Age-related difference in perceptual responses and interface pressure requirements for driver seat design

Due to typical physiological changes with age, older individuals are likely to have different perceptual responses to and different needs for driver–seat interface design. To assess this, a study was conducted in which a total of 22 younger and older participants completed six short-term driving sessions. Three subjective ratings (comfort, discomfort and overall) were obtained, along with 36 driver–seat interface pressure measures, and were used to assess differences and similarities between the two age groups. For both age groups, localised comfort ratings were more effective at distinguishing between driver seats and workspaces. Older individuals appeared to be less sensitive to discomfort than younger individuals. Across age groups, two distinct processes were used in determining whole-body comfort and discomfort perceptions based on localised comfort/discomfort perceptions. Whole-body discomfort levels were largely affected by lower back discomfort in the younger group versus upper back discomfort in the older group. Four specific pressure measures at several body regions differed between the age groups, suggesting distinct contract pressure requirements and loading patterns among these groups.     

A comparison of techniques to mitigate Simulator Adaptation Syndrome

We investigated the effectiveness of galvanic cutaneous stimulation (GCS) and auditory stimulation in mitigating simulator adaptation syndrome (SAS). Fifteen drivers (9 men; M age = 23.2 years) participated in a driving simulation experiment comparing three different stimulation conditions (GCS, auditory stimulation and no stimulation as a base line condition) in curves on a virtual urban circuit. GCS and auditory stimulation decreased SAS by reducing head sway. Both sources of stimulation can be recommended as countermeasures against SAS. We encourage the use of stimuli which influence the balancing ability to the design of future simulator protocols and devices to mitigate SAS.     

Book reviews

Abstract

Industrial robots often operate at high speed, with unpredictable motion patterns and erratic idle times. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred due to operator misperception of these robot design and performance characteristics. The main objective of the research project was to study human perceptual aspects of hazardous robotics workstations. Two laboratory experiments were designed to investigate workers' perceptions of two industrial robots with different physical configurations and performance capabilities. Twenty-four subjects participated in the study. All subjects were chosen from local industries, and had had considerable exposure to robots and other automated equipment in their working experience. Experiment 1 investigated the maximum speed of robot arm motions that workers, who were experienced with operation of industrial robots, judged to be ‘safe’ for monitoring tasks. It was found that the selection of safe speed depends on the size of the robot and the speed with which the robot begins its operation. Speeds of less than 51 cm/s and 63cm/s for large and small robots, respectively, were perceived as safe, i.e., ones that did not result in workers feeling uneasy or endangered when working in close proximity to the robot and monitoring its actions. Experiment 2 investigated the minimum value of robot idle time (inactivity) perceived by industrial workers as system malfunction, and an indication of the ‘safe-to-approach’ condition. It was found that idle times of 41 s and 28 s or less for the small and large robots, respectively, were perceived by workers to be a result of system malfunction. About 20% of the workers waited only 10 s or less before deciding that the robot had stopped because of system malfunction. The idle times were affected by the subjects' prior exposure to a simulated robot accident. Further interpretations of the results and suggestions for operational limitations of robot systems are discussed.     

驾驶模拟系统人机界面的真实性评价

驾驶模拟系统是进行各项交通研究的有效手段和工具.详细描述了基于驾驶模拟器和Quest3D自行开发的驾驶模拟系统体系结构,着重介绍了其视觉呈现、听觉混成、体感模拟等模块组成的人机界面的设计,并采用综合分析法对系统人机界面的真实性进行了综合评价.结果表明,本文实现的驾驶模拟系统所建立的虚拟驾驶环境符合真实环境,其真实性能满足相关研究的需求.     

利用恒流驱动技术的10～80V宽电压输入串联型开关电源

为拓宽开关电源产品的电压范围,提出了1种基于恒流驱动模式的能在10～80V宽电压范围工作的串联型开关稳压电源.该开关电源采用恒流方式驱动开关管,开关管在宽电压范围内始终能够得到理想的驱动电流.实验表明,该开关电源效率高、工作稳定、成本低,因此,可使用于工业用各种报警器产品和爆闪式信号灯中.     

三轴差动式管道机器人的驱动特性及仿真研究

为解决轮式管道机器人弯管运行的干涉问题,研制一种具有差动运行功能的轮式管道机器人——三轴差动式管道机器人.首先介绍了机器人的结构组成和基本原理,对机器人的牵引力、越障能力等驱动特性进行分析,建立相应的理论分析模型.同时,建立机器人的虚拟样机仿真模型,对其牵引力、越障能力进行仿真研究,仿真结果与理论分析基本一致.机器人在弯管运行的仿真结果表明:机器人能够顺利通过弯管,三轴差动机构具有较好的差动效果.     

陕西省近10年用水结构演变及驱动力分析

分析了2001-2010近10年来陕西省工农业用水、生活用水以及生态用水的结构变化,并引入信息熵的方法对用水结构的演变趋势进行了探讨,同时阐述了造成这些变化的主要驱动因子。分析表明:陕西省用水总量近十年来在波动中缓慢上升,年均增加0.61亿m3;农业用水量和比重都在下降;工业用水总量变化较缓;生活用水和生态用水呈持续增长趋势。     

液体壁面滑移的分子动力学研究

以平行板间液氩的Poiseuille流为例,用分子动力学模拟的方法,对壁面润湿性、外部驱动力以及通道宽度影响液体壁面滑移现象进行了研究.结果表明:在疏水性微通道中,液体的流动存在边界正滑移;在亲水性微通道中,在外力较小时,液体的流动存在边界负滑移,即有类似宏观的边界粘滞层存在,而当外力逐渐增大时,边界滑移从负滑移变为正的滑移.液体在不同宽度的微通道中流动时,绝对滑移长度均随外力的增大而变小,并趋向于定值.研究还发现在不同空间大小的通道中,壁面滑移速度随外力的增大而增大的变化存在拐点,在拐点两侧,界面作用的影响不同.     

二元驱动的河湖历史演变及其启示

以河湖历史演变过程为研究对象,分析了演变的驱动力及其作用特征、影响因素,提出河湖演变呈现出由自然-人工二元平行驱动向二元交错驱动发展的趋势。针对在人为改变河湖水系的历史过程中曾出现过的问题和风险,重点讨论了当前水系布局规划需要思考的问题,包括自然地理分异、气候变化、成本效益、生态环境等。建议拓展研究的维度和尺度,合理利用自然情势并关注人类活动潜在而深远的影响,多途径削减不利影响,以构建满足水资源合理配置、兴利除害、生态环境保护等社会需求的江河湖库水系格局。     

水电十四局安全生产标准化建设

中国水利水电第十四工程局有限公司通过开展安全生产标准化的建设,突破了安全管理的瓶颈,提升了安全管理水平。为了总结该单位安全生产标准化建设的宝贵经验,对其安全生产标准化的内容、实施及产生的积极效果进行分析论述,力求寻求一套安全生产标准化建设的成熟模式,供同行参考。