de | en

Product Ergonomics

Module MW0101

This Module is offered by Chair of Ergonomics (Prof. Bengler).

This module handbook serves to describe contents, learning outcome, methods and examination type as well as linking to current dates for courses and module examination in the respective sections.

Module version of SS 2016 (current)

There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.

Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.

available module versions
SS 2016SS 2015SS 2014

Basic Information

MW0101 is a semester module in German language at Master’s level which is offered in summer semester.

This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.

  • Catalogue of non-physics elective courses
Total workloadContact hoursCredits (ECTS)
150 h 45 h 5 CP

Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions

Content

The success of products highly depends on the ability to fulfull the comfort requirements of potential users. Three essential aspects determine a comfortable product: The first one is the so called environmental comfort which includes accoustics, vibrations and climate. The second one refers to the geometry of the product: the spatial properties and the necessary forces have to be adapted to the human body. This is summed up by the term: anthropometric design. The third one is about the information flow between man and machine (compatibility, coding of displays and handles), the so called HMI design. In this context one strives for a simple, intuitive controlling, unambiguous feedback and a low error probability. Using the presented databases, methods, (digital) human models and simulation procedures effects for various persons can be predicted.

Learning Outcome

At the end of the module students are able to
- understand the different dimensions of ergonomic product design,
- understand the processes of human information processing (perception, response selection, response execution),
- remember relevant standards of product design,
- analyse poducts in terms of anthropometric and system ergonomical design maxims
- understand the involvement of ergonomists in the product emergence process
- evaluate the design of control elements

Preconditions

A former visit of the lectures "Ergonomics" is recommended

Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature

Courses and Schedule

Learning and Teaching Methods

Die Vorlesung erfolgt anhand einer Präsentation, in der die theoretischen Grundlagen behandelt werden. Zur Vorstellung aktueller Entwicklungen aus der Industrie werden auch Experten zu Fachvorträgen eingeladen. In fünf Übungsstunden werden gemeinsam realitätsnahe Fallstudien und Rechenbeispiele bearbeitet. Zur selbständigen Nachbereitung und Vertiefung wird die angegebene Literatur empfohlen und wichtige Themen diskutiert.

Media

powerpoint presentations, literature in a library with free access

Literature

Schmidtke, Heinz; Bernotat, Rainer (Hg.) (1993): Ergonomie. München [u.a.]: Hanser.

Further reading is included in the lecture notes

Module Exam

Description of exams and course work

Lecture material, presented examples and use-cases, calculations as well as possible industrial talks of guest lecturers will be relevant for the exam. Usually a written essay exam (90 minutes) will take place. However, in some exceptions for all students of one study course an oral exam can be offered, e.g. ERASMUS.
It is allowed to use a non-programmable calculator.

Exam Repetition

There is a possibility to take the exam in the following semester.

Top of page