This paper presents a method for Mobile Air Conditioning cool down simulation of passenger car with Multi Air Zone Cabin Model. This approach allows the prediction of zone wise (head, body and foot) temperature and humidity distribution in the cabin for parameter studies for transient analysis. The complete simulation model is set up in the 1D code.
The same cabin model can deal with multiple inlets into the cabin, solar radiation, and other loads on Air Conditioning (AC) system and also allows detailed definition of cabin walls, like doors, floor, roof and windows. 3D air flow pattern within the cabin has been captured by diffusion fields and mass flow field. For a given flow field, these data are generated by conducting cabin air flow analysis in 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
The simulation was done along with AC system, consisting of evaporator, compressor, condenser, thermostatic expansion device and connecting pipe network. The transient thermal behavior of ducts and internal masses is modeled. Good correlation is achieved between simulation and experimental data measured at vehicle level.
This paper focuses on the modeling methodology and analyzing performance behavior of AC system using 1D simulation tool commercially available and also discusses the correlation of simulated results with test results.