165 equipped
with SnS
2
. For the experiment with the treatment group, the SCM EMG
measurement showed that the SCM EMG value was reduced objectively when it is
supported by SnS
2
. The EMG value is lower when both SCM muscles are
supported by SnS
2
. The result from the validation experiment is in parallel with
the findings in the calibration experiment. It can be proved that the developed
SnS
2
is able to improve the comfort experience and to reduce the SCM muscle stress.
5.5 SUMMARY
In summary, the first part of this chapter examined the SCM muscle stress under
different support conditions, time and head rotation angles. The results showed
that SCM EMG value is reduced under support condition. The SCM muscle stress
was increased in parallel with the increase of time as well as the increase of head
rotation angles 0° to 45°. The result from the calibration experiment is an
important input for the validation experiment. Next, the validation experiment
examined the comfort experience and SCM muscle stress of the participants with
the SnS
2
. The results showed that the SnS
2
is able to reduce the SCM muscle stress
adaptively and automatically. It is concluded that the developed SnS
2
demonstrates the ability to reduce the SCM muscle stress objectively and to
improve the comfort experience of the participants subjectively.
166
CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
168
6.1 OVERVIEW
In this thesis, four key problems have been addressed. The first problem is
how we can contribute to reduce the economy class aircraft passenger’s
seating discomfort during air travel. The second problem is whether a smart
support system is able to reduce the economy class aircraft passenger’s neck
discomfort during air travel. The third problem is how to develop a smart
system to reduce the economy class aircraft passenger seating discomfort
during air travel. Finally, the fourth problem is how to use the design
process to contribute to the development of a smart system for comfort
improvement during air travel. To investigate the four key problems, in the
previous chapters we have used the subjective method to define the body
seating discomfort of aircraft passengers and proposed the smart neck
support system SnS
2
to reduce sternocleidomastoid SCM muscle stress of economy
class aircraft passengers during air travel. In this chapter, we summarize
our work and the achieved results.
6.2 QUESTIONNAIRE ON SEATING COMFORT AND DISCOMFORT
