Ergonomics in Human Design

-- Li Liangjun, Huang Zhaohui

[Key words] humanized design; ergonomics; system; person; machine; environment

[Abstract] The ergonomics factors included in the humanized design are illustrated through the analysis of specific cases of humanized product design, and further elaborated the ergonomics work steps in product design, pointing out the future of China. Product design must be based on creativity and innovation as the primary condition, in line with ergonomics, so that the humanized design truly reflects respect and concern for people. At the same time, it is also the most cutting-edge trend and trend. It is a manifestation of humanistic spirit and a perfect and harmonious combination of human and product.

The development of society, advancement of technology, renewal of products, acceleration of the pace of life, etc. A series of social and material factors make people pay more attention to the “convenience” and “comfort” of the product while enjoying the material life. The evaluation of “reliable”, “value”, “security” and “efficiency” is also a humanized design problem often mentioned in product design.

The so-called humanized products are products containing ergonomics. As long as they are products used by "people", they should all be considered in ergonomics. The modeling of products and ergonomics are undoubtedly combined. We can describe them as follows: a psychological center and a physiology radius, to establish a harmonious relationship between people and things (products), to maximize human potential, to use a person’s muscle energy in a comprehensive and balanced manner, and to protect Human health improves productivity. From the perspective of industrial design alone, it can be as large as aerospace systems, urban planning, construction facilities, automated factories, machinery and equipment, and transportation, as small as furniture, clothing, stationery, pots, cups, and chopsticks. The “things” created by life must be considered as an important condition when designing and manufacturing. If the product category is divided into professional products and general products, professional products will have more considerations in ergonomics. It is more emphasis on the physiological aspects; while the general products must take into account the psychological aspects, need to be more Many designs that meet the aesthetics and trends, that is, the needs of humanized products.

Then, how does a product evaluate its ergonomics compliance? For example, in Germany's Stulgart Design Center, when selecting good products for each year, the standards set on ergonomics are:

1) Whether the product meets the size, shape and force of the human body;

2) whether the product is easy to use and use;

3) Whether the accidental injury caused by the user's operation and the danger of misuse are prevented;

4) Whether the operation units are practical or not; whether or not the components can be identified without any doubt in their placement;

5) Whether the product is easy to clean, maintain and repair.

Under normal circumstances, in the design education, the above third item is often emphasized. When consumers purchase goods, they determine the purchase behavior based on the visual effects of the product, the shopping mall atmosphere and the value, but as a good one. The designer should be responsible for the long-term use of the product and its comfort, especially the prevention of harm and danger. For example, in the operation of the computer on the machine position, in the current machine conditions, the operator is often the arm hanging forward to operate the keyboard and mouse. The suspension of the arm creates a static fatigue of the shoulders and necks, which makes the operator have to lean the back against the back of the chair (the back rest will increase the reach of the suspended arm, thereby increasing the balance moment needed for the shoulder. Speed ​​up shoulder and neck fatigue, and when the operator is out of the back and arms are vacant, the weight needs to be borne by the spine. The result is either fatigue or back pain, or the pectoral muscles give up and maintain a straight posture. Lumbar kyphosis, or wrist support against the edge of the table, causing carpal tunnel syndrome. Then, to solve such problems, designers must fully consider the factors of ergonomics.

The so-called ergonomics, that is, the application of anthropometrics, human mechanics, labor physiology, labor psychology and other disciplines of research methods, study of human body structure characteristics and functional characteristics, to provide the body parts of the size, weight, body surface area , Body weight, center of gravity, and human body structure parameters such as the relationship and reach of human body parts during activity; and the output range, activity range, movement speed, movement frequency, center of gravity, and movement habits of various body parts are also provided. Characteristics of human body function parameters, analysis of human visual, auditory, tactile, and skin-feeling functional properties of sensory organs; analysis of human physiological changes in various labor, energy consumption, fatigue mechanisms, and people's ability to adapt to a variety of labor loads; To explore the factors that affect people's psychological status at work and the influence of psychological factors on work efficiency.

