A New Method for the Detailed Assessment of Human Heat Balance in Vehicles-Volvo's Thermal Manikin, VOLTMAN

By simulating in detail the dry heat loss of the human body, using a clothed, fuil-size thermal manikin whose 17 sections maintain a “skin-temperature distribution” identical with that of a human occupant in thermal comfort, the effect of the vehicle microclimate on sectional heat loss can be rapidly and accurately measured.

The VOLTMAN system is based on a digital process-control computer capable of monitoring all relevant physical quantities in the vehicle as well as controlling the manikin. It can be rapidly installed in a standard vehicle, using the existing 12-volt power supply. Extensive field trials in the Arctic areas of Sweden and in Death Valley, California, have already demonstrated its utility and reliability under extremes of cold and heat. As the manikin is maintained at constant temperature it can achieve a new heat-flow equilibrium within a few minutes of a change in the microclimate, permitting a rapid rate of data aquisition.