UNIVERSAL DESIGN METHOD THAT CONSIDERS PHYSICAL BURDEN THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF A DIGITAL HUMAN MODEL: CASE STUDY OF A WORKING TABLE

Abstract

Recently, owing to aging and internationalization, the concept of universal design aimed at satisfying various users has attracted attention. However, the concept and definition of universal design varies between countries or companies, and a general approach to such design has yet to be established. Moreover, it is not clear how to take users’ physical characteristics and feelings when using a product into consideration. Therefore, in this research, the authors propose a universal design method that considers the user's physical burden by applying a digital human model. First, the authors divide design variables into designer-controllable and uncontrollable factors. Next, based on the human characteristics database, design variables and constraint conditions are defined as range values. Then, an interval operation is performed using aforementioned ranged value and a relational expression between a design variable and a constraint condition, and a design solution is derived as a set. Furthermore, based on the derived design solution sets, the authors simulate use of a product by a digital human model. Finally, by evaluating physical load, the authors derive a design solution that takes account of the user's physical burden, using a working table as a case study.