Seat-Induced Vibration Transmission to a biodynamic model in a freight vehicle

Resumo

Prolonged exposure to mechanical vibrations in motor vehicles presents a health risk to drivers, as it can cause discomfort and fatigue without a proper seat. Knowledge of these vibrations is essential for their monitoring, control, and minimization. To this end, mathematical models are used to simulate the vibrational behavior of vehicles in interaction with biomechanical models of the human body. These simulations offer a dynamic analysis that enables the optimization of component design and manufacturing. The use of software such as MATLAB, for example, allows for mass-spring-damper modeling to represent both the vehicle and the human body. This makes it possible to understand how the masses of the biodynamic model behave when a truck moves on, for instance, a Class C road. Analyzing the propagation of vibrations from the seat to the driver's body, combined with numerical integration, frequency response analysis, and modal analysis, offers an approach to assess system performance. This methodology is fundamental for design optimization as it allows for the analysis of vibrations and, consequently, improves driver comfort and safety.