Numerical Simulation of Electric-Bus Windshield Demisting in Winter Conditions

Abstract

Driver visibility in the automotive industry is a major source of safety design concern for the manufacturers. The mist that forms on the windshield during winter season would affect the driver’s visibility, so in winter climate the water vapor film is originated inside the windshield. In order to demist, warm air is passed at a certain velocity and relative angle to the windshield, so that it will reduce the thickness of this water vapor film on the windshield, which improves driver’s visibility. Experimental testing is extremely time-consuming as well as quite expensive. CFD simulations have been able to shorten the development cycle and reduce cost. Numerical simulation has been studied for the demisting process under a transient condition of condensed water vapor thickness on the windshield. Therefore, a well-designed HVAC system will help to reduce this water vapor film thickness to an accepted level for driver visibility as per safety norms.