Seat H-point Testing
When the average driver gets into a car, little thought is probably given to the car seat, except for two very important things: comfort and adjustability. In fact, there is a truly complex science that goes into creating a car seat.
A car seat is not like any other ordinary seat. The car seat must pass a battery of tests before it makes its way into the car as approved and certified for use. One of the most important tests for a car seat is the H point testing.
What is H-point testing?
The H-point, or hip-point, is the relative location of the occupant’s hip. More specifically, the H-point is the pivot point between the torso and the legs. It is calculated according to the dimensions of an average-sized man and is an important factor in deciding the geometry and, hence, performance of the seat. The H-point is used as a reference point and can be measured against other features such as the vehicle’s floor, roof or the road surface in order to meet certain parameters. These standards are set by international bodies and every seat must have an H-point that meets these criteria.
Going beyond H-point testing
While H-point testing is an important factor in any virtual seat solution, it certainly isn’t the only factor. ESI Group's innovative application considers every aspect of seat design, from the frame to the filling to the stitching and beyond. This suite of virtual applications takes the trial and error out of seat design and enables engineers to model and fine-tune their designs in an accurate virtual environment. This will eventually provide them with a physical seat that meets all necessary criteria and expectations. In the end, designers can create lighter, safer and more comfortable seats in a fraction of the time it previously took.
A natural partner in seat H-point testing
The ESI Group is a world-renowned expert in virtual prototyping. The company was born when four UC Berkeley PhD graduates decided to start a business in Paris. Their expertise in the physics of materials allowed the firm to quickly grow. Today it operates in 40 different countries and employs more than 1,000 specialists, meaning that ESI is the obvious partner in automotive seat H-point testing.
