Ergonomic Study of Task Chairs - Indiana University ...iucdp/Knoll.pdf · Ergonomc i Study of Task...

Ergonomic Study of Task Chairs Knoll RPM + Generation

Chelsea Fulkerson + Olivia Sexson

Introduction

Background

Design Thinking

Case Study

General Discussion

References

Appendix

Contents

Introduction Introduction The Project

Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study General Discussion References Appendix

Overall This project is about the study of ergonomics in task chairs for the company Knoll.

Specifically We researched the background of ergonomics and the importance of it. We also researched the role of ergonomics in the company Knoll and their design thinking behind their chairs. Specifically we did an ergonomic study of their chairs the RPM and the Generation using a rating scale from one to five. To get these ratings we spent an efficient amount of time in each chair to get the correct rating for each in a wide array of situations.

Introduction Ergonomics Definition + Importance

Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study Executive Summary References Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study References Appendix General Discussion

Definition

Importance

Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely (Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, n.d.).

Many people don’t realize how directly their furniture relates and affects them, that is why ergonomics is so important. By focusing on the relationship between worker and furniture it can improve the health and productivity of their work, and by improving these it can improve the overall productivity in companies.

Elements of an Ergonomically Well Designed Workstation

Introduction Ergonomics Workstations

Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study Executive Summary References Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study General Discussion References Appendix

Five elements that should be in ergonomically designed in workstations are:

(Humanscale, n.d.)

• Monitor arm and/or laptop holder • Articulating keyboard support • Air purifier • Task light • An ergonomic task chair

Introduction Ergonomics Task Chairs

Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study Executive Summary References Contents Introduction Background Design Thinking Case Study General Discussion References Appendix

Task Chair Features

Specifically the task chair should have:

Wheels or castors that are suitable for the floor surface backrest that is adjustable in both height and angle and supports curve of the lower back Swivels Adjustable from sitting position Breathable fabric Height of chair should be appropriate for the individual and the work surface height No pressure on the back of the legs, and feet are flat on the floor or on a foot rest

(Environmental Health & Safety)

• • • •• •

Knoll Studio was founded in 1938 by Hans and Florence Knoll. “Knoll has remained true to the Bauhaus design philosophy that modern furniture should complement architectural space, not compete with it” (Our Story). Committed to modern design, Knoll creates furniture with the combination of technology and craftsmanship.

Introduction Design Thinking Knoll Design Heritage + History


Knoll

Through commitment to customers, a focus on the environment, and a global perspective, Knoll “sets standards in solving practical workplace needs” (Our Story).

1925: Marcel Breuer’s Wassily chair 1928 Marcel Breuer’s Cesca chair 1929: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair 1946: Eero Saarinen’s Grasshopper chair 1947: Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy’s Hardoy chair 1948: Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair 1948: Pierre Jeanneret’s Scissors chair 1956: Eero Saarinen’s Tulip chair 1960: Richard Schultz’s Petal table collection

Introduction Design Thinking Knoll Design Heritage + History


Iconic Designs

(Timeline)

The Hardoy Chair (Timeline)

The RPM chair was designed by Carl Magnusson and introduced in 2000. Inspired by a Vespa, Knoll’s RPM chair takes on an older style of ergonomic philosophy. This traditional-style task chair includes adjustable arms, pneumatic seat adjustment, a tension knob, a free flow lock, back adjustment, adjustable seat pan, and a waterfall edge. Designers assumed the use of this chair would be at his or her desk all day, so they wanted to achieve a firmer feel to dissipate the user’s weight.

Introduction Design Thinking Behind the RPM


The Generation chair was designed by Formway Design in 2009. This chair portrays a shift in philosophy that reflects a change in technology. This task chair allows freedom of movement and the user can sit in any direction. Because of its flexibility and breathability, it is healthier. The back is made of polymer which retains memory, provides extra lumbar support, and does not break. This chair fits 95% of all people, and it is LEED Platinum certified.

Introduction Design Thinking Behind the Generation


Introduction Case Study Method + Process


Method We conducted an ergonomic comparison of three task chairs using the Bellingar-Haworth scale.

Process After sitting in the chairs for a significant amount of time, we rated each chair on a scale of one to five, one meaning “no,” five meaning “yes.”

Data The following slides provide the data that we recorded while conducting our study.

Introduction Case Study Data: Chair Features


Introduction Case Study Data: Chair Comfort


Introduction Case Study Data: Ease of Use


Introduction Case Study Data: Body Support


Introduction Case Study Data: Overall Chair Experience


Introduction Case Study Findings: Overall Averages


0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Chair Features Chair Comfort Ease of Use Body Support Overall ChairExperience

