A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins

Thermal comfort within a vehicle cabin is of utmost importance for both safety and user satisfaction. This study evaluates the impact of two air diffuser geometries—the classical and the innovative lobbed air diffusers—on the thermal environment within a car cabin. Experiments were conducted in an a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Danca Paul, Cernei Alexandru
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:E3S Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/08/e3sconf_eenviro2024_02003.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832098406791643136
author Danca Paul
Cernei Alexandru
author_facet Danca Paul
Cernei Alexandru
author_sort Danca Paul
collection DOAJ
description Thermal comfort within a vehicle cabin is of utmost importance for both safety and user satisfaction. This study evaluates the impact of two air diffuser geometries—the classical and the innovative lobbed air diffusers—on the thermal environment within a car cabin. Experiments were conducted in an automobile-like enclosure within a climatic chamber, using a Dacia Duster dashboard and ventilation system. The system was manually controlled to vary airflow rates. Wireless temperature sensors were placed at strategic positions and levels (head, chest, knees) to monitor temperature variations over six measurement sessions with different ventilation configurations. Results show that both diffuser types effectively maintain a uniform temperature distribution across seating positions and levels. However, the innovative lobbed air diffusers demonstrated superior performance by maintaining slightly lower or comparable temperature, despite higher inlet air temperature. This suggests enhanced air mixing capability, leading to a more consistent and cooler environment, particularly advantageous during warmer conditions. This study highlights the importance of optimizing thermal comfort in vehicle cabins to improve passenger safety and comfort. Further research on long-term performance and energy efficiency is recommended to fully explore the benefits of innovative air diffusers.
format Article
id doaj-art-52c3583f5a3742ea82ff4909a3b9dde7
institution Kabale University
issn 2267-1242
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher EDP Sciences
record_format Article
series E3S Web of Conferences
spelling doaj-art-52c3583f5a3742ea82ff4909a3b9dde72025-02-05T10:49:33ZengEDP SciencesE3S Web of Conferences2267-12422025-01-016080200310.1051/e3sconf/202560802003e3sconf_eenviro2024_02003A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabinsDanca Paul0Cernei Alexandru1National Institute for R&D in Electric Engineering, ICPE-CAAdvanced Research Centre for Ambiental Quality and Building Physics, Technical University of Civil Engineering of BucharestThermal comfort within a vehicle cabin is of utmost importance for both safety and user satisfaction. This study evaluates the impact of two air diffuser geometries—the classical and the innovative lobbed air diffusers—on the thermal environment within a car cabin. Experiments were conducted in an automobile-like enclosure within a climatic chamber, using a Dacia Duster dashboard and ventilation system. The system was manually controlled to vary airflow rates. Wireless temperature sensors were placed at strategic positions and levels (head, chest, knees) to monitor temperature variations over six measurement sessions with different ventilation configurations. Results show that both diffuser types effectively maintain a uniform temperature distribution across seating positions and levels. However, the innovative lobbed air diffusers demonstrated superior performance by maintaining slightly lower or comparable temperature, despite higher inlet air temperature. This suggests enhanced air mixing capability, leading to a more consistent and cooler environment, particularly advantageous during warmer conditions. This study highlights the importance of optimizing thermal comfort in vehicle cabins to improve passenger safety and comfort. Further research on long-term performance and energy efficiency is recommended to fully explore the benefits of innovative air diffusers.https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/08/e3sconf_eenviro2024_02003.pdf
spellingShingle Danca Paul
Cernei Alexandru
A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins
E3S Web of Conferences
title A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins
title_full A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins
title_fullStr A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins
title_full_unstemmed A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins
title_short A comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment/comfort in vehicle cabins
title_sort comparative study of classical and innovative lobbed air diffusers using temperature sensors for thermal environment comfort in vehicle cabins
url https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/08/e3sconf_eenviro2024_02003.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT dancapaul acomparativestudyofclassicalandinnovativelobbedairdiffusersusingtemperaturesensorsforthermalenvironmentcomfortinvehiclecabins
AT cerneialexandru acomparativestudyofclassicalandinnovativelobbedairdiffusersusingtemperaturesensorsforthermalenvironmentcomfortinvehiclecabins
AT dancapaul comparativestudyofclassicalandinnovativelobbedairdiffusersusingtemperaturesensorsforthermalenvironmentcomfortinvehiclecabins
AT cerneialexandru comparativestudyofclassicalandinnovativelobbedairdiffusersusingtemperaturesensorsforthermalenvironmentcomfortinvehiclecabins