Skip to main content
Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Download PDF
  • Published:

Objective evaluation method of steering comfort based on movement quality evaluation of driver steering maneuver

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering volume 27, pages 1027–1037 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

The existing research of steering comfort mainly focuses on the subjective evaluation, aiming at designing and optimizing the steering system. In the development of steering system, especially the evaluation of steering comfort, the objective evaluation methods considered the kinematic characteristics of driver steering maneuver are not proposed, which means that the objective evaluation of steering cannot be conducted with the evaluation of kinematic characteristics of driver in steering maneuver. In order to propose the objective evaluation methods of steering comfort, the evaluation of steering movement quality of driver is developed on the basis of the study of the kinematic characteristics of steering maneuver. First, the steering motion trajectories of the driver in both comfortable and certain extreme uncomfortable operation conditions are detected using the Vicon motion capture system. The operation conditions are under the restrictions of the vertical height and horizontal distance between steering wheel center and the H-point of driver, and the steering resisting torque else. Next, the movement quality evaluation of driver steering maneuver is assessed using twelve kinds of evaluation indices based on the kinematic analyses of the steering motion trajectories to propose an objective evaluation method. Finally, an integrated discomfort index of steering maneuver is proposed on the basis of the regression analysis of subjective evaluation rating and the movement quality evaluation indices, including the Jerk, Discomfort and Joint Torque indices. The test results show that the proposed integrated discomfort index gives a good fitting with the subjective evaluation of discomfort, which means it can be used to evaluate or predict the discomfort level of steering maneuver. This paper proposes an objective evaluation method of steering comfort based on the movement quality evaluation of driver steering maneuver.

References

  1. LI Liang, SONG Jian, LI Hongzhi et al. Comprehensive prediction method of road friction for vehicle dynamics control[J]. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part D-J. Automob. Eng., 2009, 223(8): 987–1002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. LI Liang, SONG Jian, KONG Lei, et al. Vehicle velocity estimation for real-time dynamic stability control[J]. Int. J. Automot. Technol., 2009, 10(6): 675–685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. LI Liang, LI Hongzhi, ZHANG Xiaolong, et al. A real-time tire parameters observer for vehicle dynamics stability control[J]. Chin. J. Mech. Eng., 2010, 23(5): 620–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. ZHU Hongjun, LI Liang, JIN Maojing, et al. Real-time yaw rate prediction based on a non-linear model and feedback compensation for vehicle dynamics control[J]. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part D-J. Automob. Eng., 2013, 227(10): 1431–1445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. NA S, LIM S, CHOI H S, et al. Evaluation of driver’s discomfort and postural change using dynamic body pressure distribution[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2005, 35(12): 1085–1096.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. CHAI Chunlei. Research on the technology of ergonomics design based on driving posture prediction model[D]. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University, 2005 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  7. REBIFFE R. The driving seat: Its adaptation to functional and anthropometric requirements[J]. Proceedings of a Symposium on Sitting Posture, 1969: 132–147.

    Google Scholar 

  8. GRANDJEAN E. Sitting posture of car drivers form the point of view of ergonomics[J]. Human Factors in Transportation research, 1980, 2: 205–213.

    Google Scholar 

  9. PORTER J M, GYI D E. Exploring the optimum posture for driver comfort[J]. International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1998, 19(3): 255–266.

    Google Scholar 

  10. PARK S J, KIM C B, KIM C J, et al. Comfortable driving postures for Koreans[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2000, 26(4): 489–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. ANDREONI G, SANTAMBROGIO G C, RABUFFETTI M, et al. Method for the analysis of posture and interface pressure of car drivers[J]. Applied Ergonomics, 2002, 33(6): 511–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. MOHAMAD D, DEROS B M, WAHAB D A, et al. Integration of comfort into a driver’s car seat design using image analysis[J]. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 2010, 7(7): 937–942.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. BUBB H, ESTERMANN S. Influence of forces on comfort feeling in vehicles[G]. SAE Paper 2000-01-2171.

  14. PIAO Shengjun. Driver postural comfort estimation based on the loss function[J]. Journal of Shenyang Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, 2006, 23(1): 32–34. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  15. ALESSANDRO N, SANDRO M. Postural comfort inside a car: development of an innovative model to evaluate the discomfort level[J]. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars-Mechanical Systems, 2009, 2(1): 1065–1070.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. DUFOUR F, WANG Xuguang. Discomfort assessment of car ingress/egress motions using the concept of neutral movement[J]. SAE Transactions, 2005, 114(6): 2905–2913.

