1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

The current fatigue test used by many automotive seating companies and OEMs is over 50 years old and it is not compatible with current technology. it does not take advantage of the availability of modernized equipment and data acquisition that is able to acquire real time data during the fatigue test instead of just pre and post measurements. The collection of real time data facilitates the calculation and monitoring of the foams stiffness and support levels during the test, which greatly impact user comfort in a seat. This test also shortens the duration of the fatigue cycle form 23 to 6 hours, which allows for a test to be completed in one work day shift instead or having to run over night. This is possible because 90% of the foam fatigue occurs within the first couple hours of testing.