Hector Serber
American Ergonomics Corporation
©1998 Shore-Varrone, Inc.
Abstract
Introduction
Optimization Methodology
Computer Model Results
Road Test Performance
Performance Summary
Conclusion
In general, the advantages of the CBM Seat are; it is simple; it is optimized by established equations of motion; it is weight and cost effective; and most important, it is reliable, redeployable and passive.
The correct path of motion has been defined in American Ergonomics Corporation´s CBM Seat technology and Serber´s patents. (4) (5) (6) Seat motion is used to reposition the body and seat cushion to absorb the impact of the lower body on the seat over the largest possible path within the current vehicle. This is possible with the CBM Seat since the legs are moved up and out of the way.
Data produced by the equations of motion, sled test and computer simulated sled tests (MADYMO) show that seat motion works to reduce crash loads on the body within a defined path and range. The path of seat particles (O1) must define an arc with a center located within a range of 9 cm in front from the center of mass of the body and by a range of 26 to 37 cm above the occupant sitting bones. See Figure 2. Outside this range, the system is not usable in a vehicle. The optimal center which yields the lowest injury loads is located about the middle of this range.
This technological fact guarantees that any system which attempts to use the seat as a restraint must use a path of motion defined in the CBM Seat patents.
Road testing has met with very positive responses. Drivers and passengers have remarked on the comfort, ease of adjustably and like the "safety net" feeling of the seat motion. Because it provides freedom of movement and simplicity of use, this technology will probably be the most easily accepted safety system in the automobile.
CBM Seat US Patents No. 4,650,249; 4,832,407; 5,244,252; 5,460,427; 5,558,399, 5,735,574 and European Patent Granted No. 0564470 UK, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and pendings.
References:
1.Serber, H., "DYNAMIC SEATING: Counter Balanced Motion (CBM)" I.B.E.C. ´97, Sept. 1997
2.Serber, H., "The Study of Lumbar Motion in Seating," Hard Facts about Soft Machines: The Ergonomics of Seating, Rani Lueder and Kageyu Noro, Taylor & Francis 1994, pp. 423-431.
3.Stadler, W., A.B. Johnson, Multicriteria Response of a Dynamically Responsive Safety Seat, Symposium on Optimization of Mechanical Systems, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany, 1995.
4.Serber, H., U.S. Pat. # 5,244,252, Seat Assembly and Method, September 14, 1993.
5.Serber, H., U.S. Pat. # 5,460,427, Seat Assembly and Method, October 24, 1995.
6.Serber, H., U.S. Pat. # 5,558,399, Seat and Lumbar Motion Chair, Assembly and Method, September 24, 1996.
Biography
Hector Serber is President of American Ergonomics Corporation, Sausalito, CA. He has dedicated the past ten years to developing and manufacturing Dynamic Seating products and designs, obtaining six US Patents and foreign patents in the field. He graduated Technico Mechanico from Collegio Industrial de la Nacion, B.A. Argentina, 1963 and studied Mechanical Engineering at California State University Sacramento, USA.
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