Analysis of Comfort Parameters in Special Purpose Vehicles from Technological Development Point of View

Abstract

The analysis of comfort parameters in the crew cabin space of two variants of the special purpose off-road vehicle is presented, taking technological development aspects into account. Tests of noise, vibration and heating - cooling efficiency have been performed in realistic operating conditions, during the intensive driving on three selected test tracks, in order to ensure the repeatability of the obtained results. Measuring of noise and vibration levels at the drivers, co-drivers and crew members' seats were performed at strictly defined vehicle speed. Heating efficiency tests for the cabin have been performed in laboratory conditions, inside a cold chamber with the constant temperature of (-16 degrees C), whereas cooling efficiency tests were conducted in the hot chamber at the temperature of (+ 40 degrees C). The results of these tests enable the selection of a more comfortable variant of vehicle, wherein the one with less seats for passengers in the cabin which, in addition to more comfort also has the advantage of greater storage space, and from the application flexibility standpoint, which is offered by the possibility of transporting more passengers and less load, such vehicles offer better environment control from within the vehicle.