Equivalent temperature estimator using mean radiant temperature sensor

Abstract

Air conditioning in transport vehicles is becoming more and more a standard equipment rather than an optional one. Therefore, to assure better comfort conditions in rather non- homogeneous environments like a car cabin becomes a primary task. Since human thermal comfort is the result of the combined effect of several physical quantities, there is the need for new sensors to evaluate real comfort conditions in cars, so to have reliable feedback for a climate control. The present paper describes an equivalent temperature estimator which makes use of a mean radiant temperature sensor. A prototype car has been set up to perform on road and subjective tests.