Thermal analysis of the car windscreen

Sylwia, Ho ejowska; Tadeusz, Orzechowski; Anna, Pawi ska · 2019 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201921302027

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Summary

This study addresses the challenge of optimizing automotive ventilation and heating/cooling systems to maintain passenger thermal comfort and ensure safe driving conditions. The authors highlight that designing these systems requires precise knowledge of physical parameters, particularly local heat transfer coefficients, which are often difficult to specify individually. The research focuses on determining the local heat transfer coefficients at the interface between the car windscreen and the cooling air from the interior of the passenger compartment. By accurately characterizing these coefficients, the study aims to improve the efficiency of climate control systems, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the speed at which desirable thermal conditions are achieved. The experimental methodology involved measuring the temperature distribution on the external surface of a Suzuki SX4 windscreen using infrared thermography. A VIGO System V50 camera, operating in the long-wave infrared range (8–11 mm), was employed to capture thermal images while the vehicle’s cooling system was active. To ensure measurement accuracy, correction factors were applied for ambient radiation and signal dampening, with calibration performed using a paint with known emission properties. The data indicated that the system reached a quasi-stationary state approximately nine minutes after initiating the cold air blow. The authors developed a two-dimensional mathematical model to describe steady-state heat transfer through the windscreen. This model utilized the Trefftz method to solve the inverse heat conduction problem, approximating the temperature distribution using a linear combination of harmonic functions. Boundary conditions included the measured external surface temperature and the internal air temperature, which was recorded at approximately 12°C. The results demonstrate that the Trefftz method effectively determined the two-dimensional temperature distribution and the corresponding heat flux transmitted to the cabin. The analysis revealed that the local heat transfer coefficient varies significantly along the length of the windscreen. Specifically, the coefficient reached a maximum value of 62 W/(m²K) in the first measurement section, approximately 120 mm from the start, which corresponds to the area closest to the air-conditioning outlet. As the distance from the outlet increased, the heat transfer coefficient decreased, eventually stabilizing at an almost constant value in the final section of the windscreen (beyond 300 mm). These findings confirm that the heat transfer profile is strictly dependent on the external surface temperature distribution and the proximity to the airflow source. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the development of fast, non-invasive diagnostic methods for automotive climate control systems. By combining thermal imaging with the Trefftz mathematical model, the authors provide a reliable approach for assessing the quality and correctness of airflow without intrusive measurements. This method facilitates more accurate analyses of system operation, which can lead to optimized control strategies and reduced power uptake for ventilation systems. The authors conclude that while the current stationary model is effective, future work should incorporate time-variable parameters and temperature-dependent physical properties to address non-linear inverse heat transfer problems, further enhancing the precision of thermal comfort modeling in vehicles.

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• hud ar windshield