Lotus: Seats become cheaper, lighter and healthier

Will it be more comfortable to drive a Lotus?

Group Lotus has introduced a completely new style of seating for its 2006 model year Elise and Exile ranges. Using the ProBax design less foam is needed and the seats also put the driver's body in an upright, correct position. Unusually, for what has to be regarded as an advance in technology, the new seats are cheaper and not as complex as their predecessors. The company is the first vehicle manufacturer (VM) in the world to use the ProBax design, which enables it to employ less foam and to remove weight. Other VMs are said to be evaluating the concept.

ProBax, the patented idea of prosethetist Donna Jackson, is simple in that it involves the correct positioning and density of the foam in order for the driver to maintain the correct posture. Its technology changes the dynamics of the underlying foam seat without changing the structural elements. Mechanical devices in seats can lead to seemingly greater comfort but they do not position the body correctly. By subtly tilting the pelvis of the seat occupant, ProBax directly alters the body's posture by realigning the spine and ensuring weight is borne by the skeletal structure rather than the muscles.

ProBax seat allows the driver to maintain the correct natural curvature of the spine for longer, keeping the head closer to the head restraint. It is said to also eliminate reverse pelvic title, minimise pressure under the coccyx, manage the Ischial pressure points, limit pressure under the hamstring muscles and provide support for the pelvis. The back cushion design has been created with a channel running vertically to "receive" the spine in a softer material, thus reducing pressure on the vertebral column.
ProBax thus enables the VM to do away with lumbar mechanisms, thus decreasing weight and saving cost.

Tests have also shown an improvement in blood flow of up to 30 per cent over the previous Lotus seat. This is something that should result in improved driver alertness. Group Lotus is said to have been impressed by the results of extensive testing with people of various shapes and sizes. Steve Swift, head of vehicle engineering has stated, "the improvements are extremely good". Initial impressions would indicate the validity of this.

The limited depth of the seat cushion in a Lotus has been a particular challenge for NuBax, the company behind ProBax. It believes that having overcome this, designing the seating for conventional saloon cars should be relatively straightforward. Having launched ProBax early in 2005, NuBax has now entered into a number of collaborative agreements for the further development of the concept in not only the automotive field but also aviation and other sectors such as workplace and school seating.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Lotus, seats

Source: all4engineers

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