The Relationship between Active Heating Power and Temperature of the Fingers in EVA Glove

Abstract

The low temperature and low pressure in the space restrict astronauts' operation when they are wearing Extravehicular (EVA) gloves. Active heating is an effective method for maintaining temperature stability in the gloves; however, research findings in the field are scarce at present. In the study, we designed a structure of active heating in EVA glove, and explore a heating scheme for the structure. We designed a system including environment simulation device, hand simulation device as well as temperature measuring equipment to simulate the parameters of space surroundings and human hands. A electric heating structure was fixed in the limiting layer of the gloves. This structure could maintain the surface temperature of hands which was gauged by the sensors. We adjusted the heating power of heating structure, and confirmed 4 Watt was ideal. The other result is the thumb finger needs more power than middle finger. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.