Generic Lane

Knoll RPM

Knoll Generation

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Seat heightadjusts so user

can sit withfeet on the

floor

2. Seat panadjusts sothighs andback are

supported

3. Seat panangle allowsuser to keep

torso-to-thighangle at 90° or

greater

4. Seat angleallows the userto vary posture

forward andbackward

5. The user canmove arms and

shoulderswithout

interferencefrom thebackrest

6. Backrestprovidesadequatebuttocksclearence

7. Lumbarsupport isadjustable

8. Armrestheight is

adjustable

9. Insidedistance

between thearmrests

allows user toeasily enter

and exit chairLane Generic

Knoll RPM

Knoll Generation

Introduction Case Study Findings: Chair Features


Introduction Case Study Findings: Chair Comfort


0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Seat panhas a waterfall

edge

2. Chair's seatpan has soft

edges

3. The chair'sseat pan is

comfortable

4. The chair'sbackrest has

soft edges

5. The chair'sbackrest is

comfortable

6. The chair'slumbar

support iscomfortable

7. Armrestsare padded

8. The chair'sfabric feels

soft

Generic Lane

Knoll RPM

Knoll Generation

Introduction Case Study Findings: Ease of Use


0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Chairheightadjustseasily

2. Armrestheightadjustseasily

3. Lumbarsupportcan be

adjustedfrom aseated

position

4. User caneasily

adjust theangle of

thebackrest

5. User canreclineeasily

6. Controlscan beeasily

reachedfrom asitting

position

7. Controlsare clear in

theirfunction

8. Controlscan be

operatedeasily bythe user

9. Controlshave

smoothedges

10.Controls

haveenough

clearanceroom

aroundthem

Generic Lane

Knoll RPM

Knoll Generation

Introduction Case Study Findings: Body Support


0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. While working,a user can sit

with back firmlyagainst backrest

2. Chair hasstable backsupport at

various reclinepositions

3. Chair hasconsistent

lumbar supportat various recline

positions

4. Armrests cansupport forearms

in a variety ofpostures

5. Armrest lengthallows userproximity towork surface

whilemaintainingcontact with

backrest

Generic Lane

Knoll RPM

Knoll Generation

Introduction Case Study Findings: Overall Chair Experience


0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Chair controlsintregrate wellinto the overall

design

2. Overallappearance of

the chair

3. Overalladjustability of

the chair

4. Overall ease ofuse of the chair

5. Overallcomfort of the

chair

Generic Lane

Knoll RPM

Knoll Generation

Introduction Case Study Analysis of Results


Chair Features The generic Lane chair scored the lowest in the chair features category with an average of 2.67. Knoll’s RPM and Generation task chairs scored similarly, but the Generation had the highest average score of 4.78, while the RPM had an average of 4.39.

Chair Comfort The Lane chair only scored an average of 2.69 in the chair comfort category. The RPM chair scored just barely under the Generation with a 4.13, while the Generation chair maintained a 4.25.

Ease of Use The Lane chair only scored a 2.8 in the ease of use category. The RPM scored an average of 4.05, while the Generation led with a 4.55.

Body Support The Lane chair holds an average of 2.2 in the body support category, while the RPM and Generation chairs’ results were very similar. The RPM scored and average of 4.6, and the Generation chair had an average of 4.7.

Overall Chair Experience The Lane chair scored very poorly in overall chair experience with an average score of 1.9. The RPM scored a 4.1, and the Generation received a score of 4.7.

Introduction General Discussion Executive Summary


Summary This project was about ergonomic task chairs for the company Knoll. We researched the importance of ergonomics in the workplace and how ergonomics plays a role in the design of Knolls’ task chairs. We used the Bellingar-Haworth scale to conduct an ergonomic comparison between a control chair and two of Knolls’ task chairs, the RPM and the Generation. The test was one a 1-5 rating scale.

Conclusions Our results show that Knoll creates very ergonomically sound task chairs. Compared to the generic chair the Knoll RPM and Generation chairs are far more ergonomic. According to our results of the study the Generation task chair exceeds in every category over the RPM, although is close in the chair comfort.

Introduction General Discussion Situational Recommendations


Generic Lane Chair This chair should be placed in rooms that aren’t visited often. This chair performs poorly when it comes to ergonomics, so it would not be good for a person to sit in for long periods of time. This chair would be in a guest bedroom.



Knoll RPM This chair performs well when it comes to ergonomics. It could be used in an office with older workers who prefer a firmer chair with a traditional look.



Knoll Generation This chair caters to a younger generation who could benefit from the flexibility and breathability. Ergonomically, it performs the best, so it could be used in a contemporary office space.

Introduction References


Environmental Health & Safety. (n.d.). Ergonomic Workstation Guidelines. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http:www.ncsu.edu/ehs/www99/right/handsMan/office/ergonomic.html Heuristic. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. Retrieved February 16, 2014, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergonomics Humanscale. (n.d.). Compenets of a Healthy Workstation. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://www.humanscale.com/form_function/ergonomics_of_work.cfm Magnusson, C. (n.d.). RPM. Archi Expo. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/knoll/office-chairs-armrest-9769-287820.html Modern Office Knoll Generation Chair. (n.d.). Vizimac. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from http://www.vizimac.com/knoll-generation-chair/modern-office-knoll-generation-chair/ Our Story. (n.d.). Knoll. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from http://www.knoll.com/discover-knoll/our-story Spare Bedroom 5. (n.d.). Homes by BDI. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from http://www.homesbybdi.com/en/products/products/40/spare-bedroom-5.htm? catid=1&catname=Bedrooms&c=body Timeline and History. (n.d.). Knoll. Retrieved February 24, 2014, from http://www.knoll.com/discover-knoll/timeline

Introduction Appendix


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