Search Results

This paper describes newly developed model-in-the-loop simulation (MILS) which makes design for cooperative climate control logics between automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioner) and auxiliary thermal devices more efficient in considering thermal sensation and comfort of occupants. The auxiliary thermal devices such as an air-conditioned seat and a heated steering wheel consume less energy than the HVAC, and they have a potential to improve the total energy consumption satisfying thermal comfort of occupants. However, it is not easy to design the cooperative climate control logics for these thermal devices since thermal sensation and comfort must be taken into account while the logic optimization. The proposed MILS consists of thermal-environment model, thermal-device model, ambient conditions and climate control logics. The thermal-environment model simulates dynamics of temperature distribution in a cabin and human body.