Automobile Climate Measurement using Two Thermal Observation Manikins

Two state-of-the-art Thermal Observation Manikins were designed and built for use in automobile applications. These manikins not only apply the latest data acquisition and control technology but also incorporate new manufacturing and sensor technology for improved performance. Their unique design offers an important and a major improvement over previous manikin designs by incorporating heat flux transducers to measure heat fluxes to or from the environment, regardless of segment skin temperature. The end goal for these manikins is to incorporate a subjective model of thermal comfort along with a human thermal physiological model to produce a thermal sensation vote based on a combination of heat flux transducers, temperature sensors, and heater power measurements. This paper briefly discusses the details of the construction of the thermal observation manikins and their application for evaluation of thermal conditions in an automobile. In particular, this paper describes how the two manikins were placed in the driver and passenger seats of a car and were operated in the same environmental conditions within the automobile as those used in a previous automotive human comfort research project. Detailed experimental data and analysis of results for each of the placement methods are presented and discussed. The placement method analysis found significant differences in power measurements and temperatures. One can only determine the proper placement method procedure through close analysis of the manikin and human research data.