Attaining Thermal Comfort by Utilizing Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Embedded Wind Shield and Roof of a Passenger Car

Despite the advances in the field of vehicle thermal management, certain challenges still exists which are yet necessary to be addressed. One of among those challenges is maintaining the vehicle cabin temperature at a comfortable level and reducing the losses incurred by the vehicle. Vehicle cabin temperature is an important factor in deciding the reliability, longevity and fuel economy of a vehicle. Also, for the safety and comfort of the driver and passengers, the comfort conditions are to be maintained in all climatic conditions. The cabin temperature is increased due to thermal soaking from direct sunlight and this increases the vehicle cabin temperature up to a range of 50 ⁰C to 70 ⁰C. The amount of solar radiation entering into the vehicle cabin is a major factor which is a contribution of transmissivity of light radiation through the windows including the windshield. To maintain the temperature inside the vehicle cabin within a comfortable range (22 ⁰C to 30 ⁰C) a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film is fitted with the windshield. The film turns transparent or opaque depending on the voltage provided to it. This enables the film to be at a transparent state during the minimum temperature and in the opaque state during higher temperatures set as per the controller. With this we are able to obtain reduced temperature inside the vehicle cabin and minimizing the use of AC systems of the vehicle and ultimately increasing the fuel economy of the vehicle.