1P2-J03 Verification of Reduction Effect of the Driver Fatigue Increase with an Air Cell Lumbar Support Device based on the Finger Plethysmogram

Ito, Kota; Oyama, Akiho; Hayakawa, Soichiro; Ikeura, Ryojun; Sawai, Hideki; Hayakawa, Tomonori · 2015 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1299/jsmermd.2015._1p2-j03_1

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Summary

This study addresses the problem of increased driver fatigue during prolonged driving, which results from maintaining a static posture that concentrates physical burden on specific body parts. While drivers naturally attempt to alleviate fatigue by shifting their posture, these self-initiated movements are often insufficient. The authors propose an air cell lumbar support device designed to periodically change the driver’s lumbar posture to promote a fatigue-resistant spinal alignment (an inverse S-shape). The research aims to verify the effectiveness of this device in reducing the accumulation of driving fatigue compared to standard seating conditions. The experimental design utilized a driving simulator equipped with a large screen, steering wheel, pedals, and a car seat. The proposed device consisted of three air cells (10 cm x 20 cm) arranged vertically on the seat back, controlled by an air pump, solenoid valves, and pressure sensors. The system was configured to adjust air pressure sequentially to support the lumbar and sacral regions. Objective fatigue evaluation was conducted using finger plethysmograms, measured via a BACS detector on the left middle finger at a sampling time of 5 msec. This method analyzes blood flow volume changes to generate a pulse wave muscle fatigue curve. Two male subjects, both experienced drivers, participated in 90-minute driving sessions under controlled room temperature (25°C). To minimize interference with the plethysmogram measurements, subjects kept their left hand on an armrest and operated the steering wheel with their right hand. The experiment compared two conditions: (1) no use of the air cell device, and (2) periodic activation of the device every 15 minutes. Each condition was tested 10 times per subject. Air pressure settings were customized for each participant based on preliminary trials. Results showed no significant difference in fatigue levels at the 15-minute mark between the two conditions. However, starting from the 15–30 minute interval, the periodic activation of the air cells began to reduce the rate of fatigue increase. This reduction became more pronounced after the second activation (45–60 minutes). Statistical analysis of the final fatigue values at the end of the 90-minute session revealed a significant difference at the 1% level for both subjects, confirming that the device effectively lowered fatigue compared to the non-use condition. The study concludes that the proposed air cell lumbar support device significantly reduces the increase in driver fatigue during long-distance driving. The verification of this effect supports the potential for integrating such adjustable support mechanisms into vehicle seats to enhance ride comfort and safety. The authors suggest future research should explore various shapes and configurations of the air cells to further optimize fatigue reduction effects.

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• truck driver fatigue

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• Empirical Findings: physiological data