E-Comfort

Optimizing the cruising range of electric vehicles by innovative concepts of air-conditioning and thermal 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
Replica of a vehicle cabin for testing purposes
© Fraunhofer IBP
Replica of a vehicle cabin for testing purposes at Fraunhofer IBP.
© Fraunhofer IBP Thermal image of the driver's seat in a car.
© Fraunhofer IBP
Thermal image of the driver's seat in a car.
Temperature distribution in the various zones of the vehicle
© Fraunhofer IBP
Temperature distribution in the various zones of the vehicle: Physical measurements in the mock-up and zonal simulation.