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Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort
Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869484113896931328 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Van Vuuren , Dirk J. |
| author_browse | Van Vuuren , Dirk J. |
| author_facet | Van Vuuren , Dirk J. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108487 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:09:44.352Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108487 Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort Van Vuuren , Dirk J. u13026748@up.co.za Dirker, Jaco Githinji, Kefitlhile Tshiamo UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Electric Vehicles HVAC Energy Efficiency Occupant Comfort Energy Consumption Reduction Autonomous Vehicles Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study investigates the thermal interaction between vehicle cabins and their occupants, focusing on personalised cooling strategies that can reduce HVAC energy consumption during short journeys in electric vehicles. The key driver for this study when improving the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) requirements of a vehicle cabin is the relationship between electric vehicles, short journeys, and the need for energy efficiency. The energy expenditure associated with managing the cabin's climatic conditions arises from internal cooling loads and external weather conditions; leading to uncomfortable and hazardous thermal environments for passengers. To optimise the driving range of electric vehicles whilst ensuring passenger comfort, it is essential to study the thermal interaction between the cabin and occupants to implement energy-saving strategies in the vehicle's HVAC system. An experiment was conducted on 31 human subjects, exploring three experimental permutations of different ventilation air flows. One group was subjected to a cooling rate of 0.02 kg/s, the second at 0.03 kg/s, and the third at 0.04 kg/s. Measurements include human subject skin temperature, ambient temperature, subjective responses to changing thermal conditions, and vehicle cabin interior surface temperatures. The study's findings reveal significant variations in individual thermal comfort needs, underscoring the importance of adaptable and personalised climate control systems in vehicles. For example, at an airflow rate of 0.02 kg/s, with 10 subjects, the mean time to discomfort was 36 seconds (±45 seconds standard deviation), with values ranging from a minimum of 1.94 seconds to a maximum of 161 seconds. Additionally, the 25th percentile was 13 seconds, the median (50%) was 13 seconds, and the 75th percentile was 35 seconds. These results reflect the variability of thermal comfort needs even within a single group, emphasizing the importance of flexible climate control. Data analysis showed that the time to notice thermal discomfort varies widely among individuals and depends on the cooling air flow rate, highlighting the subjective nature of thermal comfort. These insights are critical for developing energy-efficient cooling strategies in electric vehicles to enhance occupant comfort and energy efficiency. Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering MEng (Mechanical Engineering) Unrestricted Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities SDG-07: Affordable and clean energy 2026-02-20T07:25:26Z 2026-02-20T07:25:26Z 2026-05-18 2025 Dissertation * A2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108487 10.25403/UPresearchdata.31342786 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Electric Vehicles HVAC Energy Efficiency Occupant Comfort Energy Consumption Reduction Autonomous Vehicles Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| title | Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| title_full | Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| title_fullStr | Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| title_short | Influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short-drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| title_sort | influence of vehicle cabin thermal conditions on short drive cooling demand and passenger comfort |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Electric Vehicles HVAC Energy Efficiency Occupant Comfort Energy Consumption Reduction Autonomous Vehicles |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108487 |