Measurement of the Feeling of ‘Invigoration’ under Artificial Ventilation

Abstract

This study is designed to clarify sensation in Human Interface Systems based on sensory evaluation and measurement of physiological responses. This paper describes the measurement of the feeling of ‘invigoration’ under artificial ventilation. In addition, the relationship between sensory evaluation and physiological responses is investigated.（Physiological responses include facial skin temperature and sympathetic nerve activity index.）Experimental data shows that, under certain conditions, the sympathetic nerve activity index can be used as a quantitative measure of the feeling of ‘invigoration’ under artificial winds. As a result, under conditions that expose the whole body or the lower body to wind, the sympathetic nerve activity index corresponds with the feeling of ‘invigoration’ as evaluated by thermal and comfort sensory assessments. However, under conditions that expose only the upper body to wind, it is thought that negative feelings associated with wind on one’s face negatively influence the sensory evaluation index. Therefore, in these situations, sensory evaluation does not correspond with the sympathetic nerve activity index.