An Objective Analysis of Using Infrared Panels for Thermal Comfort Assessments in a Vehicle Environment

In the context of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), this research explores the potential of radiant heating as a complementary approach to conventional HVAC systems, particularly under winter conditions. A vehicle mock-up equipped with heating foils was placed in a climatic chamber at an ambient temperature of 3 °C to simulate direct infrared heating scenarios. Thermal comfort was assessed using a climate dummy with 16 embedded sensors for equivalent temperature measurement. The results indicate that radiant heating can maintain thermal comfort for most body regions, although maintaining sufficient heat at the feet remains a challenge. Equivalent temperatures ranged from 18 °C to 27 °C across different regions, with localized heating causing asymmetries of up to 7Kbetween lower and upper extremities. Maximum radiation exposure remained within safe limits according to DIN EN ISO 33403-3. However, measurement accuracy is influenced by factors such as sensor placement and the pyrgeometer’s directional sensitivity. The findings highlight the need for refined sensor distribution on climate dummies to better capture regional variations in thermal comfort.