THERMAL RADIATION BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE CABIN INTERIOR

Thermal radiation is one mode of the thermal exchange between the passengers and the interior surfaces of the vehicle's cabin, equally important as convection, conduction and latent heat exchange. The parameters that influence radiative heat exchange between the human body and cabin's surfaces are discussed in this paper. The influence of the radiative heat exchange on human thermal sensation is explained. Characteristics of the surrounding surfaces and of the human body surfaces as well quantification of the radiation heat transfer in typical cabin interior conditions are given. The values are based on experimental and numerical researches in motor vehicles. The results show importance of thermal radiation and its high influence on thermal sensation in vehicles.