Title: DRESSMAN – a thermal comfort measurement device for drivers and pilots

Authors: Rudolf Schwab, Erhard Mayer

Addresses: Fraunhofer-Institut fur Bauphysik, Fraunhoferstr. 10, 83626 Valley/Oberlaindern, Germany. ' Fraunhofer-Institut fur Bauphysik, Fraunhoferstr. 10, 83626 Valley/Oberlaindern, Germany

Abstract: DRESSMAN (Dummy REpresenting Suit for Simulation of huMAN heatloss) designates a novel measurement device for climate measurements that allows the prediction of human thermal comfort experienced normally inside rooms (vehicles, aircraft, railway compartments, buildings, etc.), on the basis of climate measurements. It is specially designed for use by an operating driver or pilot. Measurement results can be listed in tabular form and can also be represented by way of colour gradations in a virtual 3D human model. Optionally, visualisation may be either online or by post processing. Due to its very quick response, DRESSMAN is particularly suited to nonstationary processes, to get information about fast physical thermal variations. DRESSMAN was specially developed to measure the expected local thermal sensations at different body parts, which are influenced by air temperature, air velocity and thermal radiation.

Keywords: aircraft design; DRESSMAN; equivalent temperature; thermal comfort; thermal manikin; vehicle design; cabin comfort; cockpit comfort; cabin climate; temperature measurement; driver comfort; pilot comfort; heat loss; simulation; 3D modelling; air temperature; air velocity; thermal radiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2006.010176

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2006 Vol.42 No.1/2, pp.49 - 56

Published online: 08 Jul 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article