Analytical Model for Human Thermal Comfort in Passenger Vehicles 2011-01-0130

An analytical model, which takes care of thermal interactions of human body with surroundings via basic heat transfer modes like conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation, is compiled. The analytical model takes measurable inputs from surroundings and specific human parameters. Using these parameters a quick calculation entailing all heat transfer modes ensues in net heat exchange of human body with surroundings. Its magnitude and direction decides the qualitative indication of thermal comfort of concerned human being. The present model is scaled on actual human beings by noting the subjective assessment in comfortable as well as uncomfortable surroundings. As a part of validation, it is implemented in an actual Climatic Wind Tunnel Heater test, where temperatures and other parameters on different parts of the body are noted down and fed to the model as input. Output of the equation is then compared with the subjective assessment of human beings. A realistic concurrence of the output and test data validates the analytical model in the complex geometry like passenger cabin for thermal sensation prediction in a heater test. This model helps in predicting the human thermal comfort in early design stage and supporting HVAC component design for better performance and will save the cost, time and efforts for human comfort assessment road trials.