Design and Evaluation Methods for Optimizing Ejection Seat Cushions for Comfort and Safety

Abstract

Two kinds of cushions, passive and inflatable, were developed using analytic and empirical optimization procedures to enhance both comfort and safety. Comfort tests were run on a series of polyurethane foams, an inflatable seat cushion, and two operational seat cushions. Load-deflection and damping coefficient data were also obtained. Results of the tests showed that comfort increases as cushion thickness or inflation pressure increases. Analog computer results using a single-degree-of-freedom model of the human body demonstrated an increasing overshoot with increasing thickness or inflation pressure except for low density polyurethane foam. Optimization curves for comfort versus dynamic overshoot were generated and used in the design of the optimized cushions.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA036035

Entities

People

  • Ernest L. Stech

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Analog Computers
  • Biomedical Research
  • Body Regions
  • Computers
  • Dynamic Response
  • Ejection Seats
  • Measurement
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Pressure Transducers
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Static Tests
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • Vibration
  • Vibration Isolators

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Pavement Materials Engineering.