Defining the Thermal Network Continuum

For modeling thermal comfort, you require another physics continuum — a thermal network continuum — in addition to the one that models the air flow in the car cabin.

To model the response of the manikin and assess its comfort levels, you activate the Coupled Fiala Thermoregulation and the Equivalent Homogeneous Temperature models.

The Fiala Thermoregulation model allows you to simulate the response of the manikin to the conditions of the system by modeling thermoregulation and providing comfort metrics for the manikin. The solution provided by the Fiala model is a global value for the entire manikin.

The Equivalent Homogeneous Temperature model simulates the thermal comfort of the manikin at a local level for seventeen separate body parts.

To define the thermal network continuum:
  1. Right-click the Continua node and select New Physics Continuum.
  2. Rename the Continua > Physics 1 node to Thermal Comfort.
  3. For the physics continuum, Thermal Comfort, select the following models in order:

    Group Box

    Model

    Optional Models

    Thermal Comfort

    Coupled Fiala Thermoregulation

    Manikin (Selected automatically)

    Equivalent Homogeneous Temperature

    Time Steady (Selected automatically)
  4. Click Close.
  5. Select the Continua > Thermal Comfort > Models > Manikins > Manikin 1 > Fiala Manikin Properties node and set Activity Level (met) to 1.0.
    An activity level of 1.0 is a good estimate for an adult driving a car under calm conditions.
  6. Select Thermal Comfort > Initial Conditions > Static Temperature and set Value to 36.5 C.
  7. Save the simulation.