Evaluation Method of Thermal Comfort in a Vehicle with a Dispersed Two-Node Model Part 2-Development of New Evaluation

Abstract

In the initial report of the research (Kohri and Mochida, 2002), a new calculation method of the dispersed two-node model was proposed. Then, we attempt to construct a new evaluation process of the thermal environment in the vehicle using the dispersed two-node model. In the middle phase of new vehicle development, the prototype test is important to improve detailed performance. At this phase, the structure designers of air-conditioning system have to measure the thermal properties in the cabin so that they improve and modify to achieve aimed performance. Thus such as this experimental evaluation technology is essential. The new process consists of three parts, 1) Measurement and calculation of thermal characteristic of the prototype, 2) Calculation of human heat balance with the dispersed two-model and 3) Prediction of thermal sensation vote. This report is mainly concerned with 1) and 3), because the contents of 2) was included in the initial report. Firstly, the detailed calculation method of radiant heat properties is described, and the measurement method of convective heat properties is explained. Next, the prediction method of SET* of regional body compartment and whole body, the concept of the latter was suggested by Gonzalez et al. (1974), using the dispersed two-node model is described. Then, the correlation between SET* and the thermal sensation vote is identified based on the experiments with subjects. Finally, applying this process to the improvement of the vehicle thermal environment, it is confirmed that this method is useful and practical for the development of the vehicle air-conditioning system.