Mathematical Simulation of the Perception of Fabric Thermal and Moisture Sensations

Abstract

A mathematical simulation of the perception of thermal and moisture sensations is developed using mathematical models that describe the physical mechanisms of heat and moisture transfer in fabrics, the neurophysiological responses of thermoreceptors. and the psychoneurophysiological relationships identified from experiments. The sensations of coolness and dampness to the touch of knitted fabrics are predicted and compared with the subjective perceptions measured in a psychological experiment. The experimental results show that, in general, the relationships between the neurophysiological responses of thermoreceptors and the psychological perceptions follow Stevens' power function. The good agreement found between the measured and simulated perceptions shows that this mathematical simulation, based on heat and moisture transfer in fabrics, neurophysiolog ical mechanisms of the thermoreceptors, psychophysical relationships, is able to predict the perception of coolness and dampness sensation to the touch with reasonable accuracy.