• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.69-86
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• 2017

Objective: The present study is intended to develop an improved bus seat armrest design by evaluating various bus armrest designs from ergonomic aspects. Background: An ergonomic armrest design which considers the sitting postures and body shapes of passengers can improve the convenience and comfort of a bus seat. Method: Subjective satisfaction of each of five design dimensions (length, width, height from seatpan, shape, and angle) was evaluated for seven bus seat armrest designs in various sizes and shapes by 58 participants (28 males and 33 females) using a 7-point scale (1: very dissatisfied, 4: neutral, and 7: very satisfied). Improved bus seat armrest designs adjustable in length and rotatable to the left or right (sliding and rotating armrest, SRA) with a concave, flat, or convex shape of the upper part were developed by considering the preferred design features and the body size and shape in sitting posture and needs of passengers and then compared with a conventional armrest. Results: A bus seat armrest with a wide width (40~50mm), a long length (360mm), a lower height (213mm), and a curved shape was found significantly preferred in terms of comfort. The proposed armrest designs (SRA-convex, SRA-flat, and SRA-concave) improved satisfaction by 46~62% for length suitability, 184~216% for width suitability, 205~214% for angle suitability, 138~181% for contact area suitability, and 49~64% for height suitability, 138~174% for comfort, and 93~111% for overall satisfaction. Conclusion: The preferred design features and passengers' needs of bus seat armrest were identified and the SRA designs were recommended for better usability. Application: The ergonomic design process of bus seat armrest employed in the present study can be applied to designing armrests in various vehicles for better convenience and comfort.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.766-774
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• 2022

In this study, the fit of commercial sports bras was analyzed according to various design variations, focusing on the shape of the shoulder strap, which is known to cause great discomfort in wearing sports bras. Experimental clothes were set to four commercially available sports bras with different shoulder strap shapes. The results showed that, in "size suitability," the overall satisfaction with experimental clothing B, of which the shoulder strap can be adjusted, was the highest, especially for "underbust circ. fit," "bust circ. Fit," and "shoulder strap length." In the "Shape suitability" and "Wearability" sections, experimental clothing B also showed the highest satisfaction and the shoulder strap adjustment device did not negatively affect wearing satisfaction. In the question on "side wings rolled up," experimental clothing A also received a relatively good score, which is due to its long front length. In the "Compression of the front center" section, the responses for experimental clothing A and B were "appropriate" and for C and D, they were "pressurized." In "motion suitability" as well, satisfaction with experimental clothing B was the highest, followed by experimental clothes A, C, and D. In the "body shape correction" section, clothing B elicited the highest satisfaction, followed by experimental clothes A, C, and D, in that order. Overall, it is recommended that shoulder straps be applied with adjustable straps for the comfort of the shoulder area while wearing sports bras.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2009

To compare and evaluate the suitability and comfort levels of the environment on board a stern trawl training ship, KAYA(GT: 1737 tons, Pukyong National University), with the international standardization guide ISO 6954:2000(E), measurements of the hull vibration on accommodation areas and working areas of the training ship from July 8 to July 10, 2008 were completed upon KAYA's linear sea route. The vibrations along the z-axis were measured with the use of a 3-axis vibration level meter, which included a marine vibration card. Results show accelerations of the vibrations on the passenger's accommodation area to be 42.0-115.8(average: 78.0, standard deviation(SD): 21.0) mm/$s^2$, which is largely below the permissible upper limit, but 75 % of the observation points exceeded the permissible lower limit of 71.5 mm/$s^2$, indicating a comfortable environment. The accelerations of the vibration in a frequency of 10-24Hz lowering the visual performance were measured at 2.5-12.0(average: 7.6, SD: 3.1) mm/$s^2$. The crew s accommodation area experienced vibration accelerations of 42.9-82.3(average: 93.1, SD: 53.1) mm/$s^2$, which is generally below the permissible upper limit of 214.0 mm/$s^2$, and 62.5% of the observation points did not exceed the permissible lower limit of 107.0 mm/$s^2$, denoting a level of comfort. The acceleration of the vibration in a frequency of 10-24Hz were 4.7-28.3(average: 12.4, SD: 8.8) mm/$s^2$. On the crew s working area the accelerations were measured at 86.9-153.9(average 119.3, SD 18.0) mm/$s^2$. These values were generally below the permissible upper limit of 286.0 mm/$s^2$ and only 12.5% of the observation points did not exceed the permissible lower limit of 143.0 mm/$s^2$, the level at which a high level of comfort is maintained. The accelerations in frequency of 10-24Hz and 30Hz were 9.1-29.8 (average 13.8, SD= 4.5) mm/$s^2$ and 8.9-13.7 (average 11.8, SD 2.1) mm/$s^2$, respectively. In conclusion the boarding environment of the training ship was good in general although an improvement of the vibration condition partially needed on the crew s accommodation area near the engine room.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify the design features appropriate for the altered physical characteristics of pregnant women and formulate the direction of future design and development of maternity wear. A Delphi research method based on a panel of experts and pregnant women was used and the survey was conducted to determine the suitability of maternity wear. The survey found that A-line silhouette outerwear with round necklines, with wide sleeves and snap-button fastening on the front with a formal and decent look was considered appropriate as maternity and postpartum wear. Shirts and blouses long enough to cover the hip area to complement women's curvy and full figures, especially around the bust, waist, and hip areas during the later stages of pregnancy were found to be appropriate. Calf-length pleated skirts were comfortable to wear during pregnancy due to the abundant freedom of movement and space offered by pleats. Ankle-length straight leg pants were rated appropriate in terms of comfort and style both during late stages of pregnancy and at work postpartum. Dresses decorated with pleats from the armholes all the way down to the knees were found to provide high levels of comfort at the abdomen, chest, and hips, and considered appropriate. Based on this study results, a follow-up study will be conducted to examine the design of maternity wear during pregnancy as well as at work after pregnancy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.1 s.149
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• pp.20-30
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• 2006

The purposes of this study were to investigate demographic profiles between the consumer group under high time pressure(HTP) and the group under low time pressure(LTP) during the shopping, to examine the level of association between the fashion information sources and time pressure variable, to determine the difference in clothing benefits sought between HTP and LTP, and to determine the difference in purchase criteria. We distributed questionnaires to 600 women aged in 20-65. The reliable 562 questionnaires were used for a statistical analysis. Data analyses were conducted with SPSS program on t-test, cluster analysis, factor analysis, and Chi square test. We obtained the following results: There was a significant association between demographic variables such as age, occupation, education, residence area, & family cycle and time pressure variable. Fashion information sources were classified into 4 factors. HTP searched information on fashion products using more various sources than LTP did. There was also a significant difference between HTP and LTP in clothing benefit sought. Four clothing benefit factors such as trendy/social position, economic value, protection/comfort, and makeup of body shape were sought more by HTP than by LTP. In addition, HTP considered significantly more purchase criteria such as color/pattern, comfort, quality, suitability, material, sewing finishing, coordination, price, brand, easy care, and country of origin than LTP.