E-Comfort

Aims

• Application of local, close-to-body air-conditioning concepts in electric vehicles, based on different mechanisms of heat transfer
• Improved (or at least unchanged) sensation of thermal comfort)
• Minimized energy consumption, maximized cruising range
• Evaluation of measures regarding user acceptance, energy performance and cruising range

Methodology

• Development of prototype sensor s for recording the local, directional equi­valent temperature
• The DressMAN climate measurement system as a modular sensor platform
• Development of interfaces with measurement instrumentation and for co-simulation
• Establishing comfort models to allow the overall assessment of thermal comfort inside a vehicle
• Creating an empirical model for local coefficients of convective heat transfer at the human body
• Selecting, testing and evaluating options for close-to-the-body, energy-efficient air-conditioning

Results

• Local air-conditioning measures can be more energy-efficient and more comfortable than
  conventional air-heating
• To achieve a high level of comfort inside the vehicle, any local discomfort should be avoided
• Homogeneous air-conditioning of the vehicle cabin can be achieved by combining air heating with radiant and seat heating
• Seat heating has a high potential as an energy-efficient heating system inside the vehicle
• To ensure wide acceptance of seat heating, a precise control system is needed
• To improve the thermal comfort level inside the vehicle, local air-conditioning is required