Paul, Gunther, Lee, Young Jun, and Slattery, Peter (2020) Modelling of multilayered foams for universal seat design. In: Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering (11) pp. 237-248. From: DHM2020: 6th International Digital Human Modeling Symposium, 31 August - 2 September 2020, Skovde, Sweden.

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Abstract

Patients with chronic disability, or in a transient disability state post-surgery may require a mobility device for their safety and convenience. Patients with a low to mid-level severe mobility impairment are mostly comfortable to leave hospital in a factory wheelchair without further modifications, however in particular chronically disabled wheelchair bound patients require wheelchair cushion modifications specifically designed for their condition. Such personalized cushions minimise pain from sitting, avoid pressure ulcers, and correct patient posture to prevent musculoskeletal and spinal damage. To identify physical properties of a complex seat cushion design with multiple layers, for the simulation of optimum seat cushions for mobility impaired users, long-term testing was undertaken with multiples of different layer combination samples. Physical indentation results for reorganised cushions were obtained and further evaluated. We present the first study where a complex, multi-layered foam cushion structure is cycle-tested using a custom-specific human-shape indenter, derived from 3-D body scanning of a 95th percentile stature subject. The test provides physical material properties of the complex foam structure under realistic human shape indentation for the selected anthropometry. The test results feed and validate a realistic material model, and confirm durability and stability over time of the complex foam.

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