TESTING METHODS FOR PASSENGER CAR HEATING SYSTEMS
Main Article Content
Abstract
The performance of heating systems in passenger cars is a crucial factor affecting thermal comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, particularly in cold climates. Despite advances in automotive HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, comprehensive testing methods for heating functionality remain a challenge due to vehicle design diversity, user expectations, and environmental factors. This study investigates and evaluates various testing methods for heating systems in light vehicles based on international standards and practical approaches. Using experimental and simulation techniques, several heating configurations are analyzed for heat-up time, temperature distribution, energy consumption, and occupant comfort. Results suggest that multi-zone thermal mapping and standardized driving cycles provide the most reliable assessment framework. Furthermore, the study proposes improvements to current testing protocols to ensure better reproducibility and alignment with real-world conditions.
Downloads
Article Details
Section

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright of their manuscripts, and all Open Access articles are disseminated under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC-BY), which licenses unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is appropriately cited. The use of general descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, and so forth in this publication, even if not specifically identified, does not imply that these names are not protected by the relevant laws and regulations.
How to Cite
References
1. Tanaka, H., & Kobayashi, K. (2019). Innovations in Automotive Heating Systems. SAE International Journal.
2. SAE J2234. Performance of Vehicle Climate Control Systems. Society of Automotive Engineers.
3. ISO 14505-2. Ergonomics of the thermal environment — Evaluation of thermal environments in vehicles.
4. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. ECE R122: Uniform Provisions Concerning Heating Systems.
5. Fanger, P. O. (1970). Thermal Comfort: Analysis and Applications in Environmental Engineering. McGraw-Hill.
6. Kittelson, D., & Yang, X. (2016). Measurement Techniques for Cabin Comfort Evaluation. International Journal of Vehicle Design.
7. Zhao, Y., & Chen, Q. (2003). CFD modeling of ventilation system performance in vehicle cabins. Building and Environment.
8. ANSYS Fluent Theory Guide (2023). ANSYS, Inc.
9. Park, Y., & Lee, J. (2020). Comparative Study on Heating Systems in Electric Vehicles. Energy Reports.
10. Sun, L., & Wang, H. (2021). Thermal Management in EVs Using Heat Pumps. Journal of Power Sources.
11. Zhang, Y., & Arens, E. (2011). Thermal Manikins for Vehicle Cabin Comfort Research. Building Simulation.
12. Cho, H., & Ryu, J. (2022). Infrared Thermography in HVAC Testing. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology.
13. Kayumov B. A., Ergashev D. P. Design and test results of wind tunnel for car prototypes //Galaxy International Interdisciplinary Research Journal. – 2023. – Т. 11. – №. 1. – С. 81-90.