The new sensors equip a new  generation of manikins, named PACO,  and wearable system that can be worn by an operator  to characterize the driver place during on-the-filed tests or a workplace  during the normal activity. The PACO manikin reproduces a 50 percentile man and it is equipped with has 18 thermal comfort sensors and 6 temperature and humidity sensors. The joints are tri-axial joints with goniometer to guarantee the maintenance and the repeatability of the position so as to be able to compare the measurement  carried out in different environments and times. The manikin weighs 26 kg and can be handled by a single operator. The upper part of the body can operate independently from the legs so alllow the use of the manikin special environment or to simulate the standing position

The manikin communicates wireless (WiFi) with a PC allowing to visualize in real time the acquired data and store  them. A model of human the thermo regulatory system allows to post-process the data estimating the effect of the sweating, clothing and activity  (metabolism). A specific empiric model for the automotive domain allow to post-process the acquired data estimating the perceived thermal comfort level on a SAE scale (1-10) for summer and winter conditions and ventilation system quality on a 1-10 SAE scale too.

Thermal Comfort Sensor

The Sensor  is constituted by an insulating support with to heated elements or Skin Elements (A and B) simulating the human skin (low and high metabolism). An hot wire anemometer is placed between the sensors to measure the local air speed. Each Skin-Element is cosntitued by an heater (metabolic generator), of thermal flux sensor (measurement and control of the metabolic power) and by a surface  temperature sensor (temperature of the skin). The surface temperature is a function of the environmental thermal exchange characteristics (convention and irradiation)