The sweating thermal manikin simulates the human body's physiological structure and heat and moisture transfer mechanisms, accurately simulating the sweating and heat dissipation processes of the human body, whether in motion or at rest. It is used to test the moisture resistance of clothing and assess its resistance to sweat evaporation. The test results are intuitive and represent a cutting-edge international technology at the intersection of clothing science, human bionics, and biophysics. Shanghai Qianshi Precision Electromechanical Technology Co., Ltd. manufactures this thermal manikin and has received positive market feedback.
The sweating thermal manikin test system simulates the physical mechanisms and heat exchange of the external environment. The manikin monitoring results reveal the thermal resistance, moisture resistance, and CLO value of the material. Software data analysis reveals the impact of different garments on the thermal comfort manikin.
The thermal manikin test system characterizes the impact of different garments on human comfort performance by measuring the thermal balance between the heat generated by the manikin and the external environment, and the resulting human comfort. This information then guides the development of fabrics and garments to meet specific comfort conditions.
The thermal manikin test system, equipped with data analysis software, presents insights into human sensory perception through data. This avoids the need for actual human testing, resulting in consistent data and minimizing discrepancies in results due to individual perceptions. This model is suitable for testing the thermal insulation properties of functional fabrics, developing and producing clothing, and materials such as sleeping bags. It can also be used to analyze the impact of the environment on human comfort and the environmental conditions that meet human comfort requirements.
This advanced technology has been applied in the fields of clothing, aerospace, fire protection, and traffic safety in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. This is particularly true in the evaluation of hygrothermal comfort and the development of occupational protective clothing. Thermal models can simulate the heat exchange between the human body, clothing, and the environment in a specific setting, scientifically evaluating the thermal performance of the entire garment, minimizing the impact of individual differences in human experiments. They offer high experimental accuracy and good reproducibility. It has been recognized as an indispensable tool for studying clothing ergonomics.
The human body dissipates heat to the surrounding environment not only through conduction, convection, and radiation, but also through evaporation of sweat from the skin. If water vapor can diffuse quickly through the clothing system to the surrounding environment, we feel comfortable. However, if clothing blocks the passage of water vapor, increasing the humidity in the microclimate between the skin and the clothing, water vapor can accumulate and condense, causing discomfort. When the human body engages in strenuous activity or in a hot environment, sweat evaporation is an important way to burn calories. Therefore, clothing must have a high water vapor permeability. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately test the evaporation resistance of clothing to comprehensively evaluate its heat and moisture transfer performance.
Since dry thermal manikin models only simulate human physiological responses within the non-evaporative cooling range, sweating thermal manikin models were developed. Early sweating thermal manikin models simulated human skin by covering the skin with a layer of cotton fabric or other breathable undergarments. First, water was sprayed onto the simulated skin, and the manikin was then dressed to raise the temperature to a certain level. Every five minutes, a control system recorded the surface temperature, environmental parameters, and heating power, and calculated the evaporative resistance of the garment. This test was completed before the simulated skin began to dry out. Because this process is quasi-steady-state, the test result typically relies primarily on subjective judgment by the operator, resulting in a relatively stable evaporative resistance value within a short period of time. Therefore, this method cannot accurately and repeatedly measure the evaporative resistance of clothing.
The new sweating thermal manikin addresses this issue. A water circulation system distributes a certain proportion of water throughout the body, heating the central torso to simulate the overall body temperature distribution. The manikin's skin is made of a material with a microporous structure that allows water vapor to evaporate, simulating human sweating. The latest sweating thermal manikin utilizes a motor-driven body to simulate human walking, achieving dynamic testing.
1. First, prepare the accessories and test specimens.
2. Attach the skin from the bottom of the mannequin's feet to the top of the mannequin, zipping the back zipper over the mannequin's head.
3. Attach the skin temperature and humidity sensors to the designated locations on the mannequin's skin.
4. Turn on the control panel and access the [Configuration] section of the main interface.
5. Set the power, time, ambient temperature, and humidity parameters.
6. Select "Save & Load" to import the general settings, skin temperature, and skin humidity data.
7. Click the [Return] button.
8. Operate the water filling and drainage controls sequentially to add water to the water supply tank and mannequin.
9. After adding water, click [Run] to begin the test.
10. The system automatically enters the recording phase.
11. After the test is complete, the instrument displays all final results. Analyze the data to evaluate the overall thermal performance of the garment.
Maintenance of the warm-body sweating manikin is crucial and can be addressed in the following areas:
For daily cleaning, after testing, gently wipe the manikin's surface with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and other stains. Stubborn stains can be removed with a diluted neutral detergent, then rinse and dry. Regularly clean the internal heating and water supply pipes to prevent blockage.
Regarding component inspection and replacement, regularly calibrate the temperature and humidity sensors with a standard source, inspect the connecting cables, and replace any deviations. Measure the resistance of the heating element and replace any abnormalities. Inspect the sweating system components, such as the water pump, water tank, and nozzle, and repair or replace any problems promptly.
System calibration is essential. Use specialized equipment to calibrate the manikin's temperature and humidity to ensure accurate measurements. Accurately measure sweating volume, compare it to the set value, and adjust the sweating system parameters.
Storage requirements also apply. Store the manikin in an environment with a temperature range of 10-30°C and a relative humidity of 30%-70%. Cover it with a dust cover to prevent dust and insect damage to prevent material aging and component damage.
As a cutting-edge technology in garment thermal and humidity performance testing, sweating manikins, with their precise simulation of human physiological responses and reduced interference from individual differences, play an irreplaceable role in a wide range of fields, including garment R&D, aerospace, and firefighting. From rigorous and meticulous operational procedures to thorough and thoughtful maintenance, every step is crucial to the accuracy of test results and the longevity of the equipment. With continuous technological advancements, sweating manikins are expected to become even more intelligent and efficient, providing stronger support for improving garment comfort and ensuring operational safety in challenging environments, thereby driving innovation and development in related industries.
