Modeling of in-cabin climate and fogging of windshield

Passenger safety is considered as the central issue in vehicle design. One of the important factors that strongly affect driving safety is visibility through the windshield. Present model is mainly focused on the problem of fogging of windshields including the effects of latent heat and humidity. Model was studied for different climatic conditions like hot humid climate and cold climate. The effect of surface parameters like static contact angle, on defogging was also studied. Further, the effect of AC on in-cabin climate was also studied. Experimental results for condensation on a glass plate very well resembled with the glass-model results. The model helps in predicting fogging and understanding the actual thermal parameters leading to it and hence can be useful in optimizing these parameters so as to reduce fogging. It serves as a useful tool in optimizing the performance of an air conditioner.