Conceptual design of motorcycle’s lumbar support using motorcyclists’ anthropometric characteristics.docVIP

Maejo Int. J. Sci. Technol. 2011, 5(01), 69-82 Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology ISSN 1905-7873 Available online at www.mijst.mju.ac.th Technical Report Conceptual design of motorcycle’s lumbar support using motorcyclists’ anthropometric characteristics Karmegam Karuppiah 1, 4, 3 *, Mohd Sapuan Salit , Mohd Yusof Ismail , Napsiah Ismail and 1 2 1 Shamsul B. M. Tamrin 1 Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia 2 Dept of Manufacturing Engineering, University Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia 3 Occupational Safety and Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia 4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic of Sultan Azlan Shah, 35950 Behrang, Perak, Malaysia * Corresponding author, e-mail: megam76@ Received: 2 July 2010 / Accepted: 23 February 2011 / Published: 24 February 2011 Abstract: This study presents the design and development of a prototype of lumbar support for motorcyclists corresponding to their anthropometric dimensions. The total design process model was used for this purpose. The critical design dimensions for the lumbar support (height, width, adjustable range and thickness) were obtained from the anthropometric dimensions of motorcyclists (1032 samples). The initial testing (trial runs) of the prototype proved to be successful as it was capable of providing comfort to the motorcyclists’ lumbar region during their riding process. However, further evaluation needs to be done in order to evaluate the stability, solidity, durability and safety of the prototype. Keywords: design, ergonomics, anthropometrics, motorcycle, lumb