Effect of solar radiation on thermal comfort in an automobile cabin

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate effect of solar radiation on thermal comfort in an automobile during cooling period with experiments. High cabin interior temperature. especially in summer months, causes discomfort for driver and the passengers. In the study, ambient temperature. relative humidity, mean radiant temperature and mean skin temperature of the driver inside the automobile cabin during cooling period for same vent air velocities with different solar radiation values were measured in a parked car. Subjective survey was performed during the experiments to the driver. Experiments were held under real conditions and the results were compared with answers taken from the subject and discussed. Adequate thermal comfort conditions were not obtained for high solar radiation values but it was found that thermal comfort conditions inside the cabin were quite acceptable for low solar radiation values.