Efficient Cooling of a Generic Car Cabin by Novel Ventilation Systems

Abstract

A simplified state-of-the-art dashboard ventilation system was compared to novel ventilation concepts regarding the cooling dynamics in a full-scale generic car cabin (GCC). The concepts are based on the principle of displacement ventilation with air inlets at floor and ceiling level, well known from studies in aircraft cabins. In the present study, three vertical ventilation concepts were investigated experimentally in the GCC. With the aim to study different climate conditions, a jacket heating system was used to simulate summer conditions. Four thermal manikins were placed in the GCC to simulate the heat release and the obstruction of passengers as well as to measure the thermal comfort. To determine the relevant heat fluxes, a plethora of temperature sensors was installed at significant positions in the GCC. Furthermore, the surface temperatures were measured by means of an infrared camera. The study reveals significant differences in terms of cooling efficiency and thermal comfort for the different ventilation concepts.