Virtual Tool Maximizes

Seating Comfort
ERL LLC
3/10/16

ERL is a virtual
tool that evaluates
how drivers fit in the seat to
comfortably operate the
vehicle.
2

ERL calculates
seating comfort
scores that correlate
with scores from Drivers
better than J D Power and
Consumer Reports scores.
3

Comparison of drivers and ERL

scores for seating comfort in 7
vehicles
Vehicle
Segment
ERL Comfort
Score
Driver
Comfort
Score

Mid
Utility

Mid
Sedan

Compac
t X over

Small
Sport
Sedan

Entry
Utility

Prem.
Sedan

FST
Utility

4.3

4.5

4.2

3.9

4.4

4.5

4.3

4.0

4.1

4.1

3.6

3.9

4.5

3.9

Math score calculated in ERL software for virtual ERL

drivers (5 pt scale).
Drivers subjective rating average comfort score (5 pt
scale).
4

Correlation of ERL math-based

comfort scores with drivers in 7
vehicles
5
4.8
4.6

R = 0.62

4.4
4.2

ERL Scores in 7 Vehicles

4
3.8
3.6

ERL
ERL

3.4
3.2
3
3.4 3.6 3.8 4 4.2 4.4 4.6

Drivers' Scores in 7 Vehicles

5

Comparison of drivers and JD Power

scores for seating comfort in 7
vehicles.
Small
Entry Prem.
Compac Sport
Utilit Seda
t X over Seda
y
n
n

Vehicle
Segment

Mid
Utility

Mid
Seda
n

FST
Utilit
y

J D Power
APEAL

4.5

4.3

---

4.3

4.1

4.5

4.4

Driver
Comfort
Score

4.0

4.1

4.1

3.6

3.9

4.5

3.9

Survey of drivers who purchased vehicle and returned

survey (5 pt scale)
Drivers subjective rating average comfort score (5 pt
scale).
6

Correlation of JD Power APEAL

comfort scores with drivers in 7
vehicles
R = 0

5
4.8
4.6
4.4
4.2

JD Power Scores of 7 Vehicles

4
3.8
3.6

JD Power
JD Power

3.4
3.2
3

Drivers' Scores in 7 Vehicles

7

Comparison of drivers and Consumer

Reports scores for seating comfort in 7
vehicles
Small
Prem.
Entry
Sport
Seda
Utility
Sedan
n

FST
Utilit
y

Vehicle
Segment

Mid
Utility

Mid
Sedan

Compac
t X over

Consume
r
Reports

Driver
Comfort
Score

4.0

4.1

4.1

3.6

3.9

4.5

3.9

Subjective Professional Drivers Rating Average Score (5 pt

scale).
Drivers subjective rating average comfort score (5 pt scale).
8

Correlation of Consumer Reports

comfort scores with drivers in 7
vehicles

Consumer Report Scores of 7 VehiclesConsumer Reports

Linear (Consumer
Reports)

Drivers' Scores in 7 Vehicles

ERL Comfort Score informs more

objectively and with greater
resolution
Small
Vehicle
Segment

Mid
Utility

Mid
Seda
n

Prem.
Compac Sport Entry
Seda
t X over Seda Utility
n
n

FST
Utilit
y

ERL
Comfort
Score

4.3

4.5

4.2

3.9

4.4

4.5

4.3

Small
Female

3.9

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.6

3.7

3.6

Medium
Male

4.5

4.6

4.4

4.0

4.6

4.8

4.5

Large
Male

3.6

4.4

4.1

3.6

3.9

4.4

4.2

10

Knowledge of
seating comfort is
in scientific journals
and experienced seat experts,
but ERL is the first math model
to put this knowledge in software.

11

After a century of
building cars, the data
show that seating comfort
worldwide hasnt been achieved
for all drivers of all body sizes.

