Cabin Flow and the Windshield De-Icing Simulation with the Parametric Cabin Modeler

The development of automotive HVAC modules utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes reduces the overall development time and ensures an optimum comfort level to passengers in the vehicle. A new parametric cabin modeler to generate cabin geometry for CFD analysis in easier and faster way than the conventional approach was validated. The parametric cabin modeler can be used for a variety of vehicle applications ranging from passenger cars over mini vans and SUV's to class VIII trucks. Airflow analysis results of the cabin built by utilizing the parametric cabin modeler were compared to CFD analysis results based on exact CAD geometry. Temperature distribution on the vehicle windshield was measured using an infrared camera and compared to the estimated velocity magnitude distributions on the windshield. A windshield de-icing simulation was conducted for a class VIII truck based on SAE de-icing test recommendations. The CFD analysis results were compared to actual de-icing test results obtained in the Behr climate chamber, showing a very good correlation. An SUV case demonstrated the benefits of utilizing the proposed new method in a very early phase of the development process.