present 5 unique real-world examples where pressure mapping technology delivered valuable insights.

7 7 #1 Analyze Body Pressure Distribution Pressure mapping helps design engineers improve their product designs to accommodate body shifts and other movements. Let s face it; humans never really sit still in their seats. Having insight on peak pressure points as the user adjusts or repositions themselves while sitting or laying down can help R&D teams address important comfort needs. This information can also be useful for competitive benchmarking. CASE EXAMPLE: Creating an Ergonomically-Satisfying Driving Experience Ergonomic pressures change as a driver makes different movements like accelerating or applying brakes. Car seat R&D teams can use this information to develop better seat designs that accommodate specific driving activities. The images in Figure 1 illustrate how an automotive R&D team used pressure mapping to show the dynamic inter-relationship of seat back and cushion pressure when the driver pushes the brake pedal. This information helped the team determine peak pressure zones and predict pressure changes over time. From there, the team could more accurately assess the effects of stitching, bolsters, wire stays, foam stiffness, seat angles, lumbar supports, and cover materials used in the design. Figure 1 Example of a seat pressure distribution scan Other Body Pressure Distribution Applications Furniture & Mattress Design Seat Cushions, Including Those with Embedded Support Capabilities Back Rests

8 #2 Test Packaging Grip & Seal 8 Pressure mapping helps quantify grip force to help create product packaging that s easier to use. Packaging design engineers are challenged on two fronts. First, their packaging design must be constructed sturdy enough to withstand physical impacts and outside hazards. On the other hand, packaging that s too difficult to open or use can be a turnoff to consumers. Clear, quantifiable data on grip force can help design engineers satisfy customer demands. CASE EXAMPLE: Achieving a More Functional Packaging Design Packaging can be expensive, especially when it comes to consumer goods. Many product manufacturers make significant investments to test different materials and designs, in an effort to control production costs and limit waste. These experiments often include user experience tests. Grip pressure mapping systems, as shown in Figure 2, measure the amount of force to open, squeeze, and close a new dispensing container prototype. In this test, the packaging designer conducted a comparison between two different mayonnaise containers to determine which design was ergonomic and functional. As shown on the Force vs Time graph, the first brand (green) required more force to open, while the other brand (red) was more difficult to squeeze. Figure 2 Grip pressure tests help illustrate how a consumer will use a product in the real world Other Grip & Seal Testing Applications Gloves Used in Occupational Environments Athletic Equipment (Bats, Rackets, Clubs) Material Selection

9 #3 Optimize Fit for Wearable Devices 9 Pressure mapping is a minimallyinvasive tool to help design engineers achieve the right fit for their products and devices. Humans come in all shapes and sizes. When design engineers are faced with the task of developing a wearable product or device to accommodate the ergonomic needs of the general population, there are few reliable technologies available to help ensure a successful, comfortable design. Pressure mapping delivers actionable information in the tightest spaces to ensure proper fit and satisfaction for all. CASE EXAMPLE: Enhancing the VR Experience If recent news from the tech world is any indication, virtual reality (VR) appears to be the next major multimedia technology to take the world by storm. However, it simply isn t possible for a person to fully immerse themselves in a virtual world if they are experiencing discomfort in the real one. In a recent R&D application, pressure mapping sensors were positioned around the contact points of VR goggles to determine areas of peak pressure experienced by the end user. Design engineers could monitor how these pressures would shift or change as the user moved their head or made sudden movements. Figure 3 The sensor conforms across the brow of the goggles to capture peak pressure. Also, taking into consideration that a subject wearing VR goggles may not be as aware of their surroundings, pressure mapping technology also helped determine how the subject could be impacted in case a collision or other physical impacts were to occur. This contact data could also help the design engineers improve the durability of their goggle designs. Other Fit & Wearable Applications Headphone Fit & Comfort Helmets or Padding for Athletics/Military Safety Goggles/Masks/Gloves Bulletproof Vests

10 #4 Ease the Rigors of Occupational Activities 10 Pressure mapping helps identify ways to develop tools and machines to address long-term on-the-job risks. Sometimes, the right tool for the job isn t always the right tool for the user s well-being. With a better understanding of the dynamic fores an operator applies to their tools, machines, and other devices, design engineers can identify ways to make a less painful working experience. CASE EXAMPLE: Getting a Grip on Jackhammer Design The job of a jackhammer operator is as unpleasant as it looks. Controlling a 50-pound machine that s pulverizing the earth with vigorous force and vibration can put a lot of stress on the body. A construction equipment manufacturer developing a new jackhammer model wanted to determine where they could improve the operator experience in their product design. With pressure mapping technology, the design engineers could examine the force and pressure felt across the operator s entire hand. This data helped the R&D team create a more balanced jackhammer design that could help reduce operator fatigue and discomfort. These efforts could also help reduce the risks of some serious long-term health complications, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and other common occupational injuries. Figure 4 Grip data acquired while a subject operated a jackhammer Other Occupational Comfort Examples Power Tool Manufacturing Heavy Machinery Vehicles (Fork Lifts, Cranes, Payloaders) Ballistics Recoil

11 11 #5 Ensure Comfort in Medical Therapy Pressure mapping can deliver ergonomic insights on products that help keep patients at ease during medical procedures. It s never an enjoyable time to be in therapy for an injury or medical complication. Improving the ergonomic experience is one way design engineers can help make these trying times less stressful for patients, and their families. CASE EXAMPLE: Providing Relief to Chemotherapy Patients The Dignitana Dignicap is an FDA approved method to reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss. The system consists of a snugfitting silicone cooling cap connected to a control unit that continuously regulates the temperature of the patient s scalp during chemotherapy transfusion. The Dignitana R&D team utilized pressure mapping technology to experiment with different cap designs and materials. The technology helped the team quantify the amount of pressure the patient would experience while wearing the caps. As shown in Figure 5, the team could identify specific areas in their cap designs, to improve effectiveness and patient comfort. Figure 5 Examples of how pressure mapping sensors could be positioned within different areas of the cooling caps to capture relative pressure on a patient s scalp Other Medical Therapy Applications Hospital Beds Air Cast Designs Corrective Footwear Prosthetics

12 12 CONCLUSION QUANTIFY COMFORT IN WAYS YOUR COMPETITORS CAN T The examples and successes shared in this paper are the result of an R&D team partnering with a trusted pressure mapping resource that could provide a solution to meet their specific goals. While every process is different, there are important qualities an R&D team should consider when selecting a collaborative partner: 1. Experience & Longevity: Does the company have a respected position in their market and a proven track record of success? 2. Mastery of the Technology: Is the company continuously delivering new innovations and improvements to their technology? Let s discuss your next Ergonomic R&D project We at Tekscan understand the challenges R&D teams face, and the risks they take when investing in test & measurement technology. Whether it s a standard pressure mapping system, or a custom solution, Tekscan has a proven track record for helping R&D teams achieve a better understanding of their products and procedures by providing trustworthy, actionable data. Your return on investment comes in the form of confidence in your product design, a shortened development process time, and an improved end user experience. Visit or call for more information. 3. Proven & Diverse Application Portfolio: Has the company demonstrated several examples where they were presented with unique challenges and developed value-added solutions?