Filters
Chair Size Design Based on User Height
General principles derived from anatomical studies of human body sizes should be applied to chair designs. Chairs can be designed for a specific user or a particular group of users. Universal chairs for public spaces should be comfortable for the largest possible group of users and should not be adjustable, such as office chairs. However, the fundamental problem is that the anthropometric data available in the literature either come from many years ago and are out of date or do not provide a complete set of all the dimensional parameters of a sitting human body position. This article proposes a way to design chair dimensions solely based on the height range of the intended chair users. For this purpose, based on literature data, the main structural dimensions of the chair were assigned to the appropriate anthropometric body measurements. Furthermore, calculated average body proportions for the adult population overcome the incompleteness, outdated and burdensome access to anthropometric data and link the main chair design dimensions to one easily accessible anthropometric parameter: human height. This is achieved by seven equations describing the dimensional relations between the chair’s essential design dimensions and human height or even a height range. The result of the study is a method of determining the optimal functional dimensions of a chair for a chosen range of sizes of its future users based only on users’ height range. Limitations of the presented method: the calculated body proportions are correct only for people with a standard body proportion characteristic of adults, i.e., they exclude children and adolescents up to 20 years of age, seniors, and people with a body mass index exceeding 30.
Adjustments in production costs linked to the redesign of wooden chairs for the bariatric population
Purpose Current furniture design principles fail to keep pace with the global rise in obesity. This study aims to address this issue by proposing a novel methodology for manufacturing cost estimation of common-use chairs that can accommodate even severely obese individuals. Design/methodology/approach The approach prioritizes universal design principles and user safety while ensuring furniture producers’ economic viability. This study utilizes real-world data to determine the establish appropriate load capacity for common-use chairs. Empirical height and weight data were collected from 7,938 young Slovakian men (aged 18–25) between 2001 and 2023. Additionally, data on Slovakia’s bariatric population, encompassing all genders, were obtained from medical facilities (2020–2024). Findings Considering the 95th percentile weight among bariatric individuals, the authors factored in a 20% design safety margin. This resulted in a target load capacity of 230 kg for all chairs designed for common use – a significant increase from the standard 110 kg capacity. An essential contribution of this study is a method for estimating chair production cost based on its designed load capacity. This method’s calculations reveal that the redesigned chair is estimated to cost 11.6% more than a standard chair. However, considering its ability to cater to broader user needs, this price point remains competitive. Practical implications The research indicates that the standard load capacity of common-use chairs should be substantially increased to accommodate the growing obese population. The study offers a methodology for estimating the cost implications of designing chairs with a higher load capacity, enabling manufacturers to assess the economic feasibility of implementing such changes. Social implications Chairs with higher load capacities improve accessibility for individuals with obesity, promoting their participation in social and professional activities. By accommodating individuals of all sizes, these chairs reduce the risk of falls, injuries and other problems associated with poorly fitting furniture. Originality/value This study links universal design, safety and affordability. The authors used real data from Slovakia to find the right weight limit for these chairs. The study addresses the pressing issue of furniture design failing to keep pace with rising obesity rates. The method helps make chairs that are accessible to everyone. While these chairs cost a bit more, they are affordable considering their expanded user base. The study’s originality lies in its novel methodology and data-driven approach, while its value lies in its potential to address a significant societal issue.
Impact of seat and back angle settings on seating furniture quality: an experimental study
Impact of Seat and Back Angle Settings on Seating Furniture Quality: An Experimental Study. The fundamental measure of the quality of seating furniture is seating comfort. Sitting comfort is described in the literature by the discomfort coefficient D, calculated from the pressure values and distribution measured between the human body and a sitting furniture "body support system". The work aims to experimentally verify the influence of selected anthropometric features on sitting comfort. The research was carried out on 12 people using a piezoelectric sensor mat and a model of adjustable sitting furniture. The study investigated how different seat and backrest inclination variants impact pressure distribution. The test results are the values of the contact pressures and discomfort coefficients D for nine combinations of the backrest and seat inclination related to the anthropometric characteristics of the tested group of people. The results indicate that anthropometric factors, such as body mass index (BMI) and user gender, significantly impact objective seating comfort. These findingswill help optimize the seating furniture dimensions at their design stage