H-point
Encyclopedia
In vehicle design and especially automotive design
, the H-point (or hip-point) is the theoretical, relative location of an occupant's hip
, specifically the pivot point between the torso and upper leg portions of the body, either relative to the floor of the vehicle or relative to the height above pavement level -- and pertinent to seating comfort, visibility from the vehicle into traffic and other design factors. Technically, the measurement uses the hip joint of a 50th Percentile
male occupant, viewed laterally.
As with the location of other automotive design "hard points," the H-point has major ramifications in the overall design of a vehicle, including roof height, aerodynamics, visibility, comfort, ease of entry and exit, interior packaging, safety
, restraint design and collision performance. As an example, higher H-points can provide more legroom, both in the front and back seats.
There has been a recent global trend toward higher H-points. Referring to the trend in a 2004 article, The Wall Street Journal
noted an advantage: "the higher the H-Point, the higher you ride in the car, and in some cases, the more comfortable you feel behind the wheel".
Buses, minivan
s, SUVs and CUV
s will generally have higher H-points than sedans, though certain sedans feature higher H-points than most, e.g., the Ford Five Hundred
. Sports cars and vehicles with higher aerodynamic considerations, by contrast, may employ lower H-points. When an automobile features progressively higher H-points at each successive seating row, the seating is called stadium seating
, as in the Dodge Journey
, and Ford Flex
.
Vehicle interior ergonomics are integral to an automotive design education. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has adopted tools for vehicle design, including statistical models for predicting driver eye location and seat position as well as an H-point mannequin
for measuring seats and interior package geometry. Occupant posture-prediction models are used in computer simulations and form the basis for Crash test dummy
positioning.
Regulatory definition: For the purpose of U.S. regulation and GTR's (Global Technical Regulations)
— and for clear communication in safety and seating design — the H-point is defined as the actual hip point of the seated crash test dummy
itself, whereas the R-point (or SgRP, seating reference point) is the theoretical hip point used by manufacturers when designing a vehicle — and more specifically describes the relative location of the seated dummy's hip point, when the seat is set in the rearmost and lowermost seating position.
Automotive design
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans...
, the H-point (or hip-point) is the theoretical, relative location of an occupant's hip
Hip (anatomy)
In vertebrate anatomy, hip refer to either an anatomical region or a joint.The hip region is located lateral to the gluteal region , inferior to the iliac crest, and overlying the greater trochanter of the femur, or "thigh bone"...
, specifically the pivot point between the torso and upper leg portions of the body, either relative to the floor of the vehicle or relative to the height above pavement level -- and pertinent to seating comfort, visibility from the vehicle into traffic and other design factors. Technically, the measurement uses the hip joint of a 50th Percentile
Percentile
In statistics, a percentile is the value of a variable below which a certain percent of observations fall. For example, the 20th percentile is the value below which 20 percent of the observations may be found...
male occupant, viewed laterally.
As with the location of other automotive design "hard points," the H-point has major ramifications in the overall design of a vehicle, including roof height, aerodynamics, visibility, comfort, ease of entry and exit, interior packaging, safety
Automobile safety
Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
, restraint design and collision performance. As an example, higher H-points can provide more legroom, both in the front and back seats.
There has been a recent global trend toward higher H-points. Referring to the trend in a 2004 article, The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
noted an advantage: "the higher the H-Point, the higher you ride in the car, and in some cases, the more comfortable you feel behind the wheel".
Buses, minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
s, SUVs and CUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
s will generally have higher H-points than sedans, though certain sedans feature higher H-points than most, e.g., the Ford Five Hundred
Ford Five Hundred
The Ford Five Hundred is a full-size sedan that was produced by the Ford Motor Company during the 2005 to 2007 model years in North America. In North America, the name evoked the classic Fairlane 500 and Galaxie 500 models of the 1950s through 1970s.-Overview:The Five Hundred was introduced at the...
. Sports cars and vehicles with higher aerodynamic considerations, by contrast, may employ lower H-points. When an automobile features progressively higher H-points at each successive seating row, the seating is called stadium seating
Stadium seating
Stadium seating or theater seating is a characteristic seating arrangement that is most commonly associated with performing-arts venues, and derives its name from stadiums, which typically use this arrangement...
, as in the Dodge Journey
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV built by the Dodge division of Chrysler.-First generation :Unveiled first at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and later appearing at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Journey identified internally as the JC49, has an almost identical wheelbase as the...
, and Ford Flex
Ford Flex
The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Its styling is based on the Ford Fairlane concept unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The production vehicle made its debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Sales of the Flex began in...
.
Vehicle interior ergonomics are integral to an automotive design education. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has adopted tools for vehicle design, including statistical models for predicting driver eye location and seat position as well as an H-point mannequin
Mannequin
A mannequin is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, and others especially to display or fit clothing...
for measuring seats and interior package geometry. Occupant posture-prediction models are used in computer simulations and form the basis for Crash test dummy
Crash test dummy
Crash test dummies are full-scale anthropomorphic test devices that simulate the dimensions, weight proportions and articulation of the human body, and are usually instrumented to record data about the dynamic behavior of the ATD in simulated vehicle impacts...
positioning.
Regulatory definition: For the purpose of U.S. regulation and GTR's (Global Technical Regulations)
GTR
-Motor vehicles:* Gran Turismo , with Racer, Grand Tourer Racing or similar, commonly associated with performance cars. Vehicles that uses the designation are:** BMW M3 GTR - a racing version of M3** Holden Torana GTR...
— and for clear communication in safety and seating design — the H-point is defined as the actual hip point of the seated crash test dummy
Crash test dummy
Crash test dummies are full-scale anthropomorphic test devices that simulate the dimensions, weight proportions and articulation of the human body, and are usually instrumented to record data about the dynamic behavior of the ATD in simulated vehicle impacts...
itself, whereas the R-point (or SgRP, seating reference point) is the theoretical hip point used by manufacturers when designing a vehicle — and more specifically describes the relative location of the seated dummy's hip point, when the seat is set in the rearmost and lowermost seating position.