Thermal Perception and Response to Overwarmed Contact and Surface Heating on Heat-Sensitive-Impaired Individuals in a BMW Vehicle Environment

In the automotive industry, contact and surface heating systems are designed to enhance thermal comfort in vehicles. The maximum temperature thresholds for such systems are integrated in DIN EN ISO 13732–1. This paper presents a study on the effects of contact surface heating on thermal comfort in automotive interiors, with a particular focus on individuals with heat sensitivity impairments caused by polyneuropathy. Two groups of individuals, one with normal sensitivity and the other with impaired heat sensitivity due to polyneuropathy, were tested for their thermal perception and response to an overwarmed seat and steering wheel heating system. The study aimed to measure the temperature and time at which individuals in a Control and Experimental group would stop using an overwarmed contact surface heating on the steering wheel and seat. In addition, the thermal load on passengers in a vehicle environment was investigated to define time limits and temperature thresholds for comfortable and uncomfortable states when using contact surface heating systems. A BMW driving simulator was used to simulate a realistic in-vehicle experience. The results indicate that both groups could feel the heat but had significant differences in their threshold temperature and time to discontinue heating. The heat sensitivity impaired group had a more sensitive thermal perception compared to the normal sensitive group. The outcomes of this research offer valuable insights for the design and advancement of contact and surface heating systems in vehicles, specifically for individuals who suffer from heat sensitivity impairments.