Overview
EN ISO 10326-1:2016 (Corrected version 2017-02) - Mechanical vibration - Laboratory method for evaluating vehicle seat vibration - Part 1: Basic requirements.
This standard specifies core laboratory methods to measure and analyse vibration transmission from vehicle seats to occupants. It defines instrumentation, vibration equipment, test input signals and reporting so results from different laboratories and equivalent seats can be compared reliably. The document is intended for all seat types used in road vehicles and mobile off‑road machinery and is referenced by vehicle- or machinery‑specific application standards when defining typical input vibration.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Establishes basic requirements for laboratory seat vibration tests to enable repeatable, comparable measurements of vibration transmission to occupants.
- Instrumentation: Requirements for acceleration transducers, mounting methods (platform, seat pan, backrest), frequency weighting and calibration procedures.
- Vibration equipment: Physical characteristics of shakers and platforms, control systems and safety considerations for test rigs.
- Test conditions: Preparation of test seats (including run‑in and suspension travel checks), test person representation and posture, and seat adjustment to occupant weight.
- Test input vibration: Procedures for simulated input vibration tests, PSD‑based signals (see informative Annex B), tolerances on input vibration, and sinusoidal transfer function measurements.
- Damping and transfer tests: Methods to assess seat suspension damping, over‑travel/impact control (informative Annex A) and transfer function characterisation.
- Test procedure and acceptance: Step‑by‑step testing workflow, acceptance criteria and mandatory elements of the test report to ensure reproducibility.
- Reporting: Required content and format for test reports to allow clear comparison between laboratories and seats.
Applications
Who uses EN ISO 10326-1:
- Seat manufacturers - to validate seat designs and suspension performance against standardized laboratory methods.
- Vehicle OEMs and integrators - to assess occupant exposure to whole‑body vibration for vehicle or machinery classes.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to produce comparable test data and conform to referenced application standards.
- Ergonomists and safety engineers - to evaluate human vibration exposure and guide seat selection or mitigation measures.
Practical uses include design validation, comparative performance testing, supplier qualification and supporting compliance with vehicle or machinery application standards that reference ISO 10326‑1.
Related standards
- ISO 10326 series (other parts covering specific test inputs or evaluation methods)
- Reference to Directive 2006/42/EC through Annex ZA for machinery safety conformity
- Supersedes EN 30326‑1:1994; designated as EN ISO 10326‑1:2016 by CEN
Keywords: EN ISO 10326-1:2016, ISO 10326-1, vehicle seat vibration, laboratory method, vibration testing, vibration transmission, seat suspension, PSD input signal.