Relationships between Electroencephalogram and Thermal Perception of Passenger in Winter Vehicle Compartments

Abstract

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) has prompted a critical examination of the trade-off between range and human thermal comfort. Therefore, an accurate, real-time assessment of human thermal perception inside vehicles is important. This study investigates an electroencephalogram- (EEG-) based method for evaluating human thermal comfort in the vehicle passenger compartment. Under transient winter heating conditions, the study experimentally investigates the correlation between objective physiological parameters (skin temperature and electroencephalogram) and subjective human thermal perception. The results reveal distinct patterns in EEG signals corresponding to changes in thermal perception. Specifically, the δ rhythm exhibits a U-shape variation with increasing thermal perception, while the θ, α, β, and γ rhythms display an inverted U-shape variation. Differences in each frequency band across thermal comfort states in humans are greater than differences in the frequency band across thermal sensation states. Furthermore, the relative power of the θ rhythm emerges as the most effective in discerning the thermal perception state of the human body. The EEG signal characteristics of the T7 and T8 channels align more closely with human thermal sensation, whereas the AF4 channel excels at discriminating the state of human thermal comfort. The insights gained from this study serve as a foundation for evaluating human thermal perception in vehicles, enhancing human-vehicle interaction, and addressing challenges related to human thermal comfort and vehicle range.