In addition, the PCM application increases the thermal comfort inside the passenger compartment, and could delay the aging process of the cover material of the instrument panel. Applied to the seats, the PCM improves their thermal comfort substantially, especially on hot summer days. The PCM-film application in the discussed components is durable, maintenance free and does not require the use of any external energy supply.
Energy can be saved and the thermal comfort inside the passenger compartment can be enhanced by the application of textile composites with thermoregulating properties. The thermo-regulating properties are provided by the application of phase change material (PCM) - a highly productive thermal storage mean. In order to create the textile composites with thermo-regulating properties the PCM is contained in a polymeric film that is laminated to a textile carrier. A study has indicated that the application of the developed composites is especially beneficial in car seats, headliners and instrument panels. In the paper, specific solutions for the application of the textile composites in car seats, headliners and instrument panels will be introduced and test results, received in rigorous field tests, will be discussed.