12

ERL evaluated comfort in 84

vehicles from 2000-2009 models
Acura RL, Acura MDX, Audi A8, Audi A6, Audi A4 (2), BMW 325Ci, BMW
530xi, BMW 740iL, BMW X3, BMW X5, Buick La Crosse, Buick Park Avenue,
Buick Rainier, Buick Regal, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac Deville, Cadillac DTS,
Chevy Cavalier, Chevy Cobalt, Chevy Corvette, Chevy Equinox, Chevy Monte
Carlo, Chevy HHR, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Trailblazer, Chrysler 300, Chrysler
LHS, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Dakota, Fiat 500, Ford Edge, Ford
Escape, Ford F150, Ford Mustang, Freightliner M2, GMC Savana, Honda Civic,
Honda Fit, Honda Odyssey, Hummer H2, Hummer H3, Jeep Wrangler, Kia
Sportage, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus ES300, Lexus LS430, Lexus RX300,
Lexus RX330, Lincoln LS, Mercedes Benz C-class, Mercedes Benz E-class (2),
Mercedes Benz S-class, Mercedes Benz SLK, Nissan Quest, Nissan Maxima,
Olds Alero, Pontiac G6, Pontiac Montana, Pontiac Torrent, Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5,
Saturn LS, Saturn L300, Saturn Vue, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota
Highlander, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Prius, Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Sienna
(3), Toyota Solara, Toyota 4-Runner, Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen GTI,
Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S80, Volvo V70, Volvo XC90.
13

From this sample,

three production vehicles were
selected from Germany, United
States and Japan to show comfort
issues for these worldwide vehicles.

14

In these vehicle examples,

comfort scores 3.5 or less on
a 5 point scale represent noticeable
discomfort for the driver or passenger.

15

2007 German
Mid-Size Luxury Sedan
SMALL Driver
ERL Score:
3.5
Cushion
Seatback
Package

2.8
3.5
3.5

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
16

2007 German
Mid-Size Luxury Sedan
MEDIUM Driver
ERL Score:
4.2
Cushion
Seatback
Package

4.0
3.9
5.0

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
17

2007 German
Mid-Size Luxury Sedan
LARGE Driver
ERL Score:
3.9
Cushion
Seatback
Package

4.5
3.6
4.9

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
18

2008 United States

Mid-Size SUV
SMALL Driver
ERL Score:
3.0

25mm (Heel off floor)

Cushion
Seatback
Package

2.9
2.9
4.3

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
19

2008 United States

Mid-Size SUV
MEDIUM Driver
ERL Score:
4.7
Cushion
Seatback
Package

4.7
4.5
5.0

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
20

2008 United States

Mid-Size SUV
LARGE Driver
ERL Score:
4.4
Cushion
Seatback
Package

5.0
3.6
5.0

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
21

2008 Japanese
Mid-Size Hatchback
SMALL Driver

ERL Score:
4.1
Cushion
Seatback
Package

3.8
3.3
5.0

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
22

2008 Japanese
Mid-Size Hatchback
MEDIUM Driver
ERL Score:
4.7
Cushion
Seatback
Package

4.8
4.4
5.0

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending
23

2008 Japanese
Mid-Size Hatchback
LARGE Driver
ERL Score:
3.2
Cushion
2.1
Seatback 3.3
Package
4.3
ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,
US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
& Patents Pending 24

2008 Japanese
Mid-Size Hatchback
SMALL Passenger
ERL Score:
3.8
MEDIUM
MALE
DRIVER

Cushion
Seatback

2.1
4.2

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138,
25 EU #1019693
& Patents Pending

2008 Japanese
Mid-Size Hatchback

MEDIUM Passenger
ERL Score:
3.3
Cushion
Seatback

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
26
& Patents Pending

2.6
3.7

2008 Japanese
Mid-Size Hatchback

LARGE Passenger
ERL Score:
2.5
Cushion
Seatback

ERL Patents: US #6,840,125, US#7,047,831,

US#7,347,114, US #7,797,138, EU #1019693
27
& Patents Pending

2.4
4.1

To design
one seat that
fits all driver body
sizes requires optimization.
The current process builds many
seats to optimize for driver comfort.

