Implementation of the equivalent temperature measurement system as a part of the vehicle Heating, ventilation and Air-conditioning unit

Jan Fišer,Aleš Povalač,Miloš Fojtlín,Tomáš Urbanec,Jan Pokorný

doi:10.1186/2046-7648-4-s1-a159

Jan Fišer, Aleš Povalač + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-7648-4-s1-a159

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Abstract

Thermal comfort evaluation based on the Comfort zone diagram is relatively new and promising method [1] developed by Hakan O. Nilsson [2]. The method was developed mainly for non uniform indoor environments [3] such as vehicle cabins [4]. Mean thermal vote (MTV) is correlated with equivalent temperature, which is typically measured by a thermal manikin with clothing or by a sensor with heated surface. This fact is the advantage of this method because prediction of thermal comfort is based on a measurable physical phenomenon which is called dry heat loss. The essence of this method inspired us to develop a measurement system that will be based on miniaturised and cost effective equivalent temperature sensors. Such sensors could be easily integrated into the surroundings of seated human and could provide data about local thermal comfort as feedback information for HVAC control unit. Our project, which started last year, is called Innovative control for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems, iHVAC.

Highlights

Thermal comfort evaluation based on the Comfort zone diagram is relatively new and promising method [1] developed by Håkan O
It contains the following parts: the net of Teq sensors, the main hardware units for sensor net controlling and data processing, the data interfaces connected to the HVAC control unit and the data visualization unit
We expect more accurate control inputs of the HVAC system regarding the individual passenger needs, as well as resulting in lower energy demands

Summary

Introduction

Thermal comfort evaluation based on the Comfort zone diagram is relatively new and promising method [1] developed by Håkan O. Mean thermal vote (MTV) is correlated with equivalent temperature, which is typically measured by a thermal manikin with clothing or by a sensor with heated surface This fact is the advantage of this method because prediction of thermal comfort is based on a measurable physical phenomenon which is called dry heat loss. The essence of this method inspired us to develop a measurement system that will be based on miniaturised and cost effective equivalent temperature sensors. Such sensors could be integrated into the surroundings of seated human and could provide data about local thermal comfort as feedback information for HVAC control unit. Another reason for the calibration is the fact that the typical control mode of the sensor is constant heat flux the surface temperature of the sensor is a result of surrounding environmental parameters and the Teq cannot be calculated without calibration function/curve

Conclusion

Methods