Thermal passenger comfort is an increasingly important topic in designing modern cars. To make imformed decisions concerning the HVAC layout the engineer first needs to understand the heat transfer mechanisms primarily responsible for cabin temperature and humidity. Simulations made with THESEUS‑FE support the thermal engineer by providing insight into the interplay of different environmental conditions, material properties and climatization effect. Extreme conditions such as a cold winter day in northern countries or a clear sunny day in tropical regions are easily applied by changing a few model parameters. Standard load cases specified by national or international regulation are easily defined.

For car climatization THESEUS‑FE treats all major heat transfer mechanisms that influence cabin temperature and humidity:

• • • heat transfer by conduction within solid parts

    • heat transfer by thermal radiation between surfaces

    • heat transfer by convection between solid surfaces and environment/cabin air

Cabins of modern cars are already well insulated thermally. As an example, consider a cross section through the complex layers in a typical car roof. Below the visible outer sheet material various layers are used for thermal insulation, noise protection and hollow spaces filled with air. Together with novel high-tech paints and coatings, this multi-layered composite buildup yields high insulation rates. These advances in insulation technologies of cars are the result of decades of research supported by simulation tools.

Nowadays, the biggest losses through thermal conduction occur through the windows. In comparison to that the remaining parts of the car cabin are already highly insulated.