28

Seating comfort
remains a worldwide
problem because seat comfort is
optimized too late in the
process.

29

Current OEM seat

development
process begins with position of
Safety seat
Architecture

Stylin
g

Supplier

Production

Ergonomics

Design
Position
for Seat

Seats

30

Currently, all
seat design at
the OEM is creative
interpretation until the
Supplier builds first prototype
for developing seating comfort.

31

Supplier develops first seat

prototype for Design
Position
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g

Supplier

Production

Ergonomics

Design
Position
for Seat

Seats

Seat
Prototype
for Design
Position

32

Supplier builds many seats

for comfort tests until
production
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g

Supplier

Production

Ergonomics

Design
Position
for Seat

Seats

Seat
Prototype
for Design
Position

Iterative
Seat
Developme
nt
for Driver
Comfort
33

Current process is too long

1

24

12
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g

Supplier

Production

Ergonomics
Seats

37 Months
34

Solution to
comfort issues in vehicle
Use ERL, a virtual
math tool, for seat design
throughout vehicle development.

35

ERL Design
ERL designs optimal
seat size, shape and
stiffness for drivers of any
size to comfortably operate the
car.

36

Seat development for comfort

starts with ERLs design for vehicle
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g
Ergonomics

ERL

Seats

Supplier

Production

Seat
Design for
Driver
Comfort &
Design
Position
37

ERL Evaluation
ERL objectively
evaluates proposed
changes in interior design
by calculating effect on comfort
and percent of population affected.

38

Seat development process continues

with ERL evaluating all interior changes
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g

Supplier

Production

Ergonomics

ERL
Seat
Design for
Driver
Comfort &
Design
Position

Seats

ERL
Evaluation
of
proposed
changes
39

ERL Test and Verify

Suppliers build
seats for specifications
that define shape, size and
stiffness. Seat scanning and
stiffness measurements check
if the seat meets ERL specifications.

40

Specifications from ERL are

verifiable in physical tests of seat
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g
Ergonomics

Supplier

Production

ERL

Seats

ERL

ERL

ERL

Seat Built
from ERL
specifications

Seat
Design for
Driver
Comfort &
Design
Position

Evaluation of
proposed
changes

Drive,
Test &
Verify
with
shape &
stiffness
evaluatio
n
41

Using ERL shortens the process

1

18

10
Safety

Architecture

Stylin
g
Ergonomics

Supplier

Production

Seats

29 Months
42

ERL is the
only math model
that optimizes the
shape and size of the
unoccupied seat from the
shape and size of the occupied
seat that all drivers use to drive
car.
43

Example of
Production versus ERL
Design Comfort
Scores
44

2006 United States

Mid-Size Sedan
ERL Score: 2.4

SMALL
Driver

Cushion 2.7
Seatback 3.2
Package 3.7

Production Evaluation

ERL Score:
4.0
Cushion 4.0
Seatback 3.7
Package 4.3

ERL Design
45

2006 United States

Mid-Size Sedan
ERL Score:
4.0

MEDIUM
Driver

Cushion 2.7
Seatback 4.5
Package 5.0

Production Evaluation

ERL Score:
4.7
Cushion 4.4
Seatback 4.5
Package 5.0

ERL Design
46

2006 United States

Mid-Size Sedan
ERL Score:
3.4

LARGE
Driver

Cushion 1.6
Seatback 4.3
Package 5.0

Production Evaluation

ERL Score:
4.5
Cushion 4.5
Seatback 4.4
Package 4.4

ERL Design
47

Conclusion
ERL designs virtual seat to maximize
seating comfort in the vehicle and
explains drivers subjective
discomfort to the engineer. As a
result,
More drivers are comfortable;
Vehicle is faster to market;
Interior is less expensive to
develop.
48

Thanks for
your time!
Comments & Inquiries
Appreciated.
reynolds@erlllc.com
49