MATHER: In Cab Thermal Comfort Numerical Model

Providing adequate level of comfort is the main objective of an HVAC. This kind of information is not very useful at the end of a study and also is very expensive to obtain if only an experimental approach is used. In fact, the analysis of comfort problem is the right place for a model. The paper will concern the development of a in cab thermal comfort numerical model. The first part of the development is only achieved for the winter outside conditions. The model is developed in order to predict the local thermal sensations of the car driver according to the thermal conditions provided by the heating system. A lot of experiments have been lead in the VALEO wind tunnel to complete and validate the model. The development perspectives concern the summer outside conditions. This study supported by VALEO Climate Control and PSA PEUGEOT CITROEN, has been performed by the Laboratory LESETH (University of Toulouse).