    Google Scholar 

  17. WANG Rui, ZHUANG Damin. Layout optimization of cockpit based on human comfort[J]. Acta Armament ARII, 2008, 29(9): 1149–1152. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  18. CHEN Jinghui. Research on the simulation of heavy commercial vehicle driver’s seating posture comfort[D]. Changchun: Jilin University, 2009 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  19. LIU Yahui, JI Xuewu, HAYAMA R, et al. Function of shoulder muscles of driver in vehicle steering maneuver[J]. Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci., 2012, 55(12): 3445–3454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. LIU Yahui, JI Xuewu, HAYAMA R, et al. A novel estimating method for steering efficiency of the driver with EMG signals[J]. Chin. J. Mech. Eng., 2014, 27(3): 460–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. LIU Yahui, JI Xuewu, HAYAMA R, et al. Measurement method of Driver Steering Efficiency Using Electromyography[J]. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part D-J. Automob. Eng., 2014, Available Online: doi:10.1177/0954407013502950.

    Google Scholar 

  22. CHEVALOT N, WANG Xuguang. An experimental investigation of the discomfort of arm reaching movements in a seated position[J]. SAE Transactions, 2004, 113(1): 98–103.

    Google Scholar 

  23. WANG Xuguang. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of influence of hand orientation and joint limits on the control of arm postures and movements [J]. Biological cybernetics, 1999, 80(6): 449–463.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  24. YANG Nianfeng, HUANG Changhua, WANG Rencheng, et al. Motion quality evaluation of point-touching movement of index finger[J]. Modern Rehabilitation, 2000, 4(5): 656–658. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  25. FISCHER C A, KONDRASKE G V. A new approach to human motion quality measurement[C]//Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1997. Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference of the IEEE. Chicago, IL, USA, 1997, 4: 1701–1704.

    Google Scholar 

  26. MAGENES G, VERCHER J L, GAUTHIER G M. Hand movement strategies in telecontrolled motion along 2-D trajectories[J]. Systems, Man and Cybernetics, IEEE Transactions on, 1992, 22(2): 242–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. FENG C J, MAK A F T. Three-dimensional motion analysis of the voluntary elbow movement in subjects with spasticity[J]. Rehabilitation Engineering, IEEE Transactions on, 1997, 5(3): 253–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. YANG Nianfeng, WANG Rencheng, JIN Dewen, et al. Evaluation method of human upper limb movement function based on Fitts’ law[J]. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2001, 16(6): 336–339.

    Google Scholar 

  29. FLASH T, HOGAN N. The coordination of arm movements: an experimentally confirmed mathematical model[J]. The Journal of Neuroscience, 1985, 5(7): 1688–1703.

    Google Scholar 

  30. ABDEL-MALEK K, MI Z, YANG Jingzhou, et al. Optimization-based trajectory planning of the human upper body[J]. Robotica, 2006, 24(6): 683–696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. YANG Jingzhou, MARLER R T, KIM H J, et al. Multi-objective optimization for upper body posture prediction[C]//10th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference. Albany, NY, USA, 2004: AIAA2004-4506.

    Google Scholar 

  32. MARLER R T, RAHMATALLA S, SHANAHAN M, et al. A new discomfort function for optimization-based posture prediction[G]. SAE Paper 2005-01-2680.

  33. KIM J, YANG JINGZHOU, ABDEL-MALEK K, et al. Task-based vehicle interior layout design using optimization method to enhance safety[C]//Defense and Security. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Orlando, FL, USA, 2005: 54–65.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences(Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Yiyong Yang & Man Wang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Yahui Liu, Man Wang & Xuewu Ji

  3. National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing, 100176, China

    Run Ji

Authors
  1. Yiyong Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yahui Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Man Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Run Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xuewu Ji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yahui Liu.

Additional information

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51005133, 51375009), National Hi-tech Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, Grant No. 2011AA11A244)

YANG Yiyong, born in 1966, is currently a professor at School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), China. He received his bachelor and master degree from Hefei University of Technology, China, in 1993. And he received his PhD degree from Tsinghua University, China, in 2004. His research interests include mechanical system dynamics, mechanical design and theory, and human-machine system.

LIU Yahui, born in 1980, is currently an assistant professor at State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, China. He received his bachelor degree from Jilin University, China, in 2003 and PhD degree from Beihang University, China, in 2009, respectively. His research interests include vehicle system dynamics, steering system and driver-vehicle system.

WANG Man, born in 1988, is currently a graduate student at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), China. Her research interests include steering system and driver-vehicle system.

JI Run, born in 1985, is currently a research assistant at Human Biomechanics Laboratory, National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, China. He received his bachelor degree from Capital Medical University, China, in 2004. His research interests include biomechanics of human body and rehabilitation engineering.

JI Xuewu, born in 1964, is currently an associate professor at Tsinghua University, China. He received his PhD degree in automotive engineering from Jilin University, China, in 1994. His research interests include vehicle system dynamics, steering system and driver-vehicle system.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, Y., Liu, Y., Wang, M. et al. Objective evaluation method of steering comfort based on movement quality evaluation of driver steering maneuver. Chin. J. Mech. Eng. 27, 1027–1037 (2014). https://doi.org/10.3901/CJME.2014.0724.126

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3901/CJME.2014.0724.126

Keywords