The present study measured 25 dimensions of the ear including the concha and ear canal for ergonomic design of ear products and compared with existing ear measurement studies. Scanning and casting methods were employed to produce 3D ear images for 230 Koreans and 96 Caucasians and measurements of the ear dimensions were obtained by identifying 21 landmarks on individual ear scan image. The Korean ear measurements were found significantly larger (mean difference = 0.4–3.7 mm) and more varied (ratio of SDs =1.01–1.55) than those of Caucasians in most of ear dimensions. The average ear length and ear breadth of male were significantly longer ( = 1.3–7.0 mm) and wider ( = 0.8–3.0 mm) than those of female. Use of gender- and ethnicity-composite ear data is recommended in product design due to the much larger intra-population variations (7.5–22.2 mm) than the corresponding inter-population variations. Practitioner Summary: The 3D ear measurements of Koreans and Caucasians were collected and compared with those of different ethnic populations. The distinct ear features of the populations identified in this study are applicable to ergonomic design of ear products with better fit and comfort. Abbreviations: CCW: cavum concha width; CV: coefficient of variation; EB: ear breadth; EL: ear length; SD: standard deviation; SE: sampling error; 3D: 3 dimensional
1 March 2018 in Computers & Industrial Engineering
This study measured the facial dimensions of Korean Air Force (KAF) pilots, to design a pilot oxygen mask, and compared them with those of Korean civilians and US Air Force (USAF) personnel. Twenty-two facial dimensions were measured for 278 KAF male pilots (KMP) and 58 KAF female pilots and cadets (KFP) using an anthropometer and a three-dimensional scanner. The KMP face measurements were found to be significantly larger (mean difference, = 0.7–26.5 mm) and less varied (ratio of SDs = 0.29–0.82) than those of Korean male civilians. The average face length, lip width and nasal root breadth of the KMP were significantly longer ( = 4.7 mm), narrower ( = − 2.4 mm), and wider ( = 5.2 mm), respectively, than those of USAF male personnel. Lastly, the KMP face measurements were significantly larger ( = 1.8–26.1 mm) than those of the KFP. Practitioner Summary: The face measurements of KAF pilots were collected and compared with those of Korean civilians and USAF personnel. The distinct facial features of the populations identified in this study are applicable to custom design of an oxygen mask for prevention of excessive pressure and oxygen leakage.