Ergonomics is often one of the ways companies can improve their competitiveness. If "humanized product" is a product design integrated with "human", "ergonomic factors" are the factors that must be taken into consideration when designing an industrial product. Under the impact of China’s imminent accession to the WTO, China’s manufacturing industry has been rigorous and is trying to maintain its advantages in the competition. MICHAEL PORTER, a management guru, once said that companies have two competitive advantages. First, they can expand production scale and move toward economies of scale to gain cost advantages; the other is creating additional products or products. Values, create consumer psychology. In today's product and quality gradually improved, and consumers are increasingly demanding quality of goods, all product manufacturers are all seeking to make breakthroughs, hoping to surprise and win the hearts of consumers. Taking the new requirements for "healthy" ergonomics proposed in today's world as an example, it is to use some auxiliary products that consider human factors, such as: electric lumbar support, UV blocking (UV, CUT), etc. to improve products. The level of human nature, in order to create other brands can not imitate the advantages of winning consumers.

What kind of product needs ergonomics? In terms of design, how can we behave in order to become ergonomic products? Industrial designers pointed out that in terms of computer related components and equipment, such as keyboard, mouse and other input devices, users may use it for a long time. Working or entertaining, it takes a long time to get in touch, and it can be very invested in use. Therefore, ergonomics has become one of the most important design conditions.

The distinctive feature of ergonomics is that, based on a careful study of the characteristics of the three elements of human, machine, and environment, it is not simply to focus on the excellence of individual elements, but rather on the people who use them and what they design. The environment in which "objects" and people and "objects" coexist is studied as a system. This system is called "man-machine-environment" system in ergonomics. In this system, the interaction and interdependence between the three elements of human, machine, and environment determine the overall performance of the system. The theory of man-machine system design in this discipline is to scientifically use the organic links between the three elements to seek the best parameters of the system.

The general method of system design, usually under the premise of clearing the overall requirements of the system, focuses on analyzing and studying the impact of three elements of human, machine and environment on the overall performance of the system, such as how the functions of people and machines in the system are divided; how to cooperate; How the environment adapts to people; what impact the machine has on the environment and other issues, through the constant revision and improvement of the three elements of the structure, and ultimately ensure the realization of the system's optimal combination of programs. This is ergonomics to open up new ideas for industrial design, and provides a unique design method and related theoretical basis.

As part of a holographic system, a product includes all the information in our commodity society. A well-designed product must be the result of a clever fusion and balance of human, environmental, economic, technological, and cultural factors. The motivation for starting a product design may come from various aspects, some to improve the function, some to reduce costs, and some to change the appearance and strengthen the “counter effect” to attract buyers. More often than not, the above aspects are combined. . Thus, the requirements for the designer may come from various perspectives such as function, technology, cost, and user's hobby. The focus of different product designs is also very different. The design of the thermos bottle is obviously more ergonomic than the design of the perfume bottle. Take the design of the computer game remote sensor as an example. It seems to be inconsistent with ergonomics, but when used in practice, it is well-armed, with good maneuverability, and the appearance of remote sensors is rather cool. Use this rocker to play air combat games and have the taste to control fighter jets. Compared with other products of the same type in the market, even if the price is much higher than the average product, it is equally popular, which shows its charm. However, there is also such a product that is popular in the market due to its good appearance and low cost. However, the disadvantage is that the product is light. Therefore, it is convenient to use one hand when using it, but it has to be used with both hands. This is the deficiencies of the product in terms of ergonomics; however, the manufacturer has introduced such products under the consideration of cost, selling price and market factors. For professional products, such as hair dryers used by hairdressers on a daily basis, the trimmer used by the weeder workers must not underestimate the physiological considerations of ergonomics. However, a good product design can cover both form and human-machine factors, and the same product appearance can also provide opportunities for ergonomics. In terms of easy-to-use mouse balls designed by TEAGE for Microsoft, the mouse is specially designed for children to experience the computer. Before the plan was decided, the children's gripping methods were studied, and the yellow and white mouse balls made children When learning a computer, it adds fun and functionality. The product has been beyond the shackles of product modeling, in addition to its better use, but also gives the product new meaning and imagination.

In addition to general consumer goods, products designed for specific ethnic groups have more ergonomic considerations. For example, for porcelain suits for the handicapped, this set of designs is made exclusively for disabled people, and it is not directly seen that they are made exclusively for disabled persons. Therefore, on the basis of full consideration of ergonomics, designers specifically deal with the bumps and handles, so that patients have a sense of balance in their hands, they can both see and feel, but they do not So conspicuous. In terms of medical equipment, beds, medical chairs and other products are not only